June 2014

Buccaneer Bulletin www.buccaneerbulletin.com

SAILING AWAY Where We’re Going Pages 6 & 7

Senior Athletes Page 16

Oswego High School’s Student Voice Volume 2 Number 7

June 2014

PHOTO BY RACHAEL PURTELL

Editorial

2

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 Jon Parker 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: This year’s graduating class will be “sailing away” from their lives at Oswego High School in order to begin their journeys to bright futures. The cover depicts a graduate sitting on a sailboat looking off into what lies ahead for him. Take a look at pages 6 and 7 to see where the Class of 2014 is going.

Buccaneer Bulletin

CARTOON BY LAURELANN EASTON

. . . to Mr. Canale for being honored as the Veteran of the Year. . . . to OHS teachers who raised $130.00 for Stuff A Bus through their jeans week. . . . to the Pinwheel Campaign. District-wide, we raised $965.00 for the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County. . . . to #patbaerdontcare . . . to all the students who received scholarships and/or merit awards on Monday, June 2. . . . to the top 25 eighth graders honored for their academic excellence. We are looking forward to them joining our OHS family!!! . . . to a sucessful senior skip day. For once seniors organized one day and stuck to it.

. . . to the graduation ceremony being so late; we might as well graduate on the 4th of July. . . . to the uneven temperatures in OHS. We feel like we need a sweater in one class and a tank top in the next! . . . to the Common Core Algebra Test an entire two weeks before all the other final exams! Students and teachers were greatly inconvenienced due to use of the cafeteria and algebra students missing their morning classes. www.buccaneerbulletin.com

June 2014

Editorial

3

In Our View . . .

The Buccaneer Bulletin staff picks the favorite childhood television shows we grew up with

As the school year winds down and seniors are counting down the days until graduation, we all look back on our lives so far.

As the class of 2014, we are one of the last classes that will remember the great T.V. shows of the 1990s.

Therefore, we at The Buccaneer Bulletin, thought it would be fun to look back on some of the T.V. shows that were the highlight of our childhood.

While it would be impossible to talk about all the great shows from the 90s, we can start with one of the most influential networks, Disney Channel.

One of the most popular Disney Channel shows of the 90s was released in 1993 and ran until 2000, Boy Meets World. The show centered around the life of Cory Matthews, and followed him from elementary school to his wedding day. It ran for seven seasons and narrated the lives of Cory and his friends as they conquered high school.

During the 90s, Disney also ran a block of shows under Playhouse Disney. These shows were categorized for younger viewers. Some of Disney’s

original content included Bear in the Big Blue House, PB&J Otter, Rolie Polie Olie and Out of the Box. They also aired shows such as The Wiggles and Winnie the Pooh. As a kid, Playhouse Disney was a favorite network; these shows got kids hooked on the network well into the 2000s.

Another popular network in the 90s was the Public Broadcasting Service, more widely known as PBS. PBS

Nye the Science Guy, Big Comfy Couch, Dragon Tales, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, The Magic School Bus, Noddy, Theodore Tankboat, Kipper the Dog, Teletubbies, Wimzie’s House, Wishbone, and Zoboomafoo.

PBS shows, while educational, were extremely entertaining. They allowed us to learn new things without even knowing it.

Cartoon Network was also popular in the 90s, producing cartoon shows such as Dexter’s Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. The last major television network had some of the most classic 90s shows, Nickelodeon.

Nickelodeon also had a block of kids’ shows titled Nick Jr. Some classic Nick Jr. shows included Rugrats, Little Bear, Little Bill, Maisy, Blue’s Clues, and Curious George.

Nickelodeon aired popular cartoons such as Hey Arnold!, CatDog, Doug, Inspector Gadget, The Wild Thornberrys, and Rocket Power.

Nickelodeon produced The ARTHUR GRAPHIC COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES Amanda Show, Kenan & Kel, All That, created a block of shows for kids similar and Legends of the Hidden Temple. to Playhouse Disney that was titled PBS Kids.

Thinking back on all these shows really shows Some of the programs from the 90s still run on how far we have come as individuals and allows us to PBS today, such as Arthur, Thomas & Friends and reminisce on our childhood and reminds us of all the Sesame Street. But there are several others that great television we watched as kids.

PBS still airs reruns of like Barney & Friends, Bill

Music of the 90’s defines the class of 2014 As we slowly say “bye, bye, bye” to the times of he was part of one of the first famous boy bands, radios, auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth become more N’SYNC. Justin Timberlake is still one of the most popular. Music is still a huge part of some of our popular artists and continues to perform all over the lives. world. Speaking of boy bands, The Back Street Boys With all the genres of music out there, everyone who formed in 1993, recently got back together and has their own favorites and that distinguishes who are currently on a world tour performing all their they are. We, at The Buccaneer Bulletin, feel that famous hits. whether you are a preppy girl who listens to the Top Music that was once listened to feels so old now, 100 or a “sk8r boi” but in reality, 20 years rocking on his music time is not Since this year’s seniors were born in in guitar to classic that old compared 1995-1996, we were able to know and to the classics. rock, one genre of music that defines This music will be listen to music during the 90’s. all of the seniors is the music that the 90’s music. offspring of the 90’s Since this year’s seniors were born in 1995-1996, generation will have to suffer through listening to in we were able to know and listen to music during the the car. Some of these child pop stars like Hilary Duff 90’s. Anyone younger did not know how to even already have children of their own. Hard to imagine walk until the new millennium. Since iPods were not but the music will grow with the 90’s kids. popular or affordable yet, 90’s kids relied on cassette We, at The Buccaneer Bulletin, do not believe and CD players along with Now That’s What I Call that anybody feels the way we do about 90’s music Music or Kids Bop to jam out during their free time in now. Maybe the 90’s kids are going to be the ones between kindergarten and naps. who save this genre of music; after all, they are our Believe it or not, Justin Timberlake is still wonderwall. producing chart topping music today, although

Buccaneer Bulletin

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TOP TEN HIT SONGS 1990-1999

1.“...Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears 2.”Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana 3. “Missing” by Everything But the Girl 4. “Walkin’ On the Sun” by Smash Mouth 5. “Ray of Light” by Madonna 6. “You Ought to Know” by Alanis Morissette 7. “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” by Jay-Z 8.“Nothing Compares to You”by Sinead O’Connor 9. “Losing My Religion” by R>E.M. 10. “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas

June 2014

4

Walking the Plank

Class of 2014 valedictorian and salutatorian say goodbye Senior class of 2014 Va l e d i c t o r i a n N i n a Alcasid and Salutatorian Tory Welsch “Walk the Plank” as they recall their high school years and are honored for their successes.

By Drazen Schrecengost Business Manager

Buccaneer Bulletin: What are your full names?

NA: Nina Patricia Alcasid TW: Tory Alane Welsch BB: How does it feel to be the valedictorian and salutatorian of your graduating class?

NA: It feels good. All those late nights filling out those AP U.S ‘ History packets actually meant something.

TW: I guess it feels pretty good. But with everyone coming up to me and saying, “Congratulations!” I don’t know if I like the attention.

BB: How do you hold the title of valedictorian and salutatorian?

What do they mean to you?

NA: I feel like it just kind of describes a person who gives a speech. It doesn’t really make me any more special than anyone else.

TW: This question is awkward. I feel like grades aren’t a measure of your personality, they’re just numbers, but it is kind of cool.

BB: Have you been working towards this achievement throughout your academic life or did it just happen?

NA: It just happened. I would say that the way I am, detail-oriented by nature, helped. I just like making my projects look pretty! When they told us that we were up there, I was like, “Oh that’s nice! Sweet!”

TW: It was never a goal of mine.

BB: On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the greatest, how competitive of a student would you rate yourself?

NA: I feel like I’m not that competitive. I mean, I like being up there, but I don’t care about being the first one.

TW: I feel like I would be somewhere in the middle, like maybe a five. It’s not like I don’t care, but I’m not always like, “What’d you get on your test?!”

BB: Are you sad that your senior year is over?

NA: No. It’s nice here, but I’m just

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excited to move on.

TW: I guess, kind of.

BB: Define ‘senioritis’.

NA: Inflammation of the senior. I really don’t know how to describe it!

TW: I think it’s when you just stop caring.

BB: Did you catch it?

NA: Yeah, definitely. I don’t even do my hair anymore. It’s awful! We play this game and it’s like, ‘How late can we sleep in before being late to class?’

TW: I don’t know anyone who hasn’t caught it. I didn’t even show up for school today until fourth period.

BB: If you were to be called a “nerd” or a “geek” how would you react?

Would you embrace these terms or be offended?

NA: I’d say… thank you. Actually, no.

I’d probably just laugh because that’s what I do when I don’t know what to say.

TW: I think it depends on who’s calling you that. And I feel like I already have embraced those terms.

BB: Has the competition between first and second ever gotten between your friendship?

NA: No. Just kidding, we conspire against each other all of the time.

TW: We never really saw it as a competition. It was more like, “We’re all in this together.”

BB: Who has played the greatest part on your achievement of your title?

NA: My parents I would say. They just had to work so hard to get to where they are. They’re first generation immigrants and I want to copy their example.

TW: Probably my friends, family, and my sister; she was salutatorian when she graduated too.

BB: Are you nervous for your speech at graduation?

NA: We have a plan! We are going to do it as a joint thing if they let us. It will make it shorter and I think it will be funnier and a little more interesting. I just hope nobody falls asleep TW: I wasn’t nervous until you just asked me if I was nervous, so thanks for reminding me!

BB: What challenged you the most this year?

NA: The AP Calc test.

TW: For me it’s getting out of bed every day. That is the hardest part of

PHOTO BY DRAZEN SCHRECENGOST

Valedictorian Nina Alcasid and Salutatorian Tory Welsch toast their beakers to their successful high school careers. They intend to study biochemistry in college.

my day.

BB: Was it difficult to balance your school work with your social life?

NA: I don’t think so. I feel like we didn’t have a lot of work this year.

TW: I make it a rule to never skip a

social activity for school work. I would never do that, ever. Next year I might have to though.

BB: What do you do for fun?

NA: All I really do is play piano. I don’t know. I like drinking piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.

TW: I just watch Netflix. I play piano and just hang out.

BB: If you could have worked harder at something in the past, what would it be?

NA: This is a hard one. I don’t like

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this! I wish I did better at going to sleep at an early time because I always zoneout in class.

TW: I kind of wish I worked harder at skating. I feel like I probably could’ve gotten my axel down if I worked harder at it.

BB: Any regrets?

Something you always wish you did?

NA: I wish I started a badminton team in school!

TW: I wish I started marching band earlier because I started it junior year.

BB: Where do you plan on attending college? Why did you choose this school?

NA: SUNY-Stony Brook. It was pretty affordable for me and I got a lot of scholarships. And it’s right next to a teaching hospital and that’s great for me because I want to be a doctor. It’s near New York City and there’s a train right on campus, so you can just hop on and go watch a Broadway show.

Continued on page 5

June 2014

Walking the Plank

5

Academic achievements lead to bright futures for top duo Continued from page 4

TW: I’m going to Geneseo. I like the atmosphere of it. It has a nerd factor to it. And it has a really good chemistry program which is what I’m going for. They also have a Wegmans.

BB: Are you excited/nervous for college?

NA: I would say excited. Just thinking about going to Target and buying all of my school supplies, that just makes me really happy. Buying new notebooks and stuff, I like doing that.

TW: My answer to that question is yes.

BB: What will you miss the most?

NA: Probably my sister and my parents.

TW: Hands down, my dog.

BB: What do you plan on studying?

NA: Biochemistry. Woohoo!

TW: Chemistry or biochemistry; I haven’t really decided.

BB: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

NA: I wanted to be a lot of things. I thought a marine biologist would be fun because I like dolphins.

Then at one point I wanted to be a journalist. Then I think I wanted to be a teacher at one point, but then I was like, “I don’t like kids anymore.” So somewhere, somehow it got to me wanting to be a doctor like my parents.

TW: I always wanted to be a firefighter even though I was deathly afraid of fire. I wanted to be the fire chief who didn’t actually have to go into the fire.

BB: What is your dream job?

NA: I can’t really decide. I like babies, but that was a scary video we watched in anatomy the other day. I just want to work in a hospital somewhere.

TW: My dream job is rolling burritos at Fajita Grill.

Just kidding! I don’t really have a dream job. I guess doing something where I can be financially well off and happy at the same time.

BB: Who was your favorite teacher at OHS and why?

NA: Mrs. Runeari because her class was the first challenging class. She taught world history and I like that subject and I like her so it’s the perfect combination.

TW: I don’t really have a favorite teacher. I would consider Mr. Reed one of my favorite teachers, but I also like Mr. Mirabito and Mrs. Runeari.

BB: What is your favorite high school memory?

NA: I don’t think I could pick just one. Playing at the JV show both years was fun. All of the concerts were fun. I like the orchestra concerts.

TW: Mine would probably be either playing with Wayne Bergeron at the jazz concert last year or going to the Dome this year for marching band.

BB: What was your favorite class in all of your four years of high school?

NA: AP Psych!

TW: Mine too.

BB: If you could live the life of a teacher for one school day, who would you choose and why?

NA: Being any of the band/orchestra teachers because I think it would be fun to conduct.

TW: I would be my mom. She’s a teacher and she’s

retiring this year. That’s why I’d want to be her; because she’s retiring.

BB: What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

NA: Swimming, marching band, and NHS. Also, I play the oboe and the piano.

TW: Band, marching band, SADD Club, Environmental Club, skating, and golf.

BB: What is one thing you would want to change about OHS? NA: The fact that there’s no badminton club.

TW: There used to be lines down the center of the hallways to separate it like a road, like “stay to the right.” I feel like that’d be a good change.

BB: Who is your role model? Why? NA: Probably my parents for the same reason. They work hard all of the time.

TW: I don’t really have a role model. I like to take good qualities from a lot of different people.

BB: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

NA: I’d probably be out of med school in about eight years. So I’d probably be finishing my residency and looking for a job by then.

TW: In a mirror. But really, hopefully I’ll be out of grad school and looking for a job too.

BB: What is the most valuable thing you have learned at OHS? NA: You have to really seek out your opportunities because I feel like there’s a lot that, not only in this school, but college has to offer.

TW: I’ve learned not to procrastinate and that it’s not a good idea and I shouldn’t do it even though I do.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR CLASS OF 2014 TOP 25 STUDENTS Nina Alcasid Abigail Allen Erica Atkins Elizabeth Baker Katelyn Clary Kyle Collins Madison Collins Kerrigan Cummins Samantha Davis

Buccaneer Bulletin

Holly Gilbert Mallory Gordon Sarah Hoefer Cassandra Hondro Emily Hurlbutt Courtney Johnson Alexander Kouthoofd Bo Yang Li www.buccaneerbulletin.com

Shannon McIntosh Allison Moshier Zachary Salvador Mitchell Schrader Elizabeth Scott Garrett Skinner Tory Welsch Meggie Zhang June 2014

Grauation Plans

6

Oswego High School’s Class In State:

Adirondack CC

College of Staten Island

Albany College of Pharmacy

Continental School of Beauty

Alfred State University

Corning CC

Tyler Henry

Meggie Zhang

Alex Jermyn

AMDA College & Conservatory of Perf.

Arts Emma Atkins

Bryant and Stratton Gabrielle Christopher Stephanie Cusyck Brittany Ketcham Dylan Kimball Tiffani Vosseller

Cayuga CC

Alicia Baker Sean Blum Danielle Boyzuck Aleasia Burton Joseph Clavelli - Auburn Matthew Clemons - Auburn Alec Crossman Zachary Delbrocco - Auburn Kali Esden Brandon Foley Brandon Galletta Matthew Giudilli Kevin Goodale Jeremy Hankey Jr. Conor Henrie Samantha Hutchinson Samuel Janey Cassidy Jones Rebeckah Kelly Hunter Kinzie Sarah Lamb Jessa Lamphear Daniel Littlefield Michael Prevo Conley Ratzlaff Makenzie Ray Brittany Reed Sierra Reveron Courtney Richardson Aubrey Sanderson Shawn Sansone Alexis Smith Tiffany Smith Taylor Vivlemore Lee Williams

Cazenovia College Samantha Fenske Austin Jackson

Clarkson University Jacob Cary Madison Collins Michael Farden Aviriana Follet Anna Gunita Julia Kon Elizabeth O’Gorman

Buccaneer Bulletin

Emily Whitely

Olivia Frazier Adam Scharf

Crouse School of Nursing Morgan Mulkerin

Daemen College Danielle Gilbert

D’Youville College Elizabeth Baker Logan Krass

Elim Bible Institute Samantha Davis

Fingerlakes CC

Onondaga CC Continued

Andrew Hall Mackenzie Harpst Shantal Harrington Mylek Hoyt Jake Jones Tara Lagoe Breanna Merz Isaac Noel Kaylee Schleicher Nicholas Sheary Deondra Smith Tiffany Sobrino Cassidy Taylor Elizabeth Vera Isabella Winklestine Matthew Wise Rachel Wood

Onondaga Therapeutic Massage Deann Lovine

Tyler Benjamin Brett Ecke Patrick Manion

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Nicholas Cornelius Trista Norris

Rochester Institute of Technology

Genesee CC Hartwick University Michael Sheffield

Hudson Valley CC Steven Coffey

Ithaca College Mitchell Schrader Tara Stacy

Jefferson CC Caitlin Geroux Marsaili Knapp

Lancaster Bible College Leighton Smith

LeMoyne College

Mallory Gordon

Trevor Boni Katelyn Clary Shannon McIntosh Jacob Oleyourryk

St. Bonaventure University Kerrigan Cummins

St. John Fisher Erica Atkins Meghan LiVoti Monica Randall Kennedy Singletary

St. Lawrence Garrett Dunsmoor

Myranda Arnesen Evan Davis Molly Malone

SUNY Albany

Allison Moshier

SUNY Binghamton

Allison Batchelor Leo Gorton Esther Rubinow

SUNY Brockport

Marist College Monroe CC Nazareth Carrie Gilbert

Niagara University Patrick Baer

Onondaga CC Justin Abbott Nicholas Boone Jonathan Buske Morgan Butterfield Michael Chetney Samantha Dawley Joseph Denny Joshua Dumas Katherine Finn Cory Gates

SUNY IT

William Bates

SUNY Cortland Justin Canale Ryan Lavner Taite Phillips

SUNY Fredonia Alex Carl

SUNY Morrisville Timothy Webber

SUNY Oswego Abigail Allen Michael Anthony Jr. Alex Borland Cody Cheeley Kara Collins Annemarie Dehm David DeLand Alexandra Desacia Caroline Dougherty Alena Fresch Victoria Gardner Alivia Grimshaw Morgan Hillman Alexander Kemper Alexander Kouthoof Kyle McCauley Michaela Moran Madelyn Muckey Rebecca North Jordan Oatman Christopher Pitters Anne Reynolds Zachary Salvador Elizabeth Scott Johnna Scruton Tyler Walker Carlyanna Wells Siara Wilson

SUNY Plattsburgh Julia Capone

SUNY Potsdam Morgan Cook Colleen Fraser Emily King Madisyn Whalen

Angelo Gentile Ryan Galvin

SUNY Stony Brook

Drazen Schrecengost

Syracuse University

Shane Bowman Sarah Hoefer Trey Love Caitlyn McRae Teo Patty Matthew Warren

SUNY Canton Brooke Krassowski

SUNY Cobleskill Jessica Thompson

SUNY Geneseo Holly Gilbert Emily Hurlbutt Tory Welsch

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Nina Alcasid

Tyme Baez Brooke Broadwell Courtney Johnson Ryan Kearns Isabella Waterbury

Utica College Hunter Izyk Sydney Knight Brandon Tracz

Universal Technical Institute Mackenzie Harrington

University at Albany Samantha Cutro

University at Buffalo Emilee Anderson Cassandra Hondro

June 2014

Graduation Plans

of 2014 - CONGRATS!!

Wells College

Penn State University

Out of State:

Pennsylvania Gunsmith School

Paulina Alejandro

St. Louis University, Philippines

Kaylee Connor Emily Mills

Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines Chestnut Hill College Allison Hare

Coastal Carolina University - Life Program Tyler Coleman

Drexel University Hailey Ihlow

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Hannah Fitzgerald

Erie CC

Jacob Rodriguez

Florida State University

Garrett Skinner

Jonathan Parker

Jhannine Verceles

Southern New Hampshire University Laurelann Easton

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Olivia Farden

University of Ohio Jermia Gonzalez

University of Waterloo, Canada Bo Yang Li

Villanova University Kyle Collins

Marines

Richard Bristol Thomas Godfrey Cory Moshier Adam Pauldine

Navy

Austin Bell Matthew Glenn Jacob Prior Ian Vivlemore

Work Force: Jordan Attwood John Aston Elizabeth Barlow Andrew Baum Edward Bonoffski Jeffery Brown Jr. John Bugow Devin Caruso Andrew Graham Mackenzi Pittsley Mackenzie Prior Katrina Tafler David Wallace Kyle Webster

Casey Adner

Walsh University

Miscellaneous:

Alexander Makin

West Virginia University

Francesca Polato Emily Yamada

Guilford College Hood College Magie Maas

Johnson and Wales University Tatiana Berkley

Northwestern Michigan

Ryan Martin

Gabrielle Sacco

Military: Army

Sabrina Gonzalez

Exchange Student BOCES

David Dorval Paul Reis

Junior B Hockey Zachary Zerrahn

Loren Willmes

7

Undecided

Brittany Alton Alexander Azzarelli Quenton Bailey Graham Barney Michaela Bornheimer Tacy Bricker Meghan Cleary Travis Cowles Christopher Dennis Anothony DeStevens Timothy Fantom Samantha Farrance Kayla Fike Chianna Gambino Cummings McGregor Habeeb Jordan Harvey Brandi Hibbert Lilli Johndrew Jessica Johnston Carly-Ann Knopp Denise Lamphier Daniyel Littau Gabrielle Lombardo Karina Loveall Stephen Mahan Miranda Marsh Derek Pelkey Austin Piazza Brendon Reed Cassidy Rose Sean Skinner Amelia Stevens Daniel Syrell Dalton Tracy Stephen Waite Ashley Wettering Brendan Williams Gabriel Wise Brandon Zampi

GRADUATION WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 28TH AT 9:45 A.M. IN THE CAMPUS CENTER AT SUNY-OSWEGO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2014!

Buccaneer Bulletin

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June 2014

The 2013-2014 Year in Review

8

Powderpuff (9.23) Homecoming Dance (9.27) Bucfest (9.28)

SEPTEMBER O C T Diana Nyad swims O from Cuba to US (9.2) B Gov’t Shutdown (10.11) E R

Halloween (10.31)

Fall Sports Awards (11.4)

NOVEMBER Abortion Restrictions in TX (11.19) North Korea releases Merill Newman (12.7)

D E C E M B E R

Christmas (12.25) All County Festival (1.17 - 1.18) Regents Week (1.27 - 1.30)

JANUARY

2014!!!

Olympics (2.7-23)

Winter Sports Awards (2.24)

F E B R U A R Y

Winter Break (2.14 - 2.18) Battle of the Bands (3.8) Winter Semi-Formal (3.15)

MARCH

Flight 370 Disappears (3.8) Ferry capsizes near South Korea (4.16) Mudslides in Afghanistan (5.2)

A P R I L

100 Days (4.11) Break (4.14 - 4.18) Prom (5.10 AP Tests (5.5 - 5.16)

MAY

Graduation (6.28)

Buccaneer Bulletin

J U N E

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June 2014

10 10

Feature

How can this be the best school newspaper in the state?

By Patrick Baer Managing Editor

The end of fifth period comes around as Bella Winklestine and I walk our separate paths to journalism.

I have already been with Bella for the entire day since we hate everyone and we escape this school for New Visions which we have also grown to hate. I walk into Mr. Reeser’s and sit down in the exact same spot I’ve sat in since I joined the paper sophomore year.

Mysteriously, Dylan Kimball sneaks in and is already logged in by the time I look up. Following him is his girl, Elizabeth Sincavage. I’m pretty sure they are dating by the way they act except for one day they sat on opposite sides of the room and did not speak which was cause for alert.

Lisa Kanbur and Tori Armet walk in one after another, and I say hello to both as they shoot me dirty looks and say hi back. I get plenty of dirty looks from people in our journalism class, especially from Tara Stacy who I still to this day cannot tell if she likes me or if she hates me. Tara is one of the hardest people to read but we do work well together.

Mr. Reeser is back in his room by this time trying to copy me from the previous year and saying, “All rise” when each person walks in as if they are supreme court judge and need to be honored, but, in reality, no one understands the term “All rise” besides Reeser and myself since all other staff members were not present for the reign Mr. McCrobie.

Once Reeser is done complaining about the concert tickets I offered him but he neglected to call me back about, I look around and everyone has made it into class besides Drazen Schrecengost.

Drazen somehow comes to class almost 15 minutes late everyday but does not require a late pass. This boy must be a magician; he would have to be to spell that name correctly since childhood, poor kid.

Soon I spin to the left and talk to Bella since I haven’t seen her in a whole three minutes. Some of the things that Mr. Reeser probably knows about Bella and me are scary since his desk is four inches from our wildly inappropriate conversations about nonschool related subjects, but he keeps them a secret and I thank him for that.

After we conclude our topic of the day, I notice Bella chugging her bottle of water or digging into her outrageously healthy salad as I sit there and stuff Oreos into my mouth.

Speaking of shoving food in mouths, Rachael Purtell loves her rabbit food, and, in all honesty, she needs the energy after screaming about her mother and plotting her next devious plan to get even with Rachael’s latest boyfriend. Sometimes the things Rachael says while sitting next to me make me very uncomfortable and I’m

Buccaneer Bulletin

BUCCANEER BULLETIN PHOTO

The photo above displays the true colors of those on The Buccaneer Bulletin staff. As one can see, some letters are missing from the main entrance on Buc Boulevard. Managing Editor Patrick Baer took the opportunity to fill the missing “H” with the help of his fellow staff members. Although the “EGO” is still missing from Oswego, there is plenty of ego in this school to go around.

not even the one who said anything.

All in all, I enjoy Rachael, and she has done an amazing job getting our website and social media up and running as well as maintaining it all this year.

As I attempt to do some work, I hear “PATTY-RICK,” yelled from the row in front of me. It’s Katelyn Clary trying to get my attention with one of the more original nicknames I have been given. Patbaerdontcare still trumps all but hers is a close second.

Katelyn is asking me if the center spread looks good, the one I agreed to help her on, but, to be honest, I never even touched the page. While my attention is on the front row, I roll up in my spinning chair to talk to Katelyn and Tara. I am surprised to see that today is the day of the month Emily Hurlbutt is here! I think she’s in class every other day but I am not quite sure.

Now, of course, I can’t get any work done without listening to some music. I start to shuffle my country play list just as Drazen and Mrs. Sheffield turn and look at me to complain. I have noticed that Sheffield’s hearing and overall observations have gotten better since she shaved her hair for St. Baldricks.

For example, the one day Rachael and I are both absent, Sheffield took the opportunity to start a rumor that Rachael and I were on a date. Ha,

funny, right? After what I said about Rachael, I don’t think I want to be her boyfriend…

Reeser is like the tide, going in and out of his hip hop music stages.

Recently Reeser has been taking over the DJ job with Usher and other various rap artists. Since I am relieved of my duties as DJ, I need to lay out my page since the paper was supposed to be sent to the printer yesterday. Looking at my page I realize I need a photo, but where is it? Jordan Oatman, the chief photographer, tells me that she is taking it after school when I start to flip out.

Jordan is graduating early and has a case of junioritis, but what can I say?

So do all of the seniors.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Alex Borland with some NASCAR shirt on just sitting back in his chair with the biggest smile on his face.

I don’t think I have ever seen him in a bad mood. All I know is that he loves NASCAR, country music, and I heard something about his race car bed sheets. Besides that, I believe that Alex’s plan was to join journalism just so some stories about racing would finally be published.

When it comes time to get the editorial cartoon, I turn to Laurelann Easton to give her the next amazing idea to draw. I take a moment before I approach because Jon Parker and Laurelann look like they are on

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their honeymoon and must not be interrupted.

Laurelann was a tough one to talk into taking this class but I am glad I convinced her because she draws the best cartoons I have seen, and Jon is a great help with any task you ask of him.

Around noon, the journalism bell rings, a.k.a. there are 10 minutes left but it is time to stop working and get ready to go. Since I was converted into a Yerd I always peek in on Shaw’s room for the latest update. The details don’t really matter; I am just procrastinating about getting my stories done or my page laid out. Somehow, some way the paper will magically be done and sent off to the printer with plenty of time to spare. That is one luxury I have grown accustomed to.

Each year we talk about how the current staff is “the best staff ever” and although I may not agree because we are far from perfect, we did end up being number one in all of New York State and were invited to conventions at Columbia University, Syracuse University and Saratoga Springs. Since this is the last Buc Bulletin I am a part of, it is bittersweet. Due to our new website and healthy looking younger staff members, I know I will leave the paper in good hands. Everyone has problems, but we have issues.

June 2014

Point/Counterpoint

11

Is early graduation a wise educational decision?

NO

By Elizabeth Sincavage Editorial Editor

YES

By Jordan Oatman Chief Photographer

Students should enjoy their quick four years of high school, avoid the rush to join the adult working world and take advantage of the opportunities offered

Graduating early is more rewarding than wasting senior year with useless study halls and electives

Graduating after your junior year in high school may seem like a good idea at first, especially to many freshmen who think high school will drag on forever.

When I was a freshman I did not see the point in staying in high school any longer than I absolutely had to. I just wanted to start my life outside of high school and be treated like an adult.

Graduating early seemed like the best option for me at the time, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it would not be a good choice.

I realized that I should take advantage of all of the opportunities Oswego High School has to offer. Besides, why should anyone rush growing up any faster than they have to? We have the rest of our lives to be adults.

For many people, going off to college is the first time that they have the full responsibility of taking care of themselves physically, emotionally and financially. Your parents will no longer be there to wake you up if you sleep through your alarm in the morning or to help you when you get stuck in a situation and need them there as quickly as possible.

There is simply no need to rush growing up; it already happens so quickly. I remember feeling like high school would never be over, but now that I am nearing the end of my junior year it feels like I just blinked and it is almost over.

When you graduate early, you miss out on a lot of great opportunities.

Students at OHS are able to take advantage of college classes as well as AP classes.

Taking college classes in high school is a way to help get a better understanding of what expectations colleges may have for you. It can help you get a little bit ahead while still being able to enjoy high school. Taking such classes also helps to impress colleges, not to mention, college classes are usually much cheaper to take during high school.

Since graduating early can require doubling up on some classes to meet graduation requirements, chances are you won’t have time to take these classes. Plus, doubling up on English and social studies can seem very overwhelming.

Junior year has been extremely busy and stressful. I cannot imagine what it would have been like if I had taken on the responsibility of meeting all of the graduation requirements by the end of the year, which includes passing several Regents exams in June.

Since you usually take tests such as the ACT and SAT during the spring of your junior year, graduating early can require you to take these tests sooner and would not give you enough time to retake them and improve your score. Most colleges will look at these scores for admission and scholarship eligibility. Since most people improve their test scores when they retake one of these exams, they also improve their chances of receiving a scholarship or gaining admission to a college.

Graduating a year early also means that you will not get to do all of the fun senior activities with your friends that you have gone to school with your entire life. Isn’t the point in senior activities being able to do things with your class and closest friends for the very last time?

Yes, technically you would be a senior, but imagine how out of place you might feel during senior activities.

Not only will you miss out on senior activities with your friends, but you will also have to grow up a lot faster than them too. You might not have as much time to hang out with them. Your schedules might be really different.

You will be in a different place in your life than your friends since they will still be in high school. While this isn’t true with all friendships, sometimes even the closest friends drift apart.

In the grand scheme of things, four years really is not a long time. Why rush things any more than you absolutely have to? Enjoy all four years of high school and have fun with your friends. After all, these are supposed to be the best years of our lives.

In high school everyone seems to say the same thing. “I hate high school,” “I want to be done already,” or “I wish I could just graduate now.” People don’t seem to realize that there is a different way out instead of the usual four years spent in high school.

Some students and even some teachers don’t know that high school can be finished in three years, and for students in good academic standing who wish to do so, that last dragging year of high school is not necessary.

I first found out about the ability to graduate early from a dear friend of mine.

He is a year older than me and decided about a week before his junior year that he wanted to double all the necessary courses he had left and graduate that same year.

At first I thought the idea was a bit stupid, and I barely understood how it was possible. But the more he explained it to me, the more appealing it became. After months of consideration and weighing the pros and cons, I made my decision. And it was one of the best I ever made.

While graduating early does take some effort, it has a great reward and honestly wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Most students who go for their Advanced Regents Diploma end up having all or very close to the minimum credits required to graduate by the end of their junior year. If they decide not to do New Visions, BOCES, or other college classes at SUNY-Oswego, they end up filling their last year with useless electives, multiple study halls, and short day. I found it easier to just get out instead of dealing with all of that.

One of the arguments made against graduating early is how our school offers us a lot of AP courses and the ability to take courses and earn college credits at SUNYOswego and that we should take advantage of the cheap college credits offered to us.

But people don’t realize that at college, students pay towards tuition per semester not per course they take. So whether you enter college with four credits from AP courses in high school or none, both students are still paying the same amount of tuition towards college. If any money is saved, it is a very small and insignificant number that will not affect most of the loans you have to pay back after college.

If you want to, it’s possible to take that third and final year with AP classes as well. One girl did that last year. She graduated early and did it with credits from most of the college classes offered here at OHS. You also do not have to be a genius to graduate early. Of course you have to be passing all of your classes, but being on highest honor roll throughout your whole high school career is not a necessity. My grades have always ranged anywhere from an A to a C or D, and when I brought up graduating early with my counselor and the administrators, they had no problem letting me do it. The process was actually a lot easier and went much smoother than I expected it to go.

One of the biggest misconceptions of graduating early is that with all of the classes you have to double up on, gym is among them. That is totally wrong. The actual rule is that students must complete as many semesters of gym as semesters that they are in school. So you will not have to take double the gym class.

In fact, the only classes that have to be doubled up, assuming that whoever wants to graduate early has finished and passed all of the early required courses in their freshman and sophomore years, are English and social studies.

Deciding to do this will not fill your schedule up from 7:30 to 2:30 if you do it strategically. I was able to take all the classes left that I needed to graduate and still had a two period Senior Short Day every day and an every other day study hall. That last year does not seem so terrifying when you get out of school every day at one.

One of the best parts, in my opinion, was essentially getting to be a part of both worlds. While in school, I was technically in grade 12; I considered myself both a senior and a junior. I got to be a part of the junior class during things like Junior Prom while getting all the privileges of being a senior. I got to be a part of Senior Dinner Dance, 100 Days, and overall just having seniority.

When I decided to graduate early, I was honestly scared that half way through the year I was going to look back and think, “This was the wrong thing to do. I shouldn’t have done this.” But my gut instinct told me that everything was going to be alright. The pros really did outweigh the cons, and now I know this was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

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June 2014

12

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June 2014

Columns/Features

13

Senior traditions are memorable rites of passage

When people typically think about senior year the image in their head involves less school and more fun. Seniors suddenly get diagnosed with senioritis and they believe homework doesn’t apply to them.

This, however, isn’t exactly true, fun and school work should go hand and hand senior year.

You should set time aside for homework while still participating in senior traditions. These traditions are very important because they are some of the last memorable moments you’ll have with your classmates and they will bring you all closer.

Senior traditions are held throughout the year and are essential in making your senior year stand out from all the other years of high school.

The first senior tradition is powderpuff football where the senior girls can show off their football skills and the guys can show off their team spirit.

Powderpuff is essential because it brings the senior girls together to work as a team in order to beat the juniors. It also makes the senior boys show their creative side and cheer on their Lady Bucs.

Many memorable moments come from school picture, eat a good breakfast, and laugh hysterically dances whether be it homecoming, winter formal, as fellow classmates get hypnotized. As the year prom, or just a regular dance. It is important to go to comes to an end, the last three big scheduled class as many as you can. Even if you don’t have the best functions begin. dance moves and tend to sit in the corner, you can Senior class night is a memorable night; all the still laugh at your friends and make memories that seniors receive superlatives, get their yearbooks, and will last a life time. After all, this is your last chance watch fellow seniors perform. Next comes Seabreeze to attend any of these events. where the senior class gets to ride rollercoasters and One of the most controversial senior traditions water rides to end their year with a bang. Finally, the is senior spirit week. Although teachers may frown senior dinner dance is one of the last times the class upon some of these days, it is important for seniors will dress up, eat, and dance together. to push the boundaries Although these are a little with their the last scheduled senior Senior year should be a fun traditions, there still classmates. This will not only bring you filled year spent laughing and are a few unplanned closer but we have to One of these is making memorable moments ones. admit it is always fun senior skip day where with friends. to test your teachers. the senior class picks a One of the most day and does something talked about senior together instead of traditions is senior trip. It is definitely a must for going to school. This definitely breaks the rules so it senior year. Although it is pricey, there are many is important to keep this date on the down low. opportunities to fund raise to help cut the costs. From Finally, the senior prank. This should be the rollercoasters to Downtown Disney, this is one something funny but school appropriate. of the best trips of your life. I mean, who would not Senior year should be a fun filled year spent want to be in the happiest place on earth with all your laughing and making memorable moments with friends? friends. Although school is still important it is equally After senior trip comes one hundred days; this is important to take part in all the senior traditions when it really starts to kick in that you will be leaving because there are no do overs of your senior year. soon. At one hundred days you will get your class

New Ninja Academy caters to parkour athletes

skilled parkourist encouraging anyone to learn the sport.

The Ninja Academy, a newly “There’s limitless amounts of opened business on the fourth floor of freedom,” he said as he smoothly the Murdock’s building, is dedicated performed tricks on a gymnastic bar. to teaching parkour to anyone willing “It’s completely unbound when to put their energy into it. The building compared to other sports. There’s address is 177 West First Street for nothing like the feeling of conquering those people unfamiliar with the flight,” he said as he threw a crisp Oswego area. front-flip onto one of the crash Parkour is the movement through mattresses and landed smoothly. an environment in the most efficient “Parkour is the most complete and quickest way possible. It involves body workout than any other sport. rapid movement of both body and mind This is coming from a guy who does and keeps you thinking a step ahead crossfit and various workouts,” Hale of yourself. Parkour involves the use said. of every muscle in your body and is When first starting parkour, your quite a strenuous visits will be workout.

Joshua Hale, a trainer at The Ninja Academy, followed with Getting to The soreness has been doing parkour for about four years and muscle Ninja Academy is as your body quite simple if you is an extremely skilled parkourist encouraging adapts to the new know what you’re movements and anyone to learn the sport. looking for. Facing quick reflexes that Murdock’s from are learned over a the sidewalk of West First Street, look of the skilled ninjas will be there as short period of time. just to its right and you will notice a guidance for a rookie. More often Improvement is always seen after framed glass door nestled in between than not, the first move learned by each visit for those who truly try hard Murdock’s and Hanabi. Open the door all is a dive-roll, a move that helps to and the pay off is awesome skills. and take the four flights of stairs that sharpen fluid movements and body-eye Just like learning a math or chemistry will change your life forever at the top coordination. formula and memorizing it, soon you and knock on the door.

The dive roll is mainly used for will begin to have muscle memory Once inside the gym, you will diving over obstacles and the height of each move you have learned and notice it is half full of strange looking and distance one can dive roll is solely parkour will become second nature. plywood obstacles and a Mariodependant upon one’s abilities as an Many people have dozens of themed backdrop wall. The gym is athlete. The rolling part of the dive-roll moves memorized and that is when new and many more obstacles are can be used to absorb the shock from the next big step for beginners comes being constructed so the gym is ever falling. around, expanding your abilities to changing in many aspects.

Joshua Hale, a trainer at The Ninja reach literal new heights. Training There are a variety of differently Academy, has been doing parkour for yourself to jump higher and perform shaped and sized obstacles scattered about four years and is an extremely the same basic moves at new heights Jon Parker Reporter

Buccaneer Bulletin

along the gym that an untrained eye would consider to be a random placement of bars and box like structures. Yet in that environment, anyone ranging from an aspiring parkourist to a master can find an infinite number of ways to get around.

Parkour is a sport that requires skill which is only acquired through practice, trial, error and determination.

Beginners always start with learning the many moves that are basic and the most necessary.

The Ninja Academy has many skilled parkourists who have been training for years to get to the level they are at now. When learning, one

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not only helps in getting up and over larger obstacles but for getting used to using rolls to absorb your landings.

As someone progresses in skill over time in The Ninja Academy, there is a very real realization that comes at one time or another for everyone that definitely makes parkour unique; there is never an end to the learning and increase in skills that can be achieved.

Parkour is a sport that allows for unlimited use and application anywhere from getting off a roof to getting over a fence quickly and efficiently. Each obstacle is unique in structure and shape allowing for infinite possibilities in getting over it.

Parkour is a fun activity to do alone or in a group and anywhere that has obstacles and a safe path to land on.

At The Ninja Academy, the atmosphere is always an upbeat, encouraging feeling that spurs everyone on to try their best and excel. The trainers and trainees always encourage one another and there is never a word of insult or discouragement.

The Ninja Academy is open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekdays, yet can open at a specific time if requested by enough people. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to visit and train. The cost for attending is five dollars, which is reasonable considering the wealth of knowledge that is learned and the values that are learned through the sport.

“You will quickly learn determination, perseverance and grow calluses like that of a guitarist’s fingers,” Hale explained.

June 2014

14

Artist of the Month/Columns

Senior artist creates inspiring clay projects

someone. Colton’s comes from video games and movies he has seen. His own favorite artist is from Japan and is named,Akira Kurosawa. Kurosawa is not just an artist he is also a movie director. He designs his story boards by painting them in great detail.

Colton is also currently taking cinema studying films.This also another love Colton has. He loves to watch scary movies and his favorite all time movie is 7 Samurai directed by Akira Kurosawa. Colton is planning on studying cinema in college.

After high school, Colton plans on taking a year off school and waiting so he can gather money to put towards college when he decides to go. He is not going to school as an art major. He will major in museum studies and minor in cinema to further his love of film making.

By Dylan Kimball Layout Editor

Senior Colton Brown has great artistic talent.

He has accumulated his talent and a love for art by taking four years worth of art classes.The art classes Colton has taken throughout high school include Studio in Art, Sculpture and Ceramics.

He has taken Studio for one year, Sculpture for two, and Ceramics for three years.

Colton’s favorite form of art is clay. He began his love for clay during his freshman year in Studio in Art with Ms. Peterson. Peterson said, “Colton’s artwork is creative and well crafted. His mask series from last year year inspired my Steampunk unit for 20132014.”

He likes clay and Ms. Peterson so much that he takes extra classes during the summer to continue working with clay. Colton’s favorite piece he has made is a very large Komodo dragon. It took him over two months to complete the entire project.

As an artist you have to gain inspiration somehow and from something or

“Colton’s artwork is creative and well crafted. His mask series from last year year inspired my Steampunk unit for 2013-2014.”

Ms. Petersen

OHS Art Teacher PHOTOS BY DYLAN KIMBALL

Above, Colton Brown is pictured with his clay rendition of a Komodo dragon. On the left are clay masks Brown created throughout his high school art career at OHS and he is currently working on another one. A teapot with the cup serving as the top of the pot is pictured on the right.

Picnic year turns out to be busier than expected Schrecengost

By Drazen Business Manager

As the final months of my senior year are coming to an end, I am finally beginning to relax, which is something I have not been able to do in a long time.

Now, whenever I have some free time to myself, I think that I should be studying for some test or preparing some scholarship.

I’m starting to think that what I’m really going to walk away with from this year is post traumatic stress disorder and a referral to visit a psychiatrist. I’d love to be able to say that I lived it up my senior year and have some crazy stories to brag about to future seniors as many had shared with me, but in all honesty, looking back on this year all that I can really remember is a long blur of stress.

“How unfortunate,” I thought to myself after realizing this sad fact. Senior year is the year that everyone refers to when talking about their glory days in high school, so I’m not too thrilled to realize that I never did anything legendary with my year and that I sat back and let the stress of the pre-college experience dictate my final year in our fine school of excellence.

It’s not that I was never able to go out and hang out with friends or have a good time, I’m just saying I felt those good times were more limited with all the deadlines and applications that were in constant need of

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attention. So to all of you underclassmen reading this thinking that you’ll be able to coast through your senior year without a worry; buckle up because you have another thing coming.

Most people call senior year “the easiest year.”

Well, if you call sifting through the 4,140 plus colleges in the United States to decide which one interests you, touring that college, figuring out which one is “best” for you, applying to that college and keeping your fingers crossed that you get in, then good for you!

Some people do know what they want and have a solid plan of what they want to do. However, if you’re like the majority of us and your future remains a mystery, the college process can get pretty stressful.

The thought of college itself is overwhelming, and once you get started on the mountain of college and scholarship applications with strict deadlines, you feel like shutting the curtains and crawling into bed in the fetal position.

I always think to myself, “If I’m this stressed out applying and getting ready for college, how am I going to survive once I get there?”

You also start to get a little nervous when you tour a handful of colleges and never experience that “aha” moment when you discover that this college is exactly where you belong or the college you really love has the best program for what you want to do. www.buccaneerbulletin.com

What if that epiphany never comes and you feel left out in the cold when everyone else knows with dead certainty where they belong? You can add that to the stress list!

For some people, that feeling never comes. It’s up to you to decide which college you think will best fit you and accommodate your needs. Sometimes it simply comes down to location. When you don’t know what you want to do or if that school’s program is “right” for you, you can ask yourself, “Can I see myself enjoying living here?” When you make that decision, sometimes all the pieces fall in place and the puzzle solves itself.

There’s so much to do and so little time to get it all done. What I should have learned in high school is how to manage the stress which is a key part of mastering your senior year. I’ve learned as the year has gone on to make daily check lists and cross off tasks once I have completed them. That way I make sure I get done what needs to be taken care of that day.

I try to be sure to not make a list with unreasonable goals for that day, things like applying for college, while trying to get in that run on the treadmill, all while on the phone with grandma learning about her latest bingo victory. Take care of business in small increments so that you don’t get too overwhelmed is the key to having this chaotic period of time in your life under control.

June 2014

Feature

15

OUR PRINCIPAL’S “SENIOR YEAR” BuccaneerBulletin

Features

OHS is in Good Hands With Hartwell

By Jasmine Davis

Reporter

For the students of OHS, the words “new principal” have become an alltoo-familiar phrase over the past couple of years. So, when over the summer, those words began traveling around once again, students were not really surprised, or excited.

• Who would step up and take on the role as a leader?

• Would our fourth new principal in four years do things any differently than the other three?

• Would it be an interim or permanent principal?

• Would the person be new to the district or a familiar face?

Those questions were all answered on Sept. 7 when the Board of Education appointed Mr. Brian Hartwell our principal.

Hartwell went to a small high school in Lyons, New York where he graduated and moved on to attend Le Moyne College. He played D1 baseball, hoping to continue his dream of being a New York Yankees’ catcher. When that wasn’t the p a t h where life

brought him, hecontinued into a career in what he’s passionate about, history.

Hartwell was first hired into the Oswego High School social studies department. After teaching global studies and SUPA Economics, he moved on to be the House 3 principal in the former “House Plan.”

There’s a world of difference between being the principal and a house principal. An assistant principal is assigned to deal with specific parts of OHS while the main principal deals with the school as a whole. From issues such as the appearance and image of the school, to the budget, every executive decision made in the high school is run through his office first.

“What a difference fifty feet makes,” said Hartwell, commenting on how different his job is now just a few doors away from his old assistant principal’s office.

Hartwell would’ve never guessed ten years ago that he’d be in the position that he is today, but when the opportunity presented itself, he decided that the time was right. He has many high hopes for OHS and its potential.

The 2010 –’11 school year has high expectations, with both new policies and newly-enforced policies being put in place to create the best learning environment possible. “We have a lot of kids in this school who are doing the right thing. Ninety percent of the student body is doing everything right; it’s the (other)10 percent that we have to try to work on. The 10 referral system was created to solve the smaller problems that make up the big ones,” said Hartwell. After sitting down and looking at the statistics of the previous school years, the biggest issue was lateness. “We are really trying to stress being prompt for the students this year.

The referral system gives students the opportunity to correct their problem before it becomes a bigger issue,” said Hartwell.

Hartwell is making his presence as the principal known. If students never noticed him in the building before, they are noticing him now.

From walking around the halls and popping into classrooms, to speaking on the announcements, Hartwell has a feeling of enthusiasm around him. He is personable and charismatic;

he is a leader. “Being a principal means you have to be passionate about doing what’s best for students,” said Hartwell. It’s also important to be a good listener, to be flexible, and to be able to cooperate with others to create the best solution available.

“What’s right isn’t always popular, and what’s popular isn’t always right,” Hartwell stated when he explained his firm belief in doing what’s best for the students and the school as a whole. “I truly believe that the sky is the limit with OHS because its students, parents, faculty, and staff are great, as well as the community surrounding it.”

Hartwell’s goal for this year is to prove that Oswego High School is truly a school of excellence. OHS continues to produce graduates who are greatly successful in their paths in life, and part of that is that they came from a high school that enabled them to achieve. OHS doesn’t take enough credit for what a great school it really is. Hartwell is ready to instill the confidence in OHS and build the reputation it deserves.

Volume 14 Number 1

Haunted Oswego Pages 4 & 5 Jacqueline Hondro ‘Walks the Plank’ Page 7 Athlete of the Month: MacKenzie Dunsmoor Page 8

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

October 2010

New Principal Stresses Teamwork Page 2

PhOtO IllustratION by MONék CulleN

“I truly believe that the sky is the limit with OHS because its students, parents, faculty, and staff are great, as well as the community surrounding it.”

Mr. Brian Hartwell, Principal

phOtO IllustratIOn by mOnek cullen

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2010

BUCCANEER BULLETIN GRAPHIC

2

Mr. Brian Hartwell was featured four years ago in the October 2010 Buccaneer Bulletin just one month into his tenure as OHS Principal.

Hartwell puts in four years and is not stopping there Over the past four years, Mr. Hartwell has done a lot for Oswego High School. He has put a lot of effort into making improvements and has plans for the future to further enhance the high school experience for students and faculty.

By Emily Hurlbutt Reporter

On August 24, 2010, Brian Hartwell was officially hired and appointed principal of Oswego High School. Nearly four years later, Hartwell continues to hold the position. He will have been the principal for the entire high school career of the graduating class of 2014.

This may not sound like such a feat, but it is important to remember the long string of principals who filled the position for a short time and then resigned prior to 2010. The last class to have the same principal for all four years graduated in 2000.

When Hartwell entered the position, he was the fourth new principal in four years. He had previously been an assistant principal at OHS and decided to apply after consulting his colleagues and other assistant principals.

Hartwell’s time at OHS started when he was hired for a position in the social studies department.

Mr. David Cowell was the principal when Hartwell started teaching. Cowell was the OHS principal from 1988 to 2000. Hartwell stated that he looked up to

Buccaneer Bulletin

Cowell and the way he ran the school. at 67%. Last year, the rate was 82%. OHS has had When Hartwell found out he got the position, the biggest rate increase in the county over the last he decided that in order to fix some of the problems several years. This is a significant improvement, but within the school, there needed to be a change in Hartwell is confident that in the coming years, “We’re atmosphere. One of his main goals was to fix the gonna get to 90 percent.” OHS will continue to offer dysfunction that existed with the relationship between programs that encourage students to stay in school the administration, the students, and the faculty. and strive for success.

The lack of order and rule abidance was a Another aspect of the school that Hartwell hopes hindrance to learning for many students. One change to further improve is to continue offering programs that was instituted when Hartwell became principal that motivate students to stay in school and to be was the revamping of the referral system. successful. Hartwell likes to stress that every day is a Referral punishments were not being fulfilled and chance to improve and encourages students to, “Win discipline issues were a serious problem. The year the day.” before Hartwell started as principal, there were over The aspect of Hartwell’s job that he finds most 11,000 referrals challenging is the filed. A year later of keeping “Mr. Hartwell is the best principal I have task that number was the balance ever worked with in all my years as a between his nearly cut in half. The number work and his life teacher and as an administrator.” of referrals has of school.

-Mrs. Wheeler outside continued to He describes the OHS Assistant Principal job as, “More of a decrease each subsequent year. lifestyle.”

There were less The work and than 3,000 referrals filed this year. passion Hartwell puts into his job is immense, and he Through other changes like those made to the truly cares about the students and staff at OHS. Code of Conduct and the mandatory planner use, Many members of the OHS community recognize behavior expectations were heightened. and appreciate the effort that Principal Hartwell Another thing that changed when Hartwell puts into his job. Mrs. Wheeler, who is currently an became principal was policy in regard to helping assistant principal, said, “Mr. Hartwell is the best students who struggle to pass classes. If a student principal I have ever worked with in all my years as a is failing two or more classes, then that student will teacher and as an administrator.” need to receive counseling and support. While it Hartwell is proud of many aspects of the high is unacceptable for students to fail classes, those school. The order and respect that have come from students who do may need extra support and should changes in the relationship between students and have access to it. faculty have helped OHS to truly become a school of Five years ago, the OHS graduation rate was excellence.

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June 2014

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Volume 2 Number 7

Erica Atkins

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Elizabeth Baker

Matt Clemons

Hannah Fitzgerald

Alex Kemper

Ryan Lavner

Garrett Skinner

Brandon Tracz

Volleyball Basketball Lacrosse

Soccer Lacrosse

Football Basketball Track and Field

Swim Golf

Golf Swim Tennis

Golf Hockey Lacrosse

Bowling

Football Basketball Baseball

June 2014

Madison Collins Volleyball Golf

Mitch Schrader Football Hockey Lacrosse

Isabella Winklestine Volleyball Basketball

Congratulations to you all! Thanks for being part of Oswego Athletics.