Spartan Advocate June 2008
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Spartan Advocate Volume 3 Issue 3 Somers High School June 2008 A Somers High School Student Newspaper A newspaper that delivers a voice for the students of Somers High School An organization making a realitiy for the students of Somers. News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 5 Senior Awards 08 . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,7 Somers Education Foundation Index by Rachel Goodman As the green trend catches on and people create compost heaps, recycle obsessively, and avoid plastic bags like West Nile virus. But suddenly, it occurs to me, who do these drastic changes affect? What will happen to the plastic bag factories? They likely employ thousands of people... Do these people get free plastic bags to take home to the family? Do they have plastic bag wallpaper, plastic bag purses, plastic bag curtains? Imagine how society will ostracize them when they discover Go Green: Who Does it Affect? their excessive use of these evil items! Moreover, if the trend of disuse really catches on, these sad employees will be out of a job. Where will they work in this job-hungry economy? How will they feed their children? Plastic isn’t edible! Consider also environmentalists. If everyone jumps on the bandwagon and starts cleaning up their acts, what will they have to complain about? No more irony of wasted paper telling people to recyle, no more holier- than-thou struts in their burlap outfits because it will be impossible to tell the trendoids from the die- Renaissance Somers High School | Student Recognition Program Featured on Page 8 By Alex Altieri Underage drink- ing has recently become The Issue in Somers, as well as in Connecticut. I’m sure everyone has read the articles, heard the gossip, and even argued with their teachers about the contro- versy. I know that everyone from our school is familiar with the incident during the March Madness pep rally, when all of the seniors were breathalyzed after it was discovered that some of them had been drinking. However, most often the articles and statements have Underage Drinking - Problems and Solutions come from either news reporters or our beloved administration. Who we haven’t truly heard from are the students themselves, the ones being judged and discussed. I talked with groups of seniors, juniors, and sophomores to find out how the people in the center of this matter really see it. First of all, it was agreed amongst all ages that Somers High School may have a drinking prob- lem. Obviously anyone coming into school and getting drunk would leave them to believe so. But the students recognized that there were other problems with the situation. Only the sophomores spoken to by this reporter believed that the incident was handled properly by our school. The seniors this reporter spoke definitely felt that they were being unfairly singled out as they were the only grade subjected to the breathalyzer. Kelsey Walton, a junior, sympa- thized with both the school and the students saying, “Everyone should have been breathalyzed, but at the time the administration probably didn’t know what to do.” The idea that each student should have been breathalyzed was agreed by everyone, who supported this notion with the knowl- edge that some underclass- men were under the influ- ence that day as well. While the students felt that single incident was not managed very well, the juniors and seniors believe that our school is handling the drinking problem as a whole much better. Senior Jim Lucey approves of the strategy of warning SHS students before dances that they will be breathalyzed upon admission, as it is most effective and less iso- lating. Still, some sopho- mores think our adminis- tration needs to find a new approach, as the problem seems to be getting worse. By far the most controversial topic of discussion was the athletes who were caught drink- ing but not kicked off their teams. Many students have pointed out that athletes with bad grades get re- moved from their teams, and feel the punishment should be equal for drink- ing, whether or not it is a Somers High School policy (the grade policy is a state one). Sophomore RJ Welch stated his feelings best when he claimed, “They probably should have been kicked off; they obviously aren’t getting the message.” RJ brings up a good question: Will these stu- dents, or anyone else, learn from this situation? I think we are all still getting used to the prevalence of breathalyzers at our school. However, what everyone needs to realize is that underage drinking is illegal, and our administration can’t just let it slide as they may have in previous years. Even if you don’t think you have a drinking problem (I believe you have an impressing people problem), the only quick and easy solution is to leave your alcohol at home, it clearly has no place in Somers High. hards. What then? Will it be PeTA’s day to shine next? Will the next eco- friendly slogan be: “Go Veg”? These questions plague me each time I open my reusable cloth sack to accept yet another clearance-rack purchase. Never mind the consequences of living in such a consumerist society within which the only way to reach people is through their pockets (like with a plastic bag tax). But then, I begin admiring the periwinkle, Victorian- inspired design on my bag and think: Who cares? Editorial By Karen Arakelian The countless genocides in Darfur have hit the world news fro many years. Everyday the pros- pect of peace becomes more minimal. The U.N. fears that there will be another cycle of conflict in Darfur, the confrontation between the two political parties in Darfur could leave many refugee’s dead. An attack on Khartoum last weekend by the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement worsened the conflicts in Darfur. It is therefore feared that there will be more confrontation because of this large scale of violence. Sadly trying to keep the peace between the people in the Sudan has become increasingly difficult. The question is not when but how to stop the chaotic environment. U.N. officials estimate that as many as 300,000 people may have been killed in the five-year-old Darfur conflict. Khartoum says the figure is only about 10,000. That’s a good chunk of the people living in Somers. Hopefully the upcoming peace talks may help the people stuck between all the violence survive. World View: Darfur
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Transcript of Spartan Advocate June 2008
Spartan AdvocateVolume 3 Issue 3 Somers High SchoolJune 2008
A Somers High School Student
Newspaper
A newspaper that delivers a voice for the students of Somers High School
An organization making a realitiy for the students of Somers.
News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 5
Senior Awards 08 . . . . . . . . . . 4
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,7
Somers Education Foundation
Ind
ex
by Rachel Goodman
Asthegreentrendcatchesonandpeoplecreatecompostheaps,recycleobsessively,andavoidplasticbagslikeWestNilevirus.Butsuddenly,itoccurstome,whodothesedrasticchangesaffect? Whatwillhappentotheplasticbagfactories?Theylikelyemploythousandsofpeople...Dothesepeoplegetfreeplasticbagstotakehometothefamily?Dotheyhaveplasticbagwallpaper,plasticbagpurses,plasticbagcurtains?Imaginehowsocietywillostracizethemwhentheydiscover
GoGreen:WhoDoesitAffect?theirexcessiveuseoftheseevilitems!Moreover,ifthetrendofdisusereallycatcheson,thesesademployeeswillbeoutofajob.Wherewilltheyworkinthisjob-hungryeconomy?Howwilltheyfeedtheirchildren?Plasticisn’tedible! Consideralsoenvironmentalists.Ifeveryonejumpsonthebandwagonandstartscleaninguptheiracts,whatwilltheyhavetocomplainabout?Nomoreironyofwastedpapertellingpeopletorecyle,nomoreholier-than-thoustrutsintheirburlapoutfitsbecauseitwillbeimpossibletotellthetrendoidsfromthedie-
RenaissanceSomers High School | Student Recognition Program
Featured on Page 8
ByAlexAltieri Underagedrink-inghasrecentlybecomeTheIssueinSomers,aswellasinConnecticut.I’msureeveryonehasreadthearticles,heardthegossip,andevenarguedwiththeirteachersaboutthecontro-versy.IknowthateveryonefromourschoolisfamiliarwiththeincidentduringtheMarchMadnesspeprally,whenalloftheseniorswerebreathalyzedafteritwasdiscoveredthatsomeofthemhadbeendrinking.However,mostoftenthearticlesandstatementshave
UnderageDrinking-ProblemsandSolutions
comefromeithernewsreportersorourbelovedadministration.Whowehaven’ttrulyheardfromarethestudentsthemselves,theonesbeingjudgedanddiscussed.Italkedwithgroupsofseniors,juniors,andsophomorestofindouthowthepeopleinthecenterofthismatterreallyseeit. Firstofall,itwasagreedamongstallagesthatSomersHighSchoolmayhaveadrinkingprob-lem.Obviouslyanyonecomingintoschoolandgettingdrunkwouldleave
themtobelieveso.Butthestudentsrecognizedthattherewereotherproblemswiththesituation.Onlythesophomoresspokentobythisreporterbelievedthattheincidentwashandledproperlybyourschool.Theseniorsthisreporterspokedefinitelyfeltthattheywerebeingunfairlysingledoutastheyweretheonlygradesubjectedtothebreathalyzer.KelseyWalton,ajunior,sympa-thizedwithboththeschoolandthestudentssaying,“Everyoneshouldhavebeenbreathalyzed,butatthetimetheadministrationprobablydidn’tknowwhattodo.” Theideathateachstudentshouldhavebeenbreathalyzedwasagreedbyeveryone,whosupportedthisnotionwiththeknowl-edgethatsomeunderclass-menwereundertheinflu-encethatdayaswell.
Whilethestudentsfeltthatsingleincidentwasnotmanagedverywell,thejuniorsandseniorsbelievethatourschoolishandlingthedrinkingproblemasawholemuchbetter.SeniorJimLuceyapprovesofthestrategyofwarningSHSstudentsbeforedancesthattheywillbebreathalyzeduponadmission,asitismosteffectiveandlessiso-lating.Still,somesopho-moresthinkouradminis-trationneedstofindanewapproach,astheproblemseemstobegettingworse. Byfarthemostcontroversialtopicofdiscussionwastheathleteswhowerecaughtdrink-ingbutnotkickedofftheirteams.Manystudentshavepointedoutthatathleteswithbadgradesgetre-movedfromtheirteams,andfeelthepunishmentshouldbeequalfordrink-ing,whetherornotitisaSomersHighSchoolpolicy
(thegradepolicyisastateone).SophomoreRJWelchstatedhisfeelingsbestwhenheclaimed, “Theyprobablyshouldhavebeenkickedoff;theyobviouslyaren’tgettingthemessage.” RJbringsupagoodquestion:Willthesestu-dents,oranyoneelse,learnfromthissituation? Ithinkweareallstillgettingusedtotheprevalenceofbreathalyzersatourschool.However,whateveryoneneedstorealizeisthatunderagedrinkingisillegal,andouradministrationcan’tjustletitslideastheymayhaveinpreviousyears.Evenifyoudon’tthinkyouhaveadrinkingproblem(Ibelieveyouhaveanimpressingpeopleproblem),theonlyquickandeasysolutionistoleaveyouralcoholathome,itclearlyhasnoplaceinSomersHigh.
hards.Whatthen?WillitbePeTA’sdaytoshinenext?Willthenexteco-friendlysloganbe:“GoVeg”? ThesequestionsplaguemeeachtimeIopenmyreusableclothsacktoacceptyetanotherclearance-rackpurchase.Nevermindtheconsequencesoflivinginsuchaconsumeristsocietywithinwhichtheonlywaytoreachpeopleisthroughtheirpockets(likewithaplasticbagtax).Butthen,Ibeginadmiringtheperiwinkle,Victorian-inspireddesignonmybagandthink:Whocares?
Editorial
ByKarenArakelian
ThecountlessgenocidesinDarfurhavehittheworldnewsfromanyyears.Everydaythepros-pectofpeacebecomesmoreminimal.TheU.N.fearsthattherewillbeanothercycleofconflictinDarfur,theconfrontationbetweenthetwopoliticalpartiesinDarfurcouldleavemanyrefugee’sdead.AnattackonKhartoumlastweekendbytheDarfurrebelJusticeandEqualityMovementworsenedtheconflictsinDarfur.Itisthereforefearedthattherewillbemoreconfrontationbecauseofthislargescaleofviolence.SadlytryingtokeepthepeacebetweenthepeopleintheSudanhasbecomeincreasinglydifficult.Thequestionisnotwhenbuthowtostopthechaoticenvironment.U.N.officialsestimatethatasmanyas300,000peoplemayhavebeenkilledinthefive-year-oldDarfurconflict.Khartoumsaysthefigureisonlyabout10,000.That’sagoodchunkofthepeoplelivinginSomers.Hopefullytheupcomingpeacetalksmayhelpthepeoplestuckbetweenalltheviolencesurvive.
WorldView:Darfur
NewsPAGE 2 June 2008 • The Spartan Advocate
ByAlexBerger
JohnSydneyMcCainIIIwasbornonAugust29,1936inPanamaCanalZone,PanamatoAdmi-ralJohnSydneyMcCain,Jr.andRoberta(Wright)McCain.Hehadattendedmanydifferentschoolsasachild.Growinguphewasalwaysconsideredabornleaderandmanytimesstickingupforbulliedkids.McCaingraduatedfromtheUnitedStatesNavalAcademyin1958andpro-ceededtopursuea22yearcareerasanavyaviator.HerequestedforacombatassignmentandwasgivenoneinDecemberof1966.Hewasassignedtoanair-craftcarrierandflewA-4Skyhawks.Insummerof1967,McCain,at30yearsofage,finallyenteredtheworldofcombat.Hiscarrier,theUSSForrestal,wassentonabombingmissioninVietnam.OnJuly29,McCain,thenaLieutenantCommander,wasnearlykilledwhentheForrestal,includinghisjet,burstintoflame.He
washelpinganotherpilotexitwhenabombwentoff,sendingshrapneldeepintohislegsandchest.Thefireslew134sailorsinall,butMcCaindidn’tletthewoundsstophim.HethenvolunteeredfortheUSSOriskany.AsMcCainwasflyinghisA4E-AkyhawkoverHanoionhis23rdbombingmission,hewasshotdownbyaVCmis-sile.Bothhisarmsandalegbroken,heparachuteddown,nearlydrowninginTrucBachLake.Whenheregainedconsciousness,hewasambushedbyaVietCongmobthatshat-teredhisshoulderwiththeirriflebuttsandbroughthimtoHoaLoaPrison,“HanoiHilton”.Therehewasviciouslybeatenandinterrogated,hiswoundsuntreated.TheNorthVietnameseannouncedhiscaptureandmovedhimtoamedicalwardonlyafterdiscoveringthathisfatherwasanAmericaadmiral.Withmarginalcare,Mc-Cainlost50lbsandhishairlostallpigment,turningitwhitefrommalnutrition.
Hewasthensenttoadif-ferentcampintheoutskirtsofHanoiinDecember1967.InMarch1968,hewasplacedinsolitarycon-finementwherehewouldbehousedfortwoyears.ThatfollowingJuly,ashisfatherbecamecommanderofVietnamesetheater,McCainwasofferedearlyreleasefromtheprisoncamphewasconfinedinduetotheVCtryingtoportraythemselvesasforgivingandmercifulforthepublic.JohnMcCainturneddowntheofferwithhisonlyexplanationbeingthathewouldonlyacceptleaveifandonlyifeverymanthathadbeencapturedbeforehimweretobereleasedaswell.Followingthat,severetorturebegantobeperformedonMcCaininAugust,1968.Atthatsametime,hewassufferingfromaterriblecaseofdysentery.Nearlydead,hewasforcedtoreciteananti-American“confession”.Theyearsoftortureandinhumanetreat-mentresultedintheinabil-ityforMcCaintoeverbeabletolifthisarmsabove
AbouttheCandiate:JohnMcCain
hisheadagain.ManyotherPOWsalsoenduredthissametreatment,someevenworse.Afterbeingheldforfiveandhalfyears,Mc-CainwasfinallyreleasedonMarch14,1973andwasreunitedwithhiswifeandchildrenintheUnitedStates.Afterseveralmoreyearsinactiveduty,Mc-Cainfinallyretiredfromthenavyin1981asaCaptainandheadedtoArizona.HetriedtorunfortheRepub-licancandidateforaseatinArizona’s1stCongres-sionalDistrictbutwasattackedforbeinganew-comertothestate.McCainrespondedtoavoterwithwhatwouldcometobeconsideredoneofthemost“devastatingresponsestoapotentiallytroublesomepoliticalissue”with,“Listen,pal.Ispent22yearsintheNavy.My
fatherwasintheNavy.MygrandfatherwasintheNavy.Weinthemilitaryservicetendtomovealot.Wehavetoliveinallpartsofthecountry,allpartsoftheworld.IwishIcouldhavehadtheluxury,likeyou,ofgrowingupandliv-ingandspendingmyentirelifeinaniceplaceliketheFirstDistrictofAri-zona,butIwasdoingotherthings.Asamatteroffact,whenIthinkaboutitnow,theplaceIlivedlongestinmylifewasHanoi.”
In1983,hewaselectedtothehouseandeasilyre-electedin1984.McCainstartedhisfirstsenatetermin1987andremainsanAri-zonasenatortothisday.
Spartan Advocate 2007 - 2008 StaffMr. Phil Goduti
Advisor Join the Spartan Advocate
Rachel GoodmanGeno Bologna
Kristen Gebhart
Matt Berger
Alex AltieriMelissa Perry
Karen ArakelianGina Welch
Sydney Altieri
Alex Berger
Anthony DuarteAndy Yau
Ricky O’Donnell
Zach Sutherland
Catherine MachnickiMadison ZacharySarah Goodman
FeaturesThe Spartan Advocate • June 2008 PAGE 3
ByRickyO’Donnell
Everyyear,atthebeginningofMay,arushofblockbusterfilmsbeginsanddoesnotceaseuntilmid-August.Lastyear,manybigsequelswerere-leased,somegood(BourneUltimatum),somethatwereabsolutelyhorrible(PiratesoftheCaribbean3).Thereweremanysur-prisestoo,asmovieslikeSuperbadandTransform-erswerehitsthatcameoutofnowhere.Thisyear,thoughwearealreadyinmid-June,theSpartanAd-vocatewouldliketohelpyousortthroughwhichmovieswillbeworthyour$10admission,andthemillionsofdollarsingasitmightcosttogetyoutothetheatres.
5FilmstoSeeduringtheSummerof‘08
TheDarkKnight-Thesequelto2005’sfantasticBatmanBegins,TheDarkKnightisano-brainerthissummer.InthisfilmChristianBalereturnsasBatman,whomustfighttheinsaneJoker,playedbythelateHeathLedger.Batmanalsohashishands
fullwiththeaftermathofbringingdownthemobofGothamCity.Allsignspointtothisfilmbeing2008’sbigwinner,butyoucanjudgeforyourselfwhenthemoviearrivesintheatresJuly18th.
Wall-E-ThepeopleofPixar,creatorsofsuchfilmsasFindingNemo,TheIncredibles,MonstersInc.andToyStoryarebackagainwithafilmaboutarobotwholivesontheabandonedplanetEarthintheyear2700.Itsoundssilly,buttherehasneverbeenabadPixarmovie,sogiveWall-Eachance,andonJune27thyoumaybepleasantlysurprised.
Hancock-WillSmithisenoughtobringanyonetothemovies.Especiallywhenheplaysasuperherowhoishatedbyhiscity,andcandonothingright.Aspoofofthecomicbookgenre,Hancocklookstobeasafe-betforsomegoodactionandalaughorto.CatchitintheatresJuly2nd.
ThePineappleExpress-JuddApatow,directorofKnocked-Up,Superbad,andForgettingSarahMarshallbringsus
anotherfilmtolaughaboutandquoteformonthsonend.Ifyouwanttolaughthissummer,yourbestshotiscatchingthisfilmonAugust8th.
TheIncredibleHulk-Hulkrun.Hulkjump.Hulksmash!Thoughthisfilmmaynothavethebestscriptofmoviescomingoutthissummer,itissuretohaveafantasticmonsterv.monsterbattleandmanyscenesofthatnot-so-jollygreengiantdestroyingNewYorkCity…again.
Havemoretimeonyourhands?Takeachanceontheseriskyfilms…
GetSmart-SteveCarrellattemptstoremaketheclassictelevisionseries.Iguessitcan’tbeworsethenBewitched…6/20.
Wanted-Couldbethisyear’s300,orjustanotherbadactionmovie.6/27.
KongFuPanda-JackBlackasalazypandawhotakesupkongfuisenoughtomakemeexcitedforafilm…aslongasitdoesn’tgettochild-ori-ented.6/6.
SummerMovies2008
BySydneyAltieri
HerearesomelocalconcertsinCTthatyoumaywanttocheckout
DODGEMUSICCENTERTimMcgraw-6/8TomPetty–6/11DaveMatthewsBand–6/13and14PearlJam–6/27ProjektRevolution(LinkinPark,ChrisCornell)–7/20RascalFlatts-8/22
MOHEGANSUNARENAEricClapton-6/2BillyJoel-6/13,6/1,6/26,6/28,7/3,7/5Poison-7/29Boston-8/6NineInchNails-8/7Journey-8/17MotleyCrue–8/24
WEBSTERTHEATRERockofLoveTourwithBretMichaels–6/11MindlessSelfIndulgence–7/2AllTimeLow–7/21
XLCENTER(HARTFORDCIVICCENTER)AmericalIdolsTour-8/8
ConcertPreview
ArtArtStacyFaheyBusinessIntro/BusinessElizabethTarboxEnglishGrade9-EnglishSarahGoodmanEnglishGrade10EnglishElizabethTarboxEnglishGrade11EnglishJustineFalconeHealthJuniorHealthTaylorBidmeadHealthJuniorHealthMatthewJonesMathAlgebraAAndreaReutterMathAlgebra1AustinPortalMathConsumerMathJillianSoucyMathAlgebra2LaurenSilvisMathDiscoveriesinGeometryJoshPantoMathComputerProgrammingKevinKingMathGeometryJeffreyCooleyMathHonorsGeometryAlexAndersenMathHonorsAlgebra2CamilleThomasMathHonorsAlgebra2StacyThomasMathTrigonometryNathanFisherMathElem.FunctionsNathanFisherMathAmericanMathCompetitionNathanFisherMathAmericanMathCompetitionStacyThomasMathCapitolAreaMathLeagueChadZawistowskiMathCapitolAreaMathLeagueChristineLesniakMathCapitolAreaMathLeagueMatthewHockingMathCapitolAreaMathLeagueSarahHockingMathCapitolAreaMathLeagueShannonCooleyMusicGr9ChoralLee-AnnPercoskiMusicGr10ChoralRichardWelchMusicGr11ChoralRobertMulakMusicJazzChoirAward9AndrewThomasMusicJazzChoirAward10ElizabethTarboxMusicJazzChoirAward11PaulLietzMusicGr9BandRyanKingMusicGr10BandPeterBezziniMusicGr11BandKevinKing
Phy.Ed.Grade9Female-PEElizabethPoitrasPhy.Ed.Grade9Male-PEDanielO’GradyPhy.Ed.Grade10Female-PEJillianBlauveltPhy.Ed.Grade10Male-PEAdamFosterPhy.Ed.Grade11Female-PEAshleyLockePhy.Ed.Grade11Male-PEBrandonMarszalekScienceFreshmanScienceThomasGayScienceFreshmanScienceRichardLeesScienceBiologyDanielMaddenScienceBiologyDanielHendersonScienceUSArmy,Navy&AirForceJuniorScience&Hu-manitiesSymposiumMatthewHockingScienceUSArmy,Navy&AirForceJuniorScience&Hu-manitiesSymposiumSarahHockingScienceChemistryStacyThomasSocialSt.SocialStudiesGrade9SamanthaZawistowskiSocialSt.SocialStudiesGrade10AnthonyFurnariSocialSt.SocialStudiesGrade11BethBardsleyTechnologyCommunicationIIChelseaMcCallumTechnologyConstructionZacharyAndersonTechnologyIntroDrafting/CADDJonathanSchiesslTechnologyAdvancedCADDMoriahBrockwayTechnologyManufacturingIScottKloterTechnologyManufacturingIITaylorAtkinsonTechnologyIntrotoTechnologyChristopherMashiakW.Lang.Spanish2LaurenAstoneW.Lang.Spanish3ElizabethTarboxW.Lang.Spanish4NathanFisherW.Lang.French2GeorgiaBurkeW.Lang.French3DanielHendersonW.Lang.French4BenjaminThompsonHonorsAcademicBowlTeamBenjaminThompsonHonorsAcademicBowlTeamSarahHockingBookAwardBayPathBookAwardDanielleRoseBookAwardCornellUniversityBookAwardKathleenPowers
BookAwardGettysburyBookAwardPatrickDuffyBookAwardGoodwinCollegeTaylorBidmeadBookAwardMiddleburyCollegeBookAwardJulianneAumanBookAwardHolyCrossBookAwardLaurynFalconeBookAwardMountHolyokeBookAwardSamanthaDumasBookAwardStudentSageCollegeAwardSarahHockingBookAwardSt.AnselmCollegeBookAwardKatelynAustinBookAwardSt.Michael’sBookAwardMaryWatersBookAwardSt.Michael’sBookAwardRobertMulakBookAwardTrinityCollegeBookAwardJustineFalconeBookAwardUniversityofRochester,FrederickDouglas/SusanBAnthonyHumanities/SocialSciencesAwardAniKerrBookAwardUniversityofRoch.-Bausch&LombSci-enceAwardMorganZacharyBookAwardUniversityofRoch.KodakYoungLeadersTimothyO’HearnHonorsAmericanCitizenshipAwardAlanRoberts,AndreaReutter,AriannaBliss,AshleyAnderson,AshleyWright,BiancaKrzynowek,BrandonRoberts,BrianCoope,BriannaHerbert,ElizabethPoitras,KailyJones,KathrynSquillace,KaylaStetson,KeishaMorales,LukeCassarino,MaryRockett,MatthewBenoit,MillicentSawtelle,MollyRegan,RyanDonovan
HonorsAmericanCitizenshipAwardSamanthaZawis-towskiHonorsRensselaerMedalNathanFisherHonorsLions-Grade9LaurenAstoneHonorsLions-Grade10CamilleThomasHonorsLions-Grade11JustineFalcone
UnderclassmenAwards2007/2008
Spartan Advocate 2007 - 2008 Staff
Senior Awards 2007/2008PAGE 4 June 2008 • The Spartan Advocate
Art-CeramicsAnnWatersArt-ExcellenceinArtLaurieLongtinArt-Drawing&PaintingChelsieMeroneArt-ExellenceinArtLucyKeeneyArt-ExcellenceinArtKyleGallawayArt-FaithFergusonArtMedal-AmberPascoeBusiness-BusinessLawAdamHurwitzBusiness-Accounting1SarahGarlickBusiness-EntrepreneurshipThomasPowersBusiness-MarketingThomasPowersBusiness-CSCPAOutstandingAccountingStudentThomasPowersEnglish-Grade12-AcademicEnglish12AchievementAwardAmyHarringtonEnglish-Grade12-English-OutstandingWriterRachelGoodmanEnglish-Grade12English-OutstandingStudentLouisPiscottanoFoodServiceAwardHeatherParkerFoodServiceAwardSamanthaArmyHealth-SeniorHealthKristenGebhartHealth-SeniorHealthAndrewLariviereMath-CalculusMikaelaEliaMath-APStatisticsAnnWatersMath-APCalculusBrewsterKnowltonMath-CapitolAreaMathLeagueLawrenceFelixMath-CapitolAreaMathLeagueTedBergerMath-JetsTeam-Varsity-ParticipationAnneKohlerMath-JetsTeam-Varsity-ParticipationJenniferDufraineMath-JetsTeam-Varsity-ParticipationJessicaEstanislauMath-JetsTeam-Varsity-ParticipationLawrenceFelixMath-JetsTeam-Varsity-ParticipationLouisPiscottanoMusic-SeniorChoralAwardAmandaPolakMusic-SeniorBandAwardTessPlotkinMusic-Sr.JazzChoirAwardLouisPiscottanoMusic-U.S.Marine-MusicExcellenceAlexHayowykMusic-U.S.Marine-MusicExcellenceKellyDessoMusic-WallofFameAwardLoraleeBinghamPE/Health-Grade12Female-PEMollyDriscollPE/Health-Grade12Male-PEZacharyMandirolaScience-PhysicsLouisPiscottanoScience-ScienceLifetimeAchievementAwardKatelynTraskSocialStudies-StudentAdvisoryCouncilPresidentLucyKeeneySocialStudies-CareerSocialStudiesChristopherFreyTechnology-Senior,OutstandingAchievementinTechnologyEducationAndyYauTechnology-NewEnglandInstituteofTechnologyAndyYauTechnology-NewEnglandInstituteofTechnologyChristopherFrey,DevinGowash,RyanEgan,ThomasMinor
Technology-R&D-TeamPhoenix-AlexMurdock,AndyYau,CalNutbrown,ChrisHardy,DevinGowash,DevinWakelin,JamesClark,MattMeisterling,Rob-ertCammilleri,RyanEgan,ThomasMinor,YasperSandberg,ZachSutherland
WorldLanguage-Spanish5DerekBurdWorldLanguage-French5LouisPiscottano_*HonorsandRecognitionAwards*_ConnecticutAssociationofBoardsofEducation-CABEAwardLouisPiscottanoConnecticutAssociationofBoardsofEducation-CABEAwardLucyKeeneyCongressionalCertificateofMeritLawrenceFelixSecretaryofStateExcellenceinCitizenshipAndyYauHerffJonesPrincipal’sLeadershipAwardLouisPiscottano
PresidentialAwardforAcademicExcellenceVeronicaAndersen,NicholasBraica,MikaelaElia,JessicaEstanislau,SarahGarlick,RachelGoodman,AdamHurwitz,LucyKeeney,BrewsterKnowlton,AndrewLariviere,LouisPiscottano,TessPlot-kin,NicolePrince,AnnWaters
PresidentialAwardforAcademicAchievementTimothyCharette,EricChartier,JenniferDufraine,ChristopherFrey,GinaWelch,MollyDriscoll,KatelynTrask,MatthewShaw,LaurieLongtin,LindsayGoodenow,SarahVarnauskas,BrittanyBastarache
U.S.MarineScholasticExcellenceAwardChelsieMeroneU.S.MarineScholasticExcellenceAwardGenoBologno
AcademicBowlTeamAnneKohler,JessicaEstanislau,LouisPiscottano,TeamNickRussotto
ContinuousHonorRollAchievementVeronicaAndersen,AdamHurwitz,LucyKeeney,LouisPiscottano,SarahGarlick,SarahVarnauskas,RachelGoodman,AnnWaters,MelissaRegan,MikaelaElia,TessPlotkin,JessicaEstanislau,Brews-terKnowlton,NicholasBraica
NationalMeritLetterofRecognitionLouisPiscottanoNationalMeritLetterofRecognitionSamuelThomasNationalHispanicRecognitionBoardScholarRachelGoodmanUniversityofConnecticutAcademicExcellenceScholarshipAdamHurwitzUniversityofConnecticutAcademicExcellenceScholarshipGenoBolognaPrincipal’sAward(LeadershipService)LoraleeBinghamPrincipal’sAward(LeadershipService)RyanJosephPrincipal’sAward-GreatestPersonalGrowthChritopherFreyPrincipal’sAward-GreatestPersonalGrowthLindsayGoodenowRotaryAwardforOutstandingServiceLucyKeeneyLions-Grade12LouisPiscottano
_*SCHOLARSHIPS*_BetaClubAwardJessicaEstanislauBigYAwardLouisPiscottanoGaryBoniniMemorialScholarshipTedBergerPaulBowersMemorial(SomersLacrosseAssociation)AlexMurdochPaulBowersMemorial(SomersLacrosseAssociation)LucyKeeneyPatBowlesMemorialScholarshipAnnWatersSeanBrownMemorialScholarshipSterlingDunnCatholicDaughtersofAmericaScholarshipAdamHurwitzDavidN.DrakeMemorialScholarshipMatthewMeisterlingGengenbach/DomainScholarshipLaurenHeagieDebGrenonMemorialScholarshipAnnWatersDebGrenonMemorialScholarshipAshleyWinterKristenHammondScholarshipJenniferDufraineJoanHayesMemorialScholarshipSarahGarlickJohnsonMemorialScholarshipMikaelaEliaKeeneyFoundationAdamHurwitz,JessicaEstanislau,LouisPiscottano,MikaelaEliaKeeneyMemorialLucyKeeney,NicolePrince,RachelGoodman,TessPlotkin,VeronicaAndersenNationalHonorSocietyScholarshipJessicaEstanislauNationalHonorSocietyScholarshipLucyKeeneyNationalHonorSocietyScholarshipMikaelaEliaNorthCentralConn.ChamberofCommerceScholarshipTessPlotkinFrancineOrtonMemorialKristenGebhartGeraldPerreaultMemorialBryanThresherGeraldPerreaultMemorial-TobaccoValleyTeacher’sCreditUnionScholarshipJulianaCastroPostmastersScholarshipKaraMcGuaneRockvilleBankAcademicScholarshipAshleyWinterRockvilleBankVocationalScholarshipRyanEganRobertSheehanMemorialScholarshipJenniferDufraineShenipsitStriders/CrossCountryScholarshipNicholasBraicaSomersBeautificationAdamHurwitzSomersBeautificationRyanEganSomersBoosterClub(Athletic/LeadershipAward)ChelsieMeroneSomersBoosterClub(Athletic/LeadershipAward)MelvilleThorneSomersCulturalCommissionVisualArtsScholarshipAmberPascoeSomersDemocraticTownCommittee-WillardPinneyGoodCitizenshipAwardDerekBurdSomersEducationAssociationAmberPascoeSomersEducationAssociationLucyKeeneySomersEducationSupportAssociation-BarbaraBushnellMemorialJessicaEstanislauSomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialAdamHurwitzSomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialAmandaStantonSomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialAshleyWinterSomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialBrittanyBastaracheSomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialChristopherFreySomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialGinaWelchSomersLions-MacieGraceMcCloskeyMemorialMelissaReganSomersLions-RichardWeingartenCourtneyGaconaSomersMusicPatronsLoraleeBinghamSomersMusicPatronsTessPlotkinSomersMusicPatrons-ChristineTaftMemorialMollyDriscollSomersPTSAScholarshipAndyYau,EricChartier,LouisPiscottano,ScholarshipSarahGarlickSomersRotary-ContributionstoSchoolandCommunityAdamHurwitzSomersRotary-ContributionstoSchoolandCommunityAndyYauSomersRotary-ContributionstoSchoolandCommunityJessicaEstanislauSomersRotary-ContributionstoSchoolandCommunityLucyKeeneySomersRotary-PeterChipourasMemorialHeatherParkerCarolA.DionMemorialpresentedbySomersSeniorCenterMelissaReganCarolA.DionMemorialpresentedbySomersSeniorCenterCourtneyGaconaCarolA.DionMemorialpresentedbySomersSeniorCenterJessicaEstanislauCarolA.DionMemorialpresentedbySomersSeniorCenterLouisPiscottanoCarolA.DionMemorialpresentedbySomersSeniorCenterLucyKeeneyCarolA.DionMemorialpresentedbySomersSeniorCenterMikaelaEliaSomersNurshingAssociation-MelissaReganSomersSoccerAssociationScholarshipDerekBurdSomersSoccerAssociationScholarshipMelissaReganSomersVillagePlayersTessPlotkinSomersWomen‘sClubAdamHurwitzSomersWomen‘sClub-ConnecticutFederatedWomen’sClubChelsieMeroneSomersWomen‘sClub-ConnecticutFederatedWomen’sClubKyleGallawayFrank&CharlotteStopaScholarshipLoreleeBinghamNationalHonorSocietyStudent-PresidentLucyKeeney,AdamHurwitz,JessicaEstanislau,Mikae-laElia,AnnWaters,DanielleAndrzejewski,VeronicaAndersen,GenoBologna,DerekBurd,BrianCoughlin,LawrenceFelix,SarahGarlick,KristenGebhart,RachelGoodman,BrewsterKnowlton,AnneKohler,AndrewLariviere,LouisPiscottano,TessPlotkin,ThomasPowers,NicolePrince,SarahVarnauskas,MelissaRegan.SALUTATORIANMikaelaElia.VALEDICTORIANLouisPiscottano
_*ATHLETICS*_MillerickAwardBrewsterKnowltonMillerickAwardChelsieMeroneWendy’sHeismanAwardLucyKeeneyU.S.MarineAthleteAwardMackenzieVitaU.S.MarineAthleteAwardMelvilleThorneCIACScholar-AthleteBrewsterKnowltonCIACScholar-AthleteMikaelaEliaCIACSportmanshipAwardAdamHurwitzCIACSportmanshipAwardTessPlotkin
The Spartan Advocate • June 2008 PAGE 5
FeaturesMilkDud
Allyoucaneatadvice!
DearMilkDud, Myfriendsmellslikedeath!Hedoesn’tevershowerorweardeodorant.Unlesshestartstosmellbetter,I’mgoingtostophangingaroundhim.WhatshouldIdo?
--Can’tstandthestench
DearStench,There’snothingthatcomesbetweenagoodfriendshiplikeB.O.I’dgiveittohimstraight.Tellhimthatasgreatapersonasheis,heneedstogethishygieneinorder.Ifyouthinkthiswouldoffendhim,tryingsprayingsomeAxeonhimwhenhe’slookingtheotherway.
DearMilkDud, I’manewstu-dentthisyear.Andstill,Ihaven’tmadeanyfriends.Itryreallyhardtoimpresspeopleandevenmemorizejokestotell.Theyalwayslaugh,butnotatthejokes.
WhatcanIdo?--GiantLoner
DearLoner, Quititwiththejokes.You’retryingmuchtoohardtogetfriends.Justbeyourselfandpeoplewillseewhoyoureallyare.Thinkaboutjoininganafterschoolcluborsport—thisisagreatwaytomeetpeople.It’sdif-ficultforpeopletoreallylearnwhoyouareduringschoolhoursalone.Theimportantthingisthatyouactnaturallythough.
DearMilkDud, I’mgoingtothemoviesnextweekend,andIcan’tdecidewhichcandyIshouldbuy.Ireallylikesnowcapsandmilkduds,butIonlywanttobuyone.WhatshouldIpick? -CandyLoverDearCandy, Thechoiceisobvi-ous.Nothingbeatstheincrediblecaramelcrunchofamilkdud.Thesebite-sizedchocolatedelightsaretheperfectsnackforanytime,anywhere.Inthefuture,pleasedon’tbothermewithsuchblatantlyobviousquestions.
DearMilkDud, IjustgotmySATscoresback,andamveryunhappywiththeresult.IcouldnevergetintothecollegesI’vedreamedofwithmylowscore.I’mveryworried. --FeelingStupid
DearStupid, Don’tbealarmed.TheSAT’sarelikeanyothertest—youjusthavetostudy.Atutorcandowondersforyourscore,butisbynomeanstheonlyoption.Prepbooksarefairlyinexpensive,andcanbejustaseffective.Ifyoureallywanttoraiseyourscorethough,youhavetobewillingtoputinthemanhoursandworkhard.Andifattheendofthedayyourscoreisn’tquitewhatyouwanted,that’sOK.TheSAT’sareimportant,butthey’renottheonlycriteriacollegeslookat.
DearMilkDud, I’malevel65nightelfandhavingtroubledefeatingthejungletrollsinthecaveofZul’Gurub.I’veequippedmyselfwiththebladeofAzzinothbutamafraidthatthiswon’tprotectmeagainstenchant-mentspells.WhatshouldI
do? -NoobPwnerDearPwner, I’llberightwithyouassoonasI’mdonewatchingBattlestarGalac-tica.
DearMilkDud, Allofmyfriendsgettogotanning,butmymomwon’tletme.Iknowitcanbedangerous,butIwastheonlyonewholookedlikeaghostduringprom.Allshedoesisworryabouttherisks,andneverpaysattentiontohowIfeel.Anysuggestions? --StillPaleDearPale, Ihatetosayit,butyourmomdoeshaveapoint.Tanningdoessignificantlyincreasethechanceofskincancer--aneasythingtoforgetaboutwhenyou’reconcernedwithlookinggood.Spraytansandlotionscanbeagoodalternativetotan-ningbooths,andI’msureyourmomwouldn’thaveaproblemwiththese.Andifyouabsolutelyneedtohitthebooths,explaintoyourmomthatyou’donlyagoforacouplesessionsforaminimalamountoftime.Shewasinyourshoesonce
BySydneyAltieri
Idon’tcarewhetherornotyouwatchAmerican Idol,butifyoudon’tknowwhoPaulaAbdulis,thenyoushouldseriouslystopreadingorwatchingthenewsandstartpayingat-tentiontowhatreallymat-ters.Recently,AbdulhasbeenputinthespotlightforherstrangebehavioronAmerica’sMostWatchedShow.ThoughshestartedoutasoneofthefavoritesonIdol,thissoonchangedasshedisplayedstrangeanticsandhersanity(andsobriety)wasquestioned.
WhenAmerican Idolfirststarted,Abdulwaslabeledthe“nice”judgewhoalwayssupportedthecontestantsandnevergavenegativefeedback.She
PaulaAbdul:Crazy,AwesomeorJustCrazyAwesomewasmoreoftencitedforherwardrobechoicesandeuphemismsthananythingelse.However,asthesea-sonscontinued,I,andpos-siblytherestofAmerica,startednoticingsomethingverystrangewasgoingonwithher. First,therewasherapplause.Abdullikestoclapforthecontestantsusingonlyherpalms.Ino-ticedthatherfingersnevertouchedwhenshewascon-gratulatingthesingers,andsheheldherhandsawayfromherasifshemighthitherselfbyaccidentifherhandsweren’tontheothersideofthejudge’stable.Whycan’tsheclaplikenormalpeople?Becausesheisn’tnormal,she’sPaulaAbdul. Otherthanthe
strangeapplause,InotedthatAbdulhadbecomeincreasinglysloppyontheshow.Shemayhavebeenperfectlycoifed,butwhenAbdulopenedhermouth,itwasapparentthatshewasundertheinfluenceofsomething.Sheslurredherwordswhencritiquingthecontestants,andevenwhenyoucouldmakeoutwhatshewassaying,noneofitreallymadesense.Abdulclaimedthatsheusedpain-killersforcheerleading-inducedchronicpain,buttheonlychronicthatcouldbegoingonwithheristheillegalkindthatmakesyouspaceyduringtelevisioninterviews. Toshowpeoplehow“real”and“sane”shewas,Abdulstarredinherownrealityshowcalled
Hey Paula.Itwassup-posedtoprovethatshewasn’tacrazydrug-ad-dict,butitonlysupportedclaimsthatshewastrulynuts.EveryepisodehadadifferentmeltdownwhereAbdulwouldscreamandcryatherassistantsandsaythedarndestthingswithastraightface.InsteadofhopingthatshewouldactoutrageoustwiceaweekwhenIdolcamebackforanotherseason,IcouldseeAbdulbeingcrazymultipletimesadayonHey Paula.Ilovedeverymomentofit. Themostinfamous“Paula-Being-Crazy”mo-menthappenedrecentlyduringanepisodeofAmer-ican Idol.ShejudgedtwoofJasonCastro’sperfor-manceswhenhehadonlydoneone.Thishadmany
andmayunderstand.Butshedoescareaboutyouthough—betterpaleskinthancancer.
DearMilkDud, Ihaveabigprob-lem.MyEnglishteacher’sgivingatestonthisbookIneverread.Notonlythis,butthebook’snotonSparknotesandtherewasneveramoviemadeaboutit.IsthereanythingIcando?--FlunkingEnglishDearFlunking,
Lookslikeyourgradewon’tberisinganytimesoon.Youcouldpullanall-nighterandtrytoreadthroughasmuchofthebookaspossible.Whenyougettoclass,though,you’llprobablybeexhaust-edandstillgetanabysmalgrade.Irecommendthatyouapproachyourteacherbeforehandandexplainthatyou’reunprepared.Ifyounormallygetgoodgradesandturninqualitywork,theteachercouldcutyousomeslackthistime.Theydooccasionallygiveexten-sionstohonorablestudents.Unfortunately,havingreadnoneofthebook,Idon’tthinkthere’sanychancethatyou’llbeletoffthehook.Tryactuallycaringaboutschoolnexttime.
peoplequestioning:“IsAmericanIdolscripted?”andmyselfasking:“What’sreallyinthatplasticCocaColacup?” Abdul’sbizarrebe-haviorentertainsthemass-esandaddsmuchneededfueltothegiantHummerthatistheAmericanmedia.Shehadamusicvideoinwhichshesunganddancedwithacartooncat,butpeoplethinkshe’scrazybecausesheactsweirdoncamera.Honestly,Ihaveneverenjoyedwatchinganyone’strainwreckasmuchasAbdul’s.Inshort,Paulaiscrazy.Paulaisawesome.Paulaiscrazyawesome.
SportsPAGE 6 June 2008 • The Spartan Advocate
SpringSportsatSomersHighSchool
Clockwisefromabove:AlexHar-rington,MelissaRe-gan,EvanWoicik,TomPowers,NickBraicaandAdamHurwitz.
PhotosbyAndyYau
Join
Spartan
Sports
SportsThe Spartan Advocate • June 2008 PAGE 7
ByAlexBerger
2008marksthebeginningofSomersHighSchool’snewvarsitytennisteam.Well,technicallyitwon’tbeavarsityteamuntilnextyear—fornowit’sregisteredasaclub.And,technically,it’snotjustSomer’sprogram.The“club”isbeingruninconjunctionwithEllington.Still,it’ssomethingtogetexcitedabout. Somershasn’thadatennisprogramsince19XX.It’sabouttimethisworthygamewasresurrect-ed.Untiltheclub’sadvent,theschool’stennisplayershaven’thadanopportunitytoplaycompetitivelywiththeirhighschool.“It’sgivenmeabetterapprecia-tionforthegame,”says,SamPlotkin,amemberoftheclub.“AndnowthatIplayeverydayinsteadofjustinthesummer,I’vegottenalotbetter.” Theprogramisseparatedintoaboy’sandgirl’steam.Theboy’steamiscoachedbyRichardWil-
ByRickyO’Donnell
ItisJunenow,andwearealmosthalfwaythroughbaseball’sregu-larseason.BoththeRedSoxandtheYankeeshaveshowntheirstrengthsandweaknesses,andonceagainthewholeleagueisreadyforanotherBoston-NewYorkFallShowdown.Sincetheirepic2004play-offseasoninwhichtheRedSoxwon4straightgamesandlatertheWorldSeries,theYankeeshavenotmademuchnoiseinthepostsea-son.TheSox,however,havewonanotherworldserieslastyear,andareoneofthefavoritestotakethetrophyin2008.However,thisseasoncouldseetheYankeesmaketheirreturntopastgloryastheyhaveanewmanagerandyoungerpitching.
Everyseason,theRedSox-Yankeesrivalryneverceasestoamaze,and
lis,whoattemptstocreateavarsityatmospheretolayoutthefoundationfornextyear.Therearetypically5practiceseachweekandroughly2games.Willisexplainshowhehastwogoalsinmind.Thefirstistomimicavarsityenviron-mentascloselyaspossibleinpreparationforfutureyears.Thesecondistorefineindividuals’tennisskillssotheycanbe“thebesttheycanbe.” CoachWillishasyearsofcompetitiveten-nisexperience.Heplayeddivision3tennisatWesternNewEnglandCollege,andhasaspirationsofcoach-ingatacollegelevelsomeday.SpeakingofhisidolJimmyConnor’s“tremen-dous,tenaciousattitude,”heexplainshowthereisnosecrettoexcellingatthegame.Simply,tennisisan“extremeprecisiongame,”requiringseriousconcentrationandconsis-tent,well-placedshots.“It’simportanttoplayahigh-percentagegame,”hesays.Essentially,ifonecanhit
BestRivalryinSportsin2008anothercloseracefortheAmericanLeagueEastislikely.However,IseeneithertimegoingtotheWorldSeriesthisfall.ForallthehittingtheYan-keesmayhave,andalltheexperiencethedefendingchampionRedSoxhavegained,IseetheTigerswinningitallthisseason.SoifyouwanttopickateamclosetohometorootforthisOctober,youmayverywellhavetopicktheMets.
EvenifwedonotgetanotherRedSox-Yan-keesOctobermatch-up,youcanbesurethatatleastoneoftheseteamswillmakethepostseason.YoucanalsobesurethatcomenextschoolyeartheRedSoxYankeesfeudatSomersHighwillbeasheatedasever,nomattertherecordsoftheteams.
Atlonglast,Somersgainscompetitivetennisprogram
theballbackjustonemoretimethanhisopponent,hecanguaranteethevictory. Willisbelievestheclubhasbeenlargelysuccessfulthisyear.Inadditiontosettingtheframeworkfornextyear,heandtheteamhavebecomefamiliarwiththefunda-mentsoftheparticularleaguetheyhavejoined.Nevertheless,Willisnotes
thatthelevelofplayercommitmenthasnotbeenashighasheanticipated.Hehopesthatthisissuewillberectifiedoncetheteamgainsavarsitystatus.What’simportant,however,isthatthisincredible,life-longsporthasbecomepartofthecommunityagain. Currently,theprogramoperatesonapay-to-playbasis,requiring
$150fromeachplayer.JimMaitland,whoheadstheprogram,approximatesthat$8,000isnecessarytofi-nanceiteachyear.Toraisefunds,ausedcellphonecollectiondriveandacarwashhavebeenconducted.Maitlandhopesexpenseswillbeabsorbedbytheschoolbudgetsinupcom-ingseasons.
SpringSportsatSomersHighSchool
TheSpartanAdvocateStaffwoudliketothanktheClassof2007fortheirconrtibutiontotheNews-paper.WeappreciatetheircommitmenttokeepingthenewspaperapartoftheSomerscommunity.
JessicaEstansilaumakingtheplay. PhotobyAndyYau
FeaturesThe Spartan Advocate • June 2008 PAGE 8
A newspaper that delivers a voice for the students of Somers High School
RenaissanceSomers High School | Student Recognition Program
The mission of Renaissanceat Somers High School is toacknowledge the educationalachievements and outstandingcontributionsofstudentsandstaffmembersthroughaprocessofre-inforcement,recognition,andre-ward. Renaissanceimprovesperfor-mance, promotion, and partner-
Staff Birthdays
Eachstaffmember is recog-nized on his / her birthday. Abirthday balloon and gift cardwillbegiventothestaffmemberin order for them to be honoredonthisspecialday.
Student of the Month
Teachers and staff will beasked tonominate a student thathas shown outstanding effort. Aselection committee composedof staff members will receivethe nominations and select onestudent fromeachgrade levelas“Student of the Month.” Thesestudents will receive a gift cardfortheirrecognition.
Student / Staff Recognition Programs
shipswith thecommunity,whilecelebratingtheacademicachieve-ment of all students at SomersHighSchool.
Introduction
SomersHighSchool’sRenais-sance program rewards studentswhoshow improvement inava-
riety of school related activities.Renaissancehasdevelopedmanyways to recognize students whohaveaccomplishedspecificgoalsandhelpedotherstudentsbecomeactively interested in SomersHigh School. We want to showourstudentsthatthestaffalwayscaresaboutthemandwilldotheirbest to recognize each student’s
contributions.“Ifyoucanbelieveit,youcanachieveit!”
Principal’s Advisory Group
This group is comprised ofteachersandstudentsthatlooksatallaspectsoflifeatSomersHighSchool and makes suggestionsandrecommendationstothe
principal.Thefivecommitteesformedthusfarare:StudentsoftheMonth,Student Birthdays, Staff Birth-days, Academic RecognitionCards, and Improved StudentPerformance.
Student Birthdays
Eachmorning studentbirth-days are announced. Each birth-day student is given a speciallydecorated pencil, a happy birth-daynote,andacouponforafreeicecreaminthecafeteria.
Academic Award Cards
Thesecardsaregiventostu-dentswhohaveshownanexcel-lence inacademicsandbehaviorfor each marking period. Thecards will allow students to getdiscounts at school, local mer-chants, and national chain out-lets.
Most Improved Student
Asthenameimplies,wewillberecognizingthosestudentswhoshowoverallimprovementinac-ademicgradesfromonemarkingperiodtothenext.Wewillalsoberecognizingstudentswhodemon-strate behavioral growth withinthehighschoolsetting.
Finance
Renaissancereliesonthesup-portoflocalmerchants,nationalcompanies, and parents. Pleasecontact Somers High School ifyou are interested in supportingorcontributingtoourefforts.Wehave also attached a donationcardwhichcanbeusedtowhich
Finance and/or Othercanbesenttousalongwithyourdonationofsupport. Our newsletters and mailingswill proudly display the namesof all those who help make ourprogramasuccess.
SomersHighSchoolbegantheRenaissancePrograminSeptem-berof2007. Renaissance is a nationalmovement that is currently im-plementedin4,000highschoolsin the United States. The basictenant of the renaissance pro-gramis“Whatyourespect, rec-ognize, and reward gets accom-plished.”SomersHighSchoolis
A message from the Principal
truly recognizingand rewardingthepositiveaccomplishmentsofourstudentsandstaff. Renaissance provides an ex-cellentopportunity for the adultcommunity to support studentsandstaff in theirpursuitofaca-demicandsocialachievements. Renaissanceworks forboththeschoolandbusinesscommu-nity.Themostsignificantaccom-
plishmentabusinesscanprovidefor a school is the knowledgethattheircommitmentdoesmakeadifference to the livesofhighschoolstudents.Ihopeyouwillconsiderjoin-ing our team to help studentscontinue tobe thebest theycanbe!
Gary CotzinPrincipal
PTSA ATTENTION: SOMERS HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS & TEACHERSPTSA
TheSpartanAdvocatewouldliketothankthePTSAforspondseringanissueforthe08/09schoolyear.
Yourcontinuedsupportisappreciated-Thankyou
PTSA Contributions 2007-2008-PTSAScholarships($500each)awardedto:EricChartier,LouisPiscotanno,SarahGarlick,AndyYau
-Granted$250tofreshmanclassforimprovementstheywanttomaketothetacostandfortheFourTownFair.-Granted$500toSHStoestablishahardshipfundtoassiststudentsinbeingabletoparticipateinschoolfieldtripswhocouldnotnor-
mallyaffordit.-OrganizedthecollegeforumthattookplaceonJune3.SHSgraduatesof2007camebackandspoketoseniorsandjuniorsabouttheir
firstyearexperiencesatschoolorintheservice.-Donated$1,000toSHSforpurchaseofnon-budgeteditems–(stilldecidingonrecyclebinsforclassrooms,suppliesfornewalternate
educationprogramornewchairsforPerraultCenter.)-ProvidedaccesstoPTSAagendasandminutesonSomersNowwebsitetoassistincommunicationbetweenthehighschool,studentsand
parents.-ProvidedrefreshmentsfortheAlcoholForumthatwasheldinMay.
-ConductedanewmemberdriveinJanuary,2008.Allmemberswereputinahatandtwopeople,onestaffandoneparentwerepresentedwithgiftcards.Staff–EdnaSmithandParent–JoySquillace.Thankyoutoallthe2007-2008PTSAmembersforyourhelpthisyear.We
lookforwardtoworkingwithyou,andhopefullyothers,in2008-2009.-PTSAprovidedthestaffatSHSduringStaffAppreciationweekinMaybyprovidingaluncheonaswellasother“treats”throughouttheweek.-SponsoredtheSafeGradtriptoBostonforthegraduatingclassof2008.
