While sports teams and major school events often take center stage, many student clubs quietly work behind the scenes to build community, develop leadership skills, and create opportunities for students with unique interests. Despite their impact, some clubs at our school remain largely unnoticed.  These lesser-known clubs provide students with chances to explore passions, make friendships, and grow outside of the classroom. From academic groups to service organizations, club members say their...

Cardinal Mooney High School has been a fixture of Catholic education in Youngstown since it opened in 1956. The school was built to meet the growing demand for quality Catholic education on the city’s South Side, and it quickly became known for both academics and community spirit. The school is named after Cardinal Edward Mooney, a Youngstown native who became Archbishop of Detroit. When it first opened, over 600 freshmen and sophomores filled the halls, starting what would become decades of...

Most of us wake up and check our phones before we even get out of bed. Throughout the day, our phones keep buzzing with messages, likes, and random alerts. It might not seem like a big deal, but those little sounds can seriously change our mood. A text from a friend can make us smile right away. Seeing no new notifications can make us feel ignored, even if nothing is actually wrong. We usually do not notice it happening, but our emotions can shift all day long just because of a screen lighting...

For many students at Cardinal Mooney, the day does not end when the bell rings. Instead of going straight home, some head to restaurants, stores, and offices to begin their shift at work.  Working students juggle homework, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, and part-time jobs. While balancing everything can be challenging, many say the experience teaches valuable lessons about time management and responsibility.  ¨I usually go straight from cheer practice to work¨, said...

To students, staff members are often seen as people who give assignments, explain lessons, grade papers and run operations around school.  However, once school is over and the classrooms are empty, many of these individuals step into lives filled with hobbies, families, and passions that students rarely get to see.  "At the end of the day, teaching is only one part of who I am¨, said Senora Bassil, Spanish teacher. ¨After school, I enjoy walking in the park and enjoying nature.¨  At our...

Cardinal Mooney High School will hosted a community blood drive on February 24, organized by Biomedical Program instructor Miss Policy and students in the school’s biomed program. The event aims to support local hospitals while giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn in class to a real-world healthcare setting. Throughout the day, students, staff, and community members had the chance to donate blood and help address ongoing shortages. Biomed students assisted with...

As Lent begins, students at our Catholic high school are reflecting on the meaning of this 40-day season. Lent is a time in the Catholic Church to prepare for Easter in a more serious and meaningful way. During these weeks, people focus on praying more, giving something up, and making better choices in their daily lives. It also reminds us of the 40 days Jesus Christ spent in the desert fasting and praying. Traditionally, Catholics are encouraged to fast, practice self-discipline, and perform...

Students and staff gathered in the school auditorium on Wednesday morning for the Ash Wednesday Mass, marking the beginning of the Lenten season. The Mass was led by Father Rovnak, who spoke about the importance of reflection, growth, and making positive changes during Lent. He encouraged students to participate in Lent by giving something up, helping others, or praying. His message focused on kindness, forgiveness, and taking time to appreciate what truly matters. One of the most meaningful...

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...

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 (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...