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The Rounduproundup.brophyprep.orgDecember 2011 Edition 3

Mr. David Aguayo devotes 30 years to Brophy

Page 3

New KBI trip offers unique perspective on immigration

Page 7

Senior soccer goal-ie plays a role in Student Council

Page 10

Special Section high-lights Fine Arts Ex-travaganza

Pages 8-9

‘Occupy’ protests stir discussion across campus, nation

Maintenance team does necessary, behind-the-scenes workBy Alex Stanley ’12THE ROUNDUP

Maintenance worker Mr. Mark Radolinski, affectionately known throughout campus as “Polish Mark,” grins in his signature “Polska” hat, while layering plywood with several coats of white spray paint.

The pile of white slabs would eventually

turn up to be support for a “big screen” in K24, one of Mr. Radolinski’s many jobs on the week.

He immigrated to Arizona from Poland through an immigration program, and eventually landed at Brophy.

In a distinct Polish accent, he jokingly bemuses that his favorite part of his job is “when everybody go out from gym.”

He pointed out that at the end of the year, the job falls on him to set up the chairs

and stage for graduation, so the flurries of students and families exiting the gym doors brings with it an instant relief of hard work.

However, he said that he really loves to build things from scratch. Whether it is a concert stage for the Fine Arts

Occupy Wall Street leaves students with questions

By Logan Hall ’14 THE ROUNDUP

Protestors marched around Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District on Sept. 17 with signs that read “We Are the 99%” and “OWS.”

The Occupy Wall Street protests have been a point of interest since they began and have spread as far as Phoenix. However many students do not

know who these people are and what they are trying to accomplish.

“I don’t really know what it is,” said Alex Tetmyer ’15. “I assume it’s just poor people trying to get money from the rich.”

According to the Occupy Wall Street official website, it describes itself as a people-powered movement fighting back against the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process, and the role of Wall Street in creating an economic

Teachers mixed on protestsBy Brett A. Mejia ’13

THE ROUNDUP

Over the past three months protestors have agglomerated in the Wall Street financial district of New York City, causing much debate.

This protest was given the title “Occupy Wall Street,” to raise awareness of the increasing divide between the rich and poor.

This protest has inspired people across the United States to take

Photo by Alex Stanley ’12Mr. Barry Cleland sorts through his set of

tools.

See STUDENTS, Page 3 See FACULTY, Page 3

See MAINTENANCE, Page 3

Inside• Occupy Wall Street protesters need to take concrete action See Opinions, Page 5• Occupy Wall Street move-ment calls out all the wrong things See Opinions, Page 6• Athletes strive to be the top one percent See Sports, Page 10

Page 2 | December 2011 The Roundup

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AdviserMr. Mica Mulloy ’99 Mission Statement

The Brophy College Preparatory Roundup exists to inform and entertain the Brophy community by producing a quality prod-uct that contains pertinent information about the Brophy community. This newspaper will educate our Brophy community and by doing so provide an understanding of journalism theories and techniques for our staff. We will be ethical, honest, trustworthy and dedicated in our news coverage. We strive to be fair and balanced, yet not afraid to report the truth even when it is unpopular to do so. Our goal is not only to report information, but also to encourage and foster discussion amongst our community. Overall we attempt to do all things for the greater glory of God.

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Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

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Funny man Medici explores variety of campus activities, sportsBy Michael Moroney ’13

THE ROUNDUP

As a prominent member of the 2011-2012 Brophy Student Council, John Medici ’12 has the attention of the entire school on a regular basis as he reads the daily announcements over the intercom.

“We thought John would be perfect for the announcements,” said Student Council member Scott Levine ’13. “I think everyone likes listening to him.”

Medici has taken an active role in Student Council. For example, he and two other students organized the

entire Donate Life organ drive in early December last year and he is already putting plans in motion for this year’s drive.

“I like to go to that class every period. We are seen as leaders on campus and we are able to do so many activities that other schools are not able to do,” Medici said.

Apart from Student Council, Medici has taken an active role in the Key Club and served as the volleyball team manager last spring. In early November, he took up the position of team manager for the 2011-2012 basketball team.

“I’m getting really excited about

basketball,” he said. “I love basketball and think it’s an amazing sport, but I was never athletically talented enough to play in high school.”

Medici said he hopes to find a job as a part of the historic Michigan State basketball program under head coach Tom Izzo. He is achieving a lifelong dream by enrolling in Michigan State next fall.

Not only has Medici managed sports teams, but he has also played on some teams at Brophy. He began his high school athletic career as a starting offensive lineman on the freshman B football team then he moved on to

run track and cross country for his sophomore and junior years.

Medici garnered much attention last spring as he played multiple parts in the comedic Xavier spring play “Museum.”

It was his first Brophy/Xavier performance, but Medici had three prominent roles in the production, including a character who spoke only in French.

“I like to be able to make people laugh,” he said. “My favorite part about theater is hearing the audience laugh from what I say.”

Since the spring play, Medici has cultivated a passion for theater and

has taken two acting classes since the production. He also plans to audition for a Brophy/Xavier play next semester.

Perhaps Medici is most known on campus for dressing as amusing characters for Brophy events. For example, he has dressed as Sandra Day O’Connor, Rosie the Riveter, Sherlock Holmes, a cowboy and a patriot.

Also, it has been rumored around campus that Medici is the “Red Man” at the Brophy football games, where he would dress in a red spandex suit that covers his whole body.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that,” he said.

Mr. Hubbell offers helping hand all over campusBy Kevin Valenzuela ’13

THE ROUNDUP

Mr. Ryan Hubbell has not been at Brophy long but his impact has been noticed all over campus; in the Office of Faith and Justice, his classrooms, with the Speech and Debate team and with planning this 2011-2012 Summit on Human Dignity.

Last year, Brophy offered Mr. Hubbell a position as a Western Civilization teacher and substitute.

Video Production and working in the OFJ have been added to Mr. Hubbell’s plate this school year, along with planning the school-wide Summit addressing gender issues.

As young as Mr. Hubbell is, he has taught college level classes at Stony Brook University of New York.

In Mr. Hubbell’s opinion Brophy students are some of the most open and accepting students that he has ever been around.

“You create a culture of brotherhood that is really something to be admired,” Mr. Hubbell said.

As a first year teacher, last year Mr. Hubbell joined the seniors on the first Kairos retreat of the year.

Mr. Hubbell has a new position in the Office of Faith and Justice managing all service projects including Freshman Breakaway, Sophomore Service Project and Junior Justice Project.

Mr. Hubbell’s teaching styles are unique and something that Brophy students have not had the privilege of experiencing until last year.

With his passion for the studies of equality for women, he has found ways to integrate it into his history lessons.

“I love the classroom environment we get to create as faculty,” Mr. Hubbell said.

The students’ interests are Mr. Hubbell’s main priority and he does this by engaging all students in class.

Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Mr. Seamus Walsh said that Mr. Hubbell wants to help students evolve in their intellectual and spiritual capacity.

“He really wanted to invest himself in understanding the technical aspects of teaching,” Mr. Walsh said.

Mr. Hubbell is also now the assistant director for the Speech and Debate Program and has worked with speech and debate teams such as Desert Vista High School in Arizona, Stuyvesant High School in New York and James Logan High School in California.

Mr. Hubbell, with his background in gender studies, has been planning the Summit with the help of Assistant Principal of Campus Ministry Mrs. Kim Baldwin and other faculty members.

Some of his jobs include finding speakers for the Summit and figuring out what workshops will be offered for students during the Summit.

Along with his work in the OFJ, teaching and coaching speech and debate, Mr. Hubbell is the moderator for the Good Man Project.

The Good Man Project is led by Kyle Chalmers ’13 and Charlie Sturr ’13.

Mr. Hubbell said that it aims to rid the campus of sexism and make students aware of men’s role in

the fight for women’s rights.

Photo By Julian De Ocampo ’13Mr. Hubbell sits at his desk in the Office of Faith and Justice where he manages service projects.

The Roundup December 2011 | Page 3

collapse that has caused the greatest recession in generations.

After hearing the definition of OWS, Tetmyer’s response was, “That is a pretty powerful statement from people without jobs.”

“I know that they have a lot to accomplish and have a lot of complaints about the government and distributing taxes amongst levels of income,” said Mark Schillinger ’12. “They have good intentions, but I don’t know if they are going about it the right way. Right now there are a mass of people wanting many different things. They need a more clear understanding of what they want.”

The group also cites an growing gap between the upper class and the rest of society. According to CNN, the “one percent” is made up of those who make more than $347,927 per year.

“I agree that the rich should be taxed more because they have more money,” Bijan Afkhami ’12 said.

According to the Pew Research Center 22.4 percent of men with high school diplomas ages 20-24 are unemployed; 14.4 percent between ages 25 and 34.

“I think that that’s fine because if you just stop with a high school diploma, it’s a more competitive world now a days and you can’t just think you will get a job because you have a high school diploma,” said J.D Mcelenney ’15.

Another finding from the Pew Research Center is that people 65 years and older are 47 times wealthier than those 35 and younger.

“Well obviously people 65 and older know that working hard actually gets you somewhere in life, and its hard work that brings success. Obviously those who are occupying Wall Street are doing nothing with their lives and not working hard at all,” said Dylan Dinan ’14.

According to the Pew Research Center 18.65 percent of men ages 25-34 are living with their parents.

“That must be hard, I couldn’t imagine myself living with my parents at that age, but if that’s what they have to do to

survive, then okay,” said Navin Prasad ’12.

Chandler Hall ’14 had a standpoint different than many on the OWS protests.

“I love it. I think it is a step in the right direction because I think there is something very screwed up with the government that should be solved,” Hall said. “Even though they are not protesting in the right direction, the idea of protesting itself is a good start.”

Hall said he thinks that the protests started as a group of people expressing their ideas about what was wrong with the government, but now it has turned

into something much larger. “It has almost turned into an in-city

burning man festival in which people can do whatever they want,” he said. “No one is protesting for a unified reason.”

Jack Herstam ’14 said that this type of protesting is the future of our culture.

“OWS is supporting where the country is going in the future because it goes beyond the boundaries of political parties. It’s the American people protesting the corporations,” Herstam said. “It’s kind of funny that the protesting got its origin from an anti-consumerist Canadian journal.”

Herstam finds Occupy Wall Street interesting, but does not support their illicit actions.

From STUDENTS, Page 1

action in their own states. “I am unhappy with how the government is

handling the financial crisis we have had for the last two years,” said math teacher Mr. Patrick O’Neill. “We have to have reasonable financial regulations, but we also have to pay attention to what the finance reforms will do to the smaller people and not just what it is going to do to the banks and the financial institutions.”

Protests have reached Arizona and become local discussion points.

Out of 10 Brophy teachers asked, the majority

said that they were in between the issue of whether or not the protests are necessary.

“I am certainly for it, it is everyone’s right to express themselves,” said English and history teacher Mr. Lane McShane ’82. “It is certainly not … something new. There are a lot of people who are unemployed; their savings have been completely lost or, even worse yet, stolen according to the way they look at maybe what is going on in Wall Street, but compare it to the depression of the 1930s those were Hoovervilles.”

English teacher Mr. Scott Middlemist ’87

agreed with Mr. McShane about how people have the right to protest, but wasn’t sure if the was a step in the right direction.

“I have noticed that police in several cities are destroying the camps and kicking them out,” Mr. Middlemist said.

According to CNN.com, on Tuesday Nov. 16 police in riot gear cleared out protestors in Zuccotti Park, the origin of the first protests.

“It’s too bad it had to end that way, knowing the way our news cycle works in this country I am not sure how long they will be remembered. I think

they were trying to speak for the many that feel like they were getting the shaft or living in an unjust situation,” Mr. Middlemist said.

The following day after police forced protestors out of Zuccotti Park, the New York Supreme Court ruled that protestors were allowed to return to the park, but they had to be without their tents and generators, according to CNN.com.

Not all teachers at Brophy approve of the protests while others say the protests are just the beginning.

“I am leaning towards (being) against it,” said Mr. Andrew Bradley. “Those people should get out of public parks and maybe look for jobs.”

From FACULTY, Page 1

Extravaganza, the support for a big screen in K24 or a table to hold drinks, Mr. Radolinski is the man behind-the-scenes holding the hammer and nails.

His and other maintenance team members’ contributions can often go unnoticed by students,

as Freshman Cosme Navazo ’15 said that he does not know any maintenance people or what they do.

Nonetheless, older students, such as senior Alex Higgins ’12, may know a little bit more about the maintenance team.

“I don’t know them personally, but I know who they are,” Higgins said.

Another maintenance worker, Mr. Barry Cleland, tends to do a lot of electrical work, citing it as his preferred niche of the job.

He added that Brophy is a great place to work, with a lot of nice people.

Still, some lapses of thinking on the part of students frustrate him, especially when it comes to

simple tasks like picking up trash. Mr. Cleland said that sometimes Brophy

students can even drop trash right in front of him, creating unnecessary work for himself.

Both workers made clear that they enjoy having a new task to do every day, in addition to working in an environment like Brophy.

From MAINTENANCE, Page 1

‘Mr. David’ floats under radar while keeping campus cleanMaintenance

department employee polishes up campus

since 1982 By P. Erik Meyer & Logan

HallTHE ROUNDUP

Students stream from buildings on a Friday afternoon in the as Mr. David Aguayo sprays the concrete in the Mall with water, washing away dust and debris.

Despite the flow of people and commotion around him, Mr. Aguayo works relentlessly and undisturbed, as he has for nearly 30 years.

His trademarks include his wheelbarrow, hat, hose, leaf blower and suspenders.

Many know him simply as “the wheelbarrow man,” but others will say Mr. Aguayo is a key reason our campus stays so luscious and clean.

“He’s a great guy. He has a reputation, I think, with you guys that he’s a little grouchy,” said Ms. Sherri Stephens, Director of Facilities and Food Services. “He’s also a little grouchy with all of us so we walk lightly around him and try not to tell him too much what to do.”

Mr. Aguayo began work at Brophy in January of 1982, which makes him the

most experienced maintenance member on campus.

“Mr. David is a very nice gentleman, always says hi in the morning and he is dedicated to what he does,” said Mr. Eddie Pionk, a maintenance department member. “He is here almost every day and is one of the hardest working men I’ve met in my life.”

Mr. Aguayo, 82, was born on May 16, 1929 in Mexico.

He is here six hours a day, five days a week, working to keep the campus clean.

“He’s always here and I can always count on him,” Ms. Stephens said.

Mr. Aguayo’s responsibilities include watering anything that isn’t automatically watered, cleaning sidewalks and passageways, picking up trash that is left behind, blowing leaves and overall just keeping the campus clean.

Most students pass by Mr. Aguayo not realizing the impact he has on the campus.

“I don’t really interact with him much, but I definitely see him around campus all the time,” said Shep Bryan ’12.

Bryan said that he regularly sees Mr. David pushing his wheelbarrow and clearing our pathways.

“He keeps the campus going and everybody appreciates it and that’s what makes such a great community,” said Andrew Prchal ’14. “Without

him, it’d be pretty tough and Brophy wouldn’t be what it is.”

Sometimes students in transition across campus do not slow down the task at hand.

“If you’re in his way when he’s watering and you get a couple of sprinkles on you, I would say that came from him,” Mr. Pionk said.

Students have played tricks on Mr. David in the past such as taking things from his wheelbarrow, but he reports them immediately to the administration.

“That wheelbarrow is his domain,” Ms. Stephens said. “You don’t mess with Mr. David’s wheelbarrow.”

According to Ms. Stephens, despite Mr. David’s age, he refuses to retire because he thinks that when you stay at home and retire, you die.

“He’s stronger than an ox,” Mr. Pionk said.

Mr. Aguayo opted against an interview about his work, fitting for someone who prefers to fly under the radar while doing his job.

Many may not ever have a conversation with Mr. Aguayo, but Ms. Stephens said his work is important.

“I’ve often told Father Reese and Mrs. Renke that the day Mr. David is no longer here, we’re all going to notice because even though he doesn’t have real strict instruction about what his job is, he keeps this place a lot cleaner than any of us realize,” Ms. Stephens said.

Photo by Alex Stanley ’12Mr. David Aguayo hoses down the concrete Nov. 16.

By Andrew Marini ’13THE ROUNDUP

The air is cold and the wind is blowing, a rare difference from the common hot, dry weather in Phoenix.

Border Patrol agents are scattered about, lines of cars are formed anxiously waiting to leave or come to the United States. Students on the KBI immersion trip Nov. 4 carry bags of sugar across the border through this environment for the first step of their immersion experience.

The Kino Border Initiative is a cooperative effort between six religious organizations that

each help migrants and communities affected by the consequences of migration. The Kino Border Initiative immersion trip happens about once a month and is either a day trip to Nogales on Friday that leaves at 4:30 a.m. or an overnight trip that leaves after sixth period on Thursday. Both trips get back at 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Once the students on this November trip arrived in Nogales they carried bags of sugar across the border in an attempt to immerse themselves more fully in the experience, according to Sam Wolff

’13.“The trip really gave a face to the people who

you see on the news and always hear about. It gives you a better sense of the problem to see

them,” Wolff said. Students arrived on the Mexican side of the

border and went to the KBI dining hall to serve dinner to recently deported people. The students visited with the people and learn stories of their travels over the border.

The group then made their way to the KBI

women’s shelter where they viewed a PowerPoint on immigration statistics and learned about the problem at hand, and ways they can help.

“The boys take a walk by the wall on the border, where they get to see a mural made up of people who have gone missing,” said Assistant Principal of the Ministry Mrs. Kim Baldwin. “The group also visit the cemetery where many immigrants sleep every night.”

Participants closed the experience by eating an authentic Mexican meal in downtown Nogales of chicken mole. The December trip was a parent-son trip, the first trip of its kind. See the office of Faith and Justice for more information.

Page 4 |December 2011 The Roundup

Speech ace McDonald dedicated to giving backBy Ian C. Beck ’12THE ROUNDUP

Senior Bill McDonald ’12 competes in a Speech and Debate event known as extemporaneous speech.

“Extemp,” as it is more commonly known, requires participants to research a question about the economy, politics or other well-known topics and deliver a speech in response to it.

According to Speech and Debate coach Ms. Elizabeth Clarke, participants are given a question and have 30 minutes to research the topic.

At the conclusion of that half hour, the competitors must deliver a seven-minute speech, fully memorized, while quoting up to 10 sources from their research.

In the two weeks leading up to the national Speech and Debate tournament last year, Ms. Clarke recommended that students complete 40 of these speeches as practice.

McDonald did 57.In a typical week, students on the Speech and

Debate team who perform extemp will deliver one or two of those speeches. McDonald does five.

McDonald arrived at Brophy as a transfer student before his sophomore year. He moved to Arizona from Massachusetts and his arrival did not go over quietly.

“I got about five or six different emails that we had a new transfer student from Massachusetts and his name is Bill McDonald and he did speech and debate,” Ms. Clarke said.

McDonald said that from July 2009 to February 2010, the move was “pretty awful.”

He jokingly recalled how his Student Council speech after sophomore year essentially revolved around the theme that he hated Arizona and maybe he would hate Arizona less if he were elected.

“Speech and Debate really helped me get through that … I think that is the most important thing in a situation like that,” McDonald said. “You can’t feel like you’re stagnant, like you’re an immovable object. So it was really hard but I tried to look forward, I tried to find hope and I think it worked.”

He now says that he really likes Arizona and that it

feels like home for him.Even as a sophomore, McDonald had an

immediate impact on the team, making a senior-heavy group and performing well at a Speech and Debate tournament put on by Harvard.

“He was very smart,” Ms. Clarke said of her initial thoughts of McDonald. “He was already very talented. He had been doing speech and debate for a long time.”

Last year, as a junior, McDonald placed fifth in the national tournament and as a result automatically qualified for the national tournament this year.

McDonald was also invited to the Montgomery Bell Academy Round Robin, a tournament that only invites the top 16 students across the entire country who do extemp.

Despite his success in Speech and Debate, McDonald remains humble.

“He never, ever talks about it,” Ms. Clarke said

of McDonald’s success. “I mean we talk about it amongst ourselves because it’s really fun to talk about how you’re going to win. But he’s never like, ‘I’m awesome, I’m going to win.’ He’s just very, very humble; very modest. It’s never gone to his head.”

Two other things that define McDonald are his dedication and poise.

“He has a quiet confidence about it,” Ms. Clarke said. “He wants to win but he would never have a tantrum about it if he didn’t.”

“But he’s very objective,” she said. “He knows when he’s been beat, not that it happens all that often but he knows when it happens. He’s very, very realistic about it but he wants to win every tournament.”

McDonald said his motivation is three-fold, listing his affection for performing, his desire to give back to the team and his family as the major reasons why he is so determined to do well.

“(Other teammates) look up to him but he’s so normal and nice and he’s just so humble,” Ms. Clarke said.

Ms. Clarke also said that the Massachusetts native has become an unofficial coach for the extemp event. He routinely watches younger students give speeches and helps them with critique and advice.

McDonald acknowledges that he tries to do what he can to help younger students on the team but won’t go so far as to call himself a leader.

“I feel like I try and do what I can for the younger kids in extemp and the kids who are learning how to do it … so I would say that I try and lead, I don’t know if that qualifies me as a lead-er but I do what I can,” McDonald said.

As he nears the conclusion of his Speech and Debate career at Brophy, McDonald said the impact he wants to leave behind is one of giving back.

“Overall I’d say the legacy I want to leave behind is I want to be seen as somebody who the younger guys, even when I’m gone, can go to for help with their events,” he said. “I want to have, through my work with them, made them better.”

Depending on where he goes to college, McDonald said he would like to come back and help coach the team.

But McDonald’s participation around campus is not limited to the Speech and Debate team. McDonald went on the Kairos 113 retreat, was a Student Council member last year and is a regular at Brophy sporting events.

John Medici ’12 and McDonald served on the Student Council together last year.

“Well, after getting to know him from Student Council last year and having multiple classes with him this year, he’s just one of those guys who is extremely intelligent but at the same time you can have extremely ridiculous conversations with,” Medici said.

“He’s just one of those one-of-a-kind guys,” Medici added. “(He’s) extremely intelligent; (he) can talk about a Republican debate last week and he can talk about the movie you saw recently. That’s Bill McDonald for you.”

Photo by Alex Stanley ’12Bill McDonald ’12, posing in the Speech and Debate room, is a senior on the Speech Team and recently won a national tournament in Glenbrooks, Chicago.

Administrators say drug dogs prevent drugs, keep safe environmentBy Chase Stevens ’12

THE ROUNDUP

Many students have recently noticed drug sniffing dogs doing their job during lunch.

While many may think these dogs are a new addition to the campus, they have been around for a while.

“The canine unit has been around for five years. We switched to a new company this year,” said Dean Mr.

Patrick Higgins.“We have had the drug dogs on campus

for a while, but most students seemed to notice them when Interquest (the company that brings the dogs) did a sweep of the mall,” Mr. Higgins said.

Another student assumption is the dogs can only smell illegal narcotics. They are also trained to smell many other things.

Mr. Higgins said they can smell an unopened beer can, and they’ve

discovered gun powder in students’ cars after they’ve gone on hunting trips.”

“We’ve tested these dogs and found that they are very accurate,” Mr. Higgins said.

Not all people see the dogs as favorably.“I think if the school thinks it’s

necessary, then it’s okay, but it feels like they’re infringing on the students’ right to privacy,” said Jesus Betancourt ’13.

When asked about privacy concerns, Mr. Higgins said that while he does see

where they’re coming from, he values the safety and health of the students, and that’s why the administration uses the drug dogs.

Principal Mr. Bob Ryan said that “students agree to waive most of their constitutional rights when they elect to enroll in the school. We have a clearly defined code of conduct that all students agree to when they enroll.”

Administrators said the purpose of the dogs isn’t to catch students, but rather

to encourage a healthier lifestyle.“The main guiding principle of this

program is that we need to act … so that our students make safe and healthy choices,” Mr. Ryan said.

“I wish we didn’t catch a single student,” Mr. Higgins said.

“The purpose of the dogs is not to get students into trouble,” Mr. Higgins said. “Instead, it serves as a deterrent to drug use. Kids aren’t going to do drugs if they’re going to get caught.”

Kino Border Initiative immersion trip sparks lasting impressions on participants

More in Opinions: KBI offers firsthand immigration insight. See Opinions, Page 7.

OpinionsThe Roundup | DeCember 2011

Staff Editorial

Occupy Wall Street still has ways to goThe Issue: Occupy Wall Street protesters are advocating against corporate greed and the increasing divide between the rich and poor.Our Stance: The protesters are justified in their demonstrations; however, they fail to realize the entire scope of the problem, and are somewhat hypocritical in what they choose to fight against.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has grown in the past several months from

New York City to other cities across the nation, including Phoenix.

Its message against greed and bringing financial fairness to our society has

rightly resonated with many Americans.After all, the richest one percent

own 40 percent of the nation’s wealth, according to ThinkProgress.org.

Plus, the economy’s initial downfall several years ago was heavily brought on by those who were rich.

Investors offered up too many sub-prime mortgages, which could not be paid off. Then, in return, the federal government bailed them out.

To put it all in perspective, wealthy people crashed the economy, were then bailed out, remained rich and all the while the majority of Americans were left with a lousy job market.

So, one can easily see why these protests are occurring, and frustration will inevitably ensue after these events.

The only problem is that these

protestors need to think harder about what they want. Discussion can only take one so far, and a socialist system is out of the question.

Right now, their demands such as socialism or the end of corporations are non-negotiable, so creating some concrete change will prove useful with their efforts.

On another point, where is the gusto for Occupy Hollywood, or Occupy Athletes? All attention is being forced on

the financial elite, but very little on the other wealthy people that bring services to the middle class.

Tiger Woods not sharing a vast majority of his $75 million a year salary, according to Forbes, is extremely unjust and greedy.

Although these athletes did not create a complete economic meltdown, they still hold on to a disproportionate amount of wealth

The specific protest messages can also seem disconnect and unrelated. For example, in photos of protests across the country it is not uncommon to see a “Legalize Marijuana” sign.

Perhaps the legalization of marijuana issue is somehow related to corporate greed, but even if that is true the connection is weak and in the meantime

is a distraction from the main focus.Lastly, it would be nice to see these

Occupy protesters focus more on poverty. Even though many of them are unemployed, they should still be fighting not only for their cut of the wealth, but the people who are even poorer than themselves.

They are not the only ones who are hurting.

Staff Editorial by Ian Beck ’12 and Alex Stanley ’12

Staff Editorials respresent the view of The Roundup. Share your thoughts by e-mailing roundup@brophyprep.org or leave comments

online at roundup.brophyprep.org.

The Occupy Wall Street movement’s main goal is to do away with “business as usual” economic practices by companies around the world.

As good as this may sound, however, this message is far too vague to accomplish anything.

In reality, a more precise and clear mission for these protests are the only ways to create social change.

There are many ways that this can be done.

As Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt José Medina said in his article “Toward a Foucaultian Epistemology of Resistance: Counter-Memory, Epistemic Friction, and Guerrilla Pluralism” in the October 2011 edition of Foucault Studies, “The critical task of the scholar and the activist is to resurrect subjugated

knowledges—that is, to revive hidden or forgotten bodies of experiences and memories—and to help produce insurrections of subjugated knowledges.”

The subjugated knowledges, the ideas and, epistemologies or “truths” that are offered by oppressed populations can truly help create spaces for change.

Only through localized perspectives that evaluate not just the 99 percent, but the true bottom of the 99 percent—those who have had their voices silenced by traditional

economic calculus—can we create real change. There have been multiple examples where this

form of localized knowledge and resistance has been effective.

Firstly, there is the example of the Chilean

people, who were able to create social services for themselves after the oppressive rule of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was overthrown. This is what Medina would call a critical intervention that was able to disrupt the formerly dominant perspectives because of one thing: a concrete mission.

The second example is that of Spain, where the Spanish people were able to create sustainable forms of governance after the overthrow of an oppressive dictator, who were able to make fair elections almost completely regulated by normal citizenry.

As long as the protestors continue to engage in vague protests, there is no way that changes in our economic systems can be carried out.

They should promote what French philosophers and psychologists Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari

call “multiple lines of flight.” The idea of “multiple lines of flight” is to create

change through different methods. If one fails, attempting to find another way will invariably work.

According to Deleuze and Guattari, isolating political advocacies as lines of flight can allow us to constantly find ways to overcome dominant hierarchies and create change.

These lines of flight create opportunities. Similar to the idea of water moving through the point of least resistance, the protestors should engage in change through paths that will create change.

Actions could include further protests, but ones that have concrete messages about change.

While the current Occupy Wall Street movement has good intentions, its lack of a plan has lead it astray.

Occupy Wall Street protests need concrete action

By Joe Skoog ’13

The Roundup

It has been three years since that period of financial abyss in 2008, and it feels like a blur.

Lehman Brothers was going bankrupt, the Dow Jones plunged 777 points in one day and there was a real possibility of systematic risk in the U.S. financial system and likewise in the world economy.

The economic terror was palpable, even to high school students.

Our hands were rapidly trying to get the rope off our neck, resulting in the bailouts of the major financial corporations.

What followed from the loosened rope was a breath of fresh air, but the chair was still beneath us, and the uncertainty

of asphyxiation not gone. As the threat of economic

armageddon subsided, the collective consciousness of the country realized we had just given $700 billion with no strings attached to the very institutions that had caused the crisis.

To this day, no major culprit from Countrywide, Bank of America, the SCC, etc. responsible for the sub-prime mortgage loan

crisis has been prosecuted. The anger has welled up, waiting for

catharsis. The main institutions of power have

done nothing to pursue justice. Congress, and more specifically the

Republican Party, have become induced in the insanity of deficit reduction at the time when stimulus is needed the most.

The hysteria of austerity has been in complete ignorance of the need of average Americans, the middle class, the 99 percent.

Those in power are insistent that the middle class and the most disadvantaged will pay for this crisis through spending cuts and lower standards of living.

Once it becomes acceptable in the national discourse for a presidential candidate to call Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” you know the one percent gives contempt to even the idea of democracy (Social Security being one of the most popular social programs ever legislated).

We have been hijacked by an elite

that doesn’t think it’s worthwhile or “financially feasible” to work for job creation, rebuild our crumbling infrastructure or fund our failing education system.

Instead as a society, we prioritize spending billions on wars without end, upkeeping prisons to incarcerate migrants simply looking for a slice of the American Dream, and sustaining a fundamentally unequal and destructive economic system where upward mobility is becoming impossible and where one percent of the country controls 42 percent of its wealth.

What if we had at our grasp $700 billion?

Imagine the possibility of that sum towards healthcare, education, sustainable energy sources.

Just think if we end the wars.

The only thing holding us back is what they tell us is our limit; our collective complacency and powerlessness.

The wealth gap is a power gap, and it’s time we filled it in.

The basic critique of the Occupy Wall Street movement is its amorphous nature.

“What do you want?” “Just a bunch of hippies aren’t they?” But in reality it’s nothing but an

evolutionary process. We’ve been corralled like cattle for so long, we’ve completely forgotten what it means to actively participate in civic society.

What happens when your vote once every two or four years becomes absolutely useless to the power of corporate control and corruption?

You #Occupy.

Nationwide protests revitalizing radical alternative to corporate avarice

By Colin Marston ’13

The Roundup

What do you think? Share your opinions on the Occupy Wall Street Move-ment online at roundup.brophyprep.org.

Page 6 | December 2011 Opinions The Roundup

The Occupy Wall Street movement personifies the growing discontent of our

nation with public policy.Many of its adherents claim to be

advocating against the widening gap between the rich and poor.

This certainly is a legitimate issue with hefty importance, and as Brophy “Men for Others,” it is our responsibility to seek justice and righteousness.

For the most part, the organization accurately denigrates the corrupt practices of businesses who seek to unfairly gain power through selective legislation and special government benefits.

However, most demonstrators dangerously confuse such political entrepreneurship with capitalism and incorrectly blame the free market as the cause of their concerns.

They forget that free-market capitaism does not condone, but actually vehemently opposes, federal bailouts and government-subsidized monopolies.

Somewhat paradoxically, members of this movement condemn the very system that fights for their own cause.

Instead of advocating for the reduction of government intervention in the economy, most protestors have in reality called for the exact opposite.

This fact is disappointing at the very least. In actuality, capitalism serves the protestors’ best interests, as it does for all hard-working individuals.

Simply stated, a capitalist society is one in which citizens are free to seek

their own ends as they see fit, using any means feasible to the imagination, so long as property rights are respected.

There is no government regulation in the economy beyond the provision of public courts, which try and convict the initiation of involuntary transactions, such as murder or theft.

One popular argument against the free market is the idea that “the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer.”

This notion derives from the fallacy that there is a fixed pie and that one man’s gain must result in another’s loss.This could not be further from the truth.

Capitalism is based on the idea that individuals willingly partake in transactions to improve their own lives in some way. Otherwise, why would they agree to the terms?

For this reason, all participating parties benefit in a voluntary transaction.

Therefore, the public wellbeing is maximized in capitalism because all voluntary transactions are legal.

Furthermore, as individuals seek their own benefit, which is their natural tendency, society as a whole is necessarily advanced.

Adam Smith famously explained this concept in “The Wealth of Nations” by writing, “Every individual necessarily labors to render the annual revenue of society as great as he can. He generally neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. He intends only his own gain, and he is, in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was not part of his intention.”

For example, businesses desire to maximize sales to increase profits. The only way to achieve this end is by satisfying the consumer—providing the best possible product or service at the lowest price.

The result is a system in which businesses, rewarded by consumers according to their value to society, have compelling incentives to work hard and develop innovations.

For these reasons, the general standard of living skyrockets and everyone benefits in a free economy.

Ayn Rand described the effects of the free market in “Capitalism: the Unknown Ideal” when she wrote, “America’s abundance was created not by public sacrifices to the common good, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes. They did not starve the people to pay for America’s industrialization. They gave the people better jobs, higher wages, and cheaper goods with

every new machine they invented, with every scientific discovery or t e c h n o l o g i c a l a dva n c e — a n d thus the whole country was moving forward and profiting, not suffering, every step of the way.”

This is the authentic American dream.A common deceptive argument

against capitalism is the notion that in such a world, the sick and disabled are neglected or left behind.

To answer this question, we should ask: if not capitalism, which political system is best for the welfare of these people? Communism sure isn’t. Socialism and fascism are similarly incompetent.

Go down the list and examine each

conceivable political system; capitalism is by far the most effective solution.

As previously mentioned, the free market continuously raises the general standard of living by maximizing the feasibility of any intellectual or technological advancement. For example, capitalism presents the ideal climate for innovations in prosthetics.

Any advancements in this field directly improve the lives of the handicapped and are most likely to occur in a free market, where competent service to the consumer is rewarded above any other attribute of a business.

Furthermore, such developments give the disabled the best fighting chance to gain employment.

However, sometimes even the highly productive possibilities that are unleashed in a free market are not sufficient.

In such a situation, voluntary charity is the best option to help the less fortunate. Decency and dignity are not absent in the natural state of humanity, but are rather an underlying feature.

The Occupy Wall Street movement must understand that government intervention is not the solution to all of its problems but their causing agent.

This truth alone, if utilized properly, will serve as a beacon of light to lead our nation back to a fair and prosperous society.

Occupy Wall Street falsely condemns capitalism

By Aakash Jain ’14

The Roundup

“We are the 99 percent.”While the Occupy Wall Street movement may

have far reaching effects on the United States, many do not know what the idea of being the “99 percent” entails

The Occupy Wall Street movement sprung up in response to what their website calls, “The Arab Spring, which gave rise to the European Summer, and finally continues on into the American Spring.”

For students and teachers at Brophy, the 99 percent ideal stands for different things.

According to CNN Money Times, the one percent is those who currently earn $343,

927 a year. While most Brophy students do not meet this

criterion I can’t help but feel the mentality of being the one percent still pervades this institution.

However this does not mean our status can dictate our response to the 99 percent of people.

“We have an obligation to promote the truth, beauty and goodness of all human life,” said Christian Ethics teacher Mr. Jim Grindey. Prioritizing the one percent above

the 99 percent goes against our Catholic teaching.

“We should prioritize preferential treatment

for those who are less fortunate than us,” Mr. Grindey said.

“The Brophy motto of being a ‘Man for Others’ should mean that we should be more inclusive and more welcoming of the 99 percent,” said AP English III teacher Mr. Tom Danforth ’78.

The feelings of these teachers are echoed by students.

“While I am a member of the one percent, I refuse to not attempt to fight economic and social inequality. As an active and informed citizen, I feel it is my duty to perform these kind of actions,” said Andrew McCoy ’12.

As Men for Others, students at Brophy have been striving to help the 99 percent and feel there is a greater sense of awareness regarding the problems

that the Occupy Wall Street movement has brought up to the surface, including economic disparity and social injustice.

“While there are many students who are the one percent at Brophy, it is important to remember that some students are not as fortunate. We should not make blanket statements about people who are the 99 percent,” McCoy said.

Sweeping generalizations regarding the manner and motives of the 99 percent are counterproductive and do not allow us to recognize the real problems that are coming to light.

Regardless of our views on the Occupy Wall Street movement, the issues they bring to our attention necessitate increased help because of our duty to be a Man for Others, as St. Ignatius said.

Brophy’s stance on the 99 percent should preach acceptance not exclusion

By Joe Skoog ’13

The Roundup

The Occupy Wall Street movement must understand that government intervention is not the solution to all of its problems but their causing

agent.

For the last few months, the United States has been introduced to a stream of domestic protests called “Occupy Wall Street” in solidarity for the plight of the “99 percent.”

The protesters, mainly students and younger Americans, believe that they make up the 99 percent of

Americans who have been tread upon by the wealthiest—and therefore most powerful—one percent.

They also point to a growing gap between the top and everyone else.

They blame the economic turmoil in the United States on the greed and selfishness of the one percent who are stepping on everyone in their quest for more money and power.

It is not difficult to look at recent actions of people like the Madoff family and the Kardashians and consequently develop a pit of frustration in your stomach.

These are, undoubtedly, upsetting examples of greed.

However, the problem with the protests lies in the ignorance and

narrow-mindedness of the protesters’ “plight.”

They believe that they are the forgotten and marginalized 99 percent.

The question to ask, though, is “since when were we supposed to sympathize for the average Americans?”

Has American become so close-minded that we no longer take the rest of the world into consideration?

Even in our current economic crisis, the United States remains one of the richest countries in the world with one of the highest standards of living.

If you want to see the true downtrodden 99 percent, look to the congested streets of Calcutta where lepers are forced to live in the gutters or simply of our Gulf Coast where the dilapidated nation of

Haiti still sits forgotten and in ruins. It is not the top one percent we should

worry about, but the bottom one percent.

These protests are just a further indication that many Americans—especially the younger generation—represent solely their own cause.

It is true that some recent capitalistic endeavors have turned into despicable schemes and injustices throughout the economic circles of the United States. “Fat Cats” leave their plush Wall Street offices to one of their various homes to repose in a modern decadence that is known to very few in the country.

When looking at this, the Occupy Wall Street protesters do not seem to have such an absurd message.

It’s understandable why they despise the wealthy’s seemingly frivolous and easy lifestyle.

So they protest how it’s not fair. They blog in Starbucks about the

widening gap between the poor and the rich in the United States.

They go out to dinner with their friends and discuss the corruption that plagues Wall Street.

Then, they go home and take a hot, immediate shower and fall asleep surrounded by the security of America’s free and inherent decadence that they have taken for granted.

So we must take a step back to examine the protest, and think again on who really is the 99 percent?

Focus on ‘fat cats,’ top one percent misses real social injustices in society

By Rohan Keith Andresen ’12

The Roundup

The Roundup Page 7 | December 2011Opinions

Question of the Month

By Kevin Valenzuela ’13THE ROUNDUP

Where are you going over Christmas break?

“Probably California” – Pedro Contreras ’12

“Park City” – Matthew Nelson ’12

“Auburn, Ala.” – Alec Vick ’15

“Cabo San Lucas” – Luke Mailliard ’15

Letters to the Editor and Online Commenting PoliciesThe Roundup provides an open forum for public comments, criticism and debate. Submit letters to the editor to roundup@brophy-prep.org or to Mr. Mulloy in room E331. Letters must not exceed 300 words and must include your full name and a phone number or E-mail address. All letters will be verified with the author before printed. The Roundup reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, style, context and inappropriate content. Letters will be printed as space allows. The Roundup values your opinion, and in keeping with our mission “to encourage and foster discussion amongst our commu-nity,” we welcome you to comment on current issues and our content online.Comments containing obscene, suggestive, vulgar, profane (including implied profanity), threatening, disrespectful, or defama-tory language will not be published. Attacks on groups or individuals based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or creed will be rejected.All comments are reviewed by The Roundup editors and/or adviser prior to approval. The Roundup reserves the right to track IP addresses of persons posting comments. The Roundup reserves the right to edit comments based on inappropriate con-tent, style, grammar and context. The views expressed in comments are solely the authors’ and do not reflect the views of The Roundup or Brophy College Preparatory.

The RoundupStaff Member of

the Month

December: Roan Enright ’13

What do you think? Let us know

It’s all too easy for advocates on both sides of the illegal immigration debate to pull the most menacing numbers and stats out of a hat without any regard to the humanity of the issue.

Perhaps that’s why the issue, despite being especially pertinent to Arizona residents, seems almost distant and far-away to most students – it’s become a war of numbers, not human life.

Personally, having spent the majority of Mr. Tim Broyle’s Gospels in Action class learning the importance of action over words and solidarity over apathy, I was determined to show my support for the marginalized in our society.

The Kino Border Initiative immersion trip, offered by the Office of Faith and

Justice, provided such an opportunity when I traveled to the border with the rest of the staff of the Brophy Literary and Art Magazine to Mexico Nov. 4.

The KBI trip is a journey down to Nogales, Ariz, where students cross the Mexican border on foot and serve recently deported undocumented migrants with the KBI organization, a nonprofit collaboration

between a number of religious organizations dedicated to helping deal with migration issues and

their effects on the border area.And while everyone there might have

different reasons for going on the trip, I think there are a variety of reasons as to why I’d recommend the trip to most anyone.

First off, it’s quick and cheap while still

retaining the power of an immersion trip. Whereas most immersion trips can cost hundreds or thousands, the KBI trip runs at the low cost of $15, a small fee that pays for itself quickly when you consider that Brophy covers food on the trip.

Understandably, a number of students aren’t ready to take the plunge to leave home for weeks at a time or spend thousands to travel abroad on an immersion trip. That’s why KBI serves almost as a gateway immersion trip, showing students the powerful impact an immersion experience can have without the major time and monetary commitments often associated with the trips. Moreover, the trip itself really does give you insight into the immigration process that citizens of Arizona hear about so often.

While hearing statistics might have a minimal effect on the masses, the

actual effect of meeting and speaking to a deportee had a far greater level of impact on me

On the trip I spoke with a man who had been deported from California after living in the United State for many years. He spoke nearly perfect English, and it would have been impossible to know he was undocumented had I met him on the street. He thanked me about the good work we were doing and, upon hearing my interest in writing, hoped that I could tell these people’s stories one day.

Another woman told us that she had been separated from her husband when the Border Patrol split up their family and sent them to different deportation stations, effectively leaving the couple divided without money, transportation or any way to contact one another.

These types of stories are exactly the type of human face that the KBI trip

allowed me to put on the issue of illegal immigration.

Having come back from the trip, I’m now ready to declare myself a supporter for the reform that this country so severely needs.

I write this column in the hopes that others will support the cause for change in a system that is clearly broken. When cruelty is applied to these already-suffering men and women, only more despair can result. And for those of you who disagree or don’t believe me, I would request that you go on the KBI trip yourself, and then let’s talk.

It’s one thing to gawk and talk about illegal immigrants from the lofty confines of your homes, but to actually meet and understand one side of this issue gave me crucial insight that everyone – students, teachers and especially politicians – could benefit from.

Kino Border Initiative offers firsthand immigration insight

By Julian De Ocampo ’13

The Roundup

According to recent research, the number of deaths caused by painkillers has risen steeply in the last few years.

In fact, one report claims that the number of overdoses due to prescription drugs surpasses those caused by heroin and cocaine combined.

Furthermore, more and more high school students are also abusing powerful painkillers.

This abuse has been identified as the “fastest growing drug problem facing the U.S.” by The New York Times.

Painkillers are readily available and getting more and more popular, which has caused an abuse crisis in our country.

For example, OxyContin, a commonly abused drug, is Purdue Pharma’s brand for time-release

oral oxycodone. Opioid painkillers like OxyContin mimic the

action of natural endorphins by binding with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.

This blocks the transmission of pain signals sent by the nerves to the brain. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt. This function in itself is actually quite beneficial to

the medical field because less pain promotes recovery and potentially gives relief to patients.

However, abusers often circumvent OxyContin’s time-release mechanism by crushing pills and then snorting or injecting them. This is the point at which these drugs become

seriously dangerous.Abusers’ bodies are flooded almost

instantaneously with oxycodone, resulting in a high probability of a fatal overdose.

Furthermore, the likelihood of the development of a chemical dependency to OxyContin greatly increases when the pills are deliberately taken in this manner.

A recent study in Boston found that OxyContin is a gateway drug for heroin, which addicts may start using as a cheaper alternative.

It seems obvious that anyone equipped with this simple knowledge would refrain from abusing OxyContin, and other similar painkillers, at all costs, yet abuse remains a huge issue.

According to the 2010 Monitoring the Future survey, prescription and over-the-counter drugs are among the most commonly abused by 12th

graders after alcohol, marijuana and tobacco.Fortunately, drug manufacturers have kept their

eyes open to the problem and have recently taken several steps to prevent prescription abuse.

For example, beginning in 2010, OxyContin was reformulated by adding binders to prevent the grinding of tablets for insufflation or injection, and to maintain its extended release characteristics.

There is hope that these changes will be able to diminish the severe problem of painkiller abuse that plagues our society.

However, this initiative fails to address abusers who are already addicted to OxyContin.

Education and rehabilitation programs present the greatest likelihood for success in this matter.

Studies suggest prescription drug abuse, dependency could be on the rise

By Aakash Jain ’14

The Roundup

The Roundup Page 8 | December 2011 Special SectionFine Arts Extravaganza highlights� Student�bands�fill�Blackbox�with�

eclectic�mix�of�musicBy Alex Stanley ’12THE ROUNDUP

The Blackbox Theater was abuzz all night Nov. 22 at the Fine Arts Extravaganza, with school bands and four student acts filling the small theater for more than four hours of music.

The first student organized groups came on at around 8:15 p.m.The first, Danceforth, featured a collective of numerous Brophy

students, as well as one from Xavier. Danceforth was composed of Danny Barsetti-Nerland ’12, Annie Dolan ’12 (XCP), Ian Dominguez ’12, Greg Goulder ’13, Sunil Kataria ’12, Michael McNamara ’12, Connor MItchell ’12, Matt Munhall ’12, Manuel Siguenza ’12 and Joe Skoog ’13.

Nick Giancola ’12 went out first, performing under the moniker “Nicky Ginaj” and sporting a uniquely popped collar and stylish shades. He performed his own rendition of a number of songs by Nicki Minaj and rapped in front of the largest crowd of the night;the entire theater almost filled to capacity.

“I thought my performance went very well. I’m very grateful for all the people that showed up,” Giancola said after his performance. “I hope everybody had a great time dancing and singing along.”

Danceforth took to the stage after Nicky Ginaj, starting with a cover of “North American Scum” by LCD Soundsystem.

Their other covers of “Good Life” by Kanye West and “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson were the most memorable played.

Sunil Kataria played a flawless T-Pain, complete with hat, chain, sunglasses and a better voice than T-Pain himself for “Good Life.”

“Since U Been Gone” was also well played, with Matt Munhall’s vocals bringing it all together as a notable finale.

The next band that played was Moonhouse, featuring Jordan Bohannon ’12, Michael Cullan ’12, Luke Taylor, Carly Barton and Parker Jones ’12.

They played all-original music tinged with a notably indie sound. A bit like Vampire Weekend, the group played a few songs with

names like “Yellow Lights” over a 25-minute period.They announced at the end of the show that their performance on

the night would be the last ever for the band.The third act was Treefingers, a group made up of Quinn

McGovern ’12, Grant Parsons ’12, Mitch Hosier ’11, Michael Lucero ’13 and Austin Tucker ’11.

With two Brophy graduates, this band definitely possessed musical experience.

They skillfully played several original creations as well as a new song entitled “Forest Fire.”

Quinn McGovern’s vocals were well suited to the genre, and his keyboard playing brought a unique edge to the otherwise hard rock sound.

The last show of the night was the hard rock medley by the name of The End of the Line. Kevin Cabano ’12, Robbie Sirven ’12, Zach Cox ’13 and Brad Keller ’12 played covers of old classics and a few originals.

Their heavy, distinct sound was impressive, in addition to the prowess each member seemed to have on their instrument.

Acoustic�sets,�stand-up�comedy�occupy�Romley�basement

By Julian De Ocampo ’13THE ROUNDUP

Acoustic guitars filled the air of the Brophy Art Gallery beneath Romley Hall throughout the night, with appearances from a number of smaller acts in the cozy basement of the building.

The school converted the room, a former Jesuit dining room, into an art gallery last year and into a tiny, intimate performance venue for the event.

The night began with Connor Mitchell ’12 performing acoustics songs under the moniker Geoff.

The room then took a drastic shift as it turned quickly into a makeshift stand-up comedy club featuring students Chase Stevens ’12 and Miles Kent ’13.

Stevens, now entering his second year of his comedy career, has previously performed at various comedy clubs throughout the valley.

In contrast, Kent performed his material for one of the first times of his life, having comparably little stand-up experience.

Despite being a novice, Kent had the crowd laughing hysterically at his jokes.

“We’ll see if I get a JUG for some of the jokes at the end. It’s kind of on the decision of Mrs. Clarke and Mr. Mulloy,” Kent said.

This is the first year that comedy has been included in the Fine Arts Extravaganza lineup, but Kent said that he sees comedy as something here to stay.

“Comedy is an art. It’s a way of looking at the world in a happy way,” Kent said. “Comedians are the ones who crack jokes at bad times to make everybody laugh, and it’s kind of a way of making the world a better place without actually helping anyone – I think it’s good though.”

Afterwards, the trio of Jake Flick ’13, Keaton Leander ’13 and Jeff Bennett ’13 took the stage under the name Bottle the Message.

They played a number of acoustic songs, including covers of songs by bands like Young the Giant.

Jam Brewer, a duo of Jordan Bohannon ’12 and Michael Cullan ’12, took the stage next, playing covers by indie bands including Girls and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

One member of the audience leaned over to his friend to ask, “Why

does it sound like this?”His friend just leaned over and whispered, “It’s indie, man. Just go

with it.”As Jam Brewer packed up, much of the crowd migrated to the

Black Box Theater to watch Danceforth, leaving the hall quiet, save for a number of appearances throughout the rest of the night from a number of students, including Thomas Rainer ’15 and Jacob Browning ’13, who each took the stage one by one with guitars in tote.

At the night’s end, Tiny Ships (Matt Thurston ’12, Nathan Walker ’12, Yuta Shimmi ’12, JP Malham ’12), were the last bands to perform.

Almost comparable to a Deerhunter, the band played original music well-suited to the night’s indie-tinged sound.

Tiny Ships finished up the performances in Romley, a quiet space where few students are normally admitted, before the room was once again closed to the public.

Musician’s�Exchange�hosts�bands�in�the�Octagon

By Julian De Ocampo ’13THE ROUNDUP

Bands that are a part of the Musician’s Exchange club were given prime space for playing on a huge stage erected in front of the steps of Brophy Hall Nov. 22 at the event.

The area, often referred to as the Octagon, made sure that bands playing were heard by nearly everyone entering the Fine Arts Extravaganza.

Special Means, a metal band consisting of juniors Ryan Dolinar ’13 and Justin Jones ’13, were the first to take the stage, their frantic riffing and manic drumming greeting the first arrivals to the Extravaganza.

Photo by Julian De Ocampo ’13Sunil�Kataria�‘12�mimics�T-Pain�and�Manuel�Siguenza�‘12�plays�Kanye�West�while�Joe�Skoog�’13�plays�bass�on�Danceforth’s�cover�of�“Good�Life.”

Photo by Alex Stanley ’12Nick�Giancola�’12�performs�under�the�name�“Nicky�Ginaj.”

Photo by Alex Stanley ’12Jordan�Bohannon�’12�and�Michael�Cullan�’12�perform�as�Jam�Brewer.

Photo by Julian De Ocampo ’13Miles�Kent�’13�draws�laughs�with�his�stand-up�comedy�routine.�

The Roundup December 2011 | Page 9Special Section

After Special Means finished, the Musician’s Exchange hosted a “jam band” consisting of various members who happened to be on hand at the time.

The band mainly improvised during the time slot, showing off their musical prowess for the crowds milling around outside the Student Activity Center.

After an hour-long intermission given in courtesy of choir and orchestra performances in the Chapel, the stage was once again filled with musicians as Jypsy Curse (Brendan Bohannon ’14, Joe Weiss ’14, Van Cummerford ’14) took the stage.

They, like many other bands on the Octagon, played songs by alternative rock staples like Green Day.

“The crowd loved it; they were going nuts,” Brendan Bohannon, brother of Moonhouse/Jam Brewer member Jordan Bohannon ’12, said after leaving the stage.

As people exited the Blackbox after seeing the spectacle of Nicky Ginaj and Danceforth, Jypsy Curse’s crowd grew larger and larger.

Next, You Wouldn’t Believe (Alex Gross ’13, Anchal Jain ’13, Greg Goulder ’13, Pratap Jayaram ’13) took the stage and kept the Green Day trend going with a cover of “Basket Case.”

The band, longtime staples at Brophy’s Friday Night Lights events, played through a usual setlist of covers of bands including Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and Maroon 5.

Members of Danceforth, having finished their set, came to watch and dance enthusiastically for the band midway through the set.

Lastly, Once Upon a Time (Keaton Leander ’13, Mark Miller ’13, Andrew Long ’10) finished the night with a sugary blend of pop-rock.

The band played well into the night as the crowds dispersed, but they still managed to draw a sizable amount of students and parents.

As Once Upon a Time closed out their set, the Musician’s Exchange sprang back into action and disassembled the stage, once again returning the Octagon to normal.

BLAM�brings�literature�to�FAE�

By Roan Enright ’13THE ROUNDUP

Ivan Iotzov ’12 swiftly maneuvers through the rows of chairs to the podium Nov. 22 in the faculty lounge.

He tightly grips the podium, lifts his head, peers over the crowd and then confidently reads to his audience at the annual literary competition that BLAM, the Brophy Literary Arts Magazine, hosts every year.

Twenty-five Brophy students of all classes gathered to share and compete against each other in the faculty lounge during the 2011 Fine Arts extravaganza.

These 25 students were divided into four different categories: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and the featured Noir-themed category that BLAM added this year.

BLAM took on an open-arms policy this year, taking in all pieces as long as they fit the published requirements.

Jack Flynn ’13, the publication’s managing editor, said the readings were a success.

“We had a lot of great readers and a lot of great pieces which were very diverse as well,” Flynn said.

The pieces ranged from short poems like Nick Kush’s ’13 “Beauty” to fiction like “An End to Silence” by Austin Tymins ’13, which features a character who struggles with murderous thoughts and actions.

“It’s really about the writers, and BLAM really wants to showcase their work,” Flynn said

Flynn said it is important to not only showcase their work in BLAM’s spring publication, but also to give the writers a chance to share and preview their work before the publication.

The authors choose different styles to share to the audience at the readings like Iotzov’s untitled poem.

“To be completely honest I picked the most depressing piece I had because I thought it would be more interesting than picking something happy because figured a lot of people were doing that,” Iotzov said.

Along with the different styles the authors approached they also had to choose how they were going to present it to the audience.

“You also get the addition of tone and affection in their voice, and when you hear the writer inhabit the voices within the dialog in a story you get to understand his intentions with the word choice,” said Mr. John Damaso ’97, one of BLAM’s advisers.

The BLAM readings was one of the many showcasing’s that the Fine Arts Extravaganza had to offer.

Even though BLAM was limited to only the readings at this event, the magazine will become integrated again by placing some of the visual art on display in their spring publication.

“It really helps complement everything else that is here. We have other artists that will be later featured in BLAM, but it really helps widen the spectrum,” Flynn said

The individual winners for the Noir division were Jackson Santy ’13 in first and Brad Keller ’12 as the runner up. In creative non-fiction, Aakash Jain ’14 took first and Jack Hutt ’14 took second. Austin Tymins took first and Colton Chase ’12 took second in the fiction category. Lastly, there was a first place tie between Jimmy Crnkovich ’14 and Jeremiah Johnson ’14 in the poetry category.

Looking forward from what Mr. Damaso called a “rare experience at Brophy,” the BLAM staff is optimistic about the development of new literary readings that Brophy students can be a part of and can attend in the future.

Visual�side�of�FAE�shines�through�the�night

By Josh Galvin ’13THE ROUNDUP

The Student Activity Center sharply contrasted against the hustle and bustle outside of its doors.

The television crackled as an artificial fireplace glowed warmly on its screen.

At its “hearth,” the Mothers’ Guild set up concessions while students lounged on chairs and sofas.

However, the main attraction was the hundreds of photographs displayed prominently on four large boards: the product of students in photography classes and other photo enthusiasts on campus.

Among the numerous parents admiring the work were several Brophy teachers; Mr. Andrew Bradley strolled around with his wife and baby, and Mr. Chris Calderon, S.J. was also spotted throughout the night.

Transitioning from Keating to Eller, attendees were greeted by the calming sound of a steel drum rendition of “Under the Sea,” played by Nick Wren ’12.

Inside the first floor of Eller, art students presented their original drawings, paintings and sculptures.

Wooden busts with wild hairstyles juxtaposed the solemn Jesuit crosses lying at their bases.

Much like the SAC, the two-dimensional works were posted on large display boards.

Down the hall, the jolting sound of a car crash drew wandering parents into the video production studio.

Backdrops, lights and other cinematic tools littered the back of the room, but the emphasis was placed on a large projector screen airing various student productions.

The content varied from drunk driving PSAs to stop-motion animation short films.

Yet regardless of what was playing, a small group of Loyola Academy boys stayed entertained for the greater part of an hour.

Photo by Kyle Scheuring ’15Jared�Boyle�’15�contemplates�several�pieces�of�photographic�art�in�the�Student�Activities�Center.

Photo by Julian De Ocampo ’13Jypsy�Curse�rock�on�the�Octogon�Stage�in�front�of�Brophy�Hall.

Photo by Julian De Ocampo ’13Loyola�Academy�students�watch�films�in�the�video�production�room.

Photo by Roan Enright ’13Jimmy�Crnkovich�‘14�reads�to�audience�in�the�Faculty�Lounge

musicians, writers, visual artists

SportsThe Roundup | December 2011

Goalie Sundermeier leads soccer, student bodyBy Jackson Santy ’13

THE ROUNDUP

For the next several months Nate Sundermeier ’12 may primarily be known as the varsity goalie for the Brophy

Broncos soccer team. However this is among the many titles he holds

on campus. He cannot sit for five minutes without some

student or faculty member stopping to chat. Sundermeier, along with the rest of the Brophy

soccer team, are as some players state “living the dream” after their previous season culminated in a state championship.

Sundermeier’s soccer career goes much farther back than his time at Brophy.

Sundermeier began playing soccer at the age of four.

“Every kid plays at one point in their lives,” Sundermeier said.

“Soccer is a game of love and hate,” he said. “When you give it love, it won’t always reciprocate the feeling.”

By the time he was six, Sundermeier moved to the Netherlands.

“We moved there originally because of my dad’s work; it was only supposed to be for three months but it ended up being longer than we expected,” Sundermeier said.

It was there that Sundermeier truly developed a passion for the sport of soccer.

“I played kids from all around the world. By the time I returned back to the U.S., I knew that I loved soccer,” he said.

Nine years later, Sundermeier came to Brophy, thus beginning a new era of his life and athletic career.

Now entering his senior year, Sundermeier has been a member of Brophy’s soccer program for four years.

“I love playing for Brophy. You’re playing for your school, your teammates and most importantly you’re playing for God,” Sundermeier said. “That’s something that club soccer just can’t offer.”

Sundermeier played JV his freshman and sophomore year for head coach Mr. Paul Fisko. During his sophomore season, Sundermeier started every game and only let in one goal the entire season.

Since his freshman year, Sundermeier had always aspired to be the starting goalie of the varsity soccer team.

“It was weird as a freshman looking at the older goalies and thinking ‘I want to be like him,’”

Sundermeier said. “But now that I am, I never expected it to be so—real.”

Taking the place of former goalie Patrick Poblete ’10, Sundermeier has been starting at goalie for varsity since the beginning of his junior year.

Over the last three years varsity soccer head coach Mr. Marc Kelly ’87 has watched Sundermeier develop and grow into “a very good athlete and goal keeper.”

“I’ve known Nate since he was a freshman, but it seems like I’ve known him forever,” he said.

“I didn’t know much about his talents or technical and physical abilities, but I thought he was a player who had promise,” Mr. Kelly said.

Sundermeier’s first varsity start was against Salpointe last year.

“We came out a little slow in the first half and I had to make a few big plays, we ended up winning 4-1,” Sundermeier said. “That was where I felt like I made my impression and earned my stripes.”

Sundermeier had 17 shutout games last season, which placed him in the top five nationally for a high school goalie that year, along with shutouts in each game in the state tournament.

“I think he’ll have another tremendous year this year,” Mr. Kelly said. “He’s very hard working and diligent in training. He’s just the kind of guy

you want to be around and when it comes to being on the field it translates into some very powerful characteristics.”

Coaches and teammates alike speak highly of Sundermeier both on and off the field.

“I would describe Nate as reliable, an amazing leader and he is the funniest guy I know,” said teammate Timmy Mourikes ’12 in an email. “He is an incredible person who plays an astonishing role on the field.”

Mr. Kelly said that in the goalie position, players are not always connected to the game.

“They are some of the most unique people you’ll ever meet, because they have to find a way to stay connected with the game even when the ball is 80 yards away,” Mr. Kelly said. “And in our case, the ball doesn’t come towards our end all too often.”

“(Sundermeier) will be called upon several times this year to have to make some big saves, and if he’s making big saves then we’re good to go,” Mr. Kelly said. “He’s going to play the role of the leader and will be a great role model this season, especially for our younger goal keeper Philip Mourikes ’14.”

The road to last year’s state championship victory was not a very smooth one for Sundermeier, yet the events that took place epitomized the hard work Mr. Kelly and others speak of.

Days prior to Brophy’s state semi-final game, Sundermeier contracted a case of influenza.

“He was very sick in the week preceding the championship game,” Mr. Kelly said. “Because of his illness, he had to skip the semi-finals, which killed him.”

“It was very difficult for him to miss that game, as he had been in goal for us for mostly every single game. Luckily we had Michael O’Conner ’13 step up and play great,” Mr. Kelly said.

“On the Thursday before the (championship) game I had a 103 degree fever and was connected to three IV bags,” Sundermeier said. “The day of the game, I woke up still not feeling good but it was the state championship game and I couldn’t say no.”

Sundermeier was unable to warm up before the game, due to violent coughing fits.

“But I rose up to the occasion,” Sundermeier said. “It was a long game but we won and it was the best feeling I’ve ever had as a soccer player.”

Brophy emerged victorious against the Hamilton Huskies, defeating the team 1-0.

“Nate played in the state final game and had a shutout which is all you can ask for as a goalie,” Mr. Kelly said. “He was still ill when he came on the field but in the end he did very well and made several game saving stops.”

Aside from soccer, Sundermeier plays a major role in other clubs and associations around Brophy.

“I consider myself a jack of all trades, but I don’t consider myself a Jack Welty (’12) of all trades,” Sundermeier said.

Sundermeier is a member of Big Brothers, Family to Family, and National Honors Society.

But quite possibly Sundermeier’s biggest role on campus is on Student Council.

“His role is definitely of a worker and a leader, given that he’s a senior. So he’s taken charge on a lot of issues and activities that we have,” said student council moderator Mr. Pete Burr ’07.

“Nate is a great leader; he’s wonderful at taking initiative and doing things without being asked,” Mr. Burr said.

This year’s Frosh Mixer happened largely in part due to Sundermeier.

“He has one of the best qualities of a leader, he can see an issue and is able to simply take care of it, so by the time somebody’s worried about it and brings it up, he usually has already taken care of it,” Mr. Burr said.

Now in his senior year, Sundermeier is setting big goals for himself as a leader on campus.

“This year, I want to be a leader for all classes,” Sundermeier said. “I want to go for it all.”

Photo by Kevin Valenzuela ’13

Nate Sundermeier ’12 is a Brophy senior on varsity soccer and Student Council.

Student athletes strive to be the top 1 percent, stand above competitionSports Commentary

Logan Hall ’14 THE ROUNDUP

When students walk into the Robson Gymnasium, they see walls plastered with numerous state championship banners in a variety of sports.

Brophy teams have racked up a total of 64 state championships over the years because its athletes strive to be the best of the best in everything they do.

Brophy brings in athletes every year who play sports competitively. Most of the Brophy athletes on varsity teams are not just playing the sport for fun, but to

win.Many student athletes play sports just

for fun or for the experience. But elite athletes want to be the best at what they love.

What separates Brophy’s athletics from other high schools is that many athletes at Brophy will not settle for being the 99 percent when it comes to athletics. Competitive athletes at Brophy work hard and train hard every day to be the one percent, the one percent being the best athletes, and not having to do with economics.

And in this case instead of students wanting to close that gap, they work to

expand it.“We are focused on doing the little

things right and being fundamentally sound,” said Conor Triplett ’14. “We are not worried about being individuals, we are just more worried about the team and team success.”

Triplett is a varsity basketball player

who intends to play college basketball for UCLA, Stanford or Georgetown. He also plays for a club team, The Arizona Magic, which is a top 25 team in the nation.

Triplett said his motivation is winning.

“I’m really competitive and I like winning,” Triplett said. “I hate losing and I think a lot of the guys in the program feel the same way, and our ultimate goal is winning a state championship.”

Triplett said his every day work out consists of about two and a half hours of actual basketball, and two days a week in the weight room.

Baseball player Isaiah Deutsch ’14 made the varsity baseball team as a freshman.

Deutsch was recruited by Pepperdine and plans to play baseball for them on a full ride scholarship. But college baseball will not be the end for him if everything goes as planned.

“I would love to play in the Major Leagues, that is my dream and what I am working towards,” Deutsch said.

Although making varsity as a freshman was an honor, Deutsch said his biggest accomplishment as a baseball player was

See 1%, Page 12

I’m really competitive ... I hate losing

—Conor Triplett ’14

The Roundup December 2011 | Page 11

Soccer team to vie for top spot in the nationBy P. Erik Meyer ’14THE ROUNDUP

This year Mr. Marc Kelly ’88, 11 year Brophy soccer coach, is leading what he says is one of the best team’s ever on the field.

Last year the soccer team went 24-1-2, won the state championship and finished second in the nation.

“Last year’s team was arguably Brophy’s best team,” Mr. Kelly said. “We were dominant.”

This year the team will reload with talent to fill the shoes of last year’s seniors.

“We have a great amount of talent,” said Nate Sundermeier ’12, the starting goalie. “We reloaded this year with new young talent.”

As good as last year was, this year’s team looks even better, according to Mr. Kelly.

“We are well balanced, have lots of weapons and have an influx of defenders,” he said.

“We have all the weapons and now we need to rise to the occasion and come up big,” Sundermeier said.

The team can “rise to the occasion” in January when they travel to Orlando,

Fla. where they will compete in the Disney College Showcase. The games will be streamed live online and

Brophy students, fans and parents can watch from home. As a veteran on the team, Sundermeier will be key

in establishing confidence with the newcomers and bringing experience to a team composed largely of first-year

varsity players.“I want another ring,” Sundermeier

said.

Photo by Alex Stanley ’12The Brophy soccer team gathers before practice Nov. 18 for prayer and discussion.

By Tyler J. Scott ’12THE ROUNDUP

After losing in last year’s championship game to the Mesa Mountain View Toros 50-29, the Broncos’ basketball team begins the new season with expectations set high.

The team lost center Sai Tummala ’11 and guard Chris Pierre ’11, among others, who made an impact in last season’s success.

“We don’t have the same natural basketball talent that Tummala and some other seniors had last year, but we have experience of going where we need to go,” said Jordan Medl ’12.

The team returns guards Fred Gammage ’12, Garron Scoon ’12 and Greg Patten ’12.

Forwards James Harper ’12, Tim Kempton ’13 and Medl will return in the front court.

Coach Mr. Tony Fuller said that the team needs depth.“The guys, 6,7,8,9 need to be ready to go,” Mr. Fuller said.

“Everybody’s working hard and I’m pleased with the progress of a lot of guys.”

Medl said he believes that he has the experience needed to get back to the championship.

“Losing state last year was definitely tough, but from the moment we walked off that court in March it’s transferred from disappointment to eagerness,” Medl said.

Students are also eager for the season to start.“I’m very excited about the basketball season,” said Flavio

Bravo ’12. “I know we have great senior leadership on this year’s team.

Last year’s season had a lot of critical moments en route to the state championship.

Brophy once again beat rival St. Mary’s in our Hoopcoming game but the magic didn’t end there.

Going into the playoffs, the Broncos took a six seed.

In the second round Brophy upset No. 3 North and then No.2 Mesa in the third round.

Medl said that as a senior, this year means everything.“It’s pretty much all or nothing this year, and I think the

younger guys feel this vibe too,” Medl said. “My Brophy basketball years have been great but I feel it can’t be complete without a ring.”

Last year’s deep playoff run gives basketball team experience for 2011

Photo by Roan Enright ’13Brophy basketball players practices in preparation for the season.

By Andrew J. Barnes ’12THE ROUNDUP

Since second grade, basketball has been a huge part of the life of Brophy senior Jordan Medl ’12.

“My dad was actually my first coach,” Medl said. “I started playing club in middle school.”

When he arrived at Brophy, Medl played for the freshman team, then made the varsity team his sophomore year.

“Jordan is the opposition’s worst nightmare,” said teammate Greg Patten ’12. “If you take a break for even one second, he will basically make a fool of you.”

Medl said his favorite part about basketball is the aspect of being on a team, and it’s a small sport so “you get to know each one of your teammates really well.”

As starting power forward for the varsity basketball team, Medl carries the title of co-captain of a team that went to the state championship last year.

“We all had this feeling that we knew we could get there, but when it actually came it was almost unreal,” Medl said.

The expectation for the team is to try to win the state championship this year, but nothing is too different regarding expectations, Medl said.

Medl said he believes that he is good at leading by example for the younger players, as well as the seniors.

Medl also believes he has some things to work on as the season progresses.

“Coach Mr. Tony Fuller always tells me that I need to work on my balance,” Medl said. “I also want to have a better free throw percentage than past years.”

Medl has also been involved in plenty of extracurricular activities, including Big Brothers, attending the El Salvador trip last summer, being co-president of the “Family to Family” club, and leading Kairos 114 in October.

“He is a naturally loving guy on and off the court,” Patten said.

He also was named a fall 2011 Distinguished Student, a select group of individuals recognized for their academics as well as involvement at Brophy.

“He has a huge heart, which makes him a great role model for not only guys on the team, but the entire student body,” Patten said.

Medl said that he would like to play basketball in college, but it’s a “hard process.”

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have other things going for me besides basketball,” Medl said. “And if it happens, it happens.”

Co-captain Medl sets example for teammates

Online this month

Rower Nelson discovers niche

By Michael Moroney ’13THE ROUNDUP

Matt Nelson ’12 started rowing for the Brophy crew team only two years ago, but in that time he has blossomed into one of the top rowers on the squad and his love for the sport continues to grow.

“I really enjoy going to practice and

getting away from all the stress of college applications and homework,” Nelson said. “When I am out on Tempe Town Lake, I am completely relaxed and think about nothing but my technique.”

Read the rest of this article and more sports

online at roundup.brophyprep.org.

Page 12 | December 2011 The Roundup

Want more Brophy sports?

Need more scores, stats and analysis?Looking for more photos and comments?

We’ve got just the place.roundup.brophyprep.org

Out of Left Field

Austin Hammond ’13

Basketball

Timmy Mourikes ’12

Soccer

TV shows you are obsessed with?

Chase Frank ’13Wrestling

Favorite Christmas Time Activity?

Greg Patten ’12Basketball

Opening presents with my family.

Wrestling with garden gnomes and reindeer.

Decorating Christmas trees, it’s a classic.

Opening presents for sure.

The NBA season—oh wait.

It’s a tie between “Jersey Shore” and “Teen Wolf.”

“Workaholics” or “Psych.”

Anything anime.

Hardest class you are taking?

Physics with Mr. Widbin.

Physics with Mr. Widbin.

Chemistry.

U.S. History with Mr. Hooten.

BCS National Cham-pionship Winner?

University of Northern Iowa

Louisiana State. They’re a good team.

Oklahoma State.

LSU.

By Jackson Santy ’13the roundup

off campus.“I think that my biggest accomplishment was

making the U.S. National Team,” he said. The U.S. National team got the chance to play

in Nicaragua where they got third place, falling to Venezuela.

“It was really cool, and overall a great experience,” Deutsch said.

The workouts that Deutsch endures show that playing his caliber of baseball takes dedication and hard work. Several hours a day are put into making Deutsch and many other Brophy baseball players better at what they love to do.

“I start with my seventh period workout for Brophy, then I go to a personal workout with

David Graybill ’12 and Connor Messman ’13 at Pro Advantage, then some throwing and hitting,” Deutsch said.

Pro Advantage, where Deutsch, Graybill and Messman work out has a specific High School Athlete Training Program that is geared towards enhancing every aspect of athletic performance. They design work outs for athlete’s based upon that athletes specific individual needs.

“I think that Brophy has a good pull on bringing in the best athletes,” Deutsch said. “Brophy likes to succeed and we have a good reputation, and kids putting on the Brophy uniform know what they’re here for and strive to be the best because they want the state championship.”

Wrestler Max Ashton ’14 has a similar opinion to Deutsch. Ashton is a Junior Varsity wrestler

with hopes of wrestling for a good college.“Brophy athletes will do whatever they can to

succeed,” Ashton said. “If I am good enough, I would love to wrestle at a collegiate level.”

But Ashton is not just your average Brophy wrestler. He is visually impaired and has only very little peripheral vision.

Ashton has been wrestling since the seventh grade, and it is one of the only sports that he can play. He said that being a blind wrestler has its challenges, but overall it does not hinder his ability to compete.

Ashton being a blind wrestler is yet another reason why Brophy is the one percent in sports because not every high school has a visually impaired student who strives to be the best and wrestle in college.

Athletes at Brophy all strive to win a state championship, however there is more that motivates the best of the best.

To the top athletes, sports are more than just a state championship, they are a way of life. There is always more that they can do in the sport they play, and it is hard work and determination that will give them the strength and courage to take their game to next level, be it college or professional.

Andrew MacMillan ’14 is a varsity golfer who believes that athletics at Brophy are much more than a state title.

“Brophy athletes play for something more than themselves,” he said. “They realize that the school has given them a great opportunity to show who they are on and off the field, and every day we strive to be the very best we can in all aspects of life.”

Coaches, practices give edge in wrestlingBy Jack Macias ’14THE ROUNDUP

With the start of the wrestling season closing in, coach Mr. Brad Frank is doing all he can to get his athletes ready for competition.

“A typical practice will last about two and a half hours,” Mr. Frank said, with warm ups and conditioning included.

“In the long run, at the end of the season, all those two and a half hour practices paid off,” Mr. Frank said.

Last season 10 of the 12 varsity members who wrestled at sectionals were invited to the state championship meet.

Marshall Varner ’13 attained second place in the 145 pound weight class, Justin Robles ’11 achieved fourth place in the 130 pound class and Connor Devereux ’11 received sixth place in the 140 pounds class.

The average wrestling practice consists of warm up, different moves and scenarios for wrestling, then conditioning at the end of practice.

“The atmosphere (in the wrestling room) is very work-oriented,” Mr. Frank added, who has been the head varsity coach for six years.

“If their goal is to be a state champion, they have to practice like that,” Mr. Frank said when asked why the practice takes so long.

Wrestlers said the recognize why that preparation is necessary.

“They work us harder than any other coaches, and they prepare us for what no other coach prepares for,” said varsity wrestler Tanner Olhausen ’14.

Kiernan Bates ’12 said the end goal is realized one step at a time.

“You have a goal, and you have to work every day to achieve that goal,” Bates said.

Bates and Austin Schmidt ’12 are

two wrestlers that Mr. Frank said were the leaders of the wrestling squad this year.

“Austin is very positive, he is always trying to motivate kids, giving them positive comments. Kiernan is more

of a high energy type,” Mr. Frank said.Bates wrestles in the 160 lbs. weight

class.“We want to do really well at state;

we have a lot of really good wrestlers,” Bates said when asked about his

expectations for the team.Along with Bates, Mr. Frank also has

high expectations, and said he believes his team will be and to compete against top programs.

Photo By Kyle Scheuring ’15Two students grapple with each other Nov. 29 as the wresting team prepares for their first match.

From 1%, Page 10

EntertainmentThe Roundup | December 2011

Brother inspires Thompson’s passion for artBy Andrew J. Barnes ’12

THE ROUNDUP

When he was young, Tyler Thompson ’12 used art as a hobby.

But since arriving at Brophy, art has become a huge part of his life.

“I have been doing fine arts forever,” Thompson said. “And more so since I started going to Brophy because there have been more opportunities to do art.”

When Thompson was younger, his brother, Chris Thompson ’00, was attending Brophy, and his influence inspired Tyler Thompson to do art.

“He started letting me play around with his art stuff, and I made a few things,” Tyler Thompson said.

Thompson uses many mediums within his art, including pastels, graphite, charcoal, pen and ink, oil paintings, graphic design, digital illustrations/paintings and 3D modeling.

Thompson said his favorite medium would be pastel or pen and ink because they are “fun to do and give you interesting results that look very good.”

Besides doing art work in class and on the side, Thompson has been involved in theater since freshman year, and he has been creating artwork for the posters for upcoming plays, most recently for Ms. Dorothy Dunnion’s production of “Death of a Salesman.”

“They wanted it to look very depressing and dark,” Thompson said. “I wanted to design it with a savior who looked defeated.”

According to Thompson, there is a skull drawn in the poster underneath the salesman’s hat but after printing it was difficult to see this detail.

Thompson also wanted to “have (the salesman) shrouded in shadows and dust, but have sort of a light above him to leave for interpretation.”

Along with drawing the artwork for plays, Thompson has also been the student artistic director for all the Brophy theater productions and has helped design many of the productions’ sets.

“He is a talented artist,” said technical theater director Mr. Ron Douglas. “The students look to him to help create artistic sides to our sets.”

When a show is actually running, Thompson serves as the stage manager or is involved somehow with the crew backstage.

“Much of his input goes into our shows,” Mr. Douglas said. “I wish I had him around more often to help.”

Chris Thompson, who was the artistic director for theater during his Brophy career, inspired Tyler

Thompson to get involved backstage as well.For Thompson, art may be currently a huge

part of his life but he doesn’t see it turning into a career when he’s older.

“I don’t see it becoming a career for me. But I will

certainly continue to do it as a hobby, and I might do it as part-time work on the side,” he said.

Photo By Roan Enright ’13Tyler Thompson ’12 works on one of his art pieces in Mrs. Deb Cronin’s room Nov. 16.

History teacher discusses carpentry, unemployment rates, teaching all boys

By Jackson Santy ’13THE ROUNDUP

Mr. Andrew Bradley

Mr. Kolb’s question from November 2011 “Teacher’s Pet”: If you had dropped out of high school, what do you think you’d be doing today?

A carpenter—like Jesus. I had a really good answer for the question two issues ago too.

I suppose I can make an exception. Looking back to Ms. Mason’s question: “If you could

go anywhere in the world for 15 minutes, where would you go?”

Detroit, because who would want to be there for more than 15 minutes? Haha, I’ve been waiting to say that ever since I read last month’s issue.

Now that you’re in your second year of teaching at Brophy, would you consider yourself a seasoned veteran?

No. I feel like I can teach better, but I’m still learning the ins and outs of it, especially with an all-boys school.

Do faculty members haze new members?

Do we haze new members? Hmm, I don’t think so, but we should.

Really. How so?

Leave them at Manresa and have them find their way home.

Recent studies have shown that 18.64 percent of men between the ages 25-34 are currently living with their parents. How do you feel about this statistic?

I wish my parents lived here so I could live with him. Hey free rent, you can’t beat that.

Did you teach anywhere else prior to Brophy?

I did. I taught for four years in rural New Mexico, in a city much smaller than Phoenix.

Where’s your favorite place to be on campus and why?

I think I’d say the Mall. It’s a hub of

activity and it’s a place where you can see students in a social environment, outside of the classroom. It’s a neat thing to see.

What’s the highest grade you’d be willing to give a student in your class?

I’ve given students over 100 percent before; I have no problem doing that.

How would a student attain this astronomical grade?

Money helps. Anybody can be bought, or working hard and putting that effort in class. Actually be there in class, instead of just sitting in front of your Tablet and being a wall-flower.

Are you currently obsessed with any TV shows?

I really love “The Walking Dead,” it’s a great show. I enjoy “How I Met Your Mother” as well.

Who’s your pick for this year’s Meineke Car Care Bowl?

Who are the teams?They haven’t decided yet.How about U of A, they have a chance

right?Not really.I’m ashamed of the fact I don’t know.

After all I am the moderator for the sports appreciation club.

Pose a question for the next teacher.

If you could be any kind of animal, what kind of animal would you be and why?

Teacher’s Pet

Page 14 | December 2011 The Roundup

Catchy choruses, guitars dominate 2011 in indie rockBy Julian De Ocampo ’13

THE ROUNDUP

While the music journalists embraced established acts in 2010 (think back and remember the big albums: Arcade Fire, Kanye West, Gorillaz, etc.), 2011 was a year with a dearth of new releases from critical darlings.

Instead, the focus turned to mostly out-of-left field artists or relatively novice musicians only now starting to pick up steam.

For my second year writing a year-end album list, I’ve compiled a list of my top five favorite albums of the year as of the beginning of December.

5. St. Vincent – “Strange Mercy”If Annie Clark’s career milking her near-

saccharine, angelic voice for all it’s worth doesn’t work out, she could always reinvent herself as a guitar hero for the modern age.

In fact, one could argue that the singer, better known as St. Vincent, has already began to do just that on her third album, “Strange Mercy,” which found the usually enchantingly placid musician juxtaposing her saintly singing voice with increasingly aggressive guitar work.

Her previous album, “Actor,” often placed orchestral arrangements as the center of Clark’s music, leading to grandiose and expansive soundscapes that lent themselves well to the ambiguous nature of her lyrics.

“Strange Mercy,” however, turns up the grit and uses St. Vincent’s ever unsettling demeanor in ways

unexpected and equally unpredictable, hinting at that Clark might just be starting to prove herself as a guitar goddess.

4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – “Belong”I was initially severely disappointed by “Belong,”

the sophomore effort by New York’s The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, because the album strayed far away from the fuzzy black-and-white graininess of their reflective debut.

But after a few listens, I’ve come to appreciate this album as yet another great work by the sprightly young band.

On “Belong,” singer Kip Berman steps out from behind the curtain of guitar effects to sing like a bonafide rock star. The additional muscle, while disorienting for fans of the band’s first album, works well in tandem with Berman’s move towards larger, more anthemic hooks.

And while I consider the first Pains album to be the superior work, “Belong” is a great entry point for those looking into the band simply due to the fact that it boasts enough catchy hooks to win over even the staunchest detester of independent music.

3. James Blake – “James Blake”Wub-wub?Believe it or not, if British electronic musician

James Blake and the music journalism industry

are to be believed, there’s more to dubstep than Skrillex’s filthy beats and massive drops.

In fact, James recently went on the record to criticize the recent trend in dubstep by saying in an interview with The Boston Phoenix, “I think the dubstep that has come over to the US, and certain producers — who I can’t even be bothered naming — have definitely hit upon a sort of frat-boy market

where there’s this macho-ism being reflected in the sounds and the way the music makes you feel.”

On his self-titled debut, James Blake does indeed utilize wubbing in a way that drastically contrasts

with the monolithic bass being put out by most contemporary dubstep musicians. The bass often bubbles up or builds up slowly amidst Blake’s soft, delicate crooning before going into brief crescendos, forceful enough to make you feel it when it comes, but swift enough to be gone in the blink of an eye.

2. Foster the People – “Torches”“Pumped Up Kicks” may be the sleeper hit of the

summer, but Foster the People’s debut helped prove that the band was more than a one-trick pony.

Although some may decry “Pumped Up Kicks” as rising to the top on a cloud of novelty at best, the full “Torches” album paints the band as synth-pop navel gazers intent on creating massively catchy choruses worthy of the recent line of indie-pop

success stories like MGMT and Phoenix.Those willing to dig deeper into the band’s

album are rewarded with some of the most easily accessible and instantly likable choruses of the year.

Foster the People may be topping one-hit wonder lists in a few years, but their deftness at crafting a good hook is enough to provide lifeblood for a long career in the alternative scene.

1. Yuck – “Yuck”A lot of critics like to accuse Yuck of retro

fetishism and a desire to filch nearly every great hook in the history of distorted indie rock.

But I’ve always seen them as alt-rock fanatics who’ve listened to enough Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth records to work their way around a fuzzy guitar lick and make it sound fantastic.

Yuck feels more like a refinement of every indie rock band that ever decided to flick on a wah-wah pedal and crank up the fuzz, serving both as a spot-the-influence band and something startlingly well-formed for a group that seemingly emerged out of nowhere in just a few months.

On their debut, the band goes for searing guitar licks (“Get Away,” “Operation”), upbeat wistfulness (“Georgia”), and surprisingly endearing bare-bones melancholia (“Sunday”).

For a band that often gets called out for being too derivative of classic indie rock acts, “Yuck” proves that the band has enough flexibility to fit into nearly any mold while crafting songs that challenge the greatness of the classics they so-often imitate.

M83’s ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ takes listeners for a good rideBy Alex Stanley ’12THE ROUNDUP

M83 – “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming”8.0 out of 10

M83’s new album “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” could not have a more fitting title.

The man under the mask of M83, Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez, captures

the essence of dreamy music in this new age of electronic pop.

The first song, “Intro,” sets up the album perfectly. With synthesized background music and wistful lyrics it makes one feel like they are drifting through the stars.

In fact, the entire two-disc set is filled

with larger-than-life sounding songs, which appear more fit to be played in

large stadiums rather than earphones.

A few tracks even sound like they would fit well in an epic movie, such as “Tarzan” or “Avatar.”

The only downside to this album is that the first single released, “Midnight

City,” overshadows all of the other songs, so someone who has listened to “Midnight City” beforehand may be a bit disappointed.

Songs like “Steve McQueen” or “New Map” are tremendously catchy, but they do not compare to the pure excellence of “Midnight City.”

The one-of-a-kind electronic beat in this track is unmistakable, and Anthony Gonzalez’s endless verses claw at the

very essence of its namesake. It has even garnered so much acclaim

as to be featured on Victoria’s Secret commercials, which is no easy task for any traditional indie group.

Overall, though, “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” is a quality release.

“Midnight City” is quite clearly the best song, but others such as “Steve McQueen” or “OK Pal” are still worth a good listen.

Drake creates muggy, moody sophomore album on ‘Take Care’By Julian De Ocampo ’13

THE ROUNDUP

Drake – “Take Care”8.5 out of 10

Will there ever be a masterpiece of a hip-hop album?

I would argue that there hasn’t been one yet, regardless of what people will say about Biggie’s “Ready to Die” or Kanye’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”

I bring this up because Drake’s sophomore effort, “Take Care” comes so very close to glory, barely missing the mark on masterpiece

“Take Care” is a decidedly solemn affair, shockingly so for a rap album, mostly because Drake is just a sad person.

And he’s pretty hung-up on just about everything: money, girls, fame, his mom, his friends, and his simultaneous repulsion and fascination with partying in the nightlife.

In fact, there’s nothing even close to a bombastic machismo track like his past hits “Over” or “Forever” on “Take Care.”

Instead we get slow jams and murky production values that sound as thick as syrup and as glum as Drake sounds on these tracks.

Lyrically, Drake spills his heart in every song, oftentimes letting startlingly insightful adages dribble out from under the density of sultry synthesizers.

“We live in a generation of, not being in love, and not being together / but we sure make it feel like we’re together / because we’re scared to see each other with somebody else,” sings Drake on “Doing It Wrong,” which strangely enough also features a low-key harmonica performance from Stevie Wonder.

Wonder is just one out of nearly a dozen featured artists on this hulking 80-minute, 18-track album.

Some of these guests fare better in Drake’s distressed, blacked-out world than others.

André 3000 brings to the table one of the

album’s most poignant verses on “The Real Her,” commiserating with Drake and rapping, “Everybody has an addiction; mine happens to be you / and those who say they don’t / souls will later on say to them ‘that ain’t true.’”

Elsewhere, guest artists often find themselves completely at odds with Drake’s style and production, trying to force their own demeanor onto a song unwilling to accept them.

Birdman fares far worse on “We’ll Be Fine,” the closest thing the album has to a confident brag-track.

Birdman repeatedly refers to the track as “gangsta,” which sounds laughably out-of-place when you consider that Drake is essentially the antithesis of gangster rap, eschewing violent narratives for heart-on-sleeve confessionals.

Other guests, like Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj perform as expected, showing up and giving consistently decent verses.

One of the albums best tracks, “Take Care,” features the trademark stuttering production from

Jamie xx of British band The xx, which, coupled with a Rihanna hook, creates one of the best out-of-left-field collaborations of the year.

And while some of the slower numbers can drag, “Take Care” is one of the greatest hip-hop albums I’ve ever heard.

The production is gorgeous, lush and beautiful. Drake’s ear for a complex beat complements his improved flow and vocal abilities.

It’s also one of the best sequenced albums of the year, flowing like a cinematic wonder at times.

It’s a shame that the album falters due to some of the pitfalls that plague most hip-hop albums – inconsistent guest verses, an inability to balance sentimentality and corny one-liners and a far-too-long tracklisting – because “Take Care” might just go down as the moment when Drake grazed the threshold of greatness.

In the end, “Take Care” is a fantastic album that serves as proof that Drake might just be able to change rap music forever.

Here’s hoping to next time, Drake.

Online this month: Movie, music and video game reviews

roundup.brophyprep.org

Online: Watch videos from the artists and leave your top 5 list for 2011. Visit roundup.brophyprep.org and click on the “Music” tab.

The Roundup December 2011 | Page 15

‘Tower Heist’ steals the show with a comedic power-house cast

By Brett A. Mejia ’13THE ROUNDUP

“Tower Heist” –Starring: Ben Stiller & Eddie Murphy 8.0 out of 10

A plan to steal $20 million from a Ponzi-scheme artist with an all-star cast of comedians as the

henchmen proves to deliver a comic relief in “Tower Heist.”

Directed by Brett Ratner, “Tower Heist” follows a bunch of everyday people who put together an ingenious plan to steal back their money.

The movie begins with Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) waking up at 4 a.m., making coffee and preparing for his busy and hectic job as building manager in the luxurious high-rise apartment building The Tower in New York City.

The building’s most notorious tenet is Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), a wealthy businessman.

Kovacs wants to steal Shaw’s money because he gave Shaw his pension for an investment

opportunity, which resulted in a complete failure.Kovacs recruits an evicted tenet (Matthew

Broderick), a recently fired bellhop (Michael Peña) and a petty crook (Eddie Murphy) who Kovacs passes everyday on his way to The Tower.

Kovacs then puts a plan together to steal the $20 million dollars they think is located in a hidden safe in Shaw’s penthouse.

The movie runs 104 minutes, producing a lot of action and comedy sequences that will captivate the audience.

“Tower Heist” proved that a powerhouse of actors can make a great picture.

The chemistry between Stiller, Peña, Broderick

and Murphy is absolutely phenomenal because they make an easy situation worse by not following the original plan.

Murphy’s performance was hilarious and was one of his best works in years. I only wish that he had more screen time because the movie consisted mostly of Stiller, Peña and Broderick coming up with the plan.

A fault for the movie was that it seemed like it wasn’t until half way through that the actual heist began.

Overall “Tower Heist” surges through the comedy world and shows that good movies can still be made.

Clint Eastwood’s ‘J. Edgar’ proves decent but fails to reach potentialBy Andrew Marini ’13

THE ROUNDUP

“J. Edgar” – Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio & Naomi Watts 6.5 out of 10

From the second I saw that “J. Edgar” was a Clint Eastwood film I instantly had thoughts of “Gran Torino,” “Invictus” and “Flags of our Fathers” swirling through my head; all fantastic, well-made movies.

However, Eastwood disappointed by taking a great movie idea about a relatively unknown American figure and churning out a somewhat run-of-the-mill final product.

Don’t get me wrong, the movie was enjoyable enough, and I believe Leonardo Dicaprio will be nominated for an Oscar in his performance

of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. It just seems like it could have been far more impressive.

The story already loses a large audience because it is in some ways a historical biography, which isn’t all that exciting.

But if you have some interest in the subject of history and decide to pay the money to see it, you should enjoy it for the most part.

Dicaprio was outstanding in portraying the many types of Hoover’s personalities. He also recreated the fast and somewhat unclear speech impediment Hoover had.

None of the other actors were anything worth mentioning, which certainly took away from Dicaprio’s performance and made him do most of the work.

One letdown was that most of the movie spends time going into

the history of the FBI and Hoover’s personal life more so than his professional life.

Many people know Hoover was an extremely powerful man, and that he had a chokehold on many of the presidents that served when he was in office. However the movie leaves out much of this content, leaving viewers wondering why the film didn’t show his darker side as much as it needed to.

Instead we saw constant choppy fading between time periods.The movie was long and seemed to drag out towards the end. It

seemed as though I was waiting for it to end at some points rather than enjoying it.

“J. Edgar” is only average ranked since it had so much potential. If done correctly, this easily could have won best movie at the Oscars.

Annual Christmas Dance slated for Dec. 10 at XavierBy P. Erik Meyer ’14THE ROUNDUP

Xavier plays host to this year’s winter dance, “Under the Mistletoe,” on Dec. 10.

“It should be pretty good,” said Mr. Pete Burr ’07, Brophy’s Student Council adviser. “There should be more attendance than last year.”

“It will be a unique setting,” said Mrs. Carol

Hodus, Xavier’s Student Activity Director. Xavier Student Council members are working

with their art department to create an art walk where student art will be displayed.

“The girls want a First Friday feel,” Mrs. Hodus said.

First Friday in Phoenix is a monthly event downtown featuring local art.

The dance will likely feature some stations in the

Robson Plaza where students can pick up kettle corn, hot chocolate and other edibles, student bands and light refreshments in Vestar hall, and Duke photography will be present.

“They are going to make it more of a social event,” said Brophy Student Council member Kyle Chalmers ’13.

The dance will take place in the Student Activities Center and the Stark Art Gallery will be open.

“It should be one of the best Xavier dances,” Chalmers said.

Boys must wear a jacket, dress pants, tie and dress shoes. Girls may wear a strapless dress as long as it is floor length.

Students may attend with or without a date and may bring one non-Brophy or Xavier student.

Guest passes may be attained in the Xavier Student Council activities office.

Fantasy epic game ‘Skryim’ surpasses hype, sells millionsBy Josh Galvin ’13THE ROUNDUP

“Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” - Xbox 360, PS3, PC

9.5 out of 10A gentle snow begins to fall just

before the steel clad guard kicks you to your knees and forcibly shoves your head against the chopping block—the moment of truth has arrived.

However, just before the executioner can bring down his axe, an inhuman shriek splits the air. “Dragon!” someone shouts, and in an instant the scene spirals into mass chaos.

Such is the beginning of “Skyrim,” the long awaited fifth installment in Bethesda Game Studios’s medieval fantasy series “The Elder Scrolls.”

Your adventure opens with your character crossing the border into the tumultuous tundra known as Skyrim in the midst of a bloody civil war.

On one side is the Imperial Legion: once noble guardians of the realm of Cyrodiil who, after losing their last heir, have slowly died off and lost authority in the far reaches of their empire.

These soldiers invaded the frozen

land after a revolutionary, Jarl Ulfric of Windhelm, murdered the High King and declared himself the ruler of an independent Skryim.

Each side’s morals remain ambiguous, yet you are forced to choose sides almost immediately—something I wish would have presented itself much later.

Ultimately, as the last Dovahkiin (dragonborn) your objective is to vanquish Alduin the World Eater and end Skyrim’s power struggle.

“Skryim” was released Nov. 11, nearly six years after its predecessor “Oblivion.” According to Bethesda’s website, the game sold 7 million copies within the first two weeks.

During the dry spell, the Bethesda team – led by director Todd Howard – made many improvements in “Skyrim” in response to players’ feedback.

For example, the developers abandoned the Havok graphics engine used in the previous title and developed a completely original Creation engine.

The end result is a much more engaging fantasy world; the lush environment feels more like a dynamic interaction with the player than just a pretty background.

When my character finally escaped

from the dragon and I could truly take in my surroundings, I was very impressed with the subtle yet realistic touches. Grass and tree branches swayed in the wind, and in the distance a huge Gothic fort loomed menacingly.

Unfortunately, the peace didn’t last for long as I inadvertently stumbled into a highwayman’s camp on the side of the path. However, I dispatched him without much trouble due to the new ability to wield both a weapon and a spell—or two weapons/two spells—at the same time.

Combat plays out fairly fluidly with this addition, but like in “Oblivion,” hit-detection can be spotty. There were times when I questioned an enemy’s inexplicably long reach with a dagger as I whiffed away with a two-handed, 40-pound warhammer.

Another disappointment occasionally arose when I confronted the game’s highly-touted dragons; after hours of in-game buildup, I found that (spoiler alert) these beasts were sluggish and quite easy to kill.

Thankfully, most other aspects of the game remain positive. As your character fights, completes quests and trains skills like destruction magic and alchemy,

he/she will gain levels to become more adept and learn new abilities. For example, since my character uses a bow almost exclusively, the perk that it zooms in on enemies when the bow is drawn is an awesome thing to have.

The quests and various side missions you complete in your trek through Skyrim’s mountains and forests never grow monotonous, and Bethesda’s attention to detail astounds every time.

“Skyrim” focuses only on the single-

player experience, so don’t expect to jump on your game console and explore with a friend. Even so, I predict the game will be a serious contender for countless publications’ Game of the Year award.

What it lacks in versatility it makes up for in sheer content; “Skryim” has enough quests, locations and dragons to keep players entertained for well more 200 hours. Yes, it’s that big. And yes friends, I will be occupied until graduation.

Photo Courtesy of MCT Campus Taking a cue from “Fallout 3,” Bethesda added cinematic, slow motion finishing moves to the combat in “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.”

Page 16 | December 2011 The Roundup

Above, Photo by Casey Weinstein ’13. Weinstein’s work won first place in the Photography/Design gallery at the 2011 Fine Arts Extravaganza Nov. 22.

Left, “The Mask of Olu’aki” Ceramic by Ian Poblete ’13. Poblete’s work won first place in the 3D Ceramics/Sculpture gallery at the 2011 Fine Arts Extravaganza Nov. 22.

E-mail artwork for “The Artist’s Corner” to roundup@brophybroncos.org.

XavierGator

Words from the Wise ...

Have you heard any wise words lately? Send them to The Roundup at roundup@brophybroncos.org

“I’ve studied a lot of genealogy and I might be the direct descendant of Atilla the Hun.”

-Mr. Tom Reithmann

“Turtles are NOT good thinkers.”

-Mr. Pat O’Neil

“I can back squat a car.”

– Mr. Zachary Widbin

“What? We have school on Veterans Day next Friday? That’s illegal isn’t it?

–Mr. Jim Grindey

“Keep it clean! Keep it clean!”

-Mr. Matt Hooten chanting during a student rap battle

“If there was an AP finger painting class I’d so be in it.”

–Jackson Santy ’13

“Greedy Wall Street, stop stealing my bone.”

–Sign on a dog at a Occupy Wall Street protest

“10 years ago we had: Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash! Now we have no jobs, no

hope and no cash.”

—Sign at a Occupy Wall Street protest

By Joe Skoog ’13THE ROUNDUP

Angel Vo ’13

So, please state your name and personal statistics.

Angel Vo, class of 2013.I hear you are attempting to

win Miss Arizona Vietnam.Why yes, yes I am.How do you plan on winning

this competition?Well, work ethic first. Then my

strong fighting spirit will probably help along the way. Also, I am a scrappy fighter.

Does the competition usually devolve into a fight, or is the 2011-2012 competition a no holds barred cage match?

Fifteen foot high steel cage. Two contestants enter, one leaves.

I assume you will be the one that leaves?

Again, look to my quote: “Also I am a scrappy fighter.”

I could take you. Just not now, I don’t have the proper—shoes.

Sure, sure.So, Skyrim?!Greatest game ever; I am a level 18

Wood Elf.How many dragon bones have

you collected?Well, more than I can count. I really

have just stopped doing homework. Skyrim has become my life.

I doubt the other Miss Arizona Vietnam impostors are as good at Skyrim as you.

If the competition comes down to who has a better Skyrim character, I will surely win.

Well, I think that is enough. You can go play Skyrim and prepare for your fight.

May your Red Guard prosper.

By P. Erik Meyer ’14THE ROUNDUP

Girlfriendstalksports.comOn this website one can watch Mrs.

Karen Frye, mother of Logan Frye ’08 and Phoenix Suns star Channing Frye, discuss current sport topics through videos, blogs and other web related media.

Mrs. Frye, along with Roslaie Michaels and Patty Dimitiou, talk about everything sports including Ultimate Fighting, baseball and football.

The “girlfriends” currently have deals with Fox Sports Arizona to air on TV.

The site is relatively new but has been quite a success thus far.

AZhelmetproject.comThe Arizona High School Helmet

Project documents the history of every high school football team’s helmet in Arizona.

The website uses visitor submitted information in order to add to the site.

The helmets are divided up by division and section.

When a division is selected, the current helmet of each team is listed.

The teams helmet history is documented underneath the list of current helmets.

Brophy has four historical helmets listed under it from the 1961, 1970-1973, 1993-1997 seasons and the current helmet.

Brophy has one of the most detailed

histories; however, if you have any information to add to the site you can send an email to dongilbert@azhelmetproject.com.

Celebritynetworth.comCelebrity Net Worth lists the net

worth of many celebrities and athletes. Search for the name of your favorite

celebrity and discover how much he or she makes, how much their house is worth and how much their overall worth is.

You can also find articles on some celebrity’s recent activities such as acquiring a new home.

According to the site, all facts and figures are researched and scrutinized by writers and financiers.

There are even articles comparing celebrities and how their values have fallen or risen.

At the bottom of the homepage there are two lists, one of the most popular celebrities and the other of the recently added celebrities.

Some of the most popular celebrities include: Justin Beiber, Daniel Tosh, Barack Obama, Oprah Whinfrey and Kim Kardashian.

Before leaving the site be sure to check out the link on the top of the page that leads to Politicians net worth.

You can find out how much your favorite presidential candidate is worth or how much money your least favorite politician is hogging.

The Artist’s Corner