Staff Profile
Martha Schick –– Multimedia Chief
Martha is the Multimedia Chief; this is her third year in Journalism and her second on staff. Even though most of her free time is consumed with journalism, she somehow finds time to be the Speech and Debate captain and member of the Academic Team, Belle Voce, film club and member-at-large of NHS. She loves reading whenever she can, writing as much as possible, singing show tunes and nerdy songs at the top of her lungs, and following the marching and pep band around at all of their games. She also loves coffee.
Martha Schick can be reached for comments at mschick@jcpatriot.com.
Columbia Scholastic Press Association awards The Patriot Silver Crown
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
May 8, 2013
Filed under News, News around JC, Uncategorized
The Patriot received several awards for both the entire newspaper and individuals over the last year. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Silver Crown Award was given to the paper on March 22 for the print and digital paper combined. According to the CSPA website, the Gold and Silver Crowns... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Tragedy divides the masses
Martha Schick, Multimedia Editor
May 6, 2013
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
Tragedies separate people into two groups. There are the people who try to improve upon a situation and there are the people who take advntage of it. After the Boston Marathon bombing, we quickly saw our nation split into these two groups. While most of the country was still reeling from the bombing... Read more »
Pro V. Con: Summer work distracts from other opportunities
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
April 25, 2013
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con
This is the con argument on whether or not school work in the summer is beneficial. To read the pro click here. I’m up at 6:00 a.m., in the car by 7:00 a.m., and at work by 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, all summer long. I usually get home around 6:30 p.m., unless there’s an event that requires... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Feminist is not a dirty word
Martha Schick, Multimedia Editor
March 26, 2013
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion, Uncategorized
I am a feminist. I’d like to address Rush Limbaugh and point out that this doesn’t make me a “feminazi.” The entire idea of the “feminazi” is actually one of the most pervasive and harmful stereotypes of our time, besides being incredibly insensitive. No feminist has ever committed... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Papal resignation could bring changes
Martha Schick, Multimedia Editor
February 21, 2013
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
With the Pope’s retirement comes a chance for the Church to turn a new corner. I respect Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to step down due to failing health, and wish him a comfortable and prayerful retirement. This change in leadership could also mean changes for the Church. A new Pope will give... Read more »
Robotics team places ninth at Havre de Grace tournament
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
February 13, 2013
Filed under News, News around JC, Photo Galleries, Top Stories, Video
With a week-old robot made from scrap parts, the Robotics Team managed to come in ninth at a tournament at Havre de Grace on Feb. 9. There were 13 teams in the tournament, made up of private, public, and homeschooled students. “There have been two robots. The first robot we’ve been using…... Read more »
Pope Benedict XVI resigns
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
February 12, 2013
Filed under Uncategorized, World News
On Feb. 11, Pope Bendict XVI announced that he will resign from the papacy, effective Feb. 28. He has been in office for less than eight years and is the first Pope to resign since 1415. He cited his “advanced age” as the reason for his resignation, according to the New York Times. Reverend Federico... Read more »
Editor faces fears, shoots firearm
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
February 7, 2013
Filed under In the Community, Lifestyles, Off Campus
You can call me a flaming liberal, but I’ve always seen guns as things that cause much more harm than good. I’ve never been around guns very much, and I certainly never thought that I’d be at senior Nate Barringer’s house shooting what he referred to as “the Cadillac of guns.” In light... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Abortion protesters schooled by JC students
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
January 30, 2013
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
The difference between marching on Washington, D.C., as a part of the March for Life and standing outside of a school with graphic pictures of aborted fetuses, is character. Students at JC have proven that they have infinitely more character than the fools that protested near campus a couple of weeks... Read more »
‘Les Misérables’ provides mixed experience
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
January 11, 2013
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Cinema
I dreamed a dream once, that the film “Les Misérables” would be perfect all the way through. Unfortunately, I was on my own, as it is both first-rate and borderline unwatchable, depending on the scene. However, the good ultimately outweighs the bad and the movie is worth seeing. “Les Misérables,”... Read more »
Administration alters lockdown procedures to heighten school safety
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
January 11, 2013
Filed under News, News around JC, Top Stories
“Talking could get you killed.” This cautionary statement from Principal Madelyn Ball was referring to several lockdown drills in the cafeteria and a school wide lockdown drill on Jan. 10. According to Ball, the new emergency procedures were created by Harford County Public Schools in concordance... Read more »
Women’s basketball scores gifts for charity
Martha Schick, Multimedia chief
December 11, 2012
Filed under Sports, Winter Sports
The women’s basketball team walks up to the door of a stranger in an unknown neighborhood. A member of the team rings the doorbell and the whole team prepares to deliver Christmas cheer. It isn’t Christmas carols they’re giving though, it’s gifts and other items the people need funded by the... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Speakers should spark discussion in classrooms
Martha Schick, Multimedia Editor
December 7, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
Students were lining up to ask questions after an hour of listening to the same person talk. Nothing like that has ever happened in my four years at JC and, unsurprisingly, it was the result of a guest speaker. Student body engagement should be something sought by the administration. Students desperate... Read more »
Forster retires, alum takes over classes
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
November 9, 2012
Filed under Breaking News Briefs, News
Biology teacher Bill Forster retired from teaching at the end of the first quarter after four years at JC. He stayed until Nov. 5 to help his replacement, Kyle Leppert, class of ’03, get acclimated and make the appropriate transition. According to Forster, he retired due to health problems that “made... Read more »
‘Pitch Perfect’ hits high notes
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
October 26, 2012
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Cinema
“Pitch Perfect,” starring Anna Kendrick and directed by Jason Moore, is a movie you’ll have to love in spite of yourself. Although I walked out of the theater feeling like I’d lost IQ points, the movie was hilarious and tons of fun to watch. The film follows Beca (Kendrick), a girl forced... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Activities lose extra earnings
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
October 25, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
Yearbook puts out a beautiful new volume for students each school year. Our musicals bring in hundreds of people. Our newspaper is nationally ranked by several organizations. Besides being exceptional at what they do, what do these extracurricular activities all have in common? Every penny that... Read more »
Bomb threat forces evacuation, possible absences
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
October 24, 2012
Filed under News, News around JC, News Flashes
“To be perfectly honest with you, yes, there was a threat made to [JC] in terms of there being a bomb here tomorrow,” Principal Madelyn Ball said in an announcement to students and teachers on Tuesday, Oct. 23. A 30-minute bomb evacuation drill will take place Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 10:15 to... Read more »
‘House of Cards’ set impresses students
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
October 5, 2012
Filed under In the Community, Lifestyles, Off Campus
As I stepped off of the smooth, grey floors of the warehouse and onto the plush, eagle-crested rug of the Oval Office, Art Director Halina Gebarowicz quickly explained to us that, unlike the real rug in the Oval Office, the one we stood upon was made in China, where it isn’t illegal to make a copy... Read more »
Marching band impresses at Catholic University
Martha Schick, Multimedia Chief
October 5, 2012
Filed under News, News around JC, Top Stories
The crowd yelled together, counting the number of pushups that sophomore Ola Ekundayo completed on a board elevated by Catholic University cheerleaders. After 20, the cheerleaders, along with the JC band, cheered as Ekundayo ran back to the bleachers and picked up her trombone. Ekundayo and the... Read more »
Archdiocese puts dormitory plans on hold
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
May 23, 2012
Filed under News, News around JC, Top Stories
The Archdiocese has put the plan to turn St. Joseph Hall into dormitories for international students on hold. “I received a phone call from the superintendent of schools and, somewhat to our surprise, the Archdiocese said…that we weren’t yet sufficiently prepared to take on the running of a... Read more »
Technology Department tests new network monitoring program
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
May 17, 2012
Filed under News, News Flashes
YouTube is available on and off, students are required to log in to the internet, and websites are blocked and unblocked depending on the day. This is due to the temporary replacement of SonicWall MS8 3100 with Cymphonix Network Composer as the program that controls the flow of traffic on JC’s wireless... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Junior exasperated by lack of exam privileges for juniors
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
May 15, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
For me, being a junior in senior classes wasn’t a problem until exam week arrived. During senior exam week, the underclassmen got the raw end of the deal. For underclassmen in senior classes, privileges are not extended to anybody other than the seniors, which makes exams far worse for the underclassmen. While... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Europe trip provides fullfilling experience
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
May 2, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings
Over spring break, I went on a trip with American Council for International Studies (ACIS) to Scotland and England, which turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at JC. This experience also gave me the opportunity to give advice to anybody looking for a perfect international... Read more »
Junior travels with Theater Department to NYC
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
May 1, 2012
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Featured A&E, In the Community
No matter how many times you go to New York City, rounding a corner and seeing the famous skyline always takes your breath away. I’ve been to NYC with the theater department five times, and more than that on my own, but I never tire of the Big Apple. On Wednesday, April 25, the group of students... Read more »
Academic team finishes with best record in JC history
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 27, 2012
Filed under News
“Richard Roundtree played this private dick who’s a sex machine to all the chicks,” the judge said. The question hung in the air for a moment as senior Adam Kuester hurriedly scribbled his response on his paper. He then held it out to academic team captain senior Nick Henninger to answer. ... Read more »
Principal takes hard stance on cyber-bullying
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 20, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories
The website HSMemes has not only been blocked by the administration before spring break, but publicly condemned by Principal Madelyn Ball in a school-wide meeting on April 16. The site allows users to make memes, concepts that spread via the Internet through pictures and captions, about their high... Read more »
Love One Another club hosts Day of Silence
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 19, 2012
Filed under News, News Flashes
Love One Another, a new student-run equality group, is hosting a Day of Silence this Friday, April 20, and fundraising throughout the week to benefit the Trevor Project. The Day of Silence will take place during the school day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. There are collection jars in the cafeteria... Read more »
I starve myself
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 4, 2012
Filed under In-Depth, Lifestyles
A quarter of a Pop-Tart for breakfast, four croutons for lunch, and a piece of meat the size of a quarter and a few peas for dinner doesn’t seem like a healthy diet. For one JC student, that was what she ate every day through much of eighth grade while she was struggling with an eating disorder. “I... Read more »
College fair fails to meet expectations
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 4, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings, Opinion
The JC College Fair, held on March 28, had good intentions that were quickly dashed against the rocks of annoyance. While there was some good that came out of it, there are some definite ways to improve it for next year. For students like me, who want to get as far away as possible from Harford... Read more »
Academic Team triumphs in close victory
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 2, 2012
Filed under News
Seniors Ana Beain, Nick Henninger, and Adam Kuester stared at the picture of the sculpture on the screen in front of them. They had been in last place since the first round, but these questions in the last round were worth more points than before. With lights and cameras trained on their faces, the... Read more »
Dorms rededicated as St. Joseph Hall
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
April 2, 2012
Filed under News
After the former convent is made into dormitories for international students, it will be renamed St. Joseph Hall. "It will be named in honor of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the order that was considered the founding order of John Carroll," President Richard O’Hara said. O’Hara proposed the name,... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Students should embrace Lent as spiritual enlightenment
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
March 16, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard somebody say, "I’m giving up chocolate or sweets or soda for Lent," I would be pretty well-off. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but I have to wonder if Lent is simply a replacement for New Year’s resolutions. Lent originally was not about... Read more »
Dorms to be provided for international students
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
March 14, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories
Dormitories will be available to house international students starting in the 2012-2013 school year. The dorms will be built in the former convent and will be home to about 16 international students, according to President Richard O’Hara. “We are planning to renovate the former convent to serve... Read more »
Women’s basketball takes IAAM conference title, first time in 28 years
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
February 23, 2012
Filed under Featured Sports Scrollbox, Game Recaps, Sports, Sports, Sports Center, Sports News, Winter Sports
With 2.6 seconds left in the IAAM B Conference championship game, St. Mary’s player Stephanie Lazo stepped up to take her foul shot. This was the shot that would make or break JC’s two point lead, 40-38. With the fans screaming along with the pep band, she took the shot and missed. Freshmen... Read more »
Women’s basketball wins IAAM Conference title
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
February 22, 2012
Filed under Game Recaps, Sports, Sports, Sports Center, Sports News, Winter Sports
The women’s basketball team won the IAAM B Conference championship on Feb. 18, 2012. They beat St. Mary’s 42-38, with freshman Ashley Hunter scoring the last two points in the last 1.7 seconds of the game. The top scorers from JC were seniors Emily Soller with 15 points, Miranda Ripken with eight... Read more »
National Letters of Intent signed for soccer, basketball
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
February 15, 2012
Filed under Sports, Sports, Sports Center, Sports News
For senior Gina Maiorana, signing her National Letter of Intent (NLI) with Seton Hall on Feb. 1 marked a new beginning in sports after a crippling injury to her ACL on Dec. 28 last year. Playing soccer at Seton Hall is a dream come true for Maiorana, who has been playing the sport since she was four... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Spread the love this Valentine’s Day
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
February 15, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings
Singles’ Awareness Day is right around the corner, bringing stress upon everybody, whether they are in a relationship or not. It seems that Valentine’s Day has turned into a day of mourning for those without a significant other or a day of stress for those dating somebody. Although there are... Read more »
‘Smash’ establishes itself as a hit
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
February 10, 2012
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Cinema
Take “Glee,” subtract the fake high school, add incredible talent like Katharine McPhee, and original music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and you have the new show “Smash.” The pilot of “Smash” premiered on Feb. 6, but all it takes is one episode to be hooked on to this riveting drama... Read more »
Pro V Con: Respect Life Day leaves opposing views underrepresented
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
January 27, 2012
Filed under Pro V Con
Respect Life Day, which was attended by barely more than half the student body who didn’t attend the March for Life, was supposed to be a day for celebrating life and learning about abortion. Obviously, there wasn’t the option of having a regular school day with 160 students on the March, along... Read more »
Pro V Con: Administration should not have blocked Twitter
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
January 12, 2012
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con
This is the con argument for whether the administration should have blocked Twitter. To read the pro argument, click here. The administration has attempted another round of Whack-a-Mole by blocking Twitter. While the behavior that caused the block cannot be condoned, the block has only made... Read more »
‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’ levels the field for summer reading
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
January 11, 2012
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Books and Video Games
The Patriot has reviewed several of the summer reading options for this year. A student committee has been formed to allow for student opinion in choosing the summer reading book for 2012. To read more about changes to the summer reading program, click here. “The Curious Incident of the Dog... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Make a change this new year
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
January 6, 2012
Filed under Martha's Musings
The ball dropped, the couples kissed, and the calendar flipped. It’s 2012, and everybody is making New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions typically involve either bettering oneself or making life better for others. Most resolutions fall into the first category, but resolutions that fall into the... Read more »
Women’s basketball defeats NDP rivals
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Featured Sports Scrollbox, Sports, Sports Center, Winter Sports
When senior Emily Soller hit a 3-point shot early in the first quarter, the cheering crowd had no idea that she would go on to dominate the rest of the game. With a personal best of 20 points scored, Soller would help lead the women’s varsity basketball team to victory. On Friday, Dec. 16, JC went... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: School Mass should aim for retreat-like setting
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Martha's Musings
As a non-Catholic who had not attended Mass before I came to JC, my best experience by far has been the Mass on junior retreat. One of the main factors of Mass being so enjoyable was the environment. We sat in comfortable chairs in a small room, and the intimate feeling helped keep my attention. While... Read more »
Bolden to play with Ravens marching band
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles, Teacher Spotlight
Instead of cheering for the Ravens in the stands, music teacher Marc Bolden is going to be on the field blaring his trumpet. Bolden has joined the Ravens marching band as a trumpet player and could be playing at his first game as soon as Christmas Eve. “It seemed like a fun opportunity, and when... Read more »
Teacher Spotlight: Tony Del Puppo
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
December 15, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles, Teacher Spotlight
For a man who once made a black bear run away in terror, Tony Del Puppo spends a lot of his time in pursuit of academic glory. Del Puppo is busy studying for his degree in applied economics, although he already has a master’s degree in history. On top of being a full-time history teacher, he is... Read more »
Harkins’ class wins second in Qdoba contest
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
December 7, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
The smell of both victory and Qdoba drifted into the hallway from religion teacher Rachel Harkin’s classroom on Wednesday, Nov. 30. One of Harkins’ classes entered a competition set up by Qdoba to win a pair of Ravens tickets. The class entered a picture of themselves making a human ‘Q’... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Police Brutality Unacceptable
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
November 30, 2011
Filed under Martha's Musings
Whether or not you recognize the name John Pike, you’ve definitely seen him. He’s the police officer from the now viral video of University of California, Davis students being drenched in pepper spray. These students were peacefully protesting with the Occupy Davis movement when Pike nonchalantly went... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Increased respect needed at pep rally
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
November 17, 2011
Filed under Martha's Musings
Screaming. Cheering. Mayhem. Those words pretty much sum up the pep rally. I love class color day, I really do. The rivalry between the juniors and seniors, tagging freshies, covering themselves in tape - it’s all fun. However, the pep rally, at least with the way it’s currently set... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Exotic animals unnecessarily slaughtered
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
October 28, 2011
Filed under Martha's Musings
The lions, tigers, and bears (oh my) were just slaughtered by the Ohio police. 49 exotic animals were killed after being set free by Terry Thompson, their suicidal owner. While Thompson, who had been charged with animal cruelty and abuse several times, was obviously not capable of caring for these... Read more »
Martha’s Musings: Purple Friday discriminates against non-Ravens fans
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
October 27, 2011
Filed under Blogs, Opinion
It’s Friday, and I’m not wearing purple. Every Friday since the beginning of school, students have been allowed to wear purple apparel over their uniform. "Purple Fridays" are one of the things that Principal Madelyn Ball has brought back since becoming our principal, and it’s one of my least... Read more »
Respect Life Club remains silent to protest abortion
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
October 25, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles
No matter what happened, sophomore Megan Greig wasn’t saying a word. She chose to take part in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity on Oct. 19 with the Respect Life Club. The Day of Silence, a protest against abortion, entailed wearing a red ribbon or piece of tape as the Respect Life Club went... Read more »
“Cryin’ Out Loud” rocks local music scene
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
September 29, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles
Junior Elliott Weinberg faced the crowd for the first time. He had been waiting for this moment since July. This was his debut as the bass player of the band “Cryin’ Out Loud.” “It’s pretty exciting to see everyone cheering for you and they get really into it,” Weinberg said. Weinberg... Read more »
Everest climber stuns assembly
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
September 21, 2011
Filed under News
Paul Deegan is on top of the world. He’s just climbed Mt. Everest, reached the world’s highest point, and has a decision to make. He, like the rest of his climbing group, could choose to climb atop the summit. Instead, he kneels. “I decided I didn’t want to stand on the summit. I wanted... Read more »
[UPDATED] Abortion protesters stir controversy near JC
![[UPDATED] Abortion protesters stir controversy near JC](http://www.jcpatriot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/abortion-protest-final-400x196.jpg)
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
September 3, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
[Updated 9/6] - Photo added. As President of the Respect Life Club Nick Henninger pulled into JC on what seemed to be a normal Friday morning of school on Sept 2, graphic images of bloody aborted fetuses splayed out on poster boards made Henninger do a double take. He and his mother had just... Read more »
[UPDATED] Hurricane causes minor damage, closes JC
![[UPDATED] Hurricane causes minor damage, closes JC](http://www.jcpatriot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/finalonlineblevins-400x197.jpg)
Martha Schick, Managing Editor
August 29, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
[UPDATED 8/29] - JC is to close on Aug 30. Any chance of having school on Aug 29 was gone with the wind in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Harford County Public Schools called for a code green “due to county-wide damage caused by Hurricane Irene.” A code green signifies that only essential... Read more »
O’Hara selects Ball as new principal
Martha Schick, Contributing Writer
June 9, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
The search for a new principal is over. President Richard O’Hara has named Madelyn Ball the principal of JC for the 2011-2012 school year. O’Hara announced his decision at a faculty meeting after school on Tuesday, June 3. Days after the decision was announced, Ball met with Principal Paul... Read more »
Students and alumni take home the gold at local film fest
Martha Schick, Reporter
October 28, 2010
Filed under News, Top Stories
With JC students and alumni directing or starring in eight of the 10 films shown in the student film division, the second annual Bel Air Film Festival was a hot set. Senior Brooke Basta entered two videos, “Don’t You Wish This Could Actually Happen?” and “Super Fresh Love” in the festival.... Read more »
Bell system test causes classroom disruption
Martha Schick, Reporter
October 27, 2010
Filed under News
Buzzing and beeping filled the air as a bell system test disrupted classes in the last 10 minutes of mod nine Wednesday. "The students were extremely rowdy," history teacher Jake Hollin said, referring to the period of time when the static and ringing from the intercom system made it difficult for... Read more »
“The Lovely Bones” spins the concept of a murder mystery
Martha Schick, Contributing Writer
February 8, 2010
Filed under Cinema
A murder mystery. This concept seems unoriginal. It feels like once you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. “The Lovely Bones” took that basic concept and added a spin to it that changed the very core of “the murder mystery.” This movie will intrigue you and keep you on the edge of... Read more »