December 2013

Buccaneer Bulletin

HAPPY HOLIDAYS HOTTEST GIFT IDEAS PAGES 8 & 9

Oswego High School’s Student Voice www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

December 2013 Volume 2 Number 3 PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

Editorial

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Drawing Board

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editor-in-Chief Tara Stacy Managing Editor Patrick Baer Business Manager Drazen Schrecengost Webmaster Rachael Purtell Chief Photographer Jordan Oatman Art Director Laurelann Easton Alumni Editor Victoria Armet Sports Editor Isabella Winklestine Editorial Editor Elizabeth Sincavage Layout Editor Alex Borland Entertainment Editor Lisa Kanbur Graphic Designer Dylan Kimball Reporters Emily Hurlbutt Katelyn Clary Advisers Bill Reeser Heidi Conland Sheffield

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.

Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.

CARTOON BY LAURELANN EASTON

. . . to the No Shave November fundraiser for prostate cancer. It raised over $617.00, which is close to $100.00 more than last year. . . . to to the River’s End Bookstore for giving a ten percent discount to AP English students when they buy their own copies of required readings. . . . to the Jean Week fundraiser for the OCTA Scholarship. The grand total raised was $1,695.00. . . . to after school activities being cancelled the day before Thanksgiving break. It gave athletes more time to rest and recover from pre-season injuries . . . to the Oswego City School District for sending OHS students home during the unexpected water main break on the day we returned to school from Thanksgiving break.

. . . to the death of Nelson Mandela. The world lost a very influential leader and peace maker.

On the Cover: This year’s Christmas tree lights up Oswego’s City Hall.

The tree was planted in the spring and is now a permanent part of downtown Oswego. The photo was taken by Jordan Oatman.

Buccaneer Bulletin

. . . to the Nitro-Ball Tournament being postponed due to after school activities being cancelled. . . . to the death of Paul Walker and Robert Rogan and the lack of publicity for the death of the latter.

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December 2013

Editorial In Our View . . .

Sticking to your New Year’s resolutions makes all the difference December is always seen as a time for reflection; also weakens when emotions come into play. For we look back on everything we have accomplished in example, if you give up chocolate and go to the the past year and what we want to do in the coming grocery store while hungry, you are more likely to year. buy chocolate.

Whether you reflect upon the good things that One way to stay on track with your resolution is happened in the past year or the things you regret to make it more specialized or detailed. This will help about it, almost everyone makes a New Year’s make the resolution more manageable. If you have a resolution for the year to come. We at The Buccaneer starting point and a specific goal, the resolution will Bulletin feel that it is important to not only make a be easier to achieve. For example, instead of simply resolution but to make a realistic one. deciding to lose weight, one should state exactly how Every year, Americans make New Year’s many pounds they want to lose. This way you have a resolutions they cannot keep. Each year, about 45 set goal and can create steps to achieve it. percent of Americans make one, but only about eight Using steps or planning your time can make percent report your goal Each year, about 45 percent of Americans much more success. 25 percent do not make one, but only about 8 percent report realistic. This even make it allows you to success. 25 percent do not even make it past have specific past the first week of their times or days the first week of their resolution. resolution. to spread out Why is whatever you this? And what can we do to change it? are trying to achieve. To use the weight example Many Americans take on a resolution that is again, you could set a certain amount of weeks too broad. For example, in 2013, the most popular you want to achieve your goal and the number of resolutions were to eat healthy and exercise more, pounds you want to lose per week. drink less, learn something new, and quit smoking.

Another way to help meet your goal is to create While all of these are great goals, they do not have incentives for yourself. After you complete each much structure or detail. This can cause people step in your plan, you would get an incentive such to become too overwhelmed and ultimately feel as money or sweets. depressed when they feel that they cannot achieve A last tip to help keep you on track with your their resolutions. resolution is to share it. Tweet about it when you There are several reasons people are not able to decide what you are doing and continue to tweet follow through with their resolutions. Many people your progress. This way you will be able to receive overestimate their ability to make good decisions words of encouragement from your friends and you when they are under some sort of pressure. will have all the more incentive not to quit because Willpower can also be a factor as it is not a you would not want to disappoint your friends. constant personality trait for humans. When people If you use all these tips, hopefully you will be resist something a number of times, the desire to do able to stay on track with your resolution and not that thing only becomes stronger. Our willpower be disappointed in the long run.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve safely

Presents under the tree have been opened, eggnog from one year to the next at midnight. So why have consumed, turkey has been put in the refrigerator individuals always used this an excuse to drink? for left over sandwiches, and the Christmas season Seeing the ball drop and all the live performances is now over. But wait, students still have a week off on TV are great things to do along with gathering from school. The only thing left to look forward to together close friends and family. It is just another during this time are New Year’s Eve celebrations. day mistaken as an opportunity to do some things you New Year’s Eve has a lot of hype surrounding it might regret the next morning though. even though it all boils down to a 10 second count All of these New Year’s Eve activities are down at 11:59 p.m. Parents and children alike end up highly influenced by pop culture. The entire night is preparing just for a few seconds of celebrating. So portrayed to be one huge party scene for everyone why do they do it? to enjoy, but that is when things go wrong and bad We at The things can happen. It Buccaneer Bulletin one thing to enjoy The entire night is portrayed to be isa night feel that the hype with friends one huge party scene for everyone but it should not be leading up to New Year’s Eve is just to enjoy, but that is when things go overdone. another excuse to We at The wrong and bad things can happen. Buccaneer have some adult Bulletin beverages and not feel that you should even remember the enjoy your New ball drop.

Year’s Eve, but be safe and do not contribute to the It is no secret that high school students have growing number of underage drinking and other access to alcohol and many parents do not mind illegal activities. Have a Merry Christmas and a these illegal actions. New Year’s Eve is a holiday Happy New Year, and remember to stay safe during to specifically notice the change in the calendar the holidays!

Buccaneer Bulletin

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What’s Your Opinion?

“What’s your New Year’s resolution?”

Laura Godden Sophomore

“My New Year’s resolution is to do better in school.”

Olivia Farden Senior

“My New Year’s resolution is to get into my dream college.”

Rohan Jacobs Freshman

“My New Year’s resolution is to get a job.”

Monica Wilson Junior

“I don’t make New Year’s resolutions because everyone breaks them and there’s no point.”

Mr. Bandla Staff

“To find the quesiton to the ultimate answer of life, the universe, and everything.”

December 2013

4

News

Prezi provides innovative canvas for student projects

By Rachael Purtell

Webmaster Many students are swapping boring Power Point slides with the fun and innovative canvases provided by Prezi. com.

OHS junior Reilly Patrick said, “I’ve never used it, but I prefer the visual aspect of a Prezi over Power Point any day!”

Prezi was introduced by Hungarian founders Péter Árvai, Szabolcs SomlaiFischer and Péter Halácsy in 2008 to provide the public with a cloud-based presentation and storytelling tool through the use of a virtual canvas. The word prezi is the Hungarian short form of presentation.

It is simple to register for an account on Prezi.com; one must simply type in the url and select “sign up.”

Users can create an account through a link to their Facebook account or enter their first and last name, email address and create a unique and secure password. There are three types of accounts available on this site including Prezi Public, Prezi Enjoy, and Prezi Pro. Prezi Public is free of charge and provides users with 100 mega-bytes (MB) of storage space which is enough for a few Prezis. This type of account allows users to access the core features of the site which are the abilities to edit and share Prezis. All of the Prezis users create on this account will be

viewable by the public eye.

Prezi Enjoy costs $4.92 a month and enables customers to keep their Prezis private so no user outside of their choosing may view his or her work. Customers also receive Prezi’s premium support which responds to his or her questions or concerns in less than a day. This type of account also provides 500MB of storage space.

Prezi Pro charges a monthly fee of $13.25 and provides customers with a Prezi Desktop, enabling them to edit their prezis offline. Customers also receive 2 giga-bytes (GB) of storage space and can replace the Prezi logo with their own company logo. This account also enables users to keep their Prezis private and provides them with Prezi’s premium support.

Prezi.com is easy to learn and fun to use. Junior class president Allison Smith said, “I learned about Prezi from some of my friends and I like it a lot more than PowerPoint because it looks so much more official! It was kind of confusing at first but it’s actually really easy once you get the hang of it and

you can make the templates your own style. I think that it is an awesome tool for students to use!”

Users can zoom in or out on their canvases using the scroll wheel on their mouse or the + and – symbols on the right side of the screen. Users can further navigate the canvas by holding down their left mouse button and dragging the mouse in the direction they wish to pan. The home button allows the user to completely zoom out and get an overview of their entire canvas.

Users can start creating a Prezi from either a blank canvas or one of the many templates the site provides. The templates are editable, but they provide a background, title, and frames of a common theme to start with.

For example, the template entitled “Journey” provides a title font and five frames (four shaped like brackets and the last as a circle) with footprints in between.

Users can insert a variety of content into their Prezis including text,

urls, animations, images, and shapes or diagrams; they can also create frames to help organize their content.

The “Theme Wizard” feature allows users to customize the colors and fonts of the text they insert.

They can also insert lines, arrows, or highlight in order to redirect their audience’s attention. Any content on the canvas can also be rotated, moved or scaled using the “Transformation Tool.”

Teachers at Oswego High School encourage students to use Prezi because it is an innovative and visually appealing way to display their ideas.

English teacher Miss Oswald said, “I think that Prezis work well for presentations because it allows the presenter to determine a logical way to present the information to the class by creating a path for the information to be shown. It forces them to be concise with their information, which helps them to avoid reading their information directly from the ‘slides.’ I also think that it helps visual learners in the audience because the presenter can put written information on a ‘slide’ as well as include any visuals to hold the audience’s attention.”

As more students become aware of Prezi.com, they begin to experiment with the website in order to more creatively display their ideas than they have in the past.

A move to Los Angeles leads to career as a comedian

be successful, he said, both need to be utilized.

Benjamin said he realized in the beginning of his Reporter On November 18, Oswego native Owen career that to make money throughout his career, he Benjamin spoke at SUNY-Oswego. He is known needed to find opportunities and to refine his act. He for his stand-up comedy sets and for appearances in genuinely enjoys his career as a performer, and even movies such as Jack and Jill and The House Bunny. when he had to work several side jobs to pay his bills, Benjamin attended SUNY-Plattsburgh, which was he still was happy. where he started doing stand-up sets. His opening act “Money is a byproduct,” Benjamin said, “It for now popular comedian Kevin Hart kick started his comes from doing what you want to do.” career on campus.

He also talked about the fine line between Benjamin is an Oswego High School alumnus being funny and being a bully. He has found that who graduated in 1998. He played comedians often make mistakes by spring and summer lacrosse in making fun of people who do not B e n j a m i n ’s c a r e e r s t a r t e d w i t h s m a l l e r deserve it or who are in a worse high school and played football his sophomore year. He was very involved performances at comedy venues, many of which situation. People are less likely to in both sports and is still committed to connect with performers who are exercise, running between six and eight he worked at as a busboy. He worked several mean without cause or who look miles a day. odd jobs, such as bussing tables and doing hypocritical when poking fun at Another high school hobby

janitorial work, until his career as a comedian others. was playing the piano. Benjamin Benjamin said, “If there is was established. considered it a way to calm down someone you feel is weaker than after a stressful school day. He started you in any way, don’t ever attack playing at a young age and could play them.” Keeping this in mind has even complex classical songs after listening to them touring with other comedians including Vince Vaughn helped him to bond with his audiences. once when he was just four-years-old. and Kevin James.

Currently, Benjamin is in the process of Benjamin was a history major with intentions of Benjamin said, “No one operates alone.” His making his third Comedy Central stand-up studying law, but he decided to move to Los Angeles friendships with people in L.A. have constantly been special. He plays Owen on the show Sullivan & following graduation because he was advised that law beneficial to his career. Benjamin claimed that his Son and is currently about to start a stand-up tour. school would be too expensive and that there were career choice was the result of continuing to do what He is on the road for about 40 weeks a year. few positions open for lawyers at the time due to the he enjoyed in college.

This limits his time to visit Oswego, but he does state of the economy.

He talked about the distinction between ambition, see his parents over the Thanksgiving holiday. His While Benjamin’s career does not require that which is the drive to be successful, and devotion, parents, John Kares Smith and Jean Troy-Smith, he has a degree, he said, “I will never regret my which is the drive to perfect something. In order to teach at SUNY-Oswego and reside in the city.

By Emily Hurlbutt

Buccaneer Bulletin

college career.” He said that his college experience helped him to find out his interests, and that attending SUNY- Plattsburgh helped him grow as a person.

Benjamin’s career started with smaller performances at comedy venues, many of which he worked at as a busboy. He worked several odd jobs, such as bussing tables and doing janitorial work, until his career as a comedian was established.

He made many connections with other comedians at comedy venues, and through networking, his options expanded to playing parts in movies and

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December 2013

Features

5

Students should seek practical majors for rewarding jobs Drazen Schrecengost

Business Manager When you ask a high school student what they want to study in college, many have a good idea of where they are headed. It is good to have a career path in mind when you take the next big step in life and go off to college, but is it necessary to know exactly what you want to do when you get out of high school?

According to NBC News, an estimated 80 percent of college freshmen go undeclared and 50 percent of those who declare a major often end up changing their major on average two to five times throughout their college career. For many students, their decision is based on two questions; do I do what I love or what will make me the most money?

Unfortunately for some, the age of “you can do whatever you put your mind to” is long gone and it is time to choose a practical major. Before rushing to make your choice, though, it is important to first know the facts and do the research.

According to Monster.com, the top five most regretted college majors are anthropology, history, visual communication, social science, and journalism.

Anthropologists typically regret their choice of major due to the narrow spectrum of careers that exists in that field. With an average starting salary of $36,500, PayScale.com says that 35 percent of anthropology majors would not recommend this major to current students. If you think anthropology is your calling, you should consider double majoring to make yourself more marketable.

History majors seem to run into the same problems as anthropologists. With a narrow range of options to choose from, it’s important to “keep their options open after graduation,” said Farrah Parker of PayScale. Many people find themselves teaching or with government agencies, libraries, or organizations dedicated to the period they studied, according to Monster.com. With an average starting salary of $39,700, only 33 percent of history majors recommend the major to current students.

Next in line are visual communication majors.

With an average starting salary of $37,300, only 33 percent of visual communication majors recommend this field of study to current students. Common career paths for a bachelor’s degree in this major include designing for media markets, advertising, and layout

professions.

Social sciences are recommended by only 28% of majors. Sarah Merrill at Atrium Staffing stated, “You certainly do not learn practical knowledge that can be applied to a wide range of jobs.”

Whether or not this is true, you might enjoy what you do learn from this major. With an starting average salary of $37,300, many students of this major often double major in order to make themselves more marketable.

Last but not least is journalism, which is only recommended by 27 percent of its graduates. The decline of print media and the abundance of journalism majors fighting over minimal job opportunities are large obstacles for graduates. With an average starting salary of $38,100, many people with journalism degrees find themselves in marketing, sales, or teaching positions after leaving the media business.

Although these majors do not seem to be all that promising, that shouldn’t discourage you from doing what you love. It is important to follow your heart and not what others think is best for you.

NBC News has done some more optimistic research and has found the three most satisfying professions; physicians, teachers, and business owners report very high satisfaction rates on average.

Physicians such as internists, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists report a 95.5 percent satisfaction rate among their job. The job opportunities for these professions are often very plentiful with a solid paycheck ranging from $200,000 plus for primary care physicians and over $350,000 for those with medical specialties.

Teachers, specifically high school, special

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DRAZEN SCHRECENGOST

education, and teacher’s assistants often come home from their day happy and content with their job.

91.1 percent are satisfied with their profession and teachers are the most likely to report enjoyment or happiness while on the job according to NBC News.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median pay of just over $45,000 in 2010.

Business owners frequently rate their work environment highly, 93.3 percent of which are satisfied with their profession. Salaries of business owners vary greatly, but the BLS reported close to 14.5 million self-employed workers. Many consider their environment trusting and open, key components of an enjoyable job.

It is important to research what interests you especially when deciding on a career. All too often, students get a slap in the face when graduating from college with a degree that does not prove to be very useful. Forbes, Monster, and other websites offer valuable and accurate information on all sorts of careers. Do not be afraid to follow your heart and do what you love. You can accomplish anything with the right mind set.

High school classes convert to online offerings

By Tara Stacy Editor-in-Chief

High schools all over the country are implementing new technology by creating online classes. But how are these classes truly affecting students?

School districts across the country are feeling the pressure from state education departments to increase their graduation rates. For example, New York State’s education department would like its schools to have an 80 percent graduation rate; a rate that seems unrealistic for many schools.

It is because of this standard that the Syracuse City School District has tried to implement online classes. The district’s graduation rate was nowhere near what the state was hoping to enforce, so they decided to reform their programs. One way of doing this was by providing their students with a program called PLATO.

Buccaneer Bulletin

PLATO is defined by its website as “A standards-based online learning program grounded in a tradition of solid research, sound pedagogy, and applied innovation. We develop rigorous, relevant curriculum that challenges your students with a 21st century approach - engaging them with interactive, media-rich content.”

PLATO allows students to take entire classes online. Oswego High School also offers PLATO classes for remedial purposes. Administrators hope that this will increase graduation rates because it means that kids can take remedial classes online. It has been found that more often than not, if kids fail a course in a regular classroom setting, they will be able to pass the same course online.

An alternative to online classes is called class-flipping. Flipped classrooms generally involve students

learning new material at home from video lectures. Class time is used for independent assignments, previously called homework, and teachers are available to simply answer questions.

An example of a school where class-flipping has occurred is Clintondale High School in Michigan.

Clintondale’s principle, Greg Green, pushed for class-flipping because his school’s graduation rate was in the lowest 5 percent in all of Michigan.

Green implemented the technology first in one classroom and then moved on to use it in every class in the school.

Since they adopted the new technique, Clintondale’s graduation rate has risen to 90 percent. However, the school’s standardized test rates have fluctuated. Though the school blamed the decline on an influx of new poverty stricken students, the argument does not hold well because these

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students were still on track to graduate.

Therefore, the question remains, why are standardized test scores declining while graduation rates are rising? One explanation is that kids are cheating.

Online tests are making it extremely easy for kids to simply Google answers. They can simply open a new tab on their browsers and copy and paste question answers.

One student anonymously told his story to The Chronicle of Higher Education. He showed how he and his friends got As on their tests without having to read any online materials or textbooks. They would log into Google and use a Google Document that they could all view simultaneously. That way, as one student was taking the test, he could post the questions for the others to see.

Continued on page 6

December 2013

Features

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Paper books are disappearing in favor of technology Laurelann Easton Art Director

In a world where technology is a massive part of our lives, everyone is familiar with devices like the Kindle and Nook. But are we becoming too unfamiliar with actual books?

It is easy to say we may be moving towards a bookless society with such devices. As a country we have come to rely on technology for many things, and these days reading is no exception.

In some classes at OHS there are laptops and tablets available for use.

More teachers use their Smartboards to teach instead of whiteboards or chalk boards. Is it possible to think the same might happen with books where Kindles or Nooks would be available for class use?

One might ask, why does this matter? People are still reading, right? It is not just about the aspect of keeping people reading, though e-readers may encourage technology lovers to read. Books have been around for hundreds of years, yet society consistently seems to like to accept the next big thing in technology. Should technology replace books?

It is true that it is cheaper for people to buy books for their e-readers.

If you are looking through the books you can buy for your Kindle or Nook, there are hundreds that you can buy for less than a dollar or even acquire for free, and you will still get a rather long book for at least a tenth of the usual price. The usual price for a good hardcover book is around twenty dollars, and most people are not fans of paying that much.

Looking at the issue from an environmental standpoint, not printing books and having strictly e-books would be a positive thing. It would mean cutting down fewer trees for the paper that goes into a book, and that can be a lot of paper if it is a 500 page book being printed by the millions.

If you are reading a 500 page mammoth, you do not want to carry it around all day to read from when you can. Hardcore readers like to read at

every possible moment and carrying around a device that weighs only 7.310.2 oz (barely half a pound for the newer versions of the Kindle) makes going about the rest of your day easier.

The 2013 Kindle Paperwhite is 7.3 oz, and not even half an inch thick with its longest edge length being 6.7 inches.

Only children’s books would ever be that small and light.

to be adjusted so high that it kills the battery faster. As a result, you have to go inside sooner to charge the device.

That can be rather distracting to keep in mind and frustrating to have to interrupt that intense fight scene you may be wrapped up in. At least if you read an actual book, you can just sit down and read straight through to see if your beloved character dies.

PHOTOS BY KATELYN CLARY

It is not just children reading, though. Many adults read heavily, and senior citizens like to keep their minds sharp too. People from the older generations grew up and spent most of their lives reading from books. Though they may prefer reading that way, reading from e-readers can be easier for them. They can control the size of the text they are looking at instead of relying on large print books. Another benefit on their eyes is the backlit display e-readers have.

Any reader would agree that lighting can be an issue. With the backlit display you no longer have to worry if there is enough daylight left for you to finish reading your book or whether you need to find a lamp or book light.

Many people like reading outside while it is light out; however, some e-readers are not viewable in the sunlight easily, and the brightness has

Some people also like how books smell. Picking up a new novel and cracking those pages open to catch the new page fragrance is rather pleasant to book fanatics. Senior Kaylee Conner said, “You can’t get rid of books because the next generation would never know the smell of an old book or experience holding something as genuine as a book.” Unless they start putting stickers scented like that to scratch at on e-readers, many people will refuse to give up holding a book that they can turn the aromatic pages of.

If e-readers were to replace books, what would that do to libraries and their workers? The library could become a forgotten place filled with smelly old books that no one wants to touch.

The public library system already has a way to take out books electronically on their website. With

this, they are allowing that shift to being entirely electronic and without books begin to happen.

OHS librarian Ms. Gina Iorio disagrees, though, and she thinks that we won’t become an entirely bookless society. “I think there will always be books. But I think what may happen in the future is that books may become collector items. For instance, we still have albums despite having MP3s.

People collect them for the art and things of that nature. Libraries are a gathering place, especially for the less fortunate. It is a place where they can get information. We can provide them with books and e-books on a lot of different subjects.”

However, are books still too beloved by some people to disappear entirely? Though there are benefits that any reader can agree with to having an e-reader, there is just something about books that cannot be forgotten or left in the dusty archives of history. You know how readers get when their favorite character is killed, so imagine the riot that would occur if books were done away with.

Some of history could be forgotten with the loss of books. Records from hundreds of years ago have been kept in books. Transferring all that information to technology would take a great deal of time. Primary resources used for history classes could be lost or done away with and that connection to the past would be gone forever. To some people, history is a bunch of dead people and abandoned artifacts but that is still the past. Without that, we would not be where we are today, and it is important for people to learn and understand that.

Perhaps it will be beneficial to have this growth in technology use. As society continues to rely more heavily on it, it could be that the importance and enjoyment of storytelling will increase right along with advances in technology. The most important thing in this is that people do continue to pick up a paperback or e-reader every now and then.

More cheating is a result of cost efficient online courses continued from page

5

The tests were often timed, and therefore the student who took the test first would not do well, but they took turns, so in the long run, one bad test grade would not even matter. By the time the last student in the group took the test, he would get almost a perfect score, thanks to his friends’ cheat sheets.

Another way to cheat is to simply have someone else take the test. While students could do this in a regular classroom setting, it is much more difficult to do so when you have to take a test where the professor knows your face. Online, this is not an issue. Anyone can take a test because all you need is a username and password.

Students like the one above feel that these online classes are impersonal and detached. Therefore, most

Buccaneer Bulletin

of them don’t even see a problem with cheating. The student mentioned above felt this way, and stated of the school he attended, “If they didn’t think students would do this, then they didn’t think it through.”

Students like this one are just one of the reasons that schools’ graduation rates are increasing. Kids are able to cheat more easily than they can in a regular classroom setting, and therefore are able to pass classes more easily. However, they are not learning anything, so their standardized tests score are less than adequate.

Critics feel that the adoption of these online classes by school districts is simply driven by the districts’ desire to spend less on teachers and the education of students in general, especially during budget cuts. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

Online classes are a lot cheaper for the schools to offer than paying actual teachers. For example, in Memphis, the school district requires each student to take at least one online class to graduate, and they only spend $164 on each child as opposed to how much they would have to pay a teacher to teach the class in a normal setting.

In 2009, more than 70 percent of school districts in the United States offered at least one online course for their students. There are several pros and cons to this. The courses allow students to take remedial and AP courses that schools would not be able to offer otherwise, but they also make it much easier for students to cheat. Until the security measures of these classes are improved, the classes’ effectiveness cannot be determined.

December 2013

Point Counter-Point

7

Should high school students be able to use their cell phones in school?

Students should be allowed the use of technology during free periods

Cellular devices are a distraction to the learning process

By Jordan Oatman

By Elizabeth Sincavage

Say you get picked up every day after school by your parents but one day you have to stay after to finish a paper. Somehow you have to tell your parents that you are going to need a ride later than usual, what is the easiest thing to do?

Take your cell phone out during lunch and shoot your mom a quick text.

One of the most controversial topics between students and administration is the use of cell phones during school hours. Not using them in class because they cause a lack of focus is understandable, but students are not being taught anything during their lunch and study hall periods. There is nothing that the phones can take focus away from during those hours.

Using cell phones during lunch or study hall does not hurt anything. There can always be a message to deliver- a text to parents, grandparents, siblings, or bosses. While it’s easier to just do this while in study halls or the lunch room, it takes a lot of time for a student to make their way down to the guidance office to make a phone call. Some parents who work during the day are also unable to answer the phone when their child needs them to. It’s easier, in some cases, for parents to receive texts than phone calls.

With high tech smart phones nowadays, cell phones have become a technological resource that can become helpful for students doing their homework. Adults are always telling teenagers to use their resources before going and asking questions, but restricting the use of one of the biggest resources that is in the back pocket of nearly every teenager is contradicting.

The phone’s connection to the Internet, online dictionaries and calculators helps when we have questions on our homework and schoolwork, and may also give us a chance to check our school emails for important messages that may have been sent to the whole school from the administration. A majority of students never have access to a computer throughout the school day or even at home.

While some teachers would say that if they allowed cell phones in study halls, it would take away from students doing their homework while they have a chance. But for students, they are either going to do their homework during study hall or they are not going to do it. Their mind was most likely made up before they even got into the classroom. Those who decided they needed to get work done are not going to be hindered by the possibility of using their cell phones, while those who were never going to do it in the first place also would not be affected by cell phones.

Another argument would be that students would be texting students in classes where cell phones are not allowed and gives a greater opportunity for cheating. While this is possibly true, the fact that students who are in classes are able to take their phones out while testing and not get caught is not the fault of the students. Teachers either need to enforce the no cell phone rule, or pay better attention to those taking a test. To most students, it is not cheating if you do not get caught.

Honestly, how many teachers collect the phones anyway? Students clearly walk around the hallways and some classrooms texting away on their phones, or have their phones sitting on top of their books throughout class. The teachers do not say anything to them, and if they do it is just a simple “Put it away” instead of taking it like they’re supposed to.

Some teachers even tell students they allow cell phones out during their class or on days that they are not doing anything. While students are glad that these teachers realize that the use of cell phones are technology that will help and not hinder, the inconsistency between those who allow cell phones and those who confiscate them is a mixed message. What’s the point of a rule that is neither followed nor enforced by everyone? It would just be easier to allow students to use their cell phones.

Cell phones have a time and a place, but it is not in school. Now that cell phones are more technologically advanced, they can do almost anything which is not always a good thing.

Social media is one the largest sources of cyber bullying, especially Twitter. If cell phones were allowed in class, anyone could post a picture, video or say something bad about anyone. By the end of the school day, almost everyone would have seen or heard about the post. This still happens in school even though cell phones are not permitted during school hours, but it would happen more if they were permitted during the school day.

Cell phones are also a major distraction. Whenever they go off during class, the entire class gets off task. In class, I hate being used as a shield so the person behind me can use their phone without getting caught. Plus, the annoying tapping noise people make when they text is not any better than the annoying click of a pen.

The use of cell phones in class is also extremely disrespectful to the teacher.

I have always hated when other students abused the fact that a certain teacher will not take their phone away because they know they will get off with nothing more than a warning. I think that if you want to get on a teacher’s good side, a step in the right direction would be not to use your phone in class.

Cell phones could also be used to cheat on a test.

Students can save answers into their phone, text a friend or look the answer up on the Internet. When it came time to take Regents exams in June, it was made very clear there were to be no cell phones in the testing area.

Students were angry.

In previous years, students were allowed to turn off their cell phones and place them under their desk or in the front of the room. The privilege of bringing your phone to the test was taken away due to students who attended Stuyvesant High School, when more than 80 students were caught sharing answers to their exams via text message.

Cell phones are an all around distraction in the classroom. Between cyber bullying, being disrespectful to teachers, distracting the class and cheating, cell phones should be off and in your locker during school hours.

Editorial Editor

Chief Photographer

Buccaneer Bulletin

www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATELYN CLARY

ON ?

December 2013

8

What is on your C list this

Here is a list of the popular presents a high schooler would like to see under the tree or in their stockings on Christmas morning.

In some ways as people get older, picking out the right presents can be difficult. But with presents like these, it can be an easy choice. These are the items on most teenagers’ wishlists. Since the fairy tale of Santa no longer exists in the realm of teenagers, their lists are more demanding for parents to purchase these big ticket items.

• iPhone 5s - $199.99 - $399.99 • iPhone 5c - $99.00 - $199.99 • Xbox One - $559.00 • PS4 - $517.00 • Grand Theft Auto V - $60.00 • Call of Duty Ghosts - $60.00 • Laptop: PC $600.00, Mac $1000.00 • Snowboard - $500.00 - $1000.00 • Ice Skates - $100.00 - $200.00 • North Face - $70.00 - $220.00 • iHome or Speakers - $100.00 • Beats - $100.00 - $300.00 • iPad Air - $499.99 - $829.99 • Puppy - Adopt • Hunger Games Books $30.00 • Travel Mugs- $25.00 • Kitten - Adopt • Nikon Camera - $300$1100 • Sperry’s - $90.00 • Timberlands - $150.00 • Hunting Gear - $100.00 700.00 • Keurig - $100.00 • World Peace - Priceless

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Visit us on the web at www.bucca

Christmas year?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• LifeProof Case - $80.00 • iTunes Gift Card - $25.00 - $100.00 • Cologne or Perfume - $40.00 $100.00 • Gas Gift Card - $100.00 • EOS Lipbalm - $10.00 • Hand Sanitizer - $3.00 Various Makeup - $5.00 - $70.00 Pandora Barcelet - $45.00 - $1,500.00 Pandora Charms - $20.00 - $845.00 Concert Tickers - $50.00 - $500.00 Ski Membership - $400.00 Socks - $5.00-$15.00 Candy Canes - $1.00 Reeses - $3.00 MMLP2 - $15.00 Bangerz - $15.00 Midnight Memories - $15.00 Scarfs - $15.00 Leg Warmers - $10.00 Sporting Event Tickets - $100.00 Beanies - $20.00 Snapbacks - $40.00 Ammo - $20.00 Watch - $40.00 - $300.00

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9

Good things come in small packages

By Patrick Baer and Katelyn Clary Managing Editor and Reporter

December 2013

Walking the Plank

10

FRESHMAN RACER CAMDEN PROUD YOUNGEST DRIVER AT OSWEGO SPEEDWAY

Camden Proud and his family pose for a picture in the winner’s circle after a race. From left to right are his little sister Cassidy Proud, his father Tim Proud, Camden Proud, and his mother Debra Proud.

By Patrick Baer Managing Editor

Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Camdem Proud: Camden Anthony Proud.

BB: What grade are you in?

CP: I am in ninth grade.

BB: How old are you?

CP: I am 15.

BB: What is your favorite hobby?

CP: Racing.

BB: How long have you been racing?

CP: 10 years.

BB: Where do you race and where have you raced in the past?

CP: I used to race at quarter midgets and now I race at Oswego Speedway.

BB: How did you start racing?

CP: My parents bought me a race car. I always liked watching my dad race so as a Christmas present when I was four, they got me a race car.

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BB: What type of race car do you have?

CP: It is a small block super modified; it used to be a quarter midget.

BB: What are your future plans with racing?

CP: To run for Rookie of the Year at Oswego Speedway and continue to race there for a few years or at least until I go to college.

BB: What is your favorite memory from racing?

CP: My first championship. It was at the Oswego race track for quarter midgets and I raced about six features that year in 2009.

BB: What is your family like and how are they involved in your racing?

CP: My mom and sister are always very supportive of me, but my dad is my crew chief, does everything on the car and I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without his help. My dad is my main guy.

BB: Do you do any racing that isn’t with your normal race car?

CP: I race at Pole Position, the go karts at

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMDEN PROUD PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RACHAEL PURTELL

Destiny USA. I’m a member there and try to go a lot.

BB: Do you play any sports?

CP: I run cross country.

BB: Do you have any pets?

CP: I have a Yorkie named Quincy.

BB: What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

CP: Crazy, nice, funny.

BB: Name three things you cannot live without.

CP: My race car, friends, and family.

BB: What is your biggest fear?

CP: Maybe getting upside down in a race.

BB: What is your favorite subject?

CP: I like Global History; I’m the best at that.

BB: Who inspires you and why?

CP: My dad. It’s just because of the type of person he is and how hard he works for me and my sister.

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BB: How do you like high school so far?

CP: It’s a lot of fun. More fun than middle school.

BB: If you could have any super power what would it be?

CP: To be able to fly, that would be cool.

BB: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

CP: Hopefully working with some sort of computer graphic or engineering job. If I get the opportunity, I would love to race NASCAR too.

BB: What is your biggest accomplishment?

CP: As far as racing, what I did last year where I got to race with some adults as old as 40 and me only being 14 was pretty cool. As of now I am the youngest driver.

Editor’s note: “Walking the Plank” is a regular question-and-answer feature of the Buccaneer Bulletin. If you know a student or staff member who you would like to see walk the plank, contact Tara Stacy a tstacy@ oswego.org. This edition of “Walking the Plank” was written by Patrick Baer.

December 2013

Artist of the Month

11

Home schooler takes to the stage in numerous productions

By Jordan Oatman Chief Photographer

Under the ever present leather jacket on Stephen Mahan is the heart of an actor. Mahan has been acting since 2005 when he played the role of Avery in Charlotte’s Web with the Oswego Children’s Theater.

His parents had always been active in the acting community, and that was something they passed on to him.

Since then, he’s played various roles in plays including but not limited to, Juvie, Stage Door, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Break a Leg with many different acting groups. Mahan has acted with the Oswego Players, the Oswego Children’s Theater, Port City Theater, and now recently the OHS Drama Club.

Mahan’s most recent role was in the Oswego High School’s fall production of Lizzie Borden Took An Axe. He played Lizzie’s abusive and penny-pinching father, Andrew Borden, and he states it has so far been his favorite role. “I got to play a far more rounded character,” Mahan said. “I really got to be more passionate with my acting than I could in most other productions. I loved the intensity of Andrew’s character.

He really wasn’t someone I could play as the villain or victim. He was just human.”

He also says that this production was one of his favorites because the cast came together and bonded as a family. “It was truly a pleasure to be a part of.”

The production that Mahan had been a part of but liked the least was the Oswego Children’s Theater’s Narnia. “That was an absolute butchery of a play if I’ve ever seen one.”

Mahan loves the stage because he enjoys telling stories. “Specifically, I enjoy telling stories well.”

He’s intrigued by the trickery and illusions that telling the stories on stage can create. “I enjoy being able to convince the audience that fiction is reality, if only for an hour or so,” Mahan told.

Stephen Mahan says that one of the best people he has had the liberty to work with has been his dear friend, Bill Debiase. “You can find his best performances in the web series Handsford, which can be found on Youtube.”

The two have worked together in It’s a Wonderful Life.

Besides being on the stage, Mahan enjoys getting his hands into the backstage technical work. He has done lighting and sound for many of the Oswego

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Player’s plays.

Before starting his junior year last year at OHS, Stephen Mahan had already earned his high school diploma as a result of being home schooled.

“I did not have any definite plans after receiving my first diploma, so I chose to continue my high school career and take electives that either interested or challenged me.”

Mahan said that although he enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of being homeschooled, the curriculum was very challenging. “You can learn at your own pace, which meant I was able to learn much farther than I am able to in public school.”

“The transition was surprisingly smooth, actually,” he stated. “I already had a lot of friends in high school, and it’s not a difficult system to figure out. But I cannot describe the extent to which I hate getting up early in the morning.”

“My favorite musical is forever and always, Les Miserable,” he said.

His favorite TV show is a toss up between My Little Pony, Dr. Who, and Firefly. “My dream role is to be Dr. Horrible from Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog because he’s just amazing.”

He also, enjoys partaking in airsoft and parkour with his friends. “I’m not currently looking at any colleges though. I plan to work for a year or so after graduation to get my feet under me before I go about deciding what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. I’m most likely going to major in English and minor in education, but nothing’s set in stone yet.”

Keep your eyes out for Stephen Mahan’s next appearance in the winter musical of Evita as part of the ensemble!

PHOTO CREDIT: JORDAN OATMAN

Stephen Mahan hopes to continue acting with the OHS Drama Club in their spring production of Evita during his final year.

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December 2013

12

Entertainment

The Hunger Games sequel does not disappoint fans and Rue, played in the original The Hunger Games by Dayo Okeniyi and Amandla Stenberg respectively. After beginning a rehearsed speech aimed to please the capitol, Peeta drops his note cards and speaks solemnly of the loss both families of Thresh and Rue suffered and donated a month of their winnings to each family for every Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss year for the rest of their lives.

Everdeen, the heroine in The Hunger Katniss then speaks of Thresh Games: Catching Fire, the much and how he showed her mercy in the anticipated sequel to the original The games and of Rue and how well she Hunger Games released in March knew and loved her. After a tearful of 2012. This movie combines a moment, each member of the crowd plot exciting enough to distract the in District 11 touches three fingers to audience from the fact that this movie their lips and holds them high in the is, like any sequel in a trilogy, a air as a symbol of resistance against placeholder with quality acting and the capitol.

Then, a struggle breaks spot-on character portrayal.

The mere existence of a successful out between the residents of District female franchise that is not surrounded 11 and the peacekeepers, and the first man who gave the symbol is dragged by potential suitors with supernatural up on stage and shot in front of the powers is enough to make the teenage girl inside all viewers want to stand up crowd.

Another important scene occurs and cheer. immediately after Katniss and The two and a half hour movie Peeta return from their victory tour. is split into two main parts. During Katniss comes to the rescue when the first half of the movie, Katniss the brutal new commander of the Everdeen and Peeta Mallark, played murderous peacekeepers of District

by Josh Hutcherson, tour the nation of 12, Commander Thread, played by Panem in supposed celebration of their Patrick St. Esprit, whips Gale in the victory in the 74th Hunger Games. The middle of Penance Square.

After final hour of the movie is devoted to seeing Katniss’ boldness, President the bloodbath that takes place in the Snow concluded, “She has a become arena of the 75th Hunger Games and a beacon of hope for them [the third Quarter Quell. rebels]… Her entire race must be The movie opens showing PHOTO BY KATELYN CLARY eliminated,” and begins to plan the Gale Hawthorne, played by Liam Senior Courtney Johnson and Junior Ryan Smith showed their fiery spirit third Quarter Quell with Plutarch Hemsworth, talking intimately with as they geared up for the 8:00 p.m. premiere on Thursday, November 22 at Heavensbee, played by Philip Katniss Everdeen and eventually Oswego Cinema 7 located in downtown Oswego at 138 West 2nd Street.

Seymour Hoffman, in which the tugging at the heartstrings of fans by twenty-four tributes will be selected scene occurs right before Katniss is that sound? Jabberjays copy!” thus kissing her. Shortly after, the insidious from the existing pool of victors, thus sent into the arena. She says goodbye implying that the Capitol is torturing leader of Panem, President Snow, throwing Katniss back into the arena to her stylist and good friend Cinna, their loved ones in order to further played by Donald Sutherland, tells again. played by Lenny Kravitz, and he the tributes’ suffering in the games.

Katniss that pulling out the poisonous The next compelling moment said, “Remember, girl on fire, I’m The jabberjays then surround Katniss nightlock berries at the end of the occurs when Katniss is interviewed still betting on you.” After a heartfelt and Finnick with their incessant cries previous Hunger Games is being by the quirky television host Caesar goodbye, Katniss enters the tube leaving them both screaming on the viewed by some as an act of rebellion Flickerman, played by Stanley that will bring her up to the arena. ground with their hands over their ears. rather than an act of love. He then Tucci. She twirls to show off what is Peacekeepers then storm in and Another ally of Katniss in The subtly threatens Katniss with the lives originally a white cage of a wedding brutally beat Cinna right in front of Hunger Games: Catching Fire is of the people she loves and tells her to dress burning into a dark dress her and drag his bloody, unconscious Johanna Mason, played by Jena convince him and the rest of Panem symbolizing the mockingjay, the body away leaving Katniss completely Malone is seemingly unaffected by the that she is madly in love with Peeta symbol for the ever-growing rebellion. derailed as she ascends to the arena. jabberjays. After the hour of Katniss while they are on their victory tour.

Shortly after, all twenty-four tributes The last impressive scene that and Finnick’s torture is up, she is Despite the continuance of Effie will be mentioned in this disgusted by the actions of the Capitol Trinket’s “Remember, girl on fire, I’m still betting on you.” article for fear of spoilers and begins yelling death threats against (played by President Snow. When the other Elizabeth ~Cinna takes place within one of the hours of the characters stared at her in shock she Banks) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire clock-like arena. Katniss said, “They can’t hurt me, there’s no overdone and the suave, sexy one left that I love,” hinting to fans and gaudy join hands to further encourage character of Finnick Odair, played by that she will play an important role in style of bedazzled Oompa Loompa resistance to the capitol and force the Sam Claflin, are forced to listen to the the anticipated rebellion against the wigs and eyelashes that appear to be television program to shut down to sounds of their loved ones crying out capitol. leaden lace cookies, she is allowed prevent uprisings due to this act of in pain and begging for help mimicked All in all, The Hunger Games: to be a much warmer presence than quiet rebellion. by jabberjays.

Catching Fire is an excellent sequel to she was in the original The Hunger The arena in which the 75th At first Katniss is relieved to The Hunger Games. For both fans of Games. Haymitch Abernathy, played Hunger Games takes place is cleverly discover that it was just a bird rather the first movie and those who missed

by Woody Harrelson, is also less harsh designed as a clock with each hour than the voice of her sister Primrose it in 2012, it is a must-see due to the toward Katniss and Peeta than he was bringing unique horrors ranging from Everdeen, played by Willow Shields. talent of numerous actors, loveable when they first met. raining blood to rabid baboons to However, Finnick hears a jabberjay characters and the suspenseful story Arguably, the most powerful poisonous fog which amount to twelve mimicking the girl he loves and it tells. Lastly, it reminds audiences scene in the movie is when Peeta domes of terror. when Katniss tries to comfort him, he to resist unjust leadership and to and Katniss visit District 11, the Another disturbingly powerful yelled, “How do you think they got “remember who the real enemy is.” home of the fallen tributes Tresh

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December 2013

Entertainment

13

The Real Slim Shady makes a stand with new album On release day MMLP2 already had more than half the songs on the iTunes top 100. Eminem had done it again amazing everyone with his rap talent and winning the love of his fans in just a few short hours.

the most popular song has been “The Monster” featuring Rihanna. This chart topping song has It has been almost five years since Eminem been the most popular since album release day. It is launched his last album Recovery. With that no surprise that a duet with Rihanna and Eminem being one of his most popular albums, would be popular.

Marshall Mathers took a break In Eminem’s from his rap career and last album, the song From 8 Mile to the red carpet, Eminem has “Love The Way did not have any new material until just proven himself time and time again to be You Lie” was one recently. of the most popular a talented artist.

At songs ever released the end of for both Eminem August, Eminem and Rihanna, so a released his single duet between the two was in order for the newest MMLP2 stands for The “Berzerk” which album.

Marshall Mathers LP2. got everyone talking From 8 Mile to the red carpet, Eminem Eminem released an and wondering if he has proven himself time and time again to be a album in the year 2000 would soon drop a new talented artist who even into his early forties can by the name of MMLP album. In the following produce music and still be one of the most popular so this newest album is ES weeks Eminem released artists out there. Eminem has released hundreds considered the sequel.

The G MA EI “Survival” and “Rap God” of songs and several albums all of which have album features singers such as L G OO G as two more singles. became popular from his first album in 1996 to his Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, OF SY By this time it had been newest one in 2013. MMLP2 will be no less than and Fun front man Nate Ruess.

E RT announced that Eminem would Eminem’s other albums and many of the songs Eminem has always had several songs in OU C O OT in fact release his newest album featured will become hits to remember for years. each album that were a duet with popular artists H P MMLP2 on November fifth.

The Real Slim Shady has still got it. just to add to the popularity of his songs. So far

By Patrick Baer Managing Editor

Country entertainer plays to a packed house in Syracuse

By Alex Borland Layout Editor

Country newcomer Dustin Lynch rocked a packed Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Destiny USA on November 21. There were more than 1300 people inside the restaurant to see him perform.

Up and coming country duo Dan & Shay opened up the event at 8:00 p.m.

They performed some of their songs and covered some other popular songs.

Local cover artist TJ Sacco got the place going early by playing at 8:30 p.m. Sacco started off the night by playing Luke Bryan’s hit “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” There were a handful of waitresses dancing on top of the bar. The place went wild when he played Florida Georgia Line’s smash hit “Cruise.”

Toby Keith’s was ready for the 28-year-old Lynch to take the stage. He took the stage at about 9:15 p.m. Lynch came out and did not wait to get the party started. He started singing “She Cranks My Tractor.”

Lynch played a lot of music from his self-titled debut album, which released in August 2012. He also played a song which will be on his next album that started production on November 20. In addition to that, he did covers of some artist who were

covered “Dust On The Bottle”

by David Lee Murphy and Garth Brooks’ song, “Friends In Low Places.”

It is extremely obvious that Lynch loves being on tour and playing in front of fans. Lynch has a great deal of energy on stage when he is performing. His passion for music is very visible. He is always smiling and bouncing around on stage.

During the show, he challenged the males in the audience to do a PHOTO BY ALEX BORLAND bicep chug of their Dustin Lynch points to a fan in the crowd during his recent packed house performance at Toby drinks. Lynch then Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill on November 21 located in the Destiny USA mall in Syracuse. answered his own Low Places.” Lynch had met him at the to see him. He also said that he would challenge by successfully completing go kart track earlier that day. be more than happy to meet every the bicep chug.

Lynch closed his show by singing single one of them.

It is also obvious that he enjoys his current single, “Wild In You Overall, Dustin Lynch was a very interacting with his fans. He brought an Smile.” It was a great way to end the fun concert to go to. Lynch’s energy

and love for is beyond Toby Keith’s place was ready for the 28-year-old Lynch to take the stage. He took music imagination. the stage at about 9:15 pm. Lynch came out and did not wait to get the party started. It transcends onto the stage.

He is definitely show with that song. He ended by somebody to see at least once, maybe inspirations to him as he was just audience member up on stage to help saying he was really glad that there multiple times. He is not just a great starting out in the music industry. He sing the third chorus of “Friends In were so many people who showed up musician but a great entertainer.

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December 2013

14

Sports

Bowling requires athletic ability and coordination

Some people say bowling is not a sport. Most if not all people who say bowling is not a sport have never actually taken the time to try the game.

More than likely they have never sat down with someone good or even a PBA bowler.

Being a bowler myself for many years, I have learned a trick or two.

I’m definitely not the one to come to but I can help some. My outlook on the subject is it takes lots of practice, dedication, patience, and form.

Form is very important when it comes to bowling. Every little movement from your finger tips to your biceps in your arm matters when it comes to your arm swing.

Your wrist is extremely important in bowling because the weight of the ball rests on your wrist or forearm.

Throwing it in the wrong position could cause minor pains or possibly a sprain. The angle of the wrist while releasing the ball has a major affect on the ball spin and rotation. The way the fingers are released from the ball could alter the movement of the ball. If the ball is not released with correct form, it may not react the way you want it to or you could have sharp pain in your hand.

The position of everything is important. The wrong foot position

or the wrong foot placement during your approach can throw your whole shot off. The ball could roll high or it could cross over to the gutter on the other side or anywhere in between.

This would leave the possibility of a horrendous split that every bowler hates to see.

Another important part is what ball you use and how it fits. The best ball company is Storm Bowling. The only downside to Storm is the expense.

There are many choices for bowling balls and many other equipment needs for bowling such as bags, shoes, towels wrist guards and ball cleaner.

There are always new balls coming out in the market for bowlers to buy.

Some people buy every new ball that comes out and some people use a ball that’s five years old. It is whatever the person’s personal preference is. The most important part about your own personal ball is it that your hand fits perfectly and that the holes aren’t too short or too long.

There is an amount of practice that goes into bowling. It takes at least five days a week with guidance to become skilled at the sport. The varsity team practices Monday through Thursday with most matches on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Coach Bob Hoefer helps the guys get better with their bowling swings to help improve their game.

Let’s take varsity bowler Matt Clemons for an example. Clemons is

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH SINCAVAGE

Varsity bowler, Matt Clemons, throws a practice shot during warm-ups on Thursday, December 5 against the Auburn Maroons.

He recently shot two 300 games which are known as perfect games in the world of bolwing. One occurred during tryouts for the varsity team on November 21 and his latest came on

The 300 game is like a work of art. the number one bowler on the team for starters. He puts tons of time into who he has become as a bowler.

November 23 during junior league at Lighthouse Lanes. He has now racked up a baker’s dozen of 300 games.

Lastly, during practice on December

3, Clemons picked up the 7-10 split, which is the hardest split to pick up for any bowler. This is just another achievement to add to his list of accomplishments.

The 300 game is like a work of art.

It could take forever to achieve and may never be achieved, or it could a take a couple of tries to get with the possibility of luck rolling in your favor.

The patience and perseverance required plus the skills necessary clearly make bowling a sport.

Surprising injuries in physical education classes

By Dylan Kimball

to receive a catch thrown to him, the ball hit his thumb and the football jammed his thumb Gym class is an important part of every kid’s back putting him out of gym for the rest of that day in school. After elementary school, gym week. Another OHS student who decided to classes start to get more competitive between remain nameless told a story about something kids. This is when more serious injuries begin to that happened while he was in elementary school occur. gym class. He was playing dodge ball when he The increase in injuries has been astounding was in sixth grade. He was the only player left from 1997 to 2007. The numbers of physical on his team. The next thing he knew a ball hit education injuries have gone up 150%. him in the face and gave him a bloody nose.

According to Lara McKenzie Gym injuries can be a common thing from NBCNews.com, “Children got Boys have experienced more cuts and that happens and it could happen to anyone hurt by running into equipment or broken bones than girls, while females were at anytime. No one is immune to injuries having contact with structures or during gym. If people just stand there and more likely to suffer strains and sprains. do nothing, they have a better chance of other persons.”

McKenzie also said, “They getting hit during a game instead of actually had heat stroke, fainting and heart participating in the gym games. palpitations.”

Whether you are reaching for the weight Boys have experienced more cuts and broken of injuries that occurred in that particular age that you think is possible or going for the dive bones than girls while females were more likely group. on the long ball hit in gym class, think twice to suffer strains and sprains.

Injuries happen in our gymnasium. before you decide what the smart thing to do is There are benefits that come with gym class Sophomore Teyler Galletta was playing and, most importantly, what the safe thing is to but most kids do not realize it. It actually does football outside during gym earlier this year. do for you and your own body. help with trying getting people to be within He sustained an injury to his thumb. He went

Graphic Designer

Buccaneer Bulletin

healthy limit standards. Trying to get healthy or playing in gym class does not have to hurt. The benefits outweigh the risk of injuries.

Researchers did a study on 5-18-year-olds, with 100 U.S. hospitals taking part for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. During the 11 years of research, researchers found 12,000 injuries which calculated to be 37,000 annual injuries on average. Between 1997 and 2007 the numbers doubled in the number

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December 2013

Sports

Sports brain trauma is serious business

By Alex Borland Layout Editor

Concussions in sports have been on the rise, and they have been in the news a great deal lately. The increased media attention on the subject has led to more parents being concerned for the safety of their children while they are playing in various sports competitions.

Concussions have been in the news recently due to the legal battle that went on between the NFL and some retired players who suffered head injuries during their playing careers. The players sued the league for concealing the dangers of concussions and rushing players back to games and profiting from it. There were more than 4,500 players involved in the lawsuit. Some suffered from serious ailments after their careers ended like dementia, depression and Alzheimer’s. The players said that repeated bone-jarring hits to the head caused the injuries. The league and players agreed on a $765 million settlement.

In 2011, the New York State Legislature passed a law that required students to sit out of play for at least 24 hours after they suffer a concussion.

The bill states that any athlete who has suffered a traumatic brain injury must be symptom free for at least 24 hours before they can return to competition. The law also requires every athletic trainer, physical education teacher, school nurse, and coach to take an online course.

The online course school sports personnel must take is approximately one hour long. The course reviews concussions, symptoms, and treatment.

There is a quiz at the end which must be taken and passed. It must be re-taken every two years as a refresher and to keep certification.

A concussion effects a person in many aspects both physically and mentally. One aspect that a concussion effects is someone’s thinking and remembering. Symptoms include difficulties with thinking clearly, concentrating, and remembering new information.

People are also affected emotionally. Emotional symptoms include irritability, sadness, nervousness or anxiety, and being more emotional.

Sleeping patterns are also changed for a concussed person. One might notice that they are sleeping more or less than usual, or they might have a tough time actually getting to sleep.

People can also be affected physically by being sensitive to light and noise, be lethargic, have blurred or fuzzy vision, experience dizziness and balance problems, experience nausea or vomiting early on, or suffer a headache.

“Oswego has an excellent policy. On average, the athlete is out seven to ten days. There is a six phase return to play protocol before they can return

Buccaneer Bulletin

to competition,” said OHS athletic trainer Michele Wink.

The six phase return to play protocol must be passed before they can return to action. That is on top of the seven to ten days they are out for rest and evaluation.

Step one is to complete a physical and to rest.

Step two is light aerobic exercise which entails walking, stationary cycling, or swimming. They must keep the intensity below 70% of the predicted heart rate.

Step three is sport-specific exercise which includes skating drills in hockey, running drills in soccer, and so on for each sport. There are not any head impact activities at this step.

The fourth step is non-contact training drills.

That means that the athlete may participate in drills like passing drills in football and hockey. They may also start resistance training.

Step number five is full contact practice. After medical clearance, the athlete may return to practice as normal. The sixth and final step is returning to competition.

If an athlete does not successfully complete one part of the return to play protocol, they have to go down a level and essentially try again the next day. For example, if somebody shows signs of a concussion at the fourth phase of the six phase protocol, the next day they must go down to the third phase and try again after 24 hours of rest.

“The main thing that we need to do is publicize the information and keep everybody on the same page,” said Wink.

Most of the concussions that OHS school nurse Annalee Harrell sees are from sports injuries. When somebody comes in with a possible concussion, the first thing nurses do is an assessment of symptoms the person is experiencing. They generally assess somebody’s dizziness, tiredness, whether or not their balance is impaired and whether or not they have a headache.

In regards to football, varsity football coach and athletic director Mike Conners emphasizes technique. He teaches his players not to lead with their heads. He also teaches them good head and neck posture. He says that they have been lucky in the football program to have not had a large number of concussions.

“There have only been about four or five concussions over the last two years,” said Conners.

Conners is incredibly grateful for Wink. He made that very clear when he said, “Our number one resource is our athletic trainer, Michele Wink.”

Overall, concussions are a serious problem in sports. They do need to be treated carefully and players should not be rushed back into competition until they are properly healed and evaluated by an athletic trainer or physician.

Editor’s Note: Photo illustration by Lisa Kanbur. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

15

Buc Sports Flashback 1 year ago... (2012-2013)

* Boys’ swimming defeated Pulaski/Sandy Creek in their final home meet of the season with a final score of 102-78. * The win boosted the season record to 6-3. * Oswego’s five seniors (Marcus Brill Ney, Joe Corradino, Josh Costo, Jimmy Dillon, and Jeremy Galvin) were honored at the meet. * Pulaski/Sandy Creek started with the lead but Oswego took over during diving and kept the lead the rest of the meet. * Many swimmers and divers had lifetime best scores to win their events, including Alex Carl, Mike Prevo, Branagan Glennen, Tyler Youngman, Jimmy Dillon, Zach DeSacia, and Leo Gorton.

5 years ago... (2008-2009)

* Girls’ varsity basketball coach Mr. Phil Reed earned his 100th victory. * His record was 100-26 at the beginning of his sixth season. * Winning 100 games had not been a goal of Reed’s. “It was just something that happened,” he said. * Reed told The Buccaneer Bulletin that he planned on trying to be an assistant coach at the college level at some point.

10 years ago... (2003-2004)

* Student-athletes were put under new restrictions with an academic eligibility policy to ensure they passed their classes. * It was put in place to help student-athletes graduate on time. * It required coaches to check their players’ grades every five weeks. * If a student was failing one or more classes; they had to stay after school for extra help or to makeup work but the policy allowed them to continue participating in practices and games.

15 years ago... (1998-1999)

* Jenn Earl attempted to break down the gender barrier in sports by joining the JV wrestling squad. * Before she was allowed to join, Earl had to run a mile and a half in under eleven minutes, shuttle run in 9.5 seconds, bar hang for 30 seconds and complete 45 sit-ups in a minute. * She gave up basketball to join because she had received high marks when she had wrestled in gym.

20 years ago... (1993-1994)

* Dave Garrow took first place in the Section III diving championships at Nottingham. * His winning score was a 432.45. * Garrow was named first team all-league and he was planning on competing in the state championships. * His diving coach, Linda Beyer, commented on his success and said, “He’s very focused and takes diving seriously.”

25 years ago... (1988-1989)

* The boys’ basketball team qualified for sectionals with a win against Rome Free Academy. * Senior Andy Clary led the OHSL North in three pointers made. * The team finished the season with a league record of 8-8 and an overall record of 9-11.

December 2013

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Volume 2 Number 3

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

December 2013

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH LEO GORTON

Leo Gorton is practically a fish out of water.

Gorton started learning how to swim at age three thanks to his parents who put him in swimming lessons. At first, Gorton said, “I wasn’t really into swimming, but it didn’t take long before I began to love it.”

From there Gorton’s interest grew stronger and it was not long before he was ready to raise the bar and start competition swim at age 11.

Gorton now swims for the Oswego Bucs swim team and for the Oswego Laker swim club. Swimming has taught Gorton many life lessons. “Swimming has helped me to become a better teammate and also to be less shy around people. All around swimming has made me a better person,” stated Gorton.

Long time swimmer Gorton attended high school at APW for his freshman and sophomore years but then swimming and lacrosse led him to OHS. Gorton is able to swim all strokes but excels in the butterfly and freestyle. Last year Gorton placed eighth in the 100 yard butterfly at the state qualifier. Gorton has set his goals high this year and is working towards making the top ten in states and breaking the 100 yard butterfly record which is held by former OHS swimmer Drake Becksted.

Along with Gorton’s individual goals, he also has many team goals. Not only does Gorton excel in swimming, but he is a talented leader as captain of the varsity swim team this year.

Fellow swimmer Kyle Kemper said, “ Leo Gorton is a great leader and an important part of our swim team. He is extremely active and fit which helps him be a very versatile swimmer. His best stroke is the butterfly but he is also strong in the freestyle.

Gorton also makes sectional times almost every meet.”

Gorton is extremely pleased with this year’s team, “Our swim team looks very good this year!

We have many new swimmers who work very hard.”

Gorton hopes to urge multiple teammates on to states this year and is also hoping to win sectionals.

Gorton’s swimming goals do not stop at high school but carry on to college where he will be swimming at Monroe Community College. Gorton will be going to Monroe Community College for two years and will be looking to transfer to a division one school and major in electrical engineering technology.

Although college swimming is exciting, Gorton will still miss high school swimming. “I am going to miss all of my friends on the swim team and my coach. My coach has helped me progress in both high school swim but also club. There is no better swim team than the Oswego High School swim team.”

CAROLINE DOUGHERTY

By Isabella Winklestine Sports Editor

PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

Six year varsity hockey player and two year varsity soccer and lacrosse player Caroline Dougherty has been playing hockey for 14 years. Her love for the game came from watching her brothers play at the fort ice rink; from there, her mother signed her up to play along with teammate Taite Phillips.

As she got older, Dougherty took her talent to a higher level and decided to play on the Skaneateles travel team and has been playing with them for two years. Dougherty explained that she enjoys being on the varsity team. “I like being on a team and being on something bigger than I am.”

Individually, Dougherty’s goals this season are to improve on her stick handling skills and leadership skills. As a team, Dougherty would like to see the team make it past the first round of sectionals. As it is Dougherty’s senior year, she would like to win more games than last year and have an enjoyable time with the team.

Dougherty is not going to pursue hockey in college but will focus on her studies as she works to become an occupational therapist. Dougherty’s favorite school so far is SUNY-Brockport but she’s also looking at Albany, Oswego, and Nazareth. Along with Dougherty’s athletics, she also excels in academics placing in the top 50 of her class.

Not only is Dougherty a talented hockey player, but she is also a team leader as she was named captain of the varsity team this year. Fellow teammate on the high school team and on the Skaneateles travel team, Sage Dudley said, “Caroline does so much for the team and is always encouraging the other girls. For the years I have been playing with her, she always hustles and tries her hardest on the ice. She’s someone that myself and many other younger girls look up to.”

This year not only the team but Dougherty as well will experience many changes. Mostly a defensive player her whole life, Dougherty was switched to right wing this year. Along with the position change, the varsity team also accepted players from Central Square, Mexico, and Fulton. Dougherty; however, is not too concerned with the changes and believes the team is looking strong this year.

Hockey has been a major part of Dougherty’s life since she was three-years-old. With so much dedication towards the sport, it has taught her many lessons that she will carry throughout her everyday life. Dougherty said, “I have learned how to cooperate with other people when things don’t go my way. Hockey has also taught me how to win and lose with class.”

Not only has hockey taught Dougherty many life lessons, but it has also helped her to create some special bonds between herself and her teammates. Dougherty says this is one of the things she will miss the most about high school hockey.

Dougherty’s favorite memory is going to states in eighth grade, and she hopes to return there again this year.

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Editor’s note: “Athlete of the Month” is a regular feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin to showcase some of the top athletes here at OHS. If you know a student who you think would deserve to be an athlete of the month, contact Isabella Winklestine at IWinkles@oswego.org.