Staff Profile
Katie Sisk –– Print Editor-in-Chief
By day, Katie Sisk is the highly skilled captain of three community solitaire teams, but by night she is a psychic who has the power to tell you when it is raining. She can also tell you what your favorite color is if you write it on a sheet of paper and show it to her. Because she is so talented, she spends much of her free time teaching German to a group of underprivileged birds in her neighborhood. She is also the head of the new campaign to abolish Murphy’s Law, but it presently seems that Murphy is winning because she has yet to find a legal record of the law anywhere. She enjoys singing the jingle from the National American University commercials just to get it stuck in other people’s heads and giving awkward smiles to those who pass her in the hallways. All in all, Katie Sisk is extremely multi-talented. However, she feels she won’t reach complete awesomeness until she can play the expert level of Rock Band on all four instruments at the same time.
Breaking down the budget cuts
Michelle Sauer, Laura Shannon, and Katie Sisk
April 25, 2013
Filed under Editor's Picks, Features, Top Stories
Four months ago, the administration announced a $350,000 cut to the annual budget, sparking apprehension among staff and students alike. A month later that number increased to $750,000. The dramatic downsizing of the budget has affected teacher employment and benefits, as well as reductions to special... Read more »
Knightettes take 2nd in State for jazz/funk
Katie Sisk, Print Editor-in-Chief
February 16, 2013
Filed under Top Stories, Videos, Winter Sports
The Red Knights earned red ribbons this weekend when Knightettes Jazz Dance Team took second place in the 2013 MSHSL Jazz State Dance Team Tournament on Friday, February 16 at the Target Center. This year’s state tournament resembled last year’s, with Chaska taking first place and Totino Grace following... Read more »
Student for Human Life field trip to Roe v. Wade reenactment trial
Katie Sisk, Print Editor-in-Chief
February 1, 2013
Filed under News Briefs
The Roe v. Wade decision on abortion created a large social debate that continues to this day. Many students, however, understand the moral and theological viewpoint but remain ignorant to the political aspects of the debate. In an effort to gain a fuller understanding of the issue, BSM’s Students... Read more »
Three percent budget increase results in potential cuts to next year’s faculty, staff, and programs
Katie Sisk and Ruby Ford
February 1, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories
As teachers and parents alike received letters in the mail from the Benilde-St. Margaret’s administration this past week about next year’s tuition and budget plan, the reactions ranged from fear to relief, depending on the respective recipients. The Benilde-St. Margaret’s Board of Directors... Read more »
Vocations classes host speakers from the Archdiocese
Giulia Imholte and Katie Sisk
May 11, 2012
Filed under Editor's Picks, News, Top Stories
The hype turned out to be more than the actual event. In November the Archdiocese announced plans to have speakers on marriage visit all of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Catholic Schools, and what students expected to be a controversial discussion––after reading about the heated question and answer... Read more »
Booth at hockey expo raises money for Jablonski fund
Giulia Imholte and Katie Sisk
March 11, 2012
Filed under Jack Jablonski Coverage, News
Before fans began to gather in the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, March 10 to see the BSM boys’ hockey team win the state championship game, many frequented the 23rd annual Let’s Play Hockey Expo at the St. Paul River Centre. This year, a booth was set up at the expo in honor of Jack Jablonski,... Read more »
Father Arnold Weber: spirit of acceptance lives on after loss
Katie Sisk, News Editor
March 2, 2012
Filed under News
Communities often must face the loss of beloved members, but rarely does a single person have as lasting and widespread an impact on so many communities as Father Arnold Weber. After guiding Benilde-St. Margaret’s as Religion Department head then Co-President for three years, inspiring the Holy Name... Read more »
BSM hockey parent initiates “Jack’s Pledge” for safer hockey play
Katie Sisk, News Editor
January 5, 2012
Filed under Jack Jablonski Coverage, News
The recent Jack Jablonski injury not only continues to influence the Benilde-St. Margaret’s community, but also holds the potential to change the game of high school hockey permanently. In consideration of the new spotlight shown on the safety of hockey, Steve Jecha––father of BSM hockey player... Read more »
BSM holds press conference to discuss support of Jablonski
Giulia Imholte and Katie Sisk, Katie Sisk, and Giulia Imholte
January 5, 2012
Filed under Jack Jablonski Coverage, Top Stories
Local reporters gathered in the main lobby of Benilde-St. Margaret’s School on Thursday, Jan. 5, for a brief press conference with President Dr. Bob Tift regarding the recent injury and public support of sophomore Jack Jablonski. Dr. Tift refrained from commenting on the current medical condition... Read more »
Christmas common basket donates more than gifts; delivers hope
Jackie Scherer and Katie Sisk, Katie Sisk, and Jackie Scherer
December 15, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
This year, one family shares a story of loss with the students working to give their family the Christmas cheer they need. While students recognize the Christmas common basket and its call to help families in need during the holiday season, one family this year made the brave decision to invite students... Read more »
Senior Patrick Freese runs for St. Louis Park City Council
Katie Sisk, News Editor
December 1, 2011
Filed under Student Life
While many seniors took advantage of their new adult status by voting this November, one senior took an extra step with his decision to run for public office in city council. Patrick Freese called on the student body and the city of St. Louis Park to elect him to city council as a write-in candidate... Read more »
Social Studies teacher resigns mid-year
Katie Sisk, News Editor
November 29, 2011
Filed under News
After graduating Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Mrs. Anne Stepchuk returned to her alma mater a few years later to become a teacher in the Social Studies department. Now, after thirteen years working as a Geography and Western Civilizations teacher, she has decided to pursue an alternate career path as an... Read more »
RKVC outnumbers Holy Family in volunteer competition
Katie Sisk, News Editor
November 14, 2011
Filed under News
Red Knight Volunteer Corps members showed both their competitive and their service spirit at the St. Therese Oktoberfest on Oct. 8, 2011, which served as both a volunteer opportunity and a competition between Holy Family’s volunteer group and RKVC. The competition provided an incentive to gain more... Read more »
Hydration Station proves to be a success
Katie Sisk, News Editor
October 17, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
Students can be seen taking advantage of the free chilled water at the Hydration Station during any lunch hour. While viewed simply as a place to quench thirst and try the various flavors, it serves a larger purpose by aiding the plastic-free movement as part of Benilde-St. Margaret’s green initiative. After... Read more »
Upperclassmen link-up with freshman friends at cookout
Katie Sisk, News Editor
September 18, 2011
Filed under Student Life, Top Stories
Starting off at a new school as a freshman, transfer, or foreign exchange student often brings worries about remembering new faces and names, making friends, and joining new activities. Link Crew––an orientation program led by select juniors and seniors––sought to eliminate these fears, with... Read more »
Choir performs spring concert
Katie Sisk, staff writer
June 1, 2011
Filed under News Briefs
As summer draws near, Benilde-St. Margaret’s choirs performed in their final concert of the year on Thursday, May 19, celebrating a successful semester of music and saying farewell to the graduating seniors. The songs in the concert ranged in genre from pop to tribal, all with a common geographical... Read more »
Students represent BSM in film festival
Katie Sisk, staff writer
May 26, 2011
Filed under Student Life
Five films, created by Benilde-St. Margaret’s students, made appearances on the silver screen at the .EDU Film Festival on Friday, May 13, earning much recognition including second place in the documentary category. The seven students––seniors Matt Carney, Sarah Champeau, Haley Kellogg, Shreya... Read more »
Students to travel to France and Costa Rica in 2012
Katie Sisk, staff writer
May 17, 2011
Filed under News
As thoughts of summer fill students’ minds, Mr. Adam Groebner, Mme Anna Geving, and Mme Amy Jo Hyde think ahead to spring break of 2012 with plans for trips to Costa Rica and France. These trips will offer unique cultural experiences while providing an opportunity for students to improve their language... Read more »
Ms. Johnson to retire after 43 years
Katie Sisk, staff writer
May 16, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
After 43 years of teaching art, inspiring students, and exhibiting expert fashion sense, Ms. Jan Johnson, one of Benilde-St. Margaret’s art teachers, will retire at the end of the 2011 school year, leaving behind a lasting influence on the art program of Benilde-St. Margaret’s and all students and... Read more »
Students inducted into World Language Honor Society
Katie Sisk
April 28, 2011
Filed under News Briefs
A group of students received recognition for their hard work and dedication to learning about the languages and cultures of French, Latin, or Spanish. They were given certificates of membership at the World Language Honor Society induction ceremony on Tuesday, April 19. To earn membership, students need... Read more »
Knightlife intensifies membership requirements
Katie Sisk, staff writer
April 21, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
Snow football, movie nights, and colorful t-shirts have all been staples of Knightlife, Benilde-St. Margaret’s club that promotes a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle, but this large group will soon see many changes. While still emphasizing a drug-free lifestyle and sponsoring drug-free activities, the... Read more »
Students find true love through Data Match
Katie Sisk
April 18, 2011
Filed under News Briefs
While true love may be hard to find, the 2011 Data Matches may make the search easier for students willing to spare a dollar for their lists of compatible matches for sale during lunch April 14 and 15. These matches have been made based on students’ answers to a Data Match survey taken earlier in the... Read more »
Clay students help with Empty Bowls fundraiser
Katie Sisk
April 7, 2011
Filed under News
Raising over $13,000 for STEP, the 10th annual Empty Bowls event succeeded in gaining funds with the help of bowls created and donated by Benilde-St. Margaret’s clay students. This fundraiser, held on March 3, gathered money in the spirit of helping to fill our community’s empty bowls. Benilde-St.... Read more »
Student makes temporary home in Brazil
Katie Sisk, staff writer
March 4, 2011
Filed under Student Life
Sophomore Wiley Dotzenroth packed his bags and headed for Fortaleza, Brazil the day before Valentine’s Day to partake in a foreign exchange program. While some may see this foreign country as a vacation destination, Dotzenroth will call it his temporary home for the next ten and a half months while... Read more »
America’s Got Talent auditions
Katie Sisk, staff writer
February 13, 2011
Filed under Student Life
Standing up in front of producers to audition for a national television show may sound intimidating to some, but senior Taylor Best and sophomore Christine Silikowski had no problem showing off their talents at the 2011 “America’s Got Talent” auditions on January 22 and 23. For Best, the idea... Read more »
Laptops create eco friendly trade offs
Katie Sisk, staff writer
January 14, 2011
Filed under News
In an effort to avoid wasting paper and to help BSM be just a little bit greener, teachers often use the laptops rather than excessive amounts of paper on individual copies of assignments for every student. The paper consumption for September this year has been reduced by almost 85 thousand copies and... Read more »
Book adaptation is kind of a funny movie
Katie Sisk, staff writer
January 1, 2011
Filed under Movie Reviews, Top Stories
Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck seamlessly manage to address the heavy subject of mental illness in a light and quirky manner while working to reduce the stigma associated with the issue in their movie version of the novel “It’s Kind of a Funny Story.” Set in “3 North,” the adult mental... Read more »
Strong start to boys’ hockey season
Katie Sisk
December 9, 2010
Filed under Sports
Enthusiastic Red Knight parents, friends, and fans gathered to watch the start of the boys’ hockey season on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and were not disappointed. The 2010-2011 boys’ hockey season started with a 4-1 victory against the St. Cloud Tech Tigers. “We’ve had a really good start and we’ve... Read more »
Enlightenment Salon enlightens students
Katie Sisk
December 2, 2010
Filed under News
Some of history’s most famous and influential people, from Mozart to Marie Antoinette, visited BSM on Tuesday, Nov. 9, bringing along with them feuds, flaws, and funny stories. While very convincing in their roles, these characters were actually seniors from Ms. Kathy Green’s AP European History... Read more »
Shining the Spotlight on the Tech Crew
Katie Sisk
October 18, 2010
Filed under Activities
Late nights, stage lights, blueprints, wires, and microphones––welcome to the life of a member the student “tech crew” in charge of the technical work behind the school plays. These students spend long hours in preparation for each school production including the upcoming fall play, “You Can’t... Read more »
In the name of sports: sacrificing our passions
Katie Sisk
October 11, 2010
Filed under Opinions
As the fall sports season continues and the winter season looms ahead, student athletes have less and less time to devote to anything other than practices and games, causing them to fall behind in their other commitments and preventing them from expanding their horizons. This restricted lifestyle causes... Read more »
