The Brophy community is full of a variety of people who participate in all types of activities.
In this issue, The Roundup spotlights some of these individuals and what they do on a daily basis.
From Mr. Tom Danforth ’78 working in Africa to Matt McMurry ’16 racing cars, there are a lot of great stories to be told.
Brophy is a mosaic. In this edition we break down the single tiles that make up the larger picture.
Click the headlines below to read the full articles. What other people are important parts of the Brophy community? Comment below to add their personalities to the list.
Gardening club emerges from dormant season
Garrison Murphy ’15
THE ROUNDUP
John Sittu ’15 stares intently at the newly blossomed tomato plants in the garden behind the Great Hall.
“You can always tell if a tomato needs more water… the leaves tend to shrivel a bit,” Sittu said.
Sittu is the head student leader of the Gardening Club, which has received some needed student care this year.
Senior Klein travels abroad to construct homes for Haitian orphans
Reece M. Krantz ’16
THE ROUNDUP
Brophy students are called upon to do justice for others and to put themselves behind others, especially the poor.
Any student can take this call and enforce it with his own personal justifications.
Ethan Klein ’14 is a prime example of this.
He recently spent a week in the island nation of Haiti, helping orphans move from their previous home to a brand new orphanage, which Klein and his family helped fund and build.
BARK intends to serve local animal community
By Christian Guerithault ’14
THE ROUNDUP
Mason Swierenga ’14 started the Brophy Animal Rescue Klub this year, or BARK for short, to have students work together to try to give homeless dogs a safe place to live.
“It’s mainly for helping dogs who are homeless and who are in shelters,” said club moderator Mr. Noah Lewkowitz ’98. “We want to raise awareness and raise actual money so that all these dogs can find a home.”
Mr. Lewkowitz said the issue of homeless dogs is prominent in Arizona.
Le strengthens community by leading clubs, tutoring refugees
By Will Schubert ’15
THE ROUNDUP
When he’s not helping lead the Covert Politics club he is helping out the community by participating in the Gardening Club, helping out in Best Buddies, tutoring or writing for The Wrangler.
Alex Le ’15 is the only child of two Vietnamese refugees who fled to the United States in 1986 and 1989.
Le is currently one of the presidents of the of the Covert Politics club with the help of leaders A.J. Brown ’15and Jake Price ’16, and the help of their moderator Mr. Lane McShane ’82.
Club leaders develop skills, form backbone of group activities
By Austin Norville ’15
THE ROUNDUP
With more than 90 clubs available to students on campus there is something for everyone, and many club presidents and moderators are the backbone of them all.
“As a moderator I try to encourage the students to lead each other and that is in terms of keeping communication,” said BLAM moderator Mr. John Damaso ’97. “One of the roles I have as a backseat adviser is to feed our editors with resources and potential ideas.”
According to Mr. Damaso, BLAM is an institutional club that he was asked to be a part of. Mr. Damaso also moderates The Wrangler.
Danforth experiences life changing events in Africa
By Cameron M. Bray ’16
THE ROUNDUP
The scorching sun beats down on Mr. Tom Danforth ’78 as his companions wander lost on a trip across the north Kenyan desert.
The water kegs are empty. Mr. Danforth and his friends resort to desperate measures to survive after 10 days of being lost.
Not exactly a cheery memory, but Mr. Danforth still can’t resist showing slides about the Peace Corps before every Thanksgiving.
Students pack schedules with classes, activities throughout the day
By J.P. Hajjar ’16
THE ROUNDUP
Students partake in activities outside of the classroom each day from sports, charity events and music to arts and clubs.
Students and teachers say they enjoy the close community this involvement creates, as if everyone is part of a big family.
“The community, because everyone is there for each other,” said Brock “Bo” Brunkhorst ’16 when asked what his favorite thing about Brophy is.
Clarke modest about Speech and Debate success
By Chase L. Manson ’16
THE ROUNDUP
After finishing as one of the top programs in the nation last year, Brophy’s Speech and Debate is ready to start this year.
“We have a have a ton of alums who come back and coach,” said Ms. Elizabeth Clarke, who is in her 12th year of being the Speech and Debate head coach. “We recruit a lot of people.”
The club has 25 returning seniors and about 70 students in total.
SPACE Club soars with new projects, seeks more members
By Riley Morrison ’16
THE ROUNDUP
The Brophy Space(Student Planetary, Astronomy, and Cosmology Enthusiasts Club), moderated by Mr. Noah Lewkowitz ’98 for the past three years, continues to help members understand the big questions in life: Where we come from, where we are and what’s out there.
“I think it’s important to understand space because its where we come from,” Mr. Lewkowitz said. “I think it’s also good to understand your place in all of it… Its a humbling sort of thing to learn.”
The Space Club president Freddie Rios ’15 is of the same mind.
McShane entertains students while teaching English classes
By Brendan C. Hinkle ’16
THE ROUNDUP
Most teachers make it their goal to bring a positive attitude to the classroom, but none do it like Mr. Lane McShane ’82.
Mr. McShane is an English teacher for sophomores and juniors. He is currently finishing his 20th year of teaching at Brophy.
“Ever since I was 14, I’ve been at Brophy and I think I almost live here,” Mr. McShane said.
30 year veteran of teaching, Mazzolini delves into science
By Jack McAuslan ’16
THE ROUNDUP
Mr. Donlan’s question from the last edition: Would you rather be a plastic chicken soft taco or an upside down Rhinoceros?
Upside down rhinoceros for sure. Because I can always get myself up and go charging at things and so forth.
How long have you been teaching?
30 years, this is my 30th year. Each year is different.
Contreras leads student body in song
By Hayden Prescott Corwin ’15
THE ROUNDUP
The opening speaker at Mass gives the introduction, and the musicians on stage begin to play a hymn.
At the forefront stands a Brophy student who is recognizable from nearly all school and parish Masses held at Saint Francis Xavier Church.
Andrew Contreras ’15 is that familiar face.
Cummerford takes top role as John Proctor in Brophy’s ‘Crucible’
Jack McAuslan ’16
THE ROUNDUP
Every year actors and actresses come together for the annual fall play.
This year’s play is “The Crucible,-” which takes place in Salem, Mass. and tells the story of the witch trials that took place there during the late 1600s.
Van Cummerford ’14 will star in the production, which will come out Nov. 6.
McMurry races formula cars, follows in father’s footsteps
By Cory Wyman ’16
THE ROUNDUP
During the first weekend in October while most students attend the Homecoming Dance Matt McMurry ’16 was in Texas for a race in the USF2000 series.
Driving a race car.
McMurry currently races cars in the IMSA Lites and USF 2000 series, and has been racing since age four, after his father encouraged him to start.
Junior Liang brings home gold at U.S. Fencing summer nationals
By Jace Riley ’16
THE ROUNDUP
You find yourself standing in front of a masked man pointing a thin weapon at you.
He lunges forward trying to hit you, yet you manage to parry his attack and strike him.
This is what a fencing match is like. Two men or women try to land a blow on the opponent first.
New wrestling club open to all students in Phoenix community
By William Joseph Borders IV ’16
THE ROUNDUP
Every Monday and Wednesday the AMDG Wrestling Club meets after school in the wrestling room to improve their skills and prepare for future matches.
“People say wrestling is like a lifestyle, it’s just something you can’t stop,” said varsity wrestler Valentine Hernandez ’16.
Hernandez said he has been wrestling his entire life and recently joined the AMDG Wrestling Club to help everyone learn new moves and to be an overall good person and an assistant coach.
