Excitement Builds About Cristo Rey Jesuit's New Parking Lot

Maria Covarrubias, Lion's Den Editor

After months of preparation, the new gated school parking lot is close to completion! The lot is expected to be opened to faculty and staff (on a first-come, first serve basis), assigned students, and visitors (including special handicapped spaces) in early March.

Students who are are able to provide a driver’s license and valid vehicle insurance will be allowed to apply for a parking space. The student’s name will then be submitted to a lottery for the approximately 35 available spaces for students. The lottery is necessary due to the limited number of parking spaces in the lot. Parking sections for each group have been designated on this map. Hanging tags will be distributed once parking spaces have been designated.

The parking lot gates will be open in the morning and afternoon during heavy traffic times. Students will be able to leave the parking lot, but will not be allowed to return after a certain time. If students are late, they will have to park on the street.

Students going to work will now be picked up and dropped off in the new parking lot. As part of this new parking plan, there will no longer be any parking allowed in the circular drive in front of the school; however, a limited number of faculty and staff only will be able to park in the Mt. Carmel High School parking lot.

Stay tuned for more details!

Cristo Rey Jesuit Garage Sale on March 5

The annual Cristo Rey Jesuit Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, March 5 from 8am until noon on the fields adjacent to the school. A variety of items will be sold including furniture, household goods, clothing, and books.

The funds raised will benefit our Campus Ministry Retreat Program. For more information, please contact Sarah Ramirez at sramirez@cristoreyjesuit.org.

Waiting Throughout the Night To Be Feet Away From the Pope

Maria Estrada, Lion's Den Editor

I was fortunate enough to be able to be close to the Pope during his recent trip to Mexico. A few weeks ago, my mom and I traveled from Houston to Morelia, the capital of Michoacan in Mexico, so we could be close to the Pope as he drove by and to see one of his masses from afar.

After spending a couple of days with family in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico, my mom and I left for Morelia. Immediately, we went around the city trying to find a good place to be able to see the Pope. We found a great spot and stayed there from 7:00 p.m. until the next day around 3:00 p.m.

As the Pope passed by, many people chanted, although he passed by really quickly because he was headed toward the church to conduct mass. As he passed by, people were crying. I teared up being surrounded by all of that emotion.

My mom and I were able to see part of the mass on some big screens two streets away. The mass was in a stadium and was packed with people, but beautiful. We saw the Pope pass by once again, more slowly this time. He got close to the people standing next to us and gave a child a blessing!

It was a wonderful, one-of-a-kind experience, and worth sleeping out in the street.

Super Mario Tournament: The Competition Continues

Manuel Constante, Lion's Den Reporter

Cristo Rey Jesuit is hosting a Super Smash Bros. Tournament organized by Science and Math ​teacher Clement Chee​.​ Super Smash Bros. is a nostalgic video game for the Nintendo 64 that came out in 1999.​ ​ ​​The goal of the tournament is for students to have fun and prove who is the best player using their favorite all-time characters.

The tournament is broken down into four brackets, each named after a priest, and in each bracket there is a certain number of people that could advance in the tournament. The first tournament match was played Feb. 18. Playing will continue for several weeks with either single players or teammates.

Several players have advanced to the quarter-finals in the tournament, including me and my teammate, moving us closer to the finals. Playing with one teammate, we had the chance to practice before playing the real match, and it was the most intense practice match ever. The competition is even more challenging as we move through the tournament.

It's been fun to see students competing with faculty and staff. Wish us luck!

Poetry At Cristo Rey Jesuit

Luis Alonzo, Lion's Den Reporter

Six of Houston’s most respected poets, including a poet laureate, entertained about 60 students, parents, faculty, and staff during Cristo Rey Jesuit’s first poetry night. Held at the Fr. T.J. Martinez, SJ, Center for Mission and Ministry, the event was made possible by English Teacher Lupe Mendez after he surveyed students about their interest in poetry.

"I want to expose kids to this art,” said Mendez. “The students really took it all in and were engaged.”

Students had an opportunity to attend a writing workshop prior to the poet readings. Music was provided by local deejay and artist, DJ Del Sur.

As a student journalist, I want to thank Mr. Mendez for bringing a new experience to our school. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all who attended that it was truly a breathtaking experience. I hope that the poetry slam will be a continuous event so that all students will have an opportunity to experience this wonderful event.

Edited by Ashley Caraway and Lizbeth Alvarez

Welcome to the Yo, Ledo! advice column. We received a variety of questions in the boxes in the cafeteria and via the online form. We will answer the remaining questions in future issues of The Lion’s Den.

Dear Ledo,

I never have time to do my schoolwork. Can you help?

Yours truly,
Struggling Student

Dear Struggling Student,

The best way to get schoolwork done is to prioritize your assignments. Always do the assignment that is due the earliest and work your way back from there. Another tip, if you have a study hall, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT HOUR and get your classwork done!!! Finally, it helps to have a planner so you can organize your assignments.

Yours,
Ledo

Dear Ledo,

Are we ever going to have a marching band?

Yours truly,
Masterful Musician

Dear Masterful Musician,

There is a possibility that we may form a marching band, but there are several things to consider, according to Michael Scrutchin.

• The cost of uniforms and instruments are very pricey.

• We don’t have a field to practice on since we are a small school and space is limited.

• We would need to hire a conductor, which again would cost a lot of money and good conductors can be expensive.

Hope this helps,
Ledo

Dear Ledo,

Is it possible to have an African American priest join Cristo Rey Jesuit?

Yours truly,
Diverse Diplomat

Dear Diverse Diplomat,

Yes, it's possible; however, it is not probable, said Father Mario Torres, SJ. The reason is that there are not many African American priests in the U.S. (Jesuit or otherwise). In a recent article that appeared in National Catholic Register on Feb 7, 2016, only 3% of U.S. Catholics identify themselves as both African American and Catholic, Fr. Torres said. In addition, less than 1% of U.S. Catholic priests are African American. There are many African American priests in other countries and continents (for example, in Africa), but not in the U.S.

You may want to look at the website of the National Black Catholic Congress. In it you will find the names of the 15 African American bishops in the US, African American parishes in Houston, African American saints, and other very interesting information.

Yours,
Ledo

Melinda Mendoza Swings Into Action After Signing On With Alvin Community College

Jayvier Green, Lion's Den Reporter

Senior Melinda Mendoza is the first varsity softball player for our Lady Lions to sign a letter of intent to play college softball. In the fall she will attend Alvin Community College and will be playing for the Alvin Dolphin’s softball team. Mendoza is the second student to sign a letter of intent, and the first female student from Cristo Rey Jesuit. Last year, George Revuelta signed to play soccer at Concordia University in Austin.

“I worked so hard for this,” said Mendoza, who started playing softball in the seventh grade. “I lost a year of recruitment last year when I stopped playing to spend more time with my family.”

Last year, Langston University in Langston, Okla., expressed an interest in Mendoza. “I realized Oklahoma was far, so my coaches suggested Alvin. I tried out on a Sunday and found out a few days later that I made the team and then received an offer. I decided to play at Alvin to stay close to my family. I did not want to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it seemed like a perfect fit.

"I'm proud of myself,” she added. “It was one of the last things my mother and I ever talked about while she was sick and I feel like I'm fulfilling both of our dreams.”

According to the College Sports Scholarships website about five percent of high school athletes play a sport at the competitive collegiate level. It says a lot about Cristo Rey Jesuit to have two students in two years playing collegiate sports.

Prom 2016 Do's and Don'ts

Lizbeth Alvarez, Lion's Den Reporter

Senior & Junior Prom is April 15 from 8 p.m. until midnight. Location and theme will be announced on March 3rd. Students don’t have school on the day of the prom, so please take advantage of all the extra time to get prepared and to make sure you follow the do’s and don’ts of prom attire.

A lot of work goes into having the perfect prom night. Girl’s choose their dresses and then compliment it with the perfect makeup, nails, and accessories. Young men should be clean shaven and formally dressed. Having the perfect date, whether it be your partner or just a group of friends, makes prom special and unforgettable. Prom night pictures live on forever!

English teacher Dickie Written, who is heading the prom committee, suggested that students make sure prom dresses and suits meet the school’s requirements and that “everyone presents themselves nicely.”

He addressed some questions about prom:

• Dresses can have slits, but the slits can’t be above the knee.

• Dresses have to be floor/ankle length.

• Backs can’t be exposed below the back bra-strap, but sleeveless dresses are acceptable.

• Prom is from 8 p.m. until midnight, but students can’t leave before 10 p.m.

• Once you leave, you cannot come back.

• Parking is complimentary.

• Finger food will be available.

• Seniors will receive a gift bag with the purchase of their tickets.

Senior T-Shirts Coming Soon!

The Senior T-Shirt has been chosen!

Seniors: If you submitted your size, you will be receiving your t-shirt soon!

Grad@Grad Employee Showcase

Anastacia Tristan, Lion's Den Reporter

Congratulations to our new Employees of the Month who demonstrate Grad@Grad Values! Every month in The Lion’s Den we recognize our employees for their hard work. Each of the following staff and faculty members were selected from student survey nominations (in no particular order) for embodying our Grad@Grad Values: Open to Growth, Work Experienced, Loving, Committed to Justice, Religious, and Intellectually Distinguished.

James Johnson
Value: Work Experienced
• "Some people think he is mean, but he cares about us. He has worked a lot during his life."
• "He is always here and a good example."

Claudia Lemus
Value: Loving
• "She works hard for EVERYONE with a kind spirit and good attitude!"

Meghan Keefe
Value: Open to Growth
• "The extra effort is put in by her to be sure that we all succeed as students and as people.”
• “She opens our minds by doing stuff like the balloon drop."

Dickie Written
Value: Intellectually Distinguished
• "He teaches English on a level that seems rigorous at first, but evolves into memories that will not be forgotten."
• "He challenges my thoughts and makes me a better student."

Betsy Glenn
Values: Loving and Intellectually Distinguished
• "She is here all the time because she is head of student council and she does a lot of our events. We wonder if she gets extra pay."
• "She is one of the best teachers in the school. You can see wheels turning. She has good ideas."

We appreciate our faculty and staff for their dedication and hard work. Thank you to all our faculty and staff! You are all loved! Congratulations to our teachers/employees for February 2016!

Spring Break: Please Have Fun Responsibly

Amber Arredondo, Lion's Den Reporter

Spring Break is just around the corner — March 14-18. To some young people, this means partying, hanging out with friends, and possibly illegal drinking. Even though many people just want to engage in harmless fun, the consequences for partying too hard can be serious and even deadly.

According to a recent blog about drinking alcohol, the following statistics relate to 18 to 24-year-olds:

• Many deaths occur because of binge drinking. Drinking more than five drinks for males and more than four for females within two hours leads to a high chance of alcohol poisoning. Signs of alcohol poisoning include slow and irregular breathing, vomiting, confusion and possible unconsciousness.

• 74% said sexual activity increased.

• Unprotected sex increased by 60%.

• 50% passed out while drinking.

• 60% had run-ins with officers.

• 60% were injured (often self-inflicted).

Studies show that teen brains are not fully developed; so, risky decisions are more likely to occur due to not being able to reason properly. Teens tend not to consider the long-term effects.

"As a teen, you think you are invincible because you’re young, but don’t put yourself in a risky position,” said Dean Isai Gutierrez. “Sometimes you don’t think before you act, but the risk is not worth the ‘reward.’ You may think you have a second chance, but not always.”

Make sure it doesn’t happen to you!

Corporate Work-Study Students of the Month Named

Carmen Muñoz, Lion's Den Reporter

The purpose of the Corporate Work-Study Student of the Month Program is to recognize students who have achieved a particular skill selected each month that is necessary in the workplace so they can implement that skill throughout their careers. Awardees receive a gift card and certificate.

The award program, which started in October, recognized two students this month for honing their professional communication skills, both written and verbal. Freshman Eduardo Salas, who works for EnerVest, Ltd., and senior Yolanda Bustos, who works for Aquinas Companies, were recognized this month for their outstanding communication skills. Each student was required to focus on keeping their tone and word choice appropriate while speaking and writing. This includes writing emails with the proper format and mastering the ability to speak formerly on the phone.

Yolanda’s supervisor said, “After watching a soft-spoken person bloom into one who doesn’t hesitate to initiate a conversation in our office, I think Yolanda deserves this honor more than any student I’ve encountered over the years. She communicates very well in person and via voicemail. She also does a great job with written work.”

Eduardo’s supervisor said, “He’s doing an exceptional job and we really applaud his hard work and attention to detail. He has proven his ability to handle more complex tasks with minimum supervision.”

Theater Club Hosts Trivia Night

Stephanye Rodriguez, Lion's Den Reporter

Cristo Rey Jesuit has grown tremendously ​in several ways ​the past few years, including spirituality, student body, activities, clubs, and sports. Last year, ​teachers ​Clement Chee and Kelly Bartusiak added the Theater Club, which kicked off with a play called 10 Ways To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse.

Another ​recent ​big “hit” for the Theater Club was ​a Trivia Night​ organized ​to unite the Cristo Rey Jesuit community. In the crowd-filled Cafe, funds were raised from ticket sales to support the purchase of costumes, props and ​other items.

“We had a great turn out,” said Andrew Escamilla, who is the Theater Club President. “The competition was challenging, yet fun.” ​In addition to Escamilla, senior Tzetzengary Chavez is the Vice​-President and Jackie Orozco is Historian. Escamilla stated that, “Each of us has stepped up to a leadership role to make the ​club successful.”

The remaining performances for the club's presentation of the play Check Please ​are Friday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Admission is either a canned ​good or $5 at the door. Come out and support our Theater Club!

Lions' Soccer Teams Finish Strong On The Field

Raul Mejia, Lion's Den Reporter

The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams went to the state playoffs the weekend of Feb. 13 and 14. The girls lost 5-0 to HCYA in the final, finishing second in the state tournament, while the boys lost to Faith El Paso in the consolation final 6-5 on penalty shots. Both teams fought some tough battles on their way to state competition.

On February 5, prior to the tournament, many Cristo Rey Jesuit students and visitors came out to support the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams during pivotal games that would take them both to state. Senior players from each team were recognized after each game since the games would be the last home game for seniors.

During the boys’ soccer game, two senior soccer players, Raul Cepeda and Pedro Herrera, who were injured in the beginning of the season and were unable to play, played two minutes as a tribute since they’ll be graduating in June. As challenging as it was on the field, both the boys' and girls' teams won that night against Galveston, 7-0 and 2-0, respectively.

After the Feb. 5 win, representatives of the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams spoke about going to state. Luis Alonzo, from the boys' soccer team, said, "State will be challenging, but we will play hard." Sofia Ruiz-Figueroa from the girls soccer team stated, "Despite how tough the teams may be, we will try to do our best to bring the win to Cristo Rey."

After state competition, the coaches couldn't have been prouder of their teams. "I am very proud of the effort and dedication the girls have put forth this season," said the girls' soccer coach, Diego Pacheco. "I think that the girls' soccer program has taken a massive leap this year in terms of quality and dedication, and I acknowledge the seniors for being the leaders and catalysts of that leap. The burden now falls on this year's underclassmen to continue the excellent example set by this year's seniors."

The boys' soccer coach, Coach Antonio Raddi, said, "I'm incredibly proud of the team this year. We had a fantastic season."