Note from the adviser: The Milestone was led by three senior co-editors for the 2018-2019 academic year: Madison McClellan, Vinny Ramundo, and Ellie White. Instead of a collaborative letter or three individual editor letters, the editors made the decision for Senior Vinny Ramundo to write the final editor sign-off letter to close this year of … More Letter from the Editor
On Tuesday, May 14, McNicholas seniors Maddie McClellan and myself, Ellie White, accompanied Journalism adviser and English teacher Angie Noble to the annual Cincinnati Reds High School Media Days, which allows local students journalists one of approximately five available days to focus on pulling back the curtain behind the scenes of the Cincinnati Reds. This … More Journalists participate in annual Reds High School Media Days
Summer is kicking off, and the change in the season calls for the evolution of one of the most beloved caffeinated drinks of our time: coffee. Iced coffee is the perfect alternative to the otherwise hot beverage during the summer months, but the expense of picking up a cup of iced coffee every day on … More Iced coffee hacks for summer: Revamp your favorite drink
By Dominic Daley, Katie Limberg, Madison McClellan, Vinny Ramundo, and Ellie White At 7 a.m. on May 1, McNick held the 6th annual Academic Signing ceremony in the library for the top ten in the Class of 2019. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian of this year’s senior class are Myles Bailey and Madison Boeckman, respectively. Bailey … More Class of 2019 Top 10 recognized for academic achievement
As students embark on their summer vacation adventures, they will be required to read at least one book prior to the start of the 2019-2020 academic year. The English Department has collaborated with the Science Department in choosing the selections this year. Last year, the English Department paired with Theology for a reading experience that … More Summer reading selections, book bingo announced
Disclaimer: The following review may contain some spoilers revolving around the plot and background. The review is simply my own opinion, you may disagree. In these reviews, I will rate the books on a starring system using an appropriate symbol: bookmarks. 5/5 Bookmarks: This book will land in my all-time favorite book list and you … More Book Review: Summer books to read
A common thread among the students at McNicholas is their love for music. In monthly installments of “Music Monday,” Milestone staff reporter and co-editor Madison McClellan will be providing recommendations for new songs to add to your playlist throughout the school year. This month the musical selection has been focused on calming tunes to help … More Music of the Month: Moving through May with the Milestone playlist
Starting in the fall of the 2019-2020 school year, McNicholas will implement Explore Bells into the schedule. The Explore Bells last 55 minutes. They are the last period at the end of 17 Thursdays, so they will occur about twice a month. All school liturgies or assemblies will utilize the period when there is not … More First look: McNick to implement Explore Bells next year
When McNicholas found out that we were being given the chance to participate in the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Soaring Valor trip, administration jumped on the unique opportunity. Colonel Todd Mayer was instrumental in the Rockets being granted this exclusive privilege. “It’s a great high school, it really is. They have great faculty… great opportunities for … More Soaring Valor: History comes alive through the eyes of WWII heroes
In the fall of the 2019-2020 school year, McNicholas will implement a suicide prevention program called Hope Squad to address mental health in the school environment. Complied of a group of students nominated by their peers, Hope Squad will provide safe and opportunities for struggling students to confide in their peers who will be trained … More McNick to introduce Hope Squad next year
On April 25, the Improv Troupe held its final show, as the troupe is coming to an end due to graduating seniors and the leaving of moderator John Chadwell. Improv, also known as improvisational acting, requires actors and actresses to leave behind all scripts, props, and costumes and rely on their own wit and lightening … More Improv Troupe holds bittersweet final performance
Disclaimer: The following review may contain some spoilers revolving around the plot and background. The review is simply my own opinion, you may disagree. This year, I will be reviewing books based on their genres. This month’s genre is Non-Fiction. In these reviews, I will rate the books on a starring system using an appropriate … More April Book Review: A List of Things That Didn’t Kill Me will leave you in stitches
On Monday May 20, the Class of 2019 will be celebrated as they graduate from McNicholas High School. The valedictorian and salutatorian of the class, Myles Bailey and Madison Boeckman, respectively, will address the students, faculty, and guests. Bailey, a St. Joseph Scholar, has been involved in Student Council and Academic Team, where he was … More Bailey, Boeckman named top of Class of 2019
By: Katie Limberg and Vinny Ramundo On April 17, senior athletes Ben Bryll, Hunter Evans, Aiji Gregory, and Grant Murray signed their national letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Bryll will golf at Thomas More University; Evans, track at Baldwin Wallace University; Gregory, lacrosse at Capital University; Murray, soccer … More Students commit to continuing athletics at next level
A group of teenagers sit gathered around a table. They all have paper and pencils next to them, scores of dice, and are focused on one in their group who details the dungeon they’re about to enter. These modern-day teens are playing Dungeons and Dragons, the fantasy role-playing game published in 1974. Dungeons and Dragons … More D&D makes a comeback at McNick and in modern culture
On April 9, the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Student, Educator, Volunteers, Young Professional, and Business of the Year at their annual awards dinner. McNicholas claimed six of the winners: · Student of the Year: Carly Fehr · Educator of the Year: Theology teacher Mary Beth Sandmann ‘79 · Volunteers of the Year: … More Rockets recognized at annual awards banquet
On April 5, McNicholas students participated in Career Day, an opportunity to learn more about how to prepare for a future career and to learn about what certain career paths entail. Students were joined by those in the work force, many of whom are McNick alumni. They shared information about choosing college majors, finding a … More McNicholas High School hosts Career Day
In his eighth season as head coach of McNicholas Varsity Baseball, John Christmann earned win number 100 as his team locked up an 11-1 victory over GCL opponent Purcell Marian on April 3. Senior pitcher TJ Schimpf tossed his second complete game and was backed up by strong run support ensuring the win. Once the … More Christmann secures 100 wins with Rockets
Every generation of parents adapt a plethora of techniques to make their jobs easier. Begging, pleading, and bargaining are just a handful of ways that adults try to persuade a child to comply with a set of rules without risking a tantrum. These methods can be effective, but occasionally it is easier for parents to … More Alternative facts: Lies parents tell
A common thread among the students at McNicholas is their love for music. In monthly installments of “Music Monday,” Milestone staff reporter and co-editor Madison McClellan will be providing recommendations for new songs to add to your playlist throughout the school year. This month the musical selection has been focused on calming tunes to help … More Music of the Month: Singing through April
While April 2 was a day of standardized testing for most McNicholas students, the seniors, along with their homeroom teachers and other staff members, spent the morning exploring the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the banks of the Ohio River. Senior Myles Bailey mentioned that Saint Thomas More alumni in McNick’s Class of 2019 … More Class of 2019 visits National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Disclaimer: The following review may contain some spoilers revolving around the plot and background. The review is simply my own opinion, you may disagree. This year, I will be reviewing books based on their genres. This month’s genre is Mystery. In these reviews, I will rate the books on a starring system using an appropriate … More March Book Review: No Exit will leave you guessing till the end
The “Name Game” asks students and staff to name their top answers to a series of random questions and has the goal of learning more about the respondents at this current moment in their lives. Seven Rockets took part in this game and gave insights into a variety of matters. Name your go-to snack/meal. How … More Get to know Rockets with “Name Game”
On March 29, three dozen McNicholas thespians, along with a handful of chaperones, embarked for the Akron School for the Performing Arts at Firestone CLC in Akron, Ohio, for the annual Ohio Thespian Conference March 29-31. According to the Ohio Thespian website, The Ohio Thespian Conference is an annual trip attended by “more than 1500 … More Thespians earn top honors at state conference
By Madison McClellan and Vinny Ramundo Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking and The Death of Innocents, spoke to the McNicholas community and invited guests on March 20. Prejean, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, McNicholas’s founding order, is an activist working to abolish the death penalty in all 50 states. … More Sr. Helen Prejean speaks on death penalty, social justice topics
McNicholas High School theater will perform Seussical the Musical April 11-13 at the Anderson Towne Center. According to director Teresa De Zarn, it is “a musical compilation” of Dr. Seuss storylines by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Seussical’s characters are pulled from many of Dr. Seuss’s well-loved and known stories, but it mainly centers on … More Theater announces spring musical: Seussical the Musical
Curse words have become common in everyday society — in movies and tv, walking down the street, heck, even in McNick. Should curse words really be so common? When we were children our parents and teachers taught us that cursing is inappropriate and shouldn’t be used, even when we’re in pain. We were taught that … More Should curse words be contained: Rockets weigh in on curse word etiquette
In the nearly 243-year history of the United States of America, its first 44 presidents have issued a grand total of 2,574 vetoes. On March 15 of his third year occupying the White House, Donald Trump issued veto #1. The vetoed legislation would have reversed Trump’s national emergency declaration that will allocate funds to continue … More Rocket Roundtable: America reacts to Trump’s first veto
Though McNick is a way to relate Rockets to one another, many are rooted in different ethnicities throughout the world. McNick students are filled with different backgrounds and the McNicholas Milestone has chosen to feature some of our students whose cultural backgrounds are a strong part of their family life. Anthony Ramundo Anthony Ramundo, junior, … More “Back to Our Roots” Part II: Students discuss cultural backgrounds
Spring break is only days away, and while some may be heading to a vacation destination, others may be stuck at home. Whether you simply don’t have a car or have become trapped in your own house by a supervillain, the Milestone can help keep boredom away with a compiled a list of activities to … More Ten ways to spend spring break without ever leaving the house
Writing is a skill that is highly stressed in an English classroom, but can often seem daunting. Whether you are writing an analytical essay on the last book your class read, applying to colleges, or composing a story, here are a few tips and tricks to easily improve the quality of your writing. 1. Cut … More Four fast ways to instantly improve your writing
In the age of the internet, the media has become ingrained in our lives. In fact, the average US adult spends more than 11 hours a day consuming some sort of media, not including books, according to a recent study by Nielsen. In this golden age of media, books seem to have fallen as a “go … More Eight reasons why you should read
Though McNick is a way to relate Rockets to one another, many are rooted in different cultures from around the world. In a two-part series, the Milestone will share students’ stories filled with how their families continue to follow the culture of their backgrounds. Aidan Guessford, Class of 2020 Junior Aidan Guessford’s grandmother on his … More “Back to Our Roots” Part I: Students share family cultural backgrounds
For six months, juniors Tessa Krskova and Lucie Horakova will exchange the comforts of home and school in the Czech Republic to live in the United States to study and immerse themselves in American culture. “It’s a really good experience for your future life and it creates a lot of good memories,” Horakova said. “It … More Czech students join McNicholas for second semester
Disclaimer: The following review may contain some spoilers revolving around the plot and background. The review is simply my own opinion, you may disagree. This year, I will be reviewing books based on their genres. This month’s genre is Romance. In these reviews, I will rate the books on a starring system using an appropriate … More Book Review: The Rosie Project will steal your heart this February
By: Madison McClellan, Vinny Ramundo, and Ellie White Colleges are communities filled with people of many backgrounds, diversities, and religions. Catholic Newman Centers are present and active on many campuses nationwide. These are parishes that function primarily as a place for Catholic students to continue their faith journey together in welcoming, vibrant communities centered in … More Newman Centers offer unique opportunity for college students
Introverts are often pegged as being shy or even anti-social due to their quiet, sometimes reserved nature. Because of this, they can feel misunderstood, as they have grown up in an extroverted world. If you have introverted friends, they could be times when they can be difficult to understand, as they are not quick to … More Understanding introverts: A guide for extroverts
By Dominic Daley, Katie Limberg, Madison McClellan, Vinny Ramundo, and Ellie White On Feb. 6, senior athletes Nate Chambers, Bryce Kellerman, Michael Schaeper, Maggie Schoolfield, and Chris Walter signed National Letters of Intent to play their respective sports at the college level starting with the 2019-2020 school year. Three of the five will be attending … More Students commit to collegiate athletic programs
On January 14, junior Erin Callahan won the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Essay, and the Multimedia Contest sponsored by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. The competition was a state-wide contest for 6-12 grade students that recognized a piece of work from a student in each grade level. “So [the contest] was all … More Junior wins Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Essay, and Multimedia contest
From black-and-white silent pictures accompanied by an orchestra, to modern-day film, where it is next to impossible to distinguish CGI from actual footage, movies have endured through history. Perhaps one of the great eras of cinematography was the 1980s, giving viewers some of the timeless household titles that are beloved by many. Based on a … More Students choose the 5 must-see movies from the 1980s
On Feb. 1, McNick will take part in its annual Day of Giving as students participate in the annual Penny Day and Blood Drive. The goal for the day is to collect $5,000 through students bringing pennies and other change to classes for their teachers to count before beginning class. During the past 20 years, … More McNick celebrates Day of Giving with penny, blood drives
A common thread among the students at McNicholas is their love for music. In monthly installments of “Music Monday,” Milestone staff reporter and co-editor Madison McClellan will be providing recommendations for new songs to add to your playlist throughout the school year. This month the musical selection has been focused on calming tunes to help … More Music of the Month: Jamming out through January
Personality Quizzes are a pop culture favorite that involve answering questions to reveal hidden facts. Everyone needs to know what city fits them best, right? The McNicholas Milestone has joined the trend by compiling a quiz to determine how your favorite foods determine your favorite subject. Take the quiz here.
The holidays are a time of joy and cheer, and to meet with family near and far; but what would it be like to spend the holidays with your other half? Rocket siblings share their experiences of growing up together, and spending the holidays as twins, triplets, and quadruplets. Freshmen There are two sets … More Spending Christmas in a full house: What it’s like to spend the holidays with siblings
During second quarter, students, faculty/staff, and parents were notified of a change to the McNicholas High School food policy. Due to the food allergies, the policy now states that students will no longer be allowed to eat whatever food they like in class. Concerned parents and faculty members asked for changes to be made in … More New food policy in place at McNick
High school students’ lives can be congested with extra-curricular activities, jobs, and school. Often students just don’t have enough time to do all the homework and get the recommended 8 hours of sleep. According to The Milestone’s Balancing School and Life Survey from Dec. 5, students responded that clubs and sports take an average of … More Students struggle to balance school, life
McNick has made the move to forgo using Walk Day as a way to bring in funds and is transitioning this year to the newly rolled out Rock-It Raffle. The raffle will involve students selling books of 10 tickets at $5 a ticket to raise money for the school. There will be a grand prize … More McNick’s new fundraiser: Rockets introduce Rock-It Raffle as Walk Day replacement
Seniors have a decision to make by May 1 about where they will be attending college. For many, a major factor in that decision is to consider the differences between large universities and smaller liberal arts colleges. Small schools can sometimes be overlooked because the student population is small, there are fewer majors, and the … More Small vs. Large Colleges: Finding the right school for the next four years
With exams quickly approaching and stress overwhelming everyone, many students are longing for the 12 days of Christmas Break and to be able to relax and enjoy the time away from schoolwork. To avoid wasting your time off, the Milestone has compiled a list of 12 ways to spend your 12 days of Christmas Break. … More 12 ways to spend the 12 days of Christmas Break
With the change of the seasons and the chill of the air, it is a switch from outdoor fun to indoor play, starting the 2018-2019 winter sports season. McNick is home to seven winter teams, including Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Basketball Cheerleading, Bowling, Dance Team, Swim Team, and Wrestling. Men’s Basketball The Men’s Basketball Team … More Winter Sports teams launch into season
