New year, new courses
Pooja Krishna and Lauren Gaubert, Editor and Reporter
May 18, 2017
Filed under News, School News
Three new courses will be offered next year: a freshman seminar class, philosophy, and a leadership class. Each of these classes will be semester-long electives. Ms. Downs, who will teach the leadership course, taught a similar class at Rowlett High School. “[The leadership course] is an opportunity f...
Fashion Forward
Nicholas Ronk, Senior Newswriter
May 9, 2017
Filed under Arts & Life, Community News, Top Stories
Just three years after graduating, Brandon Rose (’14) has launched a high-end fashion company, while pursuing a double major in Kinesiology and Business Management at the University of Alabama. “I am loving every minute of it,” Rose said. “I also love and appreciate the knowledge I am receiving...
Class of 2021 will take freshman seminar
Mary Grace Theis, Newspaper Reporter
May 5, 2017
Filed under News, School News
Out with the old and in with the new. Next year, all freshmen will be required to take the one-semester Freshman Seminar, designed to help them acclimate to campus life. Mrs. Soriya Nelson, Ms. Melissa Downs, and Mr. Daniel Bouchard will teach the course. Although many things are still to be determined...
Jonte named Teacher of the Year
John Pham, Reporter
March 21, 2017
Filed under Multimedia, School News, Video
Science teacher Jane Jonte was selected as the 2016-17 Teacher of the Year.
Captains lead team to national qualifiers
Lauren Gaubert, Reporter
March 20, 2017
Filed under News, Top Stories
Under the leadership of captains Alexa DeCarlo and Ann Plat, the speech and debate teams have more students qualifying for state and national tournaments than in previous years. DeCarlo, a three-year member, is captain of the speech team. “I really enjoyed being a member on the team and wat...
Peanut Butter Drive raises awareness and battles hunger
Alyssa Enna, Reporter
October 6, 2016
Filed under News
Students collect 3,908 jars of peanut butter for the Food 4 Kids, hosted by Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere and the North Texas Food Bank. The drive provides jars of peanut butter for families in need in the North Texas area. “In our first year, we collected 4,533 pounds,” Mayor LaRosiliere said. “The ...
Hike for Life saves lives
Mia Negron, Reporter
October 6, 2016
Filed under Community News
Approximately 240 students and community members gathered at John Paul II High School Sept. 24 to promote the dignity of all human life at the annual Hike for Life. They raised $24,500 to support the cause. The Pro-Life Club has sponsored the Hike for Life for eight years. Mrs. Monica Rollino, Pr...
Seniors start a new tradition
Lauren Gaubert, Reporter
October 6, 2016
Filed under School News, Top Stories
Twenty-five seniors attended the inaugural Kairos Retreat Sept. 1-4. The retreat is designed to promote spiritual growth while allowing students to develop new friendships and have fun with their teachers and peers. Kairos typically consists of many personal testimonies and small group discussions ...
Students and teachers adjust to advisory changes
Amber Robin, Reporter
October 6, 2016
Filed under News
After almost nine weeks of school, students and teachers are still adjusting to the new advisory schedules. Advisory is now part of second and sixth periods, instead of a separate class. “We thought that it would help with the day's schedule and save time and hassle by not having to go to a separate advisory ...
Good or bad?
Elizabeth Bogart, Reporter
October 6, 2016
Filed under News
During school, students are assigned many homework assignments by teachers, but the amount of homework given does not necessarily correlate with the student’s performance on tests. Education researchers continue to study the benefit of homework, but are divided on the overall impact of it. Some...
Cardinals raise more than $220,000
Joy Schwarz, Reporter
October 2, 2016
Filed under Community News, News, School News
Community members donated more than $220,000 for JPII in the annual North Texas Giving Day. JPII placed second overall in the individual gifts school leaderboard, earning a cash bonus. “The success of this year has really been built on the foundation of the past three years, with the beginni...
