Here's what JC students are writing about:
Quick Picks: Fun strikes at Forest Hill Lanes
Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:04 AM PST
As I walked out of the crowded parking lot and into the building of Forest Hill Lanes, I anxiously hoped that a lane would be open for me and my date. I walked up to the front counter and was greeted by the friendly cashier, who told me that they did, in fact, have one lane open. My date and I rented our shoes, which totaled out to be only $3.80 for both pairs. One round of bowling was $9.50 which, luckily, I had coupons for, so the game was free for both of us. There were no problems during our game, no stuck balls, no slips on the lane, no need for bumpers. However, if there were, the attentive staff would have been right there to help us.The only downside to bowling is that it goes fast, especially if you only play one round. The bowling itself only lasted about 25 minutes. If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and inexpensive date, Forest Hill Lanes would definitely be a place to consider going. Adding more friends would definitely make the game longer, and would hopefully make it even more fun too. Overall, I definitely recommend Forest Hill Lanes as a place to take a date or a group of friends. Bowling is affordable and enjoyable, making it a great (and local – it’s only about 15 minutes away from JC) place to go and have some weekend fun. Kaley Martin is a Opinion Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.
Quick Picks: Ice World offers hot date in cool surroundings
Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:01 AM PST
It’s Friday night. The lights go dim and colorful spotlights light up the rink. The music is playing, and my date and I are ready to have a fun night out. The Ice World in Abingdon is not the most romantic setting, but it is a bright and playful place to go on a date. When looking to go out individually with your date or with friends, ice skating can definitely provide a fun day or night out. It was a great activity and helped me get to know my date a little bit more by giving us the chance to spend time together and talk. It might have been a little cold, but that made the perfect climate for holding hands as we skated around the rink. When it got too cold, we went out of the rink to their concession stand and bought some of their hot chocolate. When we went, the admission price for public skating was $8.50 per person and $3 for skate rentals. It might be a little bit more expensive than other date activities, but the experience of being able to go out on a lively and active date is worth the expense. I have always found Ice World a great place to go to for ice skating. I used to take figure skating lessons there, and the employees are always kind and wanting to help. Overall, going to Ice World for date night was wonderful and I would love to do it again. One of the only problems is whether or not you’ll be able to stand up on your skates. Erica Kelble is a Multimedia Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.
Week in Pictures: Holocaust Program, Arlington Trip, and False Fire
Posted: 05 Mar 2014 07:44 AM PST
Photography by Karly Horn, Lauren Fabiszak, Billy Jump, and Erica Kelble.
The week of Feb. 28 the seniors participated in the Holocaust program and went on a field trip to Arlington. A false fire alarm went off at the school and fire trucks showed up to turn it off. Also, speech and debate had a meet and students participated in other activities after school.
Swing dance jitterbugs its way to JC
Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:19 PM PST
My dress swings around me as I am being twirled to the tune of some up-beat, jazzy 20’s song that blares through the speakers in JC’s upper gym. I can’t help but laugh as, for a moment, I pretend to be living in a different era, an era in which dancing actually involved being in an upright position as well as being face to face with your partner. Even with the “no grinding rule” implemented by JC this year and Opinion Editor and senior Kaley Martin’s super helpful dancing advice article, some JC students still don’t know how to dance like civilized human beings. The first JC swing dance did a great job with giving students some alternative dance moves to try out. The dance, organized by Enrollment Office Manager Jennifer Falcone, raised $235 for the senior class, in addition to providing them with some sweet swing moves to break out at prom. I’ll admit, the dance itself was a bit awkward at first. Our instructor first gave us some background information on how swing dancing originated. Then he made the “leaders” get in one line and the “followers” get in another. The leader is supposed to be the boy, who leads the girl, during a dance. However, there were more girls than boys present, forcing some girls to become leaders. Despite this, the dance got much better as ime went on. After rotating through some awkward and not so great dance partners, I was finally able to test out my newly learned moves with my friends. Prancing and parading around the gym with them was just how I wanted to spend my evening. The best part of all was probably the carefree atmosphere of the whole thing. No one was afraid to be embarrassed because, quite frankly, no one cared. We all knew we looked ridiculous, but isn’t that what a dance is supposed to be like? Why hide in a dark corner getting all weird and intimate with someone when you can be out on the dance floor, actually making memories? Even though not that many students showed up, we made the most of it, and it turned out to be a really great night. Perhaps it’s just me and my love for ultra-embarrassing dance moves, but I think this is something that should definitely happen again and something that every student JC could benefit from. Caitlin Wolfarth is a Lifestyles Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.
Equestrian team qualifies for regionals
Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:51 PM PST
Members of the equestrian team are trotting to regionals after qualifying due to their individual success throughout the season. Regionals will take place on March 29 at Oldfields School. “I qualified in the varsity open over fences and varsity open under saddle,” freshman captain Selina Petronelli said. Along with Petronelli, senior captain Casey Reil qualified in the varsity open over fences, and sophomore captain Julia Dukes qualified in the varsity intermediate over fences. Additionally, freshman Taylor Crews qualified for the JV novice over fences and the JV novice under saddle, and freshman Mary Olsen qualified for the JV novice over fences and JV novice under saddle. Each of these members qualified individually by accumulating at least 15 points during the season by placing in the shows. “I horse show a lot so I wasn’t nervous or anything, but it was nice because John Carroll hasn’t really had that competitive of a team in a while. [We were] able to bring it back and now are going to regionals,” Petronelli said. “I was so surprised and excited. I was jumping up and down when I found out [that I qualified]. It was such a great feeling to know that all my hard work this season had finally paid off,” Olsen said. Teams, not just individuals, are able to qualify. However, this year the team did not qualify. “At each show, there is a point rider whose points count toward the team’s points at that show. If you aren’t the point rider, your points still count for you but not the team,” Reil said. The equestrian team takes lesson once a week at Claddagh Manor, a new location from last year. As another change, it is also the first year of coaching at JC for head coach Dennise Petronelli and assistant coach Beth Hess. “With new coaches and a new barn to operate out of, we are happy with our accomplishments,” Reil said. “Everybody in the team has worked really hard with Miss Beth and Miss Dennise, and everyone has come really far.” “I am very happy that the team has done so well this year, and I am looking forward to regionals,” Dennise Petronelli said. According to Reil, “everybody on the team works very hard at lessons and continues to improve every week. With Miss Beth and Miss Dennise, we have a bright future ahead of us.” Hope Kelly is the Editor in Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.