This week is Catholic Schools week! This yearly event is to "honor those who contribute to success of Catholic schools" as Ms. Lazinski says. 2.27 million students are in Catholic schools nation wide. This year's theme is service, "To recognize people who do service around school" Ms. Lazinski says. This is a time for some of Judge's most involved students to be recognized, like they deserve. "It is a reminder of why we are here", Ms. Lazinski adds. It's a chance for us to realize how Catholic schools like Judge contribute to their communities. Each morning of Catholic Schools week, a senior theology class will thank a person or group of people here at Judge that should be recognized for what they do here everyday. There is also the service wall, where people are welcome to write the name of someone they think serves their country or community. The names will be displayed all week.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Men's Swimming: The REAL Men
Judge Swimming has always had its rightful place in the State competition. The men's swim team had won the state title 3 of the past 6 years but then lost many strong seniors and had to start from nearly scratch. Coach Matt Finnigan has taking on the challenge and this year the Men Bulldogs look like they have a very good chance to take the state title. They took 3rd in Region trailing Wasatch by 11 points and Park City by 88 points. They plan to gain those 88 points by using the other competition in the state to heighten their performance and surpass Park City in all races. It will be no easy feat for the Bulldogs because they lack depth in their team but have great talent. "We have no outstanding swimmer in breast stroke [and other strokes/relays] and Wasatch has three. It will be tough to keep up."
The team is lead by captain, Judge Memorial junior Oliver Diamond, who is ranked in the top 3 of every event in 3A schools. Senior Will Bowers also has stepped up as captain and driven the team in positive directions. Both encourage the entire team to show respect to all swimmers and coaches and give support for their team mates. Both juniors, Willis Shafer and Will Voytovich look to be strong leaders next year. Willis will be key in two relays and the 100 back. Will will be necessary in 2 relays and the 500 free.
State will come down to what team has the most dedicated team. It won't matter on depth or even how much talent a swimmer has but how well the mens team can work as a team and rack up points.
Girls Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
The lacrosse playing, butt-kicking, lady bulldogs are back and ready to play their favorite game. The girl's lacrosse season is just beginning and already the girls have been jogging, passing, shooting and catching, braving the icy elements and getting mentally and physically prepared for an exciting spring season. The team had a great season last year, moving up as a Division 1 team. The squad lost many excellent senior players but are ready to play again with the help of several talented freshmen. Ladies lax also moves forward with new leadership- new head coach Jamie Wilhite and assistants Kate Baker and Kimberly Frost. The team is excited to get back out on the field, but for now must dust their cleats off and get back into their favorite sport.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Debate Update
The Judge Memorial High School debate team is in the middle of a thriving season. One of their important upcoming dates is the long awaited debate tournament for which they have been working towards this whole year. Jesus Hernandez, one of the members on the team, says that the upcoming debate tournament is, "next week and is for three days. If we win, we will gain a spot in the national debate tournament." Winning in the tournament, called the Warrior Wars, is vital for the debate team to advance to their national title. Losing means that they will only be able to celebrate their local success.
The students on debate team and their coach, Ms. Megan McDonald, are frantically preparing to thrive in the tournament's strong competition. Jesus Hernandez says, "Debate members are preparing for this by getting all their speeches and cases ready for it." The tournament includes all forms of debate such as declamation and congress. It is like the Super Bowl of debate.
When Jesus Hernandez was asked what he would like the rest of the student body to know about debate, he said, "I would like the student body to learn at least a little about debate because it is useful in both legislative and judicial branches of government." According to him, the debate team does its best when their tournaments are well attended. He is convinced that Judge would have had a better seed in the Warrior Wars if more students had come to their past events. Let's do our part to cheer on the debate to success in the Warrior Wars!
Mock Trial
X-Country team
The Judge Memorial X-Country team had an excellent season. They went to state and finished closely behind the state champs, Park City. X-Country training will start up again late this summer. Most practices are held at Sugar House Park. If you would like to start training, Coach Cordova will be in the weight room Monday – Thursday for those of you who would like to start training ahead of time. Everyone is welcome to join the team. If you are interested or would like more information you can contact Coach Reed at mreed@judgememorial.com.
Girls Volleyball
The 2008 Judge Memorial girls volleyball ended their season with varsity
taking 8th place in State, and 2nd place in the Regional tournament. The girls
loved the season, and had a blast getting to know new people and playing
the sport they love! "Every team has the potential to be great if they fully
commit, and have the desire to be great." - Teran Horner.
Tryouts for the 2009 season are the first week in August. To prepare, there
will be three different Spring clinics to freshen up on your skills. "Do the
clinics, come prepared, and stay in shape!" is the advice given be Teran
Horner, coach of the JV and Varsity volleyball teams. "Think of volleyball as a
year round sport, and keep in shape always." Being on the freshman team
this 2008 season, I would have to agree. Tryouts can be brutal, so keeping in
shape will help you tremendously if you decide to try out. (Which i would
recommend, it was SO fun!)
Freshmen Football
This past season the Judge Memorial Bulldogs Freshmen football team finished with a record of 6-3. It was a very successful season for the bulldogs and these boys will surely be a solid addition to the JV and Varsity football teams next season.
If any incoming freshmen are interested in playing football the best things you can do is to come to summer weight and speed training which is Monday-Thursday almost all summer.
Judge Hockey: Another Season Gone
This hockey season for the Judge Memorial Bulldogs was thought to be a season of rebuilding. A new coach with many fresh faces had many people optimistic about this season. They started out the season with hopes of playing in a state title game. Even though nobody thought this was possible, the coaches and players still had faith. Well, the season is coming to an end and the Bulldogs hockey team fell short of their goal of a state championship.
"We all had very high hopes for this season, but some of them couldn't be fulfilled," says Wilson Lamb, who plays on the varsity team, despite being a freshman. "Obviously, we would have like to see out team go farther, but it was still a very fun season and I loved every second of it."
The Bulldogs are finishing off the season with a mediocre record, but they are still proud of it. "I'm very proud of all of my teammates; not just from their performance of the rink, but also because of the way that each and everyone of them kept their composure throughout our struggles and triumphs. They are all great sports," says Lamb of his teammates.
This was thought to be a season of rebuilding, and in a way, it was. All of the teammates were brought together by first year coach, Todd Brown. Even though this wasn't the year that the Bulldogs had hoped for, there is always next year. Junior standout, Shawn Benvugnue, and rising stars like sophomore Steve Strehl and Wilson Lamb will make up one of the best hockey teams to ever play at Judge Memorial.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Bishop Wester on Proposition 8
Bishop Wester is pleased to offer a response to your question about
Proposition 8 and his view on marriage. He has asked me to respond to
you on his behalf. His thoughts reflect the Church’s teaching on the
Sacrament of Marriage not only within the Church but within society as
well.
"As Catholics, we believe that marriage, by definition, is a permanent,
exclusive, procreative relationship between one man and one woman. This
definition of marriage is frequently referred to as the
“traditional” definition with good reason: marriage has been
viewed this way for countless generations.
Now human beings enter into many types of relationships, most of which
are very positive and meaningful. Family relationships, friendships,
and co-workers are just some of these relationships. Each of these is
unique and has its own character and place in human affairs. When we
refer to the marriage relationship, we intend, as a church, to point to
that relationship that is characterized by complete self-giving, a
self-giving that actually leads to new life through procreation, as well
as a relationship that surpasses all other relationships in its
commitment, complementarity, permanence and exclusivity. Only the
relationship that we call marriage can achieve the depth of this union
on all levels: physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual. This
definition does not deny other relationships but it does define a
specific type of relationship that is only possible between a man and a
woman. While many human relationships can and should be life-giving in
some way, or permanent or complementary, we reserve the term
“marriage” for those relationships that express the fullness of
union and the specific ability to generate new life that exists only in
marriage understood in the traditional sense, i.e., between one man and
one woman in a permanent, exclusive and procreative relationship. This
relationship is solemnized in the sacrament of marriage, witnessed by
the Church’s minister and the people of God.
It is worth noting that although there are many types of relationships,
God chose the covenant relationship between husband and wife to signify
the relationship between God and humankind. This speaks further to the
specialness of this union and the dignity of marriage as understood by
the Church. It is only in this covenant relationship that the two
complementary halves of God’s human creation, as husband and wife,
join together and become one. This complete giving of husband and wife
to each other and the depths of their union on all these levels is the
most profound representation of the covenant relationship between God
and us.
Although we cannot agree with those who believe that marriage is a
civil right, we still honor the dignity and sacredness of each person
because each person is made in the image of God. To the extent that
certain rights, such as hospital visitation rights or inheritance
rights, fall within the purview of the government, we would have no
objection to the granting of these agreements by the state."
JV Volleyball
Freshman Alex Clark, who played on the Junior Varsity team, said, "It was a great season, I loved working with all the girls, they always gave 110%." Summer camps are help at the beginning of the summer for the younger girls interested in playing when they arrive at high school. IVA is also a way to improve and progress in the game of volleyball.
Peace and Justice Alliance - Changing the World
The Peace and Justice Alliance has definitely had their hands full this year. Making Judge and the world a better place is a lot of work. They just finished up Human Rights Week, which had many exciting events. Many people participated in the activities, learning about the world, and having fun at the same time. One of these activities was the disability lunch, where kids tried to be blind or tied their hands behind their backs. There was also a balloon toss, where words like genocide and racism were written on a board, and kids threw balloons to try and erase them. A video about immigrants, called the Visitor, was also shown. The Peace and Justice Alliance had many announcements for us in the mornings during the week. In addition, Judge coordinated with the Inclusion Center, who helped out. Some students even went off campus for activities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
As for upcoming events, they have lots of activities to plan. "Right now we are getting ready for Black History Month," Mr. Lovett, a moderator of the group commented. "We are also preparing for a spring campaign." Senior, LeVaughn Wilkins will be participating in this, representing Judge Memorial. East High School will also be partaking in the campaign. In the past, Judge has worked with Highland High and Park City.
If you are interested in this great club, that helps make a difference at Judge and outside of the school walls, come to room 104 on Friday mornings, or talk to Mr. Lovett.
Girls Tennis
Judge Memorial's own lady bulldogs sliced, smashed and swung their way through the season, finishing in fourth place at state, just one point under their all time rivals Juan Diego. The season concluded on that cool October evening, at the state tennis tournament held at BYU. "We may not have came in first place, but we won in every aspect of team spirit, citizenship, friendship, and integrity." Says senior Chesley Price.
Unfortunately, the team is loosing some great seniors, who brought much skill, and positive attitudes to the team. " The team will not be the same without the girls. They always knew how to make us laugh, and were so kind and accepting, regardless of their age or ability." Proudly states sophomore Chloe Ropner. The girls and all of their positive attributes will be missed.
"Though the team will be loosing a few members, a very bright season is expected of the girls next fall. All of the girls have improved so much this season, that we have so much to expect of each and every one of these girls!" Claims head coach Lani Wilcox. Though the season may be over, the lady bulldogs are keeping up in the tennis circuit, and will surely be shining in the bulldog spotlight next fall when the season begins.
A Year of Bulldog Swimming
Since Bulldogs Swim to State was published the Bulldog swim team otherwise known as the Tribe has come a long way. At the beginning of the season everybody agreed that the Tribe needed freshman swimmers to win the State Championships and it didn't look like very many freshman were going to show up. But then something extraordinary happened. "About twenty boys showed up," Gulia Longo recollected. "We didn't know what to think of it because we never had 20 boys before, not even when I was swimming here," the '04 graduate said. "We use to have to go out and beg boys to come to the pool. Now we don't even know where to put them all." In addition to the new freshman three juniors Oliver Diamond, Willis Shafer, and Will Voytovich returned for their second to last and senior Will Bowers returned for his last season.
As for the girls, several new freshman appeared among them Cassandra Col who has been a very strong swimmer for the Tribe. Erika Eisenman returned as a junior and Melissa Nichols, Megan Bush, Maria Schwartz, and Kate McMinime returned to swim for their last year.
The season progressed well. The freshman after learning the ropes became a real asset to the team. The sophomores and juniors all got better and the seniors swam as fast as they could. As Captain Oliver Diamond put it, "We think of it as a 'development' year. We'll develop and then we'll go to State and then we'll surprise a lot of people."
The Bulldogs drove down to St. George where they had two meets and everyone dropped time after winning their last regular season meet in Tooele. The Tribe then went to the Region 10 Championships where the Girls Triumphed and the boys took third. The Bulldogs have swam well all season but as coach Matt Finnigan said, "I still don't we've gotten their best shot by any means. When we do, that's the question: Can (we) take the momentum and take it all the way?" The Tribe has two weeks of training left before State. Everyone is going to have to train hard and swim incredibly well if they want their fifth State title in eight years.
Girls Volleyball
The 2008 Judge Memorial girls volleyball team ended their season with varsity
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Shooting for Victory
The freshmen girls basketball team is undefeated so far.
Some people may think that the freshmen girls are nothing to watch, but the girl's freshmen team has the best record so far. After beating all the top teams like Morgan and Wasatch they are continuing their goal to be undefeated for the season.
With a record of 12-0 the team is still going strong. Their coach, James Lee, is leading them to victory. Coach Lee's most famous quote that he reminds the team everyday is, "school work is more important then basketball". He also focuses a great deal on defense. As he always says, "defense wins games." Maybe that's why the freshmen team is undefeated.
The girl's freshmen team also has a new assistant coach. Amme Garcia is in her first year at Judge teaching freshman students and a few seniors: it is also her first experience with coaching a basketball team. "I am learning along just as you guys are." She is a great motivator. She keeps the team happy and focused on the long streak to being champions.
With two amazing coaches, the girls are continuing their journey to beat the last year's freshmen girl's record of only loosing three games. As the girls always say before a game, "we on three, one, two, three, WE!"
February Try-outs and Basketball Update
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Senior Slide Show
Seniors, time is running out to send your photos to the senior slide show. These photos can be from your high school years or earlier on. We would appreciate it if you try to include as many people in your photos as possible. You can send them to seniorslideshow@judgememorial.com or give them to Matt Gray, Carina Matonis, or Katie Harrington.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Debate Team
Coach Megan McDonald and the Judge Debate Team's 27 members have been competing for 2 and a half months. The size of Judge's team keeps it uncompetitive against larger schools, however individually, Judge is performing extremely well. "I'm looking forward to the rest of the season," said McDonald, who is also a freshman and sophomore English teacher. She is coaching her first season alone at Judge. Her prior debating experience consists of assistant coaching another high school team in addition to competing on her college team.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Invisible children
This past month has been painted with the colors of the Invisible Children organization, the shades of giving, kindness and hope. For the last three Fridays, the Judge community has rallied together in a massive effort to combat the evil encompassing the lives of the children thousands of miles from us in Africa. The Bulldogs have donated over 5,300 books of all topics to the cause. These books will help encourage reading among the children of Uganda and hopefully change their lives for the better. The student body also raised over $5,000 dollars for the cause with the popular Invisible Children Fridays. The bulldogs had the option of free dress on December 5th, November 21st, and November 14th in exchange for $5.00 or five books per student. For those three Fridays the school was transformed! A few students could be found in the usual uniform khaki, but most of the school came together and dressed for the cause. Miss Lazinski of Campus Ministry thinks the entire experience was worthwhile and meaningful. "It's great to see how many different people get involved." Judge will hopefully work with the Invisible Children again next year. Thank you so much to all who participated and contributed to this fantastic cause!
