May 2006 by Buccaneer Bulletin

Buccaneer Bulletin Volume 9 Number 6

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Alco-SensorED

May 2006

Freshmen Mentoring Considered Kris Dewine

Managing Editor

Photo by Abby Martin

Mr. John C. Anderson IV, Director of Security at OHS, demonstrates a device called the Alco-Sensor to Buccaneer Bulletin editor Allan Brown. It tells if students are under the influence of alcohol.

Prom Security Goes High-Tech Anderson Scott

Entertainment Editor

Maybe you know someone who is planning to have a few drinks before the prom, or someone who likes to smoke pot before a school activity. Schools are now are using high-tech devices to detect substance abuse . Last year, nearby F-M High School started instituted the use of saliva tests that can detect six different types of drugs. With the Oratect Multiple Drug Screen, staff at F-M can detect THC (marijuana), methamphetamines (crystal meth and ecstasy), cocaine, amphetamines (speed), PCP (angel dust), and opiates (heroin). At many other schools, including OHS, officials also can use what is called an Alco-Sensor to test for alcohol use. There is controversy about these types of tests, though. Not everyone thinks that this is a good idea, and it’s not

just the students who object. Barrie Gewanter executive director of the Central New York Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, disagrees such testing. She doesn’t think that schools should test students, based solely on the fact that they may show signs of strange behavior. She said, “Teenagers don’t always have conventional behaviors.” Here at OHS there is “No discussion at all concerning drug tests,” said Principal Peter Myles. “There is a policy for possession,” Myles said, and “If a student admits to using drugs, we suspend them.” Though Oswego High School does not use the saliva swab, Myles said that if OHS did have this tool, it would be used more as a “deterrent.” Testing of students is never random. There needs to be a reason to test a student, such as slurring words, erratic behavior, a tip from another student, an adult or chaperone about someone under the influence, or if a see

Columnist Affected by DWI Panel Page 2

Literary Magazine Revived Page 10

“alco-sensor” page 3

Chris Sova: Athlete of the Month Page 15

It is inevitable; the transition from middle school to high school is much like comparing apples to oranges. Knowing the security and simplicity of being surrounded by peers closest to your age for two years is extremely comforting. Suddenly, the “crutch” is gone and it becomes up to the incoming freshman whether to run in terror or grab the bull by the horns. Fortunately, schools across America have created peer mentoring programs to serve almost like a “big brother/big sister” system, to help freshmen students better adjust to their first year in an intimidating high school environment. The system created to help make the difficulties of high school a little less challenging has recently been adopted by many schools including some here in Central New York. The participating schools have implemented a peer mentoring program where seniors and some juniors are assigned to mentor freshmen who are at risk of struggling academically. Elizabeth Bunn, a senior at Auburn High School, recalls when she was first part of the “senior buddy program.” “When I was a freshman, my senior buddy was of no help; he didn’t really acknowledge me,” Bunn said in an interview published in The PostStandard. She had decided she didn’t want that to happen to other freshmen. She said she’s been working with her mentee every other day during her study hall period. Bunn helps her with her homework, puts her in touch with her teachers if extra help is needed and makes sure she is studying for tests. see

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Also Inside ... • • •

Sullivan Walks the Plank Seniors Dating Freshmen? Bad Nutrition for Athletes

Columns/News

Emotional Panel Discussion on Drunk Driving

Oswego and its community have finally said “enough is enough.” With the number of parties and underage drinking in the high school growing at an alarming rate, Mr. Peter Myles, Executive Principal at OHS has taken a proactive step in confronting a problem that has mura gichane consumed the entire community. The dilemma that the principal and other leaders face in the community is protecting a group of young people who live with the sentiment, “It’s my life and I can do whatever I want with it.” To reach the students, Myles chose an alternative route by confronting the parents. In a letter sent out to all families with children registered at the high school, Myles explained a situation that was quickly growing out of control to unaware or negligent parents. According to Director of School Security John Anderson, the number of alcohol-related suspensions is up a significant percentage at the high school. “Several students have been caught with possession of alcohol in school and many come to our school functions intoxicated,” he continued. Many parents around the community simply had no idea it was going on or how large the problem had grown, but Myles invited each family to a meeting last month that would discuss the problem and give parents ways to help sober the community out of its drunken state. Attending the meeting wasn’t my idea of a satisfying Wednesday night, but I quickly took out my reporter’s notebook and got into my “professional mode” trying hard

The Post-Standard photograph/Mike Geenlar

The remains of Skaneateles high school student Steve Corsello’s Ferrari serve as a reminder of a DWI tragedy. Matt Angelillo died in this crash. Matt’s mom spoke at OHS last month during a DWI victim-impact panel.

to forget I hadn’t set my outdated VCR to catch a new episode of America’s Top Model. Looking around the room, it startled me to realize how empty the room was. Out of a possible three-thousand parents, a mere fifteen or twenty had shown up and a barely-noticeable five students were scattered about the room, agonizing over the next hour of note-taking required for either a government or economics class. As Myles began to speak, it quickly became evident that the few in attendance would have a memorable evening. Sure. I’d heard all this before, and so had many of the others. Many had taken Driver Ed. or a Health class that had beaten the evils of underage drinking and driving into our minds, and this meeting seemed to be going down

that same road. Maybe recognizing our doubts, STOP DWI Program coordinator Paul R. Stoner reassured us of an experience we wouldn’t soon forget. “What you’ll hear tonight is beyond your worst nightmare,” Stoner guaranteed, yet the warning still failed to prepare me for the terrors that lay ahead. The first speaker was a mother who’d been stripped of “her pride and joy” a short six months before. It was clear that the wounds were still fresh as she struggled to release the words lodged in her throat. Her son, Brian Delong, was an Oswego High School student and was attending BOCES, hoping to one day become a fireman. On October 1, 2005, Brian was struck by a drunk driver as he tried to push his girlfriend out of harm’s way. The driver was later found to have

a blood-alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit. Mrs. Delong barely finished her tragic tale as tears trailed down her reddened face. Many in the audience couldn’t help but surrender to the emotions that death often triggers. Mrs. Delong went on, ignoring the anguish that had reduced her voice into a muffled cry and her body into irrepressible shakes. “They say life is short,” she whimpered, “but I have another forty to fifty years to live without my son. To me that’s an eternity.” For a few moments it was silence, except for the rustling of tissues and the sniffling that accompanies tears. All in attendance were left paralyzed in their seats, unable to even blink, let alone clap in appreciation of this woman’s courage. It was as impressive as her pain, and although the story had touched all in attendance, everyone was still numb as the next speaker began her story. “How many of you have ever had to pick up a casket?” Joanne Hutchinson began, daring anyone to answer her question. “It’s the ugliest piece of…whatever!” Mrs. Hutchinson lost her eighteen year old daughter Amanda on June, 20 1998, a week before she was set to graduate and just two hours before Father’s Day. After nearly eight years, her death still inspired a strong reaction from Hutchinson who, with her husband, was forced to identify her daughter’s burnt remains through dental records, accept her high school diploma, and bury her all in a matter of days. The reason? A drunk driver. A man who had previous counts of drunk driving on his record. A man who had no license. A man allowed to roam the roads with reckless abandon. A man allowed to change lives forever…parents, brothers, see

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Mentoring Programs Receiving Successful Reviews continued from page

Mentoring has become an effective method that builds trust and demonstrates respect for peers, teachers, and administrators. Also, another rewarding aspect of the school buddy system is the encouragement the mentee receives to attend school regularly, do homework every night, study for tests, and ask for help when needed. Besides the fact that the mentee benefits from

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this program, the mentor benefits as well. The students that volunteer as mentors must be willing to guarantee action (not just in words,) that they will be getting something valuable out of being a mentor to a fellow student according to the Graduate Student Senate. The mentor must also understand, and be sure to keep the relationship 50/50 regarding the effort put forth. Mutuality, in other words meeting each other halfway, is a necessity to a success-

ful peer mentoring team. It cannot be a one-way relationship where the mentor does all the work. Peer mentoring is a viable and valuable option for students who are having trouble gaining their “footing” in high school. Peer mentoring is also a great way for successful, caring students to make a difference as well by assisting their fellow students in academic endeavors to insure their success.

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2006

Columns/News

Teens Keep Drinking, Driving, and Dying Every year around prom time you always hear parents say “Someone in your class will be dead before you graduate.” A lot of us arrogant teens let this wise warning go in one ear and right out the other. Then, when prom season rolls around, we feel young and invincible. We foolishly think that if we drink and drive that we won’t get into a car accident and hurt ourselves or someone else. But every year, unfailingly, teens Chrissy die because of drinking and driving. Most teens know that drinking and King driving don’t mix, but what they may not know are the statistics on how many people ages 16-20 die each year. The leading cause of death of people in this age group is car accidents; nearly half of these fatal accidents involve alcohol. Also, a 2003 survey of high school students held by the Center for Disease Control stated that 45 percent of high school students say that they have drank alcohol on one or more occasion every month. These statistics are staggering. But even with this knowledge, we still live in the moment and don’t think ahead of the consequences that can come from our actions. “Kids just don’t have enough real life experience and do things that are fun at the moment and don’t think ahead of the consequences,” commented Mrs. Rachel Henderson one of the House Two guidance counselors. Many neuroscientists believe that because of brain development the “Don’t drink and drive” slogan may not be meaningful to teens, so they won’t take it seriously. This means that when it comes time to drive home after a party, we don’t remember to stop and think about what could happen to us if we drive after we have been drinking. To make it more significant in teens minds, it is important that the “Don’t Drink and Drive” slogan be coupled with a visual such as a smashed up car or an interview with a loved one of someone who was killed due to drinking and driving. The reason why it is important to take extra precautions around prom time to make sure teens are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving is because statistics from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) show that more than half of the fatal car accidents involving teens during prom weekend

were alcohol related. The tragic fact of the matter Life is not a movie and life is not a video game; is that some teens are going to drink and drive even if a car hits you because the driver was drinkwith this information. So it is also important to make ing or you drive your car into a tree because you other options available to teens to get home safely. were drinking, you don’t get another shot. In real First, parents should make it clear that if need be, it life there are no do-overs. This is something that is okay for their kids to call for a ride. Because some we teens really need to realize, especially with kids aren’t comfortable with calling their own parents the prom and graduation right around the corner. for rides, some high The moral of schools have had the story is, just be parent volunteers “Life is not a movie and life is not a safe. We aren’t inwait for kids who video game; if a car hits you because vincible. If you’ve need rides home een drinking, the driver was drinking or you drive bcall to call a designatsomeone who ed phone number. your car into a tree because you were hasn’t. Henderson Then the parents drinking, you don’t get another shot. said, “The only go and pick up the advice I can give kids and bring them In real life there are no do-overs.” is to think things home, no questions through before asked. There is also the idea of having an after- you’re at a party and can’t think straight because prom party, something we do at OHS, but some- you’ve been drinking. Put yourselves in the shoes of times with a small turnout. “Another idea would someone who loves you and think about how they be that the cab companies could give free rides to would feel if you got hurt because you were drinkkids who call on prom night, like they do on St. ing and driving. Think about the consequences.” Patty’s Day,” suggested Henderson. All of these Prom is supposed be a night to rememthings could help prevent alcohol-related accidents. ber. Make the coming prom just that, not a Granted, it is high school and it is hard sometimes night that you’ll regret for the rest of your life. to listen to parents and teachers, but the drinking and driving message is something that should be taken to heart. When adults nag us about being safe, thinking things through, and calling if we need help, it’s not to be mean or to ruin our good time. They do it because it’s every parents dream to see their child walk across the stage to receive a diploma, and no parent should be cheated of that chance because one night their kid drank, drove, and died.

Alco-Sensor Seldom Used

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a student wreaks like alcohol. The Alco-Sensor tests are “Not used very often at all,” said Myles, “They’re used more at dances than during the school day, he stated.” If you test positive on the Alco-Sensor, meaning you have alcohol in your system, the result is a five-day suspension. For repetitive offenders of the alcohol policy, further disciplinary action is taken as well as substance-abuse counseling. Whether it’s the prom, the MORP, Powderpuff football, or any of the other activities planned for the final six weeks of the school year, just note that the staff does have the right and the technology to test you for drug and/or alcohol use. One OHS teacher summed it up best, when he stated, “The only way to guarantee that you’re not going to get caught is not to be foolish enough to drink or take drugs in the first place. Just go out and have a fun and safe prom and graduation season.”

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Columns

Speakers Urge Parents to Take Action on DWI adolescent maturity and character trailed off as she sat back down, but with all the pressures and influences formation. Unfortunately they’re also outside the rain beat down harder. that come with being an adolescent. the ones that introduce your child to So, is it really our life and are we We’re bound to be immature, foolish, risky behavior and substance abuse.” allowed to do whatever we want with fun, irrational, and innocent to life’s Her voice did not quiver and her eyes it? Mr. Stoner dispelled the myth and greatest challenges while at such an refused to waver. undeveloped stage, but She remained stoic stakes are much higher and determined, we add alcohol “We’re bound to be immature, foolish, when emphasizing and drugs into such fun, irrational, and innocent to life’s an explosive mix. It each word with undeniable passion, greatest challenges while at such an creates an environment love, and pain. Her for tragedy. undeveloped stage, but stakes are ripe This presentation was a environment tribute to her son’s much higher when we add alcohol and has consumed this life, and although his community and will drugs into such an explosive mix.” death had sunk in, devastate it unless his memory would something is changed. live forever through “This is a real problem her as a reminder of how dreams made sure each student understood in our community,” School Resource can be shattered and nightmares the responsibility he possesses. Officer Daniel Chamberlain of OHS constructed in a matter of moments; “Your life is intertwined with many and the Oswego Police Department how lives can be altered by a grave others. It depends on others and said before the meeting came to a mistake. “The wave of grief is not others depend on you. It was never close. “It takes a whole community to like you imagine it,” she said, unable your life, and it never will be!” It’s raise a child, but it also takes a whole to hold in a tear. “It’s far worse.” a tough reality to grasp as teenagers community to protect a child.” By this time my pen had stopped moving and I glanced around the room, I noticed the window and the dark gloom that had masked the day’s bright rays. Even the clouds seemed to be “Peer pressure is stronger crying as the gentle of rain ricocheted than you think; it’s stronger taps off the roof, creating a than any love our children soft clap that seemed to be applauding the have for us.” three mothers for their Marianne Angelillo courage. “…By not turning your kids in forever. They had a bonfire party for smoking dope or drinking, then where everyone drank, and when it you’re only setting them up for was time to go home they didn’t think failure in the future,” Mrs. Angelillo twice about driving. “It’s very hard continued, snapping me out of to say the ‘D’ word,” Mrs. Angelillo my brief daze. She had turned her explained. “I can’t say Death…’D’ attention to the parents, and the fiery is in every word I hate. DWI, Drunk, passion returned back in her eyes. underage Drinking.” That night, all “Tell on them! Stop covering up for four words took shape as the boys them! Allow them to face the natural were ‘underage drinking’ and because consequences!” Turn in your own they were ‘drunk’ they chose to children? I noticed several parents ignore the dangers of ‘DWI,’which astonished that she’d advised an ultimately meant the ‘death’ and action that seemed so un-loyal, but waste of Matthew Angelillo’s life. Mrs. Angelillo gave them no chance “Peer pressure is stronger than you to question her further. “So what! I’m think,” Mrs. Angelillo explained ruining a few people’s fun…what I’m to the parents. “It’s stronger than going through in my life right now any love our children have for us. is not fun! Believe me; you don’t The high school years are ones of want to lose your child…” Her voice continued from page

sisters, sons and daughters, grandparents and friends all affected. A man, who to this day, still has never apologized for the carnage he inflicted on one family. “It’s a tough road and it hurts whenever I do these presentations,” Hutchinson said, her eyes pleading for a second chance. “It drains you.” Marianne Angelillo faced the incredible challenge of following these stories, but her tragedy was a bit different. Although the end result was the same, the way she lost her eighteen year old son Matthew hit a lot closer to home and was the main problem Mr. Myles hoped to address with the meeting. Matthew Angelillo was an honor student at Skaneateles High School and he’d committed to serve his country after graduation by choosing to attend the Air Force Academy. He was a star on the varsity football and lacrosse teams and was blessed with a closeknit group of friends. But on Father’s Day 2004, the group made a fateful decision that changed their lives

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May

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Walking the Plank

Retiring English Teacher ‘Walks the Plank’ This month, The Buccaneer Bulletin “Walks the Plank” with OHS English teacher Michael Sullivan. Sullivan is retiring at the end of this school year with over 29 years of service. BB: How long have you been teaching here? MS: I’ve been here at Oswego High School for 19 years, and before that I taught at Midlakes High School for ten years. BB: What do you like best about teaching? MS: I think about 10 or 15 years ago I noticed I don’t have to wait very long each day before a student asks a question that inspires me or engages me in conversation and shares something about themselves. So I think it’s the expected and unexpected inspirations which are a result of young people being excited about living. BB: What is your favorite book and why? MS: I couldn’t choose one title; I can give you a couple. I love To Kill a Mockingbird. I love Brave New World. I love One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Lord of the Flies. BB: Can you define the terms “Oh buster,” and some of the others you made famous in your classroom? MS: I have to give my oldest son Ben credit for the term “Oh buster,” Whenever we go fishing, and catch a large fish, we say “Oh Buster!” I’ve also heard it used when he hits a good golf shot, so I stole that expression from him… And “Holy Moses” and the peach metaphor… I got those from my father-in-law and I took those too… Hardly anything that I say or think is original; it’s all out of books or from people. BB: Did you play any sports growing up? MS: Yeah, I lived at the playground…baseball,

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softball, basketball, football, and hockey in the winter. I was bound and determined as a boy to become better with my left hand in basketball, so I spent an entire summer dribbling lefthanded back and forth to the play ground every day and I’ll be darned if it didn’t work. I became better with my left hand. I love golf too. BB: If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be? MS: Well, first off is my wife Cathy. Second would probably be my dad, who died in a car accident in 1966… and then….okay… all my children and my mother… that question wasn’t fair! BB: What is your favorite color and why? MS: I like blue-green. I love being out on the water and I love the sky. Sometimes on a warm day when I can smell the dirt on the ground I like to be like a dog and roll on my back on the ground in ecstasy. That’s insanity, but it is true…Oh speaking of dogs I have a dog whose name is Luis Untimier and he does that often on a summer day when it’s warm and you can smell the heat and the ground and pine cones. Well, he enjoys rolling on his back like he’s in ecstasy, and there are times when I’d like to get right down there with him… I won’t tell you I do, but you can only imagine. BB: Are you the same person at home that you are in school? MS: I try to be, but my wife tries to set some boundaries and parameters She’s a very wise and kind woman, and if she didn’t set these boundaries for me, I probably would have done some serious damage to myself a long

time ago. Speaking of my wife, we were born on the same day, same year, same hospital, within a half an hour from each other. BB: If you were trapped on a deserted island and you could only have three things with you, what would they be? MS: A really long book, Grapes of Wrath, my little boat with a motor to get off the island, and… a large bag of carrots. That wasn’t supposed to be serious was it? BB: What is your favorite food? MS: Lettuce…the heart of lettuce. BB: If you could have one wish what would it be? MS: Oh buster, that I could get some time back and do more than what I’ve done. BB: What do you think about the earlier talk of not filling your job after you retire? MS: Well first off, not filling my position is way beyond my understanding. What I mean by that is that is don’t know the details. The job should be filled. If you don’t fill my position, class sizes would be way too large, and that’s not good for anyone. BB: Where did you grow up? MS: I grew up for a while in Buffalo, NY and then we lived for a while in San Diego, California. Then we moved to Plattsburgh, NY and then we found our way back to Buffalo. BB: Where did you go to college? MS: I went to college at Buffalo State, Canisius, UB, Geneseo, and I took some SUPA training at Syracuse. BB: What would be something interesting people don’t already know about you? MS: I don’t know if people know that I like to fix things… I like to work on old broken things and try to fix them. Editor’s Note: Walking the Plank is a regular feature in The Buccaneer Bulletin. This month’s feature was compiled by Abby Martin, with photos by Kait Anderson. If you have an idea for this feature, contact amartin@ oswego.org.

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2006

Editorial

Mentoring Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editors-in-Chief Allan Michael Brown JoBeth Dunsmoor Managing Editor Kris Dewine Business Manager Chrissy King Entertainment Editor Scott Anderson Layout Editor Christopher Battles Sports Editor Kevin Kearns Clublicity Editor Ashley Johnston Chief Photographer Abby Martin Art Director Fred Maxon Ad Reps/Designers Savannah Bell Photographers Alyssa Holland Kait Anderson Sportswriters Dave Winklebleck Mike Tyo Senior Writer Mura Gichane Reporters/Columnists Jordan Brancato 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. Printing services provided by The Palladium-Times. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.

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cartoon by heather kilmer

…to the crackdown on seniors staying in school after they are supposed to leave for short day. Senior short day is given for a reason, to lessen the crowd at the end of the day. Seniors sticking around to hang out in the halls after they are supposed to be gone isn’t accomplishing this goal. …to senior Liz VanDurme, who recently won the New York Women in Communications scholarship worth $10,000. VanDurme won the scholarship for exceptional work in the field of communications by interning at WSYR Channel 9 through Oswego County BOCES Unique Ventures program. Also attending the award ceremonies were big names in the communications field including Katie Couric, Bill Moyers, Susan Sarandon, Diane Sawyer, and Ellen Degeneres. …to the second annual Battle of the Bands, which was held in the OHS theater as a fundraiser for next year’s yearbook. The winners of the contest were the band Some Type of Phobia. The other bands featured were Rise to the Fallen, Catalyst, Mind Over Matter, and Penfield. Thumbs up to the three judges Mr. Kurt Phaneuf, Mr. Scott Bandla, and Ms. Jennifer Dempsey. …to Mrs. Eve Phillips, who was recently honored by RIT during a dinner recognizing the top 1 percent of its senior class and the teachers who inspired them. OHS alumnus Michael Tresidder (Class of ‘02) selected Phillips to share in his accomplishments as the teacher who inspired his ongoing academic excellence.

…to the string of lockdowns we dealth with last month. It’s understandable that in the world we live in today certain precautions need to be taken when a spare piece of luggage is left unattended, but when a student is throwing away a backpack and can’t find a garbage can that it will fit in, that doesn’t seem warrant mass hysteria. …to the faculty and staff who do not turn on their TVs for the morning announcements or who do not distribute this publication on the mornings it is to be circulated. We work hard to produce quality programming (WBUC) and a quality newspaper (Buccaneer Bulletin), in hopes that our fellow students see our efforts.

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In Our View . . .

Editorials

Try Mentoring New Freshmen

Auburn High School, as well as other years about getting homework done on time, schools in the area, has instituted a freshmen but also about surviving everyday life at OHS mentoring program in its school, and students and avoiding the threats and pressures that who volunteer for the program have used it to high school kids face every day, such as peer their advantage. Oswego and Auburn share pressure, drugs and alcohol, and bullying. similar issues surrounding the tough transition High school ‘survival’ is not always an issue from middle to high school, but perhaps we of difficult classes, but of the ability to adjust. need to take Auburn’s lead and make a freshOswego can take a page out of Auburn’s man mentoring experience a priority here. book in order to better comfort our incoming While Auburn’s program requires fresh- freshmen. The biggest problem that would men to volunteer for mentoring assistance, be addressed is, of course, the failing grades we believe that in Oswego, it should be mandatory. This High school “survival” is not way, no one ‘newbie’ is favored in any way over another, always an issue of difficult classes, e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t y w o u l d b e but of the ability to adjust. given to everyone, and no one freshman would be singled out or stereo- and declining number of credits earned by typed by peers for ‘needing’ a senior mentor. the new freshmen each year. In aiding the At the same time, we also feel that Oswe- new kids with their homework by encouraggo should not gear the mentoring toward just ing and tutoring, mandatory senior mentors homework completion and grade improve- could be the solution to these problems. ment. The toughness of the transition doesn’t At the same time, though, the faltering lie only in the classroom and homework load freshmen grades may not have everything to the ninth graders suddenly face, but also in the do with intelligence and motivation, but with social interaction with twice as many students the other social problems that the kids face as in their previous building. The responsibil- daily, consuming much of their time. Senior ity of the senior mentors would not only be to mentors, if implemented at OHS, need to be use the knowledge they have gained over four made to fit the specific problems of our school.

Our View of the Budget Process

The Oswego City School District, led by David the board for listening to the voices of its employees N. Fischer, Superintendent, recently proposed a new whose lives are affected by their decisions every day. budget for the 2006-07 school year. After much While the funds discussed in the proposal were input from the community at several board meet- all tentative (as of our deadline), and they caused ings and public sessions, the budget has since been some unrest within the community, numbers such revised to meet the needs of just about everyone as the financial support from the state that the that issued district will receive and the a concern. We c o m m e n d t h e b o a r d f o r contributions from the local The board listening to the voices of its steam station are now on has made their way to being finalized. m a n y o f employees whose lives are affected Unfortunately for the disthe correct by their decisions every day. trict, though, district busidecisions in ness manager Deborah Miller the past weeks. Though approached in a sometimes turned in her resignation recently to take a job at confrontational manner, the job that has been getting West Genesee. As this budget debate played out, done by way of five-hour board meetings, is finally the fact is that Miller answered all questions that substantial and effective. The Oswego High School were raised in a prompt, sufficient, and professional English Department assembled at a recent public manner. The district will have a large void to fill, session to protest the elimination of one English po- and hopefully that can be done with a minimal sition for next year. When it was pointed out to the impact in the coming school year. While Mrs. board that the residual effects would include larger Miller can obviously not be blamed for seeking class loads for remaining teachers, elimination of professional growth, the Board needs to quickly some of the electives the school has enthusiastically figure out just who is going to control its finances promoted to students recently in order to eliminate next year. We wish them luck in finding somepointless and overcrowded study halls, and possible one with the skills and experience of Mrs. Miller, closing of the school’s Writing Center, the board and hope that whoever it is has the persistence eventually discussed other options. We commend and perseverance to endure tough budget battles.

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Should a freshmen mentoring program be instituted at OHS? Patrick Meagher “I think it’s a good idea for students that have more difficulty adapting.” Class of 2006

Beth Hinckley “I really don’t think so because if the effort isn’t there, then it’s not going to work. They need to have the drive to succeed.”

Class of 2007

Mr. Brian Parotte “It could be bad and it could be good, depending on who it is.” Teacher

Morgan Bachelor “If the freshman student wants it, then yeah.” Class of 2008

Michelle Stepien “No, because older kids make fun of freshmen.” Class of 2008

Joe Battista “It’s a good idea. I was nervous and afraid; I couldn’t find any of my classes. It would have been nice to have someone there.”

Class of 2009

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May

2006

Features

Teens Using a New Recreational Drug irreversible brain damage, coma, and death. DXM alone can result in the above mentioned problems, Dextromethorphan, or also commonly known as but if a user takes an anti depressant, an anti deDM or DXM, is yet another drug that’s being pressant, an allergy medicine, or diet drug as well, misused for a recreational it only increases your purpose. DXM is an antichances of the previtussive (cough suppresously listed severe side sant) drug that is found effects. If the use of in many over-the-counter DXM is taken on a regcold and cough mediular basis, withdrawcines. The Food and Drug al symptoms include Administration approved restlessness, muscle the drug for sale in 1958. or bone aches, insomLike many other drugs nia, diarrhea, vomitthat are being misused, ing, and cold flashes DXM is becoming anwith goose bumps. other recreational drug Although most side of choice for teens. Many effects can be debiliside effects can occur tating, some users igwhen abusing DXM such nore these risks. One as heatstroke, nausea, hot OHS user stated, “I flashes, dizziness, diarfirst heard about it on rhea, vomiting, psychoa website and decidlogical addiction, depresed it would be fun to Photo Illustration By Alyssa Holland sion, enhanced awareness, try. I looked up a lot impaired judgments, loss DXM effects every person in a different about it and took many of coordination, seizures, way. One user described hallucinations that measures to elimiinvolved him fighting Richard Nixon. panic attacks, and allergic nate (possible health) reactions which are generrisks, relatively low ally from the cough syrup itself according to Health doses of DXM aren’t dangerous. I purchased Scout News. If higher dosages are taken, more se- pure powder so the risk of dying wasn’t there,” vere problems can occur such as psychotic breaks, he confided under the condition of anonymity. Alyssa Holland Photographer

Based upon a person’s body weight and how much their body can handle, DXM affects everyone differently. Another user described his ‘trip’ on DXM explaining, “It’s completely different every time you do it, and it makes you very carefree. If you do enough, you can have hallucinations and end up fighting Richard Nixon.” One user who didn’t seem to enjoy DXM stated, “You go through immediate withdrawal the next day and just feel depressed. It’s also known to cause upset stomachs and nausea.” Another DXM user explained his ‘bad trip.’ “One night we decided to do a little more than we had previously, and a couple hours after, I was unable to move from the position I was in. My friend kept explaining to us frantically how he needed someone to hold him and tell him everything would be okay, after periodically running outside and rolling in snow and saying that he was very warm.” There haven’t been many studies to prove just how dangerous using DXM as a recreational drug can be. However, each year there are 56,000 emergency room visits in the United States due to the misuse of DXM according to Health Scout News. Though there are many facts that prove just how dangerous DXM can be, it’s easy to get. “Anyone can buy cough medicine,” stated a user. Perhaps with further studies, a permanent age limit will also be put on the purchasing of all cough medicine, as kids are finding creative ways by using over-the-counter drugs for recreational and possibly deadly purposes.

Age Differences Raise Some Dating Questions You see it happen every year, freshmen coming into school on the first day both nervous and excited (mostly nervous), but by the end of the first week, they are already comfortable in their new surroundings. They are sometimes loud, but often times not a bother to the upperclassmen. But Allan complaining about the Brown freshmen and sophomores running through the halls isn’t the only interaction the seniors and juniors have with them. Since I began my high school career, and probably dating back much further than that, it’s been a fairly common practice for freshmen girls to date just senior (and sometimes junior) guys. Back during my freshmen year, all of this was

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pretty devastating. When I was fourteen, it was pretty hard to compete with an eighteen year old. But now, as I enter my golden years of high school, I just want to know “why this phenomenon occurs?” I’m not here to judge uncover some sociological issue, but how can an eighteen year old possibly have a decent conversation with a girl who probably still thinks Spongebob is cool. Or how about an eighteen-year old senior girl talking to a freshman boy who still shops at Hot Topic? There are always exceptions, and there are certainly seniors who are on the same maturity level as freshmen, and vice versa, but this often times isn’t the case. I can certainly see why a freshman would want to date a senior (a car and probably a job come to mind), but I can’t imagine parents on either end being too pleased. (Not that parental approval matters too much to us kids.) An older

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girl dating a younger guy has to be even more weird. She has to pick him up, and probably pay (unless his mom gave him some cash), yet it still happens, although not nearly as often as an older guy and

but that doesn’t mean it’s legal. At fourteen, both male and female hormones are going crazy, and there are definitely people out there that would take advantage of this. Most girls at fourteen are on the lookout for their “prince charm“ I ’ m n o t h e r e t o j u d g e o r ing” and, let’s face a n y t h i n g , b u t h o w c a n a n it, most guys at eigharen’t looking to eighteen year old possibly have teen be anybody’s prince a decent conversation with a charming. The whole has a pogirl who probably still thinks situation tential to get some Spongebob is cool?” people into serious trouble. So why a younger girl. The latter is almost ac- would they even want to bother? cepted in society, but that is most likely Maybe it’s just me, but at fourteen, due to the fact that in some countries in you just aren’t mature enough to date the Middle East, a girl at fourteen could anybody older than fifteen. Once you very well be married with children. get puberty, it’s understandable, but at It may be an accepted part of society, fourteen, you still have a ways to go.

May

2006

Clublicity

Organizations Holding Culminating Activities National Honor Society 2006 Inductees Steven Abramski Morganne Atutis Jessica Batchelor Katelyn Bateman Megan Boardway Hilary Callen Alyssa Collins John Collins Corrin Conroy Jennifer Delles Lexi Deming Catherine DiVita Amanda Donovan Casey Donovan Liz Donovan Shannon Donovan Pat Dougherty Zack Falls Zach Fayette Colin Finck Alison Finn Sara Finn Waruguru Gichane Zachary Grulich Michael Herring Carolyn Joyce Kevin Kearns Ryan King Hannah Kisselburgh Steven Kolenda Casey Lawton Kathryn Lazarski Kristina Licatese Jeremy Linn Benjamin Lyman Greg Lyons Morgan McNamara MaryKate Mooney Steven Nelson Stephanie Osetek Justin Pagano Shelby Persons Melanie Putman Lindsey Quenville Monique Reeser Casey Rose Sophia Rosenbaum Gabrielle Rumrill Michael Ryan Micheal Sellars Katlyn Smegelsky Chelsea Wahrendorf Rachel Walczak

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National Honor Society

Recently, 53 sophomores and juniors were accepted into the National Honor Society (see National Honor Society sidebar). Inductions are May 7 in the Faust Theatre. The ceremonies will begin at 2:00 pm. Also in May is the NHS annual picnic. This event will be held May 15. Lastly, their car wash will take place in June.

Class of 2006

For the senior class, June is full events; June 9 is Senior Class Night, on the 14th it is the Senior Picnic and on the 21st it is the Senior Baccalaureate. Graduation cap and gown pick-up is on the 22nd, as is the Senior Dinner Dance. Graduation is on Saturday June 24. Pay attention to the senior bulletin board outside house three for more information on these events.

Student Council

The ever-busy Student Council is currently planning the annual Morp. M-O-R-P is the P-R-O-M backwards. This means it is a regular dance, except there is a theme and you can dress up according to the theme. Morp is going to be held tonight, May 5.

Photo by Jordan Brancato

Members of the senior class prepare to be hypnotized during the annual 100 Days to Graduation Celebration in the Faust Theatre.

Literary Magazine

Tess Korbesmeyer, a senior, is in charge of the magazine this year. The literary magazine staff is interested in photography, art work, poetry, and song lyrics. “Even if it’s a sculpture, we can take a picture of it,” Korbesmeyer said. With such a broad range of acceptable mediums, it’s hard to believe that they had trouble getting submissions for “Introspect ‘06,”the title for this year’s magazine.

Photo by alyssa Holland

Sophomore Lindi Himes donates blood for the first time at the recent American Red Cross blood drive held in the Faust Theatre.

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SADD Club

To the Faculty and Staff at OHS: The Oswego High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) Club is currently in the process of planning our Second Annual Post Prom Party. As you may already know, the S.A.D.D. PostProm Party provides a safe, drug-free and alcohol-free environment for prom goers after the prom. The members of the S.A.D.D. Club have been doing various fundraisers, and working hard to earn the funds and prizes needed to complete our project. Last year, many of the faculty departments were generous enough to donate gift certificates, prizes, and money to our organization. These contributions helped our cause immeasurably, and made our party a success. We would once again like to ask for your help with this matter. We would like you to consider, along with your department, the possibility of donating prizes or money to our organization to help fund the PostProm Party. Thank you for your time and consideration. And once again, your donations are greatly appreciated. Kristin Rinoldo, S.A.D.D. Club President

May

2006

Sports

Golfer Overcomes Injury

12 a favorite part about golf, Sova says that he ball in the hole with the fewest number of strokes loves how unpredictable it is. “Everyday you go even with my cast on,” said Sova. “I thought out you never know what is going to happen.” it would be a lot harder than it was to make Nearly every athlete has a role model who he states coming off my injury, or she tries to model their game but I was able to pull it off.” after. As for Sova, it’s Tiger Despite the injury which Woods. “Tiger has changed the could have destroyed his golf game so much; especially the season, Sova still doesn’t beway most people look at it,” lieve it’s a good idea to only Sova said. “I just try to be like play one sport. “I don’t really him in every way possible.” believe that it’s a good idea to When it comes to academput all your eggs in one basket, ics, Sova said that he loves sobut I know that as time goes cial studies and hopes to major on, I’m probably going to have in it when he goes to college. to give up hockey for golf.” Sova says that Mr. Jeff Brown, Sova started playing golf a social studies teacher in the when he was about five or six middle school, really made years old. He recalls how he an impact on him academiand his dad would go out most cally and is one of the reasons days later in the evening and he likes history so much. Photo by Alyssa Holland just hit the golf ball around un- Chris Sova participates in Although Dick Vitale has til it started to get dark. Since two sports here at OHS, most nothing to do with golf you then, Sova says he’s been in recently boy’s golf, during would have to use one his love with golf, and hopes to which he suffered a wrist favorite phrases to summarize make a career out of it. As for injury. Sova, He’s a “Rolls Roycer!” continued from page

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Sugary Snacks Hinder Athletic Performance continued from page

According to a group of professionals from Herbalife Weight Loss, the high amount of sugar in some of our favorite snacks acts as a stimulant, which makes the heart beat significantly faster and sends the nervous system into overdrive. But what causes the severe pain and cramping? Based on a study from the Netherlands, excessive amounts of sugar slow absorption rates and increases stomach, cramping in sports involved with strenuous physical activity. Exercise slows fluid passage from the stomach, but does not affect intestinal absorption. Sugar added to drinks can delay stomach emptying, increasing the risk for cramps. I guess the next time you are running late to practice and decide to grab a quick snack, make it a banana or a bottle of water, unless of course, you enjoy the feeling of getting your insides ripped out. Sorry, I could have been more graphic, but just think twice when you find yourself dreaming of that mouth-watering double cheeseburger from McDonald’s instead of getting your head in the game!

May

2006

BuccaNeer Athletics Swings snack attack Sova To Golf States Volume 9 Number 6

May 2006

Athlete of the Month

By Kevin Kearns Sports Editor

Photo by Abby Martin

Many OHS athletes choose one of the sugary vending machine snacks before practice and/or games

Snacks Hurt Sports Performance It was the fifth inning and the sun was excruciating. I was on the mound sweating up a storm. As I turned to It was the last day of summer softball camp, at Lemoyne my defense to announce that there were two outs, I saw College. We, the “Yankees,” were playing a mini tourna- my shortstop, the same girl who had arrived late with her ment, and before one of our games, we decided to talk “lunch,” lying on the ground in obvious pain. The counselor some strategy. We went around in a circle and everyone said was on the field immediately and everyone was crowdsomething in hopes of pumping up the team. As I looked ing around to see what was wrong. She wasn’t moving. around, I noticed we were After speakmissing somebody. Then, ing with the same halfway through the team “Carbonated soft drinks are the single girl a month later, meeting we saw our ninth biggest source of calories in the as to why she left player running towards us the camp completely, dragging her softball stuff American diet, not to mention all of her answer was that in one hand and carrying the fatty snacks we ingest on the side.” the pain was so inboth a coke and a package tense; it eliminated of Twinkies in the other. the chance of returnSince I have two physical education teachers in ing. What happened? She explained to me that it felt my house, I know what is not acceptable to eat be- like her insides were in a giant knot and breathing was fore a sporting event. Not only is it very unhealthy, to harder than anything she had ever had to do. Perhaps choke down, say, a delicious piece of chocolate cake her pregame snack had gotten the best of her after all. before taking the field, but it is also very dangerous. Carbonated soft drinks are the single biggest source Perhaps I am not one to talk, but that one game during of calories in the American diet, not to mention all the summer, I found out it was the honest-to-God truth. of the fatty snacks we ingest on the side. Just imagBy Abby Martin Columnist

see

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If you’re looking for a young golfer, you should probably search the practice green or the driving range. That’s certainly true if you need to find OHS golf star Chris Sova. During the summer you’re going to have to go out to the Oswego Country Club to find Chris. “I live at the golf course during the summer, it is definitely my home-away-from-home,” said Sova. Sova’s golf career has been nothing short of tremendous, and only seems to be improving. After making the team in eighth grade, he has steadily improved, and now has become Oswego’s most dominating golfer--as a sophomore. Sova managed to win the class A1 sectional finals in the fall, and is now on his way to states. “Now that I look back on winning sectionals as a sophomore I realize what an accomplishment it was. Being able to do that really showed me that all my hard work has paid off,” said Sova. Despite the strange split-season format for Section III boys’ golf, Sova feels that his game should be finetuned later this month when it’s time for states. He said, “I’ve been going South all winter, playing in a couple tournaments down there, and lately I’ve been going out everyday after school,” he said. “By the time states role around, I should be at the top of my game.” Other than golf, Sova plays hockey. He’s made Oswego’s stellar varsity hockey team in both his freshman and sophomore years. Sova admitted, however, golf is definitely his top priority. Hockey delayed Sova’s complete domination on the golf course last fall because of a broken wrist he suffered in the Empire State games during the summer, just a couple weeks before golf season. Instead of giving up on golf for the ‘05 season, Sova decided to have his cast molded to hold a golf club. When it came time for golf tryouts, Sova was able to make the team, broken wrist and all. “I just had to adapt and learn to put the see

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