By Rosie Smith
The group formerly known as Hope Squad took on a new name this year: Rocket Lighthouse.
Under the direction of science teacher Mrs. Chrystel Wells and school counselor Mrs. Amanda Duffy, Rocket Lighthouse is ready to continue the work of what was previously Hope Squad. The name changed this year came about because Duffy said it was more “conducive” for McNick Senior leaders have spent the first month of school planning their role to extend programming for the 2025-2026 school year.
Senior leaders: Lauren Beiser, Olivia Dorschug, Gracie Mastruserio, Annemarie Wolfer, and said their goal is to reflect Erica’s Lighthouse, an organization whose programming provides free mental health programs to any school and supports suicide and mental health awareness. This partnership between McNick and Erica’s Lighthouse was approved by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
The McNicholas group of Rocket Lighthouse (formally Hope Squad) has established the extension of the program. Mastruserio explained that distancing from Hope Squad and following Erica’s Lighthouse can help “make it our own.” “Rocket Lighthouse — we can do so much more with it. This is going to be our own special way to customize it,” she added.
Beiser talked about the name change and said it was to benefit the students at McNick and to create a more concise approach and a “lighthouse can symbolize hope.” Dorschug added, “We were inspired by [the aspect of the lighthouse] because we want to be the light in each other’s life.”
Dorschug also explained her personal goals for Rocket Lighthouse. “For me, I want to implement artistic outlook, painting mosaics around the school, art therapy during CREW or after school,” she said.
Beiser added that leaving a mark as an impact is important “to leave a little bit of your class,” she said.
Multiple leaders talked about upcoming plans for the new school year that involve lining the walking way in the McNick courtyard with painted rocks in collaboration with the fall play Hope Springs, as well as educational pieces during CREW. Dorschug talked about bringing back merch, which had been used in the past.
Wolfer spoke about the focus on the McNick community, and to focus on the wants and needs of the school. Wolfer mentioned goals for this year including “pushing for peer-to-peer support and offering training so that people are fully in positions where they can reach out and help and kind of just have people there so that we can reach out.” And as far as getting the information to others, she explained, “We hope to just have that educational aspect and have some moments during CREW where we can have meditations or conversations about metal health.”
Leaders also talked about trying to do more for the school, and making sure the correct information is reaching the right places. And with Rocket Lighthouse, these student leaders can do just that.
The McNicholas Milestone 