February 2013

BuccaneerBulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Happy Valentine’s Day

High School Relationships Page 11

Volume 1 Number 4 February 2013

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PHOTO BY PATRICK BAER

Editorial

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Drawing Board

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editor-in-Chief Madison Rhoades Managing Editors Chloe Martin & Taylor Falls Business Manager Gabrielle Sacco Chief Photographer Patrick Baer Art Director Jordan Oatman Ad Representatives Morgan Cook Sports Editor Alanna Maldonado Sports Writers Nick Czerow Kellie Gorman Reporters Sage Dudley Rachael Purtell Catherine Wells Webmaster Tara Stacy 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.

On the Cover: In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and the recent snow days, an OHS student shows off her artistic talents by making a heart out of snow.

Buccaneer Bulletin

CARTOON BY FRANCIS DAHAR

. . . to the snow day during Regents week cancelling local finals. . . . to the cast of The Secret Garden for putting on an awesome show both Friday and Saturday nights. The three new directors kept up the legacy of high quality, entertaining OHS musicals. . . . to the Buccaneer boys’ indoor track team for finishing fifth in the CNYCL American Divison at the CNYCL Track and Field Championships. Many members of the team including Cory Keefe, Ben Harrington, Sean Benjamin, Matt Bivens, Paul Oleyourryk, James Darling, Kyle Kemper, Adam Flack, and Nate Greene, beat their personal best time. Congrats boys! . . . to Mr. John Canale for being one of 78 athletes and coaches to be recognized in the SUNY-Oswego Athletic Hall of Fame. . . . to the snow day the day after the Super Bowl. Everyone appreciated a day to sleep in after staying up late to watch the game.

. . . to the snow day during Regents week resulting in the cancellation of the English Regents exam. It makes it hard for people graduating in June because they only get one more chance to pass the English Regents. . . . to one of the doors on the Liberty Street parking lot being locked at all times. It’s extremely cold in the mornings and senior parking is on the other side of the parking lot. . . . to only having two more free snow days before the district takes away our February break. . . . to the mirrors in the bathrooms across from the girls’ locker room being scratched and cloudy. It’s pointless to have them because you cannot see anything out of them! www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

February 2013

Editorial In Our View . . .

Multiple solutions needed to address school violence problem

Recently, there have been many shootings in public places such as schools and movie theaters.

These shootings have resulted in many people injured or dead. People are questioning why this happens.

No one can really pinpoint exactly why people decide to do this or what goes through their mind, but usually the person is depressed and there were warning signs that were missed.

Usually in the mass shootings that occur in schools where the shooters are students, they do it for revenge on those who have bullied them. We at the Buccaneer Bulletin think that this makes schools seem unsafe knowing that anyone could walk in with a gun at anytime, and something needs to be done about it.

Back in April of 1999 when the deadliest high school massacre in America occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado, the shooters were two students who were constantly bullied and were looking to get revenge on anybody who had ever looked at them the wrong way. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into school late with two twenty pound propane bombs and several guns. How did no one stop them?

This was not something spur of the moment, the boys didn’t wake up and decide to do this, it took months of planning. They wrote in journals about what they planned to do, they had very violent outlooks on everything, and Harris was into Nazism. Harris also wrote very violent stories for creative writing projects to which his teacher commented that he had a “unique approach.” How did this not set off a red flag?

The weapons were also acquired very easily; the guns were bought for them by an older female classmate. Why was it so easy for an 18-year-old girl to buy an assault rifle? Now, in New York State, it’s not that easy. In fact, you can no longer purchase assault rifles in NY. This was just one shooting, and that was almost fourteen years ago and they certainly have gotten worse since then. For example, the mass shooting that took place in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut just before Christmas was horrific.

We think that something needs to be done to prevent these mass shootings that are causing many to lose their lives. A gun being accessible is not the problem; it’s people seeing them as a way to kill someone that is the problem.

People see them as a weapon because starting at a young age, society teaches us that guns are bad, which they are, and they are certainly dangerous too.

However, it should be taught that certain guns are only to be used by trained people such as police and those serving in the special forces.

Additionally, there are guns that can used for the act of recreational hunting.

People would not be reaching for the guns as a way of revenge if they were not given a reason to get revenge. While it is being taught that guns are not toys, it needs to be taught that bullying is not okay and violence is never the answer, and it should be taught from birth.

Juvenile Homicides By the Numbers

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What’s Your Opinion?

“What could OHS do to make our building more secure?”

Dylan Kimball Junior

“Have more than two security guards on staff.”

Jason Primrose Staff

“We need a line of defense. Right now we have no line of defense”

Jared Jaquin Sophomore

“We need more security cameras throughout the school.”

Miranda Arnesen Junior

“More communication between students, staff and faculty.”

Tati Berkley Junior

“Have more security guards around the school.”

Stacey VanWaldick COURTESY OF VIRGINIA.EDU

The chart above shows that juvenile homicides declined through the 1990s and have leveled off from 1999 through 2010 even though the juvenile population increased during that time period. Multiple factors may be responsible for the drop, including declining violence associated with drug gangs, effective community-oriented law enforcement efforts, as well as numerous school and communitybased efforts to prevent violence.

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Staff “Put cameras near the doors and make sure all the doors are locked.”

February 2013

Columns

4

If you do not send this to ten people, you will. . . . . .

Have you ever received one of those infamous cursing, annoying chain text messages from just another gullible friend? And yet another and another same text, different friend. I mean, let’s be real, who actually listens to what the message tells you to do?

There’s the classic, “Send this to ten people or a little girl will appear over your bed at 3:33 a.m. with a knife and kill you.” I’m sure we’ve almost all received a chain text message similar to this one, some even with attached pictures or sound.

Now, how many of us have actually sent this to ten people? Hardly any of us. And are we still living? Yes, we are.

Exactly my point, chain messages are stupid and pointless. Who even comes up with these things? I’ve probably received hundreds of chain texts over my sixteen years of life, haven’t resent any of them to people, and look, I’m still alive!

Or how about those chain messages, “Send this to fifteen of your closest friends to tell them how much you love them and how much they mean to you within two minutes or you’ll lose them as a friend!” I don’t think we need to forward a text to tell our friends how much we love them and how much they mean to us.

Have any of us actually lost a friend over not sending them this within two minutes? Highly unlikely.

“Forward this to ten people to tell them how much you love God, otherwise you will go to hell.” This

PHOTO BY PATRICK BAER

Have you ever received a chain message? If so, you are not alone. Chain messages are popular in social media.

is probably another familiar text we’ve received as well. Who needs to forward a message to ten people just so people know you love God? And if you don’t forward the message, once again it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to hell. I hate to break it to you all, but chain messages don’t determine your future.

Again, we all must be familiar with the chain texts that sound a little like this, “If you forward this to twenty people within five minutes you’ll receive a big surprise next Friday that’ll make you very happy.”

Admit it, most of us have actually forwarded this message just to see if something would happen to us.

And now admit it, nothing actually happened to us just because we forwarded that message besides having our dreams crushed and hopes let down.

Another infamous text message, “1. Hot, 2. Ugly, 3. Friendly, 4.

Funny, 5. Mean, 6. Romantic, 7.

Silly! Text me back telling me which ones I am, then send to ten friends to find out what they think of you!” This probably has to be one of the dumbest

chain texts there is. First, who needs a chain text to find out what people think of you, dumb just plain dumb.

Second, who even cares what people think of them? Come on, people!

It’s easy to tell how extremely dumb and quite pointless chain text messages are. No, they will not be the difference between life or death, heaven or hell. No, they will not give you a surprise or change your life if you forward it. No, they will not determine your future. There is no reason to forward them; therefore, just don’t do it.

Many teens relate to characters in social media At a young age we learned to look up to our parents, grandparents, or other adult figures in our lives.

We aspired to be like them. Along with adoring older, important figures in our lives, we also happened to attach ourselves to certain characters in movies, books, and TV shows.

We admired Ariel for standing up against Ursula in The Little Mermaid, and Superman for stopping the bad guys before they destroy the city. Let’s face it, we all wished we could be a Disney princess, a superhero, or some kind of hero who doesn’t exist at one point in our lives. It’s only natural.

Even as the years passed and we lost our ambition to become a ninja or live Barbie’s lifestyle, we still gravitated towards fictional characters in the books, movies, or TV shows that we’re engrossed in

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now as young adults. We find similarities between heroic characteristics. ourselves and characters that we cherish or attributes Sometimes it even happened to be the villain that we want in our own character. of a book, movie, or TV show that we feel for in I know there are tons of teenage girls out there some circumstances. Most Harry Potter fans were who wished they were Katniss Everdeen; strong, actually sad when Snape died because he actually clever, and Peeta’s girlfriend. I’m also guilty as wasn’t as bad as Harry made him out to be. charged. I mean, who wouldn’t want Thor’s super Many fans keep certain characters that they powerful hammer or have a connection Iron Man’s amazing close to their Let’s face it, we all wished we could with suit? I don’t think hearts. Fans attached be a Disney princess, a superhero, themselves to the any boy wouldn’t turn down a chance or some kind of hero who doesn’t certain characters to be as invincible as they have the exist at one point in our lives.

Superman. most in common To the readers or with; whether it be viewers, it’s not only the appealing exterior of the personality, physical appearance, or the situations characters, but also their personalities, habits, and the characters are in throughout the storyline. the way others perceive them that causes people to Some girls become adhered to a certain “Pretty become emotionally attached to them. Harry Potter Little Liar” or “Gossip Girl” character because fans fans adored Ron Weasley because of his quirky feel they have some relation to a character or two. sarcasm, sidekick nature, and loyalty to his best It’s only natural that we favored certain characters friend, Harry. Hunger Games fanatics fall in love over others, especially the ones who have qualities with Katniss’ strong, independent personality, and her that we happened to have or want. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

February 2013

News

5

OCSD hosts school safety forum at Oswego High School

By Tara Stacy Webmaster

The Oswego City School District (OSCD) held a School Safety Forum in the Oswego High School library on January tenth. The school district partnered with the Child Advocacy Center, the Department of Social Services, and Huntington Family Services along with the District Attorney’s Office, the Oswego City Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Department. The meeting was held in the interest of educating the community about the safety precautions that the OCSD has taken in light of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Panelists at the forum included William W. Crist, Superintendent of OCSD; Karrie Damm of the Child Advocacy Center; Greg Heffner, Director of Oswego County Department of Social Services; Mark Moody, Assistant District Attorney; Undersheriff Eugene Sullivan of the Sheriff’s Department; Lieutenant Charles Searor of the Oswego City Police Department; and Meg Gilmore-Resnik of Huntington Family Services. The forum began with each panelist explaining their organization’s role in school safety.

Damm explained how a child who has been abused used to have to tell their story 15 times, but with the Child Advocacy Center, they only have to tell it three times because all the necessary BUCCANEER BULLETIN PHOTO investigators and lawyers are all in one building.

Heffner explained the steps involved in Social Oswego High School used to have a uniformed police officer and security guards. Pictured above in polo shirts are current school security guards Mr. Allison and Mr. Wilson. Officer Chamberlain, the Services. When a call is placed, the caller is former school resource officer, stands in between them. connected with the department in Albany. If there is enough information to place a claim, the call is every building. figure out who children would talk to about these forwarded to the appropriate county based on the Although the district has a team of security issues would be difficult. However, the panel stressed allegations. If they are dealing with a crime of sex officers, there are no armed officers. This could that reporting is important and not reporting could abuse or neglect, they rely on law enforcement, the change in the next few months in light of the Sandy be detrimental. Gilmore-Resnik stated, “When you Child Advocacy Center and the school district.

Hook tragedy, and the district would like community report, you have sent a message to that child.”

ADA Moody stated that the District Attorney’s input. Another form of security the district is looking Another issue addressed was the media. An Office is responsible for the trial and everything that into would be a buzzer system at the doors. audience member wondered if the panel thought that happens in the courtroom; they go for the conviction.

Crist stated, “Schools are not prisons. Schools, the media had a negative effect on tragedies such as He said that they are grateful for the Child Advocacy by the very nature, should be places that yes, make Sandy Hook. Foley, who has worked in the media Center because having to answer the same questions children feel calm, safe and well. And quite honestly, for years, stated, “I had the opportunity to have a multiple times can traumatize a victim. discussions we’ve had in the past about putting metal long talk with the woman in charge of PR from Undersheriff Sullivan stressed that his office has detectors or wands as children walk into school, in Columbine. And she said that you should remind investigators who are trained in sex crimes and that many cases defeats the purpose of the invitation for people who watch reporters on TV and criticize the they also have a trained SWAT team who is always children to want to come to school, to be part of that way they’re reporting, that when it’s all over, and ready in case of an emergency. school setting.” they’re having a cup of coffee, those reporters are Gilmore-Resnik informed the community about Another issue addressed was mandated reporting. heartbroken, they have kids at home, and they were what Huntington Family Services is. She stated that One question was from a bus driver who was unsure covering the story, and they don’t want to be there. it is a place of as to whether or not They’re doing their job.” therapy for those should report One of the last questions was on the prospect “It is better to report, than to say, oh, I’ll he who have been an allegation. Crist of parent patrols. This was answered by Lieutenant sexually abused.

Searor, “Officially, not a good idea. What are they just wait three days, it may go away. It responded, “You It is also for are the first people to do when somebody comes in with weapons? may go away, the child may not come that our students see going those who have If they’re carrying weapons, do they have pistol sexually acted out to take the bus.” every day, and the permits? What kind of weapons are they going to be out or who are last people they see carrying? We don’t know, we have to come in as law William W. Crist sexually harmful to every day. It is more enforcement. Who is the person with the gun? Is that OCSD Superintendent likely that a bus others. Huntington the parent or the bad guy?” provides therapy driver is going to Throughout the forum, Crist reiterated that sadly, to reduce the see something that Sandy Hook was also a very secure school. He also possibility that sexual predators will strike. is not right…It is better to report, than to say, ‘Oh, I’ll stated that while community reporting is important, While the panelists were giving presentations, just wait three days, it may go away.’ It may go away, “Many times, the lead that we get is not from a Bill Foley, the OCSD public relations director passed the child may not come out to take the bus.” professional in our building, it is from one of your out index cards on which audience members could Damm was in tears when she added, “I know children.” write questions. The question portion of the forum from other cases how difficult it can be as a bus In an attempt to close the meeting on a high covered an array of topics such as bullying, abuse driver to take a kid back to that home. It can be a note, Damm said, “While I know it is important and school security. Mr. Foley made sure to let the feeling of powerlessness, and you hope that there’s to be responsive and to pay attention to dangerous audience know, “We cannot answer questions about faith in the system.” situations, I would prefer to see, as opposed to parent local cases because we are protecting the individual Many in the audience were shocked to learn that patrols that are responding to things that are fearstudents involved.” bus drivers are not mandated reporters, but neither are based, to instead to put your energy into something Crist assured the audience that all schools in the custodians or food supervisors. ADA Moody stated, more fun.”

OCSD are adequately protected. He stated that they “They continue expanding [mandated reporters]. To Foley and Crist said that they thought that the are constantly adding camera systems and they are my recollection, it started with police officers and forum was very successful and hope to have many perfecting the single entry program. This program social workers, and then expanded to teachers, and more in the future. means that there would be only one unlocked door in then it became coaches.” He also said that trying to

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February 2013

6

Features

Help! My teacher is my parent! I never get a break!

By Catherine Wells Reporter

Many high schoolers dread when report cards are sent home; parents can see anything you’ve been hiding all quarter. With the implementation of Jupiter Graders, parents can receive constant updates about grades, but at least there is some degree of lag time until they find you and kill you. What if your parent was a teacher in OHS? There is nowhere to hide!

For a handful of students, this is exactly the case; they go to school with their parent, see them in school, and the person in question knows all the student’s teachers personally.

Junior Tara Stacy, daughter of economics teacher Mr. Stacy, said that a downside would be “Probably that I feel like he watches everything I do.” When asked if her dad had ever embarrassed her in school, she said, “He called me over the loudspeaker once!” Overall, Tara is still looking forward to being in Mr. Stacy’s SUPA Economics class next year, and said, “I know he is a good teacher and he won’t play favorites or anything.”

Mrs. Bonacorsi, who teaches Bioethics and Living Environment, has a daughter, Nikole Bonacorsi, who graduated from OHS in 2010. Nikole has fond memories of being in her

mom’s class, and stated, “I had my mom for a teacher in seventh grade, and I actually loved it. Though I am more than a little biased, Sharon is a truly fantastic teacher, and any student would be lucky to learn from her.”

Bear in mind, the Buc Bulletin is not responsible for the safety of any students who call Mrs. Bonacorsi by her first name. Senior Nick Bonacorsi said, “It has its perks. I don’t mind because I’ve never had to have her as a teacher.”

Tyler Sheffield, whose stepmom, Mrs. Sheffield, is an English teacher and advisor to the Buc Bulletin, put in his two cents. “It’s not as bad as people make it out to be. I save money on gas and I don’t have to ride the bus. It also helps if an emergency was to pop up.”

Many students know Mrs. Favata for her tireless chaperoning of school functions, whose youngest daughter, Bri, is a senior this year. Bri said, “At first I thought I wouldn’t like it, but over the years I’ve loved it. I know the difference between her being my mom and her being a teacher, and I respect the differences while at school.”

This can be a fine line to walk, as students pay attention to how a teacher will treat their own child in class.

Many teachers will actually grade their own kids tougher. When Mrs.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY MANGANO

Sydney Mangano hugs her dad; Mr. Mangano, after a football game. Sydney is one of many students whose parent is also her teacher at OHS.

Sheffield taught Tyler in English class his freshman year, she took the matter very seriously and told all her classes she promised to never discuss English matters with Tyler at home.

Overall, the kids who get to see their parents in school all the time don’t

seem to mind at all. Regarding physical education teacher Mrs. Dillon, senior Tom Dillon said, “It helps that she’s there, I guess.” Bri Favata said of her mom, “It’s definitely comfortable for me knowing she is there…I would not want it any other way.”

I Heart Oswego is a new way to explore the 13126

By Chloe Martin

press releases to be displayed on the website for free.

The website is not just for business owners either, it is Victoria Usherwood Gailinas is the type of for anyone. woman who gets stuff done. When she sees a “Any event being held in Oswego, whether it problem, she solves it. be Harborfest or a school chocolate fundraiser, When Gailinas moved back to Oswego can be added to our website and we will be more in 2010 after being away for 27 years, she than happy to publish it. We aim to publish every was frustrated with how hard it was to locate positive aspect of Oswego, that’s why our site different people, services, and businesses. byline is Positively Oswego. If it’s not warm and “If you’re interested in shopping locally, fuzzy and happy and fun, then it doesn’t go there.” which I certainly am, it’s hard to identify not I Heart Oswego has only been in business for only who is local but where they are located.” about three months, but the positive feedback from To solve this dilemma, Gailinas came up Oswegonians has inspired Gailinas to think about the with the concept for I Heart Oswego, “I Heart possibilities of expansion.

Oswego is a comprehensive directory for every “I Heart Oswego already has it’s own web business, every resource, and every event developing company, its own marketing division happening only in the 13126.” and the I Heart Oswego division which you see on At first, I Heart Oswego remained just a our website. The expansion we have in store isn’t for concept for two years because Gailinas was I Heart Oswego, but it’s for I Heart Fulton, I Heart busy introducing roller derby to our city. “I Pulaski, I Heart Mexico, I Heart Cicero, you name it.” had a few teams out in New Hampshire, and I When asked when this expansion could take place didn’t want to live here without roller derby.”

Gailinas said, “Considering how fast we have already When Gailinas was finished getting the Oz PHOTO BY PATRICK BAER done what we have done, it could be as quickly as Roller Girls established, she created a group to The I heart shaped sticker is present in any business that this time next year that we do our expansion, its pretty go forward with the I Heart Oswego project. incredible. We are really happy at the response we is locally owned and operated in Oswego, NY. “The first thing we wanted to create was an are getting, people are telling us that they are happy events calendar. You obviously hear about Harborfest, website, I Heart Oswego will also let a business take we are here not only for our services but for being the Bucfest, and maybe Warm Up Oswego, but anything over their building on Thursdays for what they call ones to say Oswego is a good place to be. I think that’s a little more obscure you don’t hear about.” To bring Downtown for a Day. Downtown for a Day is an the biggest thing we can offer someone in Oswego. exposure to the more unknown events in Oswego opportunity for someone to run their business out of Appreciate what you’ve got, it really is a wonderful such as various benefits and chicken barbeques, the I Heart Oswego building. place to lice and raise your family. We support different pages were formed on the I Heart Oswego “The purpose of Downtown for a Day is for their everything in Oswego.” website to promote these events. business to get as much exposure as possible, and For more information about I Heart Oswego, stop Besides promoting local events in Oswego, it’s free. You can also have your business featured at their location at 7 West Bridge Street which is at the Gailinas takes pride in supporting local businesses here at any time for free. We have local artists and corner of West First Street and West Bridge Street in the here in Oswego. On their website, local business ads photographer’s works displayed here all the time.” former King Arthur’s building, or visit their website at are prominently displayed. “Ads on our website are Local business owners can also list their business www.iheartoswego.org where you can chat live with a only taken by locally owned and operated businesses on the I Heart Oswego website or send stories or representative from their office.

Managing Editor

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because locally owned businesses need our help and we like to help them. They stand out on our website and we want our locally owned businesses to shine.”

Along with promoting local businesses on their

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February 2013

Features/Columns

7

OHS alumnus and teacher says goodbye to high school Many of Mrs. Runeari’s students remember her classroom, as it is one of the most distinctive in the Mrs. Patricia Runeari has been a member of the school. All four walls are covered with covers of Oswego City School District for most of her life and TIME magazine, dating from 1988 to the most recent has now retired issue. Runeari after thirty-three always said when years of teaching. she ran out of She grew up right room on the walls here in Oswego, it would be time graduating from to retire, and that OHS in 1976. prediction came After college, true in January, Mrs. Runeari as the entire room began teaching in was filled with January of 1980 the history of the in Baldwinsville last few decades. where she taught Runeari said she for half a year. would put all Then she taught in the covers in a Central Square for binder, allowing five years before her to look back settling into her at the nation’s position at OHS, history during her which she has held teaching career as since 1985. so many students Over the could over the years, Mrs. years.

Runeari has taught Mostly, almost all of the Runeari is excited history classes in for, “Freedom to the department, make choices, which she has to travel when I BUCCANEER BULLETIN PHOTO been the head of want. I’ll do what for six or seven I want when I Above Mrs. Runeari stands proudly next to her famous wall of Time magazine covers. years. These have want. I hope to included grades 7-12 and classes such as Participation “crazy obsessed,” (her words) with the O.J. Simpson travel, to see my kids more.” Mrs. Runeari has two in Government, Criminal Justice, Advanced Placement case. daughters, both of whom are out of college. Where World History, Credit Recovery, A.I.S., and Global.

Some of Mrs. Runeari’s favorite teaching memories will she go? “Ireland, and within the country New “I would say I decided I wanted to [teach] in 11th have included, “Some closing arguments in Criminal Orleans. The world.” In her free time, Mrs. Runeari grade.” Runeari stated. “I mean, my parents were Justice classes have been very impressive over the likes to golf, read, and play cards. teachers so I was around the profession, but I had a years, one kid wrote a fifteen page paper. Also, a PIG “This has been my life,” Runeari said. “It will teacher, Mr. Sgarlotta, and we were studying Supreme presentation on missing children had a great guest be quite a transition.” Runeari said what she would Court cases, and I just loved it,” she said. speaker. We used to play the feudalism game in Global most was, “the people, both the faculty and the This love of the legal system influenced the rest 9.” Runeari said the most fun class to teach was kids.” While she is looking forward to retirement, of her life in many ways. Mrs. Runeari has said many Criminal Justice, while the most rewarding was, “AP Mrs. Runeari said, “I’m not excited to leave; I’m times if she was not a teacher, she would be a lawyer.

World History because it really challenged me.” excited to start my new life.”

By Catherine Wells Reporter

Teaching the elective Criminal Justice has helped her continue her passion for law, as she teaches the justice system through mock trials and criminal cases. As many of her former students could testify, Mrs. Runeari was

Oh the joys of earning your driver’s license

After being obsessed with cars ever since I could crawl, a life goal of mine was obtaining my driver’s license. This past month I finally achieved that. It’s an unbelievable experience, but let us rewind a little.

Even when I was a toddler in my car seat, I would sit and talk to people about cars. All through elementary, middle, and high school, many individuals have been impressed with my knowledge of cars which I thought just came naturally to me. I could go on for hours about one small subject and debate the different features of each vehicle. With all this knowledge and experience, it brought the

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huge urge to be behind the wheel of a car.

Last spring when my 16th birthday rolled around and I got my learner’s permit that very day, I was the happiest boy in Upstate New York. I wanted to drive right away and wasn’t nervous or anything. So, I was driving with my Mom or Dad in the front seat every chance I could get.

After my required six months of learning with a parent in the car, I signed up for my road test as soon as I possibly could. I have noticed many of my peers wait more than the six months to sign up for their driver’s test, but I for one could not wait. The night before my road test, I could not sleep as I was too nervous.

Even after practicing my parallel parking and three point turns, I still had terrible nerves trembling through me. The next day I took my road test and passed with flying colors. Perfect score actually!

There I was, a licensed driver at last. I was the happiest I had been in a

long time. I felt invincible, like nothing could stop me. Right away I got behind the wheel and drove by myself. Driving by yourself for the first time is one of the weirdest feelings you will ever experience in life. I felt as though I was doing something illegal when, in fact, it was perfectly fine.

Free at last, I thought. Although I can’t drive past nine and can’t have more than one person in the car, driving really has its benefits. It’s much more convenient; I can go where I want without bugging my parents to drop me off and pick me up, and most importantly, I get to pick the radio station I want to listen to.

I believe that ever since I obtained my license, I have learned just as much about driving in one month than I have in my whole life. It’s a different concept and something unlike anything else. It comes with responsibility and confidence. Being a new driver, you need take your time

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and realize that you are still new to the driving world. Everyone makes mistakes, but if you take your time and pay attention, you should be just fine.

It’s great being able to take your friends places without those awkward silent car rides with your parents or being embarrassed by something they decide to tell your friends. I started to realize that, wow, I’m getting older. Here I have been waiting to earn my license ever since I was little which seems like yesterday.

And here I am today with my license.

For any of you who haven’t gotten your license yet, this is just a sneak peek to the many things that come with driving. Those of you who have your license hopefully are going to agree with some of these statements. When it all comes down to it, just be safe and responsible when you become a licensed driver. It’s a little bit more freedom but don’t over kill that. Drive safe and watch out for all the other idiots on the road.

February 2013

Happy Vale

8

FLOW CHART BY LAUREN PEEL GRAPHIC BY MADISON RHOADES

Valentine’s Day Word Search

WORD BANK

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entine’s Day

9

How long will your love last?

Follow the flow chart to find out

February 2013

10

Walking the Plank

Gordon Pan is a well-rounded, interesting student

Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Gordon Pan: Gordon Pan. BB: What grade are you in?

GP: Twelfth.

BB: How long have you participated in karate?

GP: Since I was in first grade at Burger’s Okinawa Karate. I am

BB: What is your greatest accomplishment?

GP: Getting into the University of Rochester along with completing my

BB: Which teacher has had the most impact on your education?

GP: Mr. Delorenzo of APUSH [Advance Placement United States History]. His teaching methods really stood out to me.

BB: What is your favorite food?

GP: Peking duck.

BB: How many languages do you speak?

GP: I speak two languages: Chinese Mandarin and English. I’m not in French this year but I’ll be continuing my French in college.

BB: What is your biggest fear?

GP: Having to pay for college at this time, not having enough money to pay for my tuition.

BB: Where have you travelled in the world?

GP: I’ve travelled to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong.

BB: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

GP: Ten years from now, I should be completing my Ph.D. in developmental biology. I will be sending applications to various research centers to start my career as a medical scientist.

BB: Which was your favorite place?

GP: My favorite one is Taiwan, I’ve been to Taiwan eleven times now.

BB: What is your favorite book and movie?

GP: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird.

BB: What are your plans for college?

GP: I will be attending the University of Rochester next year. I will be majoring in cell and developmental biology.

BB: What would you like to be when you grow up?

GP: I’m planning on becoming a medical researcher in developmental biology. I hope to maybe develop new vaccines and possibly medical innovations that can improve human reproduction.

BB: What have been your favorite electives at OHS? GP: Anatomy and Physiology, AP Psychology, and Foundations in Media Arts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GORDON PAN

Gordon Pan has traveled to numerous countries around the world including Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China where he is pictured in the photos above and below.

BB: Who is your favorite musical artist?

GP: That’s a good question.

Well, it depends, sometimes it might be Taylor Swift, and sometimes it might be Lady Antebellum.

BB: What is your favorite high school memory?

GP: Prom from last year.

BB: What is your favorite TV show?

GP: “Flashpoint,” it’s a Canadian police procedural. It is basically like a swat unit. We’ll say it’s like a combination of “Criminal Minds” and “Law and Order.”

BB: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

GP: To turn invisible.

BB: If you could say one thing you want people to know about you, what would it be?

GP: I am very brilliant, also very soft hearted, and I’m also willing to make new friends.

BB: What are three things you would bring to a desert island?

GP: My cats, Autumn and Mia, and my dog, Happy.

BB: If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would you choose?

GP: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton), Sigmund Freud, and President Obama.

BB: What do you like to do in your free time?

GP: I like to read books and also I enjoy playing with my cats as well as surfing on the Internet.

BB: What is your favorite animal?

GP: A cat.

BB: What clubs are you involved in?

GP: Currently, I’m involved in karate, Boy Scouts, National Honor Society, and the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF GORDON PAN

currently a brown belt with three stripes. I’ll be promoted to black belt this coming June.

BB: What instrument do you play?

GP: I play violin.

Eagle project, which I planned for so long.

BB: What was the project?

GP: The Eagle project was creating the flower garden at the front entrance of Buc Boulevard; everyone sees it when they come in.

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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 Madison Rhoades at mrhoades@oswego. org This edition of “Walking the Plank” was written by Catherine Wells.

February 2013

Point Counter-Point

11

The highs and the lows of high school relationships Teens can love just like anybody else can

High school love is for the birds

By Taylor Falls

By Morgan Cook

The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks is a classic example of a forbidden tragic love story where two opposites fall in love, are forced apart, and then years later, rekindle the flame of their old love. It’s one of those stories you could curl up on the couch, drink some hot chocolate and watch the movie version over and over again because it never gets old. It’s considered a timeless story.

Since it is considered timeless, we can infer that their love, which started in high school, is completely real and can last through the years and their love will never be affected by any amount of time. Then why is it when anyone talks about high school relationships it’s with a negative connotation?

We will always have the pessimistic people in the world who will criticize anything and everything, but what seems to be happening is that everyone is starting to believe the notion that love can only be developed through years of experience. If we all believe this, are we saying that a newborn baby has no love for their mother because they have not experienced years of practice?

High school relationships are the number one most critiqued form of expressing love. The only argument against high school love that people seem to debate is that a teen is incapable of love.

The exact definition of love is, “An intense feeling of deep affection,” according to Dictionary.com. The example it uses to show the correct use of the word is “their love for their country.”

Jumping back to the idea that teens can’t love, we can prove it wrong with this example. Eighteen is still considered a teen, so with this said, if an eighteen year old wants to join the military, they are able to do so. If it was their decision to join, they must have some ounce of love for their country to be willing to sacrifice themself to protect it. Therefore, we just proved a teen is capable of love.

People could argue that it’s not technically the same kind of love but according to the definition there’s only one type of love. Anyone can feel like they would do absolutely anything for something they care about. This is the way that love is explained, so no matter what age, anyone can feel it.

People who debate the issue of teens not being able to love is that they think high school relationships have almost no chance of lasting. If you ask your moms or dads about high school relationships, some of them would say something along the lines of, “That’s how I met your father/mother, and we met and dated in high school.” If you ask your grandparents, most likely more of them would say that.

It’s because back then, people didn’t have this mentality that they wouldn’t last and no one was putting pressure on them to fail.

As the years have progressed, people have added strain on relationships, which make Editors Note: “Point relationships feel CounterPoint” is a regular as though it’s a debating feature of the Buccaneer competition to Bulletin. If you have a topic that prove everyone you would like to see debated, wrong that said it contact Madison Rhoades at wouldn’t last. mrhoades@oswego.org.

When you are walking down the hallway you notice a couple holding hands, smiling and laughing with each other. You think, “Wow, what a perfect couple.”

Some people think they have found the “one,” or ten years down the road, they see themselves with this same person. Don’t get me wrong, most relationships last and there are those perfect couples out there, but others turn out to be no good in the end.

The main reason most high school relationships do not last is because we are teenagers. We are still growing up, trying to fit in, and trying to find our way through the rest of this craziness called high school. High school is supposed to be filled with fun and spent with good friends. Having a special someone to spend it with and be a best friend to you through it all is key to a good time too.

High school relationships are often filled with the ups and the downs of an emotional rollercoaster. Couples have stupid fights like not texting each other back fast enough to talking to the other gender or an ex.

Both genders are to blame. Most girls do not really know what they want out of their boyfriend or would rather talk to other guys who are “just friends.” Boys tend to be worried about what their friends think about their girlfriend rather than what he feels about her. Both may not spend time with one another when each has other things they could be doing or need to be doing.

It is all confusing in a way. People start with the casual hangout with one another to see what will happen and whether they actually like that person. Then, everyone will hear that so and so is what we refer to as “talking” or later on “FWB” (friends with benefits). After many times of hanging out, though, some may start to want more.

That’s when it all gets confusing.

Downfalls of a serious relationship in high school include interference with school work, the way someone plays in sports, or a change in future goals. If you really did like the person, you would trust them and be on board with any decision the other one made.

Sometimes pointless outside drama from other people plays a role. One person is jealous that the other is with another person or other people are trying to ruin things just to be problem starters.

Breaking up…the hardest thing to do.

People have different ways of doing it: over the phone, through a text message or in person.

The worst part is that one person may end up hurting more in the end than the other.

But, in most cases, both are torn up about the situation. When a couple does break up, you see that most barely talk anymore and everything is gone: friendship and the memories. You see that person in the hall way a month or so later with someone else and they are acting the same way with them that they acted with you and that is hard.

It is mainly better off to wait until after high school to get into a serious relationship. No one wants to go through the heartbreak and tears through the best four years of their life.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE SACCO

Managing Editor

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February 2013

12

Columns

Everyone should read The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen Chbosky’s novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is an incredible book with something new on every page. The book revolves around young, troubled Charlie, who is starting his freshman year alone with no one close to rely on.

He turns to books given to him by his English teacher, possibly the closest thing he had to a friend that day. It was not soon before he befriended seniors Patrick and Sam, who introduced him to girls, parties, alcohol, abuse, drugs, and friendship.

He tells his story about his idolized aunt, who may have just been his favorite person in the world.

The story is written from the point of view of letters written from Charlie, to “friend.” Charlie informs “friend” in the beginning of the novel that he was writing to him purely because he heard that “friend” listened and needed someone to listen.

He describes his days with his friends and his family to his “friend.”

He tells him happy stories, and he tells him about his past coming back to haunt him. The book is basically a teenage boy’s diary.

Chbosky’s book, set in the early 1990’s, is an easy book to relate to. The characters, which are all so alike that their friendship progresses as the year progresses. They are also so diverse that a reader can relate to at least one of them.

Charlie is the youngest of the group and described as a wallflower, giving the book its title. “He’s a wallflower.

You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand,” Patrick describes Charlie to their group of friends. Patrick, who is openly gay, is an open, loud, and boisterous person.

Sam, Patrick’s step-sister, is a carefree teenage girl who finds herself just trying to have fun in her senior year of high school before going away and settling down at college.

The book is written in a way that is much different than some other author’s books. Since it is written in letter, or diary format, the book is written from the fifteen year old boy’s point of view.

From the first few paragrpahs on, the boy seems illiterate to a point where the sentences were run-ons, commas were either not used or misplaced. I found myself irritated by the wrong grammar at some points.

But this style of writing was used on purpose to add to the characterization of the protagonist. It really puts the reader in his head and viewing everything from his point of view. It also helps show how the main

character progressed throughout the novel with his life and his literary skills.

Although it makes the book hard to read at the very beginning, if easily over-looked and understood, it makes the story ten times better.

It is a critical book about love, friendship, and how one’s past can affect one’s life as they grow older. It is a must read. I’m not much of a person who cries at the end of books, but upon finishing this one, I found myself crying for Charlie, his friends and his family, and even his Aunt Helen.

I found both my eyes and my heart opened, and I truly BUCCANEER BULLETIN PHOTO would have regretted not reading it. After The Perks of Being a Wallflower’s simple and reading the last letter awkward book cover. and setting the book to love with each new reading. I would down, I knew this was find myself understanding more, loving one I would have no problem picking up and rereading over and over again. I the characters more, and still crying and cheering for them along the way. knew I would find something different

Read the book, see the movie! It is worth watching year-old Charlie played by Logan Lerman, is more than just a social outcast. The movie is narrated from his point of view, letting us get a clear insight on what

high school is like from the eyes of someone who has had traumatic events happen to them. During the movie, he befriends a few quirky characters including Patrick played by Ezra Miller and Sam played by Emma Watson. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those stories where you become attached to the It’s not very often that someone can say they would see a movie more than once and never get tired characters and don’t ever want the film to end.

Although part of the movie does focus on teen of it, but in regards to the film The Perks of Being a love, it is certainly not a romance movie. It is; Wallflower I can honestly say this movie could never however, a film about life and all of its struggles wear out. When I first heard about the movie starring including love. One of the most famous lines of the Emma Watson, who is most recognizable for her role movie is, “We accept the love we think we deserve,” in the Harry Potter films, I was immediately excited. and I think that I had no idea what describes the movie it was about, but well as much of the If someone asked me to describe being a die-hard movie involves the Harry Potter fan I this movie in one word, the only different relationships had to see it. thing that comes to mind is ‘wow. between characters.

After the Emma Watson trailer came out, played Hermione in The Perks of the Harry Potter series for ten years of her life. This Being a Wallflower, which was described as “the movie really shows how much more she is capable Breakfast Club of the new millennium,” is a feelof.

The role of Hermione Granger did not do Emma good movie about an unpopular high school student justice whatsoever.

This is shown time and time again who eventually makes friends. as Watson proves how good an actress she is in The However, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is so Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Her character Sam is much more than that. It reaches beyond the mind of very unlike the intelligent and reserved Hermione an average high school student and delves into topics Granger. Sam is very loud and carefree. some have never even thought about. As the movie Along with Emma Watson, the movie also stars goes on, we learn that the main character, fifteen-

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Logan Lerman who is best known for his role as Percy Jackson in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and Ezra Miller who is known for his role in We Need to Talk About Kevin. Logan Lerman, who hasn’t been in many movies besides Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief also shows his acting skills. I think many people will find him to be endearing and hopeful that he will be in more movies after The Perks of Being a Wallflower. His character is extremely difficult to play at times, seeing as Charlie is very shy and doesn’t speak much. Therefore, Logan has to portray Charlie’s emotions using body language, which is never easy. Ezra Miller’s character is equally difficult to play in that his character, Patrick, goes through depression and other deep emotions during the film.

If someone asked me to describe this movie in one word, the only thing that comes to mind is “wow.” I don’t think director Steven Chbosky, who also happens to be the author of the best-selling book, could have done a better job. Everything about this film was perfect, from the casting to the camera angles to the setting to the plot. I would recommend this film to anyone and everyone ages thirteen and up.

The movie is rated PG-13, and I would not suggest anyone under the age of thirteen see it as there are some touchy topics and inappropriate scenes that young kids should not see. Other than that, I think this is a true must see for everyone. Overall, I give this film six out of five stars. This movie went above and beyond my expectations, and I could not have been more satisfied.

February 2013

Entertainment

13

The agony and ecstasy of college applications College spend a lot of my time in New Jersey. It’s one of my because it shows you can formulate ideas in your applications favorite places on earth. I also have family who live mind and express them fluently on paper. are there, so I mainly looked at schools in New Jersey.

In the beginning of the year, my English teacher commonly Another reason I want to go to a school in New assigned his students to write their college essays referred Jersey is because of the short commute to New York for a grade in the class. I did quite well on mine but to as the City. I’m going to major in communications, so I I didn’t use it. I didn’t use it because I wanted the most time want to be open to lots of great internships in one of one I wrote for my applications to be personal and to consuming, the biggest cities for communication. show who I actually was and not hide anything about irritating, confusing things you will ever do in After selecting the colleges I felt would suit me myself. your life. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, best, I started the application process. OHS’s goal Most colleges use three basic topics for their but anyone who has ever been through the college was to have all seniors applying to college to have admission essays, which is someone who inspires application process knows exactly what I’m saying. their applications sent in by Thanksgiving break. you, an event that’s changed your life, or a fictional A few months ago in the Buccaneer Bulletin, The nice part of the applications is five out of the character who you look up too. I chose someone who I wrote about the stress and anxiety of the SAT eight schools I was applying to used the Common had inspired me for both of the essays I wrote. The and ACT. This time I’m coming at you with the Application, which is an online application website. one I submitted with all my applications was written exhausting process of trying to get into college.

I liked using it because instead of doing eight about how my older brother has changed my outlook These trials are the stepping-stones from being individual applications, I only had to fill out one. on life. It conveyed exactly how I felt and showed a committed student to developing the dreadful Starting the application process, I definitely my true colors. senioritis. Admit it, after you’ve submitted your last thought the hardest part was going to be sitting I would say write about something that you could application, you could write about forever and care less about high The hardest part was going to be sitting down for hours upon hours never stop writing about. school.

If you feel passionate filling out every single little thing about my high school career To be completely enough about a topic, honest, I probably it’s much easier to write started looking into and actually write better colleges the middle of my junior year. While it down for hours upon hours filling out every single because you know what you’re talking about. hadn’t even crossed most students’ minds that we little thing about my high school career, but I was I finished, edited, and submitted my applications were soon embarking on the next chapter in our lives completely off. Getting everyone else to do his or her the day before we went on Thanksgiving break. The and graduating, I was knee deep in college reviews part for the application has probably been the worst. weight of a boulder was lifted off my shoulders the trying to find the perfect college.

A piece of advice for anyone starting to apply to second I submitted my applications. It’s a strange My main necessity in a college was that it had college, ask the people you want to write you a letter feeling because you’re nervous about the decisions to be out of state or at least a minimum of five hours of recommendation as early as two months before but relieved that your work is done all at the same away. This was my safe proximity from Oswego you start your applications. People have lives and time. because I want to start a new life where no one they aren’t going to stop and sit down and write a Now that the tedious work is behind me and over knows who I am or where I come from. Another letter of recommendation the same week you ask with, the toughest part is yet to come. I have been reason I have is if I am only a few hours away from them. accepted into five of the eight colleges so far. The my parents, I would feel like I had the option of One of the biggest parts of the application is the worst part is I am one of the most indecisive people going home easily if I felt overwhelmed or scared. essay. Some schools don’t require an essay, but it’s you’ll ever meet, so the ultimate decision of where But, that’s not how I want to feel. If I ever do feel better to put one in because it shows that you have I’ll attend college is going to be the death of me. overwhelmed, I need to learn how to take care of the ability to write, which is one of the main things I know in the long run that wherever I go, it will myself and become independent. colleges want out of their students. A student who be the right choice and college will be the next great Growing up, almost every summer I would can write well is more likely to succeed in college chapter in my book of life.

OHS hallway behaviors are intolerable to many

One cannot simply walk through the halls of Oswego High School without seeing multiple couples making out against lockers or having to walk around a huge crowd of people randomly standing in the middle of the hall.

The majority of the high school would agree with me when I say nobody wants to see couples kissing their significant other while trying to get to their next class. The phrase “get a room” applies better to this situation than any other. There is a time and place for that, and it is not during school in front of many other people.

Not only do the students of OHS

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hate seeing a gross amount of PDA in the hallways, we do not want to see the boxers of any boys hanging out of their pants and the stomachs or cleavage of any girls. The ones guilty of doing this would do us all a favor if they pulled their pants up and pulled their shirts both up or down. I do not think anybody in the school wants to see colorful boxers that should be underneath the jeans or pants being worn and the belly of any girl that could be easily covered up. There is no excuse; boxers and stomachs should not be that hard to cover.

Another problem in the halls of OHS is the random crowds of people scattered around the building. While many other students and I walk to the next class of the day, we have to go around several groups standing in the middle of the hallway just to get to our destination. Not only do these groups take up the majority of space in the hall, dirty looks are often given if you are trying to get around

them and have to ask them politely to move. During the 5 minutes to go from one class to another, how is there even enough time to gather in a big group to hangout and chat and also get to your next class? Nobody wants to be rude, but nobody wants to be stuck behind large groups who do not move.

One of the biggest complaints in OHS is the crowd on the ramps after every lunch period. There are so many problems occurring here after 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th period. After the bell rings while waiting on the ramp, it takes the entire crowd a long time to get off the ramp and into the hallway. This leaves little time to get to your locker and to your next class.

There is so much pushing and shoving that conflicts could easily occur. On the ramps after lunch is where fights are most likely to happen. Not only are there a ton of people packed around, there are really no teachers around to be there and supervise. I personally believe

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more teachers should be around to watch students in case something bad were to happen. If there was a way to prevent this packed mob of people, more time would be provided to get from class to class.

An additional problem in the hallways is the loud, obnoxious yelling. Most people are annoyed as it is that they have to come to school and thunderous shouting does not make that annoyance go away. At 7:30 in the morning most teenagers barely have any energy, but there are those certain kids who have a massive amount and who cannot seem to keep their loud words to themselves.

While at OHS or any other high school, there are going to be problems of crowds and detestable yelling. The only thing that a student could really do is try to block it out and keep walking around the swarm of others. We would all like to change the behaviors of our peers, but no matter how hard one tries, it just cannot be done.

February 2013

14

Sports

Great ending to up and down Syracuse season

By Nick Czerow Reporter

Two weeks before the Northwestern Wildcats arrived in Central New York to open the 2012 college football season. Nathaniel Hackett changed his offensive scheme completely.

The former Orange offensive coordinator trusted his fifth year senior quarterback Ryan Nassib enough to learn a new offense that leaned heavily on a “two-minute drill” type feel. The goal was to run a no huddle offense and to snap the ball off within fifteen seconds of the referee’s spotting of the ball and resuming of play. This hurry up offense is meant to help keep Nassib in rhythm and to force the opposing defenses to either substitute players or risk using fatigued athletes.

Syracuse finished their season at 8-5 and tied as one of four cochampions of the Big East Conference with a 5-2 record in conference play.

The Orange tied with the Louisville Cardinals, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Two of the eight wins came in non-conference play; one against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the Carrier Dome and the other towards the end of the season in Columbia, Missouri against the Tigers. The eighth win was recorded after Syracuse gave Geno Smith and the Mountaineers a beat down for the third year in a row in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The Orange defeated their former Big East rival 38-14 in a snowy contest at Yankee Stadium. The previous year’s Syracuse beat West Virginia in Syracuse 49-23 and the year before that 19-14 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

A late game rally against Northwestern showed that Syracuse could put up some serious points quickly once the new offense got rolling. Making some large strides this year, Syracuse averaged 34 points per game in their eight wins. In 2011 Syracuse finished the season 290342 in points for points. 2012 was a different story; the team finished 390322 and improved their total offense by nearly 1,000 yards in passing, rushing, and receiving.

Ryan Nassib completed 259/415 passes for 2,685 yards in 2011. This past season he upped his completions to 294/471 to tally 3,749 yards.

Although he threw for 1,000 more yards than last year, his completion rate remained the same for both years at 62.4%. Nassib now holds all major single season and career passing records for the Orange(except career touchdowns). The quarterback from West Chester, Pennsylvania also holds the Big East conference record for career pass attempts and completions.

The running game came into effect more after a 2-4 record at the halfway mark. Former Head Coach Doug

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF ZELEVANSKY/GETTY IMAGES

Prince Tyson-Gulley scores on a 67 yard rush against West Virginia during The New Era Pinstripe Bowl.

Marrone decided that the original focus of throwing the ball more aiming for more plays and possession time was not working. With an intelligent cannon armed quarterback in Nassib, defenses were already wary of the passing game.

This naturally would open up the running game.

Since the beginning of spring practices there was no definite starting running back. Marrone and running back coach Tyrone Wheatley could not pick a starting back because they were all so different. Jerome Smith eventually claimed the starting role when it came time to start the season.

Smith is a power back but is the most well rounded back of the bunch. Prince Tyson Gulley is the shifty and speedy back who puts up a fight every play.

Gulley is a tough player who likes to make guys miss and is difficult to get on the ground. Adonis Ameen-Moore is a bowling ball of a back who was later used in a “tank” package for goal line and 3rd and short situations. There is also 6’4” 222 lbs. Ashton Broyld, a highly touted freshman out of Rush Henrietta High School. Broyld is a triple threat option. He can line up under center, take the snap, run the ball, or split off and run a route.

In 2011 eleven total players accounted for only 1,445 yards with 396 touches. Jerome Smith and Prince Tyson Gulley surpassed those eleven players themselves with a combined 2,001 yards this year. Including the two electrifying backs, the whole team gained 2,431 yards on the ground on 555 carries.

The receiving core shined brightly this year partly due to Nassib. Marcus Sales returned for his senior season and Alec Lemon broke out. Lemon caught 72 balls for 1,070 yards while Sales snatched 64 rockets from Nassib for 882 yards. The receivers of 2011 raked up 2,733 yards on 261 receptions while the 2012 bunch gained 3,757 yards with 295 catches.

Scott Shafer was the defensive coordinator for the past four seasons. Shafer’s defense recorded 9 interceptions(1 TD), 11 fumbles(1 TD), 2 safeties, 26 sacks(-194 yds.), and a total of 100 tackles for a loss(360 yds.). When Connecticut came to the Dome, the Huskies run game was shut down. On a total of 18 carries, the Huskies accumulated a whopping -6 yards. Defensive End Brandon Sharpe showed Pittsburgh that he has NFL talent when he erupted for 7 tackles, 6 for a loss, and 4 of them sacks.

Shafer tends not to pay attention to downs or yardages when he sends a blitz. The aggressive coordinator sends blitzes when he feel like it. There is usually one more player coming than the offense can block. Syracuse’s opponents say it is very difficult to prepare for Shafer’s defense because of his pressure and when he brings it. The offenses see an overwhelming amount of packages and formations that may have not been prepared for during film sessions.

Shortly after Syracuse put down West Virginia in the Bronx, Doug Marrone was invited to an interview with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are

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one of the five teams that fired their head coaches after their NFL season was over. Marrone interviewed with the Cleveland Browns first, but the Browns did not like what he had to offer. However, they leaked it out to the public that Marrone was looking to go pro. It may have been a surprise to some that Marrone accepted the Head Coaching job at Buffalo, but it is also a decision he thought about thoroughly.

About a week after his hire, Marrone announced that he would select Nathaniel Hackett to be the Offensive Coordinator of the Bills.

Scott Shafer decided to stay at Syracuse. Daryl Gross went ahead and promoted Shafer to head coach since he already had recent experience with the athletes there and he has a great defensive philosophy. This; however, left open positions at Syracuse for offensive and defensive Coordinator.

During Shafer’s press conference, he announced that Chuck Bullough will be the defensive coordinator. The new head coach said he will take his time with choosing their offensive coordinator; however, it is also possible that any of the position coaches already on campus could be in the mix for the open positions.

At Marrone’s press conference for Buffalo, the general manager of the Bills mentioned that they had been looking at Ryan Nassib as a possible draft choice in the 2013 NFL draft.

They went on to mention that they had scouted the potential first round pick much before they had put any thought Continued on page 15

February 2013

Sports

OHS Ski Club still going strong

15

Buc Sports Flashback 1 year ago (2012)

* Boys’ varsity basketball team finishes their season with a record of 14-5. * They made it to the second round of sectionals and were defeated by Cicero North Syracuse. * They were coached by the current boys’ varsity basketball coach Bob Misch. * The team’s leading scorers of the season were Josh Gillard, Mike Thompson, and Ryan Patrick.

5 years ago (2008)

PHOTO COURTESY OF LABRADORMTN.COM

The OHS Ski Club travels to Labrador Mountain on Wednesdays to ski the trails shown above.

By Madison Rhoades Editor-in-chief

This year at OHS, Ski Club almost did not happen due to budget cuts, but many students started petitions and brought it to the Board of Education which led to it being brought back.

Ski Club gives many students the opportunity to try skiing or snowboarding when they might not otherwise get the opportunity. Even if the kids don’t have the equipment, they can still give it a try by renting ski equipment at Labrador Mountain.

“It’s just a new experience for some kids,” said Emily Henderson, president of Ski Club, “You never know, they could stick with it for the rest of their

lives.”

Also in charge of Ski Club is Mr. Charles Rowlee, advisor for the past six years. His job is to schedule the buses and meetings and to contact Labrador Mountain every week to make sure they are all set to go. Rowlee also has the responsibility of traveling with the kids every week and acting as a parent and bringing them to the hospital in case anyone gets hurt.

The students started going skiing on January second and will continue to go every Wednesday for six weeks. They get on the bus immediately after school, arriving at the mountain around four-thirty and then boarding the bus around nine o’clock.

Orange will face the tougher Atlantic Coast Conference football teams Continued on page 15

into firing former Bills coach Chan Gailey.

With Doug Marrone as head coach and Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, the odds of Ryan Nassib staying local is high.

Some other Syracuse players who could be looking to make the trip to the Radio City Music Hall in New York City this spring are safety Shamarko Thomas, cornerback Ri’Shard Anderson, linebacker Siriki Diabate, defensive end Brandon Sharpe, defensive tackle Deon Goggins, wide receivers Marcus Sales and Alec Lemon, left tackle Justin Pugh, and left guard Zach Chibane.

The quarterback position is up for grabs next year. It seems as if Charley Loeb will be the starting cadence caller, but Ashton Broyld also has experience from Rush Henrietta. Junior John Kinder and sophomore Terrell Hunt are athletic quick quarterbacks who could add the threat of option plays next year. Syracuse might not know who their quarterback is until the season starts.

Choosing a starting running back will be even more daunting when two great backs return for their senior years. Freshman Augustus Edwards will be waiting to take advantage of any playing time he can find. There are two transfers who will be eligible for next season as well, wide receiver from Arkansas University Quinta Funderburk and 6’5” 319 lbs. defensive end John Raymon from Iowa University.

2013 will be an interesting season to watch as Syracuse enters its first year of ACC (Atlantic Coastal Conference) competition. The Orange will return to MetLife stadium to take on Penn State in a non-

Buccaneer Bulletin

conference match up.

An away game at Northwestern is also on the schedule so be on the look out for revenge. ‘Cuse will be joining the stronger football portion of the ACC. Every year Syracuse will face off against the restored Seminoles of Florida State and the uprising Clemson Tigers.

Pittsburgh made their decision to join the ACC at the same time as Syracuse. The Panthers will be in the Coastal division. Pittsburgh will be Syracuse’s permanent crossover opponent meaning there will still be annual battles between the two universities.

The schedule as of now features Clemson, Boston College, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, and Tulane playing in the Dome. The Orange will travel to East Rutherford to play Penn State in a neutral game.

The away games include Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, and Northwestern. There is still one more open spot on the schedule which could be filled with a Big East opponent like Louisville. It is unclear on where Louisville will end up when it makes the jump to the ACC in 2014. Most likely the Cardinals will enter the Atlantic division due to the departure of Maryland to the Big Ten Conference.

The Carrier Dome a.k.a. The Loud House needs you! Syracuse football is on the rise back to glory and dominance and wants to make it known. So bring your family, bring your friends, bring your pets.

There’s no better feeling than going nuts and losing your voice on a third and long play. Help the Orange pack the Dome and soon we could be hoisting a BCS trophy! www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

* Youths using steroids became a concern. * “I believe that anything that happens on the professional level eventually trickles down to high school.” ~Baseball Coach John Finch * Athletic director Scott Sugar didn’t believe it was a problem but hoped to prevent a problem by educating athletes. * Veteran coaches believed that the “steroid era” was years ago. * “There was a time in the early ‘90s where there was a corps of our male athletes that was rumored to be using steroids. It was widely known but never proven.” ~Softball Coach Mike McCrobie

10 years ago (2003)

* Cheerleaders cheered at the first girls’ varsity basketball game. * The number of fans increased due partly to the people wanting to enjoy the mockery of watching “chix cheering for chix.” * The captain of the basketball team was Meg Runeari and the team was ranked number 21 in the state.

15 years ago (1998)

* $230,000 was given by the city to fix up two of Oswego’s ice rinks. * One was the James P. Cullinan Rink behind Kingsford Park Elementary school. * They put matting in the new locker rooms, made restroom renovations, put in a new cooling tower, and lowered and repainted the ceiling in order to help save electricity. * The other was the Crisafulli Rink in Fort Ontario. * They expanded and added more seating, bought a new Zamboni, built new dressing facilities, and built a newer, bigger parking lot.

20 years ago (1993)

* Dave Garrow placed first in the Section III diving championships with a score of 432.45. * Coach Linda Beyer said, “He’s very focused and takes diving seriously.” * He was named first team all-league.

25 years ago (1988)

* The boys’ varsity basketball team qualified for sectionals by defeating Rome Free Academy on January 29th. * Seniors Andy Clary, Dan Connelly, and Bob Gilmore gave the Bucs a nice 3-point shooting touch. * Clary lead the OHSL North in 3-pointers made. * Juniors Victor Martin and Robbie Ball were also huge contributors. * Seniors Rick Pollard, Jeff Krakowka, and Duane Buske gave the team a spark off the bench.

February 2013

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Volume 1 Number 4

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

February 2013

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH JAKE RODRIGUEZ

By Alanna Maldonado Sports Editor

Junior Jacob Rodriguez is well known around the school for his participation in sports. The three sport athlete plays football, wrestles, and used to play lacrosse; although, he is most accomplished in the sport of wrestling.

Sports are a huge part of Rodriguez’s life. Rodriguez started wrestling in seventh grade when he was 12 due to the advice of his football coach. He then went on to wrestle at the varsity level. “I did not really have any inspiration; I thought I would try out for it and see if I liked it,” stated Rodriguez.

He credits much of his success to the good relationship he has with his coach and team. “We work pretty well together.” Rodriguez said. Although not all of his success can be credited to the team. He also spends a great deal of time in the offseason working and improving for both of the sports he plays. “I spend a lot of time in the off season doing tournaments.” he stated.

The varsity wrestling team is a small team, so they all have the opportunity to become very close. The team works together to pull off wins and improve as the season goes on. “Jake works hard and it shows,” stated his coach, Kurt DeAngelo.

The team and the coach are all grateful for the effort that Rodriguez puts in. He has proven beyond just wrestling that he is an all-star. He works hard on both the football field and the wrestling mat.

Although he doesn’t plan to continue sports past high school, Rodriguez expresses his gratitude for the chances and opportunities that playing sports at OHS has given him. With a current winning record Rodriguez hopes his winning streak continues for the rest of the season and even carries over to his senior football season.

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 Alanna Maldonado at amaldona@oswego.org.

SARAH MANCUSO

By Sage Dudley Reporter

Like many hockey players, senior Sarah Mancuso has been playing the sport of ice hockey since she was four. For nine of the fourteen years she has been playing, Sarah played on a city league with the boys. This being her fifth and final year playing varsity hockey, Mancuso has taken on the leadership role as the single captain.

Mancuso started playing varsity hockey when she was in eighth grade. Like most of the girls on the team, Mancuso has been playing with boys for most of her hockey career. When she reached middle school, Sarah began playing with the high school girls.

Sarah started playing hockey when she was very little, her family getting her into it when she was a toddler. “My dad is a big hockey fan,” Sarah said. “He got all of us into it when we were really young.” All three of her older siblings played hockey; her two older sisters were both Oswego girls’ varsity hockey alumni.

Sarah’s family has supported her greatly throughout her hockey career.

Since she was young, her parents have been driving her all over for games and tournaments. Like her dad, Sarah is also an avid fan of the NHL team, the Buffalo Sabers.

Sarah was just a freshman when the girls’ varsity hockey team won the New York State Championship in 2010, the first state championship win in the girls hockey team’s history. “I’m glad I was able to experience winning our first state title,” Mancuso said,.“It’s definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Although Sarah plays almost every position on the ice, both offense and defense, she prefers defense. “A versatile player like Sarah who can play all over the ice is very beneficial for our team,” head coach Daniel Bartlett stated.

Not only is Sarah a great hockey player but also a hardworking student. She is involved in many clubs and after school activities such as Key Club, Interact Club, and NHS as well as being a three sport athlete, playing tennis and softball when it’s not hockey season.

Sarah plans on going to school at either the University of Binghamton or SUNY Geneseo. She is not completely certain what she wants to major in just yet, but she plans on focusing on the medical field.

Sarah also helps out with a team of young girl hockey players in Oswego. “I enjoy helping the little girls because it is nice to see them improve,” Sarah said. “I like seeing girls playing at such a young age.

They’re the future of the girl’s varsity hockey program, so I’m glad I can help them in any way I can.”

The little Lady Bucs hockey team consists of girls ages ten and under.

Sarah and her teammates sometimes attend their practices to help the girls improve on their skills and become better hockey players.

Mancuso hopes to continue playing hockey in the future but not at a college level. She says she may play on a club team at whatever school she happens to attend. Sarah would rather focus on school work in college instead.