Vocational speaker reaches out to junior class

Once an avid rugby player with a steady teaching job, Josh Laws experienced a major change of heart. Laws asked for God’s assistance and began his journey into the priesthood.

Josh Laws, a former religion teacher at JC, came to speak to the junior class about vocations on Tuesday, Nov. 5. According to Religion Department head Joseph Gallen, “inviting Laws to come and speak to the juniors was the right fit. He has a history here and is still able to connect with the students.”

Laws explained his call to priesthood and left time at the end to answer any questions. According to Laws, “God calls each and every one of us in our own unique ways.”

“I thought the fact that [Laws] dropped his entire life to become a priest was pretty admirable,” junior Ashley Hunter said.

Laws described his life before God called him to do His work. For junior Drew Nori, “it was pretty interesting to hear that he had a life before all of this. I definitely thought he was a cool guy.”

Hanna LeBuhn is a Lifestyles Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.

Academic team starts off year winning against IND

On Oct. 26, the Academic Team competed in a match for the TV show “It’s Academic.” The meet was against Patterson Mill, who had 330 points, and Francis Scott Key High School, who had 350 points. JC won with a total of 530 points. The match will be broadcasted on WJZ on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.

The Academic Team competed in their first meet in the Catholic Academic League at Calvert Hall College on Oct. 30 against Loyola and the Institute of Notre Dame high schools. Juniors Kathy Deaver, Will Smith, and Justin Hawkins and sophomore Eric Wright played in this round.

In the first match, JC lost 34-18 against Loyola. They won in the second round against IND with a score of 31-13.

Moderator Bob Schick knew Loyola would be a tough opponent. “There are tough teams in the league and Loyola was third last year. It was a tough way to start. They are very strong.”

Junior captain Justin Hawkins agreed saying, “Loyola is really good. They are probably the best team because they beat the defending champions Mount Saint Joseph High School.”

In the second round against IND, the team won by a score of 31-13. “They did not have as good record and finished near the bottom last year,” Schick said.

“I left the decision to sub out up to the captains, Kathy and Justin,” Schick said, allowing everyone a chance to play. Once again, Hawkins, Deaver, Smith, and Wright began the second round.

“We won pretty easily. I felt triumphant,” Hawkins said.

Cole Alban is the Online Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.