The Stew

Christmas Spirit Thrives in the Fan

sophseminar — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:56:32 +0000

Cruising around the well-known Fan District in Richmond VA, I snapped a few shots of the Christmas spirit beginning to flourish. The residents of the Fan are working their way towards the Holiday Season and let’s just say they aren’t taking their time. Ranging from boisterous to traditional, folks are hanging wreathes on their doors of multiple sizes and personalities. Garlands are being draped everywhere, on railings, lamp posts, fences and any other place you can possibly fit one. Vibrant lights are spreading up and down the streets like vines! Little white lights, florescent blue lights, multi-colored lights and any other light imaginable. The chimneys are bellowing smoke from their mouths spreading the scent of warm cozy fires. Lighted reindeer illuminate the small yards, standing and resting as if they were alive. Huge blow up Santas and Snowmen smile cheerfully at the public and Christmas trees are being hauled on the roof of cars anxious to be carried in side to be decorated. A resident of the Fan told me, “Yes, the people around here go crazy during the Holiday Season; we definitely get into the spirit.” Seeing what I saw, I undoubtedly agree with him. Being only December 2^nd, I can only imagine what I will see 3 weeks from now when that merry day everyone is so eagerly preparing for finally comes around.

–Zach Barnard

Ant Invasion Uncovered…

sophseminar — Mon, 17 May 2010 01:27:55 +0000

Girls Varsity Soccer Season Recap

sophseminar — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:24:16 +0000

If anyone is surprised by the Steward teams this year, it would have to be the Girl’s Varsity Soccer team. The season just ended with their record as 4 wins, 5 losses, and 3 ties. While at first glance this may not seem very good, it was a surprising step up for the girls. Last year the team only won one game, and the year before they finished winless. When asked about their thoughts on the girl’s team, Sam Henderson said, “It was a complete turn around,” and Claire Mckeown said, “I’m incredibly confused (about it) because our girls’ team has been so bad in the past”.

To add to the surprise, the team won the LIS tournament. The semifinal game took place at Fredericksburg Academy. After playing through regulation to a stalemate, the teams went into double overtime. In the extra period no one managed to score a goal. Each team then chose five players for penalty kicks to decide the match. Penalty kicks are taken from 12 yards away. For Steward, the line up consisted of Lauren Saurs, Morgan Schroeder, Keaton Busser, Samantha Henderson, and Sarah Shimer. Luckily, Seward only had to take four shots because we made all of them and the other team missed two. So, the Spartans then advanced to the finals against St. Anne’s Belfield (STAB). Previously, we had lost to them 6-1.

After 90 minutes of aggressive play, the two teams were tied 1-1, so once again the team went into overtime and penalty kicks. After scoring three out of the five shots, the Spartans managed to defeat STAB and win the LIS Tournament for the first time in Steward history! The trophy was presented to Coach Rice and now occupies a prominent place in the Athletic Center.

After winning the tournament, the team waited in suspense to see if they would make the state tournament. In order to make it, each team has to receive enough votes from the VISSA. Unfortunately, we did not receive enough votes. However, none of the teams from our division made the cut. Despite that disappointment, many underclassmen will be returning next year, giving the team a positive outlook for the future.

– Sarah, Kendall, and Lauren

Senior-itis Hits Steward

sophseminar — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:20:55 +0000

–Camille Gilbert and Sam Henderson

Senior-Itis

sophseminar — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:15:11 +0000

Senior-itis is when seniors eagerly want to be done with high school and go on with their summer break and then their college journey. For some it starts in their sophomore year. For most it starts somewhere in between the end of Christmas break and the beginning of spring break. Some activities the seniors participate in are Head master’s Holiday and Field Day. Headmaster’s Holiday is when Mr. Lee makes predictions about everyone’s future career and then they go rafting. Field Day is where they go play games and participate in obstacle courses outside for the whole day.

Alex Aldredge said that his senior-itis started after Christmas break. He said, “It’s ridiculous that I’m still in school right now.” Mr. Mundy added, “Seniors are ready to go off to college. Their last two weeks are filled with fun activities to distract them from Senior-itis.” One anoymous senior said, “I can’t wait for school to end and for me to graduate. Four years of high school is long enough for me.” Even though this senior did want his name to be mentioned, all the seniors as a whole, want summer to come sooner, so they can relax before they go off to college.

– Boyd Chambliss and Mike DeCredico

Steward Tennis and Golf Season Recap

sophseminar — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:12:22 +0000

sophseminar — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:01:15 +0000

Varsity Baseball–VCC Champs!

sophseminar — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:57:24 +0000

The Steward Varsity baseball team’s regular season ended with a win over BSH to win the VCC championship 2-1. They now move on to the state tournament. Steward baseball won the first round on Tuesday against Christchurch 5-3. Their next game is against Covenant on Friday. If Steward beats Covenant then they move on to the championship game.

Senior Alex Aldredge of the baseball team said, “Our season went well. Before I leave Steward I want to win States and have a ring to show it.” History Teacher Mr. Mundy said, “I think the season went just as good as last year.” Sophomore Drew Aldredge said, “Even though we lost our first regular season game in three years I think it got the team closer and we are going to win States this year.” Freshman Michael Sims said, “I think our season went as it was supposed too. The team’s regular season’s loss brought up talk and I think it made the whole team closer, which is a bog factor when going into states now.”

Steward Baseball’s season record is 21-4 and is ranked number two in the state in Division Two. As they go in to sates they have to stay strong and work as a team to win it all and get the state ring. Steward was hoping that Greenbrier Christian Academy would win their game against Cape Henry so they could beat the team that always beats them. However, Greenbrier Christian lost to Cape Henry 12-4. While the baseball team is disappointed that they don’t get to play Greenbrier Christian they will continue with their semi final round game against Covenant and if they win they will play Cape Henry in the finals.

–Mike DeCredico and Boyd Chambliss

“Children of Eden” Review

sophseminar — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:53:12 +0000

The production of Children of Eden was put on this past weekend. For plot, and some information about it, please refer to the preview of it. The three main stories in the play are the Creation Story, the Murder of Abel, and Noah’s Ark. While in the Bible there is only one serpent, but in the play there are five serpents. In the Bible, Abel was killed due to Cain’s jealousy of him, but in the production Cain killed Abel by mistake and from his anger of Adam. Also, while in the production Cain murders Abel with their parents in company, the Bible tells of Cain taking Abel into the far fields and murdering him.

The performances of the play were very professional. There were a few slip ups, however they were hardly noticeable. The biggest one was on the Saturday showing when Matthew got a bloody nose and Liza had to stall because they were supposed to be participating in a duet together. Most of the audience hardly realized that something was wrong. Liza just stalled, and made the scene a little longer and kept her composure. She did not freak out or run off stage or make a big deal out of it. In fact a few people have said that she made the scene a little more dramatic. Most of the glitches with the play were technical, and are present in many plays, like microphone difficulties. The cast and crew really gave everything they had to give and more to this play. Omri, Christian, Liza, Matthew, Ben, Hilary, and Mary Ann all did a spectacular job. All of the audiences loved the play and had great remarks for it. The audience has said that not only was the play funny, but it also had an emotional side to it. It took classical stories and added twists to them. I do not think there is one member of the cast or crew that is not satisfied with this production.

–Alex DuBose, Daniel Simon and Mike DeCredico

The Steward-BSH Rivalry

sophseminar — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:08:15 +0000

Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot, or more commonly known as BSH, has long been a strong rival of Steward’s. The majority of Steward students believe the rivalry started only last year, when the Varsity basketball team became involved in an altercation with BSH students on Facebook.

“I’ve only been here two years and I’ve seen how intense it is. I don’t really know how it started…I think it was last year” Sophomore Sebastian Vera responded when asked how he felt about the mounting competition.

However, Ms. Healey, a long time veteran and treasured member of the Steward community knows how the rivalry really started. “At the time it started, Mr. Keller was the principal of the Upper School and Varsity basketball coach. He had previously taught at BSH and so when the time came to play them Steward wanted to show them just how much better they were with Mr. Keller by their side.”

“I think they’re a good match for us competitively because they are the only other small school in the area that has given us consistent competition throughout the years”, Mr. Bland says. Over the past few years though, the rivalry has started to become more ill-spirited and unhealthy.

It is unclear which school escalated the rivalry, but games have become unsportsmanlike and relationships with BSH have been tense. Junior Taylor Lynch said, “They’re extremely rude when we cheer there. And it’s annoying because we can’t be mean back”; Taylor is referring to the conference rule which prohibits students from yelling ‘hurtful’ things like shouting during free throws, ‘Air-ball’, etc. BSH has supposedly, according to Steward students, consistently broken the rules, so of course Steward Students have tried to retaliate.

When asked about the rivalry, Sophomore and Varsity Basketball player Josh Bruce said “I really don’t like BSH. We’re better then them in every sport.”

Mr. Lee says, “I don’t care, I taught both places,” when asked if the rivalry is a big deal. He added, “It’s probably even a bigger deal there. They don’t like us.”

A BSH student, who has chosen to remain anonymous, stated “It’s huge here. We hate y’all. Your basketball team started this.” At the time there are no concrete plans to foster a better relationship between our two schools, but hopefully in the future, the competition will continue in a healthier way.

– Kendall Bendheim and Mike Decredico