Every few weeks at McNicholas high school, the Rockets watch various clips about other students being asked about their hot takes, favorite holiday, and other simple interview questions during their lunches. Technology teacher, Barb Gillming started these small skits and interviews in 2004 with former theology teacher, David Sandmann and his graduating class. Gillming’s theory … More Bringing back Rocket Reports
Mr. Shawn Young is one the amazing teachers at McNicholas. He is an alumnus from the graduating class of 1982. Mr. Young teaches 6 classes this year. He states, “I teach four classes of Modern U.S History and I teach two classes of advances placement U.S History.” Young has been a teacher for a longer … More Teacher Feature: Mr. Shawn Young
In many schools, standardized testing is a prevalent evaluation of a student’s abilities. Encompassing English, Science, History, Math, and cognitive tests, standardized testing focuses on many different aspects of a student’s potential academic knowledge. McNicholas uses a few different forms of standardized testing for evaluations, including the most common IOWAs and MAP testing. IOWA testing … More Standardized testing should not be a determining factor of academic success
Teacher Feature with Mrs. Almer Mary Walsh Mrs. Chelsea Almer is the librarian at McNicholas, a position she’s held for six years. Previously, Almer worked at Hamilton County library for some years after she had been a librarian at Guardian Angels School for 5 years. “The thing that I like most about being a librarian … More Teacher Feature: Mrs. Chelsea Almer
McNicholas welcomed many new teachers to the faculty this school year. The McNicholas Milestone is starting “Teacher Features” to highlight teachers for their excellence in their role as a teacher at McNicholas. Mr. Eric Hickman, a Biology and Environmental science teacher, is our first teacher feature. Hickman has been teaching for 30 years. He planned … More Teacher Feature: Mr. Eric Hickman
The Theatre Department fall production debuted on November 3rd-6th at the Jeanne Spurlock Theater. Kodachrome is a play written by Adam Szymkowicz about grief, love, and moving on. The play follows a woman, The Photographer, who is trying to move on from her hometown and accept that not everything is in her control. The … More ‘Kodachrome’ is an artistic success
On Friday, October 21st, 2022, Taylor Swift released her tenth studio album called Midnights. It is about thirteen sleepless nights throughout her life. This album is under the techno-pop category, a new genre for Swift, and holds all Top 10 Billboard songs currently. So far, for this album Swift has released two music videos: “Anti-hero” … More Midnights Album Review
Halloween on Monday, October the 31st comes with many excitements at McNicholas. Students dress up, trick or treat, and party. Costumes among the school will be anywhere from pirates, angels, superheroes, devils, and other iconic costumes. The costume most Rockets will be wearing is a pirate costume, second being a witch, and Batman as the … More Rockets celebrate Halloween on campus
The Heritage House over the years has had many people live in it. The Heritage House is where nuns or other people of religious order can live. People who have lived there have stories of strange things that have happened. Sister Judi, who is still on campus has some crazy stories about things that have … More The stories of the haunted Heritage House
The McNicholas faculty and staff has come together in recent years to develop the most accommodating and enjoyable schedule for the students. With the introduction of new policies and the return of old policies, students can change their schedules to facilitate academic growth. In a normal school week, students start off with an 8-bell Monday … More Combined staff efforts result in personalized and accommodative schedules for McNicholas students
SAIL is a program to help students with learning differences including ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism. SAIL has 5 Intervention Specialists that help students stay focused on schoolwork, so they don’t fall behind. According to Renee Herndon, SAIL department chair, The SAIL program started in the early 1990’s as an after-school place where students could go … More SAIL at McNicholas positively impacts students
With another year at McNicholas High School well underway, the issue of not having air conditioning arises again. Currently, there is air conditioning in the theater and cafe, library, and aux gym along with select classes and offices. This leaves some classes without air conditioning, but McNicholas is fixing it. With Alter Hall and Senior … More McNicholas putting air conditioning in more school areas
The McNicholas High School women’s volleyball regular season came to an end on Thursday, October 13th. This squad has been led this year by the new head of the program, Darlene Tierney. Varsity is coached Darlene Tierney and assistant coach, Beth Osterday Strange. Leading Junior Varsity is Jason Gundrum and leading freshman is Sammie Wheatley. This … More Rockets Women’s Volleyball: The Recap of the Season
Open house is October 23rd-24th at McNicholas High School. The school’s faculty and ambassador program are getting ready for Open House. Open House is an event that showcases McNicholas to 8th graders that are considering going here. “Open house is like a snapshot of what McNicholas is like,” said Laurie Carigan, Director of Admissions and … More Teachers and ambassadors give insight on upcoming Open House
McNicholas has some new news for the students and the teachers. There have been big changes since the previous year like new classes, new teachers, no convent classes. The convent was used for classes since it was made into a school. The main part of the building was not there until it started to get bigger. The world … More The classroom changes at McNicholas
As shadow season at McNicholas begins, the student ambassadors are ready to show the school in hopes to increase enrollment. Ambassadors give tours, answer questions, bond with their shadow, and show guests the McNicholas experience. Student ambassadors are not considered a club, it is a program. Being involved in McNicholas is easy with the many … More Teaching others about McNicholas through ambassador
McNicholas High School offers many clubs including the school-wide inclusion and diversity acceptance club, Hands Across Campus. Moderated by Theology educators and Missions & Ministry Team members Teresa Davis and Amanda Beatty, the club is also led by five students: Senior Karly Leibreich, junior Mary Metzger, and sophomores Cara Metzger, Kennedy Kramer, and Michael Egan. … More McNicholas’s Hands Across Campus Leadership Team receives the first IJPC Youth Justice Award
This year a new elective, Culinary Chemistry, has started with science teacher, Jessica Boese. In this class, students learn about basic cooking skills including measuring skills, cookware, acids and bases, and the chemical reactions between different ingredients. Boese stated, “in this class, you will learn very practical knowledge about cooking and chemistry.” Students gain the skills of … More New culinary chemistry class excites McNicholas students about cooking
Every year students get the opportunity to go to Tennessee for the Appalachian Retreat. This retreat took place with 12 seniors led by Anne Jones and Jeff Hutchinson from September 13 to 18th in Grainger County, Tennessee. This is an opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zone and help those in need. … More McNicholas Students and Teachers reflect on the recent Appalachian Retreat
As week six of the first quarter starts, students are settling in to the school year and with that comes issues with tablets. Rob Boese, Director of Technology, offers help for students that have tablet issues. Boese explains the most common tablet issues are touchscreens and touchpad mouse because some students don’t use tablet cases. … More Technology teachers share ideas on ways to prevent tablet issues
Kevin Huber, class of 2004, a McNicholas alum has broken the record for the most games played in a Bengal’s uniform. In the early 2000s, Kevin Huber was playing on the McNicholas football team, known for his punting skills. These skills opened the door for him to play Division 1 football for University of … More Kevin Huber breaks the record for most games played as a Bengal
The Rockets are ready to disco the night away at their upcoming 70’s themed homecoming. Saturday night fever has struck as the girls prepare to curl their hair and the boys plan to pop their collars. Most of the McNicholas students are ready for homecoming, but the new freshman might not be aware of its history. Before … More McNicholas dancing to the past for Homecoming 2022
Mental Health is widely talked about among communities. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13.8% of teenagers struggle with anxiety or depression. To address this concern, Melissa Gomez has joined the staff at McNicholas High School as a mental health and wellness counselor. She was previously a counselor at a local … More McNicholas welcomes new mental health counselor
Every day, students spend part of their morning in a program personal to McNicholas called C.R.E.W. Each student is assigned to a mentor teacher along with 10-15 other students. This is the third year this program has found a place in students’ schedules. Students start in a C.R.E.W. specific to freshmen, which they graduate from … More C.R.E.W. helps foster the growth of relationships among students
McNicholas High School welcomed students to campus on August 19, 2022. The freshmen and transfer students familiarized themselves with McNick on August 17 and 18 during orientation. With the recent changes that have been made to the school, there are many things the freshmen and transfer students do not know: the unwritten rules. Freshman Steven … More Returning students and staff help freshmen and transfers learn unwritten rules
The 2021-2022 school year is coming to end but the 2022-2023 year is right around the corner. When McNick students return and freshman begin their first high school courses, some things will have changed around the school. From new classes and teachers to improvements within the school, McNick will be new again. Most of what … More Saying goodbye to 2021-2022, looking ahead to 2022-2023
In honor of the Class of 2022’s recent graduation and the current juniors ready to fill their shoes as the senior class, The McNicholas Milestone thought it would be fun to post the senior pics of all those who work to make McNicholas the brilliant place that it is for current and prospective students. Twenty-seven … More Faculty, staff share senior pics for decade(s) flashback
The Class of 2022 is coming to the end of their years at McNicholas High School and will soon be stepping into the world as adults. Some of the McNick teachers have put together some words of advice for them after they leave. Life will be different for them and they will have to go … More Teachers offer farewell advice to seniors
As graduation gets closer and closer for the Class of 2022, the days here have become more and more about reminiscing. Pretty soon they won’t be able to call this place their home, but rather it will be a memory, and as that realization settles in, the memories made have started to come back to … More Much to miss at McNick: Seniors share memories
It is almost impossible to accept that the Class of 2022 aren’t freshmen, sophomores, or even juniors. They are nearly graduated seniors, about to embark on the challenges of the real world with none of it being possible without the adults in their lives that kept pushing them such as parents, teachers, and even older … More Alumni offer advice for students of tomorrow
Writer’s note: In June, art teacher Willy Corbett will leave his canvases and paintbrushes behind when he retires after 43 years as an educator. Coach Corbett was one of the first teachers I met when I came to McNick as a freshman when he was my golf coach in the fall. He’s a funny … More Corbett’s 47 years in high school coming to an end
For many McNicholas students, the day doesn’t end at 2:30 when the final bell rings. In addition to homework, Rockets have after school jobs and activities that fill the hours between the end of school and when they can finally get some rest before their alarm signals the time to do it all again. … More Rockets after 2:30: Students still active after a full day of classes
It definitely doesn’t feel like it’s been nearly four year since the Class of 2022 came walking into McNicholas High School for the first time, but here we are in the year of 2022, just two months away from graduation and the past is definitely not on the seniors’ minds right now. All they can … More Business at OU, UC top choices for Class of 2022
It’s not easy keeping a school clean and presentable at all times when nearly 600 students, faculty, and staff fill every room for multiple hours each day, but the maintenance crew for TDG Facilities manages to do just that. Crew member Keith Crooks, who has been with TDG for eight years, has become a favorite … More Rockets share their love for “Mr. Keith”
For this year’s musical, the McNicholas Thespians will present the classic Guys and Dolls Thursday, March 10 – Saturday, March 12 at the Anderson Center. The show has been performed on the McNicholas stage in the past, but this will be the first time it has been performed under the direction of theater teacher Teresa … More Roll the dice over to the spring showing of Guys and Dolls
Basketball: Boys Record: 10-13 Highlight: “[The] biggest highlight for me is our guys turnaround of the season after starting 1-10 with the toughest schedule McNick probably has ever had. Kids kept battling and believing and never quit.” – Coach Tim Monahan “I would say my favorite memory has been winning the CJ game because there was a great student section, … More Winter sports wrap-up seasons with strong tournament showings
Just a few days ago, the McNicholas gym and lobby was transformed into a “City Shining on a Hill” to celebrate this year’s 70th Mardi Gras Pageant and Dance. In 2021, the celebration was limited to a pageant only, but for 2022, the dance returned for students. Due to Covid 19, the pageant was optional … More Mardi Gras 2022: Seven questions with Maid, Captain
McNicholas kicked Catholic Schools week off on January 31. Catholic Schools week is a week-long celebration for Catholic Schools and their education. Each day of the week had a theme, teacher/subject appreciation, and activities during lunches. The main themes for the 2022 Catholic Schools Week were “faith, excellence, and service.” On Monday January 31, McNick … More Catholic Schools Week only three days due to ice storm
Cincinnati. In the early 1970’s, it was full of excitement and promise with their sports teams. The Reds beginning to transfer to The Big Red Machine, and a new football team just starting out named the Cincinnati Bengals. Overall the Bengals haven’t had much success as a franchise in the NFL since they played their … More Bengals break 31-year drought to head to Superbowl LVI
Although second semester just started at the beginning of January, it’s already time to begin thinking about classes for the 2022-2023 school year. Counselors met with students the week of January 31, and scheduling forms are due turned it to CREW teachers on Wednesday, Feb. 16. One of the perks of high school over elementary … More Selecting electives: Students, faculty share faves
On Sunday, February 20, McNicholas will celebrate its 70th Mardi Gras. In 1953, the Sisters of Saint Joseph organized a festival to raise money for the school and decided to celebrate its success. Originally from New Orleans, the Sisters of St. Joseph decided to make it Mardi Gras-themed, and as they say, the rest is … More Everything you need to know about the history of Mardi Gras
Christmas is celebrated by decorating the tree, giving and receiving presents, and baking Christmas cookies with friends and families to set out for Santa! A delicious cookie to set out for Santa are peanut butter blossoms. This is a family recipe that I have been making with my family during Christmas time every year. Allergic … More Christmas ‘How To’: Peanut butter blossoms make the perfect cookie for Santa
The lunches at McNick have changed throughout the years, but how do students feel about the changes? Would they prefer the old items rather than the new ones or vice versa? In a recent Milestone survey, students shared what they would love to see on the menu. Of the 39 students who responded to the … More Rockets share thoughts on lunch menu, café
For most people, celebrating their birthday is like a “bonus holiday” but for others who have a birthday near a major holiday, their birthday becomes blended with the holiday celebration. In a recent Milestone survey, Rockets who have birthdays near or on a holiday shared their thoughts on how this has felt for them over the years. For most of the Rockets who answered the survey, … More Losing a ‘bonus holiday’: Rockets who share birthdays with holidays miss extra time celebrating
There’s no doubt about it; the constant schoolwork, peer pressure, and activities of a student’s life can be stressful. When feeling overwhelmed, it could be beneficial for a student to take a break from the demands of everyday life and give themselves time to rest and de-stress. “It is extremely important that we take care … More Mental health days need to be recognized and acknowledged as separate from sick days
During Christmas 2020, many students were unable to celebrate as they usually would. Instead they had to spend their Christmas wearing a mask or only celebrating with their immediate family. “We pretty much just did the same thing as last year, except we were all masked,” sophomore Amanda Braig said. “We were going to drop … More Despite Covid, Christmas traditions start to return to ‘normal’
Basketball season is about to start for McNick. The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team plays Monday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Mariemont, and the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team plays Friday December 3 against Carroll at 7:30 p.m. Tim Monahan, head coach of the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team, said they want to build from last year’s … More McNick’s basketball season prepares for tip-off
The Thanksgiving holiday not only brings together families but the diverse activities that they do together on Thanksgiving. In a recent Milestone survey, students shared their top 10 activities to enjoy during this part of the holiday season. 1. Visit Extended Family With Covid being around for so nearly two years, many students haven’t been … More Top 10 Thanksgiving activities that are a must for students
On November 11 and 18, St. Joseph Scholars students left McNicholas for a field trip the Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub. St. Joseph Scholars moderator and English teacher Julie Dill planned and moderated the event. “I am always looking for opportunities for scholars to go out into the community and have experiences that enhance their … More Saint Joseph Scholars take field trip to Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub
Thanksgiving is the holiday when people gather around turkey and stuffing with their families but is also a time when show what they are grateful for. In a recent Milestone survey, students shared what they are grateful for at McNicholas and why. Many people said they are grateful for their friends, teachers and the community at McNick. Sophomore Remington Holder said he’s grateful for the teachers. “I am grateful for … More Community tops gratitude list at McNick
The space up the stairs in the library is where many students go to study or read some of their favorite books. In 2022, Rockets have been reading old books, new books, borrowed books, and even books from the McNicholas library. This is what the Rockets liked and have to say about these books. … More Rockets Book Wrap 2022
McNicholas High School’s new math teacher is Thomas Mangione who joined the faculty for the 2022-23 school year. Mangione went to Asbury University for his bachelor’s degree and now is going to Xavier University for his Masters. When he started college, Mangione decided to study Audio Production a major for studying recording and editing audio, … More Teacher Feature: Mr. Thomas Mangione
The McNicholas Milestone 