February 2014

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JUST CHILLIN’

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

February 2014 Volume 2 Number 4

THINGS TO DO ON A SNOW DAY PAGES 8 & 9 PHOTO BY RACHAEL PURTELL

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.

On the Cover: An OHS student shows her creativity and expresses her love of the Buccaneer Bulletin by building a snowman wearing a Buccaneer Bulletin t-shirt on one of our many snow days. The photo was taken by Rachael Purtell.

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CARTOON BY LAURELANN EASTON

. . . to OHS students Taeler Shortt, Makayla Thompson, and Elizabeth Barlow taking over the Book Room when there was not a supervisor. . . . to OHS art students Teo Patty, Allie Henderson, and Brenna Riley, who received gold key awards at the 2014 CNY Scholastic Art Awards and to all the other OHS award recipients . . . to OHS students Kerrigan Cummins, Jenna Ballard, and Ayla Busch, who participated in the Zone 3 Area All-State Orchestra festival at Ithaca College. . . .to the production of the musical Evita directed by Mr. Dumas and Mr. Heater. . . . to the junior class Candy Gram fundraiser for Valentine’s Day.

. . . to winter formal being canceled due to “bad weather.” The dance has been rescheduled for March 15 at 7:00 p.m. . . .to the weather on the Monday of Regents Week. The two hour delay was helpful, but conditions were very dangerous for students returning home after state and local testing due to whiteout conditions. . . . to the uneventful Super Bowl game, but congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on their huge win. . . . to the recent brief power outage. Many students working on computers lost work because they were not able to save in time. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

February 2014

Editorial In Our View . . .

High school relationships can go downhill or may teach life lessons High school relationships often get a bad rap when it comes to how long they will last because teens’ minds are not fully developed yet.

There are many different opinions as to whether these relationships are worthwhile, and these opinions are generally based on experience. Many people who have not been in high school relationships see them as unimportant and simply dismiss teens in such relationships as naive.

However, what many people overlook is the fact that such relationships can teach teens valuable lessons. Students may end up with relationships they do not want and broken hearts, but at the same time, they can learn beneficial lessons about what they do want in a relationship.

We, at The Buccaneer Bulletin, feel that although these relationships are a good way to make memories in high school, they are not likely to last through college.

Although this may seem like a premature assumption, keep in mind that only 2 percent of people marry their high school sweetheart, and 40 percent of the 2 percent of those who do get married, get divorced.

Many believe that modern day high schools simply are not good environments for a serious relationship.

For example, at Oswego High School, we have about 1,300 students, leaving a teen with roughly 600 students to choose from in theory. However, each student also has their own criteria for a significant other narrowing down their selection even more.

Another issue that comes with high school relationships is the amount of drama that surrounds them. There are often problems with friends of the couple as people regularly complain that their friend is no longer spending enough time with them now that they are in a relationship and that all their time is being spent with their significant other.

This drama can often distract students from the real point of high school which is getting a good education and preparing to attend a good college or university.

Studies have shown that a break-up in high school can more negatively affect a high school student than an adult because teenage brains are still developing. Bad breakups can lead to long-term trust issues and fear of love.

Another aspect to consider is college. Most teens are preparing to go off to college after high school, and while hanging on to a relationship can seem like a good idea at first while the student is lonely and trying to adjust, it can eventually become a crutch that keeps the person from going out and meeting new people.

Although high school relationships are not statistically successful, some still believe that it is possible to find your soulmate in your English class, and there are some ways to make a high school relationship last longer than the cliché.

For example, finding someone with the same interests and maturity level can go a long way. These may seem obvious, but finding someone with similar long term goals and plans can help avoid conflicts later.

Teens of this generation also need to be careful of how they use social media in their relationships. Documenting every aspect of the relationship on Twitter and Facebook can easily annoy friends and cause fights between significant others.

One important lesson teens can learn from these relationships is the concept of compromising. Some teens are viewed as entitled or selfabsorbed, and so having to compromise with another person almost everyday can help them mature.

Although high school relationships are often seen as trivial, they can teach teens valuable lessons about what they want in love. These relationships create great high school memories, and though few people see a marriage through with their high school sweetheart, few have admitted to regretting these experiences saying that they have simply taught them what they do want in a relationship in the future.

Rushed relationships may lead to many broken hearted teenagers With the Valentine Day season approaching quickly, high school relationships are at an all time high. Many high schoolers are constantly searching for boyfriends or girlfriends as part of their high school social life. The word love is passed around often in these young relationships, and it is not uncommon to find highschoolers who claim to be “in love”.

We, at The Buccaneer Bulletin, feel that high school relationships do not last long and especially after high school with changing environments, the relationship is most likely going to fail.

Why is this such a huge topic though? Could it be the fact that these young people are rushing into love just to say they have it? The trend has been for the younger sophomore or freshman girl to date the senior boy just to be broken hearted when he leaves for college the following year and cannot handle the long distance.

Frequently, with only a week or two into the relationship, the couple will be celebrating with one week anniversary gifts and posting all over social media about how they are in love with the significant other just to see the relationship tragically end by the close of the month.

Along with the changes each person experiences when entering high school, not only are they changing themselves as a person but they are on the search for

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someone else who expresses the same thoughts and interests as them. These new people are quickly thought of as a possible contender for a boyfriend or girlfriend.

When rushing into love, those in these new relationships need to be extra careful with the things they are willing to do and not doing anything they are not ready for just because they are still in the honeymoon period and think that this is real love for them.

Sometimes the case is that the two in the relationship are so consumed with each other they tend to push away their closest friends because they spend all their time with the new love in their life. This not only can be a problem for the close friends who are hurt by one’s actions, but if the relationship were to end, one would not be welcomed with big open arms by their friends who they pushed away while they were in the relationship. This leaves one single with no friends; it can just end up being a sad and lonely situation for someone.

Dating in high school is not a bad thing and some are able to pass these silly stages and eventually make it to be high school sweethearts, but we, at The Buccaneer Bulletin, feel that students rush into the idea of loving someone although they do not understand the true meaning and it cannot yet be expressed. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

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What’s Your Opinion?

“How do you feel about high school relationships?”

Kennedy Thompson Sophomore

“I think that relationships need swag, and that most don’t last more than a week.”

Maddi Whalen Senior

“Watch Mean Girls and that’s how I feel.

Kaleigh Laird Freshman

“I think that relationships move too fast and they are really fierce.”

Natahley Babcock Junior

“If you’re with someone that makes you happy, go for it!

Don’t tie yourself down, you’re only in high school once, so have fun!

Dr. Naron Staff

“I think that high school relationships are finite.”

February 2014

4

News

New school district leader comes back to his roots Improving the graduation rate to over 90 percent at Oswego High School is one of the main goals of Superintendent Benjamin Halsey as he takes the helm of the Oswego City School District

to me. I wanted the opportunity to come to a district with lots of diversity in its programs; Oswego’s academics, as well as its athletics, drama, and music are all well rounded programs.

Also, having graduated from Sandy Creek, then having lived and worked in Western New York for almost 20 years, the opportunity to return to Central New York and to come to a district like Oswego was a positive

By Tara Stacy draw.”

Editor-in-Chief

Halsey’s favorite Oswego City School District’s new part of his job is being superintendent Mr. Benjamin Halsey involved with a little began his term as superintendent in bit of everything, “I early December. The school board like seeing the whole unanimously voted to hire Halsey to organization function replace former superintendent William from top to bottom, Crist. seeing how all parts of Crist retired at the close of the the school system are 2012-13 school year and is currently interconnected. The the interim superintendent for the PHOTO COURTESY OF OSWEGO COUNTY TODAY ability to work with Massena Central School District and people on projects can New Oswego City School District Superintendent Benjamin Halsey learns the ropes of will take over as the superintendent of be the best part, but it our district with assistance from Mrs. Kathleen Allen, Board of Education president. the Syracuse Diocese in early spring. can also be the most Halsey is extremely eager to begin frustrating because there the year, “I am excited that once I get are so many things going people over a short period of time, it welcoming all the people have been. to know everybody, I will be able to on at once, but I love the diversity of is probably not going to be a closure, He says that he is still trying to get work collaboratively because it seems what happens in this office on any but we might have a delay.

If when I better acquainted with the city and like everybody wants to pitch in and do given day.” am weighing all those factors I realize all it has to offer but has had the what they can do to help the district.”

Halsey also gave insight into that I need to buy more time for the opportunity to attend all the winter Before coming to Oswego, Halsey how he and other school district buses to have good road conditions concerts and several winter sporting worked in North Collins Central School officials decide snow days. “There’s and visibility, I will delay for a couple events.

District near Buffalo for 13 years, not a specific science to it. I start hours.

But if it something that is going However, the one downside of serving as their high school principal checking the conditions on the radar to be with us most of the morning, I the job for Halsey is that his family and their superintendent. During his and forecast at 3:00 a.m. We have two will go straight to a closure.” is still living in North Collins so that time at North Collins, the school had people in the district, the transportation Recently, however, we have been his children may finish out the school a 96 percent graduation rate, and supervisor and the buildings and dealing less with visibility issues and year.

Halsey and his wife Karen have Halsey hopes to raise five children, ranging Oswego High School’s in age from second “The opportunity to come to a larger school district was exciting grade to early high graduation rate to over 90 percent. to me. I wanted the opportunity to come to a district with lots of school. He is able to Halsey graduated diversity in its programs; Oswego’s academics, as well as its drive every weekend from Sandy Creek to see his children High School in 1987. athletics, drama, and music are all well rounded programs.” and loves spending His favorite subjects in Benjamin Halsey his time off with school were English and Superintendent them. One of Halsey’s social studies because favorite things to do he had great teachers. during his vacations He also enjoyed is to go on family physical education and chose to major grounds director, who make contact the more with cold temperatures.

Halsey camping trips. in it at St. Lawrence University where highway supervisors and even drive takes this into careful consideration Halsey is looking forward to his he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in some roads themselves then report when he is deciding whether or not first year and really getting to know 1992. back to me on days when the weather to close, “When wind chill is -20 all his colleagues.

While at St. Lawrence Halsey conditions are not good. They start degrees or more, it raises concerns for He has always looked up to played football until a knee injury giving me calls between 3:30 and 5:00 our walkers and for those that may educators, and when he was asked cut his playing career short. He then a.m. I also do a lot of communicating not be appropriately dressed or have who inspired him he stated, “Every became the student supervisor of the with area superintendents to see what the means to dress warmly to walk to person I have ever worked with who fitness and wellness center. they are hearing from their highway school.” is an educator.

Whether I was student Halsey went on to earn his supervisors. From there, I look at the Halsey says that he also considers and they were my teacher, or I was an Master’s Degree at the University of forecast for the entire day, not just at those who have to wait at the end of athlete and they were my coach, or the Buffalo in 1995 and his administrator’s what it is doing at that moment, but their driveways for the bus, stating people I have worked with along the degree at St. Bonaventure University in what it is going to be doing all day that no one should have to stand in way, even now.

If you have committed 2000. long.” temperatures like some of those we yourself to the education of others, that He decided to leave North Collins “If it is something that is going have been experiencing. is inspiring to me.

Never a day goes by to come to Oswego for several reasons. to be short lived, like a lake effect He has been enjoying Oswego when I do not see someone that amazes He stated, “The opportunity to come band only affecting a small group of so far and loves how warm and me in the field of education.” to a larger school district was exciting

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February 2014

Clublicity

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Not yet 18 but we are still clubbing harder than ever Robotics Club

The Robotics Club has exceeded the expectations of technology teacher Mr. Matt Bock during its first year at Oswego High School. The club has done very well in their competitions throughout the year. In their first competition of the year at SUNY-Oswego, the group placed second overall. They have been placing in the top five or top ten consistently throughout all of their competitions.

While there are not any competition dates set in stone, they are not finished for the year. They are planning on entering more competitions periodically. They have been limited to VEX competitions this year as they were unable to compete in FIRST competitions. They will be competing in FIRST next year. The club might take a trip to Rochester Institute of Technology in March to watch the competition. The trip would be sponsored by Novelis. If you are interested in joining, see Bock in the technology wing. New members are always welcome.

Drama Club

The Oswego High School Drama Club is planning a great deal for this semester. Performances were February 7 and 8 for a musical about Eva Perron, better known as Evita, who became the First Lady of Argentina. In May they will be performing a play, and auditions will be sometime in March for interested students.

OHS Drama Club President is Jordan Oatman, Vice President is Mark Forger, Secretary Brianna MacIntosh, and Treasurer is Ryan Smith. The Drama Club is looking forward to holding auditions for the play in May.

Tech Crew

The tech crew at Ralph M. Faust Theatre for the Performing Arts is hard at work for upcoming events in March and April. They are preparing for various music department concerts, elementary school chorus musicals, and the high school band’s Festival Of Winds throughout the month of March. There isn’t much rest for them as the Junior Variety Show is in the first week of April. After the JV Show, their next event is the Drama Club’s play on May ninth and tenth.

Crew members spend a good portion of their free time backstage preparing for each event, one to three hours weekly on average. Members construct the sets for the Drama Club plays and the yearly musical. They also assemble the sets for the elementary school musicals. If you are interested in joining the tech crew, see T.J. Bandla or Steve Braun in the theatre. New members are always welcome.

OHS Inc

OHS Inc has made major progress since the beginning of the year. OHS Inc has everything in line for the school store and the class is rolling in a positive way.

The school store is called BUC Mart. It is located in room 189. The store sells everything from candy bars and Pop Tarts to shirts and sweatpants. Social studies teacher Mr. Ben Richardson said the school store is doing really well for this time of the year due to the new location.

They hosted the clothing sale before Christmas and did fairly well, making more than they did last year with the new soft shell jackets leading the way said Richardson. If you missed the clothing sale you can still order but with some restrictions. If you want a certain, item you usually need 10-12 other people to order them, but if you want a custom hoodie only two or three other people need to order one.

Some future plans include a possible fund raising with Canale’s Restaurant. The CEO of OHS Inc., Mike Farden, is trying to talk to the required people to have another competition bake sale.

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PHOTOS BY RACHAEL PURTELL

Pictured above are two of the three glass and wood Buccaneer Boosters display cases made by Mr. Rowlee’s technology students at the middle school. The Buccaneer Sports Boosters Club provided materials for this project and helped in funding it. The cases will be used by various sports teams throughout the school year and the generosity of the Buccaneer Boosters is appreciated.

Acceptance Coalition

The Acceptance Coalition, advised by Ms. Erin Reilly and Mrs. Heather Robillard, is about supporting all of your peers whether or not they are LGBTQ+ and to stand against bullying not just in school but everywhere. They have tentatively planned a few events, a Random Acts of Kindness Week for March; for April, an It Gets Better video and collage in honor of the Day of Silence on April 11; and in June, their goal is to host their annual picnic for all Gay-Straight Alliance and like clubs in Oswego County and the surrounding areas.

The club continues to build club membership www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

by encouraging participation in activities. The club meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 2:35 to 3:10 in room 228, where the meetings include thoughtful discussion, fun activities and food!

Editor’s Note: Clublicity is a regular feature of the Buccaneer Bulletin, if you would like to see your own club featured please contact Tara Stacy at tstacy@oswego.org. The following students contributed to the Clublicity stories: Alex Borland, Lisa Kanbur, Dylan Kimball, and Laurelann Easton.

February 2014

Features

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Don’t be chicken, purchase some farm fresh eggs

By Rachael Purtell Webmaster

Have you ever wondered who the guy walking around the halls in sharp looking suits, alligator shoes that stare you down and a briefcase in hand is?

Well, it is the Egg Man Matt Guidilli, proud owner of his own small egg selling business Yolks for You. He primarily sells his eggs in the Oswego City School District including the special education department, principal of Oswego High School Brian Hartwell, the nurses and many other teachers. Guidilli also sells to several neighbors and has a few outreaches to SUNY-Oswego where he sells farm fresh eggs for the very fair price of $2 per dozen to his customers. Guidilli said that his busiest times of year is typically around the holidays, especially Christmas.

Owning one’s own business comes with many responsibilities, and Guidilli must manage these along with his responsibilities of school work and being a member of the varsity basketball team. His main responsibilities include taking care of the chickens and making sure they are clean, fed, and happy, staying on top of all of his orders, and remaining respectful towards his customers.

Guidilli said that he takes care of his business in the morning by waking up at various early hours to take care of the chickens and grab the eggs.

Guidilli also added that having a lot of study halls helps.

Guidilli first got the idea to start his own egg selling business when he first moved in with his mother.

Guidilli said, “The fridge was just filled with eggs, and I guess I got sick of eating breakfast for dinner.”

He first pitched the idea of selling his eggs to Mr. Jason Primrose, a science teacher at OHS. He was interested

and thought that it was a good idea. Other adults in the building began asking where Primrose’s eggs were coming from and although Guidilli had to keep pitching his idea at first, new customers eventually started coming to him.

Dennis Simmons is also heavily involved in Guidilli’s business.

Simmons owns the property in PHOTO BY RACHAEL PURTELL Minetto where Senior Matthew Roger Guidilli is the Egg Man. If you are interested in purchasing some of his the chickens farm fresh eggs, you can contact him by telephone at (518) 649-3609 or email him at his business are kept and often takes care email yolksforyou@gmail.com. of them when grown hens and roosters. If a rooster for the future of his business are up in Guidilli is unavailable. Guidilli said is not one of the healthiest roosters, it the air, he may go to college locally in that if it were not for Simmons, he is also slaughtered.

Guidilli collects an effort to keep it going; however, he would not have been able to start about five dozen eggs a day since most knows he must unfortunately move on his own business and referred to chickens will lay every day.

However, after he graduates from college.

Simmons as his mentor. Guidilli said the chickens are unique as some lay one “Just do it. If you have any idea the biggest burden of owning his own large egg every week and some lay a floating around in your head, just do business was learning how to manage regular-sized egg every other day. it, the worst that can happen is you’re his time, but once he developed a When asked if he enjoys what he gonna fail,” said Guidilli about anyone daily routine of business, school, and does, Guidilli laughed and said, “If I wanting to start their own business. sports it became much easier. didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

He also said that the government Guidilli has over 100 chickens Guidilli said that his favorite aspect helps out a lot with certain grants that he must care for. He must clean of the business is the face to face available to those with their own their cages once a week, give them conversation with all the new people he business plan although he says he did food, water, and a snack. The hens has the opportunity to meet and know not take advantage of this financial aid. must be replaced once they finish outside of school.

When commenting Lastly, Guidilli would like to their laying cycle and if a hen does on what he refers to as this great extend thanks to those who have not lay eggs, it is slaughtered. The experience he said, “Kids see teachers helped him along the way in chickens are bred within the business as teachers, but I get to relate to them.” his career and to all of his loyal and they are raised from chicks to full Guidilli said although the plans customers and supporters.

Harsh verbal discipline can be counterproductive

By Lisa Kanbur

Entertainment Editor

According to researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Pittsburgh, yelling at teenagers to discipline them often makes their behavior worse.

Problems with this disciplinary method include depression, misbehavior at school, stealing, fighting, and lying to parents. It was also discovered that teenagers who are often yelled at by their parents often begin to show signs of depression by the ages of 13 or 14.

Parents may say that they are only yelling “because they love you” or “because it’s only for your own good,” but this does not offset the damage already done. This harsh verbal discipline is often sparked by behavioral problems, and this form of discipline may push kids to repeat the same problem behaviors. This method also increases irritability in children. Students feel that being yelled at provokes annoyance.

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90 percent of parents were reported to be using harsh verbal discipline at least once. Others were found to be using it more times than that. The rate of the more severe forms of discipline, which include swearing, cursing or name calling being directed at teens was 50 percent.

These are results from a study conducted over a two-year period with two parent families. As a part of this study, children were given a psychological assessment and asked questions such as “How often have you disobeyed your parents?” and “How often have you been disobedient in school?”

Yelling at teens to discipline them makes behavior worse.

As an alternative to this harsh verbal discipline, researchers all agree that talking to children about the consequences of their misbehaviors would help them understand more about the parents’ rationale and worries.

Even though parents are only trying to discipline their child and raise them with good morals of www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

respect and integrity, studies show that this type of discipline can lead children to feel rejected or unappreciated. These feelings can lead to a negative view of the relationship with the parent, low selfesteem or low self-control.

Even if the family relationship is a healthy one, the parents’ attempt at discipline could backfire in ways that create even more problems. Scientists agree that parents should try to find another way to discipline their teenagers and try to calm down but also think that the kids need to do their part as well and learn how to act more appropriately so that they are not yelled at.

Because of reasons like depression, constant disobeying, and negative views of the relationship kids have with their parents, it is known that yelling at teenagers to discipline them often makes their behavior worse, and parents might think that they are doing the opposite. Switching discipline techniques might just make life at home better and quieter.

February 2014

Columns

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City or country, is one better than the other? transportation from one place to another. They can easily walk or ride a bike to their desired location.

The influence of the parents and the location of living can have an effect on the child. If they live in the country, they are closer to parents due spending more time at home. Being out in the middle of nowhere could have an effect on the parents leading to effects on the children.

All the open space in the country makes the country better than the city. There is more room for going riding on ATV’s,the possibility of horseback

kids are. They could be hanging out on Water Street talking to some drunk dude or they could be catching a movie. Not all city parents care where there kids are when they are in the city because of the upbringing the city environment brings.

On average, city parents lack communication with their children due to the freedom of the city.

This is the main cause of most kids getting in trouble There are some major differences between city with the law. Some people have little or no control and country parents. One of the most noticeable over their children and that should change if they which occurs most often is how they act. don’t want their kids to end up in jail.

Most country kids might not be able On the contrary, country parents to see friends a lot because of the long generally have a better handle on City parents or country parents need to set time their children. This is due to the close distance to travel or the unavailability of to spend good quality time with their offspring rein they have on them.This could a ride to go to and from.This can create a better bond with their parents and also break or make the child due the and be more like a friend than a parent. help kids become more attached to their pressures on their shoulders from the parents.This can create a babied child parents and also their peers trying to which creates worried parents. get them to try things that they have On the other hand, you have the city parents. riding or even just a football game played in the back never done before.

They have a tendency to not be so protective or yard.

Where we are brought up could be good or lead always worry about their children. This is due to the There may be local fields in the city to tackle to mischief. City parents or country parents need closer quarters and housing of the city blocks. The each other but there are also other distractions in to set time to spend good quality time with their kids don’t always have to rely on their parents for the city. Parents might not always know where their offspring and be more like a friend than a parent.

Common Core requires that elementary school students hit the books at an earlier age

Currently, students at Oswego High School may not be affected so much by the implementation of Common Core Learning Standards but several of their younger siblings and friends are.

Students in elementary school have been greatly impacted by the implementation of the new learning standards.

The implementation of CCLS is simply unfair to both teachers and students. Teachers have no say about what they can teach and are also unfamiliar with the new learning standards due to the lack of time provided to prepare. Students have been affected by this because their needs are not being met as well they used to be.

Many parents are angered because they cannot control what their children are being taught especially at such a critical age. No matter what they do to try to stop it, CCLS currently seems impossible to get rid of.

How could you blame the parents for their anger? It’s not like they could just change schools to get away from it. CCLS is in every public school in forty-five different

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states. It seems almost impossible to escape.

CCLS claims to be a “onesize-fits-all” education system, but each individual has different needs and learns in their own specific way. This “one-size-fits-all” idea interferes with the creativity of growing minds.

I have learned from experience that CCLS will not work for each individual student. Every night I see my little brother’s frustration with his nightly math homework, which is often sent back home the next day with “please fix” written at the top. It’s not the topic he doesn’t understand, he simply cannot grasp how the topic is being taught to him. Clearly, it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” teaching style.

The government offered the Race to the Top funding, which consists of large grants for education to states who agreed to adopt CCLS. I don’t see how this is fair. The government does not work in the schools everyday with the students they have affected and neither does the New York State Education Department but teachers do.

The government does not understand how to provide the best education for young children, especially at the elementary age when learning is critical.

Since the state gave into the bribe of this large grant, No Child Left Behind goals will no longer be met. This means the federal

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH SINCAVAGE

A first grader at Kingsford Park Elementary School works on an assignment.

Student and parent frustration levels run high over Common Core lessons.

government has access to each student’s health history, religious beliefs, family income and each student’s record of discipline.

Somehow this invasion of privacy has allowed the federal government to place all of this information into a database. Once the information is in this database, we now have no control over who can view this information. This idea can be unsettling for some people, especially parents of young children.

Ever since the Sandy Hook

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school shooting, elementary schools have increased their security.

Placing private information in databases could allow for the wrong people to get their hands on this critical data.

CCLS has changed education in public elementary schools in the forty-five states it has been implemented in. I think parents, teachers and students against CCLS should continue to fight against the “one-size-fits-all” concept, and prove that education should come in all sorts of sizes.

February 2014

8

W

Cures for Februa

inter break is quickly approaching for everyone at Oswego High School. The seven day break is looked forward to by many students at OHS. This winter has been cold and snowy, which is not uncharacteristic for Oswego. While some students will be packing and heading to the airport, others will be bundling up and finding fun things to do in town. While at first it is exciting to sleep in for a while, eventually hanging around at home or with friends can get a little repetitive. To help fend off that vacation boredom, here are some ideas to add some excitement.

Baking

One indoor option is to bake a batch of cookies. This not only supplies the baker with a tasty dessert, but the oven also warms up the house. Cookies smell and taste great, and there are so many recipe options available on the Internet and on ingredient labels. Baking is a low cost activity. For those who want a challenge, bread is also a baking option.

It takes more time and is harder to prepare, but homemade, warm bread tastes great if it is prepared right.

Sledding For those who want to brave the cold while staying in Oswego, sledding is a fun option. The necessary components for sledding are simply a sled, a hill covered in snow, and some very warm clothing. Sleds are sold at several local stores. Other than the cost of the sled, sledding is free. Leighton Hill, the Oswego Country Club, and Fallbrook are all ideal local places for sledding.

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Skiing and snowboarding

Want to get outdoors? Skiing and snowboarding are a great idea to try during this time of year.

If you have never tried skiing or snowboarding before, it can be tough at first, but after some practice it can be a fun way to spend the day. There are several places to ski and snowboard relatively close to Oswego.

Labrador Mountain is a popular place to ski and snowboard. It is approximately one and a half hours from Oswego. Several slopes and resorts offer lessons for those who do not know how to ski or snowboard already. Equipment rental is available as well. A nine hour lift pass costs $48 at Labrador Mountain.

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ary Break Boredom

9

Snowshoeing

A trend that not many have tried is snowshoeing. It involves walking or hiking through the snow in shoes that are wider and longer than your feet. This distributes a person’s weight over a larger area, making it easier to maintain balance while walking through the snow.

Snowshoes allow people to walk trails outside during the winter without sinking into the snow.

It is surprisingly good exercise because of the additional exerted energy. Many people snowshoe on hiking trails or at parks.

Reading

Pick up a new book to read before coming back to school. Both libraries and bookstores have a wide range of books to choose from, and there is sure to be something interesting. A book suggestion is The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson, an author who grew up in central New York. The book was recently released and is about a family’s struggle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Make Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is a popular hot drink, and a great choice to help warm up over a chilly winter break. Hot chocolate can be made from scratch with a few simple ingredients such as hot milk or water, cocoa, spices like cinnamon, and whipped cream to top it off. If that sounds too complicated, there are many hot chocolate mixes that are tasty and inexpensive.

Build a Snowman

Ice Skating There is open skating at the SUNY-Oswego Campus Center, at the Crisafulli Skating Rink, and at the Cullinan Skating Rink. While it may take some time to get comfortable on skates, many enjoy the thrill of being on the ice. Even if you need to rent skates, it costs less than ten dollars to skate everywhere in Oswego.

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This serves both as something silly to do with friends and a temporary lawn decoration.

Snowmen are built by rolling snow into three balls and stacking them with the smallest ball on top for the snowman’s head. Crafting the perfect snow creature may be time consuming, but the accomplishment is worth the effort. This is a free activity, and it can be done wherever there is snow.

By Katelyn Clary and Emily Hurlbutt Reporters

IMAGES COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

February 2014

Walking the Plank

10

Meet this back flipping robotics loving senior

By Drazen Schrecengost Business Manager

Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Alexander Kouthoofd: Alexander Raymond Kouthoofd.

BB: What is something most people do not know about you?

AK: Well, I’ve been to Hawaii and I’ve jumped off the southernmost point of the United States, which is obviously in Hawaii, or more in particular, I back flipped off of the island of Oahu and landed in the Pacific Ocean.

BB: How is your senior year so far?

AK: Very crazy, but very fun and also very busy.

BB: What is your favorite school subject?

AK: Engineering classes so probably Computer Integrated Manufacturing.

BB: What about overall in your past four years at the high school?

AK: Hmm… Digital Electronics probably.

BB: What do you hope to do in college?

AK: Computer engineering or computer science. Some sort of programming.

BB: Where do you hope to go to college?

AK: Hopefully RIT. BB: Do you have any others in mind?

AK: Yeah, SUNY-Oswego. I may have signed up for one in Hawaii.

I liked it that much, but RIT is definitely my favorite.

BB: Do you play any sports?

AK: Yup, soccer for school.

BB: What position do you play?

AK: Midfielder.

BB: How do you like it? Is soccer your favorite sport?

AK: I find it very fun, but really parkour would be my favorite sport.

BB: What is your favorite childhood memory?

AK: One of my good memories is when I used to live in Brockport, we had a forest, quote unquote, because it’s actually about the size of a quarter of a city block. It was tiny like a lot where they hadn’t cut down the trees. So it was in our back yard and we would run through it and write notes on the

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trees. It was fun. I used to just hang out there with my sister.

BB: What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

AK: Smiley.

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

AK: I really have no idea. I suppose I think it would be very interesting for diversity’s sake, there’s this one person, Damien Walters, and he’s considered one of the best parkourists in the world. I think it would be really cool to talk with him. Then I go to the other side which is my programming aspect, so I figure what the heck maybe Bill Gates or someone that would be really cool For something as simple as getting to see him, maybe my best friend from Brockport, Peter.

you commit, follow through or you’re dead.” That’s mostly a parkour thing.

BB: Do you live your life by that advice?

AK: I try to, especially with doing parkour. The thing is, if you don’t commit and you’re halfway through a back flip, you’re going to land on your head, and then you’ll actually be dead.

BB: What is your favorite movie?

AK: Home Alone, the second one probably.

Alex Kouthoofd

about this one. It came down to the ability to do or remember anything you’ve seen. So you’ve seen some sort of thing and you can instantly do it or remember it. I think that’d be amazing.

BB: If you could change the world in one way, what would it be?

AK: Fix it. I was actually having a conversation about this with a friend. We were considering the world is as simple as being like a machine; there are some things that need to be fixed and some things that need to be replaced. We weren’t quite sure how we’d fix it. If we could add a technology or something, like in Star Trek where they can materialize anything, that would be the most ideal situation because you can materialize food.

BB: If you were trapped on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would they be?

AK: Trying to survive on it, obviously probably some water to start off. Preferably some sort of pocket knife kit with all sorts of materials on it so you can create stuff, and if I could have an infinite amount of battery, probably my iPad.

BB: Do you have any role models?

AK: Yup, the guy I mentioned before; Damien Walters.

BB: What sort of extracurricular activities do you participate in?

AK: Well, as I said before, I do soccer in the fall, but more in particular right now, we are doing robotics.

BB: Do you have any siblings?

AK: Two sisters, both older.

BB: What’s your biggest fear?

AK: Hmm, good question. Well, I would definitely say I would prefer not to die. So probably fear of death.

BB: What is your favorite band?

AK: Toby Mac. He’s a Christian artist.

BB: What is your most embarrassing moment?

AK: Oh okay! I would have to say definitely my most embarrassing moment for an in school situation was when I was going to show off a back flip and when I went to go do it, I over rotated and landed flat on my face. I had a bloody nose, but it was fine!

BB: What is your favorite sports team?

AK: Chelsea, a soccer team.

BB: What is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom?

AK: This is from my parkour instructor. I wrote this part down because I really liked it, he said, “Fear is the greatest barrier. Once

BB: What is your favorite T.V. show?

AK: Scrubs.

BB: What would you say sets you apart from all the other students at school?

AK: Ummm, well I can do a back flip. And I am the only one of two people in this school who I know that actually like to do computer programming especially in their spare time.

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

AK: Okay, I’ve had a lot of debate

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BB: What will you miss the most about OHS? AK: I would probably say I’d miss my friends. I think I’ll just miss the upbeat pace of the classes. I feel like I’m always rushing which is not always a good feeling, but it’s one I probably won’t get back.

BB: Do you have any advice to underclassmen?

AK: Don’t get senioritis! As long as you stay focused you’ll be fine.

And enjoy your time here or you won’t get anything out of it.

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 Drazen Schrecengost.

February 2014

Point/Counter-Point

11

Is Valentine’s Day for lovers or just a money making scheme?

By Rachael Purtell

By Victoria Armet

Although Valentine’s Day was originally a celebration of love and relationships, it has evolved into a commercial tool used for economic gain. According to Belle Reynoso, author for CNN, $18.6 billion was the predicted amount spent in America on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2012. According to StatisticBrain.com the average consumer will spend $116.21 on Valentine’s Day this month.

Each year from early December through late February, our televisions and radios are bombarded with countless commercials by stores such as Kay Jewelers, Jared Galleria of Jewelry and many more. Many of these commercials are designed to tug at the heartstrings of young women by presenting a scene of a woman being wooed by her significant other with an extravagant gift, which just so happens to be directly advertised at the end. This provides the perfect opportunity for a girl to drop a hint that she may want that item while her significant other is innocently sitting next to her trying to enjoy the movie she invited him over to watch.

The American public has been brainwashed into thinking that the only way to prove your love for someone is by the purchase of the latest piece of jewelry costing several hundred dollars. Of the $18.6 billion spent in 2012, $4.4 billion was the amount spent on gold, diamonds and silver. StatisticBrain.com says that there are currently 27,484 jewelry stores in the US alone and the average annual revenue for each of these businesses is $2.2 billion. Also, 6 million people planned or expected a marriage proposal on Valentine’s Day of 2012, thus adding the expense of a diamond ring to the mix.

Although Halloween is typically first mentioned in a conversation about candy-dominated holidays, the 1,233 locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in the US also benefit greatly from Valentine’s Day each year. StasticBrain.com reported that candy is the second gift most often given on Valentine’s Day bested only by greeting cards.

151 million is the approximate number of greeting cards exchanged on Valentine’s Day in 2012 according to Reynoso. Also, Hallmark has 1,400 varieties of greeting cards available for Valentine’s Day alone so it is no wonder that it is the one item that is most often given on Valentine’s Day each year.

Alicia Keys said it well when she sang, “Some people need three dozen roses, and that’s the only way to prove you love them.” in her hit “If I Ain’t Got You” on her second studio album which was released only three days after Valentine’s Day of 2004. Flowers are the third gift most often given on Valentine’s Day according to StatisticBrain.com and there are 24,600 florists nationwide. According to Reynoso, $1.9 billion was the amount consumers spent on flowers on Valentine’s Day in 2012.

Last but not least, what does the perfect man plan to finish off the perfect Valentine’s Day for his beloved girlfriend or wife? He takes her out to dinner at an expensive restaurant of course! Many restaurants also benefit from this holiday as people rush to reserve a table to end their romantic evening.

Juniors Colin Clark and Julia Lavery have had a pretty successful relationship considering that they are only teenagers and they have been happy together since they were in eighth grade. Clark does not believe in spending an absurd amount of money on Valentine’s Day to show his girlfriend how he feels, but rather a small yet meaningful gesture. He said, “Last year I gave her custom M&M’s with our pictures on them and a small teddy bear to go with it. I only spent a little over fifty dollars and I think she liked it a lot.”

Clearly in the modern world, Valentine’s Day has lost its original intentions of celebrating love and relationships and is simply a money making tool. Showing love and affection should not and quite frankly does not require one to spend an absurd amount of money which many businesses have persuaded the public to believe.

Webmaster

Buccaneer Bulletin

Alumni Editor

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATELYN CLARY

Valentine’s Day may mean getting chocolate, flowers and cards to some people, but behind it there is a legend of a great man named St. Valentine who is the very reason why we celebrate this day of love.

February 14 should be considered a holiday not because of the estimated 150 million to a billion cards sent out but because it gives us a day to appreciate the generous and thoughtful actions of those around us.

Most people have at least heard of St. Valentine but why?

There are many legends surrounding the story but all portray Valentine as a sympathetic, heroic, and romantic man.

One version states that Valentine was a priest in third century Rome when Emperor Claudius II outlawed the marriage of young men. He believed that men were better soldiers without the attachment of a wife and family. If the young lovers went to Valentine, he would perform their marriage in secret. Valentine was sentenced to death when Claudius discovered what he had been doing.

Other stories say that Valentine was killed after attempting to help Christians escape from Roman prisons. The prisoners were often beaten and tortured.

Valentine died to save them.

One of the stories states that Valentine was a prisoner himself. He supposedly sent a love letter to a young girl who some believe was his jailer’s daughter.

According to the story, Valentine signed the letter “From your Valentine” which is where we get the expression used today.

Besides the legends behind the holiday, it also contains interesting history that is intertwined with the idea of love. The date was either chosen to commemorate Valentine’s death, most likely around 270 C.E., or because the pagan celebration of Lupercalia was on the 15 of February.

Lupercalia was a festival of fertility dedicated to Fanus, Roman god of agriculture, and the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. During the celebration, young women put their names into an urn and all of the city’s bachelors would pick one. The man and the woman he picked would be paired together for the next year. These pairings often ended in marriage.

Valentine’s Day did not officially become associated with love until the 1300’s and Valentine’s greetings go back to the Middle Ages. Written cards appeared around 1400 and the oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife when he was imprisoned.

Along with the history surrounding the day, Valentine’s Day should be celebrated simply to give people a reason to appreciate the ones they love and those who love them.

And chocolate is always a good thing.

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February 2014

Artist of the Month

12

Future illustrator is award winning high school artist Volkomer is an award winning artist. When she was in eighth Ever since Kayla Volkomer can grade, she received an honorable remember, art has been a huge part mention for a scratch art piece in the of her life. Volkomer is a junior at Scholastic Art Competition, which is Oswego High School where she is on an elite competition where it is very highest honor roll and takes mostly rare for any middle school student to honors classes. receive recognition.

Most people know Volkomer as In 2013 she received a Silver Key a quiet and smart girl but few people in the Scholastic Art Competition know how talented she is when it for drawing and placed second in comes to art. the high school invitational art and As an artist, Volkomer is inspired photography show for a painting and by things she sees throughout her mixed media piece. day, such as colors, patterns or Recently, Volkomer received people. Volkomer’s favorite part of a Silver Key Award for her “Birds the school day is her independent in Winter” painting and honorable study in art. mentions for Her favorite her drawings M o s t p e o p l e k n o w “Artist Tools” medium is oil paints Volkomer as a quiet and and “Depression because they in the smart girl but few people Glass” do not dry Scholastic Art know how talented she is Competition. as quickly as acrylic paints Besides art, when it comes to art. do, which Volkomer also gives her more enjoys writing, time to work with it. She also enjoys jet skiing and even has her boating painting mainly people. license.

When it comes to painting, When Volkomer graduates from Volkomer describes her work as high school, she plans to attend “colorful”. She also said, “I’ve had college for art, but she has not yet people tell me that I am good with decided where she would like to perspective.” go. It was not until recently at a Volkomer is the most proud of summer art program that she realized a colored pencil drawing that she she wanted to have a career as an did of glass marbles. Volkomer said, illustrator for books. In the future, “There was a spoon too, so it was Volkomer hopes that she will live pretty hard because there were so in California and have a job as an many reflections.” illustrator and possibly a writer.

By Elizabeth Sincavage Editorial Editor

PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH SINCAVAGE

Shown above are some samples of Kayla Volkomer’s artwork.

Oswego High School Drama Club Open Mic!

When: Saturday, February 22, 2014 Time: 6pm- 9pm Where: Bottom level of Canal Commons on West First Street Price: $3.00 presale tickets and $5.00 at the door What: A fun event for everyone full of entertainment, raffles, refreshments, and more. Anyone who comes to perform will recieve one ticket to enter into any of the raffles! Invite your friends and family!

For more information and presale tickets, please speak to Jordan Oatman, Megan Shafer, or Ryan Smith

Buccaneer Bulletin

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February 2014

Entertainment

13

The world needs people who read and write well

By Laurelann Easton Art Director

Over the years, English as a language has steadily declined, and less emphasis has been placed on reading, words and language as a whole. The lack of importance placed on these things makes communication more difficult and poorly executed.

Communication these days is done through the use of technology. People hide behind the screens of their devices to say what they want to say, but most don’t have the brave mind to say things to the others’ faces.

The problem is partially due to technology, but people do not know how to use words to express their thoughts anymore, and words are very important in their usage. For one, they’re a reason people can have conversations and express their thoughts to each other.

Sometimes I’ll be having a conversation with someone and they’ll say, “Well, this happened, so…”

I know too many people who do this quite often and it gets frustrating. They’ll stop mid-sentence, not completing their thought, and I think it’s because they don’t really know where they were going with their statement.

There’s a lack of critical thinking involved that would further such a phrase, which isn’t happening as the phrase simply ends awkwardly. It could also be a matter of needing to think before you speak, but that’s another story completely.

It’s the same as saying an unfinished thought or just not knowing how to communicate your ideas as well. The sentence could easily end with, “Well, this happened.” The “so” or using “and” while trailing off as though to imply something you’re not saying is leaving it up to the other person to know what you’re trying to say without you saying it.

No matter how far we are advanced with technology, we can’t forget that no one can read your mind. This is where thinking comes in handy. Stop being cavemen and start using your words.

The inability to finish thoughts like this could be helped if there was a greater emphasis placed on words and the language they make up in and outside of class. Listening to how teenagers speak today and even some adults from what they pick up from their children or students, English has changed a lot.

Words no longer mean the same things as they did when used years ago in the time of Shakespeare or earlier. Poetry held real meaning that people actually had to dig for.

In comparison, if a high school student from even thirty years ago were to talk to a student from the present, I think they’d both be confused by the differences in language and phrases even though they’re both speaking what is called English.

While it’s beneficial to understand and recognize these differences of language because of time, it’s still important to know how to use the grammar involved in speaking or writing English. When you learn a new language, you acquire the grammar for it, and it’s clear that it’s not the same from what you primarily know for English. Somewhere down the line in growing up at school, grammar is lost and not emphasized by English teachers.

In the foreign language setting, though, those teachers do place importance on grammar. Some teachers who have been to other countries to better understand their second language realize how important grammar can be. It can change the other person’s understanding of what you’re saying if you don’t use the proper grammar associated with the language and can be the difference between whether or not you’re offending them.

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I asked language teacher Mrs. Patricia Shene what she thinks the importance of language is, and she replied with her trip to Moscow in mind. “Learning Russian enabled me to spend a semester in Moscow, which taught me more about myself but also more about life and other people. These days we travel the world in a matter of hours, and in most places many people speak English, and while that is convenient for us, it speaks volumes about our priorities here in the USA. Besides, in a foreign land, are we to always trust that others will translate accurately for us? We need to know foreign languages, period.

It helps individuals understand themselves better; it promotes crosscultural empathy in our ever-increasingly interconnected world.”

Something students ask, I’ve noticed, is why PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN they need to read so many Senior Stephen Waite reads a book in the library. The library is accessible to books for English class all students, which means no one should have an excuse not to read. and turn in numerous papers about those books. a great student they are, and whether or not they do Reading is actually important, though most don’t so with the abbreviations that should be reserved for seem to share that thought. English teachers use texting could be the fine line between whether or not reading as a way to engage your mind in critical they get accepted. thinking. If your mind isn’t engaged and forced to While the “word of the day” is there to try to think in new ways, then what are you really learning increase students’ vocabulary, it’s not just students in school? You won’t be learning anything if your who could step it up with their use of language and mind is left to drain out of your ear as you drool on words. your desk.

Mrs. Sarah Williams, an English teacher for Opening your mind to the possibilities of reading freshmen and seniors, said, “It is fine for people to and analyzing a book opens new ideas to you about use colloquial language and slang when appropriate, the piece of work, and if you can communicate the but to also know when to be more formal and proper. thoughts such analysis brings to others, that’s opening This is something teachers must be able to delineate more doors to further understanding what you’re and teach to students. We see aspects of life that were reading. Though it’s not necessary for all books to be common fifty years ago — cursive writing, letter analyzed, there can be a greater appreciation for the writing, speaking in person — have become less work if some higher thinking is placed in it. Little emphasized and important to many, especially our appreciation is shown by students anymore towards youth. That makes the teaching we do on those topics books and reading. even more valuable and important.”

When you write those analysis papers for your If teachers were to put more emphasis on things teachers, they don’t expect to be handed something like language and words, students would know these written in the text used for sending messages to things and use them more effectively as we all should your friends. Technology hasn’t been helpful to be able to. communication in that way because if you’re in It’s not just on a personal or classroom level the habit of writing that style for your teachers, that reading, words and language become important you’ll take that habit with you to exams where other and beneficial. As a society, we’d be lost without teachers might not be so understanding of your such things. Communication overall is key to how writing when grading your essays or responses. society functions, which we’ve proven with all the Knowing how to write well and use words technology out there these days that is supposedly effectively can help students out greatly for their meant to aid it. Williams also said, “I do not know futures, especially when applying for jobs and how one learns, communicates, or works without sending out applications to colleges. any of these concepts. Speaking and listening are Colleges and universities place an essay in their becoming lost arts given the use of technology.” applications to see how well you can write while still Before dismissing the basic necessities of knowing finding out a little bit about you. It’s critical to being and properly utilizing the language you speak and the accepted that a student shows them his or her best. words involved, it’s best to recognize where society They can write an essay for the college about what is today. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

February 2014

14

Sports

Vital contributions of volunteer assistant coaches Many Oswego High School sports teams enjoy the benefits of volunteer assistant coaches, but are these individuals truly recognized for their services to their teams?

By Rachael Purtell Webmaster

Although it is easy to credit the success of a sports team to its head coach, it is not often that people recognize the volunteers who have a very important role in making the success of the team possible.

Of these many contributors, most of the sports teams here at Oswego High School have at least one unpaid volunteer assistant coach who plays a vital role and is important to everyone in the program.

Girls’ varsity soccer coach Kyle Boeckmann has had experience as an assistant coach at the varsity level and as a head coach at both the junior varsity and varsity levels.

“I think being an assistant coach has its pros and cons,” said Boeckmann. “You are not reliable for the performance of the team yourself as the head coach has much more responsibility. You are able to coach and interact like a head coach without all of the responsibilities.”

Boeckmann spent about twenty hours a week working with former head coach Brian Greene and Boeckmann helped Greene run practices, collaborated on different ideas, worked on formations and came up with a solid team lineup.

Boeckmann says that his experience as an assistant rewarded him mainly by the knowledge gained from “If you Greene. Boeckmann said, “I love soccer and it from working with kids and pocket was really excited to be able to work with them even on a volunteer basis.”

In order to be an assistant coach, one must be certified in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), concussion management, and take several coaching classes as well as child abuse classes.

“Physical education teachers are basically certified to coach. If you are a classroom teacher, you have to go through a set of certifications through the state and you can gain a coaching certification through that.

If you are a non-teacher, then it gets even more extreme because you have to take certain child abuse classes

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that teachers have already taken to get certified to teach,” said Athletic Director Michael Conners.

Conners is also the head coach of the varsity football team and worked with several other coaches throughout the fall season.

Frank Bahamonde worked mostly with the defense whereas Conners worked mostly with the offense and Eric Sherman worked with the backs and receivers. They all worked with each other to piece together who would do what at each practice and divided up the paperwork responsibilities among themselves.

“As a head PHOTO BY RACHAEL PURTELL coach, you are only Above former OHS basketball player and current assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach as good as the people Kristina Lavery explains a play to OHS Senior Maddie Muckey. Lavery has her own around you,” said experiences from playing for head coach Michael Palmitesso to help her coach the girls.

Conners. “And if the some coaches are comfortable with will really help us.” assistant coaches do different things but I think everything The legality of today’s society not buy into the total philosophy of centers around respect and how has made it harder and harder to find the program, then the program is not they gain that respect. They do it in assistant coaches. In previous years, going to prosper, so we all have to be different fashions, different manners people helped just for the sake of on the same page and operate under and it’s up to each individual to helping, but now everyone has to be the same philosophy.” establish that line between themselves certified in various things to avoid Before each season Conners sets and the athletes,” said Conners. legal conflict. Certification to become up a philosophical statement which Maddie Muckey is a senior on a volunteer assistant coach can cost is a 35 page document that contains the girls’ varsity basketball team an individual in the vicinity of $500 plays, semantics, and terminology to this year. The team’s head coach because of all the courses needed. be used within the program in order is Michael Palmitesso and the two “If you see someone out there for coaching to remain consistent. assistant coaches are Kristina Lavery doing it (assistant coaching), you Conners also said that the major and Jim Muckey. know they are doing it from the heart advantages of having assistant “We should be just as respectful because it is costing them money out coaches are having the extra sets of of their pocket to do it,” said Conners. hands to help teach at practice and for to our assistant coaches (as we are On the topic of whether or not assistant see someone out there doing it, you know they are doing coaches should be the heart because it is costing them money out of their paid, Maddie Muckey stated, “I think it would to do it.” probably be a way to ~Michael Conners recognize how good OHS Atheletic Director they are.”

Again, assistant coaches often do not purposes of pre-practice supervision. to the head coach) but it is a little receive as much recognition as they “There can be a point where bit easier to talk to them and ask deserve for the hours they volunteer. you sometimes can get too many questions, so it is easier to approach Although they are not paid, their work assistants and then you have too them,” said Maddie Muckey. is appreciated by the athletes, other many ideas, too many thoughts, and Maddie Muckey also stated, coaches on their team, and many too many suggestions, then kids hear “Usually Coach P will explain others involved in the program. too many messages and they get something and then if we do not We, at the Buccaneer Bulletin, confused,” said Conners about the understand or if there is a point that would like to extend thanks and disadvantage of assistant coaches. he did not emphasize well, Kristina or recognition to all the assistant Respect for these volunteer coaches in the Oswego City School assistants is also an issue that must be Jim will explain how to do it better.

District for all their hard work and addressed by everyone involved in the They are really helpful, especially Kristina because she has been through contributions as our sports programs program from head coach to athletes the program before and she is closer would not flow nearly as successfully to parents. “Each person kind of to our age so she understands what without them. settles in how they relate to the kids, www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

February 2014

Sports

Cuomo opens fire on gun owners to buy ammunition just like a background check is required to buy a firearm.

The NY SAFE Act gave the state the “toughest” gun laws in the country. The laws also came with some unexpected consequences. Three gun companies have left or are in the process of leaving New York in favor of another state where the gun laws aren’t as severe.

Kahr Arms is moving their headquarters from The New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms New York to Pennsylvania. American Tactical Enforcement Act (NY SAFE Act) of 2013 is a Imports is moving to South Carolina. Remington complicated new law that was passed on January 15, Arms is currently scouting future locations in the 2013. The NY SAFE Act was passed in the wake state of Tennessee. AR15.com left the Finger Lakes of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in region for Texas.

Connecticut.

With these The NY companies on SAFE Act is their way out very difficult of New York, to understand. this will layoff Having read a surprising through the number of people. document a It is currently number of times, a struggle to it still doesn’t create jobs in make complete the state, and sense. It defines this just added a an “assault large number of weapon” as a workers in search semiautomatic of jobs. rifle that has an The act is ability to accept a flawed piece a detachable of legislature magazine and has that is not only at least two unique unpopular with characteristics, voters, but it is a semiautomatic unconstitutional. shotgun that has The act infringes at least one unique on the people’s characteristic, or right to bear arms. a semiautomatic It is the right of pistol that has an the people to PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES ability to accept own a firearm Signs like the one above have been showing up in the front a detachable with “military” lawns of many homeowners throughout the state protesting magazine and has attachments if the NY SAFE Act. The North Country Friends Of The 2nd at least one unique Amendment are selling them. they so please. characteristic.

As long as the According to attachments are the NY SAFE Act, these are military characteristics. obtained legally, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Unique characteristics for a rifle include a folding Sheriff’s offices throughout the state told law or telescoping stock, a pistol grip that protrudes enforcement not to enforce the seven round provision conspicuously beneath the action, a bayonet mount, a of the SAFE Act because they disagree with it and flash suppressor or a threaded barrel that is designed find it unconstitutional. There were 1,146 felony and to accommodate a flash suppressor or a grenade 17,751 misdemeanor gun charges in New York in launcher.

2013 because of the SAFE Act. For shotguns, unique characteristics are a folding The NY SAFE Act makes everyday people into or telescoping stock, a pistol grip that protrudes criminals unnecessarily. Everyday people are getting conspicuously beneath the action, or a fixed arrested and charged for unreasonable laws. The magazine in excess of five rounds. charges then stay with that person for the rest of their The unique characteristics for handguns are an life whether they were convicted, found innocent or ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol had the charges against them dropped. outside of its grip, a threaded barrel capable of The NY SAFE Act was rushed through the New accepting an extension, and a shroud that allows York State Legislature. The law didn’t seem to be the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger fully thought out when it was created. It doesn’t hand without being burned. The handgun also cannot seem to make complete sense and seems to be an weigh more than fifty ounces when it is unloaded. overreaction to Sandy Hook.

It also bans the use of “high-capacity The NY SAFE Act should be repealed completely magazines.” In other words, magazines that exceed or at least revised after it is reviewed and thought ten rounds cannot be sold in New York. Ten round over a bit more. The law should remove provisions magazines can be sold. However, these ten round like how an unloaded handgun cannot weigh more magazines can hold a maximum of seven rounds in than fifty ounces, folding or telescoping stocks for the magazine at all times. The seven round provision rifles and shotguns are not allowed to be attached, was voided by federal courts. or how it is illegal to attach a shroud to a handgun.

The act also bans the Internet sale of assault These provisions are illogical and need to be weapons. It also requires a background check in order reviewed.

Buccaneer Bulletin

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15

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

* The girls’ indoor track team had a strong performance at the CNYCL Track and Field Championships. * The 4x200 relay team members each had personal best splits and ran a season best of 2:02.2 to earn fourth place for the Lady Bucs. * Vanessa Wiltsie, a member of the 4x200 relay team, shattered her previous best time in the 300 meter dash with a time of 50.4 to place fourth. * Chloe Patterson clocked a personal best of 2:03.7 in the 600 meter run, and placed fifth for the Bucs.

5 years ago... (2009)

* Swimmer Drake Becksted broke two records as a freshman. * Becksted placed in the nation’s top ten swimmers in the 13-14 age division. * Becksted was also an Olympic hopeful. * The boys’ varsity swim team had an excellent season.

10 years ago... (2004)

* Cheerleaders were challenged by Red Planet skateboarders to break down the clique barrier. * As a result, Nick Guzman became the first male cheerleader. * With no experience, Guzman made the varsity team.

15 years ago... (1999)

* 16 year old Henrique Gomes, a Brazilian exchange student, played on the boys’ varsity soccer team. * Gomes played with Coach Ron Ahart for half the season due to an injury. * Gomes also played for Syracuse Blitz’s Arsenal under-19 team.

20 years ago... (1994)

* The girls’ bowling team was re-introduced to Oswego High School. * This was the first time in eight years with a girls’ bowling team. * The team was very successful and successfully trained beginners. * It all started when boys’ bowling team member, Duane Gills, asked if any girls were interested in joining the team.

25 years ago... (1989)

* The OHS girls’ varsity cross country team had their best year ever finishing with an end result of 6-5. * Junior captain Pam Locy had a banner year for the Lady Bucs. * Freshmen played an important part in the season, with Theresa Thomas and Meghan Victory ranking among the best. *The Lady Bucs also took first at the Freihofer’s Run for Women.

February 2014

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Volume 2 Number 4

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

February 2014

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

HUNTER IZYK Hockey has been a family activity for Oswego High School senior Hunter Izyk ever since his brother played when he was younger.

It was his brother’s influence that led his parents to sign Izyk up for hockey when he was just three years old. A lot has changed from age three to age seventeen but one thing that has not is his love for the game.

Izyk is an all around athlete and a hard working student. As a senior, Izyk has a great plan for his future and will begin tackling his goals by attending Utica College to major in cyber security. Not only will Izyk be meeting his academic goals at Utica, but he will also be meeting his athletic goals there.

Izyk was recruited by Utica’s D3 lacrosse program and is planning on committing to the school soon.

Hockey consumes many young boys’ lives as many teenage boys hope to be a part of Bucpuck. Izyk worked very hard to make the team and is now an essential part of the Buc’s defense. Izyk has been playing on the varsity hockey team since sophomore year.

The varsity hockey team has been a strong team for the past few years giving Izyk the chance to be a part of sectionals, sectional championships, and even states.

Izyk said, “My favorite memory from hockey was going to states. It was an awesome atmosphere and I was able to see teams from much higher levels compete.”

As a senior player this year Izyk has many important responsibilities; one of the biggest is setting a good example for his younger teammates on and off the ice. Bryce Hourigan, a freshman on the varsity hockey team, looks up to Hunter and said, “Hunter is a great leader. He is always working hard whether it is practice or a game. He also is always there to answer any questions you need.”

Although Izyk has big goals for his future, he also has many for himself and his hockey team. Izyk is very confident with his team this year and plans to keep working hard to make it to sectionals this season.

As far as individual goals go, Izyk wants to play every game to the best of his ability in order to leave his mark on the varsity hockey team. Izyk has been a part of the team for many years and said, “What I will miss most about being a part of the hockey team is all of my friends.

Most of the boys on the team are some of my best friends and I will miss all the memories we have made throughout the years.”

By Isabella Winklestine Sports Editor

PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

MADDIE MUCKEY

Senior Maddie Muckey belongs to a family dedicated to basketball since she was in third grade. Muckey was introduced to basketball by a neighbor who was a basketball coach. Soon after that Muckey fell in love with the sport and so did her father who became a coach himself.

Muckey is a hard worker and a dedicated athlete who has been a point guard on the girls’ varsity basketball team for three years. During Muckey’s junior year, she tore her ACL playing soccer.

Muckey, however, did not let this stop her. She said, “Tearing my ACL made me realize how much I love playing and how big of an impact sports had on my life. It also motivates me to make every game count.”

Her love for the game and dedication over the years has been noticed by many, especially the head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team, Mike Palmitesso. “Maddie shows up to practice every day with a positive attitude. Not only does she work hard in the season but she is also a hard worker in the off season. Maddie went to several guard camps to better learn her position. Maddie also has very good listening skills and always tries to do what is asked of her. The most important role Muckey has on the team is to take leadership. She always knows when to take leadership when she is on the court, “said Palmitesso.

Having played on five different basketball leagues throughout her life, Muckey has lots of experience playing the game which makes her an important player on the varsity team. Muckey was picked to be one of the three captains on the varsity basketball team.

Although being a captain is a challenging role, Muckey enjoys it and said, “I like being a captain because I can help answer questions that the girls have. Being captain puts a lot more pressure on you to not make as many mistakes.

Also you always have to remember that you are setting an example for how your other teammates react to different situations that come up.”

Teammate Brenna Riley said, “Maddie is a good basketball player because she never gives up and always hustles. She is also a great leader; she keeps everyone smiling and encourages everyone to do better.”

Not only is Muckey surrounded by basketball in school but also at home. Jim Muckey who is Maddie’s father has been a basketball coach for many years and coached Maddie her sixth grade year. Having a dad for a coach can be challenging said Maddie, “Having a dad for a coach can be helpful if I ever have any questions. It can get annoying though when I want to go home relax and forget about basketball.”

Muckey has many great plans for the future. By attending SUNY Oswego next year, Muckey will start the journey of becoming a counselor who specializes in addictions. Muckey will do this by majoring in counseling and human development. Focusing on her studies is key to Muckey which is why she will not be playing basketball at Oswego.

Being a senior and her last basketball season is hard for Muckey. There are many things Muckey will miss but she said, “I will miss the girls the most.

We have been playing with each other since we were eight and not being able to see them every day will be hard.”

Muckey will leave with many memories from her OHS basketball career but she will always cherish her favorite memory which is scoring the winning basket in seventh grade at a tournament with only seconds left on the clock.

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.