Buccaneer Bulletin
Oswego High School’s Student Voice
Volume 15 Number 7 June 2012
Retirees Say Goodbye -Pages 6&7 Millennium Milestone -Pages 8 &9
Photos courtesy of ohs paradox Photo illustrations by taylor falls & chloe martin
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Editorial
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Buccaneer Bulletin
Drawing Board
Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editor-in-Chief Mackenzie Oatman Managing Editor/Webmaster Madison Rhoades Layout Editor Chloe Martin Chief Photographer Patrick Baer Art Staff Alexis Daniels Paige Daniels Business Manager Taylor Falls Senior Writer Justin Peterson Ad Representative Casey Caroccio Sports Editor Carlie Morley Reporters Kara Collins Lauren Daniels Alanna Maldonado Adrienne McDougal Gabrielle Sacco Alumni Editor Kaleigh Fitzsimmons Advisers Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200. It is intended as a vehicle to inform, educate, and entertain the student body. Printing services are provided by The PalladiumTimes. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers. On the Cover Featured on the cover are seniors in the Top 25, Highest Honor, High Honor Roll, Honor Roll, NHS, and the senior staff of the Buccaneer Bulletin. The five retirees, Mr. McCrobie, Mr. Reed, Mrs. Shaver, Mr. Brown, and Mrs. Phillips. We at the Buc Bulletin would like to wish you all congratulations for your achievements this year, and throughout your academic careers!
Buccaneer Bulletin
cartoon by Alexis and paige daniels
. . . to OHS junior Liam McMahon who just finished a project for NHS, presenting a video and power point at local churches to educate people about malaria and what we can do to stop the spread of the disease in Africa. . . . to the junior class and their advisers for putting on a great prom. The music was great, the decorations were perfect, and the photo booth was a huge hit. . . .to all of our varsity teams who qualified for sectionals. Boys’ varsity baseball, softball, boys’ varsity lacrosse, girls’ varsity lacrosse, boys’ tennis, and girls’ varsity golf all competed in the post-season sectionals, as well as many individual athletes from the track programs. . . . to the very moving and emotional Mock DWI program last month. We’ll never know if a life was saved or decisions changed due the presentation, but the message was clearly sent. Thanks to student participants, Oswego Police and Fire Departments, SADD Club advisers and everyone who made this event successful.
. . . to the “Welcome to Oswego--Home of the Buccaneers” banner on the fence outside Wilber Field sagging and missing a section after a recent wind storm. It’s a great sign, but it would be nice if it was hanging correctly and returned to its original condition. . . . to the cafeteria only selling dixie cups of ice cream for the remaining days of school. We miss our sundae crunch bars and nutter butter cones! . . . to the Top 100 dinner mix-up. Apparently, many people who did not make it into the Top 100 received letters in the mail, only to find out that MORE THAN 100 invitations were sent. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com
June 2012
Editorial In Our View . . .
Where We’ve Been; Where We’re Going Spring weather the temperature of bathwater, another summer in Oswego is just on the horizon. A final paper handed in, a final Buccaneer Bulletin published, a final sectional game played. The last days of the last month of our senior year are unfolding like a daydream. Are we already here? It’s not easy to think about. But it is easy to think about where we want to go. We want to go to a university; we want find a job; we want to seek out our first dingy apartment and split rent among three roommates. We want to go on dates, we want to travel to Russia, or Niagara Falls, or Carousel Center in Syracuse (if you’re the type who doesn’t like to get too far away). We want to have kids, we want to go to the office, or the studio, or the athletic fields, or the classroom. We want to meet big names; we want to make useful connections. We want to get introduced to people who will keep our hearts forever, and we want to visit people who have had our hearts from the start. It’s also easy to think about where we have been. Once we were Power-Ranger-loving, lightup-sneaker-wearing, runny nose-wiping children, waiting at the corner to board the big yellow bus that would take us to meet our first elementary school classmates. We were the first new students of the first decade of the 21st century. Before we had the chance to learn how to spell our names, a monumental New Year arrived. We danced around the living room as December 31,1999 casually slipped into January 1,
2000 without the world ending or all the computers crashing (back then there was still a difference). The decade beginning in 2000 fostered vibrant childhoods that we slipped through in happy oblivion. We passed time in backyards, on roadtrips and field trips. Through family events and long friendships. Maybe you fell in love and maybe you suffered a heartbreak. We earned passing grades and attended dance class or marching band or hockey practice. We’ve been all around Oswego, the community that served as home base for every single one of us, whether we started here or found our way here on a separate accord. It’s given us the second best sunset, (or possibly the third depending on which magazine you look at). It’s given us snow and sun and water. We’ve visited its eerie little fort leftover from the Civil War and watched countless films in its endearing little movie theater. Oswego is our eccentric small town, consisting of very human people. It’s easy to think about the things that have passed. It’s easy to think about the things that lie in the future. It’s just hard to think about how it happened so quickly. Suddenly the past is over and our futures are planned. We’re standing at the edge of Oswego in our prime. We’re like a mass of chaotic energy condensed in one small space. The moment we graduate, an outward movement consisting of 300 nervous teenagers will begin, and it will never stop. We will be one more ripple in the water which starts with a tiny drop and expands-gracefully and quickly. Way too quickly.
Senior Golfers Are ‘Aces’ to Teammate
Dear Senior Girls’ Golfers, First off, I would like to say that yes, golf is a sport. It may not be as fast-paced and adrenaline-filled as lacrosse or as filled with strategy as softball, but the definition of a sport is something that takes skill and practice to master. Golf takes just that. I find myself at a loss for words about what to say to the seniors who are leaving the girls’ golf team. Searching for inspiration, I’m trying to think of what the team is going to look like next year without our seniors, and let me tell you, it’s not pretty. So contemplating next year, and how we’re going to pull off at least one victory, I realize how thankful I am to have been able to get to know each of you. Anyone on an athletic team can relate to the stress you feel as senior night approaches; who’s going to make what signs, and which teammate is going to bring which snack, and how on earth are we supposed to get shirts made in time?! But what matters is that the seniors know how much you appreciate them. On the girls’ golf team, we appreciate our seniors to the fullest. Not only do we appreciate them, we love them. What would our team look like without Sarah Gosek? We would probably be with a record of 0-8 and completely dysfunctional (okay, okay, we’re already completely dysfunctional, but it wouldn’t be a pretty sight). How miserable would the team have been without the humor of Abby Atkins? And what would Abby’s humor be without the sarcastic looks from Caroline Reynolds? How about all the advice from Michaela Kearns and the hilarious essence of Hannah Allen? Aside from the matches we’ve won this year (and yes, we have won some), I’d like to thank all of you for giving me the best role models I could ever ask for. Having someone as established as Sarah (both on and off the course) tell you she’s proud of you is an incredible feeling. Laughing along with each of you has brightened the worst of days. From my golf team, I’ve learned acceptance, but more importantly, I’ve learned the true definition of family. We watch out for each other and support each other Your teammate, completely. Lauren Daniels Thank you to each and every one of you seniors and good luck in all that you do!
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3
What’s Your Opinion?
“Where do you see yourself ten years from now?” Cassie Collins
Senior “Opening my own pastry shop and graduating from Johnson and Wales. I won’t have a family because I hate kids.”
Matt Fay Senior
“Going to OCC and leaving Oswego.”
Skylar Hilton
Senior “Going to Potsdam college and becoming a dance teacher. I want to open a studio near Pulaski.”
Carlie Fredette
Senior “I see myself with a steady career and a happy family after attending CCC to study liberal arts. Then, hopefully I’ll be doing something in the medical field.”
Nathan McKean
Senior “I’m going to Alfred University for Mechanical Engineering. I’m going to move to Vancouver and live off the fat of the land...or get a job in engineering”
June 2012
Features
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Life-long Friends Patrick and Frazier Finish at Top of Class Buccaneer Bulletin: What do the titles valedictorian and salutatorian mean to you? Ryan Patrick: That I’ve worked hard to be at the top of the class as far as grades go, and it’s an honor to be rewarded with the title. Tori Frazier: To me it means that we worked really hard to achieve this status and that everything has paid off. BB: How did you feel when you were granted the titles? RP: I’ve been working since freshman year, and there was a lot of pressure for me to be named valedictorian, so I tried to always stay the top dog. It was a relief to finally have it announced. Tori: Unlike Ryan, I was not always at the top. I was more in the middle, and each year I gradually worked my way up. When I made the top five, my grades just kept getting better and when it became official it was a really cool feeling. BB: You have lived down the street from each other your whole lives, but when did you meet? TF: We met when we were seven, in school, and we were neighbors, so we would hangout. RP: Yeah, we always played neighborhood games. BB: Where are you each going to college? TF: LeMoyne RP: Princeton BB: Did you always work towards being valedictorian and salutatorian? TF: I didn’t want to get my hopes up and not get it, but I always tried hard to do well in school. RP: It was always my goal. BB: If each of you could describe your experience at OHS in just one word, what would it be? RP: Ballin’ TF: Eventful BB: What will you major in in college? TF: Childhood education and Spanish RP: I’m leaning towards chemistry, but it’s still uncertain. BB: Are you nervous or excited for college? RP: I’m pumped, I can’t wait to expand my horizons and meet a bunch of new people and see the opportunities I will be
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BB: Something about OHS you would change if you could? TF: You should be able to use your phone in lunch and study hall. RP: More AP classes offered; the selection is pretty bad. BB: Biggest fear? RP: Being buried alive then dying while being buried alive TF: Heights
Photo courtesy of the paradox
Ryan Patrick
presented. TF: I’m really excited; it’s like the next stepping stone in my life. BB: Do either of you have a role model? TF: My mom because she always comes through for me and seeing her go back to school herself inspired me. RP: My role model is not my mom (sorry mom, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person), but I don’t have one definitive role model. I model different parts of my life around different people who are good at different things. BB: Does school work come easy to you, or do you have to work hard for your grades? TF: It depends on the subject. I will say it does come more easily to me than most others however. RP: Don’t mean to sound incredibly arrogant, but it comes very easily to me. I study for my AP tests and other big tests, though. BB: What will you miss most about Oswego when you leave for college? RP: Without a doubt, my friends. TF: My friends and my family. BB: What is your favorite OHS memory? RP: Senior trip, it was awesome. Also state final four for varsity volleyball. TF: All of the orchestra events I’ve taken part in. BB: What are your hobbies? RP: Just hanging out really. I’m pretty busy with sports and college stuff.
Photo courtesy of the paradox
Victoria Frazier
TF: Either hanging out with people, or working on orchestra stuff. I’ve also coached soccer and helped out in elementary school. BB: Are you nervous to give your speeches at graduation? RP: I am incredibly nervous. There are going to be a ton of people there, and it’s pretty intimidating. Plus everyone’s expecting my speech to be better than Jeremy Gosek’s, which was very good. TF: I’m nervous as well because I don’t really have a lot of public speaking experience. BB: What will your speeches be centered around? Is there any specific tone you’re going for? RP: I am just going to be very sarcastic, and make fun of everyone including myself. TF: I haven’t really decided yet. BB: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? RP: I’m looking to have a wife, possibly of the trophy variety, well set into a career, and maybe two kids. TF: As a teacher, with a husband, kids and a dog. BB: Do you have a favorite quote? RP: A John Lennon quote: “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” TF: “Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss you will land in the stars.”
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BB: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? RP: I wanted to be an inventor, but I wasn’t really good at inventing stuff. TF: I ranged from wanting to be a princess to a lawyer. BB: Favorite school subject? RP: Chemistry and AP Psych TF: Orchestra BB: If you could pick three people in the world, alive or dead, to have dinner with, who would they be? TF: Michael Jackson, Johnny Depp, the Beatles RP: Marissa Miller, Heidi Klum when she was younger, and Natalie Portman BB: What kind of stuff did you guys do when you were growing up together, and do you still see each other a lot socially? RP: Well, Tori brings me to school every morning, but we don’t really hangout or anything because we’re into different stuff. TF: When we were younger we got together and played games like Four Square and basketball and Capture the Flag, and play night games when it got dark since our street has no street lights. BB: Do either have you have any stories to share about when you were younger? TF: One time all of us from the neighborhood were hanging out, and Ryan had longer hair than he does now, and we took clips and hair ties and made his hair all pretty and then took a picture. RP: Well, Tori tended to be more responsible than me in our freshman and sophomore years, and if I ever forgot books or homework assignments I would get her to either lend them to me or have her copy them, so…I probably wouldn’t be valedictorian if it weren’t for the salutatorian.
June 2012
Columns
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Class of 2013--Graduation is Only 13 Months Away
I’ve always been the overachiever of all my friends. Back in elementary and middle school, while everyone was having fun, enjoying childhood, I kept myself on a strict schedule of no play and all work. I believed I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up and what college I was going to. I thought I had planned every the little detail of my life. My intentions were that everything would fall right into place and I’d have no worries and have the perfect life. Now, looking back on it, I sometimes regret not enjoying myself more. I lost most of my childhood
that I’ll never get back. I seemed to have lost all that I’ll be in that position in just one short year! sense of time, because I just realized in one year I All of my friends would probably argue that I am will be graduating from high school. completely ready for college and I can’t wait to get Time flew by and I never thought the day would out of this place and away from my family because come where I leave everything I know behind I say it all the time. What they are hearing is my and live in a foreign place with people I “tough girl” front. I’m not ready. I’ll admit it, I’ll don’t know. Most of this sounds cliché, in miss Oswego; it’s where I grew up. How can I not that most people have this uncertainty and fear about Time flew by and I never thought the day college, but honestly, I don’t know what I’m would come where I leave everything I doing. know behind and live in a foreign place As we dropped my older brother off at with people I don’t know. college for the first time, I couldn’t help but notice the sheer terror in his eyes as we left him standing in the miss it? Without my family, I’ll have no one. To be doorway of his dorm. I’ll never forget that day, and I completely honest, I’m terrified to walk across that never want to feel the pain he felt. I saw the pain of stage and grab hold of that OHS diploma. I’m just leaving all of his friends and having to start over in a glad that I have 12 months before it becomes reality. new place right on his face. It’s a terrifying thought Editor’s Note: Diploma photo by Patrick Baer.
Sophomore Says Goodbye to Graduating Best Friends
Fast forward to September. It’s the first day of school. Junior year! It’s taken me so long to prepare for this big day. After deciding what to wear, I grab all my pens and notebooks fill
my book bag, and I’m out the door. I walk through the doors of OHS and in the halls, only to be without my best friends. It’s not that I lost them in the opening-day crowd, but they have moved on to college, while I’m stuck in high school. This will be happening to me for the second year in a row in September. It’s not easy and I wish I could stop it. My best friends have been by my side always, and now they’ll be miles away, only to be contacted by phone or social media. Long distances can seriously
affect friendships, and they will. Last year, I had my best friend, whom I had known since I was just a few days old, graduate and move two and a half hours away to take on bigger and better things in college. Early in the fall, we continued to talk via text message and Skype every chance we got. But as the weeks went on, that turned into talking once a day, and eventually only once a week with our busy schedules. When you’re in the same places, it is much easier to keep friendships alive because, though there may be age differences, you end up bumping into
Photo courtesy of Google images
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each other around town. But when you’re separated by hundreds of miles and experiencing different things, it’s not exactly an easy task. Long weekends and school holidays will come around and we’ll finally be given the chance to hang out and catch up, only to be pulled away from each other again. I have learned a lot about what you have to do to keep someone in your life. But sometimes the obstacles feel as easy to overcome as running a marathon. Knowing that this will be happening again in September is what is the hardest. Two great friends whom I have become so close to, will both be gone. Though it sounds like it’s all bad, there is a positive side. You now are alone, but what are you going to do? Cry? No, this creates a new opportunity to go out and meet new people and maybe find someone who could fill that vacant role of a “best friend.” Summer is right around the corner and my friends will be home, but come September, I will be all alone once again. But I know when I get my book bag and head through the doors of OHS on September 5, that just because my best friends are not by my side, doesn’t mean that they won’t always be there for me. So appreciate your friendships, and if they’re good, hold onto them forever!
June 2012
Features
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A Curtain Call for English Teacher Mrs. Eve Phillips direction,” she said. Phillips and her husband have purchased a house in North Carolina, near her children and grandchildren, but she also plans to keep her house here in Oswego. She would like to
really important that we demonstrate integrity for our students; we must admit wrong.” She said she tries to do her best all the time, and when she does, it radiates outward. “I have no favorite teaching
honor.” Phillips has been the head of the This month the curtain closes English Department for the past six on a long and rewarding career for years, and she is the stage director for Oswego High School English teacher the school musicals. She is very artsy, Eve Phillips. Retiring after teaching and directed the Drama Club for many thirty years at OHS, years as well. Phillips has made a “I’ve made many dear lasting impression on friends here, some who thousands of students. are former students who I Though she originally still keep in touch with,” had a degree in teaching Phillips said, “This is a elementary education, profession where you can Phillips’ legacy will be really connect with many the amazing musicals people and touch their that she’s produced for lives, as my own teachers years. did to me, which they “I spent a lot of won’t forget. It’s a very time subbing at the fulfilling profession and high school level, I I can’t imagine anything really loved it here, else for me.” more than with the little It’ll be sad to see Mrs. kids,” Phillips stated. Phillips leave Oswego She says she’ll miss High School, but she will photos courtesy of ohs paradox just about everything always be remembered The always-cheerful Mrs. Eve Phillips has not only led the Drama Club and directed the school about teaching, minus for her energy and passion musical in her time at OHS, but has been the team leader of the English Department as well. the part about grading for teaching. If you get papers at midnight. “I really love spend more time golfing and traveling-- moment, I’ve had over ten thousand the chance in the next few weeks, teaching; everyday there’s something both pastimes she loves. kids over the years,” she said, “but one make sure you congratulate her on her new, there’s no stagnation, you can “To thy own self be true,” is a of my favorite things was getting the retirement. She’s made her mark at this have the most planned out lesson and motto Phillips tries to live by. “For yearbook dedication last year. I didn’t school, and has left a lasting impression the students will take you in another those of us in this business, I think it’s even see it coming; it was an enormous on everyone she’s encountered. By Gabrielle Sacco Reporter
Mrs. Veronica Shaver Retiring on a Positive Note By Madison Rhoades & Kara Collins Reporter
“Never settle for less than your best,” is a quote that soon-to-be retired educator, Mrs. Veronica Shaver lives by. Music has always been a part of Shaver’s life. At three years of age, she received a toy piano that she would use to frequently put on “concerts” for her family, and say how she was just like Liberace, or as she liked to call him, “Bachee.” As she got older, she became more interested in music, joining chorus in elementary school, playing the clarinet, bassoon, and piano, which she eventually majored in at college. She started teaching in Oswego at the elementary level, but made a smooth transition to the high school, and has been a mentor and icon in the OHS music department for the past ten years. During those ten years, she has accomplished many things with her musical groups, especially with her chamber singers. They have traveled to Washington D.C., Boston, Annapolis, and just this past March, they were invited to sing in Carnegie Hall with other elite singing groups. It was a very rewarding feeling for Shaver to the see the group’s hard work pay
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off and for them to receive that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Shaver also plays a major role in the theater department’s annual musical as the musical
photo courtesy of ohs paradox
Mrs. Veronica Shaver turned a passion for music acquired in early childhood into a passion for music education, and a great career in the OCSD. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com
director for these productions. She has participated in many plays over the years, but her favorite was Les Miserables because it was the most difficult. “When you work hard at something, it becomes a favorite,” stated Shaver about the play. With the countdown until the year’s end, she’s going to miss her choirs and all of her students in general. Shaver may return to substitute teach in the future, but first she wants to figure out what retirement life is all about. She also plans to enjoy herself and spending time with her grandchildren, and do other things that she couldn’t do while teaching. Even though work is very important to her, she stated “There is a really a silly and crazy side to me; I like to have a good time.” Throughout the years, Shaver has taught many students. Last month at OHS’s spring concert, many OHS alumni returned to participate in Shaver’s last concert, including her daughter Sarah, who is also a former student. So, as Mrs. Shaver winds up a very successful career, you can be sure that she’ll leave the halls of Oswego High School with a song in her heart.
June 2012
Features
7
OCSD Printing Supervisor Brown Calls it a Career catching posters that advertise One of the the JV show best-kept secrets and prom to the at Oswego High Senior Athlete School is the nominee page behind-the-scenes that is published director of printing in this newspaper services. Mr. Mike every June (see Brown is retiring page 16). this year after 24 Whether you years in the OCSD remember or not, After he we all met Mr. graduated from Brown at one time high school, he or another. He’s went into the the one who took service for two our ID pictures years and then at the start of our photo courtesy of ohs paradox graphic courtesy of mike brown went on to college, freshman year!. Mr. Mike Brown has been the director of printing services for the Oswego City Schools for twenty-four attending Suffolk Brown has 40 years. His creativity shines through in everything he produces from the annual school calendar to programs Community years of computer for special events such as athletic ceremonies and concerts. Brown’s sense of humor is illustrated in the College and and printing graphic at right above, in a self-portrait he has used as his trademark for years. getting a business experience, but for laying out, designing, and publishing degree. Brown in his retirement, official forms. He produced documents for then transferred to SUNY Oswego where he he plans to step back for a while and take a everyone in the district and also maintained all break from all the hard work. Brown recently received his Bachelor’s Degree. of the printing equipment. He began working for the Oswego City bought a house in Oswego that he plans on Brown’s hard work is observable School District in 1988. He held the title of refurbishing throughout the next few years as everywhere around OHS from those huge eye- he enjoys the life of a retiree. printing supervisor, where he was responsible
By Kara Collins Reporter
24 Years of Teaching a Successful Equation for Reed opportunity to motivate bright After young students.” becoming a Out of the human sundae, many quotes coaching soccer he lives by he and basketball feels as if Helen and being one of Keller said it all. the best-known “Only through geometry teachers, experience Mr. Phil Reed will of trial and be heading into suffering can retirement this year the soul be after 24 years of strengthened, teaching. vision cleared, He started his ambition inspired teaching career and success at North Roseachieved.” photo by caitlin sawyer photo courtesy of ohs paradox Wolcott about Ms. Laura In the photo above (left), Mr. Phil Reed takes a break from teaching to be the ‘Human Sundae’ at the 2008 25 miles west of Burger, one of pep rally. In the photo on the right, Reed gives a Buc Bulletin photographer a ‘retirement smile.’ Oswego, where he Reed’s colleagues also attended high in the Math “He’s a good teacher.” With the school year coming to school. Dept. at OHS noted, “It’s been a With no set plans in his future a close and Reed’s time at Oswego Marisa Dashner a junior here pleasure to work with someone to return to OHS to sub, he will High School coming to an end, at Oswego High School and also with such high standards as Mr. enjoy his free time cycling, he reflected on what he will miss. a former student of Reed’s, stated Reed.” traveling and reading. He stated, “Just being given the
By Kara Collins Reporter
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June 2012
MILLENNIUM MILESTONE: KINDERGARTEN CLA
2000
2001
The class of 2012 has been referred to as “The Class of the Millennium.” What this means is that our class was the first class to have its entire school career in the new millennium. These pages are dedicated to remembering all of the major things that have happened in that time. Each number in the 2012 graphic is a different topic timeline. The first number “2” is dedicated to movies and music, the “0” is big events in history, the “1” depicts local events, and the last “2” is for technology and products.
2008
2009
2010 Buccaneer Bulletin
2007
2003
2004
2005
Music and movies are the most popular forms of entertainment in our culture today. As new directors and musicians hit the scene, it is vital to look back and remember the classics from when we were growing up. Going back to 2001, “I’m a Believer,” by Smash Mouth, became a big hit with the release of the first Shrek movie. Throughout our years of school, some of the biggest hits include “Stacy’s Mom,” by Fountains of Wayne (2003), “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake (2006), to “Hey There Delilah” (2007) by the Plain White Tees and “Just Dance” from Lady Gaga (2009).
2011
Oct. 12, 2000
2012
Sept. 11, 2001
May 2, 2011
In October of 2000, the USS Cole was bombed by a suicide attack against the United States Navy destroyer. The terrorist attacks on the twin towers on September 11, 2001 changed the way Americans live today, more than a decade later. Natural disasters take a large toll on coastal cities, as shown in the picture of the 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean and the images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. The take down of two terrorists, Saddam Hussein in 2006 and Osama Bin Laden in 2011, were big accomplishments for the US. A shooting at Virginia Tech killed many in 2007. The last federal-funded NASA space shuttle was launched in 2011. Protestors spent a lot of time occupying Wall Street in 2011, holding signs that said things like “Corporatism is Fascism” and “Dear future generations, please forgive us, we were rolling drunk on petroleum.”
Jan. 12, 2010
June 25, 2009
Sept. 7, 2011
PAGE DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION BY CARLIE MORLEY ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES
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July 8, 2011
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ASS OF 2000 GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL
Dec. 26, 2004
2003
2000
Pictured at left, from top to bottom, are things that have happened in the City of Oswego while we have been in school. The ice storm of 2003, giving students, and teachers an unexpected early April vacation. Of course students and staff members recall the food fight of 2009, which was followed by the renovation of the cafeteria. In 2010, the juniors (Class of 2012), won the Powderpuff game for the first time since 2006. A topic that was discussed for quite a while was finally put into action this school year and all of the elementary schools became Buccaneers to go along with the middle school and high school’s mascot .
2009
Dec. 30, 2006
2009
April 16, 2007
2010
2007
Nov. 4, 2008
2011
2008
PHOTO COURTESY OF CARLIE MORLEY
PHOTO BY PATRICK BAER
Sept. 6, 2005
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2004
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2010 Month 2012
In June of 2000 Google announced its first billion URL index, making it the world’s largest search engine. Flickr was created in 2004 and was acquired by Yahoo! in ‘05. The first of the now-popular ‘Macbooks’ was released in 2006, along with the first Nintendo Wii console. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a big hit when it came out in 2007. The first generation iPhone was released the same year, and has continued to be upgraded yearly. In 2008, Dr. Dre’s ‘beats’ came out and quickly became popular with music listeners everywhere. Listeners got beats, and book lovers got the Barnes and Noble’s Nook when it came out in 2009.
Features
10
Oswego High School’s Class In State: Alfred University
Jacob Getman Alexander Shannon
Nathan McKean
College of St. Rose
Branden Brown
Bryant and Stratton
Continental School of Beauty
Cazenovia College
Crouse Hospital School of Nursing
Broome CC Paul Motyka Margarita Serrano Michael Gill Courtney Geers
Cayuga CC
Mandy Abbott Michael Abtey Alexander Arcadi-Lombardo William Baker Connie Barlow Kimberlee Batchelor Mackenzie Bisnett Tyler Broadwell Cameron Byrne Aaron Carosella Morgan Clary Ashleigh Constanza Katelyn Croucher Kaitlyn Davis William DeLapp Jennifer Demassi Kaleigh Fitzsimmons Sarah Flynn Carlie Ferdette Schuyler Gardner Michelle Hannock John Hill Sarah Hitchcock Denesha Howard Melissa Johnston Desiree LeClair Jenna Loomis Taylor Lower Aaron Marsallo Ryan Martin Matthew McLaughlin Ashleigh Moon Jade Nelson Rachel Nye Lauren Pepper Jordan Pluff Shelby Schulze Angela Thomas Darrick Thomas Mackenzie Wadas
Clarkson University Bryan Cary Austin DeMott Danielle Faivus
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Nicole Snow
Kiana Singletary
Morgan Collins Miranda Tice
Elmira College Kelsey Ross
Finger Lakes CC Autie Ascenzi Kevin Carpentier Rebecca Rutherford Dylon Clew-Thomas
Hunter College Doran Baltus
Iona College Margaret Mooney
Ithaca College Mackenzie Robinson
Jefferson CC Paige Hart
Johnson and Wales Casey Caroccio Cassandra Collins
Nicholas Brancato Veronica Bueno Collin Burns Amber Canale Denver Carter Ross DeMidio Erick Earhart Zebulun Emmons Matthew Fay Rebecca Fidler Joshua Hale Adriana Harrington Abigail Henderson Christie Hoefer Timothy Johndrew David Johnson Judah Jones Jennifer Kelley John Kelly Robert LeCuyer Jeffrey Murray Andrew Neacosia Khalil Rivera Eric Russ George Southgate Maria Valenzuela Brandon Walker Jeff Wallace Ryan Woods Bailie Ylitalo
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute John Phillips
Keuka College
PrattMWP
Le Moyne College
Roberts Wesleyan
Ashlee Lytle
Kaitlyn Armstrong Kyrstin Blackburn Victoria Frazier Abigail Haessig Danielle Holland Eric Phillips
Liberty College Jaime Bouffard
Monroe CC
Keegan Taylor
Dominic Cianfarano Rebecca Searor Elizabeth Wild
RIT
Aaron Baxter Johnathan Kaplewicz Megan Mahaney David Mathes Timothy Shannon
Geoffrey Taylor
St. Bonaventure
Sarah Gosek Elizabeth Manion
St. John Fisher
Shannon McCann
SUNY Albany
Nazareth College North Country CC Onondaga CC Sierra Adams Teaghan Aston Christopher Boyzuck
Justin Peterson Mikayla Place Whitney Ford
Emily McCabe Cydney Ward
SUNY Brockport Emily Kolenda Kaila McClelland
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Kyle Perez Aubree Schrader Michael Thompson Tori Zerrahn
SUNY Canton Amanda Allen Christopher Bonner Destini Carter Joshua Cooley Michael Hart Molly Kelly Brennon Richardson Elijah Singleton Devin Whalen
SUNY Cortland Reeve Callen Daniel Maniccia Mary Montagnola Michael Ruggio
SUNY Delhi Victoria Soper
SUNY FIT
Emily Fleischman
SUNY Fredonia Jane Coty
SUNY Geneseo Michael Carey
Ernesto Cedillo
SUNY IT
Alexander Baxter Zachary Clark William Crist
SUNY Maritime Caroline Reynolds
SUNY Oneonta Miguel Vazquez
SUNY Oswego Hannah Allen Ali Al-Salameh Joesph Amedio Abigail Atkins Paul Bradshaw Caroline Braley Sarah Brown Taylor Braun David Capone Ashli Deming Zachary Gerber Naomi Greco Dacota Kazyaka Nathan Krocke Alejandro Lara Khadijah Malone Stefan Mazuroski
June 2012
Features
Of 2012 - CONGRATS!! SUNY Oswego continued
Mathew McCabe Sean McCauley Matthew Moshier-Feeney Mackenzie Oatman Jeremy Purce MaryCatherine Rice Katherine Schermerhorn Nakecia Serrano Libby Sherman Jack Tovey Ashlee Wapen
SUNY Potsdam Scott-Michael Gioia Steven Hill Skylar Hilton Meghan Sullivan Marcus Wolf
Syracuse University Brittany Kearns Michaela Kearns Cody Mariano Heather Rounds Matthew Skinner
US Military Academy Morgan Rabalais
Chaminade University Emily Barlow
Champlain College Christopher Murray
Coastal Carolina University Rachael Chetney
Edinboro University Rebecca Martin
Florida Atlantic University Kaylie Allen
Lancaster Bible College Wesley Smith
Loyola University Dominic Montalbano
Lyndon State College Dillion McCauley
Merchyhurst College Allison Yule
NJ Equestrian Center Courtney Gehrig
University at Albany
North Western Ohio
University at Buffalo
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Alyssa Suits
Gina Bartholomew Peter Khamis
University of Albany Taylor Giglio
University of Buffalo
Daniel Cliff
Carlie Morley
Penn State Joshua Ewig Courtney Louis
Stephen Richmond
PowerSport Institute
Amanda Bernys
Princeton University
Michael Kunzwiler
Santa Monica College
Out of State: Cedarville University
Towson University
Upstate University Utica College
Adrienn MacDougall
Sawyer Ortiz Ryan Patrick
Raquelle Moreau Tayler Bowman
UCCS
Victoria Rookey
Miscellaneous: Junior Hockey
UNC Greensboro Erik May Derek Nelson
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Tyler Grimshaw Joshua Sova
Exchange Students Adele Castelain Rhona Dianang Josefine Lenzer Rogerio Meirelles Mateusz Tymczyszyn
Drake Becksted
Wentworth Institute of Technology Josh Saternow
Military: Air Force Ryan Frost
Army
11
Trade Schools: NALTC Trading School James Sperino III
SLTC Trading School
Benjamin Bradford Teresa Chatterson Brittany Crowe Austin Zappala
Marines
Johnathon Skinner Andrew Michaud
Navy
Jackoby Crouch Aaron McCarthy Jared Meade Kameron Williams
Work Force:
Alyssa Bornheimer Taylor Cowles Thomas Cummins Nathaniel Genier Dana Griffin Eric Henderson Katherine Hennessy Mackenzie Kerley Edward Lewis Brandon Martin Marshall Olcott Steven Piazza Ashleigh Thompson
Brian Daino Samuel LaLonde
Undecided
Cody Boria Shane Cooper Corienna Cummings Louis Demm Bobbi-jo Demmerle Linus Iorizzo Nathan Kulp Myka Lawson Michael Littlefield McKenzie Myers Danielle Naramore Austen Peterson Adam Pittenger Brian Pulver Gretchen Rhinehart Sara Wilson Trenton Yule
Editor’s note: Senior information and page design by Madison Rhoades
Graduation will be held on June 23rd at 9:45 am in the Campus Center at SUNY Oswego. Congratulations to the Class of 2012! Buccaneer Bulletin
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June 2012
12
Features
Longley Forecasts a Bright Future for Class of 2012 By Lauren Daniels Reporter
“There will be some scattered showers across the area, but other than that, it should be a beautiful day in Central New York with a high of 75 and a low of 63.”
Longley, a graduate of Oswego High School’s Class of 1990, has been chosen to make the commencement for the class of 2012. Longley earned his meteorology degree from SUNY Oswego. He earned the Meteorological Society’s Seal of
“Even though it’s been 22 years since I escaped from Oswego High School, I still follow the sports scores and what goes on in the school.” Dave Longley
This is something that one may hear 9WSYR chief meteorologist Dave Longley say around this time of year. But this June 23, you’re likely to hear Longley say a little bit more, as he’s the guest speaker at Oswego High School’s graduation ceremony.
Approval for his work with the The Storm Team. “I was asked by Mr. Mark Mirabito last year (to speak at graduation) and I had a previous commitment,” Longley said. “If I couldn’t do it in 2011, I could do it next year. He said ‘You’re in.’”
Graduation will take place on Saturday, June 23 at SUNY Oswego’s Campus Center. “It’s an honor to be asked. It’s very cool to be thought of as someone important enough to come back and speak to the graduates and their families, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Longley stated. “Even though it’s been 22 years since I escaped from Oswego High School, I still follow the sports scores and what goes on in the school,” photo courtesy of google images Longley laughed. “The Dave Longley, Oswego High Class of 1990. science wing is something to seeing some of the teachers and new. It’s good to see the speaking with some of the seniors on school grow and expand.” graduation day,” he concluded. “I’m really looking forward
Seniors Reflect with Dear Self Letters By Taylor Falls
Business Manager
Try picturing yourself 5 years from now. Could you? Life has many twists and turns and chances are, how you thought you were going to turn out, isn’t exactly who you’ve become. When you’re older, you might just appreciate a letter of advice, especially if the advice came from you when you were 13-14 years old. Many freshmen English teachers encourage a writing assignment where students document random things racing through their minds at the time, and things they want to happen with their lives. On the 100 days before graduation, the teachers give those essays back to the students then four years older, to reflect on their past high school years. “Students like to get them back to see how they have changed,” commented Miss Kimberly Oswald, an English teacher at OHS. “I also enjoy their reactions about how they used to talk and think.” In a way, this assignment is a final goodbye to high school and lets students move on to a new chapter in life. Senior year is a very emotional time for most people. Reflecting on good times you’ve had or even horrible experiences makes you a stronger person emotionally. You can see all you’ve been through and how far you’ve come just by reading a simple letter written during your freshman year of high school. Chances are that by the time you’re in your 40s or older, you’ve forgotten many of the things you did in high school. But having a letter you personally wrote to yourself would be a perfect way to relive those nostalgic moments. People write about anything from who their friends are to what changes they want to see in themselves. “It made me feel like I accomplished something by reading how terrified I was for my future,” stated Naomi Greco, a senior at OHS. There are many different opinions on this topic as well. Not everyone likes the idea of expressing their personal life, and some feel depressed because they feel like they didn’t live up to their standards. “I feel that who I wanted to become, isn’t who I became and my past-self would be disappointed,” commented Michaela Auclair, a junior at OHS. It all depends on the people and their point of view. For many it’s a great experience that they greatly appreciate, and they will cherish the letter forever. It definitely does a great job showing how your mind has progressed and how mature you’ve become.
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June 2012
Point/Counterpoint
13
Should High Schools Have Required Summer Reading? By Justin Peterson
no
By Chloe Martin
Senior Writer
Layout Editor
School is a long, grueling process. Very few students want to take part in it five days a week, and most complain about every moment they spend in the building. But this all changes when summer begins. Summer is when the students are finally free from homework, getting up at times too early for a teenager to have to wake up, and all the rules forced upon them for 180 school days. It’s like a jail break, and freedom is fully taken advantage of, even though the two months seem like only two weeks. There are some teachers who do the unthinkable before their students leave the last day of school. They hand out summer reading lists. Reading is imperative to an education, and during the school year, every student reads textbooks and assigned literature, but students only read because they have to in order to pass. Giving out a summer reading list is like getting slapped in the face and while you’re on the ground, the teacher who gives it to you, metaphorically chains you in your room with nothing but a lamp, a boring book, and table. Required summer reading steals away the freedom that summer vacation is, and ruins precious free time before you go back to school. It’s just not the right thing to do. I love to read, and actually read almost every night before I go to bed, whether it be a book I need to read for English or just something I enjoy reading and spend my free time doing. But reading a book you don’t want anything to do with when you could be at the beach or just hanging out with your friends is simply torture. It’s even worse if the reading list implies that you absolutely have to read these books before you start this class in the fall. Last I checked, that sounds a lot like homework. Summer reading lists can ruin a summer. Why give a vacation if you’re just going to continue schooling students? It’s almost degrading, as if we didn’t work hard enough in school, so the teacher has to make sure we at least learn something at the sake of ruining a vacation. Freedom is what summer vacation is all about. You finally get away from the hallways, the dull classes, the obnoxious late passes, unnecessary planners, and roaming hall monitors. Imagine looking forward to that final bell ringing, to finally get out of the everyday grind that is OHS, and be given a sheet with books that you would use as paper weights for the next two months if you had a choice. Your freedom is then soiled, not completely, but it’s like a lingering shadow, waiting to pull you in and take up your time. You’ll be having fun with your friends and then think about the list, and you begin to stress about finishing the books that were assigned to you. Your happy, carefree summer is bogged down by a weight that should have been lifted the instant school ended for the year. Reading is one of the most important things in life. You do it every day, whether it is on Twitter, a book you like, a magazine, or even road signs when driving. However, the idea of a teacher giving out mandatory summer reading is simply asinine. For most students, summer reading would become a daily chore that you’ll have to complete in the free time that you worked hard all year to earn. Just think about what you’re doing before you do it, teachers, “PLEASE, don’t hand out a reading list.”
Buccaneer Bulletin
Yes
After two long months spent waking up at noon, hanging out at Flat Rock, and generally doing nothing, easing back into the everyday routine of school can be excruciating. Those first few days in English class make you realize you don’t quite remember how to write well, let alone concentrate on a book. This could be a problem since your new teacher wants a three page report on what you did do over summer vacation, and expects you to read To Kill a Mockingbird by the end of September. So why don’t we have a summer reading list to help us stay in the swing of things for when fall rolls around? When students return to school in the fall and feel as though they have forgotten a few things, they aren’t imagining it. It’s called “brain drain.” Professor of psychology, Dr. Harris Cooper, conducted a study that found that when students return to school after summer vacation, they’ve lost one to three months worth of what they learned the previous school year. According to English teacher Colleen Folgherait of Phoenix High School, “Over the summer, you pick one book to read and then when you come back to school, you’re tested on the book.” Many other schools around us including Mexico, along with many schools around the country have a summer reading list and program similar to what Phoenix does. Why don’t we? According to the International Reading Association, from 1984 to 2004 the number of 17 year olds who read for fun on a daily basis declined from 31 percent to 22 percent. This statistic isn’t hard to imagine. How many times have you been in an English class and heard someone say they haven’t read a book since elementary school, or that they’ve used Sparknotes for every reading assignment they’ve had in high school? This “trend” of teens reading less is a serious problem. The International Reading Association has found that teens who don’t read, struggle more in school, and as a result, receive lower grades and are more likely to drop out of school. It’s no secret that people who read have stronger professional and social skills and are more aware of what is going on in the world than people who don’t read on a regular basis. For teens getting ready to go to college or step out into the professional world, knowledge is power. For seniors planning to attend college, recommended summer reading could help you get ahead of your class and even get better grades when the semester begins. You don’t want to be the one kid in the class who doesn’t have a clue as to what’s going on. I understand that many teenagers don’t want to give up their precious summer days to spend time reading, but would it really be that hard to flip through a book while you’re sitting on the beach tanning? With Kindles, Nooks, and iPhones, it should be easier than ever to read over the summer. Reading one or two books over the summer isn’t going to take up all of your time or ruin your summer, and it will help you in the long run, get back into the academic mode in September.
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June 2012
14
Entertainment
Warped Tour: A Summer Music Tradition
By Madison Rhodes Managing Editor
During the summer, kids try to spend their time having as much fun as possible, and one way both teens and young adults enjoy spending a day of their vacation is at Van’s Warped Tour. Warped was started back in 1994 by Kevin Lyman, and since then, it has grown immensely. Starting in midJune the tour starts its journey across the U.S. with many dates in almost every state and Canada, ending early in August. The tour has over one hundred bands. Each band gets a thirty-minute set, except for the bands that play on the main stage that get forty-minute sets. With the tour being so large, organizers need a huge area to set up the multiple stages for the performances. Usually, events take place in large fields, amphitheaters, and fairgrounds. Many bands perform at the same time on the different stages. Because of this, the approximately ten stages need to be placed far enough apart so that one band’s set doesn’t interfere with another’s. People start swarming the venues very early in the morning the days of the shows. Doors open around 11 a.m. and performances start right away. The time of each band’s performance changes with each date of the tour, so you don’t know what time the band you want to see is playing until you arrive at the venue. The list of where each
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band is playing and at what time is posted on a giant inflatable, usually in the center of the venue, or you can buy a schedule that usually has a map of the venue on the back. If, at any particular time, there isn’t band to your liking that’s playing, you can head over to the sponsor/vendor area where there are many tents with lots of things for sale and many activities. Almost every band has a tent selling its merchandise. Along with band merchandise, many other companies sell merchandise such as Jac Vanek, a
Warped is meant to be a good time, so it is important to feel your best while you’re there. Being out in the sun all day and jumping around in crowds can be very tiring. It’s important to wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and take a break in the shade when needed. This year, there has been an adjustment on water prices to make it more affordable. Also, Klean Kanteen will be joining the Warped Tour this summer and will be providing free filtered water refilling stations. You are allowed to bring in one sealed bottle of water into the venue, so you can bring one with you and then fill it up throughout the day. It is also important to eat. There are many food vendors located within the venue where you can purchase food, and when buying your ticket you can even photo courtesy of google images purchase a meal deal. company that is known for its rubber Overall, the Warped Tour is a bracelets and can be found on the tour very unique experience. In one day almost every year. Many sponsoring you can see many bands of different charities join the tour on the road and genres. You can meet new people hand out free things to help spread who share the same musical tastes the word about their causes. Some or you could just happen to run into even host small acoustic sets or meet- your favorite band. It’s a different and-greets with the bands. experience for everyone. Another interesting tent you Warped Tour makes a few stops might see is the reverse day care. If in New York, with the closest being parents bring their teens to the show, Darien Lake, on July 17. You can the parents can go to the day care purchase tickets at a Ticket Master area and enjoy an air conditioned area location or online at vanswarpedtour. to escape the heat and loud music. com. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com
Photo courtesy of Google Images
Warped Tour 2012 Schedule June 16…Salt Lake City, UT June 17…Denver, CO June 20…Las Vegas, NV June 21…Irvine, CA June 22…Pomona, CA June 23…San Francisco, CA June 24…Ventura, CA June 27…Chula Vista, CA June 28…Glendale, AZ June 29…Las Cruces, NM June 30…San Antonio, TX July 01…Houston, TX July 03…Dallas, TX July 05…Maryland Heights, MO July 06…Auburn Hills, MI July 07…Tinley Park, IL July 08…Shakopee, MN July 09…Bonner Springs, KS July 10…Noblesville, IN July 11…Cuyahoga Falls, OH July 12…Burgettstown, PA July 13…Holmdel, NJ July 14…Toronto, ON July 17…Darien Center, NY July 18…Scranton, PA July 19…Mansfield, MA July 20…Camden, NJ July 21…Uniondale, NY July 22…Hartford, CT July 24…Columbia, Md July 25…Virginia Beach, VA July 26…Atlanta, GA July 27…Orlando, FL July 28…West Palm Beach, FL July 29…St. Petersburg, FL July 30…Charlotte, NC July 31…Cinicinnati, OH August 01…Milwaukee, WI August 04…Redmond, WA August 05…Portland, OR
June 2012
Columns
15
How Does This Staff Produce an Award-Winning Paper? Peterson?” he says with a smirk. Before I can say something that only I think is witty, Kara Collins (or “Nutsy, as McCrobie refers to her as) comes in late and McCrobie turns his interrogation to her instead. Kara proceeds to explain why she was late, but McCrobie immediately interrupts her and makes a snide remark about how she was probably trying to skip his class. Kara continues to try and explain, but to no avail. McCrobie is laughing with Reeser yet again about how when he retires more kids will take the class just because he’s gone. Looking at the headphones actually makes my mouth water a little. There is a brief moment of quiet (9 seconds), until Madison Rhoades decides to purposely annoy
personal favorite: “When did teen pregnancy, like, start?” Since that might be my only entertainment of the period, I was greatly anticipating it. Instead, I find myself listening to Lauren Daniels talking about Mac Miller and how hot he looked when she met him at a concert, so I tune the class out again and look at movie reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. I really need to invest in some headphones of my own. 7th period. It’s the time when the journalism class The gossip is now getting to an all time high, meets every school day to think of award winning Patrick Baer now joining in with Gabby, Casey, and stories and write until our fingers fall off. But not Kara. He then starts taking pictures of them without really. This group of “special” individuals pretty their knowledge, and they immediately tell him to much does nothing all period. The gossip queens delete them all because they just KNOW they look gossip, and at the head of it all is Mr. McCrobie, bad in them. I look over at Chloe and Taylor Falls encouraging (threatening) who are always seated it every step of the dangerously close to way. The following is a the gossip mongers. I detailed view of a typical empathize with them, day in the life of the even though I was never journalism class 2011quite sure what they do 2012. when they aren’t laying Walking into Mr. out the paper. Reeser’s room I, as usual, The period is coming I smell the woodshop to its end, but the actual over anything else. I work being done in class take my usual seat in the ended fifteen minutes corner, and search for ago. As I log off, I look a pair of headphones. around at everyone Carlie Morley has of milling around the doors, course, taken the last and notice Kaleigh pair and, despite my Fitzsimmons, who had begging, she won’t give managed to be the only them up. She says I’m person that I didn’t hear lazy when I ask her to the entire period. She, get me some from Mr. luckily, entered the class Shaw’s room. She then in the second semester, puts her headphones on and hasn’t yet succumbed and ignores me until I to the lackadaisical nature stop annoying her, which the rest of students have is sometime in the middle assumed. All the while of the period. our student teacher for Headphones are 7 weeks Ms. Newidomy imperative in journalism brags about her own reign to make it out with your as editor-in-chief in 2001 sanity intact, because if to the group gathered by you can’t listen to music, the door. Mrs. Sheffield, then you can only hear who will take McCrobie’s Spring 2012 Buccaneer Bulletin Staff Gabby Sacco and Casey place as supreme Caroccio gossip and complain about EVERYTHING, McCrobie while he’s pestering Chloe Martin to commander of the Buc Bulletin next year, thinks to but nothing important. Just as they begin, I hear Mr. write. Madison yells across the room to him about herself, “What have I gotten myself into?” Reeser say for the millionth time; “All rise,” letting how a cheerleader should be an athlete of the month All in all, journalism is something barely everyone know that Mr. McCrobie has entered the in the next Buc Bulletin, and McCrobie rolls his resembling a class. Everyone talks, slacks, misses room. Reeser has apparently been doing this for eyes at this remark for maybe the thousandth time deadlines, and ticks off McCrobie and Reeser. We are fifteen years and nobody has stood up yet when this year. Then, Editor-in-Chief Mackenzie Oatman a small class, and even though we may not seem like McCrobie enters. Casey says something to him comes up with an article idea that will change school much more than a gossip circle, we have made and instantly, and he ignores her, much to her annoyance, newspapers around the country. McCrobie says it’s a distributed some award-winning newspapers. and mine, since she continues attempting to get his good idea, but adds that everybody in this class is too Editors note: ‘The Day in the Life’ of the Buccaneer attention. I begin thinking about stealing Carlie’s lazy to do it anyway (he’s usually right, but we don’t Bulletin is a tradition started by Erik Dussere in 1986. headphones right off her head. tend to admit it). Every year since, we have poked fun at ourselves in what As I finally begin working, fifteen minutes into It’s getting toward the end of the period, which has become one of the longest standing features. This is the the period, I can feel McCrobie’s stare in the back of means that it’s the inevitable time for Kara or Casey 27th installment. my head. “When are you gonna start writing more to say something completely ludicrous, like my
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June 2012
Buccaneer Bulletin Volume 30 Number 200+
Oswego High School’s Student Voice
put to bed michael mccrobie
June 2012
‘Game Over’ for Long-time Teacher, Coach, Adviser By Gabrielle Sacco Reporter
In September of 1971, fourteen year old Mike McCrobie entered OHS as a freshman. This month, he leaves after 30 years here as a teacher, adviser, and coach. The numbers tell some of McCrobie’s story: 33 years in teaching (30 at OHS, 3 before that at Hannibal HS); 29 years as a coach; 30 years as Buccaneer Bulletin adviser (over 200 school newspapers “put to bed”). McCrobie graduated from OHS as a member of the class of 1975. The proud alumnus stated, “My class was the first class to be in this building all four years, and I had a really positive high school experience with some great teachers as role models.” Not many people know, but McCrobie actually originally started out as a junior varsity boys’ baseball coach for one year, but then moved on to what would become his passion, softball. McCrobie first coached junior varsity girls’ softball from 1985-1988. He is now completing his twenty-fourth season as varsity girls’ softball coach. He’s been coaching junior varsity girls’ tennis for one year, and says he’ll likely continue to coach tennis next fall because it’ll give him something to do in the first afternoons of retirement. If you know anything about McCrobie, you know he has many ‘favorite’ sayings. He can be often caught in English class saying, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” The quote McCrobie lives by is one that his dad would always say, “No matter the activity, you’ll get out of it what you put into it.” “What I’ll miss most about teaching is the energy that I get from being around the students all the time, the young people,” McCrobie stated. “Being around young people helps keep me thinking and feeling younger.” McCrobie says that one of his favorite times in teaching was the ten-year span when his own kids were students at OHS. “Between the years of 1998 and 2007, it was kind of cool because I got to come to work every day and one of my three kids was here every day,” he says. Though he is upbeat about his career, there have been some negatives. “My least favorite memory was feeling so helpless on 9/11,” he said. “One boy who didn’t take anything seriously, looked at me and asked me what was going on. There’s nothing in teacher training classes or methods courses that can prepare you for that question. They prepare you to answer questions about nouns and verbs, but how do you answer a question like that when you don’t know the answer yourself.” Once he retires, McCrobie says he really has no big plans to do anything specific. He does hope to travel, maybe somewhere warm for a few weeks in the winter. “If something falls my way as in a job in private business I’ll consider it,” he said. He also plans to do some writing. McCrobie said, “I don’t have the great American novel planned, just maybe a weekly newspaper column or just something where I can share my stories from growing up in Oswego, teaching, and coaching.” He’s proud of his home town and alma mater. “Oswego’s a good place to raise a family; there are a lot worse places you could go to school or live,” McCrobie stated, “Too much attention has been paid to the negatives and not enough to the positives. This community isn’t as bad as a lot of people say it is.” If you happen to catch McCrobie in the hallway the next few days, make sure to wish him congratulations on his retirement. He’s been a huge asset to our school over the past thirty years, not only as an educator in the classroom but an educator on the athletic field as well. One thing is for certain, he will certainly be missed. Best of luck! photo courtesy of tom altman
Page illustration by R. William reeser