Michael Taszarek

OPINIONS: Kairos should not be required, but stressed as integral to student experience

By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP Kairos, the retreat juniors and seniors, should continue to not be required, but encouraged even more. You may wonder why I am writing this article since Kairos is already not required, but there is an underlying sentiment among some retreatants that the retreat should become mandatory The retreat lasts three nights and four full days, and for some serves as closure to the Brophy…

OPINIONS: College admissions competition detrimental to inter-class rapport

By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP Competition in college admissions between students harms friendships and the overall community. Every day, Brophy students are surrounded by competition. There is competition in sports, academics and in social settings. Competition can be very beneficial; in sports, for instance, competition breeds an urge to win and drives players to perform at their best. Some may argue that academic competition is even a good thing,…

New Alumni Service Corps members arrive on campus

By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP Every year Brophy welcomes new Alumni Service Corps (ASC) volunteers to campus. This year, there are five new ASC members on campus: Mr. Jerry Aguilera ’13, Mr. Miguel Castillo ’13, Mr. Christopher Dominguez ’13, Mr. Timothy Shimon ’13, and Mr. Griffin Wong, a recent graduate of Boston College. ASC members do a lot around campus such as teach classes, help coach sports, lead retreats…

Designated Survivor does not live up to potential, melodramatic plot

‘Designated Survivor’ – starring Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto 6 out of 10 By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP “Designated Survivor” is one of those “it could have been” television shows; it is good, but it could have been a whole lot better. I love politics, so I was accordingly enthralled when I saw the first trailers for “Designated Survivor.” A television series that imagines the worst attack on…

Phoenix’s climate benefits student golfers

By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP Phoenix’s desert climate allows for golf during all parts of the year versus other climates where the winter season can cut the season short. The summer heat can be seen as an impediment to golf, but the heat does not have a drastic effect on course conditions. Brophy competitive and non-competitive golfers alike take advantage of the city’s year-round golf climate. Max Schwarz…

Local man expresses himself through flipping signs, dancing

By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP His name is Shamon Ingram. Anyone who drives on Camelback Road often has seen him before. Some may have even danced with him. Ingram is the sign flipper who works on the southwest corner of 20th Street and Camelback Road. The Flagstaff, Arizona native, who is also known as “Arizona Bamm,” is very popular among Brophy students who drive home from school on Camelback…

Who arrives at school first, leaves last?

By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP The gates are open when the first student arrives, and the gates close well after all students have left. For all that students can tell, the gates open and close on their own, but there are in fact multiple people behind the opening and closing of school every day and night. Mr. John Buchanan, director of security, said a lot happens behind the scenes…

Community react to early Trump executive actions

Photo Courtesy of Tribune News Service | President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe depart the White House on Feb. 10, 2017 in Washington, D.C. By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP Members of the Brophy community reacted strongly to President Donald Trump’s early wave of executive actions. Through just over three weeks in office the president already signed 11 executive orders. These orders ranged from travel restrictions to…

Arizona public school teachers deserve a real raise

By Michael Taszarek THE ROUNDUP According to the National Education Association the average public school teacher in Arizona makes $45,506 per year, more than $10,000 less than the average American public school teacher salary of $57,420. The average Arizona public school teacher salary was included in this year’s State of the State address, Gov. Doug Ducey made clear his intentions to raise teacher’s wages. “It’s time for a raise for…

Junior Pasionek’s campus involvement results from sports injury

Photo Courtesy of Justin Pasionek ’18 | Justin Pasionek ’18 lectors during the Father Son communion breakfast Nov. 12, 2016. Pasionek got involved in many clubs and organizations on campus after breaking his leg freshman year. By Michael Taszarek ’18 THE ROUNDUP Everyone may not know him by name, but every member of the class of 2018 remembers the student who was in a wheelchair his freshman year. Justin…