Science Fair

by: Chris Antoniello

Chaminade’s annual science fair allows students from the freshman, sophomore, and junior divisions to showcase their scientific talents in the fields of earth science, biology, and chemistry. Before the end of the first trimester, all students are assigned science projects by their science teachers. Projects are often due shortly after the Christmas break. After the projects are graded, only those students who create the most thorough and impressive projects are selected to attend the school wide science fair.

During the science fair, each attendee eagerly displays his project to one or more judges in order to receive recognition for his extensive research. Most participants receive either first, second, or third place ribbons. However, trophies are reserved for the four students who produce particularly remarkable projects. Trophies are awarded to the freshman, sophomore, and junior, with the best project, as well as the student with the best project across all three divisions. The aforementioned best-in-show trophy is the most sought after award of them all.

In addition to receiving the recognition of their teachers through getting awards, the science fair also allows students to attain the acknowledgement of their parents and peers. Parents of the participants are invited to view each project prior to judging. Parents view the scientific displays in awe of the immense level of work and perseverance students invest in them. Likewise, peers of participants often stop by to observe the projects. This offers participants a feeling of praise for their efforts.

In conclusion, the Chaminade science fair is a yearly event in which all students aspire to participate. The occasion not only lets students gain recognition from their teachers, parents, and peers, but also allows them to show off their hard work, scientific prowess, and creativity in the process.

Mardi Gras

by: Connor Crennan

Exuberant, colorful, and grandiose all describe the Christian holiday and cultural phenomenon: Mardi Gras. It is celebrated in several countries around the world, but most zealously in the cities of New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, and Venice. Commonly termed “Fat Tuesday” for the eating of richer foods before the fasting ritual of Lent, Mardi Gras includes the events of the Carnival celebrations beginning after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday.

This explosive holiday of parades and parties attracts tens of thousands of tourists to southern Louisiana every year. Not only do participants dress in fantastic colors and outfits, but also they put aside societal differences to unite among different races, ages, and religions to celebrate. The tradition of this festivity dates back to 1699 when French explorers Bienville and Iberville landed in present-day Louisiana and held a small celebration with the name “Point du Mardi Gras.” This festival was held to ensure the fertility of the crops and animals. In 1827, a group of students wore colorful costumes and danced through the streets of New Orleans, recreating the party scene observed in Paris. Ten years later, the first Mardi Gras parade set an American tradition that continues today. Today, about 25 million pounds of colorful beads and tens of thousands of torches, musical marching bands, rolling floats, mystical masks, lavish food, and other convivial trinkets set the vibrant setting.

Although most commonly associated with New Orleans, this festival is also embraced in many parts of the world. Carnival is a valued tradition in Catholic and Anglican nations such as the U.K. and Ireland. The week prior to Ash Wednesday is called “Shrovetide”, ending on Shrove Tuesday. In Belgium, Mardi Gras is one of the most popular days of the year. Around a thousand Gilles, participants whose red and yellow costumes flaunt big hats and feathers, dance through the city from morning till dusk. In Brazil, Carnival is the single most famous holiday, attracting seventy percent of its tourists. The popular samba, a Brazilian musical genre and dance style with roots in the African slave trade and religion, gives life to the massive parades among the millions of people celebrating in the city. In the Cayman Islands, this festivity attracts thousands of people for a large food festival with EDM(Electronic Dance Music) on Ash Wednesday. A line of international celebrities and performers make the island bursting with jubilation.

Throughout the past centuries, Mardi Gras has brought joy to those across the globe who celebrate. No other tradition brings out such positivity and unification. This year, the spirit of the festival, drenched in beads, baubles, and prizes, will bring light to the world, with its climax on Tuesday, February 28.

En El Club de Español

by: Dan Hepworth

¿Te gusta la clase de español? If the answer is yes, then this club is for you. The Spanish Club, moderated by Señora Agosti, meets weekly on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 3:30 in room 101. To supplement the weekly meetings, the club also has a tutoring section, in which upperclassmen help struggling students gain proficiency of the Spanish language.

The weekly meetings allow members to immerse themselves into the Spanish culture outside the classroom. Often, members give presentations (in Spanish, of course) on interesting aspects on Latin American history and culture. You can also sign up for trips; last year the club went to Manhattan to see a limited time Pablo Picasso exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art and eat at a South American restaurant. Keep in mind that you do not need to take Spanish to participate in the club.

The tutoring section allows skilled Spanish students to give back via peer tutoring. If one signs up, he is paired with an underclassman whom he will tutor. This portion of the club is tremendously flexible given that the tutor and tutee can arrange any weekday to meet and work on Spanish. It is also extremely rewarding because it lets students give back. Moreover, if one is interested in teaching, tutoring Spanish is indubitably a step in the right direction.

At the weekly meetings, one truly dives into the Hispanic culture through presentations, games, arts and crafts, and trips. Mark Iocco, ’18 says, “Coming from an Italian background, I learned Italian until eighth grade. At Chaminade, I take Spanish, and my interest expanded; the Spanish Club is where I have been able to explore my interests in a new culture.” Moreover, one can steer this passion for Spanish into other students by peer tutoring. If interested, see Señora Agosti in room 101 on Wednesdays.

Varsity Hockey

by: Dan Castles

To say expectations were high for the varsity hockey coming into this season is an understatement. Coming up short last year to a powerful St. Anthony's team in the finals, the Flyers looked for revenge and another shot at the league championship, as well as a trip to states in Buffalo this year. With a talented senior class and a junior class full of potential, the sky was the limit for this group of hockey players.

The Flyers played their first game against a extremely talented Portledge team at Beaver Dam in Locast Valley. Despite the Portledge team showcasing players from all over the island committed to colleges such as Harvard and Northeastern, the Flyers played competitively through three periods but came up short, losing 5-2. Although losing, Coach Ed Smith praised the team's effort and grit in the performance. Training all through November and into December, the Flyers skated into a showdown with Msgr. Farrell for their first league game of the season. Winning handily 9-1, this would become a frequent occurrence for the team throughout the season against almost all league teams, expect St. Anthony's. The team's only league losses were against the Friars, two of those by only one goal scored in the closing minutes of the game.

The Flyers battled to a 15-6 overall record, lead by captains Chris Parisi '17 and Jack Corwen '17, including a dramatic victory over Iona Prep in the semi-finals. After dropping the first game of the championship series to St. Anthony's, the Flyers battled the Friars but fell just short. The members of the varsity hockey team should be commended for their hard work and unwavering dedication this season.

Tarmac III Staff

Chris Anontiello

Connor Crennan

Dan Hepworth

Dan Castles

J.P. Lynch, Editor

Mr. J. Caso, Moderator