For Edwards, who currently plays three varsity sports, attending two or three practices a night is just a part of her daily routine.  “During softball season, I always go from softball to basketball to a workout,” she said, adding that she has about a half hour break in between each practice.  “It’s just normal—I don’t really think anything of it.”

Edwards began playing basketball at age eight and was “very competitive” with her older brother, Alex.  She said that this sibling rivalry and the intensity of her AAU basketball club team contributed to her making the varsity basketball team as a freshman.

An athletic child growing up, Edwards loved to try new sports.  In sixth grade, she began playing softball and field hockey, adding to an already full schedule.  Her parents “always support” her. Edwards quoted her dad’s words of advice: “In everything you do, you should try to be the best.”

These words of advice encouraged Edwards to try out for the JC field hockey and softball teams.  Dedication to training landed her a spot on the varsity softball team last year.  To make varsity as a freshman, Edwards said, “was so rewarding, and it made me feel accomplished.  I worked so hard to make varsity as a freshman, and my efforts paid off.”

None of the freshmen, including Edwards, made the varsity field hockey team, and Edwards knew that she would have to practice more if she wanted to make the team as a sophomore. 

The junior varsity level is supposed to prepare athletes for varsity, but Edwards couldn’t disagree more.  “Varsity is a totally different level of play,” she said.  “[In order] to be ready to play a varsity sport, you have to experience and physically play against varsity competition.” Instead of relying on JV practices and games, Edwards spent hours training over the summer, doing individual workouts and training sessions on top of her other practices.  Her dedication once again paid off, and Edwards made the varsity field hockey team this past fall.

Basketball is her favorite of the three sports because “I have been playing it for the longest, and it is something I enjoy doing.  It is fast-paced, and a lot of running is involved, which I like.”  She added that she likes the “aspect of being really close with them [her teammates]” because it feels like they are a family. 

For now, Edwards manages to maintain her busy schedule by balancing practice and homework, which she completes after she returns for the evening or during her off mods.  “I’ve been doing this for a while now, so I have a schedule figured out,” she said.  “Now, it’s really easy, and I can have fun.” 

Jenny Hottle can be reached for comment at jhottle@jcpatriot.com.

These three things define JC track & field. Although the February blizzard pushed the season back a week, coach Rob Torres isn’t worried. 

“I’m looking forward to a strong team with quality veterans,” Torres said. “We have a great group of seniors.”

In sprints/hurdles, Torres is anticipating the success of seniors Colleen O’Connell, Alesia Etinoff, and Liz Loiodice.

“I want to try and set at least one record this season,” said O’Connell. She participated in the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams in her sophomore year and the teams set school records in both races.

For distance, Torres expects success from senior Katelynn Colgain. In field events, Torres looks forward to watching Loiodice and Etinoff.

Loiodice said that her specialty is high jump. Her goal this year is to clear 5’6” or 5’8” in the event.

On the men’s team for distance, Torres anticipates the success of seniors Ian Richardson, Chris Kunkel, and Dan Gallen. In the field, Torres has high hopes for senior Jimmy Schultz.

Torres is disappointed to be losing these senior athletes next year, but he would “love to see them close out their careers in a spectacular way.”

The team is currently suffering from several injuries, including juniors Amanda Hudak, who has a stress fracture in her foot, and Brian Hunt, who missed all of indoor track this past winter due to a broken ankle. Torres noted that other team members are suffering minor injuries as well, but the team is going to do its best to “do the proper training and take care of any pains as quickly as possible.”

Despite these setbacks, Torres is “excited” to see the freshmen perform this season, especially those that ran indoor track, whom he calls “a very good group of new athletes.”

Torres said that the goals for both the men’s and women’s track and field teams are “always to field top quality teams and help our athletes improve throughout the season.”

Team chemistry is also important, as a third goal of teams is for the athletes to “bond as a team to help each other [improve],” said Torres.  

Overall, Torres is optimistic about the 2010 spring season of track, saying that as long as all the athletes “work to their full ability” and get the training they need, “they’ll have a good chance to meet their goals.” 

Like Torres, O’Connell is hoping for the best this year. “I’m going to try to encourage my teammates as much as I can this season,” she said. “Our big rival is McDonogh; they win just about everything.”

She hopes the team will “qualify for championships early on in the season.”

Mollyann Pais can be reached for comment aj mpais@jcpatriot.com.

School increases number of summer programs

In addition to the summer programs offered on campus in theatre and sports during the summer, a set of art and science classes will also be held from June 14 to August 13.

The change was made because “We’re always trying to grow the programs and our hope is that we can continue to attract more families to our campus during the summer, which will have an impact on future enrollment,” said Summer Programs Coordinator and Outreach Director Tony Martin.

According to Martin, “We’ve added a full gamete of art programs, courtesy of Mr. Baron’s inspiration. They are drawing, painting, photography, arts and crafts, ceramics, along with some writing and science courses.”

The programs will offer a “financial benefit to the school,” said Barker. “In economic times when tuition is such a challenge, any ways we can find to bring in a little more revenue so we can try to keep tuition as low as possible is a good thing.”

However, the benefits may take “three to four years for a particular program to take a hold in the community,” said Martin. “I know Mr. Baron is excited and motivated to push a number of these programs, as am I, so we’re hopeful.”

Barker added that the camps “expose the school to potential future students. “If kids come and have a great experience at basketball or ceramics camp, they may be more favorably disposed to coming here as students.”

Alumnus supports Holocaust program

The seniors are able to keep alive the memory of the Holocaust through the annual support of Andrew Klein, class of ’71, who funds the senior class trip to the Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.

Klein, the first Jewish student to attend JC, “had a really good experience at John Carroll,” fueling his desire to donate back.

The experience “has really affected many of the seniors,” said Klein. “I get the most beautiful letters of appreciation from the senior class.”

According to Klein, the program has important messages to present to students: “This teaches real lessons on how the survivors live their life today and how we should treat people that live a little differently than we do.”

The entire curriculum in regards to the Holocaust is different than those offered in other schools. Klein said, “The program is very unique because not only do they bring speakers in and read ‘Night [a novel by Holocaust survivor Ellie Wiesel],’ but [the program] includes real study. It’s really profound for a Catholic school to begin that dialogue.”

Klein acknowledges the work of the school as crucial to the success of the program and said, “As much as I reached out to them to do this, John Carroll reached out to the Jewish community and the survivors to grasp a better understanding of what occurred.”

Klein and the Klein Foundation have been crucial in continuing to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Holocaust. “We fund a program within Harford County so each public high school can have a Holocaust program with a stipend each year to use.”

However, the program at JC is “a model for other schools to set up to,” said Klein.

He added, “In my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined how successful it would become. It’s an incredible, remarkable opportunity.”

Kate Froehlich can be reached for comment at kfroehlich@jcpatriot.com.

We all remember the cute little red-headed girl who stole our hearts with her charm and talent in “The Parent Trap” in 1998.  She then became a teen idol with 2004’s terrifyingly realistic “Mean Girls,” in which she played the lovable outsider.

However, Lohan has certainly taken a downward spiral since those days.  After being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of cocaine and going to rehab on several occasions, Lohan is not the sweet girl with whom America fell in love.

Now, according to TMZ, she is suing E*TRADE for $100 million over a commercial which refers to a baby as being a “milkaholic” and alludes to her stealing another baby’s boyfriend.  This baby just happens to be named Lindsay.

Supposedly, Lindsay has the same name recognition as Madonna and Oprah, and everyone knows that the commercial is referring to her.

According to babynamewizard.com, in 2008, Lindsay was the 380th most popular baby name.  In the 1980s, Lindsay even cracked the top 50 most popular names.

Oprah and Madonna, on the other hand, did not even make it to the top one thousand most popular names.  Oprah never appeared on the list and Madonna had not since the 1960s.

Lohan needs to be given a dose of reality.  Maybe she needs to listen to the words of outcast character Janis Ian during her famous rant in “Mean Girls:” “That’s the thing with you plastics.  You think everybody is in love with you when actually, everybody HATES you.”

Lohan has definitely become another plastic, superficial Hollywood starlet who is ignorant to the reality of the world.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com

Participating in the JC musicals isn’t just an after school activity—it is a lifestyle. Besides the standard 3-5 after school rehearsals, play practice grows into a full-time commitment, especially in the weeks before the show. Saturday morning and Tuesday night rehearsals are the norm.

But somehow, it never feels like too much. Being stuck in the same room with the same group of people for over 20 hours a week may seem horrible, but when that group of people is so unique as thespians are, it’s not that bad. As cliché as it sounds, the cast of every show becomes like a family—an oversized, loud, attention-loving family.

Personally, my favorite part of the musicals has been Tuesday nights. We have standard rehearsal from 3-5, then all rush out to Wawa to grab dinner as fast as we can and still be back to rehearse from 6-9. Occasionally, these rehearsals are given a theme. To name a few, we have held ghetto night, nerd night, and diva night.

But beyond just being around 80 of your closest friends so often, one of the best parts of the plays is the product we’re working to produce.  It’s incredible that the three directors, Director of Development Laura Lang, Director of Admissions Kim Brueggemann, and guidance counselor Larry Hensley are able to turn a bunch of high school kids, who often have never danced before, into skilled performers.

They help us work for two and a half months to deliver an incredible show every time. They refuse to settle for mediocrity, pushing us as hard as they can but somehow still making the entire process fun.

After school, we thespians do not have to run laps or lift weights. Instead, we learn Larryography! Larryography is a term used to describe Hensley’s choreography, which I guarantee is more fun than anything else other students do after school.

Plus, instead of jerseys, we get to wear outlandish costumes. This year alone, we had cast members dress up as cupcakes, clocks, and even cheese graters. Then again, we were putting on Beauty and the Beast.

Doing the plays has been the most fulfilling experience of my high school career. At the end of every show, I practically (and sometimes literally) cry because I know how much I’ll miss the show. There’s something about the sound of the entire cast singing and taking a bow together that is extremely moving.

It’s hard to believe that “Seussical” will be the seniors’ last show. We’ve been through eight shows together, starting off as sailors in “Anything Goes” and ending as Dr. Seuss characters in “Seussical.” 

Before every performance, the cast, crew, and orchestra pit meet in the chapel to pray and allow the seniors to make speeches. Your time in the musicals flies by, and you never expect to face your last moment in chapel so soon. Naturally, we all shed many tears over the closing of our last show. But now that our experience has finally ended, we can look back with fondness and move forward, with greater talent and love for theater than ever before.

Release Date: Friday, March 19

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action, Comedy

Info: Reporter and bail jumper Nicole Hurly (Jennifer Anniston) is on the run from her own ex-husband and bounty hunter Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler).  Boyd is nothing but ecstatic about his new assignment because he has been down on his luck.  Boyd believes that catching his ex-wife will be an easy payday, but this assignment proves to be a difficult one as Hurly escapes him multiple times.  Hurly is on the pursuit of a murder mystery and she will stop at nothing to report it. Boyd then realizes that nothing was ever simple between them as they try to one up each other, they find themselves on the run for their lives.  Will they be able to pull together to save their own lives?

Movie times on Friday at the Bel Air Regal: 1:30 ; 4:30 ; 7:25 ; 10:25

2)      “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

Release Date: Friday, March 19

Rating: PG

Genre: Comedy, Family

Info: This movie is about the diary of a young six grade student named Greg Heffley who is trying to survive the most difficult time of his life: middle school.  Join Heffley on his humorous and inspiring journey through middle school.

Movie times on Friday at the Bel Air Regal: 1:15 ; 3:40 ; 7:00 ; 9:30

3)      “Repo Men”

Release Date: Friday, March 19

Rating: R

Genre: Action Thriller

Info:   This is a futuristic action thriller in which a company manufacturers mechanical organs for use by human beings.  However, if the humans do not pay the bill for these organs, the company sends repo men to get them back with no concern over whether the human survives or not.

Movie times on Friday at the Bel Air Regal: 1:45 ; 4:40 ; 7:35 ; 10:15

Hilary Weidner can be reached for comment at hweidner@jcpatriot.com

Nicky Hatzidimitriou can be reached for comment at nhatzidimitriou@jcpatriot.com

One girl is trying to convince her friend that she loves some band.  Her friend looks at her, confused, and says, “I thought you hated metal.” 

The girl replies, “No.  I never said that.  I just never experienced it before.  John introduced it to me.”

Her friend answers, “Oh, I see.  John likes it.”

“Why are you against me experiencing new music?”accuses the first girl. 

Her friend, of course, denies the statement and changes the subject. 

Her friend’s confusion has merit.  My best friend is the one person that I tell everything to.  She knows my opinions better than I do.  I am 100 percent positive that my friends would notice a sudden change in my opinion, especially ones that directly correlate to a new boyfriend. 

Give your friends some credit.  They do listen to you.  When your views spontaneously change, they will take notice.   

But they don’t want to start a fight.  They don’t want to hurt you, even though you may have hurt them.  The possibility that you will choose your boyfriend over them stops them from starting that conversation.  You fear your boyfriend’s rejection, but they fear you rejecting them. 

Please don’t take your insecurities out on your friends.   If you’re defensive, I bet you’re insecure about your relationship.  You know that you are not just lying to him but also to yourself.  Yet you want him to like you.  You don’t want to be rejected because you don’t have the same interests. 

You alienate your friends, the people who care about the real you, when you make yourself into your boyfriend’s perfect girlfriend.  It frustrates, annoys, and angers your friends.  They respect you, but you are willing to change because your boyfriend gives a slight suggestion.

Who are you trying to fool?  Your friends can obviously tell where your new interest came from.  

If you find it necessary to lie about your tastes, your boyfriend doesn’t respect your opinions.  If your favorite song is “TiK ToK,” your boyfriend will learn to deal with it.  Don’t bury your true feelings; let him know who you are. 

Find pride in yourself.  Your boyfriend should find your differences to be just as appealing as your similarities.  If he can’t, he’s not worth your time. 

Stick with the people who care about you.  You’ll find a guy who likes you for who you are.  High school isn’t your only chance to find love.

Rachel Kokoska can be reached for comment at rkokoska@jcpatriot.com

About ten minutes from Fell’s Point, this diner has been a landmark in its neighborhood since 1994, as well as a center of controversy for its eccentric decorations and design.

Owner Un Kim teamed up with designer David Briskie to create the unusual eatery. Inspired by strange dreams he was having during their collaboration, Briskie’s artistic vision for the diner transformed a plain building into a nonsensical fantasy world, both frightening and interesting all at once.

The diner is decorated with mannequins and dolls, the majority of which can be found on the ceiling. The mannequins (which were once the cause of much controversy and protest for their lack of clothing), and the rest of the diner, are covered almost completely with various action figures, knick knacks, buttons, mirrors, toys, and Pez dispensers. The walls, both inside and outside, and tables are painted in a variety of neon colors, and each menu is decorated with its own unique cover.

And the décor is not the only uncommon aspect of the diner. Each employee is trained in all areas of service, so a server one day could be a chef the next. “It’s a little different, upbeat, and unique,” said employee Amanda Kelly.

PaperMoon used to remain open 24 hours a day, until last June when the damaged economy took a toll on businesses everywhere. However, the diner still manages to stay open quite late, with final seating at midnight Sundays through Thursdays, and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Despite the economic changes, PaperMoon’s customers have remained faithful. “During the week, we see a lot of our regulars; couples and families from the neighborhood,” said Kelly. “But we also see different clientele, people visiting the area. So we get a little bit of both.”

Visiting customers may hear about the small diner through word of mouth or even media promotions. PaperMoon has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Diners Across the U.S.” as well as countless local newspapers.

In addition to the scenery, PaperMoon provides sensible and delicious breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, dinners, and desserts, many of which are vegetarian friendly, such as several types of garden-burgers and a tofu dinner. Unique food options include a “Crabbi Patti” (a grilled crabcake sandwich), a “Breakfast Quesadilla,” a “Create Your Own Omelette” option, pasta, and countless desserts, like the Oreo Monster Mouse Cake. And with no meal surpassing fifteen dollars, diners can satisfy their appetites without emptying their wallets.

Chemistry teacher Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner recalls the day she visited PaperMoon with a friend almost ten years ago because of its exciting atmosphere and delicious food. “It’s rare that I can still remember from ten years ago,” said Jansing-Kaestner. Nevertheless, this is the effect PaperMoon seems to have on all who visit. Desirable food and exceptional atmosphere mesh together to provide a memorable experience found in the most uncommon of places: a vivacious, local diner.

Nicky Hatzidimitriou can be reached for comment at nhatzidimitriou@jcpatriot.com

Grab your box of tissues and get ready to cry.

“Dear John” is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks.

John Tyree proves to be a quiet yet tough guy who is interested in Savannah.  They fall in love within the course of the two weeks that John is on leave.

This seems a little farfetched and things move a little too quickly in their relationship.  When John ends up having to go back to the Army Special Forces, he gets deployed around the world while Savannah has to go back to college.

They promise to write letters to each other so that they are “closer together” even though they are thousands of miles apart.  John pledges to Savannah that once his time is up serving his country, they will be back together forever.

When complications arise in 2001, John and Savannah have to handle a change in plans.  John gets a very surprising and startling letter from Savannah that changes everything.

Once John finally is finished his time in the military, he comes back to see Savannah and finds her a changed woman.  This is both a heart wrenching and tear jerking scene. It had been six or so years but even so, this surprised me as well.

Channing Tatum was not “brilliant” playing Tyree, but was not awful.  It felt like one of Tatum’s regular roles with what seemed like him talking in a monotone voice throughout the movie.  Amanda Seyfried proved she could act in a love story that was not as upbeat as “Mama Mia”, but when she let the water works flow, it didn’t seem quite that believable. In all, “Dear John” was a classic love story that didn’t completely live up to my expectations, but is still worth seeing.

If you are looking for a love story with twists and turns, a scene with a stunning Channing Tatum shirtless on the beach, and an audience with tears in their eyes, grab a friend and see “Dear John.”

It is worth that box of tissues.

Elise Adamson can be reached for comment at adameli13@jcpatriot.org

Kailey Tracy can be reached for comment at trackai13@jcpatriot.org