Behind the Scenes of the Beakon
Cardinal Mooney Beakon Staff working during Miss Cunningham's Newspaper class. The Beakon is the school news page which is dedicated to keeping the Cardinal Mooney community informed about events, achievements, announcements, students, and more that happens throughout the year. Miss Cunningham's newspaper class is in charge of writing articles for the Beakon. Students work during class time to write articles, collaborate, and make sure information is relevant. Newspaper student and Beakon...
What Juniors Should Know Before Senior Year
As junior year comes to a close, many students are already looking ahead to what lies beyond graduation. Seniors agree that preparation before senior year begins can make the college application process far less stressful. Senior Mihali Frangos says, “Juniors who want to apply to competitive colleges should start taking the ACT as early as possible.” He adds that if students are unhappy with their scores, they should plan to retake the test multiple times before August, when senior year...
Advanced Placement Classes
Advanced Placement (AP) classes play a significant role in the academic experience for many high school students. These courses are designed to challenge students with college-level material while still in high school. Many students choose AP classes to strengthen their transcripts and to help prepare for the future academic demands. “AP classes push me to manage my time better and stay organized," senior Francessca Cassese said. In addition to academic rigor, AP courses help students develop...
Cafeteria Thoughts
Students continue to express positive thoughts about the food served here in the Cardinal Mooney school cafeteria. For many, the cafeteria provides a convenient and reliable option during busy school days. Having access to a hot meal allows students to focus more on classes rather than worrying about packing lunch. “It’s really nice knowing there’s always food ready for us,” junior Dom Letlow said. Popular menu items such as pizza, chicken sandwiches and pasta dishes are consistent favorites...
The Fake Productivity of Studying While Scrolling.
Most students have been there. Their notes are open, their laptop is on, and their phone is sitting right next to them. They tell themselves they are studying, but they keep checking messages or scrolling through videos. One notification turns into five minutes, and five minutes somehow turns into half an hour. By the end of the night, they feel like they were busy the whole time, but not much actually sticks. It feels productive because they were sitting at a desk, but in reality, they did...
Cardinal Mooney Catholic Schools Week
Cardinal Mooney High School celebrated Catholic Schools Week from February 2 through February 6, 2026, with a full week of spirit days and activities focused on faith and appreciation. “My school spirit is very spirited,” said Efi Pizanias. The week began on Monday, February 2, with Nation Appreciation Day. Students wore red, white, and blue, and made cards for those serving in the military. “It was a good opportunity to recognize the people that served our country,” said Efi Pizanias. On...
Woman’s Basketball Senior Night
The Cardinal Mooney girls' basketball team celebrated senior night with a hard-fought 40–36 win over Jefferson Area, honoring seniors La’Ziah Moore and Brandi Williams while gaining momentum heading into the playoffs. Players agreed the best part of the night was “definitely taking the win,” as the close victory gave the team confidence at an important point in the season. Faith Spivey said the win was a big confidence booster and something the team really needed as the regular season comes to...
Who Is Really at Fault When a Student Fails a Class?
When a student fails a class, people often rush to place blame on either the student or the teacher. Many believe students are responsible because success depends on effort, attendance, and completing assignments. If a student does not study, skips class, or ignores deadlines, it becomes much harder to pass. Learning requires personal responsibility, and students must be willing to put in the work to succeed. At the same time, teachers play a major role in whether students understand the...
Students Weigh In on 2025–26 NFL Playoff Games
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks off the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) By William Petty Beakon Staff Writer Youngstown, OH February 4, 2026 - As the 2025 26 NFL playoffs continued, students shared their opinions on how teams looked in their matchups and what they expected to see once the games were played. The playoffs have been...
The Phone Ban
Across the nation, schools are still trying to figure out how to handle mobile phones in the classroom. Almost every student has a phone, and it’s hard to ignore when it lights up or buzzes during a lesson. Some schools choose to ban phones completely, while others focus on teaching students how to manage them responsibly. Many teachers believe limits are necessary because distractions are unavoidable. Mrs. Cadman, Vice Principal, explains that “phones can be useful, but they cause far more...
From Goals to Growth: Student Council Participates in Leadership Session
Last week, Cardinal Mooney’s Student Council took part in the second session of a two-part leadership program in partnership with the Effective Leadership Academy (ELA) from the Cleveland area. The first session was held in August as student leaders geared up for an exciting and successful school year ahead. In this second workshop, students explored the importance of setting SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely—and were challenged to apply these principles to...
The Courtyard Renovations
Cardinal Mooney High School is getting a big upgrade with the redesign of its courtyard, which is right in the center of the school. "It was by design the center of the building, for gathering and celebrating," said by Ms. Simons-Cox. The courtyard is a place where students eat lunch, celebrate victories, and gather during events, so these changes are meant to make it more fun, welcoming, and beautiful for everyone. The new design will include a red brick “CM” logo placed around the victory...

