The End of the World? - Mount Saint Michael Academy

Volume VI, Issue 1November 2015

The End of the World?

hardcore Christians believe that the day Acts 2:20- The sun shall be turned into

this happens will truly signify the end of darkness, and the moon into blood, be-

the world. fore that great and notable day of the

On September 27th, 2015, on a Lord come:

Sunday night, The Super Moon Lunar Matthew 24:29- Immediately after the

Eclipse was seen in the sky and the moon tribulation of those days shall the sun be

was blood red on that night. This was the darkened, and the moon shall not give

last blood moon that will happen until the her light, and the stars shall fall from

year 2033. Between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 heaven, and the powers of the heavens

By Godriel Roman ‘17 p.m., the moon turned blood red, a sign shall be shaken.

In the Book of Revelations, It was the apocalypse had arrived. A few hours For many years, Christians be-
prophesied that at the end of the world, the later, the moon was seen shining high in lieved that a blood moon and the events
sun would become black and the moon would the sky as a bright, white celestial body in described above would signify the end
turn to the color of blood: “And I beheld when the night. The sign of the apocalypse was of days. But for as long as humans have
he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there wrong (for now!). lived on earth, many blood moons, earth

was a great earthquake; and the sun became Besides the Book of Revelation, quakes, floods and other natural disas-

black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon be- there are several other books that also ters have come and gone, and yet the

came as blood” Revelation 6:12-14. have passages that discuss the blood moon earth —and people—survived.

On that fated day, the Lord would and other events that signify the end of the

world: (Continued on page 2)

come and judge the living and the dead. Many

Professional Wrestling—It really is Professional

By Jason Ponterotto ‘17 tion, there are approximately 5 to 15 WWE Su- weeks, months [which is usually the case],
perstars injured and sidelined at a time, averag- years and the obvious result and worst case sce-
The Combat Sport of Wrestling is con- ing out a 45-plus man roster. Essentially, nario of retirement from the injuries. Many
ceivably one of the worlds’ oldest physi-
cally demanding sports, but also one of times an injury recurs because it has been
the most potentially dangerous. Many aggravated over time. This is notably the
and varied, more assertive modifications case with Triple H and his torn quadri-
were added to the professional form of ceps muscles in 2001 and 2007, and
the sport as time evolved which have led Randy Orton with his multiple shoulder
to more injuries during matches. These injuries in 2008, 2012, 2014, and most
include a host of contact injuries such as recently, this past October. WWE leg-
concussions, torn ligaments, quadriceps, ends like John Cena, The Undertaker,
tendons, triceps, broken bones, etc. , re- Triple H, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve
sults of which may cause paralysis. Austin, Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, etc.,
along with the hundreds and hundreds of
Within the publicly traded enterprise throughout their career, almost every top WWE WWE Superstars in history, not as high profile
that is World Wrestling Entertainment, at any Superstar and legend has had multiple injuries
given point of during the 365 days a year opera- that have possibly taken them out of action for (Continued on page 2)

THE TOWER The End of the World (cont’d)

Wrestling (cont’d)

or prominent as those aforementioned have also experienced signifi- The bottom line is that humans cannot predict the Apo-
cant injuries. caplypse. God is the only one who can signify if the world is
ending.
WWE Superstars who seem to be pushed too quickly to per-
form at an event often sustain injuries. A circumstance that is viewed “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the an-
as a prime example of this is when Batista returned to WWE in 2014 gels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. "For the com-
and won the Royal Rumble. He was supposed to go on to fight for the ing of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah....”
world title at WrestleMania 2014. Fans of Daniel Bryan, however,
wanted Bryan in that position because he had earned dominance in Matthew 24:36
the sport and was most popular with the crowd. While on the “road to
WrestleMania,” Batista was met with boos—so the show managers The Mets: Fans Proud Of an Amazin’ Year!
changed the booking and replaced Batista with Bryan in the title event
for the WWE World Heavyweight. Bryan did win, but unfortunately By Thomas Sulaimanee ‘18
sustained a neck injury and had to forfeit his title 2 months after win- It has been one heck of a ride, but we made it. The New York Mets
ning it. Bryan is currently injured with a concussion and has been out
since April of this past year. With that being assessed, there are many made it again to the World Series. It took us 29 years, but we did it. In 1986,
Pro-Wrestlers each month who experience these injuries. the Mets beat the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 to win the World Series. Mets
fans dreams of another world championship seemed to be coming true when
It is often stated that there is no offseason in WWE which is on October 21st, 2015, the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs in a
fully true as the flagship show, Monday Night Raw airs live on Mon- SWEEP to advance to the World Series.
days every single week along with Thursday Night Smack down on
Thursdays. Every week, storylines are developed and expanded into Ever Since the New York Yankees lost their first game of the 2015
hopefully memorable feuds and the ultimate culmination of a great playoffs, (almost!) every New Yorker looked to the Mets, believing that they
match at the upcoming Pay Per View. These programs that are put would bring a championship win back to the Big Apple by beating the Kan-
together to showcase the levels of different features with talent such sas City Royals. The first two games of the World Series were a battle for
as in ring ability, how good a Superstar is on the Mic, and star quality the Mets, and the Royals gained a 2-game lead. The 2-game deficit was bad
to potentially build a top star. John Cena has been considered the un- for the Mets, but in game 3 they destroyed the Royals with a score of 9 to 3.
disputed franchise of the WWE for a decade now. John Cena is David Wright, the captain of the New York Mets, hit a 2-run home run, con-
viewed as one of the greatest professional athletes of all time for dif- tributing to the huge lead. Still, the Royals only had to win one more game to
ferent reasons. He has made the most ‘’Make a Wishes’’ than any take the Series, so the Mets had their work cut out. The next day, with only
other professional athlete in history. He is a record WWE Champion 24 hours of time to rest, both teams were ready to play. The Mets were up by
and one world championship shy of tying Ric Flair with most world 2 runs, and Mets pitcher Matt Harvey was doing well, but it wasn’t enough
championships in history with 16 titles. As the franchise star of the to stave off a Royals victory. The Royals, strongly motivated, won game 5
company, he has been putting on about 20 minute, ‘’gruesome’’, and with it the Series.
matches for 200 plus days out of the year for over a decade. In addi-
tion, John Cena does more considerably exhausting promotional Everyone in New York was surprised and disappointed by the loss,
work for the WWE in an average week than any other Superstar in but Fans still stood proud because they would always remember the New
history. York Mets that went to the 2015 World Series!

All Professional Wrestlers alike strain their bodies for the
fans’ enjoyment and have to sell the ‘’bumps’’ more substantially.
WWE Superstars in particular do it for 200 plus days out of the year
and deserve an utter amount of respect as professional athletes in
terms of their profession.

THE TOWER

Literary Corner

The Box (an excerpt) for that long before. His grandmother came down the stairs, and she
turned to him with a wild look in her eye that Adam had never seen
By Amir Singh ‘17 before. “Adam, honey, I suggest you forget the music you heard, and
never ask me again. I’m going to start dinner.” With that, she shuf-
Adam woke up with a start, he had that dream again, one that fles away to the kitchen, and started pulling pots clumsily down from
he always had when he slept over at his grandparent’s house. It al- the cabinets.
ways started out like a normal dream, with him sitting at the table
with his grandma and grandpa, eating whatever dinner they managed Adam had to sit down on the couch, too much was happening.
to cook with their rheumatoid arthritis. They’re all talking about their The music box, Grandma, and her secrets. What’s did all of it mean?
day when suddenly their voices are drowned out by what sounds like He had to find out or the curiosity might burst through him like the
music. The music went on for a little while before Adam stopped it. fireworks they has just seen a few weeks earlier. Sneakily, Adam
He was a lucid dreamer, so he forced himself to wake after a few went up the stairs to the room Grandma was in, and tried the knob. It
minutes of listening to the music. This went on every day of the sum- was locked, obviously. Luckily for him, his Grandpa was at the eld-
mer, until he decided to find out what the music was. “Grandma, I erly recreational center for some “exercise,” so no one was in his
remember an old song I heard somewhere, but I can’t remember the grandparent’s bedroom. He walked down the hall, avoiding the
name, do you think you could tell me?” asked Adam. Grandma re- planks that would creak whenever someone stepped on them. This
plied, “Oh, well I don’t remember much at my age but I’ll try!” was easy for him, as he had technically lived in the house his entire
Adam started humming the song to his grandma and then stopped life.
when he saw something he never expected.
Once he opened the door to their room, he went to the drawer,
His grandma was flushed, and it looked like she was about to opened it, pulled out the long silver key that his grandma used to
faint. She asked Adam shakily, “Where did you hear that song?” wear around her neck and almost closed the drawer until he saw a
Adam stared back and stammered out some lame excuse. His sheet of paper poking out from underneath the drawer. The drawer is
grandma then thundered up the stairs faster than he’d ever seen her, completely solid, how is there something underneath it? He slowly
and went to the room that he was always told to never go in. He fol- pulled out the paper as it crackled with indignation, almost as if it
lowed her up the stairs, and twisted the shiny, polished knob. Locked. was compiling about being out of its cozy little nook. The paper was
He heard his Granma moving about inside the room, and after a few a music sheet, filled with musical notes and lyrics. At the top of the
seconds of shuffling he heard someone winding a music box. It went page, the words “Mr. Grandfather’s Clock” were written in a black,
on for a good two minutes and then as suddenly as it started, it almost red liquid.
stopped. Weird, I’ve never heard a music box that had to be wound
The song seemed old. Adam had been playing the piano since
Comic Strip by Kobe Jones ‘19 he was six years old and was able to sight-read since he was thirteen,
and as he looked over the notes, his mouth went dry. The notes were
exactly the same as he had heard in his dream, but that couldn’t be
because he had never heard the music before!

Later that evening, Adam lay awake in bed thing about the
song and repeating the lyrics in his head:

My grandfather’s clock was too large for the shelf,

So it stood ninety years on the floor:

It was taller by half than the old man himself,

Though it weighed not a pennyweight more,

It brought one the morn of the day he was born, and was always his
treasure and pride:

But it stopped short ---- NEVER TO GO gain ----

When the old man died.

...TO BE CONTINUED

THE TOWER Honor Roll First Quarter 2015

How Can You Gain “Qi” from

By: Armando Bunjaj ‘17 and Yaw Ofori Mensah ‘17 DEAN’S LIST FIRST HONORS SECOND HONORS SECOND HONORS
Gulyanne Cepeda Shane Miller Christian Barroso
6th Grade An Dinh Aaron Parker Tyrese Brown
Qigong. A funny, or intriguing name, yet confusing. How is it Alan Martinez Guy Robinson Malik Campbell
Jayson Rochester Adrian Chambers
pronounced? What is it? Is it the same language? Do I need to learn 8th Grade Gianni Ellis Xavier Santiago Damani Clarke
Chinese first? To begin let’s get your questions and answers out of the Brandon Fairweather Jade Harris Jahfari Scott Justin Cotton
way; all those what’s, when’s, why’s, where’s, and how’s. Jonathan Malcolm Michael Laverde Gavin Welsh Sammy DeLaCruz
Jordan McKay Nasir West Spencer Diaz
What is Qigong? 9th Grade Marquise Rowe Anthony Dike
Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that inte- Giovanni Chiodi Kristian Singh 9th Grade Freddy Familia
grates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention. Antonio Corrado Christopher Skinner Aaron Amaro Kenneth Fermin
Qigong is actually made up of two words; ‘qi’ which means the life Stephen Crespo William Thomas Glenroy Aska Imanol Fernandez
force that flows through all things in the universe and ‘gong’ meaning Joshua Cuebas Jelani White Taurean Beville Andonio Gocaj
accomplishment. Kevin Daley Anthony Brodie Marlon Heron
How is Qigong performed? Emmanuel Daniel 11th Grade Phillip Brown Miguel Hilario
Qigong is practiced by transmitting energy into your body through Jacob Fuentes Jonathan Campbell Phillip Brown Declan Hogan
Jacob Merced Oscar Carrasco Joshuah Castro Brandon Johnson
Jared Molina Tristan Diaz Craig Chambers Aminur Khan
Patrick Waterman Oliver McCarry Nicholas Clarke Jason McDonald
Jalen Wilson Derron Murray Elijah Diallo Sean Patrick McGing
Daniel Ortega Linardo Drejaj Luis Moncada
your palms. This meditation can be performed in thousands of exer- 10th Grade Jathan Ramjattan Linardo Drejaj Justin Montoyo
Tyreese Drummond Rosharro Morrison
cises. The most important thing Ryan Barnes Russell Randall Ryan Dume Nadir Mushab
to remember Justin Dutzer Zyon Nova
ing these exer- Nikolin Bunjaj Alrifat Reza Isaac Edinborough Emmanuel Perez
are stimulating when perform- Charles Ander Caringal Adaniel Roman Kerwin Gonzalez Michael Perez
moving “qi” Jeffrey Hernandez Ryan Polanco
body. cises is that you Aaron Clarke Jeremy Sanchez Kemar Hernandez Damani Powell
Steven Sencion Marcus Heron Joshua Reese
Why Danny Johnson T’Rocque Seraphin Arian Howell-Morgan Bretton Rigsbee
practice Bryan Jimenez Jacob Rodriguez
the mind and Michael Laverde Daniel Jimenez Godriel Roman
Daniel Josephs Hassan Salem
throughout your Khmari Martin Amir Singh Matthew Martinez Shaquan Smith
Jordan Mowatt Kelvin Sosa Samuel Martinez Damien Thorne
Troy Weekes Dominick Morety Noah Townes
Ocean Scott Marlon Nettles
12th Grade Kevin Nuesi 12th Grade
should you Christian Smith Sahir Ahmeed Collin Pressey Mohammad Atif
Gabriel Vargas Jonathan Ramos Angelo Baez
Christopher Reid Jose Bentiez
Qigong? Donovan Vincent Tyler Ross Jason Brisco
Ason Rutledge Alec Castillo
Qigong is a highly effective care practice. It reduces stress, builds 11th Grade Brian Costello Fares Salem Robert Castillo
stamina, increases vitality, and enhances the immune system. Addi- Armando Bunjaj Alberto Cruz Bryce Thompson Jayson Ciprian
tionally, it has been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, cir- Destyn Harding Jonathan Davis Addrich Vick David Collins
culatory, lymphatic, and digestive functions. Many health care profes- Kevin Jaipersaud Andrew Galloza Ardi Volaj Eridanio Deravin
Yaw Mensah Al Guerra Tom Vuksanjaj Tyler Durant
Silvano Pjetrani Felix Guerrero Darryn Floyd
10th grade Nathaniel Fonseco
sionals have actually recommended Qigong as an imperative, alternate Zorey Hay Kevin Augustin Tyree Furman
Chaz Bellamy Darrien Grant
form of medicine. 12th Grade Justin Morel Ryan Boatswain Joseph Hernandez
Nathanael Benoit Sajaid Shabbir Andrew Brijmahal Gregory James
Branden Bunn Kevin Leach Brown
Where and when can I perform Qigong? Vincent Clark SECOND HONORS Juzt Chambers-Phillips Angel Leger
The Mount offers Qigong! It is instructed by Mr. Duff and meetings Jay Travers 6th Grade Ransom Delgado Andrew Levy
Emmanuel Lavergne John Amoh Arthur Dominguez Victor Lopez
Jayden Barran Adonis Douglas Christopher Lyles
are held every Monday and Friday. It usually lasts up to thirty minutes Victor Pico Jadyn Brimm Adam Eltareb Timothy Marable
Brandon Tularam Oscar De La Cruz Bryan Grant Francisco Martinez
Dillon Green Eldrick Greenaway Branden Munoz
but can be performed in your own house in minutes. Who can perform Ethan Hercules Joseph Hernandez Brandon Nieves
Cristian Hylton Tony Hooks Marquese Nieves
Qigong? Anyone. Qigong can be easily adapted, even for the physi- FIRST HONORS Courtney Levy Dyan Locke Rahmel Pacheco
6th Grade Edward Marrow Tajae Mclean-Byrd Calvin Paredes
Todd Miller Norman Parkinson
cally impaired and can be practiced by all age groups. Dylan Campbell Diego Molyneaux Christopher Patetsios
Gabriel Gonzalez Jonathan Neil Alexander Pena
The Tower Calendar Tyreek Moore Jayden Noel Jahdiel Rodriguez
Staff Jaheim Silvera Ojiaku Ohams Jeancarlo Rodriguez
Dorian Vaughn Saif Parchment Meleake Sahlu
Joseph Rivera Hayale Smith
Editor-in-Chief 7th Grade Cameron Waite Raymond Sanchez Malik Smith
Xavier Riullano Nathaniel William Casimir St. Juste Tahj Stephenson
Jacque Ward Shamar Thompson
Godriel Roman ‘17 2015 8th Grade 7th Grade Joelle Williams Marc Valdez
Publisher Dylan Ballentine Timothy Amankwah Winston Vasquez
Joseph Rivera ‘18 November 18: Dress Down Day Brandon Edmond Yusif-Junior Azumah 11th grade Gabriel Walker
Reporters Mike Morgado Ricky Barrow Emmanuel Akuamoah Mark Wallace
Ryan Barnes ‘18 November 19: Senior College Lorenzo Bulnes Tyler Alexander
Armando Bunjaj ‘17 Financial Aid Night Part 1 9th Grade Jahsiah Castillo Ephraim Asante
Yaw Ofori Mensah ‘17 Victor Amanze Dumyr Decime-Barlatier Tyrone Asante
Jason Ponterotto ‘18 November 24: Thanksgiving Ian Bermeo Samuel Elias
Thomas Sulaimanee ‘18 Liturgy: Zackary Bitter Adonys Guzman
Art: Kobe Jones ‘19 Michael Brown Jonathan Johnson
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Androshick November 25: Pep Rally Vincent Coleman Matthias Reid
Tower Meetings are held every Keondre Grigg Xavier Riullano
Tuesday and Friday in the Develop- November 25-27: Thanksgiving Timothy Hudson Adrian Rochester
ment Office. We always welcome Recess: James Majekford Jonhell Taylor
new reporters and stories! Justin Manzanet Franchot Tyler
November 30: Advent Prayer Jaydin Martinez
Service-Seniors Thomas Massaquoi 8th Grade
Andrew Melendez Malik Beckford
Keron Morrissey Chi Brown
Jared Reese Brandon Deynes
Nathaniel Robinson Michael Duff
Cameron Francis
10th Grade Kenny Guzman
David Campbell Gekwan Jwalapersad