Monthly Archives: March 2016

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Girls Basketball

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It has been another powerful and successful year for the St. Rose Varsity Girls Basketball Program with new additions that tied the team together after readjusting to losing two Division I bound seniors.  The season may have ended without attaining their ultimate goal but they still had a successful season.  The girls attended the invitational Diamond State Classic Tournament in Delaware and had the opportunity to play teams that they would not normally play during their typical season, including: East Orange, Lenape High School, and Paterson Eastside.  Additionally they won their divisional title for the third year in a row; while head coach Joe Whalen had his 100th win with the St. Rose Girls Basketball program. Not only does the girls basketball program shape these athletes into talented players, but bonds them as teammates and sisters. In their division the girls had a record of 14-0 to clinch the division once again.

As the winter sports season came to a close, the Girls Basketball Team pushed on after a tough loss to SJV in the semifinals of the yearly Shore Conference Tournament. With their heads held high and several challenging games ahead of them the team began practicing again in order to prepare for the rest of their extended postseason. They prepared to play several teams they had not faced during the regular season.

The postseason continued after the Shore Conference Tournament, where the girls made it to the semifinals after being seeded in the top five. The NJSIAA State Tournament began on March 1st, statewide.  St. Rose had a defining win against Roselle Catholic for their last home game of the season.  The girls proved they were determined to make a name for themselves once again this season. With the quarter final round win against second seed Immaculata High School of Somerville, on March 3rd, the girls continued prove themselves as a challenging team to beat in New Jersey. Their semifinal opponent was Gill St. Bernard’s, from Gladstone.  The challenging game against Gill tested the patience and skills of the St. Rose girls. The score was tight but the defense of St. Rose proved to be superior and this win led them to the state finals against Rutgers Prep.  As recent two time state champions (2014 and 2015), the girls sought after the Non-Public Championship title once again.  Unfortunately St. Rose suffered a tough and season ending loss against Rutgers Prep. The pressure Rutgers Prep brought was strong and it came down to the foul shots that gave Rutgers Prep an edge against the Purple Roses. In the locker room for the final time this season Coach Whalen began with, “The loss was tough; we can build off of losing to a very talented team. We can take this loss to be a lesson, where we can improve for our next season.”  The team knew how to play together under pressure and continued to work on perfecting skill. They were able to show their talents outside the arch, inside the paint, and with their tight and hard to penetrate defense.

By: Lauren Kruthers, Class of 2017

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Giving Back: Beans for Bunnies

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The St. Rose High School Helping Hands Club recently held a jelly bean drive called “Beans for Bunnies.” This event aimed at raising money for the less fortunate in our community.  The sale of the bags of jelly beans was held by Helping Hands members during the lunch periods on Monday, March 14 through Wednesday, March 16. In order for the jelly bean drive to be successful many students donated jelly beans to be sold to the school community. The cost of a bag of jelly beans was $5.00 and many students showed support for this great cause by purchasing the bags of jelly beans.  Students who paid the $5.00 for the jelly beans not only helped the less fortunate in the community but also were granted a dress down day on Thursday, March 17th.  

Jelly beans are a very festive way to create an opportunity to help the poor during the Easter season.  “I think that the jelly bean drive was so successful because the St. Rose students and staff are so willing to reach out and help others.” stated senior Sam Mastrocola.  The money that was collected from the jelly bean drive was used to buy Easter baskets to donate to the less fortunate of our community.  Delivery of the Easter baskets occurred during Holy Week, just in time for the recipients to celebrate Easter Sunday.

The Helping Hands Club is led by Sister Eileen, who works tirelessly to contribute to both the St. Rose High School community and the Belmar community. Her hard work has made all of this possible.

By: Jeff Mahon, Class of 2016

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Operation Rice Bowl

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Each year during the season of Lent, St. Rose High School participates in a fundraiser for the charity Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This annual fundraiser is known as Operation Rice Bowl. On Ash Wednesday during religion classes, instead of heading to the classroom, students went to the Little Theater for a prayer service.  At the prayer service students received their ashes and also learned about CRS Operation Rice Bowl. Students were able to learn about what CRS Operation Rice Bowl does and view actual footage of the people and places CRS Operation Rice Bowl benefits.

CRS Operation Rice Bowl began 41 years ago as a way for American Catholics to help the fight against the famine plaguing many parts of Africa. In 1977, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made CRS Operation Rice Bowl the official program of Catholic Relief Services.  CRS Operation Rice Bowl originated in the parishes of Allentown, Pennsylvania; over the last four decades the operation has spread across the country. In 2015, more than 13,000 Catholic parishes and schools  in the United States participated in CRS Operation Rice Bowl.

Unfortunately, many people in the world live on less than $1.50 a day. With CRS Operation Rice Bowl, families in our school are encouraged to remember this and pray for those in the world who are less fortunate. Participants in CRS Operation Rice Bowl are encouraged to donate $1 a day to their individual rice bowl collection throughout the 40 days of the Lenten season. Most people may not think that $40 can make a huge impact on someone’s life, but a $40 contribution over the season of Lent can provide things such as: one month of food for a family of four, two years’ worth of seed for a farmer, or three months of clean water for four families. This year, 75% of the funds raised from Operation Rice Bowl go toward supporting the people of the countries of Colombia, Laos, Rwanda, Honduras, and Madagascar, as well as those in need in the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky. The remaining 25% of donations go directly toward the fight against poverty and hunger present in our diocese, The Diocese of Trenton. Over the last forty years, CRS Operation Rice Bowl has raised more than $250 million in funds for those in need. Last year, St. Rose High School contributed $4,725.68 to CRS Operation Rice Bowl’s fight to end hunger. Although final numbers are not in for this year’s collection it is expected to beat last year’s total! St. Rose’s annual contributions to CRS Operation Rice Bowl truly showcase the qualities of compassion and helpfulness that every person possess at this school.

By: Erin Prachar, Class of 2016

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Luke Grodeska

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Senior Luke Grodeska has come a long way since freshman year. Just recently, in the 2016 indoor nationals meet, Luke earned himself fourth place in the nation. In this meet he threw his personal best, which was an impressive 64.5 feet. This was about 2.5 feet farther than his previous record! Additionally, this year, he placed second in the Meet of Champions and earned the title of a Monmouth County Champion. “When I started out freshman year at St. Rose, I would have never imagined I would get this far. I am looking to take the momentum I have going for me and direct it to my college career, so that I can continue to do my best,” Luke stated.

Luke has a lot to be proud of in the events leading up to his senior year. He had a very successful junior year, beginning with qualifying for the Junior Nationals.  Junior Nationals include all qualified athletes under the age of 19; therefore Luke has the opportunity to compete against college students, while throwing a heavier ball. This exciting opportunity opened many doors for him. He also qualified for the Meet of Champions for both his indoor and outdoor seasons.  At the Meet of Champions he placed first on both occasions. He rounded off the year winning the Shore Conference Tournament for outdoor track and he has took first place in three individual events and three relay events for the nonpublic B division.

“The St. Rose community is really encouraging. It really helps me focus and work hard knowing that I will always have my teammates and classmates there for support.” On top of this, Luke reveals that one of his biggest supporters is his dad, Gerry. He really gets into the sport and comes to all of his meets to cheer him on.  All of Luke’s accomplishments have not come easy. He accredits all of his success to his hard work and dedication to the sport. “Luke is always very busy with shot put. He trains almost seven days a week. It’s really cool to watch his hard work pay off at the meets,” stated friend and track teammate Kyle Kretzmer.

Although Luke’s main focus is shot put, he still likes to make room for fun. Outside of his training, you can find Luke surfing or hanging out with friends. Luke truly enjoys what he does and is looking to continue his shot put career in college.

By: Faith Westhoven, Class of 2016

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New Course Offerings for the 2016-2017 School Year

There will be new classes introduced to the 2016-2017 school year. This creates more variety during the course selection process. It will also help students to gain more information into specific majors that they are thinking of pursuing in college and beyond.  The new classes range from all levels: CPA to AP and are both semester and yearly courses. The new classes are CPA Horticulture and Gardening, CPA Spirituality and Prayer, CPA Church History, CPA Introduction to Engineering, CPA Chinese 1 and 2, Honors Chinese 3 and 4, and AP Chemistry.

The Religion Department is excited to offer two semester courses. CPA Spirituality and Prayer is being offered as a course to help students grow in their Catholic faith. Students in this course will practice various prayers and also learn about different saints in the Catholic. CPA Church History will supply students with a general understanding of how the Catholic Church came to be. Students will also be taught about how the Church is a living Body of Jesus Christ today.

The Science Department is excited to offer AP Chemistry to the science line-up. Students will be taught about material designs, fuels, and pharmaceuticals through elaborate labs. The plan is to rotate between AP Chemistry and AP Biology each year to give students the opportunity to take both in their junior and senior years. Additionally, the Science Department  will be offering a CPA Introduction to Engineering course and CPA Horticulture and Gardening. CPA Introduction to Engineering will help students who want to be engineers to get a stronger understanding of the profession. CPA Horticulture and Gardening will provide the basic information to start and maintain a backyard garden.

The World Language Department is excited to offer Chinese language courses. Students will be able to take CPA Chinese 1 in the 2016-2017 school year. During the 2017-2018 school year  CPA Chinese 2 will be added, during the 2018-2019 school year Honors Chinese 3 will be added, and finally during the 2019-2020 school year Honors Chinese 4 will be added. The Chinese courses will put an emphasis on listening and comprehension skills and not only will the students study the language but they will also delve into the culture. Students will also focus on Pinyin and simplified Chinese characters.

At the start of the 2016-2017 school year the introduction to the newly formed  Business and Technology Department will occur. Full year courses in this new department will include  full year courses: Advanced Placement Computer Science A and Accounting 1 CPA; and semester courses: Honors Computer Programming, CPA Personal Finance, CPA Software Productivity and Programming, and CPA Introduction to Programming.  AP Computer Science A will focus on programming and solving strategies that can be applied to real world problems.

Students around the school are very excited for the new opportunity for the new classes. “I will be taking Advanced Placement Computer Science A next year. I am very excited for this opportunity because I am very interested in computers. It should be fun” said Junior Nick Paterno.

by: Jeff Mahon, Class of 2016

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Pam Stenzel Visits St. Rose High School

mauraBeginning September 2015, the Diocese of Trenton held a “Loving Life Logo Contest 2016.” The contest was open to all New Jersey high school students attending school within the Diocese of Trenton.  The logo was required to contain the words “Loving Life 2016.”  The logos were to be as creative or simple as the student chose to do.  Out of all the students who participated there were four finalists and one overall winner selected.  Senior Maura Cahill was chosen as one of the finalists.  Her logo is currently displayed on the “Respect Life Ministry” website for all too see.  Maura shared, “I was inspired to enter the ‘Loving Life Logo Contest 2016’ because I wanted to use my talents to promote a positive change in the world.  When I drew this logo I wanted to show how the relationship between mother and child represents the relationship between God and us.  We are all bound together in love and it is our duty to protect this love and life.”  For placing as a finalist, St. Rose High School was rewarded with the opportunity to host guest speaker Pam Stenzel.

Pam Stenzel, wife and mother of three, graduated from Liberty University with a degree in psychology.  She began her career working with New Life Family Services, where she worked with young girls looking to put their children up for adoption.  Currently, she is Director of Alpha Women’s Center and counsels women undergoing “crisis pregnancies.”  Eventually, as Pam constatnly heard the phrase “nobody told me” she quickly realized the lack of knowledge young teenagers possessed.   These young teenagers were engaging in sexual activity and were unaware of the risks and consequences involved.  She then decided to begin programs and special talks focusing on the physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of having sex before or outside of marriage.

Pam Stenzel visited St. Rose High School on Tuesday, March 17.  She was an incredibly passionate and engaging speaker.  Senior Kelsey Patrick stated, “Pam Stenzel’s presentation was informative, as I learned about the dangers from bad choices.  She was very encouraging and inspiring towards our safety.”  Instead of choosing to tell us how to act in life and what decisions to make, she helped to guide us by informing us about the risks and consequences of sex before and outside of marriage. Not only did Pam provide statistics, she most importantly provided us with her wisdom and knowledge, as a mother of three and a professional that works with teens and adults undergoing “crisis pregnancies” every day.  At first students were not sure how to react to the assembly but Pam broke the ice with some light hearted jokes.  Pam discussed numerous valid points and broached on subjects that are, at times, difficult to discuss.  Pam successfully informed the students and staff members during her talk.  A big congratulations and thank you to Maura Cahill for making the opportunity possible through her winning art work and a big thank you to Pam Stenzel for coming and sharing her experience and knowledge.

by: Kayla Stacy, Class of 2016

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