November 2009

BuccaneerBulletin

Volume 13 Number 2

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

November 2009

Body Art Gaining Popularity Among Teens For many teenagers, getting a tattoo is a rite of passage. In a song by The Who -- aptly titled “Tattoo” -- the band belts out, “Welcome to my life, tattoo. I’m a man now ‘cause of you.”

It’s true for girls, too. “Nothin’ says I’m 18 and breakin’ loose like a rainbow-colored butterfly tattoo,” sings Lauren Bryant in her song, “Butterfly Tattoo.”

They say each tattoo has a story, and it’s no surprise that everybody tells a different story and expresses themselves differently through their permanent body art. Others, like Junior CJ Spicer, simply stated, “I think they look cool,” which is some people’s sole reason to get one. In the article “5 Reasons People Get Tattoos” by Brian Jackson on AssociatedContent.com, two reasons were “mistake” and “just for fun.” Other reasons include: gestures of love, military service, and religious devotion.

Getting “inked,” in some cases, is also an impulse. Matt Christensen, the owner of Spectrum Dermagraphics in Oswego said, “Teenagers don’t always make the best decisions, so something that may be cool now, might not be something they’re going to like for the rest of their life. And if they don’t

find the right artist and do the proper research right away, they might end up with a bad tattoo or they may end up with something they just don’t like. Then, 15 years down the road, they would have to spend an extreme amount of money for laser removal.”

Out of the 17 percent of people who regret getting a tattoo, three percent of them say it was a rash decision. Two percent of them say they’re a different person now than when they got the tattoo, and 11 percent say “it was just stupid,” according to polls on skintoday.com.

“Anyone under the age of 18 who (got) a tattoo, either got it from a friend in their backyard who has no idea what they’re doing, or from a tattoo artist who is doing something illegal,” stated Dick Falise of Ink Haven in Oswego. “Even a

kid who’s 17 with a parent’s permission can’t get a tattoo.”

Christensen also said, “The reason it is unsafe for a teenager to get a tattoo is because New York State says it’s illegal. So, if an artist is willing to tattoo somebody illegally, then it’s really questionable as far as their skills and techniques, different things like that because if they can’t make their money to survive working on people that are of age, then there’s obviously something wrong with that person and they probably wouldn’t be the best person for a teenager to go to in the first place.”

Some students are willing to resort to traveling to another state to get a tattoo. Junior Allison Martin stated, “My mom actually let me get a tattoo for my 16th birthday.” Martin went to Florida, which is a state where minors can legally get a tattoo. (Martin’s elaborate tatoo is pictured here.)

Famous author Jack London once stated, “Show me a man with a tattoo, and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past.”

for the love of ink photo BY mONEK cULLEN pHOTO Illustration BY cAITLIN sAWYER STORY BY eMILY fULTZ

Editorial

2

Drawing Board

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editors-in-Chief Rachel Clark Emily DiFabio Managing Editor Caitlin Sawyer Layout Editor Edward Wallace Chief Photographer Monék Cullen Art Director Kimberlyn Bailey Business Manager Vanessa Sheffield Webmaster Kaitlyn Scanlon Sports Editor Jasmine Davis Entertainment Editor Catie Furletti Clublicity Editor Mackenzie Oatman Alumni Editor Aaron Callahan Photographer Christina Buckingham Ad Representative Dacota Kazyaka Ad Designer Hilary MacDonald Art Staff Ashley Fidler Sports Writers Brittany Ross, Marykate Torbitt Reporters Shaughnessy Darrow, Emily Fultz, Rachel Healy, Michaela Kearns, Mary Losurdo, Faith Whitely, Kylie Wyman 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 Palladium-Times. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.

Buccaneer Bulletin

Illustration BY Kimberlyn Bailey

Drawing ThumbsBoard Up . . . to the Oswego High School Marching Band for placing first at the band competition at James Madison University in Virginia. . . .to the new Buccaneer Boulevard signs at the Hillside Avenue and Liberty Street intersections. We know where we are, but visitors for athletic contests will find it easier to locate the OHS and Leighton schools and athletic facilities. . . .to the OHS Paradox and Buccaneer Bulletin for the awards each staff won at the Empire State School Press Association annual journalism convention. . . .to the OHS varsity girls’ volleyball team for becoming CNYCL league champions for the first time in almost twenty years. Congratulations to the team and Coach Ron Ahart for all of your hard work. . . .to the addition of the liquid soap dispensers in the bathrooms by the cafeteria. . . .to Elizabeth Morley who was named a finalist in the national QuestBridge scholarship.

Drawing Thumbs Board Down . . .to the sign hanging in the old gym that states we’re the school of excellence. It was a source of pride at the time, but since we’re now a school in need of improvement, should the 20-year old sign still be there? . . .to the inappropriate attire worn on Halloween, and administration not enforcing the dress code well enough on Halloween. You said you were going to do something about them, but some costumes were inappropriate and nothing was done about them. . . .to half of the cafeteria being barricaded during eighth period lunch. Due to the lunch ladies cleaning for 9th period senior study hall, half of the lunchroom is blocked off by chairs so that no student can access that side. If a student walks behind the ‘barricade,’ he is told to walk back around. Because of this, everyone is scrunched together. . . .to the students who are spitting in the school. Seriously, on more than one occasion, we’ve seen kids just spit on the floor. Are you kidding?

November 2009

Editorial

3

In Our View . . .

Different Paths Can Lead to Success For seniors, college application deadlines are drawing closer. Sophomores and juniors who took the PSAT will soon begin to face the onslaught of propaganda from colleges hoping to gain spots on students’ top-choice lists. It seems as though everywhere students go, they are faced with endless talk about college – who got what on the SAT, what colleges will have representatives in the Career Center this week, who’s applying where… The conversation is endless.

Yet on many occasions, it seems as though we fail to recognize the numerous alternatives to a fouryear college. We as students are told to aim high and compete for admission to selective private four-year colleges, so many of us feel pressured to gain entry to prestigious schools to impress others with a big name.

But other options can provide an experience just as fulfilling, if not even more rewarding than the one provided by a four-year college. A vast number of people have attended community college and gone on to be quite successful. For example, writer Laurie Halse Anderson went to Onondaga Community College after graduating from high school, then transferred to Georgetown University. She is now an awardwinning author whose books, such as Speak and Catalyst, have been used in high school classrooms around the country, including here at OHS. Pulitzer Prize winners Gwendolyn Brooks and Sam Shepard are two other successful community college alumni.

The common stereotype that community college

is just an extension of high school where students pay tuition for a 24/7 party is clearly not always the case. Community college also isn’t solely for ‘slackers’ who are not ‘smart enough’ to get into a four-year school. In fact, some students who attend two-year schools started off at a four-year college, but transferred to a community college because they just did not like the school at which they started. If students take advantage of the academic opportunities provided to them at a twoyear school, they truly can get a good education.

For some students, college in general isn’t a necessity. As a nation, we need people willing to join the military and defend our country, especially now, in an era in which we are fighting two wars.

We also need skilled workers who learn their trades from unions or vocational schools, rather than traditional colleges. These are not ‘lesser’ options. In fact, one could argue that some of these professions are even more valuable to society than many of the ones to which traditional college degrees lead.

We don’t mean to suggest that all students should forgo their dream college in order to pursue one of these alternate options. Rather, we would like to point out that not all students’ dreams need to include a four-year college, and every student at OHS should not feel pressured to follow that path.

As long as we strive toward a productive future, it doesn’t matter how we choose to attain that goal.

What has been the most helpful tool the school has provided to help you make plans for after graduation?

Aubrie Spanfelner “College visits as well as financial aid night have helped me prepare for college.”

Class of 2010

Jessica Ciesla

“OHS has no options for out of state opportunities, only for college trips during school and even at that they’re during school, so if you can’t miss class, then you’re out of luck.”

Letter to the Editor

Exchange Student Sends Greetings from Italy Dear Oswego High School, Italy is amazing! Becoming an exchange student has been the best decision I have made in my life thus far. This is a learning experience as well as a fun adventure . They tell you before you arrive that you will experience “culture shock.” Yes, I have to go to school. Yes, I do after-school activities. Yes, I have a family. Yes, there are values, traditions, and customs. Although I experience the same things in both countries, they are truly different worlds.

I go to school Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until about 1pm. The schedule has no particular structure, aside from the number of hours students spend per week in each subject. Every day is different. Each lesson is one hour long, but when the bell rings, students don’t move; we stay in the same room all day, the professors change classes, not the students. Italian students better like the kids they are with, because when they enter the five-year high school, they are assigned a class and for those five years, they are with the same twenty students. The only thing that changes each year is the classroom.

The teachers stay within the classes as well.

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Everyone here tries his/her hardest in school. The school is for the sole purpose of learning. There are no electives, no sports, and no clubs. I know that I’m making school sound terrible, but it really isn’t. It has made me appreciate school in America a lot more.

Weight gain is inevitable. Everyone is always complaining about how the portion sizes are way too big in America. Well, in Italy, we make up for it in the number of courses we eat. The food is amazing, but no, I don’t eat spaghetti and meatballs everyday.

They hardly use red sauce and I have yet to see a meatball. The most common food so far has been creamy sauce with clams.

I have only been here for a month, so I have a lot more to discover. It is great to talk with people from here. They want to know everything about me and my home country.

I will be writing to you every month. Please feel free to email me with questions or topics that you want me to talk about in the letters.

Alla prossima volta (until next time), Maggie McCloskey

Editors Note: If you would like to contact Maggie, please e-mail Caitlin Sawyer at csawyer2@oswego.org

Class of 2011

Caitlyn McCann “AP classes before going into college has really helped.”

Class of 2011

Alex Wetter

“I would have to say that the most useful tool would have to be the meetings with VESID (an aid program for students with special needs).”

Class of 2010

November 2009

Columns

4

Time Conflict: Facebook or Homework?

Twenty years from now when we look back on our generation, we’ll be remembered for two things; touchscreen technology and our obsession with MySpace and Facebook. As online communities such as those have become more and more popular throughout the past few years, our teenage generation has made it a point to incorporate them into our everyday lives. From the moment we step through the front door after an exhausting day of school, until we sleep at night, a majority of teens, can’t resist the temptation of frequently checking our “pages” on MySpace and Facebook to see what our friends have said.

As the time we spend in online communities increases, it slowly creeps into our time that should be designated for other activities, especially homework. Many students have their own laptops and desktops

in their rooms. This allows us to simply sit on our beds or at our desks on Facebook for the majority of the night with little recognition of the amount of time we spend looking at pictures of ourselves and our friends.

With this in mind, it’s becoming harder to focus on homework knowing that we could be spending time on other things that may, at the time, seem more important. Many of us make it a habit to check the “comments” and “status feed” the moment we walk into the house after being away from the computer for a period of time.

Facebook and MySpace are competing with homework for our time and attention. Those of us who try to do our homework diligently are running into problems, no matter the enthusiasm that we may have towards our school work. The amount of homework a serious student can be given can amount to hours of braindebilitating papers and worksheets.

It’s reasonable for a student to want to take a small break to relax.

However, when on MySpace and Facebook, that small break can turn into an hour without knowing it.

Looking at one friend’s new picture away from our studying. album that was just posted might Senior, Morgan Lavner, does turn into looking at ten friends’ pages what any good student tries to do. before even realizing it. That’s the She tries tackling her homework major issue a lot of us find, in that we first, before spending hours a night don’t notice just how fast time passes on Facebook and MySpace. She on the online also faces the communities. same problems The distractions that most high that come from schoolers and Facebook and college students MySpace don’t do. “I try to get just simply my homework disappear after done first, but high school. when I’m bored Chances are the of homework, I addiction can go on MySpace follow you to and Facebook college and affect then end up just precious study never getting graphic by Ashley Fidler time. Many of back to my us with Facebook friends in college homework. Lavner went on to say may have seen them put up a status that when typing papers, she has the on their “wall” saying something hardest time focusing because she’s along the lines of “I should be already on the computer, and can studying right now…but instead check Facebook/MySpace several I’m on Facebook!” When it’s time times while typing assignments. for students to study and work on It’s up to us to stay as focused as homework, we know all too well how possible when it comes to the battle easy it is to click the mouse and be between social networking and doing connected to our friends and ripped our homework.

The New Kid in Journalism Sounds Off

Since freshman year, I have always enjoyed reading The Buc Bulletin and seeing all the interesting topics it covers. As a junior this year, I decided I was going to be part of the staff of the newspaper. The first day of school I couldn’t wait until seventh period, to walk in and get right to work. Little did I know that not only was I in for a surprise of what taking Journalism entails, but I knew absolutely nothing about being part of a newspaper. In just a few days I soon realized I was one of the “Newbies of Journalism.”

Mr. McCrobie is the type of teacher where you want to make sure you stay on his good side.

He has a lot of great things to teach us about journalism, but if you don’t have a tough skin, then this class is not the place for you. To learn, we have to be critiqued on the things we do wrong, and he

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has no problem telling us what we did wrong. In Reeser have taught us honestly make no sense at these few weeks he has crammed into us as much all. My English teachers have been drilling the journalism knowledge as he could in the limited rules on how to write a paper into my head for time we’ve had. I never knew that journalism had years, and now, a lot of those rules no longer apply its own language; did you know that a paper could in newspaper format. These teachers, though, are go to bed? McCrobie’s co- adviser, Mr. Reeser giving us an example on how life really is out taught us the technical part of the newspaper; there. They’ve modeled how to be responsible I have always done better in English than any and own up to the things you do. Some of these computer class. Now I know I should’ve paid assignments seem boring and just this simple closer attention on how to insert that graphic! column I’ve stressed over, but journalism is a class Don’t get I most certainly I never knew that journalism had its recommend you me wrong, this is a class that I own language; did you know that a take. You will be enjoy coming surprised about paper could go to bed? to daily, and I what you learn and plan on sticking how you grow. it out the whole So, as one of year if it kills me, and it just might. This has taught the “newbies” I’m learning all I can. All of my me to make sure I am always organized, to take fellow rookies are trying to show off our talents notes on everything, and that the first four letters and more then often than not, I think McCrobie is of the word deadline are D-E-A-D, which is what not going to have a problem making sure our heads you are if you miss a deadline. I’m learning that don’t swell. This is going to be an interesting year; there is so much more to journalism than writing we’ve been told it’s no longer returners versus a paper with a catchy headline. This is a class the new kids, that were a team. So all my effort is that will teach you life skills that will help you going into these papers and maybe I can show that push yourself. Some of the things McCrobie and I’m not going to be a newbie forever.

November 2009

Feature

5

Debunking the Myths about Swine Flu

By Mackenzie Oatman Clublicity Editor

H1N1 or the “swine flu” is a big issue not only at Oswego High School, but throughout the entire country. Contradicting information has us wondering how we should really go about preventing or treating the possible pandemic.

H1N1, a form of the seasonal flu that infects people around February each year, first appeared in Mexico last spring. It has since spread to places all around the globe and is widespread in the United States, including Oswego County. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that H1N1, for the most part, is no worse than the everyday flu.

Miranda Tice, a sophomore at OHS said, “I heard getting the swine flu is not as bad as getting the seasonal flu, but people are still making a big deal out of it.”

Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Anne Schuchat recently stated, “Most people who get the flu, whether it’s seasonal flu or the H1N1 influenza, will have a pretty miserable few days, fever, total body aches, cough, sore throat. But some people can get very, very severe disease, hospitalizations, pneumonia, and even death.”

Mr. Brian Parrotte, a physical education teacher at OHS, fell victim to the swine flu in September. Parrotte was out of school for two weeks and bed ridden for many days with excruciating headaches, body aches, and a temperature of 102 degrees. The sickness weakened his immune system to such a point that he got pneumonia in his lungs.

Though fully recovered now, Parrotte, a father of two young children, said, “They treated me like the beast downstairs,” jokingly referring to how he had to remain quarantined in his basement to prevent his family from becoming sick.

Parrotte was not permitted by his doctor to return to school until seven days after his fever had broken.

“I think he was overly cautious, but better be safe than sorry. If you’re sick, stay home. Many teachers, including myself, will sometimes try to come to school sick,” Parrotte added.

Precautions have to be made at even the slightest sign of the flu. “It’s only October and we are seeing really uncharted territory. Typically, in the month of October, we would not have seen so much influenza.

We would not see the whole country with widespread disease. That’s something we often will see in February,” recently stated the health officer of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to records held by the CDC, during the second week of October 2008, there were seventeen cases of influenza and seven flu-related deaths in the United States. The same week this year, there were 5,000 cases reported and an astounding 885 deaths.

From August 30, 2009 to October 24, 2009, 8,268 specimens of flu were tested positive by the U.S World Health Organization (WHO) and by the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVESS). Over 5,400 of those specimens

Buccaneer Bulletin

illustration by ashley fidler

were the swine flu. There have been 12,466 influenzaassociated hospitalizations, 530 influenza associated deaths, 25,985 pneumonia and influenza syndromebased hospitalizations, and 2,916 pneumonia and influenza syndrome-based deaths, all of which are laboratory confirmed.

President Barack Obama has declared the spreading of H1N1 and delays in vaccine production a “national emergency.” This puts some governmental functions on hold to allow for the handling of the emergency.

“The rates of illness continue to rise rapidly within many communities across the nation, and the potential exists for the pandemic to overburden health care resources in some localities,” stated Obama.

Because of the national emergency, hospitals are permitted to set up care centers outside of their facilities, providing extra space for the treatment of the ill and to free up the emergency rooms for more extreme cases.

A strain of H1N1 first came into play in the 1970s.

A vaccination was released that caused significant side effects, such as paralysis in some people. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services ensures Americans that the 2009’s swine flu vaccination is safe.

“At this point there is nothing that would cause any concern about the vaccination program moving forward,” stated Sebelius, during an interview with CBS News.

“Clinical trials conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the vaccine manufacturers have shown that the new H1N1 vaccine is both safe and effective. The FDA has licensed it. There have been no safety shortcuts,” confirmed Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General.

“Our top doctors and scientists believe the risk of

the flu, especially for pregnant women, children, and people with underlying health conditions, is higher than any risk that might come from the H1N1 vaccine.”

Further explains flu.gov, a government-run website that is resourceful place for all flu-related questions.

The Oswego County Health Department is accepting calls for appointments for people who are in the priority groups for the vaccine. These groups include pregnant women, people 25 to 64 years old who have a chronic underlying medical condition, any child or young adult between the ages of six months and 24, health care workers, EMS providers, and caregivers of children less than six months of age. Oswego County Health Department’s phone numbers and other information can be found on their website.

Despite rumors earlier this month, OHS has no plans to close due to the flu. “Nearby schools closed over the spring, but it wasn’t beneficial,” said Mrs. Aimee Devinny, a nurse at Oswego High School.

Devinny also urges all students who have a fever to stay home until they are without a fever for twenty four hours straight, without medicine. This will prevent the sickness from spreading further throughout OHS, which has already seen a dramatically high number of absences this year.

Fatigue, fever, sore throat, chills, coughing, and sneezing are some of the first symptoms of H1N1.

If you begin to experience any of these and cannot access a vaccine, gargling salt water and swabbing the inside of your nose with salt water can play a part in killing the virus early on. According to Flu.gov, if taken early enough, antiviral drugs like TamiFlu and Relenza can help make the sickness milder for those who do end up falling ill.

For weekly flu reports and data visit www.cdc. gov.

November 2009

Features

6

SAT Tests no Longer Life-and-Death Managing Editor

Students across the country spend hours stressing and studying for the SAT, a standardized test that usually holds the fate for many teens as they wait for admission into their dream college. Students have been noticeably obsessing over the SAT for years because they believe it plays the biggest role in the admissions process.

Recently, a select number of colleges across the country have decided to eliminate or de-emphasize standardized test scores from their admissions acceptance. Many schools have decided to look at the student as a whole.

Four-year-university-degree-granting colleges have traditionally required students to submit SAT scores as a part of the application process. These scores can even be the deciding factor about a students’ admission. Many students feel enormous pressure to get a high SAT score, and spend money to take the test numerous times. But this trend could be coming to an end, as more schools are adopting the test-optional policy. “The SAT obviously isn’t as important anymore, though it’s still required, and the price is rising. I believe they shouldn’t have the SAT anymore,” stated senior Alex Richards.

Some critics suggested that schools have made the SAT optional to improve their rankings. Students who decided to not submit their SATs or ACTs would presumably have lower scores, and if they weren’t accounted for, then that would raise those colleges’ SAT averages.

With SAT scores becoming less important, students are starting to realize they don’t need to score as highly as they originally thought.

“The SATs were really important to me at first, and I stressed out about my scores. Then I realized that colleges don’t look at your SAT’s as a high factor to get accepted. Other things are more important,” stated senior Michele Canale.

SUNY Potsdam has implemented a new admissions

policy which does not include the SAT. They have become a part of the SAT-optional admission policy, meaning they don’t look at the SAT scores for the individual student, and the viewing of the SAT score would only be done on a rare occasion. “This new policy gives us a chance to focus on the rigorous curriculum and focus on the student as a whole, rather than looking at standardized tests,” stated admissions counselor Melissa Evans.

With colleges shifting towards the test-optional policy, students no longer need to photo illustration by Ashley Fidler

By Caitlin Sawyer

stress about taking the SAT, but instead focus should be keeping their four year academic program rigorous. Students at OHS feel the SAT’s are an unequal representation of what they can actually do. “I feel like the SAT’s didn’t help me at all. In my opinion, I’m smart and the SAT’s do not show who I really am and what I can accomplish,” stated senior Donald Delpriore.

Another issue some schools are having is, if they get rid of the SAT’s, they no longer really have a benchmark of who deserves scholarships. A lot of universities have criteria for students that would enable them to get financial aid. “For me, taking the SATs was more about getting scholarship money than helping me get into college,” stated senior Mike Brown As seniors across the country are busy applying for college, many take into consideration things like financial aid, population, teachers, and obviously, SAT scores. But now, they will have another option to look into; whether or not the university of their choice is accepting SAT scores.

“I would look at schools that don’t consider SAT scores, but I am more likely to look at schools that will accept me for the scores that I did get,” stated senior Nicole Sivers.

Bomb Threats Result in Stiff Penalties

By Emily DiFabio Editor-in-Chief

In the first month of school, in total, there had been four bomb threats made to either the Oswego Middle School or the Oswego High School. These threats cost the school district, and the Oswego City Police Department thousands of dollars and valuable time that could have been spent in a more productive manner.

Many people may not be aware that calling in a bomb threat or writing a fake note is a Federal Offense, and if convicted of that crime, a person could spend up to three years in jail.

Jail time most likely won’t be the person’s only problem. The school district could make the person pay up to $5,000. While no one in Oswego has actually been charged with the federal crime, this doesn’t mean that it could not happen.

Not only could the person convicted, spend time in federal prison and have to pay fees to the district, the individual should still be scared. If

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you can afford it, the convicted criminal has to pay lawyer fees. If an adult (or a minor tried as an adult) could have that on his/her record for the rest of his/her life. That would make it nearly impossible to find a job, especially in these times where jobs are already scarce.

Some might remember in the late 1990s the school district faced many threats that could have resulted in total chaos and pandemonium, if the district did not have a plan intact. We have a plan, and the administration is prepared for this type of incident.

Teens have the tendency to think that they are invincible, that they can do no wrong, and that they can not be stopped. That is why there is a tendency to see this type of behavior in kids in their young teens. Most don’t realize what they have done, until it is too late. While that is not an excuse, it is something that is usually accounted for when these people are prosecuted.

In the incidents that resulted in arrests in Oswego the people were charged with falsely

reporting an incidence which, according to the New York State Penal Law, is knowing that information reported, conveyed, or circulated to be false or baseless and under circumstances in which it is likely public alarm or inconveniences will result. In other words, these people knew that what they were claiming to be true, was indeed, false.

Mr. Bill Crist, Superintendent of Oswego City School District stated, “ It’s been interesting to say the least, in terms of the anguish, concern, the unrest and loss of education and services that we work daily to provide to our students and staff.”

Police Chief Michael Dehm stated, “We’re just looking to put an end to it and make who is ever responsible come forward. I think that after the fourth one, especially at the middle school, the teachers are upset, the kids are upset, they’re being disrupted. Hopefully they’ll stop and realize that this is not funny anymore.”

November 2009

Walking the Plank

7

Music a Big Part of Mason Rabalais’ Life Editor’s Note: “Walking the Plank” is a regular feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin. In this month’s installment, Rachel Healy sat down with OHS student Mason Rabalais.

MR: We don’t have one, it’s nothing serious. We’ll just get together whenever and jam.

Buccaneer Bulletin: What’s your full name?

Mason Rabalais: Mason Gregory Rabalais.

BB: If there were three people you’d have a chance to meet, dead or alive, who would they be?

MR: Jesus, Geddy Lee (the bassist for Rush), and I don’t know… I’ll say George Washington.

BB: What instrument do you play?

MR: Trombone.

BB: What got you interested in playing in the school band?

MR: My parents made me do it.

BB: How long have you been playing the trombone?

MR: Eight years.

BB: Did you go on the trip to Virginia with the marching band?

MR: Yes. BB: How did you guys do?

MR: Pretty well, we got first place in our class.

BB: What’s your favorite school subject?

MR: Chemistry.

BB: Do you plan on attending college next year?

If so, where?

MR: I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I definitely will be going.

BB: Do you plan on playing trombone throughout college?

MR: Maybe, we’ll see.

BB: What do you plan to be in the future?

MR: I plan to go into the Navy.

BB: Do you have a favorite band?

MR: Not really.

BB: Do you have a favorite composer?

MR: No. BB: Who is your biggest influence on you in your life?

MR: My dad.

BB: What do you do in your spare time?

MR: , and play my electric bass. I’m in a small group that plays on the weekends sometimes.

BB: What’s the name of your group?

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BB: What’s your prized possession?

MR: My bass.

BB: Word has it you went to Europe recently, how was it?

MR: Amazing. The best experience of my life.

BB: When did you go?

MR: July of this past summer.

Photo by monek Cullen

This month’s Walking the Plank features Mason Rabalais. In the photo above he takes time out of his busy day to practice playing the trombone.

BB: Was this for band?

MR: Yeah. Every year, kids do a thing called Solofest. They take the highest scoring kids from the Northeast and put them in a band.

BB: How often did you have to practice while you were over there?

MR: We only practiced once when we were over there. We had practiced for a few days in Pennsylvania before we left, and our schedule was pretty full once we were in Europe.

BB: Where did you go in Europe?

MR: We toured all over Germany and Austria.

BB: What are some of the activities you did there?

MR: We took a lot of walking tours, tried lots of new foods, and visited a concentration camp.

BB: How long was the trip?

MR: A little less than a month.

BB: What was your favorite memory from the trip?

MR: We went up all the way to the top of the Alps, we stripped down to our boxers and had a snowball fight. It was very cold, but very fun.

BB: Do you have a favorite childhood memory?

MR: No. BB: Do you have any siblings?

MR: Yes, I have two younger brothers who are sophomores, they’re twins.

BB: Would you say they follow in your footsteps?

MR: Not really. We have a really good relationship and hang out a lot, but we do different activities.

BB: What is one thing that most people wouldn’t know about you?

MR: I have no idea.

BB: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

MR: Boring.

BB: What’s your most embarrassing moment?

MR: I was at the doctor’s office, you know that one right down there, and was on my way out the door. There’s this window, I was in kind of a hurry and I tripped on the rug and fell face first into the window and shattered it. I was mortified.

If you know of a student or staff member you would like to see walk the plank, contact Emily DiFabio at edifabio@oswego.org.

November 2009

8

Club

OHS Clubs making conne

Ski Club is starting out the year with planning and prep work for the start of the downhill ski season.

The first trip to Labrador Mountain will be Wednesday, January 6, and if you’re interested in enhancing your skiing or snowboarding skills, or trying something new, it’s not too late to sign up, just talk to adviser Mr. Charles Rowlee in room B1.

The club meets once a month on Wednesday in room B1. The president is Haleigh Daino, vice president is Madison Palmer, secretary is Rachel Clark and treasurer is Mackenzie Dunsmoor. Once the season starts, the club goes to the mountain on Wednesdays.

Transportation is provided and included in the total cost, which is roughly $155. However, if you have to rent a snowboard, it’s fifteen dollars each trip and to rent skis, it’s ten dollars each trip. The bus to the mountain leaves the school at 3:00 pm and gets back around 11:00 pm.

December 1 is the deadline for money and paperwork in order to join, so even if you have missed the meetings so far, you can still sign up.

There is also a $25 program that enables people who are not in Ski Club, but want to try it out, a chance to do so one time. All they have to do is fill out paperwork (parental permission is needed) and have $25, and they can go to Labrador and ski with the Club on a Wednesday.

S

Po e t r y Club The Os-

wego High School Poetry Club meets every Wednesday in room 101, from 2:30 to 3:15. On the first Wednesday of the month the club members have a writing day where they work on what they will present to the class on the third Wednesday of the month.

The president of Poetry Club is Angelica Alejandro, the vice president position is held by Emily Rumrill. The treasurer is Katlynn Wetzel, and the public relations officer is Tess Chatterson.

tudent Council has begun planning for “Christmas with the Elementary Schools.” For this, the students dress up as Santa and the Elves.

The elementary students get to tell Santa what they want to for Christmas.

Student Council also hands out gifts in the spirit of the holiday.

Drama Club

Roaring applause was heard in the theater on November 13 and 14 as the OHS Drama Club presented The Phantom Tollbooth. The performances told the story of a young boy named Milo who unexpectedly finds a phantom tollbooth in his bedroom one afternoon. Out of boredom, he enters the tollbooth to discover a strange, new world on an adventure full of fantastical creatures and unusual quests.

The main characters included Erin Chetney as Milo, Kayla Van Sanford as Tock, Kylie Wyman as The Humbug, Aaron Callahan as King Azaz, Raquelle Mareau as The Mathemagician, Sarai Godwalt as Princess Sweet Rhyme and Camille Graham as Princess Pure Reason.

Production started over two months ago as 34 students set out to bring the classic children’s book to the stage. Through the community’s contributions in the recycling fund raiser and the cast’s countless hours of rehearsal and preparation, they successfully gave three outstanding shows of The Phantom Tollbooth. The Drama Club would like to thank the public for showing support and attending the shows.

Juggling Club me club adviser is Mr. Thomas Altma they still do other science project welcomes new members.

The members consist of presid juggling when his uncle taught hi Jaskula started juggling at the age to juggle and has been at it ever sin Miguel Lara and Andrew Michau because he had an eighth grade Eng started. He joined because he thoug club adviser, began juggling when cracked his foot and broke it. Sinc for the school play. For the part he In the next month, the club w course, juggling. The small club c should stop by Mondays after scho is all about. (See photo upper righ

The Art Club

has b in room 212. The adviser of the cl ficers are Maddie Palmer, preside Art Club has recently been wo The members are raising money museum. In the past, they have go “We hope to go to Rochester or B In the future they plan to pain eteria. They also want students w

The Class of 2011 is already active in planning events such as prom and the Junior Variety Show for the 2009-2010 school year. According to class adviser Ms. Kimberly Oswald, the prom committee’s first meeting took place on October 28.

The junior class is also currently involved in fundraising. Juniors may help out by bringing returnable cans and bottles to Great Lakes Can & Bottle Return as part of an ongoing can drive. They may also participate in a can collection day in late November. From now through the month of December, the junior class will also be selling Gertrude Hawk candy bars to raise funds.

Any juniors interested in participating in these fundraisers should contact class advisers Oswald and Ms. Tara Ingerson at koswald@oswego.org or tingerso@ oswego.org.

Krisi Stemple (left) and Laura Naron (right) enjoy a lollipop courtesy of the Travel Club fundraiser.

Buccaneer Bulletin

Editor’s Note: The following staffers contributed to this page: Kimberlyn Bailey, Tina Buckingham, Aaron Callahan, Rachel Clark, Monek Cullen, Jasmine Davis, Emily DiFabio, Emily Fultz, Catie Furletti, Dacota Kazyaka, Michaela Kearns, Mary Losurdo, Kaitlyn Scanlon, and Kylie Wyman.

Enginee

Under the supervi School Technology meets every Thurs bers of the club ha on organizing the The elected o (president), Steve tary), and Lindsay This club focu that will develop a year, a team from h first place at the fo which was put on James A. Fitzpatr of the team won a members of the c Lead The Way.” It to good use.

licity

ections in the community

ets every Monday after school. The n. Although it’s called Juggling Club, s. This club is small in numbers, but

ent Luke Familo, who got interested in m. The vice president is Tori Jaskula. of eleven. She thought it would be fun ce. Along with Familo and Jaskula are d. Lara started when he was fourteen glish project on juggling. Michaud just ht juggling would be cool. Altman, the he was sixteen. He began because he e he couldn’t play sports, he tried out got, he had to learn how to juggle. ill be doing science projects and, of ould use some more members, so you ol in room 127 and see what the club of this page.)

K e y C lu b K e y Club meets every Tuesday after school in room

215. The Key Club motto is, “Helping build home, school, and community.” The Key Club’s big project this year will be the Relay for Life in June. Colin Morgan is the current president of the Key Club; the vice president is Bridget Collins. Sarah Miller is the secretary, and Chad McClelland is the treasurer.

At the meetings, there are raffles for the chance to win sweatshirts. During the Christmas season, the club will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, and in the past have sponsored families for Christmas. The Key Club is a community service organization, and is advised by Mr. Kirk Mulverhill.

egun meeting Thursdays at 2:35 after school ub is Miss Stacey VanWaldick. The club’s ofnt, and Emily Fleischman, vice-president. rking on art items to sell during open house. so they will be able to make a trip to an art ne to Syracuse University. VanWaldick stated, uffalo.” nt murals on the ramp on the way to the cafho are not in Art Club to help paint the murals.

rs of Tomorrow Club

sion of Mr. Bill Reeser, an Oswego High teacher, the Engineers of Tomorrow Club day at 2:30 in room B2. The current memve already elected officers and are working shop, so it will be a better place to work. ficers are as followed Dylan Hryckewicz LiVoti (vice-president), Will Baker (secreJohnson (treasurer). es on finding contests for members to enter nd show off their engineering skills. Last here, The Oswego Commando Squad, won urth-annual Science Project Competition by the Entergy Company, operators of the ick Nuclear Power plant. Each member $1,000 scholarship. The contest that the lub are working on now called “Project helps students put their engineering skills

9

“Debate Club is a great way to keep up on your

current events and see if other high school students see your point of view,” expressed Mr. Michael Mallett, adviser. The Debate Club meets a couple times a month to look into current events; then has discussions and debate the opposing viewpoints of the topic.

This club is advised by Mr. Benjamin Hall and Mr. Mike Mallett. For those of you who are very busy, this club does not take a lot of your time and does not have fundraisers, but just lets you test the lawyer within. For those of you who have an opinion, why not express that in Debate Club? New members are always welcome.

The Senior Class

has a full schedule planned.

This year’s Senior Class officers include president Jeremy Gosek, vice president Eli Tyler, secretary Taylor Phillips, treasurer Amber Earl, and the advisers, Mr. Mark Mirabito and Ms. Tami Palmitesso.

So far, the Senior Class has already put on two fundraisers including a chicken BBQ on November 15 and a three-week candy sale that lasted from October 19 to November 9. The powderpuff football game on October 4 was also a big hit. “We have eight big events for the Senior Class,” said Mirabito. The proceeds from events and fundraisers hosted by the Senior Class will help pay for the One Hundred Days ‘Til Graduation Celebration as well as the Senior Trip to Disney World later in the year. “We have 75 kids signed up for the Senior Trip,” commented Mirabito, Upcoming events hosted by this year’s Senior Class include the annual Winter Semi-Formal. “With money that we earn from the winter semi-formal, we pay for the Senior Breakfast,” said Mirabito. Be sure to come show your support and help make the Winter Semi-Formal as well as other senior hosted events a success.

HAVING A BALL--Members of the Juggling Club practice their skills.

Media Club adviser, librarian Ms. Gina Iorio, says that Media Club is for anyone who loves to read. Media Club, also known as Book Club, is run in a very informal setting.

Students can come and talk about the books they have recently read, or want to read. The club meets twice a month in the library. Students discuss current books they’ve read, recommending them to their peers. The club also agrees on a book for all the members to read each month, Often the book is short so that everyone can finish it, and it is always a young adult novel.

The meeting dates are not set, but are figured out monthly for when the majority of students can come. At the first meeting of the month, the members discuss the current books they are reading, what they like or dislike, and their thoughts and opinions about the plot. So far this year, they have read Black and White by Paul Vaponi and are currently starting a book called Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan.

The National Honor Society is for students who are interested in community service projects and building up leadership skills. Members complete individual as well as group community service projects.

Some members of the National Honor Society, under the advisory of Mr. Mike McCrobie, are currently volunteering at Leighton Elementary School and other plans are to act as guides at OHS open house and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army for the holidays.

Students in 10th or 11th grade who are interested in joining the National Honor Society must have a 90 percent minimum academic average, must do individual community service, and pass a review by a faculty council.

November 2009

10

Entertainment

Teen Smoking Habits Influenced by Films

By Kylie Wyman Reporter

Teenagers’ minds are like sponges, they absorb everything they see and hear. It has been said from various sources that the use of tobacco in movies could alter teenagers’ opinions on smoking. For instance, a thirteen year old girl could be dead-set against smoking and vow that she will never do it. But, once she saw Kristen Stewart smoking in the movie In the Land of Women, she started to consider lighting up a cigarette and giving it a try.

A law called the Master Settlement Agreement prohibits the tobacco companies from paying producers to use their products in movies. Before this law was passed, the tobacco industry had a strong business relationship with Hollywood. The companies would advertise their products, not only in movies, but in entertainment magazines and use celebrity endorsements in order to promote themselves and their products, mainly cigarettes. This would encourage people, especially teens, to smoke.

Researchers from Dartmouth Medical University and Norris Cotton Cancer Center conducted a study which suggests that smoking in movies is responsible for the one third percent increase of adolescents using tobacco

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products in the United States. According to Dr. Michael Beach, a professor at Dartmouth Medical University, the reason why this percentage has increased is because smoking in movies has been said to have a strong impact on teens from ages 10 to 14.

A study that the US National Cancer Institute conducted stated that adolescents who view movies where smoking is depicted, are more likely to become established smokers. This study showed that teenagers who were exposed to smoking in movies were twice as likely to become established smokers. But does this mean that all teenagers are that impressionable?

Would seeing an actor smoking really influence teenagers to smoke?

“Yeah, because in movies, smokphoto courtesy of google images ing is shown as being cool, so that may make teenagers want to smoke,” Disney character, Cruella DeVille, smoking a cigarette in 101 Dalmations Erin Chetney, an OHS freshman, com- the movie, because most children were In some people’s minds, the use of mented. always taught that smoking was bad. tobacco products in movies does affect Usually, the characters in movies This does not mean that all teen- teenagers and it does influence them who do smoke are either considered agers are so impressionable that they to start smoking. But others contend the “cool guy” or the villain. In the will follow the example of a character that teenagers should have enough movie Grease, almost all of the main in a movie. “Most teenagers are smart common sense to make decisions on characters were smoking and then la- enough to not follow other peoples’ ex- their own and not rely on the actions beled “cool.” Cruella DeVille, from the amples,” Brianna Coon, a junior, stated. of movie characters. Who’s right? No Disney movie kids know and love, 101 “Teenagers are old enough to know that one knows for sure, but one thing is Dalmatians, always had a lit cigarette just because something happened in a certain-- cigarette companies profit and in her hand. When watching this, it let movie, doesn’t mean they should do benefit tremendously every time a new us know that she was the “bad guy” in it,” Jessica Allen said. teen smoker lights up.

November 2009

Point/Counterpoint

11

Should Security Have Taser Guns?

By Mary Losurdo

By Emily DiFabio

The fact that tasering high school students is even a remote consideration in some schools completely perplexes me. In the year 2009, wouldn’t you think we were past this primitive desire for control and punishment?

Taser-guns are essentially the equivalent of invisible electrical fences for dogs. I don’t agree with that kind of treatment for animals, and the idea of something like that being used on teenagers is simply barbaric. Let me explain what happens to someone who gets tasered, for those of you still on the fence (no pun intended).

Tasers are specialized stun guns. Compressed nitrogen shoots out two darts, each attached to 15 feet of fine wire when the gun is fired. These wires attach to the subject’s clothing or body as 50,000 volts travel down the wires.

The person goes down immediately, being incapacitated.

All stun guns, including tasers, use a high-voltage, low amperage electrical signal which cause the subject to lose all neuro-muscular control. They override the nervous system and completely disrupt control of skeletal muscles.

Consider this situation: A student is caught skipping class. The teacher bids them come to the office and he/she refuses. The teacher and student both become flustered and angry, and before you know it, the student is throwing a huge fit: throwing trash cans, f-bombs, the whole nineyards. So, of course, security (or the school resource officer) is called. The officer sees that this student is not in a cooperative state of mind and is unwilling to comply. He tasers the student. The student falls. The student goes into cardiac arrest. Turns out, he/she had a heart condition. The student dies.

Now, let’s look at this. The student was, without a doubt, completely out of control. Security was right to step in. Order here was necessary. However, do you really believe that the officer would have taken the time to say, “Oh, before I taser you against your will, do you have a heart problem? No. He’s going to seize the situation by taking the student down. For that matter, do you really believe the officer was in any real danger?

Police officers have a right and a responsibility to defend themselves. Teachers also have that right. Tasers do have their place, but they have no place in high schools. We don’t allow paddles anymore for a reason; we shouldn’t allow taser-guns. They are dangerous.

Corporal punishment is not limited to violent means.

And personally, I would not feel safe walking around this building if I knew that someone had the control to, at any given moment, take me or someone I know down with a taser-gun. It is a violation to whatever is left of our personal selves in school. When a student is acting out to the point of chaos, it is authority’s duty to step in. This, however, is not an excuse for unnecessary violence.

School Resource Officers in many different school districts nationwide, particularly high schools, carry tasers with them, not only for the safety of themselves, but for the safety of the students who attend that school. It can be seen as a truly valuable tool in assisting the officer with restraining an out-ofcontrol student.

When used properly, tasers can be a very viable addition to keeping schools safe and secure. A taser is an electroshock weapon that sends an electric current through the body causing the tased to have a brief moment of involuntary muscle control. These weapons were introduced to some police departments in the 1990s, but they have become more common in the past several years.

In many schools, violence has increased, so many School Resource Officers are armed with not only a gun, but a taser. Last month, in Syracuse schools, tasers were used at Fowler and Nottingham to restrain unruly students. The use of tasers in these incidents was deemed necessary for the safety of all the students in those schools. Some may think that these students are minors and that the officer should not have used a taser to restrain the individual, but when the student physically assaults a police officer in “the real world” they could be tased, or even shot with a real gun.

At high schools in our area, there are frequent arrests. Not all involve a physical fight with security guards or School Resource Officers. Tasers help when things get out of hand, and by many it is seen as appropriate. If there is a situation that is out of hand in our high school, and a student needs to be restrained other than just by personnel, it seems much safer to use a taser than use a night stick or gun. Freshman Nick Costo agreed. He stated, I think they (tasers) are appropriate; they are protecting the safety of the officer and the students.”

While our School Resource Officer does not carry a taser, other officers on the Oswego City Police Department do carry tasers, and are trained to use them if needed. It is not against school policy for Officer Chamberlain to carry a taser, he is just one of the Oswego police officers who does not carry one. Conceivably, it would be possible that someone at OHS could be tased if anything was to get out of control, if an officer equipped with a taser was to respond to a call here.

There have been dozens of fights over the past four years at OHS, some worse than others, but all equally as dangerous if they don’t get broken up in time.

We should view tasers as an addition to the safety of the students. If one of our peers was to get out of hand, then I would feel fine if an officer was to use a taser to restrain that student. We should see tasers at all schools as a last resort, providing us with the safest possible learning environment, not a hindrance, or something that is seen as an offensive weapon.

It is not as if after someone was tased, that they would not have the proper medical attention. I’m sure they would not just send the student back to class like nothing happened.

Tasers can and should be in schools. According to the National School Safety and Security Services, “Many law enforcement officers report that tasers are useful tools for police officers and that they add a new step in the safety of schools.”

OHS should join the many schools in Upstate New York and have our School Recourse Officer carry a taser, so that the safety of the student body, a staff member, or the officer himself is not jeopardized by an unruly student.

Reporter

Buccaneer Bulletin

Editor-in-chief

November 2009

Entertainment

12

Restaurants Provide Alternatives to Fast Food Entertainment Editor

How many times a week do you eat out? Do you plan where you’re going, or just go somewhere spontaneously? Maybe you pick something quick like McDonald’s or a sit-down restaurant in the Syracuse area. Next time, maybe you could go to a local restaurant. There is a variety of local places you can enjoy a great meal.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, why not try out Zonies.

Zonies is a restaurant that sells a variety of calzones. You can get anything from buffalo chicken to a dessert zonie. The prices are low, and the food is very good. All Zonies cost $6.50, or you can make it a pound for a dollar. Another added bonus teens might like is the fact the Zonies delivers very late at night. “I’ll tell you right now, I’m not a big fan of calzones, but I love Zonies. They’re so good and there are so many different kinds, plus they’re cheap and open until 3 a.m., which works out great for anyone in high school or college. I’d pick Zonies over McDonald’s any day,” stated OHS junior Julie Delles. The restaurant is located on West First Street, so it’s not very far to travel.

Maybe you don’t like calzones, so how about Chinese food. K Q

restaurant is family fairly priced, occasions and has a lot or to just go of choices on in for a nice the menu. K Q dinner for offers special generations. combination During plates, ranging the warmer from $5.65 to season in $7.25, all of Oswego, those meals you could go come with Rudy’s, on fried rice and Lake Ontario. an egg roll.

Customers photo by Monek cullen Lunch specials can go enjoy are $5.25, and Canale’s, just a block from OHS, is one of a fish dinner the most popular restaurants in Oswego. on the lake, come with soup or soda. or a number You can order French fries, or soup, of other menu items. There is seating or the original choices. The restaurant outside under a pavilion, seating in delivers, so if you don’t feel like the sun, or limited inside seating. going out, it is the perfect choice. The Rudy’s serves a variety of seafood service at K Q is always very quick. choices, like fish, clams, scallops, etc.

Most restaurants take at least a half in addition to hot dogs, hamburgers, hour at dinner time.

Texas hots, and more. “Rudy’s has Maybe you wanted to go out to great food, and a great atmosphere to a nice sit-down restaurant. Canale’s eat in,” stated OHS junior Michelle is an upscale restaurant that serves Champagne. If you’re looking for a Italian food. You can get specialty place to relax and eat outside Rudy’s dishes like chicken parmesan, or is the perfect place from March to something as plain as chicken late September. fingers. “Canale’s is a great family Diners are always a nice way to restaurant that focuses on customer go for a quick dinner. The Ritz is a satisfaction,” stated OHS senior small diner that serves many homeAnthony Todaro. Canale’s has been cooked type meals. Everyday, the the perfect place to celebrate special Ritz has a different dinner special

T-Shirt of the Month photo courtesy Google images

photo by monek cullen

Celebrity Look-a-Like

Swift or LaVere?

LaVere or Swift?

If you know anyone at OHS who has a celebrity look-a-like, contact Emily DiFabio at edifabio@oswego.org. Above, freshman Courtney LaVere (left) bears a remarkable resemblance to Taylor Swift (right).

Buccaneer Bulletin

to choose from. The service is very hospitable, and quick. When you go into the Ritz, you feel like you’re at home. It’s a truly nice restaurant to go to if you just want a nice dinner some friends.

If you’re in the mood for barbecue, you could try Raging River Barbecue. Raging River serves things like ribs, burgers, chicken, and steak.

This restaurant would be a great place to go with your family. The prices are fair, slightly more than a fast food restaurant, but a good-sized portion more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for some great BBQ, then Raging River is the place to go.

These are just a few of the choices in Oswego to go to. There are many more local restaurants, and it seems like everyone has his own favorite. Among the favorites are The Press Box, The Office, Azteca, and Mom and Pops.

Many people these days eat out a lot, but that doesn’t mean you have to travel to Syracuse, or stop and get fast food. You can get pretty much anything you want to eat here in Oswego. Everyone should take advantage of these restaurants because they are local restaurants owned by local people. So next time you’re planning to go out to eat, think about choosing a local restaurant, and have a good meal.

PHOTO BY MONEK CULLEN

By Catie Furletti

“I pity the fool” is exclaimed by both Chad McClelland and his t-shirt, featuring ‘80s icon Mr. T.

November 2009

Entertainment

13

Movie Rekindles Childhood Memories

By Kaitlyn Scanlon Webmaster

Where The Wild Things Are, the movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s picture book, is creating a wild rumpus among viewers and critics alike.

Growing up, we have all probably read the book, Where The Wild Things Are, and if not, I would strongly advise you to talk with your parents about why you were denied the experience of reading this book as a kid, and inform them that bedtime story hour never really existed if you weren’t read Where The Wild Thing Are. For most of us, the book has a special place in our hearts, because we remember it from so long ago. It’s a classic; it was first published in 1963. We recall the mischief Max made while wearing his wolf suit, his adventure to the land of the wild things and becoming king of the wild things. Plus, in a sea of children’s books about princesses and fairy tale endings, Maurice Sendak dared to push the limits by making his main characters a troubled young boy and monsters, or wild things. The magic of the book was not lost when it was transformed into a movie; in fact, it only strengthened the viewer’s relationship with Max, the main character, and made him easier to relate to. The movie enables people to get a closer look at the wild things and really examine them and their points of view.

The movie starts by introducing us to Max, who’s misunderstood and lonely. When Max makes a scene in front of his mother’s boyfriend, and then bites his mom, he feels so upset at what he has done that he runs away and stumbles upon the land of the wild things. Max’s time among the wild things perfectly depicts the hardships one faces when growing up, and shows how a young boy copes with certain difficulties and emotions that one could argue are very mature for his age.

After Max reaches the land of the wild things, he finds Carol destroying their huts and the other wild things are pleading with Carol to stop. Max, relating to Carol’s feelings, joins in destroying the huts. The other wild things get angry and want to eat him. To save himself, Max says that they can’t eat him because he has special powers and was a king in his land. So Carol crowns him as the king of the wild things and declares that Max “will be a truly great king.” Max’s first order of business is to

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“let the wild rumpus start!”

Carol says, “There should be a place, where only the things you want to happen, happen.”

Because of this, Max makes it his mission to make the wild things happy and promises to protect them from sadness and loneliness. But, as he finds out, being a family is hard. And things start to fall apart when Max invites Bob and Terry, KW’s owl friends, to stay with the wild things. Because Carol gets mad about letting insiders into the group, he tries to eat Max, and KW leaves. Carol and the wild things realize then that Max has no special powers and was never really a king.

Max decides to leave the island and all the wild things meet at the beach to see him depart, except Carol, who is crying in his hideaway, with the destroyed city model, when he finds the heart with Max’s initial in it. He then realizes how much Max meant to him, even though Max was just ordinary and had no special powers. So, Carol rushes to the beach to say goodbye to Max, but Max is too far out to sea for Carol to talk to him, and he is crying too much.

Remembering what Max had taught him right after they first met, Carol throws back his head and howls; Max howls in return.

Then, when Max gets home, his mother greets him with open arms and gives him dinner, and it is still hot.

Symbolic aspects are plastered throughout the movie. For instance, the land of the wild things is symbolic of Max’s reality and issues he is facing at home. Upon his arrival to the island, Max sees Carol, the wild thing that “represents” him, destroying the wild things’ huts because he is upset about KW, the wild thing that “represents” his sister, leaving the group to be with her owl friends, Bob and Terry.

This parallels Max’s relationship with his sister, because his sister is getting to the age where she wants to hang out with her friends and is too cool for Max. So, when her friends destroy his igloo (his safe place), she doesn’t stand up for him. Then Max gets mad and destroys his sister’s room and rips the card that he made for her. The only part that remains is his initials in a heart. This scene illustrates a scene that Carol has later in the movie in which he ruins his design for the wild thing city (that was located in his safe place), but then finds the heart with his initial in it that Max left for him.

In the movie, there are seven wild things, Carol, Kw, Ira, Judith, Alexander, Douglas and the Bull. Each one represents an emotion or side of Max (excluding KW, who represents his sister). For instance, Alexander craves attention and reveals

to Max that he is lonely sometimes and Judith is a know-it-all and is very pessimistic. Ira is quiet and timid. The Bull comes off as scary, but is really nice, and Douglas is Carol’s sidekick.

The book and the movie are extremely similar, which to me is remarkable because I was very skeptical when I heard that they were making a movie about a picture book, which only has one sentence per page, if that. Critics have stated that the movie lacks major events, which is debatable. To me, what it lacks in action, it gains back in the depth of the story line.

However, because of the emotional surface the movie covers, it has been criticized. For instance, parents claim that it is a movie about a child, not a movie for children. Plus, the movie brings up the issue of appropriateness for children. The book was banned in some places due to scary images and accusations of “child abuse,” because Max was sent to bed without dinner, and the movie is hands down more “inappropriate” for children than the book because it shows Max acting out and getting in a fight with his mother. In addition, his boat journey is dangerously depicted. Also in the movie, Max runs away from home.

“It’s different because I don’t think kids are that different from us. I think we think they’re a lot different. But the depth of their feelings is as deep as ours. When they’re in love with somebody, they feel it just like we do; when they’re lonely, they feel it just like we do. That’s exactly what the movie is about, and I think that’s what this book is about: Max acting wild, and his mom doesn’t sit down and teach him a lesson about it,” director Spike Joze told fandango T.V. The soundtrack of the movie, the visual/ graphic effects and the wild things themselves are laudable, as well. To me, the graphics and the movie soundtrack have a Juno-like vibe. For instance, the cartoon drawings were creative and I liked how they drew on the Warner Brothers/ Disney logo.

The movie soundtrack,

by Karen O and the kids, is unique and pleasing.

Also, I am in love with the costumes, voices and facial expressions of the wild things.

Where the Wild Things Are was loved as a book and has the potential to make the same mark o n v i e w e r s of the movie. It has something for everyone, and, as Entertainment Weekly reviewed, “You’ll eat it up, you’ll love it so.”

Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy of Google Images

November 2009

14

Feature

The Brilliance of Brand Name Marketing

By Kimberlyn Bailey Art Director

There are few experiences more clichéd than a Saturday afternoon at the mall. The aroma of food court French fries mingles with the excessive cologne of Abercrombie and Fitch.

Gaggles of teenage boys wind their way through the narrow corridors of Hot Topic, cell phones pressed to their temples as they prance, oblivious to the ear-deafening music. Girls, flounced in ripped Hollister jeans, their hips swinging back and forth, stride with a sense of purpose, as if this is their domination.

Yet the tragic irony lies in the fact that they are the ones being dominated, not the other way around. The name brand, whether it is Hollister or a different store, has control over the customer. While the shoppers may think they make clear-headed decisions about favorite fashions, Professor Richard Balestrino, the Advertising and Marketing Communications Chairman at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), would disagree. “Our rationality is

imperfect; the ease with which it can be sweet talked, overwhelmed or subverted by other hard-wired desires is astounding,” he stated. Marketing battles take place in the mind, where retailers fight to overshadow rationality with as many enduring, sensory experiences as possible. “The front line of the battle is how we experience the world – through the senses,” said Balestrino.

Therefore, brands should look to create a plethora of sensory experiences akin to movies. For popular teen clothing, the brands have been packaged, marketed and are playing at a mall near you. One of the biggest blockbuster hits is Hollister, who boasts favoritism from 12 percent of the OHS student body (See pie chart below). Michael Jeffries, CEO of Hollister, once told reporters: “You buy into the emotional experience of a movie and that’s what we’re creating. I say, ‘What’s going to be the box office today?’” The motion picture of Hollister hits every sensory point; a cloak of dark wood, low lighting and palm trees is visually pleasing, the buttery leather chairs and soft Angora

Illustration By Edward walllace

Three hundred Oswego High students were polled about their favorite clothing store as represented in the pie chart. Any store earning less than five percent were grouped in the “other” category.

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rabbit hair sweaters give a pleasant feel, the pulsating music has a defining auditory edge, and the intoxicating scent practically oozes out of the store. None of this is accidental. Employees are actually instructed to spray each mannequin three times, every thirty minutes with their signature fragrance, among other protocol. But is this a necessary or frivolous undertaking for a store?

Professor Virginia Bonofiglio, who teaches Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing at FIT, says this is a critical part of a brand’s success. “Marketing is a game of perception… to change what is perceived,” she said. The sensory choices that brands make develop stores into distinct moods. Bonofiglio explained, “The music can change the flow of the atmosphere. It encourages customers to stay and spend, or buy and get out!” Colors can change the mood from fun and energetic with warm, bright colors, to soothing and calm with deep, cool colors. Textures, tastes and smells can evoke different associations with the customer to the product. “If a store smells like mom’s homemade cookies, you’re going to stay longer and spend more. Different scents have been shown to boost sales from 20 to 90 percent,” Bonofiglio added But brands shouldn’t have any concerns about profits; the world is teeming with name brand-toting teens.

“There are a lot of people wearing American Eagle and Hollister,” declared student Roxanne Marie Scoville.

“The hallways are, like, overflowing with brands!”

This is the side to branding that can only be felt in the social undercurrents of popularity. “What does popularity and status have to do with marketing?”

Professor Balestrino asks. “Everything!

We are social animals who converge and group. We need to feel loved and accepted. Brands help us brand ourselves to others, to groups. It provides security,” he said. These yearnings are

worsened during adolescence, at a time when every kid has a slight identity crisis. The invisible pull of high school social acceptance leads kids to diverge into cliques so rigidly implemented that it could probably be mapped out on a blueprint of the lunchroom tables.

“People aren’t mean to each other or anything, but you can still sense these separations,” commented senior Morgan Cook, “You know who you can and cannot talk to.” Popular clothing brands shrewdly acknowledge this and have reaped the idea of social exclusivity in the image for their stores.

With “casual luxury” as their campaign slogan, Abercrombie and Fitch is no stranger to this concept.

Luxury implies a scarcity of something desirable – in high school it becomes social acceptance. The shop has a tough façade, stationing an incredibly handsome young man as a greeter, his posture identical to that of a nightclub bouncer prepared to pluck the unworthy. Once the customer passes the store front, now with a precious feeling of social inclusion, the beautiful, elite image of the employees is plastered two-dimensionally on the walls in huge, grayscale photographs of flawless frolicking models, draped in nearly as much eroticism as they are in sweaters. “The customer asks how they can become this image. Buy a t-shirt! They take a three dollar t-shirt, slap Abercrombie on it and can now charge eight times more. People trust the brand to elevate themselves, even if that means more money,” says Balestrino.

When it comes to the relationship between fashion and status, senior Troy Norton is very sure of himself.

Casually, yet confidently dressed in nameless gym shorts and sweatshirt, he chalked it up in a simple philosophy.

“The brands you wear? Just live your life! There are more important things to worry about.”

November 2009

Sports

15

Powderpuff Injuries Result in Lost Varsity Time Junior, senior girls take Powderpuff traditions too seriously, leading to injuries that may affect their academic and athletic futures.

By Brittany Ross Sports Writer

As homecoming week drew nearer last month, a favorite event kicked off this year’s spirit week, the powderpuff game. Traditionally, this event is an exciting way for girls to have the opportunity and switch roles with the boys in a game of flag football. Select members of the football team are chosen to be coaches to guide their teams in teaching plays, in hopes of a win. But with intense competition, powderpuff has changed in many ways over the past decade.

One thing that was different was the pregame hype. “There are the same rules, same everything, except it’s more strict because I think girls take the decorating to an extreme, and this year we had to confiscate flour. I know it’s all in fun, but when I was a student here, seniors could steal the juniors before the game to intimidate them,” stated junior class adviser Miss Kimberly Oswald. In years past, balloons and streamers have been a fun way to display the different team spirit throughout the school. However, because of decorations that administrators and the custodial staff didn’t approve of, this year, decorating was limited to posters. Although the posters were an easy cleanup that didn’t come along with unnecessary tampering, posters didn’t really differentiate between the two classes.

The competitiveness has also changed dramatically in this game in recent years. Even though the competition adds to the excitement of an event such as this, it might have been taken a little too far this year.

“I think that the juniors took it too seriously; they were concerned about winning and we wanted to just have fun,” stated senior Rachael Demling. However, others thought this was the exact opposite. “The seniors, by far, were more competitive. The juniors didn’t do any-

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Photo By MONEK CULLEN

Senior Tessa Opet leads the blocking for Brooke Reifinger during the ‘09 powderpuff football game at Wilber Field. The Class of ‘10 prevailed in the annual game between junior and senior girls.

thing to us; they didn’t do anything like throw flour, so obviously, the seniors were more competitive,” stated senior coach Matt Howard.

Not only are attitudes towards the game more competitive, but the overall physical contact in this game has become a serious issue. “Being competitive isn’t bad, as long as it’s clean. There were a few people hurt on both sides. Seniors wanted to intimidate juniors and juniors wanted to let the seniors know they weren’t intimidated,” stated Oswald. Two of our OHS athletes were injured during this game of flag football. “I sprained my knee and was out of swim for two weeks,” stated junior Michaela Auer. “My coach didn’t want us to play powderpuff in the first place.

To find out that I played, and was injured because of it, he wasn’t the happiest person,” stated Auer.

A member of the girls’ cross country team received a concussion during the game by coming in contact with three different players. “First I was elbowed in the back of the head, then was hit in the head by someone’s shoulder, and finally collided with someone,” explained Demling. Both athletes had to deal with missing a good portion of their seasons, as well as having to work harder to get back up to their full potential. “It was a drawback, but it just made me work harder because I fell behind the other girls,” said Auer. Demling

also struggled with her season being cut short after earlier training efforts. “My concussion took me out for two weeks. When I was cleared, I was told to take it easy, and I missed three meets. It pushed me behind the team. I wasn’t in good shape like everyone else,” stated Demling.

In order to make sure there isn’t a repeat of these types of injuries, some alterations to this event may be necessary in 2010. “The rules should be more clear about tackling and flouring before the game,” stated Demling. All girls who participated in powderpuff were told not to use flour in school, because of the hazards it created on the floors. But on the field it was a different story, but the flour was confiscated.

“Don’t get so violent, just go out and have fun, it’s just a game, we don’t win anything, just play and have fun,” stated Auer.

The competitiveness and roughness made the game interesting to watch, if it wasn’t taken too far. “I enjoyed the contact; I thought both teams were pretty rough,” stated Howard.

Despite the injuries, the powderpuff game was still an overall success. Between the decorating, fun t-shirts worn during the game, and great spectators, this was a great way to kick off our homecoming. Seniors were able to enjoy their last game with a win.

“We were pleased with the game, it was our first time doing it. There was a lot of work and a lot of prep time involved,” stated first-year junior class adviser Miss Tara Ingerson. “It seemed like the kids had fun, minus the injuries, and it’s different than going to watch the boys’ games. This is fun for the girls to have the role reversal,” stated Oswald.

November 2009

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

November 2009

COLIN MORGAN

“I’m never satisfied,” says junior cross country captain, Colin Morgan. This statement is true with most athletes; everyone strives to be his/her very best, but often, it doesn’t rely on such small factors like seconds on a clock. In running, achievement can come down to tenths of a second during a race. The difference between getting a 17:44 and 17:45 could determine whether a runner gets first or second place. Morgan hopes that by next year, he can shave seconds off his best time of 17:44, so that he finishes earlier in the 17th minute of his race. This may not seem like a big difference for most people, but Morgan, as well as his teammates in cross country, run anywhere between five and eight miles during daily practices to prepare for a race that is just 3.1 miles long, in hopes that they will be able to finish their next race quicker than the previous.

Morgan started running cross country in seventh grade. “Any sport that involved handeye coordination wasn’t really an option for me, so I started running. I have always liked to run, so cross country was the best choice for me,” he said. Morgan also runs track in the spring. This will be Morgan’s fifth year running cross country and track, and after all this time; his favorite part of running is the finish line.

Morgan’s favorite race to run is in Weedsport, a course that is nicknamed “the mountain.” He loves running hills and the challenge they provide for him. Morgan says he favorite time to run is right after it’s rained, because it’s muddy, and the air is fresh and cool.

Morgan’s current coach is Dan Greene. Greene has been coaching boys’ cross country for ten years, and has spent the past twenty-three years as an assisant boys’ track coach. Greene chose Morgan as a captain because of his good leadership skills and his commitment over the summer with training. Greene says that Morgan has many good qualities that contribute to the team. “His commitment is to cross country and to getting other students involved with cross country. He really wants others to participate. He and his family have done a lot of extra stuff for the team,” said Greene.

Senior teammate Zach McQuaid had many good things to say about Morgan. “Running these past two years with Colin has been wonderful. He’s a huge contributor to the team and always has a good sense of humor to keep the team ‘running.’

I’ll miss him next year when I’m in college,” McQuaid said.

As far as college goes for Morgan, he is still undecided on where he wants to go and what he wants to do. All he knows is that he hopes to keep running wherever he goes, and excel in whatever he ends up doing.

By Jasmine Davis Sports Writer

Oswego High School Athlete of the Month

Volume 13 Number 2

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