May 2012

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice

GRANDMA’S CARE

Volume 15 Number 6

--Page 7

May 2012

Overbooked Teens --Page 8 A Day at the Dome --Page 15

Photo by patrick baer

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Editorial

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Drawing Board

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editor-in-Chief Mackenzie Oatman Managing Editor/Webmaster Madison Rhoades Layout Editor Chloe Martin Chief Photographer Patrick Baer Art Staff Alexis Daniels Paige Daniels Business Manager Taylor Falls Senior Writer Justin Peterson Ad Representative Casey Caroccio Sports Editor Carlie Morley Reporters Kara Collins Lauren Daniels Alanna Maldonado Adrienne McDougal Gabrielle Sacco Alumni Editor Kaleigh Fitzsimmons Advisers Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200.

It is intended as a vehicle to inform, educate, and entertain the student body.

Printing services are provided by The PalladiumTimes. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.

On the Cover: MacKenzie Bisnett and her grandmother Sandra, who has raised her since she was young. Mackenzie has a good relationship with her mother who lives out of state, but admits, “I don’t know where I’d be without my grandma.”

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cartoon by Alexis and paige daniels

. . . to the Board of Education for reinstating football cheerleading at the varsity and junior varsity levels for next fall. This allows more opportunities for students interested in joining the sport. . . . to Criszer Cabanlig for being awarded “Best of Show” for his self-portait in the 17th Annual Oswego County Art Competition. The competition received over 600 entries this year and accepted about half of them to hang in the gallery. Many other OHS students had artwork displayed in the show as well. . . . to longtime OCSD educator Mr. John Canale for the recent publication of his book, A Life’s Journey: Battle of the Bulge and Youth. . . . to the 30 local book givers who participated in World Book Night by distributing free books. . . . to the Oswego School District for its support of last month’s Move Along Incorporated fund raiser to provide financial support and increase awareness for the wheelchair-bound. The OCSD raised $1,545. . . . to Mrs. Carrie Patane who donated her hair to the “Locks of Love” charity and to Principal Brian Hartwell who authorized a Wear Denim Week to support Oswego Middle School student Joshua Knapp, who is battling cancer.

. . . to the students who wait every morning outside of the library to get a library pass for study hall. It’s admirable that people want to make use of the Media Center, but when students block the hallway and obstruct the flow of morning “traffic,” it’s a problem. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

May 2012

Editorial In Our View . . .

Hoping the Top 100 will Aspire Higher Living in a college town has it perks. For seniors at Oswego High School, the Aspire Higher program is one of them.

Officially described as “A partnership between SUNY Oswego and the Oswego City School District,” Aspire Higher gives the Top 100 students in the senior class the opportunity to take free college classes at SUNY Oswego. Students receive credits that jump start their college careers, whether they decide to continue their education at SUNY Oswego, or transfer credits to a different college.

The pre-college experience you walk away with after spending a couple of semesters taking college classes can help with college admissions.

OHS Senior Heather Rounds took courses in philosophy, communications, and mass media at SUNY Oswego this year. “I think it was one of the reasons I got into Newhouse at Syracuse University. It looks good on a resume,” she stated.

This year, the invitation to participate in Aspire Higher was only extended to the Top 50 OHS students, but many of them weren’t able to enroll in classes due to scheduling conflicts with

sports, SUPA classes, and another program called New Visions. Meanwhile, students like Dave Capone, a member of the Top 100, missed out on the opportunity he would’ve taken advantage of. “I would have taken a class if I could have. I didn’t have any volunteer service, so a class at Oswego State would have looked good and helped me with getting into college,” Capone stated.

The decision to extend the invitation to the Top 100 next year will give a greater number of hard working students a tremendous opportunity.

Sydney Mangano, a junior at OHS, has landed a spot in the Top 100 students with her good grades.

She plans to take classes at SUNY Oswego next year through Aspire Higher to help her get into Duke or Syracuse University.

Senior Class president Sarah Gosek, who took introduction to mass media and broadcasting and introduction to communications at SUNY Oswego this year, advises any junior in the Top 100 to take advantage of Aspire Higher.

We at The Buccaneer Bulletin agree with Gosek. Let’s show how grateful we are for the unique advantages we have here at OHS.

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What’s Your Opinion?

“The Aspire Higher program was begun last year, allowing top seniors to take SUNY Oswego courses free of charge. Will you take advantage of this program during your senior year?”

Brandon Schultzkie Junior

“Yes, because I actually planned on going to Oswego and if I didn’t, I’d go to Cortland and the credits would still transfer.”

Mackenzie King

Junior “No, because I am not planning to go to a college in state. If I changed my mind to go to a college in state, I would love to take the courses.”

Letter to the Editor...

Student Frustrated by Bullying at OHS To the editor: Picture this: you’re in school, you go to sit with your “friends” when you sit and feel something wet.

The seat is wet because your so called “friends” who invited you over to sit with them, ended up putting milk and sour cream on your chair. Yup, that is called bullying in my mind! Also, imagine everything you say getting criticized. For example, a 15 year old boy who likes children and likes to play with dolls would immediately be labeled as “childish” or “gay.”

Or maybe, a high school girl feels more comfortable wearing boys’ clothes, people would call her names and say she must be a “dyke.” What you don’t know about that same girl is that she only has brothers and lives with her dad because her mother died and she has no female figures to look up to. This subject deeply bothers me.

I cannot stand people who judge others. You don’t know their home life, their background, yet you judge them so easily. I believe people should think before they speak and think about how they would feel if they were the ones being bullied. I know I am no perfect angel. I look people up and down and chit chat about their outfits sometimes, but I look back at what I say and I am disappointed with myself. I think to myself, I shouldn’t have said these things because I have no idea what these kids go through at home.

I sit in my classes and look around and notice kids whispering. It sends a bullet through my heart.

In today’s society, it is so easy for us to judge books by their covers, but it’s not right. I have been

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watching and listening to kids over the past couple of weeks, and the things I’ve heard have been terrible.

Lately I have been trying to figure out in my head why this happens. Our parents teach us how to behave, they teach us manners and how to act, yet when we are around our friends, we have to act cool and fit in with the group. Groups around this school are easy to pick out. I sit in the lunch room with my friends and I can honestly pick out what I would call “posies.” There are the jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, and the geeks, whatever you may want to call them. In my mind we are all the same. According to other people, there is a standard you have to meet in order for them to even consider talking to you.

Seriously, how old are you? There has to be a group?

A standard? This really ticks me off! I am old enough to know what to say and what not to say. What we say can affect peoples’ lives in so many ways! People just don’t understand. I guarantee that if you just sit back and look at a class, or a group of people walk by, you will see at least one person start talking about another person! What do we have to do to get people to stop bullying? Haven’t we done enough? This is what I have been monitoring for the last few weeks and I am going to try to make a difference. I will change the way I act and help my friends change the way they act. Maybe we can have a positive influence on others!

Daisy Parker Class of 2013 www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

Alexa Healy Junior

“Yes, I would take these courses if they fit into my schedule next year because going to college with credits is a good idea.”

Travis Kearns Junior

“No, because I am not planning to go to college in-state, and I don’t think the credits will transfer.”

Cortnie Purce

Junior “Yes, because I am planning on going to OSU and I think it would be a great opportunity to get used to the college life.”

May 2012

News/Columns

4

Community Service to be Graduation Requirement

Members of the Class of 2016 will be required to perform a minimum of 24 hours of community service in order to receive their diploma.

By Kaleigh Fitzsimmons Alumni Editor

In the spirit of the community involvement, Oswego City School District’s Board of Education has introduced a new graduation requirement starting with next September’s freshmen.

Members of the Class of 2016 will be required to perform a minimum of 24 hours of community service in order to receive their diploma. The service may be started the summer before entering Oswego High School. Superintendent Bill Crist foresees the future students as the generation of service, and he recognizes the importance

of their getting involved. Crist stated, Service hours for relatives, employers, ognized the issue of students struggling “It is important to plant the seed early.” or any for-profit organizations will not with basic, academic classes and feared that The guidelines for this service re- be counted towards the prerequisite. adding this requirement would be a strain. quirement were developed and adapted This policy will be based on the Crist responded, “This requirement would through careful consideration and view- honor system, but the board has a positive not be a burden; it would be an honor.” ing other school’s policies as models. perspective towards this issue. Matthew The superintendent is hoping the term One school, in particular that was mod- DiFabio, student representative on the “service above self,” a quote derived from eled was the Clarence Central Schools. Board of Education expressed his approval the Rotary International, “will go viral.”

The requirement will consist of 24 of this new policy. He stated, “I feel as Crist also believes that making comhours that need to munity service a rebe completed then “I feel as though it was a smart move by the quirement will encontinued within the hance volunteerism four year period while board to pass the community service requirement and this experiment attending OHS. Stu- because it gets our students to be an active part will educate students will need prior dents and their approval before be- of the Oswego community.” families to take Matthew DiFabio pride in their school ginning their service.

If students surOHS Board of Education Student Representative and community. pass the minimum of Through this 24 hours and reach new policy, Oswe100 completed hours, they will be fur- though it was a smart move by the board go High School students and administrather honored. Hours will be recorded on to pass the community service require- tors are striving to make Oswego a better a ‘Certificate of Community Service,’ ment because it gets our students to be an place to live. Crist is confident that the which consists of an evaluation report, a active part of the Oswego community.” new service requirement is a step towards student report/reflection and signatures Minor conflict on this topic arose at enhancing Mayor Tom Gillen’s hopes in from both student and administrator. the March board meeting. Members rec- making Oswego a “destination place.”

Foreign Language Regents Axed Due to Budget Cuts

After four years of foreign language classes, and two language Regents’ exams, I can honestly say, I have a feel for the French language. For me, having the foreign language Regents’ grades on my transcript made me feel like I accomplished something to be proud of.

Tess Gordon, OHS junior, feels the same way.

“It’s good for college, and it made my transcript look better,” stated Gordon, a four-year Spanish student at OHS. All of that pride took a downfall last May when, the New York State Education Department eliminated foreign language Regents’ exams in Italian, French, and Spanish. Cutting these Regents will save the state about $700,000 annually.

I honestly always had the worst anxiety as we got closer to the date of the foreign language exams and dreaded the three long hours they took to complete, but when I finished I was proud that I accomplished something difficult. It looked good, not only for colleges, but also for future jobs. Unlike English, learning a foreign language that you didn’t

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speak just four years ago, gives a feeling of accomplishment.

I strongly disagree with the elimination of the foreign language Regents, as do many foreign language teachers. “I think it is terrible. Foreign language is the equivalent to any other core curriculum class,” argued Mrs. Maria Kaleta, a French teacher at OHS. The regents certainly helped teachers because it had a perfect format photo by patrick baer for testing the students The Comprehensive Examination in French (and all foreign language on their reading, writing, Regents’ exams), has been eliminated due to budget cuts at the state level. and speaking skills.

To make up for the loss of the Regents, OHS teachers are creating a final Diligent and committed students are the ones who exam for their classes, similar to the Regents. Having continued to study foreign languages and took all the levels of the Regents, but now that no one takes them, the power to manipulate what goes into the test will it’s like much of the hard work ceased to exist. most likely improve testing scores, because they can All because of budget cuts. It makes me wonder directly teach what’s going to be given on the test. if English, chemistry, or even U.S. History Regents It also angers me in a way. I took four years exams will be the next to be eliminated. It’s ironic of classes and now I feel like it was all for nothing. that schools are raising standards by cutting major Even though I have those scores on my transcript, assessments I feel as though it isn’t as important as it use to be. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

May 2012

Features

5

Mineral Makeup an Alternative to Harsh Chemicals

By Taylor Falls

Business Manager

Cetyl Ethylhexanote, pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanote. We aren’t all chemists, so why should we know these chemicals? They are a few of the hundreds of chemicals found in cosmetics manufactured today. As a buyer of these products do you know how to pronounce them? Or more importantly, do you know what they mean?

In the society we live in today, it’s hard to find inexpensive, quality products. Finding the cheapest product to get the job done shouldn’t be the mindset of consumers. We have worried far too little about the effects of unknown chemicals that are lurking right inside our own bathrooms.

Typing the phrase “harmful chemicals in cosmetics” into Google, results in hundreds of strange names appearing. These are substances that cosmetic companies put in to products.

What if there were cosmetics that were 100 percent natural, made by caring hands? Kiss N Makeup does exactly this. Cara Higby, an Oswego resident, has produced her own line of natural cosmetics, made with minerals that are naturally found on earth. She created and started selling her products to her friends and family in 2007, but just recently started her own business selling her products.

As you walk in to the small building, across from the movie theater on West 2nd Street, the muted gray walls offset the “girly” colors that catch your eye. Little clear jars scattered all around the room are filled with powders in colors from muted pink to vibrant blue. The back is separate from the rest of the store because it’s where the magic happens. This is where Cara Higby creates new recipes of colors and textures to expand and improve her collection of cosmetics.

The all-natural, finely crushed minerals that are found in her makeup include titanium dioxide, and mica. Finding the right balance of all the minerals makes her job more challenging. She has put a lot of practice and time into perfecting her products. “It’s kind of like baking a cake,” Higby explained. “I make my own bases out of the basic ingredients, then I mix them with different colors of mica and iron oxides. Then I mix them together in a blender.”

Naturally occurring oxides make up the pigmented vibrant colors, and mica reduces the

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Photo By Patrick Baer

The Kiss N Make Up beauty boutique, now open in Oswego, provides a healthy, one hundred percent natural alternative to the potentially hazardous chemicals contained in many cosmetics.

appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. Each and every product is carefully made and tested. “My mineral makeup is unique, as I am the only one who makes it. Each formula has been tested to perfection to bring out the inner beauty in all women,” Higby stated.

There are many beneficial qualities in mineral make-up products that regular make-up doesn’t have.

SPF properties protect skin against sun damage, and water resistance makes it wearable on any occasion.

Natural mineral makeup is flexible, which is perfect

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for any skin type. “It is all-natural, and great for people that have sensitive skin,” Higby stated.

Mineral makeup doesn’t mask skin like most make-up products do; it enhances natural skin colors and textures. Looking at ingredient labels in stores, you’ll most likely see the same thing; hundreds of hard-to-pronounce chemicals that don’t even sound healthy. Knowing where your make-up comes from and how it’s produced is a safer way of knowing what you’re exposing your skin to.

May 2012

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Walking the Plank

Around the World with OHS Junior Ashley Pitters AP: I salsa dance and I even teach it sometimes.

BB: What kind of music do you like?

AP: Metal and Hip-Hop.

BB: What languages to you speak?

AP: Dutch, German, Arabic, Chinese, and Zuidafricaans.

BB: What exotic animals have you seen?

AP: I got to hold a giant bat once. There is so much to fit in that broad statement.

BB: What is your most embarrassing moment?

AP: I got egged by a rival school in Egypt.

BB: What is your favorite animal?

AP: Probably the Moonbeam Jellyfish because you hold them and they’re so friendly.

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

AP: Freddy Mercury, Jack White, and my best friend Issac Lauer.

BB: If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

AP: Open-minded, active, and reliable.

BB: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you bring?

AP: My iPod,a series of Stephen King books, and a puppy.

Photo courtesy of Ashley pitters

Buccaneer Bulletin: What’s your full name?

Ashley Pitters: Ashley Marie Pitters.

BB: Where did you grow up?

AP: Chicago, Amsterdam, Singapore, and Doha (near Saudi Arabia) BB: What brought you to these places?

AP: My dad’s job.

BB: What is your dad’s job?

AP: He’s a banker.

field, and ice hockey.

BB: How is living in America different than any other place you’ve lived?

AP: It’s America. That is just different in general.

BB: What would you say is the most interesting thing about you?

AP: I guess that I’ve lived all over the world, and I just do crazy things like bridge-jumping and other really weird stuff.

BB: Do you have siblings?

AP: Yes, a brother Christopher Pitters; he’s 15.

BB: Where have you bridge jumped?

AP: Near Cato; it’s about 40 minutes from here.

BB: What sports do you play?

AP: Sailing, softball, track and

BB: Do you do any activities outside of school?

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AP: That I speak five languages.

BB: Do you have any pets?

AP: A cat named Whiskers.

BB: What is your favorite movie?

AP: Pulp fiction. Quentin Tarentino is my favorite director, so I love everything about him.

BB: What makes you laugh?

AP: My brother; I love him to death, and I really like the old Three Stooges.

BB: What is your favorite subject in school?

AP: AP US History.

BB: Do you have someone sho has really influenced your life?

AP: Freddy Mercury from Queen BB: What is one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?

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BB: Have you ever met anyone famous?

AP: Yes, Hussain Bolt.

BB: What are your plans after high school?

AP: I’m going to get into the ROTC program as a civil engineer.

BB: Do you have an colleges in mind?

AP: The Virginia Military Institute.

BB: Would you play any sports there?

AP: Competitive sailing or cross country.

BB: Out of all the places you have been, why did your family choose to live in Oswego?

AP: My grandparents live in Cato.

Editor ’s note: “Walking the Plank” is a regular question-andanswer feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin. If you know a student or staff member who you would like to see walk the plank, contact Mackenzie Oatman at moatman@ student.oswego.org This edition of “Walking the Plank” was written by Kara Collins.

May 2012

Features

7

Grandparents Are Playing a Second Role As Parents

By Alanna Maldonado and Kaleigh Fitzsimmons Reporters

When most people think of grandparents, they may think of the stereotype of an elderly woman knitting sweaters and baking or the old man with decades of stories to tell. Parents, on the other hand, are the antagonists of teenagers- the ones who make sure the homework’s done, and the bedroom’s clean. But more and more frequently in our culture, there are certain circumstances when parents are unable to take on the responsibilities of parenthood and the role of guardian becomes the grandparent’s responsibility.

A study by the U.S. Census Bureau conducted in 2003 stated that 68.7 percent of American youth are living in non-traditional families. Of that percentage, 6.3 of those youth are residing with grandparents. In New York State alone, 300,000 children (over 6 percent) are in this situation. These percentages may seem low, but the numbers are steadily increasing. “New York State ranks among the top five states in the country with the highest number of children living in grandparent-headed households,” according to New York State Kincare Coalition.

The grandparent-grandchild household faces unique challenges which many students growing up with both parents cannot comprehend. Oswego High School senior Mackenzie Bisnett, from one such household, stated, “I have lived with my grandparents for 17 years.

My grandma raises me as if I were her child.” Bisnett is one of the many local teens who are in this living situation.

As the rising number of divorces, deceased living below the poverty line, this financial issue often parents, and single-parent families and other various brings forth frustration within the household. situations diminishes parental support, the grandparents According to the U.S. Census Bureau, other have become primary role models in many families. issues may include limited space in the residence and Grandparents almost always have their door open challenges in a lack of custody or guardianship. when the traditional family breaks down. They have Some teens in this situation keep in contact with already raised children which left them with experience their parents, while others don’t. “I talk to my mom and and parenting skills that carry over into these special we are actually very close,” Bisnett stated. Although situations. they may not be able to see each other often, due to her Mrs. Karen mother living in Reeser, a Fitzhugh Florida, they are “New York State ranks among the top in contact through Park Elementary School Teacher five states in the country with the highest phone calls and stated, “In recent number of children living in grandparent- Facebook. years, I have Reasons why headed households,” seen an increase the grandparents in grandparents New York State Kincare Coalition. are taking the role coming to parent as parents may teacher conferences vary for every instead of the situation. In 1988, parents.” it was reported that nearly 44 percent of children were Although grandparents may be emotionally residing with grandparents due to parental substance prepared to raise another generation, other factors are at abuse, 28 percent due to child abuse, neglect or play. Research supports that there are many difficulties improper attention, and 11 percent was a result of death that come along with raising a youngster. According to of one or both parents. the website www.ndkidscount.org, one challenge may The typical grandparent may come off as sweet and be limited income as they may soon (or previously have) carefree, but when they step up to become the parents to entered retirement. This may also lead to an inability to a teen, it can drastically change the teen’s life, often for find suitable employment due to health problems. Only the better. “My grandma is the reason why I am, where 1.4 million grandparents responsible for the basic needs I am right now,” was how Bisnett summed up her life of their grandchildren are in the labor force. 544,000 while living with her grandmother. grandparents are living with a disability. Due to 477,000

Core Standards Level the Playing Field Nationwide

“You need to do well in school so you can get into college and get a good job!”

No doubt we have all heard these words, or at least some variation of them, at some point in our academic careers.

Whether the source is a parent, an employer, or a teacher, he or she is right.

People saying those words are advising us to do well because they know that we are capable of having bright futures and they want us to live up to our full potential.

Of course, we all want to go to the college of our choice and get a great job as a CEO of a huge company and make a million dollars a year, but as much as we might like that to happen, chances are

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it’s not a realistic goal for the majority of people. However, having recently gone through the stressful process of applying to colleges, I have given the whole decision-making process a lot of thought.

When colleges are looking through all the transcripts, they look for things that make one person stand out from another, which generally means better grades and more extracurricular activities. One thought that crossed my mind was that there are students from all over the country applying to the same colleges, so how is it that they can be compared to each other in an equitable way?

Honestly, there is no equitable way to evaluate things that are so different.

Having such a wide range of students from all different schools, there is no guarantee that they are all on equal academic levels. So when colleges look at scores, there is no way to tell how challenging or strictly graded a course was compared to the next person. This can cause issues with those students who

believe that their classes are challenging and fair because they may believe that others get the same, or better, grades from a less-challenging curriculum.

A program called Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) has recently been put into action in a majority of states (except Virginia, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas and Alaska). The CCSSI is a program dedicated to establishing a shared set of educational standards for English language arts and mathematics for all states. The main purpose of these standards is to prepare students with an equal playing field, in regards to moving on to college or entering the workforce, in these two prominent areas of education.

This initiative is an important step toward improvement in our nation’s educational system, and it is the greatest, brightest idea in my lifetime. Teachers and administrators from all over the country have worked to develop the curricular standards, and it is now up to the individual states to decide to adopt

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them.

According to the initiative’s website, corestandards.org, one major idea behind the CCSSI is to, “Develop and implement comprehensive assessment systems to measure student performance against the common core state standards that will replace the existing testing systems that too often are inconsistent, burdensome and confusing.”

These common standards were based on the best and highest state standards in the country and also on certain standards proven successful and productive in other, academically progressive, countries.

The leaders in educational systems all over the country can be commended for their input and commitment to unify the nation’s educational system.

The core curriculum changes can only benefit everyone involved. I believe that they will drive students to try harder because they’ll know that in the big scheme of things, they will be compared to students everywhere.

May 2012

8

Features

Overbooked Teens Juggle Multiple Responsibilities

By Carlie Morley Sports Editor

other day. With so much to do, Patrick admits that he does get a bit stressed out sometimes. He added, however, “I have developed ways of managing it better as I’ve gotten older.”

In Patrick’s case, it doesn’t seem all bad, he pretty much has things figured out, but that isn’t always the case. Some teens cannot handle the stresses of being too involved in

brim schedules. Scurrying from one activity to the next without even time to grab a

being senior class president, the vice president of National Honor Society, and being in Interact Club.

Last year, Gosek was the president of Interact Club. “I didn’t do it as well as I should have, so (1) I got rid of that responsibility because I knew that I couldn’t handle all of it,” she admitted. So now she is an active club member rather than president.

Why then, you might ask, do people get themselves into so many activities?

The most common answer is simple: “I want to get into a good college.”

Health and AP

“Don’t forget you have an orthodontist appointment before practice! And you need to go take care of your grandma’s dogs before you come home from work!”

Crazy schedules that keep teens running from activity to activity are starting to be questioned by professionals. How is the constant stimulation of activities affecting teenagers mental and physical wellbeing?

The stresses society puts on high school students to get into a good college causes some students to overwhelm themselves with extracurricular activities: junior class president, Interact Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, yearbook, and Spanish Club. psychology Additionally, many teacher Mr. Mark students take on partMirabito confirmed time jobs to earn some this rational. “The pressure extra cash, or sometimes of getting into college, part of because their parents which is grades and SAT scores, I think they should gain think is always in the back of their responsibility. Some students minds. They want a longer resume, throw some AP classes into the snack; which is more impressive.” mix, so they can go off to college with increased In addition to wanting to with 15 to 18 credits already under commitments and have an impressive resume, some their belts. less down time, stress people (type “A” personalities) just Oh, and then there are sports. management can be next to enjoy constantly doing something.

Sports teams take up a lot of time impossible.

“Sometimes I do think I have gotten for students; with daily practices and One solution is to simply not too involved, but if I had to start game-day bus rides that frequently participate in quite so many activities. over, I know I would do it all again,” don’t get them home explained until 8:00 pm or later.

Gosek.

There are So, if Stress is a major contributor to many diseases, including heart disease, students who can you’re one of depression, and even an increased risk for high blood pressure. Today’s those people handle the continuous society goes for long hours without thinking about the repercussions of who thinks stream of stress resulting from all you might be their full-to-the-brim schedules. these extra activities. too involved, Senior Ryan Patrick take a step is very involved in back and see the school and community. He is the extracurricular activities; they can Don’t just up and quit Key Club or if everything you’re doing is worth president of NHS, a three-season barely keep up with their school work. yearbook because you get stressed out the stress that it adds to your life, if athlete, has a job at McDonald’s Stress is a major contributor from time to time, but maybe instead so, then keep up the good work, but on the weekends, and takes part in to many diseases, including heart of being the editor of the yearbook if not, maybe consider curtailing your miscellaneous volunteer service disease, depression, and even and the vice president of Key Club, extracurricular load a bit. projects, all on top of his course load an increased risk for high blood just be a participant in both. Sarah Editor’s Note: Page 8 photo illustration that consists of multiple AP classes pressure. Today’s society goes for Gosek realized that she was doing by Carlie Morley and a full nine period day with no long hours without thinking about too much between playing hockey lunch and only one study hall every the repercussions of their full-to-theand golf, working at Bay Shore,

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May 2012

Point/Counterpoint

10

Should Underclassman Attend the Junior Prom?

YES: It’s a school-wide celebration.

By Taylor Falls

Business Manager

People often gripe about things that aren’t worthy of complaining about. Isn’t that what every status on Facebook is about? It starts a back-and-forth cattiness between people that is totally unnecessary.

The prom is a prime example. “He’s bringing a freshman, that’s so unfair because we weren’t allowed to go as underclassman.”

You hear this gossip all over the halls. What these whiners don’t understand is that it shouldn’t matter.

The prom is a formal dance, held by a class in high school or college at the end of the year. Nowhere does that definition restrict certain people/ grades/classes from this particular event.

Some girls dream of this day for years, from the long days of stressful dress shopping all the way up to getting a perfect mani-pedi to match the dress. If someone wanted to go to prom either with a boyfriend/ girlfriend or even a group a friends, he/she should be able to, no matter what class they’re in.

The junior class at OHS holds the prom. Many upperclassman debate and argue that underclassman should not be able to attend because it’s a junior class-funded event, yet seniors are able to happily attend, which is unfair. Even people from other schools (or people not even in school) are allowed to attend. So why does it suddenly become an issue if it’s an underclassman from your own school?

Prom should be a time of relaxing and having a good time with friends.

We shouldn’t make it a competition of classes or class discrimination. We should all accept prom as being a fun, school-spirited event.

In high schools, it isn’t uncommon for, say, a freshman to be dating a senior, or any upperclassman to date an underclassman. Look around, its actually pretty common.

One of the main aspects of the prom is finding and going with a date.

If upperclassmen couldn’t bring their younger boyfriend/girlfriend

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it wouldn’t just be unfair for underclassmen, it’d be unfair to all the people left without a date.

One reason the prom is held is to help raise funds for the junior class.

The more people going and buying tickets for admission, results in more overall profit, which is a positive aspect of letting underclassman go to prom.

Also, the more people at the prom, the more people who are going to buy drinks, purchase photos, etc.

Although I do think the prom is a celebration for the seniors that are closing up the remainder of their high school lives, and for the juniors embarking on their last year in high school, I also think they should be able to spend and celebrate it with their friends.

It shouldn’t matter what grade their friends are in. The old saying is “the more the merrier!”

Upperclassman shouldn’t be so judgmental of the underclassman; they were there once too.

NO: Their time will come when they’re older.

By Kaleigh Fitzsimmons Alumni Editor

The prom is a night that every girl dreams of, imagining every moment, from getting ready, to taking pictures, from going out for dinner to the postprom party.

Prom season comes around once a year, as spring is in full bloom.

Girls are worried about dates, finding the perfect dress and booking the classiest limo.

Chatter fills the hallways about who’s going with whom and what everyone’s dress looks like. Although this dance is specifically directed towards juniors and seniors, many underclassmen squeeze their way in.

Junior class co-adviser, Dr. Heidi Sweeney is aware of this issue and although there is no policy regarding this, she wishes that the underclassmen would be patient and wait to go with their classmates.

Underclassmen feel important going because they get to experience something

before the rest of their classmates do. How do I know this?

As a freshman, I remember when prom season rolled around all my junior friends were obsessing over it, I envied them. I wanted to be a part of their night because they were my best friends and I didn’t want to be left out. So, I paired up with one of my male friends and was on my way to the prom. My group was a mix of juniors and seniors; it was everything that I had dreamed of, excluding the fact that the only people I knew there were the friends that I had gone with, and a handful of teachers. I had an amazing time, and once it was over I was happy that I went.

Last year, as a junior, when prom season was approaching, I debated whether or not I wanted to attend. My friends all talked me into going, but it seemed more like a hassle than anything else. Yes, I was excited to have this experience with my friends, but I already knew what to expect.

When it comes down to it, prom is just a bunch of over- dressed and overly excited teenagers with trite decorations, and lousy music. Don’t get me wrong, I had a good night with all my friends, but I did not experience the same anticipation as with my first time friends.

Now, I may sound cynical, but going as a freshman did ruin the whole prom experience junior year for me. Whether your boyfriend, best friend, sibling, or a bunch of your friends, want you to go, my best advice would be not to. Everyone understands that there are relationships out there that include underclassmen and upperclassmen, and there’s nothing wrong with that. We know you want to experience that with them, but it will ruin your experience when your time comes.

Prom is our time to shine. It’s one of the few times in high school everyone is happy to be around their classmates, and it brings people closer. Going as an underclassman may seem like a privilege, but in the long run, you will regret it. Wait until you can take in every ounce of the experience as it comes your way when it’s our time and appreciate it.

Don’t rush your time in high school, four years may seem like a long time, but it goes by quicker than you expect it to. Trust me. I know from experience.

Editor’s note: “Point/Counterpoint” is a regular debate feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin. If you have a topic worth debating here, contact Mackenzie Oatman at moatman@student.oswego.org. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

May 2012

Columns

11

Peer Pressure is the Best Way to Stop Texting While Driving

Heart beating, palms sweating, rapid breathing.

These are all symptoms you should not have to feel while taking a cruise in the car with your friend.

These are just a few of the physiological symptoms teens may encounter while driving.

Distracted driving has always been a big deal for young drivers. “Forty-four percent of teens said they drive more safely when they are solo, rather than with friends in the car,” according to a 2009 survey by the Allstate Foundation. Texting and driving is the worst of all the ways drivers are distracted.

If you really think about it, endangering not only your own life, but your friend’s life, just to send or a read a silly message is downright selfish. The average text takes about five seconds to read. That is five seconds that you are not paying attention to anything except your phone. If, while you were driving, someone told you to close your eyes and drive for five seconds, could you do it? Texting is doing the same thing. Your eyes are off the road for five or more seconds. Think of all things that can happen

in five short seconds. At highway speeds, a car can travel more than the length of a football field.

We all know it’s dangerous, yet 82 percent of us still admit to using our phones while driving. Why do we do it? “At such a young age, we think we are invincible but we really aren’t. Bad things can still happen to us,” stated a SUNY Oswego student, Liz Rockwood, who recently lost her best friend in a texting and driving motor vehicle accident.

We all use funny clichés such as “Long hair don’t care” and “Sorry, not sorry,” but at the end of the day, if something bad, that can cause fatal outcomes happens, you will care and you will be sorry. Sadly, life can’t be rewound like a movie.

So, how do we stop this from happening?

It’s an easy thing to do; simply put your phone away and keep it away. “I always put my phone

somewhere out of reach such as the passenger’s side door, so I am not even tempted to grab for it,” said Rockwood.

Cars have worked in technology like voice commands, which make it easier to call or text someone. If we could eliminate texting while driving, it just might save a life, even yours!

According to the Allstate Foundation, texting and driving makes you 23 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash. That is 16 times more likely than if you were drinking and driving. photo by patrick baer So, the next time you are driving a friend, family member, or even just yourself somewhere, think about that. When you hear the notification of your phone, think twice before you check it, because you never know if it might be your last text!

The ‘Parking Wars’ Fable that Hits Very Close to Home

Once upon a time, in a small town in the North, there lay a high school.

Like most schools it was filled with teachers, students, and staff. It was relatively stable place, with there being only a minimum of two “Stay-inplaces” a day. All was relaxed as the end of the year approached, with the seniors getting ready for graduation… until the Parking Wars began.

The calmness of the end of the year was disrupted, when the juniors, mere underclassmen, suddenly began driving their parent’s cars wielding their new licenses to school. Thankfully, the seniors were kept safe from the walk into school with their senior parking privilege. You see, the seniors were granted a huge parcel of paved land many years ago in the school parking lot. It was not just one…or two…but THREE whole rows!

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The juniors saw the seniors parking the school’s class system became of their car getting towed, that they in their mediocre spots from the side involved. Seniors were beginning to refused to park anywhere near the streets afar, and a strong parking lust park in teacher spots, in front of the school. began to grow within them. And so, main entrance, which was specifically The war online raged on. Seniors together, these brazen youngsters designated for all of the many visitors and juniors complained to nobody in slowly began intruding on senior that went to the school every day. particular, but clearly directing their parking. Before the seniors knew it, It was worse however, in the main anger towards someone. Finally, the they could say “college acceptance,” parking lot. Teachers were complaining juniors were ratted out by the seniors their turf had been overrun by these about their minions having too much with little dignity, or remorse. The infidels. space to park, and that all the students seniors were given back their huge Then, the true war began. Seniors should suffer, (or at least, that’s what I span of three rows! became outraged, and immediately read on Twitter, a very reliable source.)

This victory may seem like the end, took out their but it isn’t. At this smart phones, The juniors, of course, retaliated, Tweeting things school, there is still and quickly strained parking, like “Shut up!” and boldly posting statuses like, and still way too signed into Facebook much complaining.

“I park where I want.” and Twitter, The teachers still their only stand sentry at their weapons against the Junior menace.

Teachers then made it their jobs and windows in order to watch the seniors The complaints that were voiced on personal favorite past times to rat out and juniors park in illegal spots, hoping the social networking sites were the students, threatening to tow cars. to ruin someone’s day. best banter since the Great Food Fight The war was at its peak when Nobody knows where the problem of 2009. Some were incredibly witty. the ruling-class teachers actually began, maybe the origins lie in the Others were outright angry. It was quite took time out of their lives to watch tiny parking space given to seniors, cruel. The juniors, of course, retaliated, for students parking in the wrong or maybe the juniors simply didn’t Tweeting things like “Shut up!” and spots. They gained much pleasure in respect the most important rule of all: boldly posting statuses like, “I park standing watch astutely. Seniors were SENIORS RULE. where I want.” getting tickets for parking where the The end. May we all live happily But then, the upper echelon of law forbade, and some were so scared ever after. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

May 2012

12

Columns

One Bright Idea to Make the World a Better Place

Every single day before we leave our houses, we do something so routine we hardly even stop to notice. We put on a pair shoes. Imagine all the things accomplished in one day in a pair of shoes, then imagine doing all of those things without them. It would probably be pretty hard.

For children in many developing countries, simply having a pair of shoes is a luxury. They grow up in the rural communities of places like Uganda, walking miles every day on the hot clay ground, barefoot, to collect water for their families; or in the mountain communities of Peru, where children walk on the sharp, rocky terrain everyday, barefoot.

One bright idea that can improve the lives of these children is TOMS Shoes. TOMS is a company that sells shoes, and for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will donate a pair to a child in need in a developing country. Once TOMS donates to a specific community of children, they will continue to donate shoes to those children as they grow.

TOMS also has a program for the children they donate to, that

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helps them get proper nutrition, health care, and education.

To figure out who to target, TOMS locates a community in need of shoes. Then, they obtain specific measurements of each child’s foot. The final step is to get a few volunteers, fly to the country in need, and personally put the shoes on each child’s foot to ensure a proper fit. They call this process a “shoe drop.” As of 2010, they had donated over 1 million pairs of shoes to children in 23 different countries.

Shoes are not a want or a luxury, but a very important need for children in developing countries.

According to the TOMS website, many times the children they have donated shoes to could not attend school previously because shoes were a required part of their school’s uniform. These kids could not get an education and realize their full potential in the world simply because they didn’t have a pair of shoes.

One pair of shoes can change these children’s lives and communities for the better. By being able to go to

school and get an education, they can potentially go on to become doctors, lawyers, government officials, teachers, and other professionals their countries so desperately need. They can learn that there is more out there in the world than what they are experiencing.

They can become whatever they want to be through education.

One pair of shoes is all they need.

While TOMS will continue to provide children with shoes, they hope to expand their company in other ways to help more people. One way they are achieving this goal is through TOMS E y e w e a r.

According to the TOMS website, blindness and visual impairment is

world are visually impaired, 90% of those people live in poverty and have no way of receiving treatment.

TOMS Eyewear sells stylish sunglasses and when a pair is purchased a person in a developing country gets treatment. TOMS is especially trying to help women and children through their eyewear program. In many developing countries, if a family has money to pay for eye care, they will more than likely choose a male in the family to get treatment. By helping more women, they are giving them an equal chance to be able to see again. By helping these people get proper eye care, they are breaking the chain of poverty in many countries. With glasses or corrective eye surgery, children are able to go to school and adults can go to work instead of be unemployed. If adults go back to work and children go back to school, it breaks the cycle of poverty.

One pair of shoes can change these children’s lives and communities for the better. the seventh largest health crisis in the world. In many cases, this can be prevented or treated through medical treatment, glasses, or 15 minute cataract surgery.

Over 240 million people in the

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It is pretty amazing that you can help a child all the way across the world better themselves and their community just by buying one pair of shoes or sunglasses.

May 2012

Artist of the Month

13

By Chloe Martin Layout Editor

“Put in the time and effort to see the results you want, but the hard work isn’t worth it if you don’t enjoy what you are doing.

If it’s something you truly love, then keep trying no matter how discouraged you may get.”

--Aubree Schrader OHS Class of 2012

At the age of three, a little girl got her first taste of what was to become her lifelong passion, dancing. The rush of being in the center of the stage under the spotlights captivated her.

She hasn’t stopped since, and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Aubree Schrader has graced the studio of Miss Kelly’s Dance Company for almost fourteen years. Her dance teacher, Kelly Thomas, thinks Aubree is an amazing dancer and a great role model. “She always helps out the younger students, and they all love her,” she stated.

During the fall and winter seasons, Schrader dances four separate nights a week, totaling 9 hours a week in the studio. During the spring season, she dances six days out of seven, averaging 15-20 hours per week. “It is extremely important to be self-motivated and to push yourself every time you practice,” Schrader explained.

She has been in 12 competitions and over 40 performances. Schrader’s hard work and dedication have certainly paid off. Last year, she won a Platinum Award at the All-American Talent competition for her lyrical solo to the song “Angels on the Moon.” “Aubree’s dedication, focus, drive, her willingness to try new things, her determination, and her love of dance are all what makes her an amazing dancer,” explained Miss Kelly.

Schrader explained her favorite thing about dancing, and the reason Photo By Carlie Morley

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she has stayed so dedicated to it after all these years, is because dance is something she can always turn to, no matter what is going on in her life. “It’s the best way I’ve found to express what I’m feeling in a way that I feel good about after,” she stated.

Besides lyrical, Schrader dances ballet, hip-hop, tap, musical theater, jazz, and pointe, but lyrical is definitely her area of expertise. According to Schrader, “Lyrical is similar to ballet, but you have more freedom for expression with all of the moves.

It’s usually done to a song that is trying to tell a story or get a particular message across. It’s my favorite type of dance because it allows you to put a lot of emotion into what you are dancing.”

Schrader’s advice to other aspiring dancers involves commitment and enjoyment. “Put in the time and effort to see the results that you want, but the hard work isn’t worth it if you don’t enjoy what you are doing. If it’s something you truly love, then keep trying no matter how discouraged you may get, because although dancing can be very challenging, it is also very rewarding.”

Aside from dance, Schrader also enjoys running and playing tennis. In the fall, Schrader plans to attend SUNY Brockport. She will be taking with her a few of the many lessons she has learned from dance over the years. “Dancing has taught me that you won’t always be handed everything you want in life, and that you’ll have to work for it. It has also taught me how to discipline myself and how to correct my own mistakes.”

Although Schrader is undecided as to what major she plans to pursue, she knows for certain that she will continue to dance and study dance at the college level. When it comes to Schrader’s future in dance, Miss Kelly believes the sky is the limit. “Aubree always challenges herself and understands that you always strive for the highest point and beyond. I feel that every time Aubree dances she becomes more successful because she always comes ready to learn and always strives to be the best she can be. Success is not measured by others opinions it is measured by what you feel about yourself and your accomplishments at the end of each day. I feel Aubree is successful each and every time I watch her dance.”

May 2012

14

Entertainment

Great Book, Film Leave Fans ‘Hungering’ for More the boy from District 12 that must take part in the Hunger Games with Katniss.

The movie does a good job with the romance between Katniss and Peeta during the games, but I was afraid that since Gale isn’t in the first book that much, that the director might try to include him more, in order to get more girls to go look at Liam Hemsworth’s abs. Fortunately, they only added him to show his facial expressions when watching Katniss in the Games, something that added an additional element for the character development of Gale that could not be seen in the books.

My main gripe with the movie is how small a part Katniss’ Mockingjay pin plays in the movie, especially since it is such a big part of the first book, and more so, the two sequels.

In the book, Katniss’ friend Madge, the mayor’s daughter, gives her the pin before she leaves for the Games.

In the movie however, Katniss just happens to pick it up by a friendly vendor in District 12, giving it almost no meaning. Katniss is also always aware of the pin being on her when she is in the Hunger Games in the book, but in the movie, it’s not always visibly on her. When the pin comes up in future movies, fans who haven’t read the books won’t know how much the pin actually weighs into the plot as a whole.

What was surprisingly good in the movie, however, was the amount of violence shown. It obviously wasn’t

The Hunger Games is arguably one of the biggest movies of the year.

At times being considered the next Twilight phenomenon. What makes this phenomenon different is that it’s actually worth the average person’s attention. Suzanne Collins wrote an incredibly popular trilogy of books, starring female lead Katniss Everdeen and the post-nuclear world of Panem, in which young kids must take part in yearly “Hunger Games” to the death.

The first book of this trilogy would inevitably become a movie, but the big question in everyone’s mind was, Photo courtesy of Yahoo images “will it actually be good?” Thankfully, The Mockingjay pin (above) is a big part of the Hunger Games series, yet is the answer is a resounding yes. (There strangely not put into great effect in the film. will also be spoilers of the movie AND enough to use little blood and just a just the Head Gamemaker in the books, BOOK in this article, so you may not small view of the death for the viewers but is given more dialogue and scenes want to read past this introduction, to feel the kill resonate in their minds. in order to make his inevitable death as almost the entire movie will be The violence of the movie brings an important, yet sad element, showing discussed.) me to a minor stumble in the translation how cruel Snow truly is, even to his Having read all three books and from the book to film, and that problem own Capitol brethren. loving each one, I was pretty nervous is Rue. Rue is the little girl who The biggest disappointment the about how big the movie was, and it Katniss makes friends with when on movie gave me however, was its being called the next Twilight isn’t the run from the other contestants in ending.

I really loved the ending of the exactly a compliment in my eyes. The the Games.

In the books, there is a book, where Katniss reveals to Peeta books are intricately written, with significant amount of time spent with that she doesn’t actually love him, and perfect pacing and characters that Rue, and you get to know her and she was simply pretending throughout you actually care about, all set in the get used to her being Katniss’ friend. the games in order to win sponsors dystopian future controlled by the evil Unfortunately, and survive. She says this, and leaves Capitol. What movies have Peeta standing alone outside, and the makes the books Overall, The Hunger Games is a great movie, and budgets and time book just ends. It was a dark, brilliant work so well is frames, and this ending that Suzanne Collins should be one of the best book-to-movie translations I’ve the incredibly is what dampens commended for. But the film’s ending likable Katniss seen in a long time. the effect of Rue’s didn’t even have Katniss mention that to Everdeen, who is death from the Peeta, and that moment was huge for the a strong female emotional tear next two books. The ending wasn’t bad, lead that a lot of people can relate to, as graphic as the book was, but the jerker it was in the book.

It was sad, but it could lead to problems in the future especially highschoolers, which seem book had to compensate for visual because the cute little girl died, but it movies, setting up the romance angles to be the main demographic. descriptions, while the movie can only was nothing more than that. that were missed by cutting this ending.

If you are unaware of the hype show so much with a PG-13 rating.

If Another change that the movie Overall, The Hunger Games is a that surrounds these books, someone they made the death scenes as gory as made is actually a welcome one, and great movie, and one of the best bookmay tell you that it’s about a girl in the book describes, the movie would be that is introducing President Snow as to-movie translations I’ve seen in a a love triangle with two guys. But rated R and lose the huge demographic the main antagonist of the series, since long time.

The actors were well cast, the romance part of the books is the of young viewers that the Hunger he is mainly in the second and third especially Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. smallest part of the plot, the romance Games holds.

But what makes the books in that role.

Donald Sutherland There were some changes, but that is simply used to help you feel for the movie’s death scenes so emotionally plays the President well, delivering is to be expected; a movie cannot fit characters even more, and the movie engaging is that you’re watching devious monologues that were not in everything the book has in it.

A lot of studio will no doubt be using this children die, some as young as twelve the book, putting Snow into place as a these changes were actually very good, romance for future movies in their years old. Watching children die, and bad guy. This added character exposure and showed characters in a different advertisements. The two boys vying some in some pretty explicit ways, was also applies to Seneca Crane, who was light than you perceived in the book. for Katniss are Gale and Peeta. Peeta is

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May 2012

Columns

15

WBUC Gets a Seat in the Syracuse University Press Box

I

have never been so lucky as to sit in the front row at any event that I have ever been to, whether it be a sporting event, a concert, or even a movie at Oswego 7 Cinema for that matter.

For whatever reason, the closest I have ever come was at Game Four of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Quarter Finals between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres.

My best friend and I shelled out $165 each to sit five rows up at then- named HSBC arena in Buffalo, New York, and watch my favorite Philadelphia Flyers lose by a score of 1-0. Although the Flyers lost, it was still amazing to be so close to some of my favorite athletes and watch them go all- out in such a meaningful game. That night, I was convinced that I would never get any closer to watch a sporting event in my entire life. Fortunately, I was wrong.

Two weeks ago, I was among four students along with Bri Favata, Erik May and Matt Feeney, who were lucky enough to obtain press passes for the Syracuse University Men’s Lacrosse game against the Georgetown Hoyas. These passes allowed us to watch the game from the press box, where, at the end of each quarter, we were offered up- to- date statistics from the game. Also, at any given time, two of the four students were allowed to be on the field taking pictures and shooting video from the opposite sideline. That was almost unreal for me. Not only was I closer than five rows up, but I was closer than anyone else in the stands!

During most of the second half of the game, I was only two or three yards from Syracuse University Lacrosse star Tim Desko, snapping shots of just about anything- and everything- that I could. Out of pure awe and excitement, I even took a close- up picture

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of the turf inside the dome. To put it simply, it was awesome.

Though we all enjoyed ourselves and had a great time, this was a great learning experience for those planning to have a future in broadcasting and journalism. Even though I do not plan to make a profession in the broadcasting or journalism fields in my future, I did learn from this incredible experience- a life lesson, actually.

I learned that you cannot just expect for anything in life to come to you, you have to speak up and go get it. This lesson was everywhere around us on our trip to Syracuse. The first place it became apparent was in acquiring our passes.

There would be no way for us to ever get into the press box or on the field without speaking up; nobody would just hand out press passes.

Thankfully, here at OHS we have a great teacher and role model in Mr. Cass, who spoke up and got press passes for us.

Another place that this lesson was visible was in the post- game press conference. At the press conference, both coaches were asked questions from journalists, students, and reporters, but they had to compete for the opportunity to ask the coaches their questions. If the journalists did not speak up and compete for that opportunity, then they were overlooked and did not get the information that they needed. It was subtle, but this lesson left a lasting impression on me, and I’m sure will assist me in my future.

We would like to thank Mr. Mike Morrision, as well as Syracuse University, for the opportunity to have such a great experience. We would also like to thank Mr. Cass for arranging the trip, and for all of the opportunities that he presents us to succeed as television production students and as young men and women. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

Photo Courtesy of Steve Cass

This is the up-close view WBUC students had of a Syracuse University long-stick defenseman warming up against Georgetown on April 21.

May 2012

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Athletes of the Month Allison Yule

By Carlie Morley Sports Editor

After playing baseball for a couple of years as a kid, senior Allie Yule decided to take up softball, and has been playing for the six years since. In addition to her four years of dedication to the OHS varsity softball program, Yule has also played for a club team in Oswego and currently plays for the Homerun softball program out of Syracuse.

Yule plays shortstop for the Bucs, but in previous years, she has also played third base and outfield. “She has played three positions while she’s been with us, and adapted to all of them pretty well,” commented Coach Mike McCrobie, “She’s what coaches call a five-tool player--she hits for power, for average, has good speed, a good arm and superb defense.”

When it’s not softball season, Yule plays tennis and ice hockey as well. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

The softball team took its bi-annual trip to Disney World’s ESPN Sports Complex over spring break, the second such trip in Yule’s career. “I think our team benefited from it a lot because we’re a really young team and we needed a lot of experience. We played seven games while we were there, which was good,” stated Yule.

The trip is sure to leave the team with many great memories, but Yule admits that her greatest softball memory was her sophomore year when the team beat CNS for the first time in many years. “We won with a walk off hit and I scored the winning run,” Yule recalled.

Coming up later this season, the softball team has many big games, including against CNS, who Yule claims is “our unofficial rival,” and Section III power Liverpool.

Yule’s goal for herself for the season is to have fewer than two errors, physical and mental, per game, which she says is coming along really well. In addition, Yule has almost broken the record at OHS as the all-time hits leader, “With about ten more hits, she will have the record for most hits in a career at OHS, which is a really significant accomplishment, because our record book goes back to the mid 1970s when OHS softball began,” exclaimed McCrobie.

One of Yule’s favorite quotes is one from Coach McCrobie himself. “Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.” To Yule, this means, everyone wants the big reward at the end, but they don’t want to put forth the effort and work for it. “She is an exception to the rule,” McCrobie said, “the rewards Allie gets are all earned.”

Not only does she play, but Yule plays with heart, “One of the more interesting things about her is that no matter how intense the level of play or the competition or that game, she plays with a smile on her face every day. And that’s the way to play the game,” McCrobie commented.

Until a couple of years ago, Yule claims to have gotten very nervous before a game, “But that stopped, and now I just get really excited,” she explained. Surely she is excited to continue playing softball next year at Mercyhurst, where she is thinking about majoring in biology.

Photo and illustration by carlie morley

Austin Demott

Since he was 12 years old, Austin DeMott has been bringing the heat on the tennis courts. While most kids who start playing tennis at a young age, usually 7 or 8, often take private lessons, DeMott went out on his own and discovered his knack for the game.

This singles player has a good attitude on and off the court.

“Austin has a true love for the game, and he works very hard,” commented coach Bill Fatiga, “He is a good example to the younger kids of exactly what it takes to be a good player, and work hard.”

Like in any other sport, it is important to keep your head clear and not let your opponent get in your head. In a match, DeMott says it is important to keep his composure on the court. “I don’t let my opponent know how I’m feeling; I don’t get angry, I just try to stay neutral. I notice with a lot of my opponents, you can tell when you’re starting to get under their skin,” he stated.

When playing the game of tennis, a “gentleman’s game,” it is important to have etiquette. With some positive visualization and music, DeMott prepares for a match, keeping in mind the importance of “winning gratefully and losing gracefully.”

“The past two years at sectionals, I did really well, and came in third place. That was big for me and it just inspired me to keep practicing, get better, and improve my game,” remarked DeMott. After placing third twice, DeMott is determined to place in the top two this year.

He will be equipped to reach this goal after all the practice put in over the summers. “My dad always hits with me over the summer, since I started playing. He’s my true coach, and I’m thankful for that,” DeMott stated.

When he’s not on the tennis courts, you can find DeMott running cross country or swimming and diving for the Buccaneers. He also loves playing racquetball, dancing, parkour, and free running. Not only is DeMott an all-around athlete, but is also a member of the National Honor Society and Ski Club.

DeMott will be attending Clarkson University next year, where he plans to play club tennis and try out for the racquetball team.

With tennis being his number one sport, DeMott says that he plans to continue playing.

“I would even consider coaching,” he said, “I definitely want to keep playing tennis for the rest of my life.”

May 2012 Volume 15 Number 6

Oswego High School’s Student Voice