November 2005

Volume 9 Number 2

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Bulletins The Tissue Issue

November 22, 2005

GASSED!

The budget crunch that has hit us in the pocket all year, has now hit us in the nose!

Last year, approximately $8,000 in tissues were allocated from the health supplies account for the entire district.

This year, according to Mr. Brad Dates, Director of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education, the account was cut in half, and the cost of tissues increased as well.

“There were 38 cases of tissues purchased thus far this year for the district at $26.28 dollars per case,” Dates stated in an e-mail to staff. He continued, “Like many other areas, tissues have been a victim of the budget crunch.” Dates concluded by advising teachers not to send students to the nurse’s office anymore, because tissues are no longer available.

Photo by Alyssa Holland

Nadine “Dee” Haines, an OCSD bus driver, fuels bus #151 recently.

Diabetes Increasing At Near Epidemic Rate Every three minutes, someone dies from diabetes or its complications. But why should you worry?

New cases of diabetes have risen 52 percent among people ages 18 to 79.

Obesity and lack of activity are being traced as the cause of the spiking of the disease in chilren and teenagers.

People with diabetes have been proven to have a two-to-four times increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease. Health care costs for a diabetic can also be up to five times higher than the average person ($13,243 /year compared to $2,560/year). If you develop diabetes from obesity (type II), it may be more difficult, sometimes impossible, to get or keep health and life insurance.

You can learn more about this crisis at http://www.diabetes.org/ healthinsurance.

Fuel Costs Killing Schools

‘Helicopter Parents’ Hover Over Their Kids JoBeth Dunsmoor Editor-in-Chief So, you’ve had a bad day. That math teacher that you don’t get along with “gave” you the C that you earned, the water in the pool was cold enough to give you pneumonia, and the food in the cafeteria made you sick. You then hop into your parents’ car at the end of the day and proceed to vent each of these problems to a sympathetic ear.

The typical parent, who remembers well his own experience in school, shrugs it off and reminds you how lucky you are to have an education at all.

But, the more maniacally-concerned parents of the new millennium may take involvement to an unnecessary level, and before you know it, you can’t shake them. Constantly hovering around you, there to serve and protect you, these parents are like highlyvisible guardian angels. Your parent has evolved into what is called a “helicopter parent” by today’s sociologists.

The issue of hyper-involved parents stretches far beyond high school, surprisingly. In fact, the problem is now even surfacing in colleges, in which students are expected to have real world experiences and begin to handle things on their own. Colleges tend to believe that many lessons learned in college come from outside the classroom; lessons regarding compromising, searching for help, and solving problems on your own. Colgate University in Hamilton is one of these colleges. The growing number of “helicopter parents” in universities is preventing the students’ continued on page 2

--Parade Magazine

Chris Battles Editor-in-Chief The 2006 Farmer’s Almanac press release on September 29 warned to “get ready for a wild ride!” The 189 year- old publication predicts a rollercoaster of thermometer readings, or what it calls a “Polar Coaster.” Managing Editor Sandi Duncan warned that “The East is on tap for a crazy ride, … leading into the winter season seeming mild, but the bulk of the winter will turn out to be unusually cold, with plenty of snow; especially in the northern sections.” So what is Oswego City School District doing to hunker down the before thrill ride?

The Oswego City School District is preparing for one of the hardest financial blizzards in winter’s recent history. Record-setting catastrophes and oil consumption have led to record set-

Successful, gifted writer, OHS alumnus

How has the energy crisis affected you?

Yearbook editor ‘walks the plank’

Myspace.com gaining popularity

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ting prices. Entergy predicts at least a 30 percent rise in oil and heating. Tim Irving, the Executive Director of Heat USA, announced in a public address that consumers are “probably going to pay about 40 percent more this year for heating oil than we did last year.”

Locally, minimizing the impact is going to be difficult. Athletic Director Mr. Bradford Dates said that “At this time I am working with the Transportation Department to review trips and combine those that we are able to for athletic contest needs. We will continue to work together as we move from the fall into the winter seasons.”

So how will the higher fuel prices affect our school busses? Transportation Supervisor Thomas Gunn said, “The main effect on our transportation system is the price at which we purcontinued on page 2

News

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Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Experts: ‘Helicopter Parents’ Just Need to Let Go continued from page 1 abilities to cope with their own difficulties. Just a quick phone call to mommy or daddy doesn’t quite send the correct message.

Officials at Colgate recently addressed the issue at their orientation for incoming freshman. The college made a statement in response to a parent who recently demanded to know what Colgate planned to do regarding the poor plumbing her daughter encountered while studying abroad in China.

For years prior to this, this school has handled such calls by just making an effort to keep parents satisfied with the school that they were paying such a high price for. Colgate is now responding with the argument that college is more about educating students than it is about customer service. Colgate has been encouraging the parents that have contacted them to tell their children to seek out help resources, which are readily available, by themselves. Dean of the College, Adam Weinberg, stated that “College should be a time when you go from living in someone else’s house to becoming a functioning, autonomous person.”

Experts have stated that one of the most extreme changes in college atmo-

spheres in the past decade is the heightened, sometimes unruly parental involvement. Since 1995, more students carry cell phones, making constant parent-child contact very possible.

Indeed, Mel Levine, a professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina Medical School in Chapel Hill,

dren, and that’s honorable. But, at the same time, you’re teaching them to be selfish,” he said.

Mirabito was also able to give a more in-depth look into the psychosomatic reasons why helicopter parenting exists. “Children grow up not knowing how to solve their own conflicts with

“They’re sending a . . .message to the children that they can’t do it themselves.”

--Mr. Mark Mirabito AP Psychology Teacher says today’s children “may well shatter.” The constant “hovering” of their parents is turning them into fragile little forms with only their parents to rely on.

But the problem starts earlier than college in many cases. The hyper-involvement begins at a younger age, namely, high school. The problem is surfacing even in Oswego. OHS psychology teacher Mr. Mark Mirabito feels that helicopter parenting goes too far and teaches children the wrong ideals. “I think parents act that way because they want the best for their chil-

other people, because their parents solve them for them. This can be a cause for bad social skills later in life.

In reality, parents who do too much for their children are doing too little for their children. They’re sending an unconscious but clear message to the children that they can’t do it themselves.

The intent is to raise self-esteem, but in the long run you are worsening it.”

OHS art teacher Melissa Martin was also able to give some insight into the onslaught of helicopter parenting from a personal experience. Within

recent years, Martin had a run-in with a student whose parents fit the description. “He/she was a straight A student, but when he got to my class, he never got work done. When the time came, I gave him the grade that he had earned – a C – according to the universal rubric I used to grade all the students’ projects. This grading rubric was sent home with the student.”

Later, Martin was surprised to hear that the parents of this student had contacted the guidance office and were accusing her of harassment and “subjective grading.” Obviously, Martin was able to prove that the student got the grade that he deserved, and the charge was dropped. “The parents wouldn’t even agree to come and see me to talk about it. They went directly around me to guidance, and I never even got to communicate with them over the issue,” she said.

Helicopter parenting is sweeping the nation as over-involvement becomes “the norm” for parents. The long-term effects of this are on the way towards affecting the entire nation. Although there is no immediate fix to the problem, the issue needs to be addressed now, before it’s too late.

Gas Prices Leave Consumers, School Districts Wondering continued from page 1 chase fuel. With the rising cost, we have looked at many ways to conserve fuel.” Many public voices recommend consolidating bus runs. In response to the daily bus runs, Gunn stated, “We are considering looking at the possibilities of combining some runs, but when considering this, we always look at the load levels to ensure our buses are never overloaded.”

He went on to say, “We have combined some runs and shuttles already.”

Another public concern is whether or not sports teams and field trips will be cancelled. Gunn encouraged that the school transportation system is “attempting to conserve energy as much as possible so we would not have to eliminate any trips.”

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. of Syracuse is aiding in the school district’s energy conservation.

Siemens installed more energy efficient appliances and systems in the district. Their performance assurance report, presented to the district in late October, took data from June 2004 to July 2005 and explained just how much energy and money was saved with their services.

Siemens gave the district a total savings of $535,000 over the given time table, almost eightyeight thousand dollars more than forecasted. The energy management systems (EMS) which set a heating schedule for every room in the district saved us thirty-four thousand dollars alone, and totaled two

Photo by Alyssa Holland

Local resident Mike Shannon expresses the feelings of the average gas consumer!

hundred thousand dollars. Besides financial benefits, the EMS also saved over a quarter million therms, benefiting the environment. (A therm equals 29.31 kilowatts an hour.

Interim Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, Sam Morgia, stated “Energy savings equals money saving.” He encourages that money saving is what the district needs to better morale and create a better place for students. Morgia explained that the district’s energy usage and controls are planted in the district warehouse, and that they are the only ones who can monitor and change the temperature in any school room while aided by the new EMS. Morgia detailed that the district pays for energy monthly. The dollar amount is figured by the maximum amount of energy consumed at one point in the month. What is feared by the district is what Morgia called a “spike.” He said that when the power comes back on from an outage, there is a large jump in energy consumption to restart all electrical appliances and systems affected. The district is then billed as if it were using that amount all month long. The EMS ensures that the “spike” is lower than unprotected systems.

Other districts in the region are also dealing with grim heating and transportation predictions. The PostStandard reports that surrounding districts are looking at using snow days in the middle of winter simply to cut costs. In Georgia, schools have already cut days in light of high fuel prices following the hurricane disasters on the gulf coast which is America’s pulmonary petroleum artery.

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Feature

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North Syracuse Girl Sends Message: Cancer Sucks JoBeth Dunsmoor Editor-in-Chief Approach anyone to discuss the topic of cancer, and red flags go up all over the place. Will you offend someone? Can you really speak from experience when you don’t know what it’s like to go through it? What is the right thing to say to someone affected by cancer?

Ask Kara Frair, a seventeen-year-old high school student from neighboring Onondaga County, who is currently battling Hodgkin’s Disease. She’ll tell you that just about everyone can agree on one thing: cancer sucks.

Pretty universal opinion, right? Absolutely. Kara and her father, Vincent, have since trademarked the phrase “Cancer Sucks” and began to spread this exact message out to patients and healthy people alike without any kind of sugar coating. Kara soon created a logo design for t-shirts bearing the phrase, along with a different colored ribbon for each type of cancer. “It sucks having cancer, but when you can kind of have fun with it and let everyone in on it, it makes it a lot easier to know that everyone’s on your side,” said Kara. Kara’s t-shirt displays a purple ribbon, the color designated for Hodgkin’s Disease.

Portions of the profits made by the t-shirt sales go to cancer centers such as University Hospital’s Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Graphic by Fred Maxon

In progress are a variety of hats, pens, key chains, wrapping paper, license plate frames, pillow cases, hospital scrubs, bracelets and other such things bearing the logo design. Mr. Frair says that the t-shirts

alone have been a huge success. He says that whenever he wears a shirt, he’s approached by somebody.

It doesn’t matter if it’s at the mall or the gas station.

Generally, the response is in complete agreement: cancer does suck.

Vincent made his first shirt soon after his daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s three years ago at age 14. After a startling number of people showed interest in having a shirt of their own, Frair soon made up hundreds and began to give them away. Now, prices have gone up a bit. The Frairs charge $10.88 for a basic t-shirt, and $39.98 for a hooded sweatshirt.

Since Kara’s friends and classmates loved the idea of the shirt project, she says it’s helped raise her spirits through her struggle with Hodgkin’s. She was in remission for two years after her initial diagnosis, and then rediagnosed in February of 2003. Now at age 17, Kara is back in remission, proudly sporting her point to anyone willing to read a t-shirt.

The Frairs have a catalog for their organization, and are currently working on a website, www.cancersucks88.com. They also accept orders from a toll-free phone in their home. The number is (800) 452-1606. Though the saying was trademarked by just one North Syracuse family, it is something almost everyone can agree on worldwide. If you have felt the affects of cancer, tell the world what it’s really like--Kara certainly has.

OHS Student in the Middle of Local Labor Strike Allan Brown Manging Editor Most of us learn about labor unions, scabs, and contract negotiations in Economics class, but one OHS student is learning these lessons firsthand when she’s called a “scab” on her way to work at Sunrise Nursing Home.

At the Sunrise Nursing Home in Oswego, members of the SEIU Local 1199 union are on strike due to a demand for higher wages. The protesters walked out of work, leaving the residents in the care of replacement workers and those workers who didn’t leave.

Senior Kayla Burdick has been working at Sunrise for three and a half months, and was one of the employees who didn’t go on strike when it began.

Burdick works as a dietary aid, making sure all of the residents eat right, but ever since the strike began, the picketers have harassed her for breaking the picket line and continuing to work for a “corrupt” owner. Phone calls and letters home have also plagued Kayla since the start of the strike over a month ago, yet she still has a good sense of humor about it. “It’s all about the money,” Burdick said. “The residents don’t even agree with the strike. These workers just want more money to bring

Photo by Kait Anderson

The SEIU Local 1199 is currently on strike at Sunrise Nursing Home. Less than a mile from OHS, you can see strikers walking the picket line

home,” she continued. “The strike is not good for potential residents, because they are turned off by the problems, and current residents themselves are becoming aggravated. I wouldn’t

be surprised if they started leaving.

They came here for peace and quiet, and they sure aren’t getting any,” she said.

Nearly half of the workers refused

to go on strike, but a majority of them have been working there for less than six months. “I think very few of the people on strike actually deserve a pay increase. The people that are out there that have worked here for a year definitely don’t belong out there though,” Burdick says. “A lot of the people out there don’t even work here, which I don’t understand. They bring their kids; one time I even saw a disabled kid out there with a sign. Why can’t they just pack up and leave us alone or come back to work?” she wondered aloud.

Union television and radio commercials depict owner Joe Castaldo as some sort of monster, abusing residents by not having any air conditioning or running hot water. “If this was so much of a problem, why didn’t any of the residents or workers complain to administration? It would obviously be illegal to put nursing home residents in such conditions, so if these were true, why wasn’t this brought up until now” Burdick wondered.

We learn about labor disputes in class all the time, but we never really think about how they influence our lives until someone close to us, like classmate Kayla Burdick, is affected

Alumni

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Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

OHS Graduate a Successful, New York-based Writer Mura Gichane Senior Writer Ten years ago, Christie Perfetti walked the halls of OHS like you and me, as a member of the Oswego High School graduating class of 1996. Today, Perfetti has emerged as a unique and talented writer.

The professional writer had her humble beginnings in Oswego, attending the high school where she got much of her inspiration. “I was lucky – my teachers rocked,” she explained referring to Mr. Bob Burt and Mrs. Meg Schneider, “and believe it or not, the ones that weren’t so cool, influenced me almost as much as the others to work harder and better.”

Escaping from the constraints of high school, she attended Wells College which “was one of the best decisions (I) ever made,” she said. She graduated from the school with a Master’s Degree in English, receiving several theatrical and academic awards. She was selected for Who’s Who in American University Students in 1999 and 2000, and earned a Kaufmann Entrepreneurial Scholarship which led to an internship with singer Joan Jett and music producer Steve Leber in New York City. Today, she resides and works in Manhattan, an area filled with aspiring writers and the necessary connections to become successful in the highly-competitive world of writing.

As a student, she interned for Leber, chairman of Lifestyle Commu-

nications where she’s been able to work been playwriting and screenwriting as with music stars, Jay-Z and 50 Cent. well, which I’ve found to be a really Her interest in music opened different natural fit because I love writing diadoors, as she worked for singer/ logue,” she confirmed. Her love for songwriter Paul Simon during his re- writing has always been in her, age has union tour with Art Garfunkel in 2003. only allowed it to grow stronger. “I always wrote, ever Connections have even since I was a little kid, given her the chance to so to me,I was always dabble in television, a writer. It was never writing for American something I considIdol and several pilots ered doing – I just did as well as Broadway it. I do it because I love shows. “My proudest it and can’t live withmoment as a writer out it.” came when I was auShe’s yet to ditioning actors for my marry or have kids, but off-Broadway show,” she is in love, which she said. “These were allows her to approach seasoned professional Photo Courtesy of Jen Maler her work with a differactors reading my ent emotion. “As a work up on stage and Christie Perfetti, OHS class they sounded fantas- of ‘96 is making her mark in writer, there isn’t a more inspirational tic.” She’s not brag- literary circles with her place to be in – exging; at times, she even latest novel, Revolutions cept, perhaps, totally feels nervous about Per Minute. heartbroken,” she exhow others view her work, but it’s a feeling that’s quickly plained. “Pretty good work can come swallowed by her confidence. “I knew from that place too.”

When she’s not working with Jaythe work was good on paper, but I didn’t know if it had legs. It was like spending Z or writing for American Idol, she still months building a machine and then has had time to publish a book. Her plugging it in for the first time. It was novel, Revolutions Per Minute, foltotally exhilarating and moving and hum- lows the life of protagonist John Atlas, who tries to escape New York after Sepbling,” she admitted.

Perfetti has excelled at fiction writ- tember 11, determined to start over. ing, whether long or short, and has be- Perfetti described her main character come a superb screen writer, tapping as “bored-to-the-rim with his life and into her love for dialogue writing. “I’ve just wants out.” “The book was origi-

nally going to be called Dumb F@#* because John lived like a dumb f@#*,” she explained further revealing her character. “But then I realized the book might get passed around at a family reunion, and I love my folks too much to have that title on the cover.”

Her current success hasn’t slowed her down. She’s currently finishing up a new manuscript called Regular Coffee. “Its genre is sort of chic-lit and not nearly as dark as the last book,” she described. “I am working on a screenplay that I’m very excited about and fleshing out an idea for another stage play to put up this summer.” Perfetti is never short on ideas, and her passion for Taekwon-Do gives her the chance to kick butt when she’s not entrenched in the writing/media world. “I love Taekwon-Do for much the same reason I love writing,” the black belt revealed. “It’s an independent sport that only requires me – all of me – heart, head and spirit.”

With such an array of successful work in her catalogue, it would be smart for young writers to heed any advice she has to offer. “Write all the time – as much as you can – even if you don’t feel like it,” she recommended to aspiring writers. “The best idea in the world is simply an idea unless you have follow-through. The great thing about writing or any kind of art, is that it gives back to you what you give to it. If you live for it, it will live for you.”

Words to live by from a wordsmith.

Oswego Alumni Note College, Real-life Achievements Katie Dewine (‘03) went to NYU from 2003-2004 to major in English Education. Selected as an Honor Scholar, she received the University of Education Trustees Scholarship. She was then selected an America Reads tutor at Baruch High School in Manhattan. She transferred to UB to major in English and minor in education. She intends to join the Peace Corps upon graduation in the fall of 2006, in hopes of traveling to the Ukraine or Albania. She is a member of UB Democrats.

Shawn D. Scheirer (’04) is preparing for a deployment to Iraq from a United States Military base in Seattle, Washington. He completed basic training, earning Marksmanship and Grenade medals.

Eugene L. Shufelt (’88) joined the Army Reserves at upon his graduation from OHS. He was stationed here in Oswego, although he was never deployed into combat. He received various medals in training, and now resides in Oswego, where his son is enrolled at OHS.

Rachel Lewis (‘03) is a junior at SUNY Potsdam.

Though her major is undecided, she is minoring in early childhood education and women’s studies.

Lewis is a member of the Alpha Kappa Phi Sorority.

Along with her education, she is a ballet teacher at Tap to Toe Studio in Massena.

Patrick (Stoie) Donovan (‘05) is a freshman at North Carolina State, and is currently listed as a Professional Golf Management major, but plans to switch to education and become a U.S. history teacher. This semester, he is taking introductory courses in psychology, economics, biology, parks recreation and tourism management. On weekends he goes to the N.C. State Golf Short Game and Practice facility, plays basketball and runs.

Michael Knopp (‘73) went to obtain his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at SUNY Oswego. He continued on to receive his PhD in chemistry from Syracuse University. He now is a professor of chemistry at the University of Maine.

Bob Maxon (’83) has been the weekday morning meteorologist for NBC 30 Connecticut News Today since August 1995. Maxon graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in meteorology. He is recognized as a certified meteorologist by The American Meteorological Society. He has covered such storms as Hurricane Bob (1991), and the Blizzard of ’96. He currently lives in West Simsbury with his wife, Jacqui, his two daughters, Katie Grace, who is 6, and Marleigh, who was born in June of 2005, and Woodstock, their beagle.

Jake Rotunno (‘05) former Layout Editor of The Buc Bulletin, is studying at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, majoring in video game design. After he is done with college, Jake plans to get a job with Electronic Arts in either Tampa or Vancouver, helping to design games like Madden Football.

Editor’s Note: Kris Dewine, Bill Haresign, Casey Rose, Fred Maxon and Allan Brown contributed alumni notes.

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Clublicity

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Organizations Engage in a Wide Variety of Activities SADD The SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club, meets every Tuesday after school, in Room 115.

The project being conducted now is the “Chain of Life” which is displayed over the Media Center’s door. According to Celeste, this will symbolize that if one student breaks the chain and makes a destructive decision, it affects all of us.

If you are interested in joining the club, attend a meeting or contact Celeste.

Key Club “Key Club was formed to improve our school and community,” said former Key Club Advisor, Kirk Mulverhill. Key stands for Kiwanis Educating Youth.

Currently, Key Club is working on a project for African women, trying to limit the spread of AIDS. Students meet Tuesdays after school. Due to budget cuts, this year the club is entirely student-run.

For more information, talk to Mulverhill in room 242 or to Margaret Perry, the club president.

Model Aircraft Club Whether you’re into modeling, flying, or simply learning the basics about planes, the Model Aircraft Club is the club for you. Led by Mr. David Shoemaker, the club meets at the Oswego Middle School soccer fields on Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Former club member Ryan Mulcahey participated in the club for two years. Mulcahey explained, “It was fun to do and a good time.” Before flying the model planes, much work is done by computer simulation. Mulcahey stated, “You learn a lot of cool stuff.

You learn how a plane works, how it flies, and how to fly it.”

Poetry Club The Oswego High School Poetry Club is selling lollipops as a fundraiser for their highly-anticipated trip to a Dude Ranch in April.

The Poetry Club will be doing many successful fundraisers throughout the year to build a foundation for its trip.

It’s never to late to join the Poetry Club. See Anna Lobb or Mrs. Carrie Patane for more details, and as they make clearly evident, “Everyone is welcome!”

Class of 2008 The Oswego High School sophmore class is encouraging the students to join in with the many fundraisers throughout the year.

The class has kicked off the first of many fundraisers. This year’s representatives include: Andrew Fultz, president; Waruguru Gichane, vice president; Nichole Nalle, secretary; and Casey Donovan, treasurer. “Your help is greatly appreciated with the fundraising,” class adviser Mrs. Lisa Roman stated.

Marching Band Mr. Bill Palange worked hard to build a solid marching band program for the 2005 season. This year’s marching band, led by drum major Roopa Bhopale, has had many successful performances including a first place victory at James Madison University Parade of Champions.

Practice for the band started in late July and ran three days a week from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The band uses this time to work on all aspects of their performance.

Even though the kids work extremely hard, they still know how to make band fun. “Being with friends and just having fun with the whole thing is the best part,” commented Katie Nelson, a flutist for the band.

National Honor Society The National Honor Society is a volunteer service organization with a focus on helping the communnity such as: raising money for St. Jude’s Children Hospital, participating in Big Buddies at Leighton, and holding an annual coat drive.

To apply, you must be a sophomore or junior, have a 90 or above academic average, do at least twenty hours of community service, demonstrate leadership qualities, and have good character.

This year’s officers are: Patrick Nyman, Allen Irwin, Alyssa VanDurme, and Josh Gordon.

The meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month in the cafeteria.

Photo by Heather Sweeting

Drum major Roopa Bhopale directs this year’s marching band in its performance of “Adiemus,” at the James Madison University Parade of Champions in Harrisonburg, VA.

Class of 2009 This year, the freshman class is off to a good start. They have completed a field trip to the Syracuse Stage to view a play, Lost In Yonkers. The elections for class officers went smoothly, and the class of 2009 was proud to announce the following class officers: Jessica LaLonde, president; Maureen Donovan, vice president; Brandy Earl, secretary; and Paula Eannetta, treasurer. The advisers are Mrs. Cheryl Irwin and Mrs. Michelle Lloyd.

It is safe to say that the freshmen are adapting well to the “big jump” from the middle school. According to Rachael Himes, “Even though we’re new to the school, it was fun making the adjustment.”

Freshman Brandy Earl stated, “ The (negative) treatment of underclassmen is overexaggerated.”

Ski Club Mrs. Tami Palmitesso, Oswego High School’s Ski Club adviser, said this year’s Ski Club, will be returning in January.

Since downhill skiing and snowboarding have really made a name for themselves here at OHS, students get together for a hassle-free evening spent doing what they love.

Every Wednesday in January and February, students board a bus at the high school at 3:00 p.m., and travel to Labrador Mountain. Once there, each student must attend lessons, teaching proper techniques and most importantly, safety. After the lessons are complete, students are on their own.

Not only does Palmitesso enjoy spending Wednesdays with the students, but she enjoys hitting the slopes herself! “I love being the adviser,” she stated.

Class of 2006 The adviser for the class of 2006 is Mr. Bill Runeari, who has been the senior class adviser for 32 years. “I really enjoy this job,” Runeari stated.

Sadly enough, this will be his last year, he is planning to retire at the end of this year.

The senior class officers include Chris Battles, president; Steve Burt, vice president; Laura Zaryski, secretary; and Emily Draper, treasurer. The officers are working really hard to continue senior traditions.

The seniors are now selling candy bars for their fundraising efforts to go towards the senior trip, which, like previous years, will still be to Florida.

WBUC WBUC has successfully entered its sixteenth year, under the leadership of Mr. William Bellow, with the help of Mr. Chris Mangano and Mr. Tom Frawley.

WBUC is now running two shows regularly. Senior Caitlin Pike and junior Bethany Hinckley are the directors. Shows air on local cable channel 16.

Drama Club The Drama Club is currently putting on a play by Wendy Wasserstein, under the direction of Mali Dorsey.

“The Drama Club is a way to let people know acting is fun. You get to be someone different, and the feeling when you capture the character is amazing. After you perform, you feel good about yourself,” stated Maureen McManus. “I encourage people to come out and try for a part--no one gets turned away,” stated McManus.

McManus said, “The club is always welcoming new people. Don’t be shy because you’re sure to make lots of new friends and maybe even get closer with the old friends.”

Editor’s Note: The following students contributed to this report: Casey Rose, Kevin Kearns, Jordan Brancato, Scott Anderson, Dave Winklebleck, Kris Dewine, Chrissy King, Alyssa Holland, Ashley Johnson, Abby Martin, Kaitlyn Anderson, and Fred Maxon.

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Editorials

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Drawing Board

The Buccaneer Bulletin The OHS Students’ Voice Editors-in-Chief Chris Battles JoBeth Dunsmoor Managing Editor Allan Brown Business Manager Scott Anderson Entertainment Editor Dave Winklebleck Layout Editor Angelia DePasquale Sports Editor Mike Tyo Alumni Editor Kris Dewine Clublicity Editor Casey Rose Chief Photographer Kait Anderson Art Director Fred Maxon Webmaster JoBeth Dunsmoor Ad Reps/Designers Savannah Bell Chrissy King Photographers Aric Fenton Alyssa Holland Sportswriters Kevin Kearns Bill Haresign Senior Writer Mura Gichane Reporters/Columnists Abby Martin Jordan Bancato Ashley Johnston Ian Ryan Cassandra Barnum-Kechak Advisers Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200. Printing services provided by The Palladium-Times.

Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.

Cartoon by Jessica Lewis

THUMBS UP … to the new Open House format for OHS which allowed parents to walk in the students’ shoes.

Parents got the chance to relive old memories while traveling through a shortened schedule of their child’s weekday ritual. This new method helped get adults closer with their kids and their kids’ teachers, something every community needs. … to Jet Blue and News Channel 9, without whose help, there may not have been a senior trip.

Phone calls and interviews by Kane Farabaugh and crew got Jet Blue to take on Trans-Meridian Airlines’ flights that were canceled when the company went bankrupt. Jet Blue will fly the Class of 2006 directly to Orlando and required that the class pay only the remaining balance they had owed Trans-Meridian. … to the Oswego City School District and the students and staff of OHS. We made $3,165 in profit from our t-shirt sales to aid Katrina/Rita hurricane victims! Coordinated by Mrs. Catherine Celeste, we gave our love, hope, and cash to those who needed it. … to Jake McAndrew. He has earned incredible honors and recognition in his stellar running career.

He was most recently spotlighted by WTVH 5 as its Athlete of the Week for his superb accomplishments.

THUMBS DOWN ... to the students who think their social hour is another word for Hoover Dam. Before and during school, there are masses of students who don’t get the point; HALLWAYS ARE FOR WALKING! The task of walking from class to class has become more of a challenge than our football team breaking through defensive lines. …to the lack of extended library hours, both before and after school this year. The ability to keep the library open was paid for with money cut from the budget and a grant. What happened to the grant? The 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:00 p.m. extended hours served hundreds of students last year. If you’re looking for a reason the school is struggling academically… we found another one! ...OHS’s absence from the first Oswego County Academic Youth League event of the school year.

Sponsored by our own BOCES, students from eight county districts competed, but not OHS. Why?

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Editorial

In Our Opinion

Reflection on the Senior Trip Scare I expected some note about the next class officer meeting, but to pull me out of the middle of a class was odd. He said “We have no senior trip.” In the final year of an historic teaching career, Mr. Bill Runeari, known for his old pranks and tricks, was not joking.

TransMeridian Airlines had gone bankrupt, and took with it more than $17,000 of the senior class treasury. That whopping amount was just enough to buy round trip tickets to Orlando, Florida for the Class of 2006.

Fast forward two class periods. Sitting in the main office with the other class officers, Runeari tells us he has contacted everyone from his Italian Uncle named “Vito” to the senators in Albany. Most importantly, he contacted News Channel 9 WSYR. A news crew was coming to cover our crisis, but that still didn’t get us off the ground.

The next half hour was filled with propositions and rejections of alternative senior trip hotspots in Central New York – in the middle of winter. At last, the news crew showed up. Reporter Kane Farabaugh arrived with microphone in hand, ready to ask questions. After an excursion to anatomy class to capture footage of the scholarly side of the class officers, we stood outside the library. Farabaugh asked how we felt and all, but he also asked what kind of impact this

would have on our senior year memories.

Pause. Rewind. Play – slow motion. The situation set in: there will be no senior trip. We’d be missing one of the greatest opportunities to make one last memory with the people we have known all our lives.

Fast-forward. It’s Wednesday and “Mr. Rue” decides to pull me out of class again. The news crew is back. In his grandiose bravado, he announces: “Mr. President, I am pleased to tell you that there will be a senior trip.” Mr. Runeari said WSYR had contacted Jet Blue Airlines and explained our situation. Jet Blue granted us tickets for no extra charge, and requested all the senior class do is pay the remaining balance that was owed to TransMeridian. Double bonus: TransMeridian was able to return the balance deposited on tickets. It was jaw-dropping to know that our senior trip was back on, and we were up $17,000!

Farabaugh asked me what the class might do with the extra money, and I remember saying a line or two like “We received that best of goods, a good too great to hold onto. So maybe we can pass the good along onto people who really need it.” It felt good to get the senior trip back, but even better to say that we could pass on our good fortune.

Thank you Jet Blue and News Channel 9 and Mr. Runeari. Your single act of kindness will grow to more than you know.

Parenting Advice for ’copter Parents An Open Letter to Helicopter Parents: “Helicopter parent.” Somehow, the phrase isn’t as foreign to you as you thought. It makes sense, right? You hover around your offspring incessantly.

Your presence is constant and about as annoying as the roar of a chopper. So is this a term of praise? Of criticism? Do you take pride in being too obsessed with your children, treating them like royalty, schlepping them from one lesson or practice to the other, throwing parties every time they pass a grade?

Perhaps you do. But to the world, being a “helicopter parent” is not a term of endearment.

Have you ever heard of vicarious living? Let’s just say you’re inflating your children’s egos in order to inflate your own. When they write their first real essay in fourth grade, they write about you, Mommy or Daddy, as their hero. Your eyes well up and your hearts glow. You brag to the other soccer moms as you wait in your minivan to move on to whatever’s next: dance, violin, theatric auditions. Years go by and you have the drive of the Energizer bunny, never quitting and putting forth everything you’ve got, to make sure your children get into a good college. In many cases, they will. But that’s only part one of the problem. They’re accepted by the college, but will the college be accepted by them? Will your absence be too difficult to replace? Will their first paper in freshman English be about their Mommy and Daddy?

You’re most likely falling into this stereotype if you are a baby boomer, born between 1946 and 1964.

Your children, called “echo boomers,” are the overmanaged kids having a whole lot of trouble striking off on their own. Whether you say that you will still

have the ability to be in contact with the administrators and other faculty that will be in charge of your child in college, who’s in charge when they’re off by themselves? Do you plan on calling their boss and telling him to stop making junior feel bad about his sub-par work in the real world? Sorry, it’s not going to work. You’d think that as parents you’d have had your own reality check at some point, and want to let your children experience the same, so that they can one day form their own lives. Children aren’t porcelain – they won’t shatter without you. Or, if they will, take a good look at what kind of parent you’ve been.

Is that how you wanted your kids to turn out? Fragile instead of strong? You can answer your own question there.

Ask a professional. Mary Elizabeth Hughes, a sociologist at Duke University, says that so-called helicopter parenting may be a sign of apprehension to the economy, and whether the job market is ready to accept their children. “They’re very concerned that their kids do very well and excel at a lot of things as a result,” she says.

Hughes also stated that this type of parenting may be a result of generational changes. Baby boomer parents grew up in a time of social change and responded to it by creating new lifestyles, among them being new brands of parenting. So, let’s get out of the ‘60s here. Wake up, and understand that your kids need to grow up. And as a note to the children growing up under the supervision of helicopter parents: ready or not, here comes life.

Sincerely, A concerned peer of your child

Page 7

What’s Your Opinion?

How are the record high gas prices affecting you?

Meagan LeCuyer Freshman “I don’t go to as many places.”

Mr. Richardson Teacher “I have less disposable income.”

Emily Anderson Junior “I have to save my money a lot more now because I have lots of places to go.”

Michele Wink Athletic Trainer “It effects me, but I keep on living.”

Emily Oleyourryk Sophmore “I no longer have a social life because I can’t leave my house.”

Andrew Hogan Senior “I have to scrounge more money off my parents in order to drive around.”

Page 8

Walking the Plank

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

A Few Minutes with Yearbook Editor Kendra Gould Editor’s note: “Walking the Plank” is a monthly feature in The Buccaneer Bulletin. If you have someone you’d like to see “walk the plank” contact faculty advisers Mr. McCrobie (mmccrobi@oswego.org) or Mr. Reeser (rreeser@oswego.org). This month’s featured student is Paradox editor Kendra Gould. This month’s interview is

by Allan Brown, photos by JoBeth Dunsmoor.

BB: What is your full name?

KG: Kendra Lynn Gould BB: What is your job with yearbook?

KG: I’m the editor. I make a lot of the important decisions, and make sure everyone is doing their job and that everyone knows what they’re doing.

BB: Can you tell us the theme for this year’s yearbook?

KG: No, sorry, we’re keeping it secret, but I think everyone is going to enjoy it.

BB: How far along are you guys?

KG: We’re actually behind right now, but we’ll get there.

BB: Is the editor going to be on every page like last year?

KG: No, we’re trying to get every student on several pages though.

BB: How many years have you been in yearbook?

KG: This is my third year.

BB: Do you have any goals for this year’s yearbook?

KG: Yes, we’re trying to make this a Gold Medal winner. We won silver two years ago, but we’re definitely shooting for gold this year.

BB: How many people are in yearbook this year?

KG: About 50, but we have the DVD crew, and the book crew. It’s mostly juniors and sophomores, only 2 freshmen, and quite a few seniors.

BB: Does everyone have a certain job, or do they just do what they want?

KG: Yes, there are different jobs like Student Life and Sports.

BB: Enough about the book, what is your favorite ice cream?

KG: Chocolate peanut butter cup.

BB: Favorite TV show?

KG: A Different World, it’s from the ‘80s.

BB: Favorite movie?

KG: The Princess Bride, also from the ‘80s.

BB: Favorite holiday?

KG: Christmas.

BB: Favorite musician?

KG: I actually don’t have one; I listen to a lot of different things.

BB: Favorite school subject?

KG: Yearbook, definitely.

BB: Favorite soda?

KG: Diet Coke, I hate regular Coke.

BB: Favorite restaurant?

KG: I love the Olive Garden.

BB: Favorite food?

KG: Chinese BB: Who is your favorite teacher?

KG: Mr. Hallet and Mr. Pappalardo BB: Favorite high school memory?

KG: I have a lot, but my favorite was probably when I found out I was going to be editor for the 2006 yearbook.

BB: Your most embarrassing high school memory?

KG: Definitely the first day of school my freshman year when I walked into the wrong class, which was full of seniors.

BB: What do you do in your spare time?

KG: I’m in color guard; hang out with my friends.

BB: Dream job?

KG: Work in an orphanage in Australia.

BB: Where do you want go to school?

KG: Probably Holton College in Pennsylvania because I like the location and it’s still relatively close to home.

BB: What will you majoring in?

KG: I’m not sure yet, but I’d love to get into social work, I want to help people.

BB: Dream car?

KG: I don’t know a lot about cars, but I’d defi nitely have to say a really big truck.

BB: Who is your hero?

KG: I’d have to say Jesus, because I’m a Chris tian.

BB: If you were stranded on an island and you could only bring three things, what would they be?

KG: My dog Anya, the Bible because I read it a lot, and a sweatshirt, because it gets cold at night.

Entertainment

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Page 9

Myspace.com Latest Controversial Teen Website Mura Gichane Senior Writer Everyone needs his own space, but now, everyone can have a Myspace. In a matter of a couple years, Myspace has grown epidemically, transforming from just a music sharing program, into a youthfueled networking phenomenon, reaching over 30 million members.

Tom Anderson, the genius behind Myspace, created the program in late 2003 with the idea that it would offer a place for aspiring musicians and bands to share their music and concert locations. To his amazement, the site has become a playground for millions of users, most of whom are under 22. Many of these users log on three to four times a day, almost addicted to the community atmosphere, allowing Myspace to become the fourth most-visited domain on the Internet, trailing only Yahoo!, MSN, and eBay. Up to 130,000 new members join the site everyday, totaling a staggering 3 million new members per month.

The online community has been most popular among high school students all over the world, as it has followed a technological trend that has seen teens turn to cell phones, instant messaging, and online networking as a means of communication. “I tried it out because my friend told me about it, and it looked cool,” noted junior Alysha Proud, “it lets me interact with students from different schools and backgrounds,” she stated.

Every member joins free of monetary charges and legal bindings, and in return for their name, interests, and email adress, they are given their own customized website. Myspace offers its members features and tools that allow for unique and original pages. Members can add flavor and style by being

dered during her first week of college by 38 year old Ben Fawley who she’d been chatting with on Myspace.

The event has sparked debate about how safe it is for teens to give information about themselves to people they’ve never met. Although many parents are still clueless about the cyber world and anything their teens do, many have begun to moniter Myspace pages, which are accessible to anyone with the internet.

With so many young people logging on everyday, Myspace has caught the attention of large companies directing their advertisements toward the youth. Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul who created a true global media empire (News Corp.), was quick to notice how great an impact Myspace has on teen culture. On July 19, 2005 he led a $580 million News Corp. buyout of MySpace.com from parent company Intermix Media.

“Young people want their news on demand, when it works for them,” Murdoch said in a speech last April.

“They want control over their media, instead of being Photo courtesy of http://www.ascap.com/poprock/ controlled by it. They want to question, to probe, to newsarchive/images/myspace_logo.gif offer a different angle.”

The Myspace.com is a very recognizable logo Murdoch’s vision of such a community fits perfor teens and corporate advertisers. fectly with the “highly addictive” Myspace world where able to change backgrounds, colors, music, pictures users are allowed to act as their own editors, choosing and much much more to create a page that shows off their own news and content from the huge range of each individual’s personality. Other than meeting possibilities available online. With nearly 9.5 billion page friends, Myspace also allows people to form relation- views in August, the site has helped small-time as well ships. “It’s a way to meet ladies from a different city,” as big-time bands and musicians advertise their work.

The site recently helped launch music album world commented senior Kelsey Maxon.

Although most encounters on Myspace never re- premiers from bands like Nine Inch Nails, Weezer, sult in face-to-face meetings, tragedy struck the Audioslave, and the Black Eyed Peas.

With technology getting more advanced, it’s hard website after the murder of 17-year-old Taylor Behl from Vienna, Virginia. Behl, like many Myspace us- to imagine how personal and sophisticated Myspace ers, logged on regularly to make contacts and record may become in the future. We’ll just have to wait and her life on her blog (myspace journal). She was mur- see.

Hard to Believe, but We Don’t Know Our Own School Song!

Chris Battles Editor-In-Chief

r? stu Mr Oswego High School Alma Mater: ate 50 de . N M M n a nd of o c D m son o n t w i u n Al nts a ople ow t r “Far Above Oswego’s Waters” g in a l d h w u e yo stud st pe en kn ter. its ’s a g i i l l w a i e o v 0 o nti f t h f t c r e w kn f 10 at m n’t e ma M ret u “Let our voices loudly ringing echo far and near. y f ey c ertif ard o ll o ls th l do Al y law a n i c an o o n a o p D nt eve cho ow les Songs of praise, thy children singing to thy mem’ry dear. sin ate t y e r r s i S c l g t o y. e rs h re he A cato Hig of th Old Oswego, Alma Mater, tender fair and true. u ed wego t line Grateful sons with love unfailing, all their vows renew.”

Os e firs th

Students Who Know

Educators Who Know

Page 10

Entertainment

Buccaneer Bulletin Month 22, 2005

Apple’s Newest Creation, the iPod Nano, Rocks!

Mike Tyo Sports Editor Aaaaccchhhyeaaaaa (Mura Gichane’s invention). That single phrase sums up Apple’s new iPod nano. To better understand my fervor for the new nano, one must truly understand what “Aaaaccchhhyeaaaaa” means.

Aaaaccchhhyeaaaaa spawns from the word “chyea,” which is defined at urbandictionary.com as “a positive response to a question like ‘yea’ but with more enthusiasm; a chant to get pumped up.” Aaaaccchhhyeaaaaa takes “chyea” to a whole new level, giving it a new outlook. Saying the nano is pretty sweet would be understating its brilliance.

The new iPod nano is 1.5 ounces.

That’s insane. But don’t let that fool you.

It packs a lot of heat. The greatest invention known to man holds up to a 1,000 songs and up to 25,000 photos, all while being 3.5 inches long, 1.6 inches wide, and .27 inches thick. One of the best new features for the nano is the added battery life (14 hours between charges). Just think of this: you now can listen to Mikeeeee Jonessssss and Paul Wall (the self-proclaimed people’s champ) for 14 consecutive hours. 281330-8004 will be embedded in your psyche.

The nano is so small you can basically bring it anywhere. There’s always that one class where you’re bored out of you’re mind, so if you can manage to find a seat in the back and a less-

Photo by Kaitlyn Anderson

Heather Sharkey, Morganne Atutis and Abby Howard listen to a new iPod Nano. Though banned in school, the personal music players are extremely popular among OHS students.

than-observant teacher, strap on your headphones (make sure they’re the ones you just place in your ear) and enjoy Mike Jones screaming Mikeeeeeee Jonessssss for forty amazing minutes. Another benefit of owning a nano is the added confidence it brings you. Allan Brown sure knows the feeling, “When I’m rollin down the street with my nano it makes me feel like a shotta.” I’m not quite sure he knows that a shotta is “of Jamaican origin: thug, gangster, a man not to be messed with,” otherwise he might feel like an idiot.

After reading all of this, I know what you’re wondering. How much

does this baby cost? Well, it’s relatively cheap. At $200 it’s only 1/500 of the price of a 2005 Mercedes-Benz GClass. Nice. And it has a WORLD CLOCK. How sweet is that? You’ll always know what time it is EVERYWHERE. I mean that has to be worth at least 100 bucks right there. So really you’re getting the nano half-price.

Aaaaccchhhyeaaaaa. And if I may quote the great Steven A. Smith, famed ESPN analyst, “quite frankly, that’s all you need.”

I was looking for some stuff on the Internet about the nano and found a great study about the new and improved

iPod. It is like the Energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going. The two revolutionary men responsible for this experiment are Jacqui Cheng and Clint Ecker. Here’s what they did in a nutshell: “To simulate everyday accidents that could result in a broken iPod, we came up with a few situations that we felt would ultimately leave the nano lifeless: 1. sitting on the iPod nano; 2. dropping it while jogging (4-6mph); 3. dropping at various speeds: 8-10mph (slow bicycle), 15-20mph (fast bicycle), 30mph (slow car), and 50mph (fast car); 4. dropping the nano from various heights.” This is world-shattering stuff here people. That’s why I’m going to report the finds of Cheng and Ecker’s work. You already know.

As you may have guessed, sitting on the nano didn’t do a thing. Dropping it on a sidewalk while jogging didn’t faze it one bit. No scratches, and the music was still crystal clear. As Paul Wall would definitely say “drop it outta yo car sittin sidewayzzzzzz.”

There were only slight scratches on the nano after dropping it out the window of a subsided. If you want to check out some sweet pictures of previously described events go to: http:// arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/ nano.ars/3.

All in all, the nano rocks. Go pick one up (and feel free to drop it, seriously). It’ll revolutionize your music experience. You already know, aaaaccchhhyeaaaaa.

Return order forms to Mr. McCrobie at Oswego High School.

Buccaneer Bulletin November 22, 2005

Sports

Page 11

‘The Clothes Make the Man’ According to Stern Mura Gichane Maybe Kanye was right: “Racism’s still alive, they doesn’t mean he’s a good guy,” stated league “bad Senior Writer just be concealing it...” The vision of society still re- boy” Allen Iverson who seems to be getting targeted For a large number of America’s youth, includ- mains murky even as we continue into the 21st Cen- the hardest by these new rules. The Sixers guard, ing me, the NBA and its players are a large influence tury. America remains one of the most diverse coun- known by many of his fans as “The Answer,” is now on the culture, reflected in what we wear, where we tries in the world, establishing great minorities in busi- in his tenth season and hasn’t been shy with his diswear it, and how we wear it. Bandanas fit almost too ness, education, entertainment, and sports. Top-pay- content towards the new rules. Adorned in tattoos, snug, breaking off ing business jobs and government cornrows, and ‘do rags, Iverson has been the league’s circulation to your positions still remain predominately Hip Hop poster boy for years, even releasing a forehead, while white, but great strides are being hardcore rap CD a couple years ago that received complementing the made to integrate different cultures, major controversy. Yet with this bad image, he reloose chains danviews, and backgrounds into the mains at the top of each statistical category while gling from your most influential jobs. That’s why it leading a talent-depleted Sixers team to consecutive neck. Jeans fit for was such a shock to hear that the playoff births. He’s a great teammate and role model people ten times NBA, an organization fueled by the for teenagers around the world and he sponsors sevyour size hang by talents of African Americans im- eral celebrity softball games a year for charity. He’s your knees, planted a new dress code stating, a father, a husband, yet the only thing most people sweeping debris players are required to wear busi- are concerned about are the length of his shorts. along your path.

“There’s the uniform you wear on the court, ness casual attire whenever they Retro jerseys with are engaged in team or league busi- there’s the uniform you wear when you are on busia legend’s name ness. They are no longer allowed ness, there’s the uniform you might wear on your and number gracto wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, jer- casual down time with your friends and there’s the ing the back, alseys, headgear while on the bench uniform you might wear when you go back home,” lowing the memoor in interviews, chains, sunglasses stated NBA commissioner David Stern. “We’re just ries of greats to while indoors, and headphones changing the definition of the uniform that you wear live on in a society (other than on the team bus or plane, when you are on NBA business.” that does a hard But why change now? The league is doing pheor in the team locker room). Basijob remembering cally it means players must dress nomenal, generating billions of dollars from teenagers where they came as if they were going to church, or all across America who’ve embraced the Hip Hop culfrom. Walk into visiting grandma while they’re in the ture. Wearing a sweat suit to a game won’t mean Photo Courtesy of espn.com any locker room, Johnny in Idaho arena, bus, or beats manufac- Allen Iverson sits on the bench pre-dress will become a plane. They must tured by drums code, complete with his throwback jersey, high school dress “white.” doo rag, baseball cap, and jewelry. blare out from dropout or purThe rule has each player’s head sue a career in caused great conphones as heads bob to their pregame dose of Juelz troversy, inducing reactions and comrap. Answering Santana. If you weren’t in a locker room, you could ments from various players and interview quesmistake the setting for a hip hop video shoot. Young coaches around the league, including tions with milblack males adorned in jewelry, walking with their league MVP and role model Tim lions worth of heads dipped down to one side; a natural reaction to Duncan. “I think it’s a load of crap. I platinum in your having to carry five pounds of “bling” from their ear. understand what they’re trying to do mouth while This is not just the NBA; this is every high school with (forbidding) hats and ‘do rags and hollering Mike and college locker room across America. It’s not a (retro) jerseys and stuff. That’s fine.

Jones won’t fad, it’s a culture. It’s my culture, and now the NBA But I don’t understand why they would mean Timmy in wants to take that away from thousands of athletes take it to this level. I think it’s basically Arkansas will who’ve dedicated their lives to play a sport that gen- retarded.” sell crack. The erates the NBA owners (the majority of them white) stereotypical Many around the league feel the billions of dollars a year? You’ve got to be kidding same way as it seems the league is images of gangme. Three steps forward, five steps back. sters and thugs trying to weaken the dominant impact It’s a fact that many players in the league came that Hip Hop has on its product. Inthat are associfrom hard backgrounds, where choices for a future stead of embracing a beautiful marated with this are as rare as finding presents during Christmas time. riage between sport and culture, the dress style is not Basketball, for many, is an only option, and it’s the most NBA seems to be rejecting a way of Photo Courtesy of espn.com only wrong, but convenient. Mastering the sport only requires a ball, a dress harmless to the public. Although Shaquille O’Neal post-dress code in his it’s racist. The round hoop, and the heart of a little boy. Parents who associated with the “streets,” the “business attire,” now mandatory while same suits earn barely enough to warm the house aren’t bom- “ghetto,” and the “hood” and adopted players are on the bench or on NBA business. made mandabarded with bills from tutors, expensive camps or ex- by the gangsters then emulated by the tory by Stern, pensive equipment. Outside home, kids play on con- youth, it’s not the clothes that pull the triggers. It’s not are worn by gangsters, drug lords, and rapists. Walk crete courts, shooting at mangled rims, hung up in a the bandana that sells the “dope” nor is it the jewels through NYC and you’ll see some of the most powerjungle of crime, drugs, and violence; all fueled by the that smoke the weed. It’s the people beneath these ful and corrupt human beings dressed in business suits, poverty of America’s inner cities. From so far down, materials that commit the crimes. Taking away sun- while behind the wheel of a Benz. Even Kindergarten these kids manage to rise into incredible wealth, where glasses and headphones won’t change a person and kids know not to judge a book by its cover. Maybe the they can purchase anything, and do everything they’ve taking off their ‘do rag won’t do anything to help their league should stop ‘Questioning’ the ‘Answer’ and lisever dreamt of. Well, maybe not everything... image. “Just because you put a guy in a tuxedo, it ten to his arguments. They might learn something.

Volume 9 Number 2

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

November 22,2005

Onondaga High School League Realigned New alignment may increase Bucs’ chances for divisional titles in several sports.

Mike Tyo Sports Editor Last January, athletic directors from the Onondaga High School League formally laid out a slightly reformed OHSL Colonial Conference alignment. This changed the “standard” divisional alignment and somewhat altered twelve different sports’ schedules here at OHS for the 2005-06 season and beyond.

As of now, the “standard” divisional bracketing is as follows for the majority of our sports: AA 1-National Cicero-N. Syracuse Liverpool Utica City School District Baldwinsville Central School Henninger Rome City Schools AA 2-American West Genesee Central School Oswego City School District Auburn Enlarged City Schools Fayetteville-Manlius Corcoran Fowler Enrollment numbers are what determine the two divisions. Schools file BEDs forms with the state annually (BEDs stands for the amount of eligible students in a given school in grades 9-11). The two divisions go strictly by BEDs. The National Division has the top six BEDs numbers, while the American division has the bottom seven. This keeps the schools with relatively even numbers of students in the same divisions. All of these schools play each other, but when determining division titles, the schools are only vying against other schools with similar numbers of students. The eight sports that go strictly by the “standard” divisional bracketing are as follows: boys’ soccer, girls’ tennis, boys’/girls’ cross country, girls’ basketball, baseball, boys’/girls’ track and boys’ tennis.

The real difference here is the eleven sports that have slightly altered divisions and schedules due to certain schools not featuring a specific sport. Those eleven sports are as follows: girls’ soccer, field hockey, boys’ golf, girls’ swim, boys’ basketball, wrestling, boys’ swim, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse, softball, and girls’ golf.

The two sports not affected at all by the recent realignment are football and hockey. Both sports have their own specific systems in place.

The one major change in the “standard” divisional

Photo by Kait Anderson

Students in the junior section all stretch their hands to catch the souvenir footballs thrown by the cheerleaders at the fall sports pep rally.

alignment from last year is instead of the first seven schools according to BEDs numbers being placed in the National Division (there are 13 schools total among the two divisions) the bubble school, in this case, West Genesee Central School, was placed in the division it was most closely suited for in terms of BEDs. To elaborate, West Genesee’s current BEDs number is 1,266.

The school right above them is Rome at 1408. The school directly below them is Oswego at 1232. Before West Genesee was placed in a division, Oswego was the top school according to BEDs numbers in the American Division and Rome was the smallest school in the National Division. Strictly going by the numbers, West Genesee (1,266) was closer to Oswego (1232) than to Rome (1408), so West Genesee was placed atop the American Division with Oswego, instead of being the last school in the National Division below Rome.

Some of the coaches weren’t informed of the change as soon as they may have liked. “We actually found out about West Genesee being in our division after our first pre-season league game in soccer,” Oswego soccer coach Ronald Ahart commented. “We found that out from the newspaper and checking with the athletic directors.”

“I think to a certain extent it puts us in a division where the schools are a little bit closer to our size, whereas if you look at Utica, CNS, and Liverpool, those schools are almost 750 students per class, which is almost double our school. I know a lot of the schools have

issues with that, in terms of size difference.” Ahart said.

The slight changes seem to have been made in the interest of fairness. All the schools in both divisions still play each other, but the more equitable divisional sorting gives each school a better shot at winning its specific division, due to the other schools being fairly close in size. Individual players have a better opportunity to make the All-League team in some sports as well, because each division chooses its own all-leaguers.

The real issue in all of this is BEDs numbers. In a perfect world, they seem like the logical determination of what to go by when formulating divisions and schedules, but the number of students in a school isn’t the sole determinant on whether a school will be able to compete. “I think the system would be better served by individually letting each sport dictate its own schedule. Right now we have teams in this league like Corcoran in boys’ soccer who are going to go 0-12 or 0-16 on the year, and you have schools that predominantly don’t win more than a couple of games every season. They’re never going to get a chance to win when they’re the lowest in terms of BEDs numbers in our division, yet they’re competing against the biggest schools in section III. They really don’t get a chance,” Ahart said.

Change is normally for the better, and the fact that the athletic directors are continually trying to formulate fairer systems can only be a good thing. There is no such thing as a perfect system, but this year’s league realignment is definitely a step in the right direction.