The McNicholas Milestone

By Abigail Mason At McNicholas, students can participate in a program that helps get into fields of IT early in their high school career.   The Cyber Patriots is a group of students at McNicholas, involved in a bigger National Youth Cyber education program connected to the Air Force. The group works on activities sent from the Air Force to build technology skills. Students who are a part of this group work to find cyber security flaws and vulnerabilities.   “Our team is built … More CyberPatriot program builds future careers for Rockets 

By Lydia Woodburn McNicholas High School student athletes across several winter sports described their goals, experiences, and expectations for winter season.  Elizabeth Wolfer, a swimmer, said she had participated in the sport since she was young. “I’ve been swimming since I was four,” Wolfer said. She said her goal for the season was to improve her performance. “I want to get better at my backstroke,” she added.  … More Freshman athletes share goals, expectations

By Lauren Korchok Every part of McNicholas High School has a story about its history, but how much of the history do students know? The students know the hallways by the subjects they house, but the hallways have given names that represent the roots of the school.   The original name for the “SAIL Hallway” is McNicholas Hall. McNicholas Hall was the first hallway added to the convent building. “When we started letting in boys, we had to add more rooms,” Theology teacher and Mission and Ministry Team member, Mrs. Mary Beth Sandman said. McNicholas Hall was named after former Cincinnati Archbishop and … More From original to present day; McNick’s hallways take on different names 

By Lauren Korchok Every student travels among eight different classrooms each week, and the classroom decorations they encounter are as varied as the teaching personalities, but they all work to make each teacher’s classroom feel like home for themselves and their students.  From those in their first year through their 38th year of teaching, each classroom looks different. No matter how the classroom looks, teachers try to make their classroom bring peace to the atmosphere of learning.   “Students learn the best when they are comfortable and when the subject they are learning is hard,” math teacher Mr. Steve … More Decorative classrooms create comfortable learning spaces 

By Sean Bursk Archbishop McNicholas High School and Stephen T. Badin High School came head-to-head on the court last Tuesday evening. The Rockets Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team defeated the Rams at McNicholas, continuing their 3-0 win streak.  The game on December 12, 2025, was the home opener for McNick. Since the theme for the game was “white out,” students had the opportunity during lunches to win an old white basketball jersey by playing a game of knockout. Tip-off for the varsity game was at 7:30 p.m. Starting center, senior Matthew Ehlers said the Rockets came into game with a focused … More Men’s basketball beats Badin in home opener

By Ayla Dickerson Ms. Missy Gomez is McNicholas High School’s Mental Health and Wellness Therapist. She started at McNicholas in the fall of 2022 and helps students with their emotional well-being. Unlike the guidance counselors, Gomez is here to discuss anything school related or not. Director of Curriculum Mrs. Katie Hambly said, “I think that … More A safe space in the school day; Gomez’s journey to McNicholas 

By Emma Porter From romance books to science-fiction, McNick students had a lot to say about their choice for their favorite book for 2025. Freshman Ally Hood said, “My favorite book is No One Knows by Osamu Dazai. It just has many relatable topics that I resonate with.” Like Hood, many students found themselves drawn … More Rockets name favorite books of 2025

By Ashley McEntush With the first semester coming to an end, the Teen Library Advisor Board (TLAB) has many plans and upcoming activities for the library. Librarian Mrs. Chelsea Almer shared that she wants the library to be a “fun and inviting place for students.”   Almer said that her goal for the programs taking place in the library is to “make kids want to come into the … More Teen Library Advisory Board drives a wave of new programs 

By Whitley Sway With the winter season approaching, a great way to spend a cold snowy day is to bundle up and watch movies. Whether it’s a scary, funny, or action-packed film, there are dozens of movies that would make an amusing reality. It’s easy to envision ourselves in some of those movies to have another, maybe more fun reality. Movies can create a universe with things that are beyond what we have now, and it allows us to want to know what it’s like, such as flying … More Switching it up; When movies become reality  

By Abigail Mason Around the McNicholas school building, there are multiple symbolic artifacts that represent the culture and faith throughout the school.   Located in front of the McNicholas on Beechmont Avenue, is a Celtic cross. Designed by an artist in Texas, it represents the Irish and Catholic faith of the school.  Director of Mission and … More McNicholas showcases Catholic identity through religious symbols 

By Alex Minella At McNicholas High School, students shop in different ways. Some prefer the convenience of online browsing, while others prefer trying on items before purchasing.  With Christmas coming up, students are weighing their options between heading to a store or heading to a website.    Many students expressed that shopping online feels faster and more efficient. Freshman Anna Ernst said she likes being able to “check … More Shopping showdown: Online convenience vs. in-person experience

By Rosie Smith When students need to visit the school nurse, Mrs. Amy Powderly, they might have noticed shelves of food behind the door between Powderly’s office and the main office. This new addition is the Rocket Fuel Pantry, added for the 2025-2026 school year. In October, Mrs. Jenni Tumser, administrative assistant to the principal, … More Rocket Fuel Pantry provides nourishment for students

By Ashley McEntush With Thanksgiving just a few days away, students are already starting to decorate for Christmas. Senior Liliana McHugh said, “I start decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving.”   Sophomore Izzy Payne said she starts decorating “any time after Halloween or right after Thanksgiving.” Payne also shared that she and her family have fun … More ‘Tis the season or too soon? The great Christmas-before-Thanksgiving debate

By Ayla Dickerson Mrs. Mary Kiger returned to McNicholas High School in the fall of 2021 as a teacher in the SAIL department. For the 2025-2026 school year, Kiger switched disciplines and can now be found in room 167 teaching AP Psychology and Financial Literacy. She is also the teacher representative of the newly founded … More Around the nation and back again; Kiger returns to McNicholas

By Meghan Runte In an era of cellphones and technology, it is often overwhelming for students and teachers to stay focused on work and extracurricular activities. Because of this, many wish they lived in a different decade than they do now.    Freshman Scott Shimp said he would’ve loved to live in the 1980’s. He said his main reasons for wanting to live in the 1980’s was “to … More Blast into the past; Rockets dish on decades

By Rosie Smith The group formerly known as Hope Squad took on a new name this year: Rocket Lighthouse. Under the direction of science teacher Mrs. Chrystel Wells and school counselor Mrs. Amanda Duffy, Rocket Lighthouse is ready to continue the work of what was previously Hope Squad. The name changed this year came about … More Rocket Lighthouse seniors discuss upcoming plans 

By Lauren Korchok McNicholas is putting on their fall play, Hope Springs, in the Jeanne Spurlock Theater on November 6, 7, and 8. Hope Springs is about a teenage rebellion where teenagers are trying to find their personal identities after being labeled “the troubled kids.”   Hope Springs takes place on an island reserved for … More Breaking a leg; McNicholas previews fall play 

By Sean Bursk The 75th Anniversary continues to be celebrated throughout the school year, headed by the McNicholas Advancement and Communications Departments, as well as the Student Executive Team. Archbishop McNicholas High School was approved for development by Archbishop Karl J. Alter in 1951, with the first co-ed class being accepted later that fall. This … More McNicholas celebrates 75th Anniversary as archives come to life

By: Ben Plessinger The annual Club Fair is held at the beginning of every school year at McNicholas. Its purpose is to showcase the clubs and organizations offered at McNick that students are able to join to be more involved during high school. Most clubs and organizations are open to anyone who wants to join, … More Gone clubbing? Club moderators inform students about how to join

By Meghan Runte The first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year ended on Friday, October 10. As the quarter drew to a close, McNicholas students shared their regrets from the first quarter, and how they planned to fix these mistakes for the rest of the school year.   Of the 42 students who completed the Milestone … More Rockets reconsider: McNick students share biggest 1st quarter regrets

By Abigail Mason The Ambassador Program at McNicholas is a part of student involvement and continues to grow in popularity, allowing the school’s community to evolve.   Mrs. Elizabeth Deardorff, Enrollment Manager at McNicholas, said she wants to focus on honoring students and show appreciation to those who help within the Ambassador program. Deardorff said, “It’s … More Ambassador program grows as new director takes the lead 

By Ashley McEntush Librarian Mrs. Chelsea Almer recently announced the addition of the Teen Library Advisory Board (also referred to as TLAB) to provide a student voice to the library with new and creative ideas ranging from books to crafts.  TLAB is a program in the library that is making the library a “fun and … More New program launches to create energy in library 

By: Sarah Marshall For the 2025-2026 school year, the Rocket family welcomed 16 transfer students to the community: Sophomores Avry Dugger, Shea Von Hoene, Sam Koch, Jameson Lake, Michael Nelson, Will Remley, Clayton Scott, Seoyen Shin, and Carson White; and juniors Molly Buehner, Piper Cutforth, Lydia Davidson, Jake Debrosse, Joshua Debrosse, Ben Martin, and Maximilian Weber. … More Navigating the maze: Transfer students share experience adjusting  

By Whitley Sway Former Latin teacher and football coach, Mr. Paul Romolo, was named Principal this past summer. In preparation for this role, he attended grad school and participated in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Aspiring Leaders for Catholic Educators program. He is eager to take on this leadership for the McNicholas students and faculty and … More New Principal, Mr. Paul Romolo, shares his goals for the upcoming school year 

By Rosie Smith Rocket Lighthouse presents yellow bench outside of the counselor’s office to encourage peer to peer support for students’ mental health. In June, Chrystel Wells, one of McNick’s chemistry teachers and head of Rocket Lighthouse (formerly Hope Squad), spent 6-8 hours talking to Cindy Nadelbach about her son, Josh Nadelbach, who struggled with … More Follow the yellow bench: Donated bench invites students to talk about mental health

By: Alex Minella The journalism staff is starting the 2025 – 2026 school year with new leadership. Seniors Whitley Sway and Ayla Dickerson, junior Rosie Smith, and sophomores Maeve Rice, Meghan Runte and Alex Minella will be serving as editors, each bringing their own experience and goals. Together, they will help guide the program through … More New year, new leadership: Meet the students running the show at the Milestone 

By Meghan Runte Rockets are nearing the four-week mark in the 2025 to 2026 school year, and as homework starts picking up in classes, so do the excuses for why students don’t have it.   Common excuses minds tend to go to include the old phrase “my dog ate my homework” or the more modern phrase … More The dog ate my homework! How homework excuses have evolved