December 2008

Buccaneer Bulletin Volume 12 Number 3 December 2008

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

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College Finances Pages 10-11

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Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Student helper elves were all smiles during Santa’s recent preChristmas visit to Oswego High School. Santa was in town gathering information and making plans for his December 25th stop in Oswego.

Editorial

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Buccaneer Bulletin

Drawing Board

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Editor-in-Chief Fred Maxon Managing Editor Emily DiFabio Layout Editor Stephen LiVoti Chief Photographer Caitlin Sawyer Art Director Brian Richmond Business Manager Catie Furletti Sports Editor Ryan Galloway Senior Writer Hazal Pacaci Entertainment Editor Kailyn Gray Clublicity Editor Brittany Ross Alumni Editor Rachel Clark Photographers Carissa Benson, Emily Hoyt, Monek Cullen Ad Representatives Kijafa-Monee Berkley, Nick Dunsmoor Art Staff Heather Hanlon, Mary Losurdo Sports Writers Joe Bucher, Jasmine Davis Reporters Kaylee Barkley, Mary Kate Torbitt, Blair Harvey, Mackenzie Oatman, Katherine Robinson, Kaitlyn Scanlon, Liz Waterbury, Kathryn Whelsky, Kimberlyn Bailey Advisers Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200.

It is intended as a vehicle to inform, educate, and entertain the student body.

Printing services are provided by The Palladium-Times. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.

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Cartoon by Brian Richmond

… to the visible change to the school. The school colors painted in the hallways and on the doorways are more pleasing to the eye. …to Maggie McCloskey who is organizing a Pajama Program. It is a not-for-profit organization that provides children-in-need with new pajamas and books. There is a collection box for these items at the River’s End Bookstore as well as one in room C-1. …to the remodeling of the weight room. This is something that is long overdue, but it will provide students with an excellent area to workout in, both during P.E. classes and after school.

… to the boys and girls who find enjoyment in writing on the bathroom stalls. The custodians who work in this school have better things to do than to repaint the stalls due to your stupidity.

December 2008

Editorial

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In Our View . . .

Late to School Rule Should Always be Strictly Enforced A new discipline program has been set into place at Oswego High School recently, giving an automatic detention to students who are illegally late after first period. This was enacted in order to close a loophole in the student handbook regarding the fact that there were no consequences if someone was late to school illegally. Previously, if a student was late illegally, it was up to the first period teachers to decide on the proper way to handle the situation.

However, based on attendance and how many times an individual has been late in the past, the detention may be voided by principal Mr. Peter Myles, who stated, “Everyone is going to be late once.” According to Myles, he has cancelled a lot of detentions.

While we commend this strategy for combating late arrivals, we believe it is silly to throw select detentions away. A late is a late, no matter who it is. While someone may be late once or twice, it is expected that we have notes from our parents explaining our tardiness. If we don’t, then we are breaking a rule. By tearing up an illegal late because of a good reputation or previously good attendance, the administration is circumventing its own regulation and weakening this new rule. If rules are being bent by those trying to enforce them, then what’s the point of having the rule in the first place?

We know the old saying goes “Sometimes, rules were made to be broken,” but not in school. By tear-

ing up detentions, we are taught a belief that doing something illegal once or twice is okay. In the real world, we won’t have a speeding ticket ripped up simply by saying “Oh! But officer, this is my first speeding ticket ever!” We should be held accountable for our actions. In school, as in life, good deeds should be rewarded, and bad ones, punished.

We must also condemn the lack of communication surrounding this new policy. In discussing it, we heard that every late (legal or illegal), would be subject to a detention, or that students needed a doctor’s note to explain the late. If this new policy was going to be enforced, it should have been given more publicity prior to it being enforced to help quell rumors surrounding it. This policy was not in any of the school newsletters this year, nor has it been mentioned on the district website. Our notification was a morning announcement that not everyone heard due to homeroom noise. While we recognize that it was on the announcements a couple of times, it obviously was not enough to inform students and parents about this new policy.

We suggest that, in the future, new policies are on the announcements for two weeks and are posted on the district website. In addition, the new School Messenger System should also be utilized to help communicate the new rules to each household. This way, students and parents are better informed.

Letters to the Editor

Richmond’s Definition of Sport is Weakly Supported

Dressing for Physical Education Column 100 Percent Correct

I would have to disagree with Brian Richmond’s column last month on what a sport is--especially for cheerleading. Cheerleading involves so many more things than just running, throwing, and catching a ball. Cheerleaders have to throw and catch people a lot heavier than a ball. They have to remember formations, just like football. They have to remember motions and words. Personally, it kind of makes me a little mad how people think cheerleading isn’t a sport. I am a cheerleader and I’ve heard a lot of reasons why it shouldn’t be a sport. Some people think that if it’s not in the Olympics, it’s not a sport. Have you ever seen football in the Olympics? That would be a no. That’s because it’s not. So if that’s your reason for cheerleading not being a sport, then neither is football.

Kassidy Atkinson Class of 2011

I read “What’s the big deal about dressing up for PE” by Kailyn Gray in your November issue. I read her articles in every Buccaneer Bulletin, and every time I agree with what she says. It really isn’t that hard to put on shorts and sneakers and muddle through a 42 minute activity. I think that getting low grades doesn’t even affect half of the school anymore, because the kids that sit out everyday are the ones who don’t care about grades. I know myself that I’m not a huge fan of gym class, but I deal with it. Like it says in the article, you need eight semesters to graduate so I might as well get them done and not have five gym classes my senior year. Overall, it really isn’t a difficult thing, so I don’t understand why everyone has to make it that way. Kailyn is 100 percent correct in everything she said.

Tasha Kazarian Class of 2011

Buccaneer Bulletin

What do you think about the new disciplinary policy regarding lates to school?

Miguel Lara “I believe that it needs to be fixed, there are holes in this new system.”

Class of 2010

David Simons “Unfair, it’s not always your fault for being late and when it isn’t, you should not get detention.”

Class of 2011

Meredith Moshier “It feels like if someone slips, and it’s an honest mistake they are punished.”

Class of 2011

Mr. Noun “It’s tough love. If the kids learn to be on time now, it’ll help them in the future when punctuality counts.”

OHS Staff

December 2008

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Feature

MySpace Makes Background Checks Easy

By Mackenzie Oatman Reporter

Popular social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook are only a few years old, but have already made a significant impact on society. You can access nearly anyone you would like on these highly utilized sites, ranging from your classmates, best friends, and celebrities, to your own mother.

Something not many of us may know is that there are also employers and colleges perusing your internet profiles to retrieve information that could hurt you in the future.

Most teens know that MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking websites are basically online communities where individuals can create profiles displaying their interests and a varied amount of personal information. Many sites allow you to post pictures, videos, and blog entries. You are allowed to post nearly whatever you would like. Many people may post inappropriate content under the assumption that only their friends will be viewing the page, but lately, this may not be the case.

A recent survey of five hundred top colleges found that ten percent of admissions officers have looked at social networking sites to assist in the evaluation of applicants. A separate survey found that twenty two percent of hiring managers browse candidates’ profiles online. Though that may not seem like a big percentage, this additional way to get background information is gaining popularity every day.

Violent events like the shootings at Virginia Tech are making some colleges consider more advanced background checks, and businesses will primarily

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conduct background checks because the demand for quality employees is increasing and it is extremely pricey to replace unsatisfactory workers.

Representatives of Olympia Sports and Pizza Hut in Oswego both say that they conduct background checks when hiring a manager. The background checks are done through the franchise, and could possibly include the assistance of social networking sites. Employees at lower levels are hired based on their experience and applications.

Utica College and Oswego State University do not use MySpace or Facebook to assist in making admission decisions as of right now. Mrs. Jessica Nelson and Mr. Dan Griffin the associate directors of admissions at both the schools say that acceptances are based on academic transcripts, extracurricular activity involvement, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. Though these two schools don’t use social networking sites to get information, other colleges in New York and throughout the country are doing so.

There are many different views on this topic at Oswego High School.

Many students say they would be fine with colleges looking at their social networking profiles. Tenth grader Courtney Bartlett stated, “People’s MySpaces would give colleges and employers a good idea of what the person is like.”

Other students disagree with this statement, saying that social networking sites do not provide a good representation of the individual. Eleventh grader Chelcee Ward stated, “Information that can be found on MySpace shouldn’t affect important decisions. The internet is separate from the workplace. “

Ryan Patrick, a ninth grader at OHS, said that he would be “fine” with colleges and employers looking at his MySpace or Facebook and that he doesn’t “have anything inappropriate.”

Others, like Emily Kolenda, also of the ninth grade, said that using MySpace is unfair, and that “Stuff on MySpace shouldn’t matter, while applications and grades should.”

Students aren’t the only people at the high school with opinions on the topic. Mr. Michael McCrobie, a tenth grade English teacher with four grown children, says that if any of them got rejected from a job because of something they put on their social networking profile, they would be getting what they deserved, and it would be a lesson learned.

Ms. Megan Daley, a science teacher, commented that employers and colleges would have to be careful of the source they were using while researching the person because, “You can’t believe everything that’s on the internet.”

That is one reason why the Fair Credit Report Act requires reasonable procedures to determine accuracy of background checks, according to EmployeescreenIQ’s website. EmployeescreenIQ is a popular pre-employment agency that is often hired by businesses to conduct background checks, so that the businesses can be sure they are abiding to the FCRA. There are a lot of things you should look out for when editing your MySpace or Facebook profiles. Never post inappropriate or provocative pictures.

Miss America 1984, Ms. Vanessa Williams was forced to give up her title

College Suggestions for MySpace Pages Use your social networking site to your advantage.

Correctly represent your personality and interests.

Don’t lie, and be sure to remove any potential “red flags” mentioned.

Use it as a place to display the good things about you, not the bad.

When it comes time for you to apply for college or your first job, be ready, your MySpace page could make-orbreak you in a tight decision.

Thirty percent of colleges surveyed said that the profiles had a negative effect on them, but a quarter said that their views of the student were improved.

when inappropriate pictures of her leaked to the public. More recently, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader lost her spot on the team due to pictures that surfaced on the internet.

Information about underage drinking and drug use are also red flags to admission offices, along with poor communication skills, discriminatory remarks, and content that suggests you were linked to criminal behavior.

Katherine Robinson, a sophomore at OHS, keeps this quote of her mother’s in the back of her head when she is on her Facebook or MySpace, “Don’t put anything on your Facebook you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.”

December 2008

Features

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Veteran Social Studies Teacher a True Renaissance Man

By Katherine Robinson Reporter

Photo by Caitlin Sawyer

Born in New York City, raised in Astoria, Queens and Commack Long Island, Oswego High Sc ho o l ’s social studies teacher Mr. Christian King is both an inspirational and unique person, and educator, whose goal is to make a difference in students’ lives, and help them become successful.

Growing up in Christian King a large city made no difference to King; he played sandlot ball with friends, rode his bike across the city, played outside and built things like any other typical boy growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s. King seemed to know everyone in high school and loved to hang out with his friends.

In high school, he knew he wanted to be-

come a teacher. His college education includes a Bachelor’s Degree from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York, a Master’s Degree from SUNY at Stony Brook, and a double Master’s Degree in political science from SUNY Oswego.

Today, King still remembers a few influential college professors. He recalls Professor Littlefield, his odd history teacher, and Professor Redetsky his sociology and anthropology teacher. “My professors were strong believers in the idea that trying only counts for so much.

I remember a teacher’s response when I told him I tried to do my homework. He asked me if they give the Salesman of the Year Award to the salesman who tries the hardest or to the one who succeeds in selling the most products.

That, of course, was his way of telling me that he did not care in the least how hard I tried to do something – the fact was, I didn’t have my work completed,” stated King.

King’s favorite college classes were in history, sociology and political science. He believes that all students should strive for their greatest potential in high school because high school is the only vehicle that can get you into college. “Doing well puts your life decision in

your hands, not someone else’s,” said King.

Apart from teaching at Oswego High School, King has many hobbies, including traveling. He has ventured to places all around the world including Italy, Greece, England, Belgium, Africa, Jamaica, and the western portion of the United States. King also enjoys physically challenging activities like hiking and mountain climbing. King hiked the second highest mountain in all of Africa, Mt. Kenya.

He ran track and field and cross country in high school and still runs today. Every year, King runs a half marathon in Lake Placid and has run the Boilermaker race in Utica, New York.

Everyday, King looks forward to the latest project he is working on. He does a lot of woodworking, building, masonry and construction. He is proud of his work. One of his favorite handcrafted pieces was a table that was featured in the Everson Museum in Syracuse, New York.

Mr. King is a complex man of many talents who has been a fixture in the Oswego High School social studies department for 27 years.

Schools Struggle with Foreign Language Options

By Emily DiFabio Managing Editor

The Chinese have the largest population in the world, so it would be no surprise that their language is one of the most spoken languages on the globe. There are more than 1.3 billion people living in China right now, and Mandarin Chinese is their most commonly spoken language. The Chinese language is becoming popular in the United States and is being taught in many area schools.

Though high school students are more likely to be taking French or Spanish, according to the NY State Education Department, there has been a 37 percent increase in Mandarin Chinese since the 2005-06 school year.

Many schools in upstate New York have been pushing to add this language to their curriculum. This language is now being offered at JamesvilleDewitt, Nottingham, Cato-Meridian, Homer, Ithaca, New Hartford, and Tully.

The United States government has identified countries in which the U.S. has interest, but does not have very many trained translators. Because of a shortage of Americans who speak,

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Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Arabic, these languages are beginning to gain attention of schools throughout the country. Many principals and district officials are supporting the addition of these critical languages. Paula Cowing, principal of LaFayette Junior-Senior High School stated, “We are considering offering nontraditional languages such as Japanese, Mandarin, or Arabic.”

Districts that are hoping to add these ‘nontraditional’ languages are faced with two specific problems; finding qualified teachers and finding students who would be willing to take these languages.

Nottingham High School did not encounter either of these problems.

Irene Lam, a native Mandarin Chinese speaker moved to Syracuse from New York City this summer and was brought on to the faculty to teach Mandarin to the 45 students who enrolled in the course. Nottingham is one of the only schools in this area that has more than 20 students interested in Mandarin.

The schools that do offer it in central New York have anywhere from 20 to 3 students enrolled currently, according to a recent article in The Post-Standard.

At Ithaca High School Mrs. Claudia

Miettunen had taught Spanish since 1991, and was educated to teach Chinese as well. Miettunen has brought in many local professionals to enlighten her students about the Chinese language, such as a master calligrapher, an expert on Asian art, and a doctor of Chinese medicine.

The problem that many schools face when trying to add Mandarin Chinese to their curriculum is, finding teachers that are certified in Chinese.

In New York State, you are allowed

an amount of time of teaching before you have to become certified in a particular subject. Because of this, many schools in this area may have to either drop their Chinese classes or find replacement teachers. “Chinese teachers are at a premium throughout the country, so we are extremely fortunate,” said Lou Baskinger chairman of the World Languages Department at New Hartford High School.

December 2008

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News/Feature

Holidays Stressful for Blended Families

By Mary Losurdo Reporter

As the holiday season approaches, people all over the nation are getting ready for the one day a year where family, love, and togetherness are priorities. To many, this season also means the bringing together of a different kind of family.

A “blended family” is defined in the Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary as “a family that includes children of a previous marriage of one spouse or both.” When considering the fact that there is about a fifty percent divorce rate in The United States, it isn’t hard to imagine how many teenagers in our own school are learning to cope with this new way of living.

To some, this may come as a good thing, to others, it’s extremely negative.

Taylor Mentor, a sophomore girl, is currently in a blended family. This is “for the most part” a happy situation.

Mentor said, “Although I never really see my dad, we’re pretty happy, and my step-dad is amazing.” Mentor commented that the same positive feelings do not come from her brother. “My older brother and my step-dad never got along,” she said. Mentor’s last statement is unfortunately not surprising.

According to www.supernanny.com, 56 percent of divorced children have no contact whatsoever with their fathers in the first year after divorce, and 23 percent have no contact after five years.

Chelsea Searor, a junior who is also living in a blended family, is quite content with the way things have worked out. Her family consists of her two step-brothers, her two biological sisters, her step-mom, and her father. Searor has no complaints, and says they are very happy as a family.

“We get along like any normal family. We can talk about anything and everything, just about,” she admitted.

How do parents feel in a blended family situation? Mr. Thomas Caswell is a social studies teacher at OHS, who heads up a blended family consisting of his three biological children, his wife, and her biological child. He and his wife began dating when her child was two years old, making the adjusting process much smoother. Caswell said, “It would have been harder if he was twelve. I have three kids of my own who are constantly calling

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me ‘daddy.’ Well, (her son) took to calling me ‘daddy’ immediately.” For Caswell, the biggest battle they had to overcome as a family was the issue of the “other” parent. “Of course you want them to have a relationship with their other biological parent, but it can be hard switching back and forth.” Also, Caswell believes strongly that the noncustodial parent can’t attempt to be the child’s friend. “You want them to like you, but they need, and I think they want, more than that,” said Caswell.

Unfortunately, this optimistic story is not the scenario for many families across the US. Children with innermost feelings of anger, rejection, and fear have been said to be the outcome of a parental divorce. From the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics, there is a series of statistical evidence showing that children who are in divorced families are also most likely to act out, be preoccupied, and abuse drugs and alcohol.

Programs such as Banana Splits have been created to help young children cope with situations like these where being in a blended family is not a positive thing. Banana Splits was formed in Oswego in 1995 by Miss Margaret Quigley who had an idea in mind that a school-based support program for children going through a divorce could have a positive impact on a young life. Quigley’s program has so far serviced approximately 2,550 children in Oswego County . Quigley commented on the two hardest obstacles these children have overcome.

“Kids would say their parents had explained the situation to them, but only once, and it was usually in a highly emotional and sometimes irrational state of mind. They were young; they didn’t have the knowledge to understand what was going on themselves.

Also, if the parents really hated each other, they would often pull the child in two different directions. Conversations like ‘I love you more; he did this; she did that’ were most difficult.”

Quigley said that one stable parent was usually enough for the child to become very resilient. She said that if she could give one piece of advice to parents it would be to “talk to your child about the divorce a few times, after things had calmed

Photo illustration by steve livoti. Photo courtesy of Google images.

One of America’s most famous television families, “The Brady Bunch,” helped educate the nation on the trials and tribulations of blended families.

down. I would tell them to try to talk about it without pulling them aside.”

Teenagers, at OHS, have no current community programs like Banana Splits to benefit them specifically and there hasn’t been talk about one for years. According to Quigley, it would be difficult to begin such a program based on Banana Splits because of the age barrier. There would have to be something triggered for their interests alone, and Banana-Splits just wouldn’t be it.

As blended families become more and more frequent, so do society’s level of understanding them. If you or someone you know is experiencing a divorce, or trying to adapt to a new family, let them know that there are people who can help (see sidebar in the box below). There are people and places close by that are happy to help your holidays, and any other time of the year, run much smoother.

At the Oswego High School, we have a social worker present who is always welcoming new teenagers. Miss Heather Andrews is available, by appointment only, next to the nurse’s office. Andrews’ specialization at OHS is on attendance and what makes teenagers not come to school and/or show up late. Andrews can, and does, teach students coping skills, whatever their situation may be. “Just having someone come in here and express themselves…is huge,” said Andrews.

Also, you can see your guidance counselor the house offices.

December 2008

Features

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Obese Population Creates Big Carbon Footprints reusable grocery bags, and all the other handy inventions environmental activists have created, is not going to cure the worldwide problem to which overweight people contribute. The requirement of extra fuel for their transportation and extra food is also adding to food shortages and higher energy prices, as reported by researchers Phil Edwards and Ian Roberts in the Lancet journal recently.

will emit. CFC’s are one of the leading destroyers of the ozone layer of the earth.

The causes of global warming can be quite Research has also shown that obese people controversial, but typically, never would someone require about 1,680 calories in order to solely think obese people are aggravating global warming. sustain normal energy, and an extra 1,280 calories However, some recent studies have shown that to maintain daily activities. This ends up being 18 obesity is beginning to pose a serious threat to the percent higher than the average-weight adult. The environment. higher intake of food by obese people is aggravating As the nation suffers greatly global warming, as 20 percent of from the obesity epidemic, it has greenhouse gas emissions come from created other problems besides that stated by Edwards in the According to researchers in the United Kingdom, agriculture, of their personal health. According Lancet. Not only is growing the food obese people impact the environment by things a problem, but after it is grown, it is to researchers in the United Kingdom, obese people impact by gigantic trucks emitting such as greater oil consumption, more food transported the environment by things such as extreme amounts of CFCs, to very production, and an increase in carbon dioxide long distances. greater oil consumption, more food production, and an increase in carbon and various other greenhouse gases.

On behalf of overweight people, dioxide and various other greenhouse Dr. Tim Church, chairman in health gases. Currently, approximately 400 wisdom at Louisiana State University million adults are classified as obese stated, “We throw away far more food worldwide. This particular problem is not capable Thin people may contribute to global warming than the extra 460 calories per day they (Edwards of fixing itself, according to the London School of in other ways (driving gas guzzlers or using aerosol and Roberts) point out. In other words, most of our Hygiene and Topical Medicine, as the population sprays), but they are statistically more likely to eat food overproduction is due to waste, not overeating. is constantly multiplying. The World Health less and transport themselves by foot rather than It is estimated that one-fourth of the food produced Organization projects for the year 2015, that 2.3 using a vehicle. Vehicles emit CFC gases (Cloro in the United States, goes to waste.” So maybe billion adults will be overweight, and approximately Fluro Carbons), and studies show overweight people obesity is not a direct cause of global warming, 700 million adults will be obese. are usually prone to buying bigger vehicles, on however it is a contributing reason due to fulfilling So, in effect, going “green” with the use of average. The larger the vehicle, the more CFC’s it the needs of the statistically obese people.

By Liz Waterbury Reporter

Entitled Generation Less Motivated to Study

By Brittany Ross Clublicity Editor

Dating back to as long as historical records were kept, every civilization greatly valued the ability to attain an education. For decades, women were not even allowed this privilege. Now, in the twenty-first century, an education is required in order for you to be successful in the future. So why are students who are now handed a free education up until college, choosing to throw it all away, while others in generations past, have longed to be educated?

There is nothing more frustrating than a student who sits in class and doesn’t make an effort to complete any assignments on a regular basis.

“For me, it’s disheartening, because I can’t do my job. I love to teach and they don’t realize how fortunate they are to be allowed to have an education; I think they take it for granted,” stated Miss Tara Ingerson, of the Spanish Department. There are so many students in Oswego High School, and every other high school, who have so much potential.

However, a good percentage of

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students lack the motivation in order to complete their work.

“Many students have the ability to do so much better. Some kids are intrinsically motivated to do well, but I think we have more and more students who expect some type of extrinsic motivation (such as material goods or money) to do well. I truly believe that too many students feel

Beckwith, of the Math Department.

In some cases, there is a greater need for self-motivation, if they are lacking a push from adults other than teachers. It’s never completely hopeless for teachers, but it’s a challenge. “I try to get to know them as a person before a student. If I know where they come from, and what they’re going through, it helps me better relate to them and change

“I can only do so much without the students trying to do well themselves,”

Holly Beckwith

OHS Math Department entitled. This is what has increased the number of students who lack motivation,” stated Mrs. Nancy Richardson, of the Social Studies Department.

It’s a great struggle for teachers to try to give students more ambition, when they don’t want to put forth any effort. “I can only do so much without the students trying to do well themselves,” stated Miss Holly

my approach or style of teaching for them. It helps me better reach them. I like to get to know my kids,” stated Ingerson. Although not having this extra push makes it difficult for students to adapt the ambition to excel, they need to take responsibility for themselves. “I think as parents and teachers, we need to expect more from children and not less. Kids have to be held accountable first and

foremost. This has to start at home and then continue here at school,” said Richardson.

People who don’t receive a good education will struggle in the modern-day working world. “It’s difficult to get a job anywhere if you don’t have at least a high school diploma. A lot of unmotivated students are taking the easy way out, and don’t even bother getting their diplomas anymore,” stated Ingerson.

In most cases, it’s difficult to find a high-paying job without an education.

Anyone who has found a job without the education is either connected to the employer or just plain lucky.

Unmotivated students need to realize that they have numerous other, more difficult and stressful years of education ahead of them. “I never really honestly thought that I could be a teacher. But I’ve learned throughout my years, that you can do anything that you want to do. You can be anything that you want be. You just need to set goals for yourself, believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything that you want to,” said Ingerson.

December 2008

Point/Counterpoint

8

Should Beer Logos Be Allowed In School?

By Blair Harvey Reporter

Why Not?

Nike, Adidas and Aeropostale, what do all these things have in common? They are all brand name designer wear and they all have recognizable logos that are popular among teens. Why should beer logos or alcohol brand logos be any different? They are just harmless representations of a company’s product. Wearing such apparel should be allowed in school.

If someone wants to flaunt his/ her individuality, it should be the individual’s choice on how to do so.

This is called freedom of expression and it was put in the Constitution for a reason. Extremists would like you to think that wearing a beer logo gives you the persona of being “cool.” Why can’t a shirt just be a shirt? There is no reason why other people should get offended by what you’re wearing. Sometimes, it is just a clean shirt we found in our dresser.

Why should you shelter people from things you’re going to encounter outside of school anyway? This only hurts students and makes them not know what to do when they are put in a dangerous situation. We live in a media-based world and there is no sheltering children from these issues anymore. Everyone knows that it is illegal for minors to drink alcohol, but the same people also know that kids are going to do what they want--one way or the other. Plus, just because someone wears a Budweiser T-shirt doesn’t mean he drinks it or gets drunk daily.

If a kid wears a shirt with a beer logo on it to be rebellious, he is, in fact, creating the rebellion. The minute adults label something “bad” then kids who want to look bad will start exhibiting this behavior.

This is what we call today “posers.” No matter where you go, especially in a high school, there will be a lot of them. Why not focus

on the real issue at hand here. Is the biggest problem here with the dress code based on alcohol brand t-shirts?

No. Who is more trouble--the person who wears a t-shirt with a beer logo or the girl with tights as pants and latest a sweater “dress” that creates an invitation for sex? If more people actually dressed respectably, there would be a lot less sexual harassment in schools. At least the guy with the beer logo t-shirt is covered up.

If you’re a “young lady” wearing tights as pants, then please do not go commando. If it is that hard for you to wear real pants, then please wear underwear.

Trust me nobody wants to see that.

Should school officials be making a big fuss over a stupid print on a piece of clothing, or should they be really cracking down on drugs and alcohol in the school. People don’t need a scandalous t-shirt to get them in trouble. If students want to be “rebellious” then they do things or at least brag about things not just wear a t-shirt. Not a lot of people these days try to be rebellious by their dress.

If the administrators really wanted to crack down on the dress code, they should enforce the rules about the girls who wear low-cut shirts or the guys whose pants are falling down, not just the kid who’s wearing a Corona t-shirt.

Editor’s Note: Point/Counterpoint is a monthly feature in the Buccaneer Bulletin.

Staff members will debate controversial topics sure to get people talking. If you have an idea for a future installment of Point/Counterpoint, contact Brian Richmond at brichmon@oswego.org

Buccaneer Bulletin

By Brian Richmond Art Director

If you were a murderer or an arsonist you probably wouldn’t run around with shirts that say “I keep decapitated heads in my freezer!” or “I Love Fire.” Despite you hypothetically being a psychopathic killer, you probably aren’t that stupid. So why do high school students brandish their illegal drinking habits on their chests?

I mean, it is illegal, and it doesn’t make a lot of sense to call attention to yourself when you’re committing crimes. Is it to be cool, it it to rebel?

It’s not that cool to try to be a rebel nowadays. Being “cool” for being a rebel, and breaking all the rules and doing illegal things, is a lost art because probably more than half of the student body does the same thing. You can complain and wish that you’re the special and unique little snowflake who has always hated “The Man,” conformity, and society, and you’ll be easily factored into the rest of the mob that feels the exact same way.

Advertising your illicit deeds doesn’t make you a rebel. So what does it do?

Well, it certainly makes you easier to single out. With college admission reps and job employers checking you out on the web nowadays, that MySpace picture of looking hammered, while wearing a shirt with a booze logo may be as bad

No Way!

as a picture of you drinking illegally.

You don’t have to be drinking in the picture for them to make the assumption that you probably do.

And if you don’t actually drink, you should probably think about why you’re even wearing that shirt. How’s it helping you out? Of all the shirts in the world that you could wear to accentuate your more positive qualities or interests, you wear one that brandishes an activity that is illegal for minors. That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

But I may be missing the point.

To all you who do happen to drink and do illegal activities, are you actually so dumb as to call attention to yourself? I can understand you wanting some sort of reputation for being a rule breaker (for lack of a more vulgar term), but how can you not possibly see the large flaw in your plan? If you wear the shirt, and get in trouble, then people know what types of things you do. In the future, you’ll be the first suspect. How is that smart of you to do? It doesn’t make any sense.

Of course don’t blame yourselves. If the dress code says you are not allowed to wear these shirts was more strictly enforced in school, you may hear less of that little voice in your head that says, “It doesn’t matter, nobody ever gets in trouble for wearing these shirts anyway”.

Though you would be ultimately at fault for still wearing the shirt and breaking the rules.

By my logic there aren’t any real positive aspects of wearing these shirts, other than the fact that it makes sure the rest of us don’t have to see you walking around topless.

It’s against the school dress code, which should be reason enough for you not to wear them, shirts with such logos make you look cheap, allow everyone to assume you’re a drunk, and it promotes the assumption that you break the law.

Put a little effort in to what you wear, it will pay off in the long run.

December 2008

Clublicity

9

Clubs Busy with Holiday Fund Raising Activites Freshman Class

The Freshman Class will be selling Yankee Candles throughout the month of December to raise funds for future events for the Class of 2012. They also hosted a successful Fajita Grill night on December 8.

If freshmen wish to help out by fundraising or have a suggestion for a potential class trip or event, they are encouraged to speak to Mrs. Canale-Giberson in room 240 or via e-mail at gcanale@oswego.org.

Travel Club

The Travel Club has finished its lollipop fundraiser and other sales. In January, members will begin a Gertrude Hawk Chocolate fundraiser. If you plan on traveling to Ireland this summer with the club, it is a good idea to take part in one of the current fundraisers.

Travel Club meets the first Wednesday of every month at 2:30 in room 104. To join, contact either Mrs. Sarah Williams, or Mrs. Lisa McPherson, advisers of the club.

Critical Issues Club

The Critical Issues Club meets once a month. The advisers for the club are Mr. Ben Hall and Mr. Mike Mallet, both social studies teachers. Last month, the members debated over the four-day school week that many school districts across the nation are turning to in rural areas. Due to fuel costs that are steadily rising, the four-day school week is an option that many districts are turning to, and it’s a controversial topic.

The president of this club is Blair Harvey, vice president is Tom Drumm, and the secretary position is held by Erica Chetney. New members are always welcomed and if you have any questions you can contact Blair Harvey at bharvey@oswego.org.

Poetry Club

If you thought that Poetry Club was a group of students who sat around in a room reading the likes of Poe, Frost, Dicksenson, and Lord Byron in a continuous loop, you would be wrong--but not completely wrong.

The group of roughly fifteen students gather together every Wednesday to indulge in the classics, but they also have a lot to do with planning and following-through of various school fund raisers and activities throughout the year. The Poetry Club solely supports the Open Mic/Slam Night in April, where kids from the high school can take the stage and perform their own works of prose or poetry.

Along with their poetry-oriented activities, the Poetry Club also conducts the Valentine’s Day flower sale, and the candy cane exchanges on Christmas.

Inside the classroom--or--clubroom, members of the Poetry Club recite old favorites, classical poems by famous writers, obscure rhymes by equally obscure authors, and work on their own poetic pieces.

Courtesy of the club, members can have their poems sent in through mail to The Palladium -Times in various contests to have their work displayed in the paper’s pages. The members also use ‘Moodle.com.’ which club president Blair Harvey, described as “Kind

Buccaneer Bulletin

Photo by Monek Cullen

Members of the OHS Poetry Club, Emily Fultz, Emily Fleischman, and Blair Harvey, work on projects at their latest meeting.

of like Myspace for poets.” The club members can display their own personal work, and the site allows fellow poetry-lovers to view and comment on the pieces.

Right now, along with their weekly activities, the Poetry Club sponsored and arranged the Christmas candy-cane fund raiser and are beginning plans on other fundraisers which they will hold later in the new year.

Poetry Club meets every Wednesday (unless specified otherwise in announcements) in room 101, under club adviser Mrs. Carrie Patane.

If you’re interested in joining, just drop by and recite all one hundred and eight lines of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, ‘The Raven.’ (Just kidding!)

Interact Club

Interact Club is a club for students to get involved in school and community through volunteer service. From sponsoring or setting up events, to fundraising for charities, to making things to donate to organizations, they’re willing to do it all!

In the recent meetings, Interact Club members shared their thoughts and brainstormed ideas for future activities and fundraisers. “We plan on doing a beach cleanup in the area, restoring a boathouse by the marina, and making baby blankets for a baby blanket drive” said president Rebecca Battles.

“People who are willing to help the community are the people that should join Interact Club” said Battles.

If you’re interested in joining Interact Club you can contact president Rebecca Battles at rbattles@oswego. org for further information and upcoming meetings.

Spanish Club

Spanish Club is continuing to do a variety of activities for students, giving them the opportunity to know the culture better and improve their Spanish. They already sold their Christmas wreaths and Mrs. Canale –Giberson (the adviser) noted that it was a good sale.

The Spanish Club also wants to do snow globes as a project. They will be selling Yankee Candles soon as well.

Future Engineers Club

Members of the Future Engineers club are gearing up for participation in two up coming engineering competitions. The first competition is sponsored by Entergy Corporation and involves teams doing research that relates to the electricity generation industry.

The second competition is sponsored by the Sensis Corporation based in Syracuse, NY. The engineers at Sensis are currently preparing a complex engineering project which they challenge Central NY high school students to solve. Students nterested in joining the Future Engineers Club should e-mail club president Anthony Sterio at asterio@oswego.org.

Editor’s Note: Clublicity is a regular monthly feature for the Buccaneer Bulletin, the following reporters contributed to this months Clublicty; Jasmine Davis, Emily DiFabio. Hazal Pacaci. Mackenzie Oatman, Rachel Clark, Kathryn Whelsky.

December 2008

10

Economic Crisis Limits C

By Emily DiFabio and Rachel Clark Managing Editor and Alumni Editor

H

igh school students all over the country will be forced to change their plans to attend college as money their parents have been saving for years has disappeared before their very eyes amid the downward economic spiral. Endowments at private colleges are shrinking as former donors tighten their purse strings. To further compound the crisis, tuition costs at public universities are rising as states slash their budgets in a struggle to make ends meet.

The economic crisis recently hit close to home when New York State Governor David Paterson proposed that tuition at SUNY schools be raised by $600 annually, with the first $300 rise taking place next month when the spring semester begins. Though this will be the first tuition hike in five years, the timing couldn’t be worse for cash-strapped families.

Even at current tuition rates, students can expect to pay upwards of $72,000 for four years at a public university, according to figures compiled by the College Board.

The costs of an education at a four-year private college are even higher: on average, over $136,000. Considering that the median household income in the City of Oswego is around $35,000 a year, it is easy to see why many students and their families are panicking as college looms in the near future.

These troubles are confirmed by a new report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. According to the report, college costs have increased by a staggering 439 percent in the past twenty-five years. The increase in family income has only increased at about a third of this rate. The

Buccaneer Bulletin

report also stated that even after financial aid was factored in, a four-year public college consumed 28 percent of the average family’s income last year. A four-year private school costs even more at 76 percent of the median family’s income.

Patrick Callan, director of the center which put together the report, warned ABC News, “If we continue the trend, we would be looking at a system of higher education that is just not affordable for the middle class.” In today’s ever-competitive world, this crisis could have dire consequences for the future of the United States.

In such troubled times, some schools are trying out new programs which increase accessibility to education. At Harvard, all scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need.

The Harvard Financial Aid Office also goes above and beyond with its policy that states, “If an admitted student’s family income is less than $60,000, that student’s parents would not be expected to contribute to the cost of attending Harvard.”

Yale offers a similar program. Elliot Eaton of Yale’s Undergraduate Outreach Committee stated, “Families with annual incomes under $60,000 will not be asked to contribute to the cost of sending a child to Yale. Those with incomes between $60,000 and $120,000 will pay from one percent to ten percent of their annual income, and families from $120,000 to $200,000 will pay an average of ten percent of their income. The average family of an existing or future Yale student will see its contributions reduced by 50 percent from this year’s levels.”

Mrs. Kathleen Flaherty, SUNY Oswego’s Assistant Director of Financial Aid, offered financial aid advice to students

and parents in a December 2 prese dismal outlook when it comes to the “Neither the parent nor the studen bility of going to school because o always assume that there is a wa should contact the financial aid offi are planning on attending and kn Another issue students may f ing for college does not even rela Most admissions officers and c schools that you may want to atte the atmosphere at the school, some a viewbook or a virtual tour onlin tickets, gas prices, and the costlin find it difficult to visit all of the ing. Oswego High junior Amber S a bunch of places, you won’t even The state of the economy i dents’ choices. Flaherty stated, different decisions about colleg a two year schools because the penses. Also, many students are rather than a private school to Guidance counselor Mrs. Ra “I think many more students are colleges first because they are c sense. This is a change from yea

ollege Options

entation at OHS. Despite the e economy, Flaherty advises, nt should overlook the possiof the finances. They should ay to pay for college. They fice at all the schools that they now what their options are.” face when it comes to payte to the cost of attendance. ounselors suggest visiting end in order to get a feel for ething you cannot get out of ne. However, between plane ness of a hotel, students may schools they are considerScruton stated, “If you visit n be able to pay for college.” s definitely affecting stu“Students will be making ge, such as starting out at y don’t have the extra exe choosing a SUNY school make it more affordable.” chel Henderson concurred. e opting to go to two year cheaper and make financial ars past,” Henderson stated.

11 College Financial Aid Dictionary

Need-blind: A student’s ability to pay never enters into an institution’s decision-making process in admissions.

Need-based financial aid: Scholarships which are awarded are awarded on the basis of financial need, not academic qualifications.

529 plan: A plan that allows you to save money that will not be subject to taxes when withdrawn, if used to pay for college-related expenses. Contributions to the program are tax-deductible up to a certain amount.

Cost of attendance: The estimated total college-related expenses a student will be subject to over a period of time, including tuition, room and board, books, and other supplies.

EFA: Estimated Financial Assistance, a school’s estimation of financial aid a student will be eligible for over a period of time, including loans, grants, and scholarship aid.

EFC: Expected Family Contribution, the amount a student or the student’s family will be expected to contribute to the student’s cost of attendance.

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid, an application students must fill out to apply for federal Title IV financial aid and various state-supplied aid. There will be a session on January 12 in room C-4 from 5 pm – 8 pm for students and parents who want help completing the FAFSA. Financial aid experts will be on hand to help.

Title IV: The part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that authorizes federal student loan and grant programs.

Graphic by Fred Maxon

The problem is certainly having effects close to home. Most upperclassmen at OHS have concerns as to how they will pay for their education. Junior Kali Purt, who is looking to major in prelaw, stated, “I think the bad economy will limit my choices and keep me closer to home because of the living expenses.” Kristen Bartholomew, a junior interested in a pre-veterinary program, agreed. “Everything will be so expensive. It might change where I choose to go, even if I get accepted where I want to be,” she said.

Fred Johnson, a senior at OHS, has long been interested in attending Cornell University, but is now having second thoughts. “Cornell is $45,000 a year. I’d say I’m middle class, so that’s too much, unless I get a lot of financial aid. It really affects where I’d choose to go, because now I’m looking at SUNY Delhi, since it’s $40,000 cheaper,” Johnson said.

The idea of going to state schools to save money is popular not just at OHS, but across the nation. Hana LaRock, a senior at Ward Melville High School in East Setauket, NY, stated, “I might decide to go to a state school because they’re cheaper, and that does affect my decision.”

However, financial limitations are not a new issue when it comes to college selections. Oswego High senior Megan Henry stated, “Most people I know have parents who have always told them they’ll have limited choices because of college costs. It’s not a new thing that’s just happening because of what’s happening with the economy this year.

The economy in Oswego hasn’t been great for a while.”

GI Bill: Military student aid that covers about threefifths of the cost of a college education.

Pell Grant: A need-based federal grant.

Perkins Loan: A low-interest, subsidized federal loan, which is awarded to students who demonstrate the highest need. Repayment of this loan does not start until after graduation.

Stafford Loan: A federal student loan which can be subsidized or unsubsidized with varying interest rates. This loan’s awards increase with class year, and repayment does not start until after graduation.

TAP: Tuition Assistance Program, a New York State grant for students attending college in New York.

ACG: National Academic Competitiveness Grant, a federal grant for students who have demonstrated success in an academically challenging program.

Deferment: When a lender temporarily suspends mandatory monthly payments on a loan.

Forbearance: When a lender temporarily suspends mandatory monthly payments on a loan, but you are still required to pay the interest that accumulates during this time.

December 2008

Walking The Plank Italian Exchange Student Appreciates OHS Technology 12

Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your “English name”?

Giosué Reina: Joe Reina BB: What grade are you in?

GR: Here, I’m in 12th grade. In Italy the school is different, so I think it’s like 11th grade.

BB: What languages do you speak?

GR: (1st) Italian, (2nd) German, (3rd) English.

BB: When you go back to Italy do you have to repeat this year?

GR: No, fortunately they recognize my year, but I have to take exams to make sure that I can do the classes and pass.

BB: Where in Italy did you grow up?

GR: Florence, Italy, it’s in Toscana BB: Who is your host family?

GR: The Pauldines BB: Do you have any siblings?

GR: Yes one sister. Geada Reina, she’s 21.

BB: What is something interesting about your family in Italy?

GR: My family has a restaurant. La Terrazza Principe, it means the “Terrace of the Prince.”

BB: How is your school in Italy different from OHS? GR: At OHS it’s more like a university than my school in Italy, because you can choose the courses that you want. For example, you can take classes like transportation systems or engineering, all kinds of stuff is offered here. In Italy, the schools specifically focus on the classes like math, Italian, etc.. (core classes, schools are five years).

BB: What’s your favorite class at OHS? GR: Maybe engineering or transportation systems.

BB: What’s the name of your school in Italy?

GR: Dante Alighieri BB: What do you like best about OHS so far?

GR: The school itself has a lot of things. The gyms are big and classrooms have more tools for teaching and activities. In Italy we have less tools; it can depend on which school you go to. In my school there are only black boards and there are not a lot of computers. We have one room with very

Buccaneer Bulletin

nice computers but it’s very, very small.

BB: Are you involved in any sports?

GR: Not in school, but outside of school I work out in the gym, and do jújutsu, a martial art. Before I left Italy, I was into mountain biking and swimming. I didn’t do swimming full time or through school. In Italy you can’t do anything through school. There aren’t sports teams or clubs.

You just go to school and learn, that’s it.

BB: What surprised you the most about the United States? When you got here how was it different?

GR: The first big difference was the ice/snow.

BB: What are some things you like about the United States?

GR: The United States Air force and how the U.S. overall is huge, compared to Italy.

BB: What do you not like about the U.S.?

GR: I have a problem with the food, and also with the timelike when to eat and when not to eat.

BB: What’s your favorite food in the U.S.?

GR: Cheesecake.

BB: What’s your favorite Italian food?

GR: Spaghetti with cuttlefish.

BB: Is this your first time in the United States? Do you/ your family travel a lot?

GR: Yes it’s my first time in the U.S. My family doesn’t travel a lot, but I do. I go to Germany a lot of the time, like every year in the summer and I’ve been to Spain and then throughout Italy.

BB: How is Christmas in Italy different from in the United States?

GR: I don’t know yet, but I think that the big difference is here there is snow.

BB: Does your real family have any Christmas traditions?

GR: Yeah, we have to be all together on Christmas.

BB: What’s your favorite thing about Christmas?

GR: Presents and being with the family, I think being with the family more though.

BB: How are your hobbies in the United States different from your hobbies in Italy?

GR: In Italy we go watch movies sometimes.

Or we walk around in the city or go in pubs because we can drink without problems. The drinking age in Italy, I think legally, is maybe fourteen, but I’m not sure. But I’m sure that you can always drink without problems. We go to discos, there is more to do there.

BB: What is something you would change about the United States?

GR: I don’t know, but there is always something to change.

BB: Is it weird going from your home city to a town like Oswego?

GR: It’s very difficult. If you don’t have a car here you’re stuck. In Florence the city’s small; you can walk across the city in an hour and a half.

BB: How is music here similar/ different to Italy?

GR: Here there is more hip hop/ rap, rap/hip hop. In Italy there is more techno. For sure there’s a lot of English music (in Italy). There is also Italian music.

BB: What are some American TV shows you like?

GR: MTV BB: What is the genre of music you like?

GR: Sum Bum, reggae, disco, hip hop, 50 cent, but I don’t care, I listen to everything. There’s no type of music I really hate, only some songs or moments of songs. I like k-rock radio too.

BB: If you were stuck on an island what three things would you want to have with you?

GR: knife, clothes and a house.

BB: What do you want to be when you “grow up”?

GR: Jet fighter navy pilot, the best would be for the American navy.

BB: What advice would you give to anyone who is going to be a foreign exchange student or wants to be a foreign exchange student?

GR: I would tell them to be friendly and try to talk to people.

Editor’s Note: “Walking the Plank” is a regular feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin, This month’s installment was compiled by Kaitlyn Scanlon.

If you know of a student or a staff member you’d like to see walk the plank, contact Emily DiFabio at edifabio@oswego.org

December 2008

News

13

Dear Mr. Obama: Please Put Education First

By Caitlin Sawyer

to private schools. This sends a message that if public schools are not good enough for our elected officials’ kids, then are they good enough for the rest of us?

Dear President-elect Barack Obama, Many parents feel that the standards at public I’d like to congratulate you on your historic school have dropped dramatically and refuse to victory last month. As a high school student, I send their children there. Even less fortunate want to make a pitch for education to be priority families are finding ways to send their children as you take office. I know that you have to push to private schools. Here in Oswego, we have education to the side for the beginning of your no choice--unless we want to travel over 50 term. I’ve read it’s ranked fifth among your miles (one way) to private schools like Christian priorities. However, with the plunging economy Brothers Academy or Bishop Ludden in Syracuse. and jobs in You and Vicehigh demand, Teachers should not spend the entire president Biden well-educated should reform the No workers will be academic year teaching us how to fill Child Left Behind needed to help in a scantron, or circle “A, B, C, or Act. Teachers get America out should not spend D” on a standardized test. of debt. the entire academic In order year teaching us how to rebuild an ambitious America, Mr. Presidentto fill in a scantron, or circle “A, B, C, or D” on elect, you need to realize education should be a a standardized test. Improvement of tests and top priority for the nation. If the next generation assessments used to track our progress should does not receive proper education, how will we be also change. able to fix the many problems the United States I’ve read about your comprehensive “Zero faces? You talk about going green, changing to Five” plan that will invest in early childhood the economy, and defeating poverty, but without education. It will provide critical support to intelligent, well-educated workers, this will not young children and their parents along with happen.

Universal Preschool. This should help families The United States has comparatively the that cannot afford to spend money on early lowest graduation rate in the industrialized education and enable them to send their children world. Young adults are now less likely to to school. graduate from high school than their parents.

With the rising cost of food and home Unsuccessful graduation rates can be blamed necessities families are finding it hard to pay on the system. American schools just do not for college tuition. Families with three or work! All parents want their children to have a four children are having to take out a second good education so they will be successful in the mortgage to help pay for future. All teachers want to impart knowledge. our education. Maybe All politicians talk about changing education. your proposed American Almost all kids want to learn. So with everyone Opportunity Tax Credit wanting the same thing, why isn’t it working? worth $4,000 in exchange Throughout your campaign, you presented for community service will yourself as a man of the people. However, as no only help financially, you and your wife Michelle choose a school for but also teach us the spirit your daughters, you should reconsider sending of volunteerism. them to a public school. However, 37 percent of If you manage to representatives and 45 percent of senators in the follow through, public 110th Congress have already sent their children education could change Chief Photographer Editor’s note: This is an open letter to president-elect Barack Obama, giving advice for his first term.

Photo by Associated Press

President-elect Barack Obama has many ideas for improving America’s public schools.

greatly. As a high school junior, I may not see the changes before I graduate, but I don’t mind, as long as we start heading in the right direction.

Arrrrrghhh you ready to advertise with us?!

The Buc Bulletin reaches over 2,200 teachers and Students in the Oswego City Schools Contact Catie Furletti at cfurlett@oswego.org

Buccaneer Bulletin

December 2008

14

Entertainment

Total Request Live Ends up Dying in ‘08

By Kaitlyn Scanlon

Reporter

Screaming teenagers swarmed the streets, signs and posters were plentiful and celebrities and music were front and center. It was just a normal weekday at the heart of Times Square, at the MTV studio, and for the thousands of TRL (Total Request Live) fans who were tuning into see the top videos and upcoming or established celebs.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and this glimpse into the pop culture world that once was a part of many people’s routines is no longer on the air. MTV has decided to cancel TRL, after years of declining ratings.

TRL debuted on MTV in 1998, and sparked the beginning of a new era. What started out as a music countdown evolved into so much more. TRL was not just a show, it launched careers and allowed fans to get a closer look at their favorite stars.

TRL was interactive, from the voting lines, to being able to post comments on the website, to having the power to be a part of the live studio audience or stand outside the studio and cheer.

TRL helped launch the careers of many people, including Britney Spears, NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Diddy, Eminem, the Backstreet Boys, Pink and several others.

“If it wasn’t for TRL, I don’t think I would have this launching pad for my career,” said Kid Rock at the Total Finale Live show.

Almost everybody who was anybody appeared at TRL to promote new albums, TV shows or movies. From upand-coming celebs such as Taylor Swift, to legends like Madonna and Michael Jackson, made sure to get face time on TRL. Actors and actresses from Tom Cruise to Carmen Electra to Will Smith took advantage of the publicity of TRL. Sports stars like Derek Jeter made appearances every once in a while as well.

TRL gave viewers an inside scoop on celebrity gossip/news and supplied them with unforgettable moments, ranging from sweet to weird to deep.

Mariah Carey made a surprise appearance in July 2001, handing out popsicles to the studio audience, and then performing a striptease on live television. Will Ferrell challenged host Damien Fahey to a bike race around the studio in July 2006, and Beyonce

Buccaneer Bulletin

Associated press photo by Kathy Willens

Fans stake out the TRL studio in 2005, watching for Paris Hilton and Chad Michael Murray.

celebrated her 25th birthday on the studio set. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps got in on the action and visited the TRL studio, where he received a TRL speedo. In February 2003, two lucky viewers got a Valentine’s Day surprise when they were married on TRL by MC Hammer. Backstreet Boy AJ admitted to his drug addiction and depression problem on the show.

All the celebrities and hosts who have been in any way involved with the show consider it a family because there is such a strong sense of support.

“I feel like they’re kinda tearin’ down my home,” Eminem said while talking on the phone with Carson Daly, one of the most famous TRL hosts, at Total Finale Live. Like all families, the show had quirks and traditions, including the legendary photo booth where all the guests who have ever been on the show have gotten their picture taken. Then there are the glass windows overlooking Times Square, where celebrities would wave to the fans outside. The countless games and contests between celeb visitors (the audience got in on the action too) added to TRL’s special feel.

The main concern with the cancelation of TRL is that there is going to be almost no music on MTV (Music Television). The station’s time is continuously being devoted to reality TV and dating shows.

The show did not go out without a bang, though. On November 16, TRL threw a huge bash, with big names and many screaming fans. The celebration had performances by Beyonce, the Backstreet Boys, 50 Cent, Ludacris, and Fall Out Boy (minus Pete Wentz, who was in California awaiting the birth of his child with Ashlee Simpson; he called later). Many celebrities who could not make the party, called in or sent messages. A TRL yearbook was created and the 10 most iconic videos were counted down, starting at number 10 with Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” and Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” taking the top spot.

For the die-hard fans of TRL, don’t worry too much. Executive producer, Dave Sirulnick, said that the show may not be over forever.

“We wanted to close this era of TRL in a big celebratory way, and 10 is a great number,” Sirulnick said.

“And 10 is the number that TRL counted down every single day for 10 years, and when we hit this 10th (anniversary) and we thought, ‘You know what? This feels like the right time and let’s celebrate it and let’s reward it. And let’s let it have a little bit of a rest for a minute. Let it catch its breath!

Been working hard for 10 years!”

Although nothing can replace TRL, MTV said that they were bringing back FNMTV (Feedback New MTV) in mid November. The show is hosted

by Pete Wentz, the bassist for Fall Out Boy, and aired for the first time over the summer with a 15-episode run.

The music videos and performances included a diverse range of acts, from Slipknot to the Jonas Brothers. FNMTV is taped in Los Angeles and only airs on Friday nights. Like last time, the show will not have a video countdown.

For now, visitors to Times Square will have to look up to the empty windows on the second floor of the MTV studio. There will be no star-struck, screaming teens in the streets outside the studio and TRL fans will no longer be able to watch the show for a glimpse into the music world on the weekdays.

December 2008

Arts & Entertainment

15

OHS Musicians Continue to Receive Accolades Musician Of The Month

Chelsea Bartlett, senior, plays flute and piccolo in the Oswego HS Wind Ensemble. In addition, she plays f lute in the Marching Buccaneers, where she has been featured soloist for the past two seasons. Chelsea has been a member of the Marching Buccaneers for five years.

Chelsea earned All-American honors through a competitive audition with students from across the country. She submitted four videos highlighting different performance skills to the US Army All-American Band screening committee, and she was selected based on her achievement.

Representatives from the Army came to Oswego October 15 to formally present Chelsea with materials on behalf of the Army and the Music Educators National Conference, co-sponsors of the event. The 97 students who make up the band will be flown to San Antonio, TX after the new year where they will rehearse their halftime performance. The U.S. Army All-American Marching Band showcases the talents of the nation’s top high school senior marching musicians at the largest celebration of high school football in America, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Bartlett is a member of the OHS Symphonic Orchestra and Chamber Singers. Bartlett will attend LeMoyne College in the fall, 2009.

Orchestra

Billy Darvill was chosen to be in the All Eastern Orchestra. Only the finest musicians from the east coast were chosen. Musicians from OHS have rarely chosen, so this is a very prestigious honor.

Billy’s brother John was also in the All Eastern Orchestra when he was in high school, playing the clarinet. The performance of this orchestra will be held in Providence, Rhode Island in March 2009.

Photo By rachel clark

Chelsea Bartlett will be performing during the US Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

Bands

The Jazz Band held a concert on December 17 at the OHS theatre.

Mason Rabalais will be in the Conference All State Symphonic Band playing the trombone. All State is highly competitive with five thousand students auditioning to get in. Students can compete on the county level, regional (multi-county), and state level.

OHS Musical

My Fair Lady will be performed Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7. The Cast of My Fair Lady will be, Danielle Posillipo (Eliza Doolittle), Kevin O’Connor (Colonel Pickering), Annie Taverni (Mrs. Eynsford-Hill), Becca Smith (Mrs. Higgins), Jeremy Gosek (Henry Higgins), Tyler Spicer (Freddy Eynsford-Hill), Fred Johnson (Alfred P. Doolittle), Cody Crouse (Harry), Paul Kio (Jamie), Aryelle Caruso (Mrs. Pearce), Nate Westcott (Professor Zoltan Karpathy), Chelsea Johnson, Jessica Krauss, Kathryn Lombardo, and Erin McIntosh will be singing maids, Also, a chorus of OHS students will be in the cast.

Buccaneer Bulletin

December 2008

Columns

16

Turks Exchange Gifts on New Year’s Day A Foreign Perspective Hazal Pacaci After digesting all of that delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and pies, I can say for sure that my first Thanksgiving in America was amazing. Since we do not have Thanksgiving in Turkiye, I enjoyed my time here as much as possible.

Getting together with the family, taking photos and munching on pies were all so much fun. It is something that I will always have special memories of.

I am so lucky to have survived through Thanksgiving after all those “turkey” jokes. It is good to know that people pick on me or try to tease me with jokes, but to be honest with you, I sometimes feel like closing my ears!

Now that we have Christmas coming up, I feel that it would be good to mention how we celebrate

it in Turkiye. Christmas is a little as well as more traditional ways of bit different in Turkiye. First of all, entertainment such as Hacivat and we do not celebrate Christmas on Karagoz Shadow Theater even the December 25 and what we celebrate performances by the Mehter, the is not the birth of Jesus, it is just the Janissary Band which was founded New Year. Since the majority of the during the days of the Ottoman population in Turkiye is Muslim, it Empire. would be wrong to define Christmas New Year is also celebrated as a “tradition” in Turkiye. We have with private or public parties which a national are organized vacation on Islam faith advises people to with a large December be good, help out the poor public 31 and attendance January 1. and avoid hurting people. in a variety Houses are of cities decorated; and towns, streets are lit up in glittering especially in metropolitan areas lights, ornamented trees and such as Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara garlands. Gifts are exchanged and Antalya which is a tourist and large dinners with family or attraction. friends are organized, featuring After stating that the majority traditional Turkish food. On New of the population in Turkiye is Year’s Eve, television and radio Muslim, there are a few things that channels continuously broadcast I would like to point out. There a variety of special programs are some stereotypes about the while municipalities all around Muslims around the world. People the country organize fundraising sometimes have the tendency events for the poor in addition to to misunderstand the religion celebratory public shows. There are of Islam. When mentioning the concerts and family-friendly events religion of Islam or the Muslims,

it is commonly believed that all the Muslim girls have to cover their heads or sometimes even their bodies, which is not true at all. Islam faith is optional, just like any other religion. If you choose to be strict about it and obey every single word in whatever holy book you read, you interpret it and live your life in that way. I believe that religion is just faith. I can give proof by saying that I do not cover my head, although I am Muslim.

I am sure it is easy for you to tell that I am not strict about my faith.

However, in some parts of the world or even parts of Turkiye, it is not unusual to see Muslim people who are strict about their religion, just like you can see strict Christians in America.

I feel the need to say that like in all religions, Islam faith advises people to be good, help out the poor and avoid hurting people.

I hope you now have more understanding about the Muslim faith and how we celebrate the New Year in Turkiye. Merry Christmas!

Honesty Always Hurts the Least in the Long Run Helping Hanlon

Heather Hanlon It’s like you’re in a cartoon and you just got smacked over the head with cymbals.

That’s what it feels like when someone who you don’t really know asks you out. Yes, I’m sure everyone has had this experience at least once in his or her life. It’s the time when that guy at work or that girl who sits in the back of your math class plucks up enough courage and asks you out… on a date. You had no prior warning and this person never dropped any signals to let you know that they were interested. They should be commended for their bravery, but what do you do now?

I recently went through the mortifying experience of being asked out by a guy I hardly know. I felt like a deer being blinded by headlights.

Okay, so I will admit that I am blissfully oblivious.

I think if a guy asks you if you have a boyfriend, that would be a hint. I was so surprised that I

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blurted out whatever came to mind. So, I decided to go over some helpful tips which might come in handy, just in case this problem occurs in the future.

When you are blindsided by “the question,” the first step is to take a deep breath. It’s hard to think clearly when you’re taken by surprise. You have the enormous pressure of deciding what to do while the person is waiting for your response with big hope-filled puppy-dog eyes.

Just take a deep breath and don’t panic.

The next tip is to be truthful. If you’re not interested, just say so. Don’t lie and make up some lame excuse. You might just get caught in that lie later on. If you are just too busy for a relationship, say so, but elaborate on what makes you too busy. If you don’t, they might think you are just making an excuse not to go out with them, instead of really giving a sincere reason.

Another tip is to take some time and think about it. It’s okay to think about it for a few days.

Quick decisions are often bad decisions. But, keep

in mind awaiting long!. It’s

that he/she is probably anxiously your answer, so don’t wait too b e t t e r to take a few days to think about it, rather than panicking and saying ‘yes’ when you really mean ‘no.’ So, instead of having an “insert foot in mouth” moment, take a deep breath and process what just happened. No matter what, try not to have a panic attack like I did. (It doesn’t help.)

With all the dances and social events coming up, I thought it would wise if you kept all these things in mind just in case “the question” comes out of nowhere for you. Hopefully, the next time you get taken by surprise, you won’t have that brain freeze moment. It takes too long to thaw out!

December 2008

Entertainment

17

Twilight Appeals to Adults and Teens

By Kathryn Whelsky

Reporter

Forget star-crossed lovers: these days, it’s all about the undead.

By now, some of you might have heard about this little series called… oh, what was it? Twilight-the first book in the series of the same name. Ever since its publication in 2005, fans everywhere have been going crazy for the vampire phenomenon and its author, Stephenie Meyer. The first book hit the scene with a bang, reaching number five on the New York Times Best Seller list for young adult chapter books at its prime, as well as gaining a New York Times Editor’s Choice honor. The first book was followed by three other books in the renowned saga: New Moon, Eclipse, and the grand finale, Breaking Dawn. Overall, the first three Twilight series books spent a combined (and astounding) 143 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list.

The books focus mostly on the intense and dangerous romance of a klutzy, angst-ridden teenage girl, and sparkly vampire (Yeah… seriously).

Edward Cullen, a perpetual seventeen year-old high school student and all-around gentleman (besides the blood-sucking tendencies) and Bella, the shy, human, and very clumsy daughter of the small and gloomy town of Forks’ police chief are the main characters. Before getting into Twilight, it’d be a good idea to forget any vampire romance you have ever read before, because Meyer has stopped just short of creating a whole new genre with her unconventional story lines and species. The impossible love story between Edward and Bella has captivated literary audiences since the book’s release, the series gaining a record fan base in a record amount of time – the book’s success and fanfare has been so sudden and explosive, it’s been compared to that of the Harry Potter phenomenon.

The romance between Edward and Bella is compelling, and at times, hopeless, as the spark between the disasterprone human and her unwitting vampire knightin-sparkles doom both of them to a life of constant caution and danger. But even knowing this, the two of them aren’t able to stay away from each other.

Despite the fact that Edward constantly has to restrain himself from giving in to his bloodlust and making Bella his after-school snack, the pair falls ‘Unconditionally and irrevocably’ in love. The book has been compared to the likes of Romeo and Juliet,

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as well as to several of Jane Austen’s romantic love, ‘Bells + ‘Wardo 4evurr’ style. The second half works, (some of which are even referred to in the brings the real excitement: Rival rogue vampires Twilight series) because of its romance-based storycrashing the Cullen’s baseball game (In the words of line. But don’t worry if mushy love stories aren’t the very quotable Edward Cullen, “It’s the American exactly your idea of a good read; there are lots of pastime.”). One of the rogue vampires decides to other aspects to the book, too. The action sequences spice things up a bit by setting his sights on Bella, are satisfyingly violent (they have to be – the only or more specifically, Bella’s blood, and the chase is way you can kill a vampire is if you rip it limb from on. The rest of the book is full of rampant chase and limb and set all the pieces fight-scenes, rogue on fire, as all the cool While not exactly a literary killer vampires with Twilighters know), and personal vendettas, break through, Twilight is a and intense glampire there’s enough humor in Bella’s cutting and fantastic, fun, suspenseful, and death-matches. sarcastic first-person Twilight has it all: narration of the tale to go entertaining novel. While some death, destruction, around. people claim that Twilight is a ultimate revenge, preThough Bella is marital blood-sucking ‘chick book,’ it isn’t all mushy- (wrist only - don’t get the main character and narrator in the book, gushy romance, even though it too excited) and much, the vampires are just as much more. is a love story. large a part of the story Twilight is an as she is. The Cullens, addictive series, consisting of Carslile, heralded by teenagers, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, Jasper, and Edward, critics, and adults alike. Just like the book claims are unlike any vamps you’ve seen before: on its back cover, “Twilight is an extraordinary forget Dracula’s violent old-fashioned love story which will stay with you long after you vampire beat-downs, forget Interview have turned the last page.” There’s a reason that With A Vampire’s stoic historic and there are over ten million copies of the books in cult-like take on the species. Meyer has print. Twilight sucks you into the dramatic, fastmanaged to make vampires all her paced world of Edward and Bella, along with their own. Forget the doom-and-gloom, quirky vampire and human sidekicks. The film‘I vant to suck your blood,’ coffinadaptation of the book was released on November dwelling creatures of years past.

21 and a sequel has already been OKd by Summit Meyer’s vampires are a new breed: Entertainment, and Meyer is working on a fifth Veg-O-Vamps, who choose to installment of the series: Midnight Sun, a reiteration dine on the blood of Bambi of the first book, only written in Edward’s rather than their innocent perspective rather than Bella’s. neighbors and classmates, Overall, I would give the novel Twilight a solid ‘Glampires’ (See also: nine out of ten as a rating. I bought the book and Glitterpire, sparklepire, had it finished within hours–I couldn’t put it down, dazzlepire, blingblingpire, and when I did, it was only to grab the second book the list is only as limited in the series, and I know it was the same for a lot of as the blogosphere’s other Twilight fans roaming the halls of OHS. imagination) who While not exactly a literary break through, sparkle in the sunlight Twilight is a fantastic, fun, suspenseful, and as if their skin has been entertaining novel. While some people claim that coated in diamonds. As well as Twilight is a ‘chick book,’ it isn’t all mushy-gushy being impossibly gorgeous, fast, strong, romance, even though it is a love story. I don’t and extra sparkly, the Cullens also have vampire think it would be hard for a guy to get just as into super-powers. (Some kids just get all the luck). it as all the female Twilight fans have. The book Edward is a telepath, Alice can see the future, has something for every fan of every genre, and and Jasper is an empath. Rosalie is said to have the sales ratings prove it. Meyer’s novels, while not the ‘power of beauty’ and Emmett the ‘power of exactly ground-breaking, have captivated teenagers strength,’ and Carslile and Esme are said to be and adults alike and cast an entire generation of bestowed with the powers of ‘healing and love.’ But book-readers under its sparkly spell. There’s no let’s face it; compared to reading people’s minds, doubt in my mind that Twilight and its characters they got the short end of the super-powerfullywill continue to thrive, as well as entrance future undead stick. readers, long after the original Twilight phenomenon The first half of the book is basically Edward has died out. and Bella getting to know each other, and falling in

December 2008

18

Sports

OHS Star Athletes Sign Letters of Intent Cari Reed Will Play Hoops for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats

Come this fall, senior Cari Reed will be a Wildcat, donning navy and silver on the basketball court for the University New Hampshire (UNH), who recently offered her a full-ride scholarship to play division one basketball.

Reed will be the first Oswego girl to play at the NCAA Division I level.

Reed has been playing basketball for ten years, the last four of which were on the Oswego High School varsity team with her father, Mr. Phil Reed, as coach. Reed says she will miss her dad as a coach. “I have a lot of people to thank (for my success) and he’s one of them. Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but I’m definitely thankful that he’s taught me so much and given me opportunities like he has.”

Although she received scholarship offers from Hofstra, Boston University, and Fairfield, Reed said, “I picked New Hampshire because I loved the campus, the coach, and the team.” New Hampshire women’s basketball coach, Kristin Cole is the fifth coach in the thirty-two year history of the program.

“Cari is a very talented player who can really shoot the basketball. She is a tremendous passer, as well. I am thrilled that Cari will be joining our program next year. I am confident she will have a great career at UNH,” said Cole.

This is only the second year that Cole has coached at New Hampshire.

For her first college season, Reed said, “It will be a rebuilding year, definitely.

This is only Coach Cole’s second year at New Hampshire, and the previous coach had a different style of play. The players she has brought in are definitely making an impact for the team, and hopefully when I go, I can do the same.”

Reed is looking forward to playing for Cole. She believes that Cole will be an excellent coach, and be able to make her a better player on the court.

“My coach has a lot of personality.

She’s a tough coach, which is something that I’m used to. I know that she wants me to shoot more from the outside, and I’m hoping she’ll help me improve my ball handling skills as well.”

Reed will be playing point guard. As

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far as her goals go as college basketball player, Reed said, “I hope to get good playing time or start as a freshman.”

As for the rest of Reed’s high school basketball career, she’s looking forward to her senior season. “We’re a different team. With Nikki Carroll, Megan Boardway, and Kristina Licatese graduated, we have a completely different style. We’re looking to push the ball more and we’re taking a lot more outside shots. So far we’ve had a smooth transition.” Reed is looking forward to her final OHS hoops season.

She said, “Winning sectionals has always been my goal, our team’s goal.”

Reed also reached the 1,000 point mark in her career, a milestone achieved by only two previous Lady Buccaneer basketball players.

OHS Lacrosse Standout Brett McClelland off to Division II Mercyhurst Recently one of Oswego High’s top athletes signed his letter-of-intent to play lacrosse for Mercyhurst next year.

Brett McClelland, senior attackman for the Buccaneer lacrosse team, chose Mercyhurst over schools like Nazarath, St. John Fisher, and West Point. “The money offered at Mercyhurst was better than Nazarath or St. John Fisher. West Point was just too much of a commitment, so I went with my gut and chose Mercyhurst,” McClelland said.

There was more than just money involved in McClelland’s decision to choose Mercyhurst. “There were a lot of decisions I had to make, but I’d have to say the coach, the competition, and just my gut feeling were why I chose Mercyhurst,” he said. Mercyhurst, a division II school, boasted a 9-4 record last season and look forward to another successful season this year.

McClelland is trying not to look ahead to college, but instead is focusing on his current hockey season and spring lacorsse. “I will be much more relaxed and not worry about making mistakes in front of people,” stated McClelland, “I’ll just be able to sit back and play.”

The future is bright for McClelland for his senior season, his college career, and wherever else life takes him.

Photo By Caitlin Sawyer

Left to right, Carissa Reed, Brett McClelland, and Brittany Howard all signed their letters-of-intent to continue their athletic careers in college.

Britt Howard Signs Letter of Intent with Limestone College in South Carolina Brittany Howard recently signed her letter of intent to play women’s lacrosse at Limestone College in South Carolina. She turned down other offers to play at Gannon, Potsdam, and Oswego State among other schools to head South. Howard will join an already successful program. Last season, Limestone finished 14-5 under head coach Scott Tucker, an OHS alumnus.

The success of the program is one of the reasons Howard committed. “The lacrosse program is very successful and the coaches know what they’re talking about. I also like Limestone because it’s a smaller school,” she said.

Howard feels that her strength and stick skills are going to need to improve this upcoming season in order for her to be successful at the next level. As for this spring season, Howard feels like her early signing won’t have an impact on her performance. “I don’t think it’ll affect my mentality. I want to work as hard as everyone else,” stated Howard, a captain last spring for the Lady Bucs.

December 2008

Sports

19

Student-Athletes Subject to New Policy the teachers. Otherwise, that penalty will last until the student-athlete can get his grades above passing.

The reason behind this new policy is not that athletes have just been getting by without doing their required school work, or receiving special treatment, but because there really hasn’t been an incentive

first offer additional support to that student and then if they refused that assistance, that would be anSports Writer other issue,” stated Executive Principal Peter Myles.

Student-athletes at Oswego High School this Most of the athletic teams at Oswego High School year are under new restrictions with the implemenalready had their own academic policies in place prior tation of an academic eligibility policy to ensure this. This one, unified policy ensures that all athletes that they pass their classes and receive equal treatment are able to graduate on time. “Ultimately, we need athletes to graduate; that’s the most no matter who coachThe new policy requires es their team or what coaches to check on their play- important thing. The percentages of people that become their role is. Mr. Warren ers’ grades every five weeks to professional athletes is slim to none.”

Shaw, head coach of the see if they are passing or fail-Mr. Scott Sugar boy’s varsity basketball ing. If a student is failing more team stated, “I think the than one class, then he/she will Athletic Director new policy will posibe required to stay after school tively influence student to either make up missing work or get extra help on to put pressure on athletes to have passing grades. athletes to do well, especially during the season.” assignments or subjects that they are having a hard “Ultimately, we need athletes to graduate; that’s the Many of the teams at OHS are scholar-athlete time with. However, they will still be able to partici- most important thing. The percentages of people who teams, which means a certain number of the team pate in games and practices. If this student-athlete is become professional athletes is slim to none; you need members maintain an average above 90. So putfailing two or more classes again five weeks later, he diplomas and you need to be able to go on to college, ting this policy in place is just going to help the will still be able to practice, but cannot play in games and this is just one way we can help you achieve students who aren’t maintaining that average and to until the grades are at a passing level. In some cases that,” stated Director of Athletics, Mr. Scott Sugar. ensure that all student-athletes will graduate on time. it could mean that a student just needs to stay after “When I worked with Mr. Sugar developing this Enough students are doing well with their academand make up a missed assignment and to be passing new policy, we were both on the same page, in that ics that this new policy should not be detrimental to again. Some teachers will only allow late work up to it would not be a policy that prevented students from any team this year. This new policy may influence a certain date, so in that case, the student must work participating in sports. We wanted it to be a policy some student athletes to do better in school so that harder to raise his grade, it has nothing to do with that if students were not being successful, we would they too can be members of the scholar-athlete teams.

By Joe Bucher

Buccaneer Bulletin

December 2008

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Volume 12 Number 3

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Oswego High School Athlete of the Month

Michaela Auer

By Kailyn Gray

Entertainment Editor

Sophomore Michaela Auer has accomplished what few OHS athletes have been able to. Not only did she break a school record, but she managed to also qualify for the New York State championships this year. Swimming the 100 yard breaststroke, she place 38th. “I went into the meet ranked 54th, so I moved up 16 spots,” Auer stated.

The most challenging part of the experience for Auer was the fact that she didn’t have teammates with her, she said. “Teammates help out a lot just being there for you, cheering you on and just having someone else swimming in the pool with you; I didn’t have anyone there. It was just my coach and me…it was hard not having the girls I swam with all year be there with me.” She stated that just being at states was an amazing and humbling experience. Auer had the opportunity to swim with girls from high schools around New York State who had qualified for the Olympic trials.

Auer attributes her success to her coach Josh Lerch, who pushed her to put forth her best effort at every practice. “He was strict when he needed to be. I would come to practice ready to work, so I wasn’t really forced. He didn’t really have to be strict on me. There were none of my teammates there to goof off with, so he wasn’t too strict.”

As for regrets, Auer has none. “I feel like I performed the best I could. I stayed relaxed and calm and didn’t let my fears and things going on around get to me. I just went into my own zone and listened to music to get me pumped.”

For next year, she hopes to get her time down to 1:07. She plans on working even harder next year to break her record and make it to states again.

Although she has no idea where she would like to go to college, Auer knows that she wants to swim at whichever school she chooses.

She’s currently planning to swim with the Oswego Laker Swim Club in the spring and Photo by Caitlin Sawyer summer to get a jump start on her training for next year.

Photo Illustration by Steve LiVoti

December 2008