November 14, 2008

● News ●

Greek Tragedy at CBHS

by Jake Akin, ‘10

        Brothers on stage will be performing their next production in mid to late January.  The show selected will be Don Taylor’s translation of Sophocles’ classic Greek drama, Antigone.

          The show is the story of Antigone, a young Greek royal, who defies the order of her uncle, the King Creon.

          Antigone, played by Kelly Callahan and Megan Clark, buries her brother, despite the decree issued by Creon, played by Patrick Croce and Troy Manino, that he is not to be given a proper burial.

          Another twist to the plot is that Creon’s son Haemon, played by Lewis Newman and Jake Akin, is engaged to marry Antigone.

          Aside from the main characters, the play utilizes the idea of the Greek Chorus.  The Chorus is a group of individuals who helps to tell the story and move the play along, and in this play, they also play the part of Creon’s advisors.

          The play has many twists to the plot and makes the audience think.

          “The show is called Antigone, but is actually about Creon.  Part of the beauty of the show is that every argument a character raises is right and has reason behind it,” said Brother Michael Livaudais, head of Brothers on Stage.

          The show is a play based greatly in dialogue and appreciation for the spoken word.  It may be a difficult to cater to a young audience, “who has been trained to look before they listen,” said Brother Michael. “However, I’m thinking of some things to help make that easier.”  These ideas include various methods of visuals that may go on the in background during some dialogue.

Model UN

by Trey Tedford, ’09

The Model UN will go to Nashville this Friday to try to get their bills passed.

          Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations.  OYPS Moderator Mr. Fred Freres said that OYPS looks good on college applications.

          Model UN is the only club that allows girls to join.  Mr. Freres said that the girls are well behaved and do not cause a distraction.  This year there are 23 members in Model UN.

          To prepare for Model UN each student must write a resolution that they will present to a committee.

Senior and Vice President of General Assembly Zach Golden said that Model UN is good experience by getting you involved in leading your community.

          Then once they have their resolution and position papers they practice at Memphis University School before they go to Nashville to critique their works. 

          Each student also has to think like the country they are trying to pass the bill for.  They have to research their country to see what their culture is like.

          Model UN helps the students learn about others involved in the Memphis area.

Model UN gives each student a chance to meet with many different people in the Tennessee community.

          Senior Jose Escobedo said, “Model UN is so much fun and I like meeting all sorts of different people.”

          Each member has a chance to win an award at this convention.  Each student has a chance to win best delegates, best resolution, and Security Council.

          Mr. Freres said that Model UN is a lot of work, but everyone that does it has a fun time doing it.

Student Working the Polls at CBHS

by Aaron Poulin, ‘09

Senior John Owens recently worked at the Christian Brothers High School voting station on November 4^th.

John found out about the opportunity to work at the polling stations from his NAACP counselor. John had to be present at the polling site at 6AM and wasn’t allowed to leave to 10PM.

John said he was allowed to take an hour lunch break but other than that they were to be present at all times.

John said, “I held the power to help people vote in a powerful and meaningful election.”

          John Owens worked with seven other people. Five people were tenants of the St. Peter’s Manor and two other women from the surrounding area.

John said, “Along with missing school and getting an excused absence, I also made $130.”

          John said his position at the polling place was assistant registrar, which means he made sure that people were at the correct polling precinct and overlooking the voters, to make sure the voters said who they are.

          John said he had a few problems during the process. One gentleman would not leave to go to the correct precinct. And another man ripped up his ballot, and then walked out.

          There were no problems all day until 5:00PM, when two voting machines shut down. The person in charge of the voting precinct was terrified that almost 500 votes were lost. Luckily with just simply switching it on and off the machine came back with no lost votes.

          John said, “I saw democracy at its best on Tuesday.”

The final results for the CBHS polling station were Obama 339, McCain 142.