Trinity students, faculty and staff have an impressive record of accomplishment since the beginning of this school year. More than a few examples follow: · Mr. John Youngblood stars at Iroquois Amphitheater Trinity teacher Mr. John Youngblood starred as Captain Corcoran in Iroquois Amphitheater’s presentation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical love story “ H.M.S. Pinafore .” · More Trinity students achieve the rank of Eagle Scout: Ryan Logue, Will Nalley and Drew Harden. · Jack Harrison ’14 attends Outstanding Sophomore Class Awards Day, National Young Leaders Conference Trinity junior Jack Harrison attended the University of Kentucky’s Outstanding Sophomore Class Awards Day. Harrison was nominated for the Class of Kentucky by his sophomore AP teachers, Mr. Frank Ward H’01 and Dr. Aaron Striegel. Harrison also attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. He was nominated by Trinity teacher Mr. Keith Rapp · Trinity Counselor Jeremy Jackson represents Mr. Jeremy Jackson, one of Trinity’s two college guidance counselors, participated in the annual Harvest Homecoming bike ride in Starlight, Ind. The ride covered 40 miles. Jackson rode with his wife, Leigh Jackson, who is also a college counselor at Assumption High School. The Jacksons wore Trinity gear and were repeatedly recognized with chants of “Go Rocks!” · Speech Rocks bring home awards –The speech and debate team opened its season with a debate in the Wilson Wyatt League at Spalding University. Freshman Jorge Rojas-Ortega claimed top honors for the Rocks with an impressive fourth-best speaker award in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Rojas-Ortega was one of a handful of novices debating against a field of varsity debaters. He also tied for the Best Novice Debater award. –Sophomore Marck Kiselevach represented the team at the Wyat t League . He advanced to the final round in Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate, claiming second place on a split decision. — The speech and debate team traveled to Ryle High School to compete in the Haunted Invitational. Junior Jeremy Gaines and Kiselevach advanced to the semifinal round in varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate, claiming half of the top four spots. Gaines claimed fourth place, and Kiselevach advanced to secure a second-place finish. –The speech and debate team traveled to Boone County High School. Claiming top honors for the Rocks was Rojas-Ortega, who held an impressive undefeated 4-0 record entering the final round of varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate. In a split decision, Rojas-Ortega lost to the only other undefeated competitor in the tournament, claiming second place. –The speech team traveled to Fern Creek High School to compete in The Battle at the Creek Invitational. Claiming top honors for the Rocks were Rojas-Ortega, who placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking, and sophomore Drew Smith, who placed fourth in Broadcasting. With these finishes, both Smith and Rojas-Ortega pre-qualified for the Kentucky High School Speech League State Tournament in March. · Rocks take Scrabble to the next level –French Scrabble Rocks Jackson Rice and Jesse Myers defeated their archrivals from St. Xavier by a score of 291-284. The JV team of Kyle Bilyeu and Elton Joseph had less drama and beat their opponents 127-89. –The varsity French Scrabble team defeated Assumption by a score of 188-145. Congratulations to Jackson Rice and Jesse Myers for their heavy-hitting high point words. The JV Scrabble Rocks took one on the chin as they were rocked by the Rockets 196-118. · Rocks cast as extras in movie filmed at Churchill Downs Trinity mom Theresa Shaw (Greg ’06 and Joe ’12), Alumni Relations Director Travis Wagoner ’90 and alumnus Carl Rueff ’05 have been cast as extras in “ 50 to 1 ,” a movie about 2009 long shot Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, starring Skeet Ulrich and directed by Jim Wilson (“ Dances with Wolves” ). Trinity mom and celebraTion volunteer Marie Perry (Geordie Ayers ’14) is doing wardrobe for the movie. Parts of “ 50 to 1” are being filmed at historic Churchill Downs. · Two Rocks named to Louisville Science Center Youth Infusion Board Trinity freshmen Evan Stacy and Henry Snyder have been named to the Louisville Science Center Youth Infusion Board. The board is comprised of students from across Louisville and decides Science Center policy, exhibits and how the museum will best be of benefit for schools and students. Stacy and Snyder are students in Mr. Mike Budniak’s (H’11) Advanced Placement biology class. · 4 Trinity seniors named Churchill Scholars Trinity seniors Losson Brotzge, Austin Gocke, Seth Piatt and Blake Strozdas were named 2012 Churchill Downs Winner’s Circle Governor’s Scholars. · Fishing Club holds tournament Despite the dreadfully cold, rainy conditions, the Fishing Club anglers were determined to outsmart the bass population. When the skies cleared, first place was grabbed by Evan Langford, who took home a new rod and reel for his efforts. Second place went to Dylan McCauley, who also had the biggest fish. Third and fourth places went to Andrew Reeves and Zach Baker, respectively. · Quick Recall Rocks rack up wins The JV and varsity teams started the season with a loss to St. Xavier but rebounded to defeat Sacred Heart, Collegiate and Assumption. The varsity Rocks are relying heavily on the outstanding play of team captain Ori Youngblood. · Ping Pong Club tourney held In the freshman/sophomore division of the fall intramural table tennis tournament, freshman Jack Allen defeated freshman Tommy McMonville to capture the championship. Allen, McMonville, Chris Laveck and Jacob Mattingly qualified for the “all-class elite eight” tournament to be held later in November. In the junior/senior division, senior Jon Goldenberg defeated senior Grant Rohleder to win the championship. Goldenberg, Rohleder, Emerson Walsh and Wesley Tolsdorf qualifyied for the “all-class elite eight” tournament. · Last archery shoot of 2012 At the last archery shoot of 2012, Team Sharpshooters came from behind to win the Olympic-style event. Team members included Joe Powers, Nick Mullins and “Eagle Eye” Devore. Rookie Axel Halvarson came from nowhere to claim victory in the Animal Shoot. Many thanks to all who attended, especially legendary Coach Dennis Lampley H’92. Keep your strings waxed, and we will see you this spring. · Rocks experience life of refugees The world is a wonderful place. It can also be a cruel place for people on the margins of society such as refugees displaced from their homes and countries due to war, political instability, famine, disease, etc. On Wednesday, Nov. 28, and Thursday, Nov. 29, Trinity High School students experienced a simulation of what it’s like to live in a refugee camp. Trinity’s Theology Department partnered with Catholic Charities for this program. Students experienced a simulation of being a refugee crossing the border from one country to another and then passing the medical evaluation and language proficiency requirements for admittance. It is extremely challenging to pass the United Nations’ regulations to leave one country and enter another as a refugee. “We have a Biblical call to love and serve everyone, especially those who are marginalized, aliens and underprivileged,” Trinity Theology teacher Chris Luken said. “The refugee camp gave them an experience of what it is like to have to leave everything behind due to war, famine or disease, and flee to a strange land speaking a different language, with different laws and different customs.” · Outdoor Club camps at Red River Gorge Trinity’s Outdoor Club, led by Mr. Dave Case, took an overnight hiking and camping trip to scenic Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky. The group hiked five miles, had lunch overlooking the Gorge from a scenic point, set up camp, enjoyed a campfire and slept under the stars. The next day, the group hiked out of the Gorge, visiting the “Indian Staircase” and the “Council Chamber Room,” and followed up with a hike to Natural Bridge. View photos from the trip at http://is.gd/E0YUbd . · Jim Bradford ’13 wins essay contest Becket House’s Jim Bradford wrote the winning essay in the second-quarter Principal’s Challenge. Bradford’s essay, entitled “Catholic Schools: The Highest Bar,” will be entered in a city-wide contest and, if chosen to be the best essay, will win $100 for Bradford. Seton House’s Joshua Borden finished in second place and Flannan House’s Nicholas Hoffman finished third. * John Ellington ’76 honored at St. Matthews Community Pride Breakfast Trinity faculty member Mr. John Ellington ’76 was honored at the annual St. Matthews Community Pride Breakfast at The Olmsted on Wednesday, Dec. 12. The event, sponsored by the St. Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce, pays tribute to individuals who have distinguished themselves by making extraordinary contributions to the community betterment through volunteer service. Honorees are selected by civic clubs and other organizations and institutions engaged primarily in community service. · Trinity students to set up Wayside Christian Mission Christmas Store Twenty-two Trinity High School students set up the Wayside Christian Mission’s annual Christmas store at noon Sunday, Dec. 16, until approximately 5 p.m. The store was housed at the Wayside Christian Mission. The store has been open annually for nearly 20 years and was started by Wayside Christian Mission’s Carol Cook. “Trinity has been involved with the store for about five years,” said Trinity teacher Mike Budniak H’11, who organized the school’s effort. “In a single day, we can take care of turning an empty ballroom into a completely stocked store, with tables of gifts, toiletries, clothing items and food, and a re-stock room that will be used as things out front run out.”