Category Archives: Top Story

Editorials by The Stampede, Opinion, Top Story, VOICES

Dear President Trump,

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By The Staff of the Stampede

Dear President Trump,

We the Stampede, we the youth, we the future, we the people are watching. We are watching with our eyes wide and our minds surging. We have a voice that is oftentimes overlooked but we have much to say. With our heads high and our voices magnified we want to inform you that our future is not a pawn in a political game. Our future is utterly and completely important. Our future will be the basis of what this country will build off of in the years to come. With this being said, we believe that as commander in chief you are obliged to hold your office with prestigious honor. You should display a character opposite of what we as young people feared during your campaign run. We hope that you will be a man who will uphold positive values that are rooted in unity, love, and equality. Despite all of the concerning issues we have we only pray that you will not continue to promote bigotry, hate, and division amongst people. We want this country to be a progressive land that will continue to take steps toward a clear future. Instead of building barriers it is better to destroy them. Instead of living in fear we should live harmoniously. We expect nothing but dignity for our country. You must not disrespect or shame the American youth by creating a desolate future. We want positive change, we want peace and we want security. As journalist we will tell the outright and absolute truth. In a time when an influx amount of information is at the reach of a fingertip it is hard to find truth in the darkness, we will deliver truth as it should be. As we have since the establishment of our publication in 1964 we will continue to report the principle of truth. We will also continue to uphold the values of our Holy Cross tradition and find hope in the cross. We will do all this because if today is not the time for truth and hope; then when will it be? So as you say Mr. Trump, Yes let’s make America great again…The right way. Let us remind you that America is the Land of The Free, The Home of the Brave and we will continue to search for complete freedom and stand in solidarity and bravery forever.

May God Bless You,

The Stampede

Academics, NEWS, Top Story

Big Mac is Back

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School year starts with significant changes to daily routines

By Wesley Bowers’17,  Editor-In-Chief

Bishop McNamara High School is back in action opening its doors on September 1st to start the 2016-2017 school year. With the new year, comes new changes that will significantly affect McNamara’s community.

There are new additions that will and have already affected the daily routine of the McNamara student. Changes include new start and end times, extended period between classes, new class courses, and a new look for the 2nd semester.

Dr. Robert Van der Waag, principal of Bishop McNamara High school said, “This proved to be a very productive summer. Mcnamara will see a lot of changes in the right direction.”

With the productive summer the renovation of Mount Calvary classrooms was amongst said changes. “ I would like to thank Mr. Keithline and the Facility team and also Jim Dillon  for all the technology work,” said Van der Waag.  

The new school day starts at 8:15am and ends at 3:05pm.

Victoria Patterson class of ‘17 said, “8:15 is a good change. Being late won’t be a frequent problem like last year.”

While many appreciate the new school start time some do not favor the new change due to the 15 minute shift from last year.

Some students had other opinions, such as senior Melayna Harley who said, “I don’t like the 8:15 start time [because] it pushes back the school end time.”

Van der Waag said, “the new start time comprehensively made an impact. The arrival time is less hectic and there’s less build up in the parking lot. Also with Mt. Calvary as a drop off spot, it helps distribute the traffic flow.”

In addition to the time change, students now have 10 minutes between classes, which is a four minute increase from years prior.

Many students say the 10 minutes is very helpful. The halls are not as crowded, and the pressure to run through the halls is not as high, giving an opportunity to have civil hallways and decreased tardiness to class.

However, some interviewees said that 10 minutes is too much because their bodies are acclimated to getting to class in five minutes. Now there is a wait when they arrive with the popular comment, “it will take sometime to adjust.”

There was a lot of time spent on the new ideas of how to accommodate the students and teachers to have a better smooth running  school year.

According to Van der Waag, the 10 minute period between classes was put in action because with the addition of Mt. Calvary students would have to go farther, also it was used to decrease stress levels in the halls rushing from one class to another. He said, “The teachers who may teach back to back classes have prep time, a time to decompress and prepare for their next class.”

Another significant change from last year is the hour delay every Thursday that served as meeting time for administration and teachers is no longer in the McNamara schedule.  

“I miss the hour delay,” said Patterson and Brandon Myrthil ‘17.

Van der Waag said the second semester the lunches will be held in the fine arts building.

The cafeteria is being totally renovated and modernized being equipped with new seating areas, food stations, lounging areas, and makerspaces for extra classrooms. This design will complete the Andy Mona ‘82 Student Center which will open its doors in the fall of 2017.