The Titan Tribune
Striving to be Saints. Scholars. Champions.
NATURAL HELPERS
LUNCHEON &
STYLE SHOW
Photos by Alec Heaton
Volume 7 Issue 3
Contents
New & Features
Natural Helpers Luncheon
and Style Show................ 1-2
Green Men Feature.............3
Drumline..............................3
Mock Trial...........................4
The Boylan Natural Helpers, led by moderator Miss Jule
Popanz, hosted their annual luncheon and style show on
Sunday, November 4 to raise money for their program.
Senior Natural Helpers participated in the show as models
for various local clothiers. Although the models are the stars
of the show, many members of the Boylan community work
hard to make the Luncheon and Style Show happen each year.
Underclassman Natural Helpers team with faculty and parent
volunteers to serve the meal and sell raffle tickets. Parents of
Natural Helpers, working with Miss Popanz, spend months
gathering silent auction items, addressing invitations, taking
reservations and planning the decorations that transform the
Main Gym for this highly popular event.
Sydney Rumple and Matt Trefilek
show off their fashionable attire.
Kristine Schmeling and Mitch
Lotko after the show.
Sports
Fall Sports Wrap-ups
Girls’ Swimming..................5
Football................................5
Entertainment
Mumford & Sons.................6
Taylor Swift: Red.................6
Skyfall Review.....................7
Fantasy Football..................7
Chelsea Devine and Alex Rose show
off their dashingly good looks.
cont. on page 2
NEWS & FEATURES
NATURAL HELPERS, cont.
(BELOW LEFT) Tim Hazen, Danny Appino, Sean Slattey, Ty Sharp, Peter Cimino, Jake Reilly, and
Ryan Johnson. (BELOW RIGHT) Front: Kaleigh Yurkew, Lauren Nowak, Kristine Schmeling, and Ellen
White. Middle row: Megan Bartimoccia, Maggie Priola, Melissa VanSistine, and Grace Heim.Top left:
Peter Cimino and Drew DeVita. Top right: Lindsey Herra and Emily Knuth.
NEWS & FEATURES
By Abby Austin
THE BOYLAN GREEN MEN
W
ho are the people under those green body suits?
What do they do exactly? The four senior boys are
the Titan Green Men. This year they are Jake LeRoux, Jake
Logli, Alex Rose, and Colton St. Vincent. The Green Men
tradition started in 2010
when the first Green Men
showed up at the football
and basketball games.
When the Titans went to
state that year, Boylan won
the best student section
in the state award. The
Green Men really make the
student section special. No
other school in the NIC10 has four men who are
dressed in color body suits,
full of school spirit, willing
to look ridiculous for their
school. So, what does it
mean to be a Green Man?
According to Senior Jake
Logli, “Being a Green Man
is a big honor for me. It’s
your class saying that they
see how much energy you brought your first three years
and that they want you to lead them.” Alex Rose also said
that “Being a Green Man means that I, along with the other
Green Men, have been given the privilege to lead the state’s
best student section in cheers and chants.” The Green Men
need the student section’s corporation in being loud and
full of spirit. “We scream, start chants, and use music to get
the student section pumped
up,” says Colton St. Vincent.
Logli also said that the music
really gets the student riled
up and ready to cheer the
Titans to victory. The team,
whether it for basketball or
football, relies on the student
section for moral support. The
cheering in the student section
shows the team that the
students believe in them. The
Green Men for next year will
be chosen by this year’s Green
Men. The current Green Men
will get together and choose
the next people to fulfill this
Titan tradition. Jake Logli
says “I am looking for kids
who don’t take themselves too
seriously. Kids who are willing
to look ridiculous for school spirit. Kids people look up to
who bring a lot of energy to the table.” So the question is,
who will be next year’s Green Men?
DRUMLINE: INTERVIEW WITH MR. WEST
By Juan Ortiz
Titan Tribune: How many students are in Drumline?
MW: Twelve.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
LEFT: Nichaela Fiorenza and
James Hoff strut down the
runway. Britton Seivert and
Lindsey Herra; Sydney Makela
strides down the runway; Katie
Dawson and Peter Cimino; Emily
Knuth models Boylan apparel for
Tom Harmer.
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TT: Are the practices what you expected when you
began?
MW: It’s been good with auditions, which were helpful.
The rehearsals can be hectic but fun all the same.
TT: What has been your highlight this season?
MW: Playing at the homecoming game.
Band Director Mr. Matthew West with the pit crew
for White Christmas.
3
MOCK TRIAL TEAM
“OPTIMISTIC” FOR SEASON
SPORTS
FALL POST SEASON WRAP-UPS
GIRLS’ SWIMMING
T
he best experience of this past swim season for the
girls, according to coaches Mrs. Stephanie McGuire
and Miss. Amber Schroeder, and team captain Vanessa
Larson was the sectional meet, where every single swimmer improved their time. In addition, Emily Crouch, Aby
Olson, Vanessa Larson, and Kristina Kladar qualified for
State in the 200 Freestyle Relay with Madeline Kladar and
Sheila Custer qualified as alternates. Vanessa Larson said
by Grace Heim
that qualifying for state, “...[felt] amazing! I have been an
alternate before, but being able to swim is so much better.” Recalling the season, Coach Schroeder said, “I enjoyed
this season from the work ethic, to practice, to the mental
toughness of the girl’s racing… they really impressed me
this year [and] the Sectional Meet is something that will
definitely go down in the memory bank.”
FOOTBALL: A NEW ERA
by Ben Belford
M
ock trial. Perhaps it rings a
team is no easy task: “Each Boylan
tournament will be hosted by the
bell as being one of Boylan’s
mock trial member goes through
University of Illinois--Champaign-
many clubs, the clubs you always hear
an initial evaluation process, which
Urbana Trial Team coaching staff, with
about but you have no idea what they
includes a verbal audition and a
the ISBA taking on a role of secondary
really are. Mock trial is quite unlike
series of written statements. Once
sponsorship,” explains Mr. Liskey.
any other activity at Boylan--it is equal
a student earns a roster spot, a
Every team from the state of Illinois
parts real-life courtroom simulation,
person’s level of commitment and
will compete in Champaign to earn a
academic exercise, and high school
personal responsibility play a large
spot in nationals.
competition. Mr. Ryan Liskey, sums
role in determining personal and
up the program by saying, “Mock trial
team success. Team members put
consistently finished near the top
is a competition program whereby
in a great deal of independent work,
at state. This year’s team, coached
students have the opportunity to gain
outside of practice, says Mr. Liskey.
by former judge Mr. Paul Logli and
an understanding and appreciation
He adds, “For the majority of new
practicing attorneys Mr. James Devine
for the United States justice system,
team members, we’re starting from
and Mr. Glenn Schorsch. According to
through hands-on trial preparation, in
square one when it comes to trial
Mr. Liskey, the team’s outlook for the
a civil or criminal case. Students play
preparation-- things such as learning
season is promising: “I am optimistic
the role of attorneys and witnesses,
the rules of evidence, courtroom
about our team’s prospects for this
portraying the major players in the
procedure, and effective questioning
year. We have a very experienced
given case. Winners from individual
techniques are largely new skills.”
group of five seniors returning from
state competitions then go on to
The mock trial season culminates
In years past Boylan has
last year’s team, and our new members
in the Illinois state tournament at
are all very disciplined upperclassmen
the beginning of March. The Illinois
who are eager to learn.” The team will
case in a realistic courtroom format
mock trial program underwent
be practicing weekly until March to
may seem daunting to the average
significant changes for this year:
prepare for the state tournament.
compete in a national tournament.”
The prospect of trying an entire
4
high school student. Being
“Originally sponsored by the Illinois
a part of the mock trial
State Bar Association, this year’s state
New Era. Those words were everywhere. The fans
cheered them. The players believed and aspired to live
them. There was definitely a new feel this season as the
Boylan Titan football team played for new head coach Mr.
John Cacciatore, Also new to the varsity coaching staff were
defensive coordinator Mr. Chris Rozanski, receivers and
defensive backs coach Mr. Chuck Sicotte, and defensive
line coach Mr. Josh Alis, a former Titan football player
himself. Offensive line coach Mr. Mike Grady was the only
returning coach. Expectations were high for the two time
state champions and they rose to the challenge, reaching
the third round of the playoffs.
Led by captains Danny Appino and Peter Cimino, the
Titans completed another undefeated regular season,
winning the NIC-10 conference championship and earning
a #2 seed in the Playoffs. Junior Quarterback Brock Stull
led a potent offensive attack, throwing for 1232 yards and
10 touchdowns on the season. Appino and Sean Slattery
led a deep, talented group of receivers. Running Back
DeMarcus Vines was the leading rusher for the Titans,
living up to his predecessor, Tyreis Thomas. He rushed for
1392 yards and 23 touchdowns, 2nd most in the conference,
behind a stellar offensive line led by Coach Grady (Seniors
Nick Verstraete, Jason Bryant, Sam Bellone, Billy Brown,
Steven Smetana, and Junior Joe Fehrle).
The defense was one of the best Boylan has seen in
recent years. Coach Rozanski had his defense ready for
every match up throughout the season, including three
shutouts and five games holding teams to less than seven
points. Linebackers Ty Sharp, Ryan Johnson, and Zack
Mathews were dominant all season, and Cimino and Senior
Cornerback Matt Johnson were ballhawks in the secondary.
Defensive linemen Connor Langley, Zach Agunod, Ricky
Turner, and Ian Riggs were also strong throughout the
season.
by George St. John
The Titans’ playoff run began with two home wins. The
first was against Algonquin Jacobs; the Titans fell behind
10-0 in the first quarter, but then scored 28 unanswered
points in a 28-10 win. The next week was without a doubt
one of the most amazing games anyone has ever seen.
Boylan was playing the Oak Park Fenwick Catholic
Friars, and the game was a back and forth defensive
slugfest. Fenwick fed off of a 21-point outburst to take the
14-21 lead. As the clock ran down, Fenwick set up to punt
with mere seconds remaining, and little hope remained
on the Boylan sideline. Then the unthinkable happened.
Cimino fields the punt at the 5-yard line, and returns it 95
yards for the touchdown as time expired. Colin Kenny and
Mike DeFrancisco laid key blocks on the return, and Titan
Stadium exploded. Zach Mathews then scored the game
winning 2-point conversion on an inside run play. Even
IHigh broadcasting team Jake Logli and Christian Hoeger
joined in the fun. Their call of the return and Mathews’
2-point conversion to win the game has gained national
recognition, primarily because of Hoeger’s very animated
reaction.
The next week was finally the end for the Titans. Boylan
traveled to Lake Zurich to take on the playoff rival Bears,
and lost 21-6, though it was a valiant effort. At the end of
the day, though the three-peat was not going to happen,
this was still a great season, and in my opinion, the
program’s finest hour. We fell two games short, but the
stakes were higher. The target on our backs was bigger, and
the challenges were greater. I am proud to say that I was a
part of this team, this program, and the NEW ERA.
All Conference players include Danny Appino,
Joe Fehrle, Sean Slattery, DeMarcus Vines (Offensive
Player of the Year), Peter Cimino, Ryan Johnson
(Defensive Player of the Year), Matt Johnson, Zach
5
Mathews, and Ty Sharp.
ENTERTAINMENT
MUMFORD &
SONS
TAYLOR SWIFT: RED
By Rebecca Russel
F
lawless: the word that comes to
mind when thinking of the folksy
band Mumford & Sons. Hailing from
West London, the four group members
in their twenties have only one purpose:
to make music that matters. The
combinations of singer, guitarist, and
drummer Marcus Mumford, vocalist
and banjo player Winston Marshall,
vocalist, keyboardist Ben Lovett, and
vocalist, bassist Ted Dwane give the
band a rugged sound that is soothed
by the melodic thrum of the banjo and
guitar. In 2007, the foursome first began
playing together and quickly became
a part of London’s underground folk
scene, playing many shows and writing
lots of music simultaneously. The band
was booking gigs left and right to make
their music heard by as many people
as possible. Then, in 2009, Mumford
& Sons released their first EP featuring
songs “The Cave” and “Open Sea”. A
year later, the full album, Sigh No More,
was released and in America and Britain,
over a million copies were sold. With the
release of the first album, jaws dropped
as a popular number “Little Lion Man”
shot up the charts and became the
song stuck in everybody’s heads. They
became an immediate sensation and
that was only the beginning. At the
end of September, millions of people
anticipated the release of their second
album, Babel. Mumford & Sons’ music
was once a mix of bluegrass and folk
tunes, but since then the group has
amped up the electricity. Still bringing
their ruggedness to the table, Mumford
& Sons supply a head banging, singing
along mash of songs on this new album,
with “I Will Wait” as the newest chart
climber. While most adolescent music
tastes venture to the side of hip-hop
and punk rock, I have no doubt that
this band will captivate anyone’s
music preferences. Just give
them a listen; you won’t be
6
disappointed.
By Tess Vrbin
A
nyone who knows me knows that
I have been a proud anti-Taylor
Swift advocate for at least three years.
Mushy, repetitive lyrics combined
with almost the same rhythms and
guitar chords over and over again –
forget it, I said. That is, until I gave
Red the ghost of a chance and was
forced to eat my words: As much as
I’ve had to swallow my punk-rock
pride to admit it, this is a really good
album. Yes, I said it; this is a really
good album.
Swift’s rhymes are still as raw
and sentimental as ever, but she’s
changed in quite a few ways. Not only
does she actually use different words
in different songs for practically the
first time ever, but she also plays each
song in a different beat and key. She
also deviates from her usual artless
guitar strums to soft-rock-style riffs,
disco-pop synthesizers (which I truly
did not expect to be okay with), and
sometimes both. Another refreshing
irregularity from her typical style is
the air of strong determination to be
okay in spite of all the relationships
and breakups that basically define
her career. Instead of “I’ll-diebecause-you-left-me” rants alongside
gushing verses of “I-love-you-we’ll-
be-together-forever”, Swift mourns
her losses in either a calm manner
or with a sense of resolve to move on
and celebrates happy relationships
without being over-the-top.
As far as the individual lyrics
go, Red covers the spectrum from
metaphorical poetry (the title track)
to ultra-descriptive narration (“All
Too Well)”, from hopeful foundations
(“Begin Again”) to firm finality
(“We Are Never Ever Getting Back
Together”). Heck, not even all sixteen
tracks on Red are about romance;
“The Lucky One” expresses the perils
of being famous while 22 is all about
letting loose and having a good time.
Swift’s collaboration with Ed Sheeran
on “Everything Has Changed”
beautifully captures the musical
styles of both artists, and while “The
Last Time” featuring Gary Lightbody
sounds more like Gary Lightbody
featuring Taylor Swift, the song is
still haunting and unique. “I Knew
You Were Trouble” is the dance-floor
head-banger I never knew I wanted
from Swift, and “State of Grace”
resembles classic rock without losing
the feel of the country music genre
Swift has been dominating for years.
Swift has gotten some criticism
for altering her sound; many of
the iTunes album reviews express
frustration that she’s following the
crowd instead of sticking to her
signature tone. A lot of her fans,
however, enjoy the fresh twist she’s
put on her music. It can only be left to
the imagination what her future work
will sound like; I for one am hoping
she continues on the brilliant path
she’s started on. I never thought I’d
say this in, but I really just can’t stop
listening to Red.
SKYFALL: THE BOND
SERIES REDEEMED
FANTASY
FOOTBALL:
WHY WE LOVE IT
By George St. John
A
By Mark Bhaskar
I
must confess that this is new for me.
Not only am I reviewing something
that does not belong in an issue of
Cosmopolitan, like my previous two
articles on One Direction and The
Lucky One, but I am also about to give
a movie a positive review. I am out of
my element. Bear with me.
Skyfall is one of the best films I
have seen in years. Everything that
a Bond film should be is in place.
The action is intense, the acting is
captivating, the Bond girl (Bérénice
Marlohe) is attractive and mysterious,
and the plot keeps the viewer guessing
until the end and manages to tie
the Daniel Craig prequel films to the
Sean Connery originals. But what
was perhaps most unique about this
action film is that it had true character
development. I don’t want to spoil
anything, but Bond (Craig) is brought
low by the film’s opening moments.
Bond battles a former MI6 agent
determined to kill M (Judi Dench),
fights against becoming outdated
as an agent, and wrestles his own
inadequacies.
Craig and Dench make this movie.
The relationship between them is
explored and developed through
smart, yet touching exchanges that
dmit it. You know what this is. If
it’s not you personally, you have
a friend or family member who is
absolutely addicted to it. Millions of
Americans across the country play
it. It’s Fantasy Football, and over the
past few years, this past time has been
sweeping through the nation. For
those of you who don’t know too much
about it, the game is very simple.
Through one of many sports
websites, each member of a “league”
selects NFL players they wish to have
on their roster and puts together a
team. Each week, teams are matched
up against other teams in the league.
A player gains points based on their
performance in the real game, and the
team that scores the most points wins.
There are other facets to the game as
well, such as adding players from the
are often heart-wrenching. Craig’s
“free agent” list and trading players
acting is powerful and shouldn’t be
with other teams. The “owner” has
criticized. I would go so far as to say
complete control over his team.
that Craig and Connery can stand
I love fantasy football and have
together as the two best “Bonds” in
been in many leagues for the past
the franchise. Dench is just as good,
few years and there are many other
if not better. M’s character is not only students who feel the same as I do.
forced to deal with her old age and
“Any opportunity for competition or
impending replacement, but also is
bragging rights of any kind can never
weighted down by the guilt of creating
be passed up,” said senior Christian
the movie’s villain and causing Bond’s
Hoeger. Andrew Chang agrees that
aforementioned “descent” early in
it’s all about “bragging rights.” The
the film. Dench’s performance was so
ten guys involved in the league that I
good that I, a seventeen-year-old guy,
am a part of love to poke fun at each
cared more about what was happening
other for defeats. The competition
to her, a 77 year old woman, than
is fun. Jake Logli very candidly said,
Marlohe, a 33 year old French model.
“I play fantasy football because
Albert Finny (Kincade) and Naomie
I enjoy beating all of [my league
Harris (Eve) add their talents and
competitors].”
comedic elements as well.
The past two years were good
It’s too bad that this will probably
seasons
for me personally, as I won
be Craig’s last Bond role. Despite
second
place
two years in a row, losing
having nearly ruined the franchise
in
the
championship
to Chang both
with Quantum of Solace and the
years. Unfortunately, this season
subpar Casino Royale, the Bond
has been rough for my squad; I am
tradition has been redeemed by what
currently in last place. Despite my
I believe is the best film in the series.
disappointment, I’ll be back next
Everything, from the smart and
year looking for every possible way to
humorous dialogue to the epic, aweimprove and get the competitive
inspiring conclusion is perfect. Bond
edge back, because that’s how
fan or not, go see the film.
7
we do it in the League.
TITAN LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:
BEN BELFORD
TRIBUNE A
STAFF
EDITORS:
MANAGING EDITOR:
Abby Austin
SPORTS EDITOR:
Grace Heim
NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR:
Margaret Sentovich
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
Alec Heaton
COPY EDITOR:
Tess Vrbin
Have a fun & safe
winter break.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS!
sk any child was his or her favorite
holiday is and your answer will almost invariably be, “Christmas!” Each
of us, when we were children, would
await each holiday season with eager
anticipation. The time surrounding
Thanksgiving and Christmas was--and
still is--one of the best times of the
year, a time to be filled with family and
warmth and giving. People cannot get
enough of Christmas, it seems; looking
through storefronts one is tempted
to wonder whether Advent begins the
day after Halloween.
We have all noted, at some point,
the increasing secularization and
commercialization of the holidays.
Like any editorial writer, I could rant
about how Thanksgiving is about
more than just food and Christmas is
about more than just neatly wrapped
presents, how we need to be thankful
for what we have and how we need to
put Christ back in Christmas. But I
will not complain about any of these
things, no matter how true they are,
because I am sure that you are as sick
of hearing them as I am. Indeed, I fear
the outcry against the distortion of
the meaning of the holiday season has
frustrated many of us and caused us to
lose all appreciation and anticipation
for this time of year.
Society can secularize and commercialize the holidays to no end, but
it cannot remove the essence of the
season: joy. Eating copious amounts of
homemade food is joyous, giving and
receiving gifts is joyous, and spending
time with friends and family is joyous. Amidst the hustle and bustle of
the holiday season we too often forget
to take time to enjoy it. After all, the
holidays only come once a year. Merry
Christmas, and God bless.
LETTER FROM THE MODERATOR:
MRS. TRICIA ROZANSKI
It’s good to be a Titan... when our athletic teams are playing tough, when our
Boylan Players are singing and dancing on the stage, and every time one of our
students is recognized for an academic achievement, it’s feels good to be a part
of this community. The Christmas season is no exception because there are good
deeds being done all around us. The Titans spread a lot of joy at this time of year.
Mrs. Virginia Burd and the Student Council get the student body
involved in giving to less fortunate members of the Rockford community by
organizing the Christmas Baskets drive every year. Our families and students
never fail to donate and fill trucks with boxes of food, household supplies, and
toys for the children. On Sunday, December 2, the administration, faculty, and
student volunteers spread a little joy by hosting the Open House for families
of prospective Boylan students. People were willing to sacrifice a some of their
precious Sunday to spread the good word about our school. During the months
of November and December the members of our choir sing at sixteen eventsmost of which are not at school. The singers definitely spread joy and treat all
who hear them sing some of our favorite Christmas songs. Miss Susan Stanforth
collects money to buy warm socks for the homeless in Rockford. Many teachers
spread joy to their students by decorating their classrooms for Christmas.
This joy is everywhere, but the advent wreath that hangs in the main
entrance of our school is the best reminder of the ultimate love and joy that is
given to each of us every December 25 with the birth of Jesus Christ. We are
truly blessed to be in a school where we can celebrate his goodness and love and
share it with others. Continue to spread that love and joy and yes, it is always
good to be a Titan. Have a blessed holiday season.