November 2013

BuccaneerBulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Volume 2 Number 2 November 2013

IT’S TURKEY TIME

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Editorial

2

Drawing Board

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editor-in-Chief Tara Stacy Managing Editor Patrick Baer Business Manager Drazen Schrecengost Webmaster Rachael Purtell Chief Photographer Jordan Oatman Art Director Laurelann Easton Alumni Editor Victoria Armet Sports Editor Isabella Winklestine Editorial Editor Elizabeth Sincavage Layout Editor Alex Borland Entertainment Editor Lisa Kanbur Graphic Designer Dylan Kimball Reporters Emily Hurlbutt Katelyn Clary Advisers Bill Reeser Heidi Conland Sheffield

The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200.

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

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

On the Cover: The staff of the Buccaneer Bulletin believes that we should celebrate Thanksgiving before we start getting ready for Christmas. The cover picture symbolizes the “Thanksgiving Turkey” (Kiernan Proud) conquering the “Christmas Tree” (Kyle Kemper).

Buccaneer Bulletin

CARTOON BY LAURELANN EASTON

. . . to the boys and girls volleyball teams for winning leagues, sectionals and making it to regionals. Congratulations on a great season! . . . to the Buccaneer Bulletin and the OHS Paradox staffs for winning gold, silver, and bronze awards at the 2013 Empire State School Press Association Awards ceremony. . . . to the upcoming Thanksgiving vacation. OHS students deserve a rest after working hard during the first quarter. . . . to no fire alarms going off during our recent rainstorms. . . . to students going on the construction career field trip. This was a great experience for OHS students. . . . to the performances of Lizzie Borden Took an Axe by the OHS Drama Club.

. . . to the staff attempting to enforce senior parking rules. There are plenty of spots and there have been no problems with parking. . . . to the loading dock that was scheduled to be completed by mid October.

November is almost over and it is still not finished. . . . to students not knowing which bathrooms by the main office are open for use. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

Ncvember 2013

Editorial In Our View . . .

Focus on the true meaning of Thanksgiving before shopping Thanksgiving has become a time for food, One tradition that is thought to have stemmed football and Black Friday, but we at the Buccaneer from the parade is Black Friday. Because Santa was Bulletin think it is time to go back to tradition. welcomed into Herald Square, many people see the Americans seem to have forgotten the true meaning end of the parade as the beginning of the Christmas of the holiday and need to remember why we get time shopping season. Black Friday is the Friday after off from school in November.

Thanksgiving in the U.S. Many stores open early Many Americans see Thanksgiving as a day Friday morning and have sales galore. for food, but some do not even realize the tradition This is a key day for retail businesses as it is behind the huge annual meal. There are several thought to mark the beginning of the Christmas theories as to where the custom originated, but the shopping season. However, some people think that most common is the story of the Pilgrims. It is said stores are starting to go too far. For example, this year that in 1621, the Pilgrims had a huge feast with the Macy’s will be opening at 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Wampanoag Indians to celebrate a fruitful harvest.

Day, breaking a long standing tradition of retailers.

Thanksgiving was recognized as a national Macy’s announcement has prompted other stores holiday in 1863 by to do the same President Abraham J.C. The famous parade has been around including Lincoln. Although Penney and Kohl’s. for 87 years, and 3.5 million people George Washington Many people asked that Americans are outraged this attend the parade in New York City announcementat and celebrate the day each year. Another 50 million people feel that the stores every year, it was Lincoln who tune in at home to watch the parade are overlooking proclaimed it a Thanksgiving. on TV. holiday. It was not Macy’s press until 1941; however, release stated, that Congress signed “Shoppers looking a bill making Thanksgiving the last Thursday of for great holiday specials will find incredible November. offers and unbeatable doorbusters when Another well known Thanksgiving tradition is most Macy’s stores open nationwide at 8:00 the Macy’s Day Parade. The famous parade has been p.m. on Thanksgiving evening after families across around for 87 years, and 3.5 million people attend the country have finished their holiday meals and the parade in New York City each year. Another 50 celebrations.” million people tune in at home to watch the parade on But even if they have finished their celebrations, TV. what about all the employees who will have to go The parade was first orchestrated by Macy’s in and set up the store for the madness that is Black employees in 1924 and involved live animals from Friday? They would have to go in much earlier than the Central Park Zoo along with floats and live 8:00 p.m. and that would disrupt their family dinners. entertainers. The parade ended with Santa Claus But we cannot blame retailers completely. Sure, being welcomed into Herald Square signifying the they are the ones who are making the deals and beginning of the Christmas season. The parade did so opening early, but in reality, they are just doing what well in its first year that Macy’s declared it an annual they need to do in order to compete. After all, it is the tradition. customers who show up to shop.

Let’s not overlook Thanksgiving in the rush to celebrate Christmas First you are sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table with all of your family passing food and enjoying their company. Before you know it, you are pushing through lines of people trying to get the best deal you can in the early morning hours of Black Friday.

Without having a chance to blink, it is Christmas morning and the much stressed about holiday is over.

We at the Buccaneer Bulletin feel that the Christmas season is rushed and takes away from other holidays such as Thanksgiving.

Upon walking into a store or mall in late October or early November, it seems to have completely skipped over the Thanksgiving season and moved right to Christmas. There are trees and lights with fake snow everywhere, but when looking for a Thanksgiving decoration or item, they are always pushed into the back or the clearance section.

Why do people decide to skip the theme of Thanksgiving all together? Thanksgiving is a national

Buccaneer Bulletin

holiday but is not as well loved or enjoyed as Christmas and other holidays.

The presents are a huge reason why Christmas is so rushed. Families countdown to Christmas morning and with commercials and adverstiments starting in September about great deals and layaway opportunities, many choose to focus solely on the Christmas season. Although saving money is a good thing, one could wait to buy presents and other Christmas items until after November since there is plenty of time.

Along with Christmas music playing on most radio stations after November first and sometimes sooner, it is a constant struggle for individuals to enjoy Thanksgiving when one has to wake up at three in the morning to go Black Friday shopping.

Thanksgiving is an important family holiday that we at the Buccaneer Bulletin feel should be enjoyed just as much as Christmas. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

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What’s Your Opinion?

“How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?”

John Parkhurst Sophomore

“I go to my aunt’s house, we eat an early dinner, play the Wii, play Apples to Apples, and then I watch my siblings so my parents can go Black Friday shopping.”

Jon Parker Senior

“I go to my grandma’s house, eat food and fall asleep.”

Mariah Lee Jones Freshman

“I spend it with my family playing board games and helping them cook food.”

Liz Bonner Junior

“I go to my biological mom’s house and eat food.”

Mrs. Angela Smith Staff

“I make turkey dinner and have my family over and then go Black Friday shopping.”

November 2013

News

4

What do you know about the Common Core?

By Elizabeth Sincavage Editorial Editor

Language Arts and math, CCLS are an attempt to help children in America keep up academically with other children around the world.

Beginning in 2014, new math and English Regents exams in NYS will

Until now, each state had its own set of learning standards. Even within each state, education could vary from district to district.

The Common Core Learning Standards were implemented at ELA Shifts the beginning of the -Read just as much non-fiction as fiction 2013-2014 school year -Learn more about the world by reading in 45 states. The new learning standards are -Read challenging material closely an attempt to provide -Discuss reading using evidence each child with the -Increase academic vocabulary same education no matter where they live.

The new CCLS will allow students who move around frequently not need coordinate with CCLS. to adjust to a new set of learning CCLS should not be confused standards each time they move. This with curriculum. NYS will still will be especially helpful for children continue to develop its own in military families. curriculum. The Common Core By making shifts in English/ will also allow teachers to teach in

their own style but will change the expectations of what is being taught.

The individual needs of everyone in the classroom will still continue to be met.

Since the adoption of CCLS,

This leaves their children with hours of homework every night. Many students who were once excelling in school are now stressed and anxious about going to school.

Many teachers are angered by the fact that the transition to the new standards was sudden Math Shifts and did not give them -Learn more about fewer key points enough time to learn -Build skills within and across grades the new material. Some parents and teachers -Develop speed and accuracy have formed groups -Uses in the real world against CCLS hoping -Real word problems that they can help put a stop to it.

While there have been several complaints parents have become increasingly and groups against Common Core, frustrated with the new standards. the states still continue to push the Parents are left feeling helpless standards in the schools. They claim when they are unable to help their that once teachers, students and children with their homework simply parents adapt to it, the change will be because they cannot understand it. easy.

Special week promotes student unity and acceptance

By Laurelann Easton Art Director

Monday, October 21 to October 25, the Acceptance Coalition Club led the school in celebrating Ally Week to bring as many people as possible together in support of each other.

The week was set up for students and adults across America to take action in becoming better allies to LGBTQ+ individuals. It does not exclude anyone and was meant to get everyone to come together. The goal was to have everyone involved in standing up against anti-LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) language, bullying and harassment of various types in America’s schools.

To kick off the week, Ms. Erin Reilly and Mrs. Heather Robillard, the advisers of the club, gathered a few students for the uplifting chalk-walk event early Monday morning. The moon was still up, but Kaylee Conner, Alexandra DeSacia, Ryan Smith, Courtney Johnson and Laurelann Easton were at the school around six that morning to write words on the sidewalk in front of the school.

The phrases were meant to be positive things, statements to tell people as they walked into school that things do get better, that they’re beautiful, “just keep swimming” and that they matter. As students began to trickle into the school, they asked what we were doing.

Some even offered to help and add their colorful words to the blocks of concrete around the main entrance. The biggest worry for the day was rain, but luck was on the side of the Acceptance Coalition and it stayed away until later that night.

Another part of Ally Week was taking a pledge.

Taking the pledge meant agreeing to stop bullying of all forms and to not use offensive slurs. Club members set up a table in the cafeteria during lunch periods and walked around to tables asking people to sign the pledge. Many people agreed to sign it, which created a one-inch stack of 196 pledge sheets. Every signed pledge was hung on the windows in the cafeteria for everyone to see the amount of support being given.

If you signed the pledge, you could receive a name tag which said you were an ally or simply take the nametag. Students were not the only ones allowed to partake in the event. Quite a few teachers were seen with nametags after taking the pledge. Even more people

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took name tags, and some took multiple tags to have one to wear for every day of Ally Week.

Seeing the support around the school hopefully made students really feel the impact.

Reilly commented, “Ally Week gave us the opportunity to spread awareness about the cause. Additionally, it created natural teachable moments. Students and faculty alike were intrigued by the chalk walk and name tags, which prompted informative discussions.

Many people participated in this event and we hope to build upon this momentum for next year’s PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA DESACIA Ally Week.”

Ally Week kicked off with a chalk-walk event to send positive messages to The kind of impact OHS students on the sidewalk at the Buccaneer Boulevard entrance. hoped for from Ally Week is that people find didn’t just stop there. We asked when the next club happiness in it and not just meeting was because we wanted to attend. I got a lot people identifying as LGBTQ+. Part of Ally Week was to say that you were an ally and that you supported all of of different reactions from different people about our decision. I think that people forget about the “straight” your peers against all forms of bullying. part of the club. I know more people support all of this If you were to attend an Acceptance Coalition anti-bullying but are afraid to join. Without the school’s meeting, you would not just find people there who participation in Ally Week, I would not have thought identify as LGBTQ+. Two years ago the club changed about joining the club!” its name from The Gay-Straight Alliance to the The club is always looking for new people to join Acceptance Coalition to make it clear to others that the and are always welcome to join at any time. Part of club is open to everyone. Ally Week and other events the impact desired from Ally Week was to get more the club leads, such as the Day of Silence, are open for people interested in supporting their peers completely, everyone to participate in. and it has done just that. This kind of support should be This event also encouraged others to join the continued and done without an event asking people to Acceptance Coalition Club. OHS junior Brianah Lane sign a sheet, though.

The club and the event stress that saw what the club was doing and decided to attend it is important to be considerate of the people around the club’s next meeting. She said, “My friend Molly you and to remember that everyone matters and that you Brown and I saw the pledges in the cafeteria and signed matter each and every day. them because we liked what they supported. But we www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

November 2013

Features/Columns

5

START SCHOOL LATER SO WE CAN SLEEP

Numerous studies show that most high school students would benefit from a later start time

“Some negatives I see is that sometimes athletes miss a class because they have to be at Business Manager We go to school to learn, but how can we learn a contest that may start at 4:30 because the other if we are always tired and can never concentrate? schools get out at 2:15-2:30,” Cass said.

For a typical high school student, the first thought There now seems to be a tradeoff between a on their mind the moment they wake up is usually, later school day and sports. Miss a class to make “I cannot wait to go to sleep tonight.” Time it to a game or show up late and not skip class? always falls short and as the school work, social Do away games contribute to a longer day? When opportunities, and other various obligations pile a student gets home from an away event, they are up, we deprive ourselves of the much needed sleep still faced with homework and other obligations. necessary for optimal performance in school.

This could be an even later night for students with It is a rut we have been stuck in for years. a later school day versus students with a 7:30 a.m.

Wake up early, go to school, go to sports, clubs, start time. and band, come home, eat, and do a mountain of “I don’t think it affects personal lives too homework for the rest of the night. It is a vicious much. Because they have been doing this for cycle that leaves us awhile, they have wanting nothing but said Cass.

With the later start time, there is a price to pay; a later end time. adjusted,” sleep by the end of the There are clearly pros This pushes sports, work and other extracurricular activities later and cons to a later school week.

Let’s also not forget and may lead to a longer day overall. day. When we are tired that as teens, we are and wish we could sleep still growing. Sleep in longer, the pros seem deprivation during these years of our lives is a and 25 minutes later than Oswego High School’s to outweigh the cons, but it would take some more serious issue. start time, which could be the difference between thought to decide how much more we would truly According to the National Sleep Foundation, students shuffling through the halls and students get out of a later school day. More time to sleep in? lack of sleep impairs cognitive functioning such as alert and awake in class.

Later nights? A more productive school day? alertness, problem solving, and attention span. Not “Personally, I think they are more concentrated, The decision does not affect only the students only that, but it also affects our ability to cope with but then again they may stay up later because of however. The impacts are felt on a community stress and retain information. Along with emotional the later start and be tired. Overall, they seem level and should be thought through very well and behavior problems such as irritability and engaged,” said Cass. before making a change. The change would depression, sleep deprivation generally lowers Cass does have a valid point. With the later definitely take some time getting used to as performance in all areas from academics to start time, there is a price to pay; a later end time. other aspects of life would need to shift due to athletics.

This pushes sports, work and other extracurricular the change. In the long run, it could be highly So, will it be like this for the rest of our high activities later and may lead to a longer day beneficial from an academic stand point to shift to school days? Only if we do not make any changes. overall. a later school day for high school students.

By Drazen Schrecengost

There are a number of studies that show a significant improvement in students’ academic performance with a later start to the school day.

A study in Minneapolis switched from a 7:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. day to an 8:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. day. The results were impressive.

Teachers reported improved attendance, increase in alertness, and fewer trips to the school nurse.

Students gained on average an extra hour of sleep, ate breakfast more frequently, and were able to better cope with stress.

Former technology teacher Mr. Steve Cass left OHS two years ago for Ithaca High School which runs on a later school day starting at 8:55 in the morning and ending at 3:55. This is a solid hour

Students need classes relevant to our lives

Senior year of high school will be over before I know it. College applications are beginning, I’m starting to think about financial aid, taxes, college loans, and other money related issues.

By the time I was this age, I thought I would be ready for all of this, but I am not. I have no clue how to do any of this and high school is why.

A high school student is taught how to read books and critically think about them, look at trigonometry equations and solve them, but they are given no real life skills that apply to the world they are about to be faced with. Why is this?

One would think before senior year

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you’d be prepped on how to apply to that information ever again. harder topic to understand, but many of a college and other tasks that go along It is frustrating when senior year my peers do not have jobs and will not with that, but it simply was never is supposed to be enjoyable and I am realize that for awhile longer. With the taught. SATs and ACTs are a huge part stressed out with figuring out how to available courses I have seen, SUPA of a high school student’s life, but in fill out the common application for Finances looks like a great class to enroll order to learn how to succeed on them, college in less than five hours. I do feel in. The description shows that it will you have to pay for a class outside of lucky that I figured out early on what teach one how to do taxes and figure out school.

I plan to major in at college but that loans and other pertinent topics.

Buying cars or renting an could change and with that, my entire High schools should offer required apartment are both important life skills, college choice could be wrong and I classes which cover these topics to help but I never learned how to do either in will just find myself unhappy and in a student out before pushing them on high school. debt. without any useful knowledge.

Every individual A high is assumed to be an A high school student is taught how to read school student expert on life and given many books and critically think about them, look at issubjects that is just not true. to Throughout my years trigonometry equations and solve them, but study and it can of high school, I they are given no real life skills that apply to the become very always said, “Why stressful. It has world they are about to be faced with. am I learning this? become more I will never use this noticeable that in the real world.” Sadly, this has been Looking back on my high the requirements for graduation do not proven to be true. Required classes to school career, I wish there were more help you after high school for the most graduate teach you how to solve for opportunities to take a courses that part. It is tough learning real life topics on X or find the deep meaning of To Kill explained the real world better. your own, and it would be very helpful A Mockingbird but after taking the After getting a part time job, I if it was taught throughout high school standardized testing, I will never need realized on my own that money is a more often. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

November 2013

6

Columns

Sights, scents and shopping await you

“I didn’t even know you guys were back here!” is the one phrase I hear exclaimed the most while I’m working.

Sometimes I end up hearing it 15 times or more a day. Everyone’s walked down West First Street before, glaring at the shop’s signs or gawking at the products through the windows. Many people don’t know what is behind the street front shops like Midnight Sun, Man in the Moon Candies, and Andrew’s Wine Cellar, let alone what’s below or even above them!

Tucked below a little sign that reads Canal Commons is a door to a hallway that will take you anywhere inside the building that seems to be bigger on the inside than the outside.

Upon entering the building, there are two shops on either side of you.

Andrew’s Wine Cellar is to the right and Lakeside Artisans is to your left, a small town art shop filled with many pieces from many local artists.

I love the different art Lakeside Artisans carries. It includes paintings on the walls, pottery, and jewelry.

There’s even a section of the store that sells art supplies. Most of the people who work there are volunteer and some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

Just up the hall from them is the newest Canal Commons store, Sensibility Outfitters. The women’s consignment shop opened in the downstairs hall of the Commons, but as the store grew in popularity, so did the inventory. Not soon after the grand opening, they had to move to the space in the upstairs hallway. The store was opened by mother and daughter pair, Shellie and Mackenzie Oatman, both Oswego High School alumni.

It was opened to offer a new way of shopping to Oswego. Sensibility Outfitters is full of gently used women’s fashion ranging from clothes to jewelry to shoes and handbags.

Women can bring in their nicer used clothes and set up an account with the store. One of the Oatmans will look at what they bring in, do research on the item, and display it on the floor. Each month the consignee can check back to see if any of their items sold and collect the money. The money collected from each sold item is split 40/60. 40% goes to the consignee and 60% goes to the consignor. The new shopping experience is very unique, and the clothes are beautiful.

Right next door is another new entry to the Commons full of delicious goodies. Mike Castiglia opened The Bakery at the beginning of the summer

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PHOTOS BY KATELYN CLARY

The main hallway of Canal Commons is all decked out for the Christmas season to encourage shoppers to get an early start on their holiday errands.

and has prospered ever since. Fresh baked breads, scones, and cinnamon rolls line the inside case, while various types of cookies, brownies, pies, and cakes sit in the cooler facing the people passing by.

There’s no way anyone could walk by that shop without their mouth watering. Among the cookies are his famous almond horn cookies. The delicious cookies, made in a horn shape with almonds and dipped in chocolate, are one of his best sellers. Castiglia has started making the cookies in bulk and even sells them online. During the fall months, different kinds of apple and pumpkin products are featured as well.

At the end of the hall sits one of the most unique coffee shops among the many shops in town. Taste the World Specialty Foods and Coffee not only sells different coffee drinks but products from all over the world fill the

shelves. Special types of jellies, jams, mixes, sauces, and dips are displayed around the store. Pans, dishes, utensils, and more join the food.

The coffee sold is roasted at the store giving it an excellent fresh taste.

The store serves iced coffees, freshly brewed coffees, and any espresso drink imaginable. Available over the counter are a number of teas, hot chocolates, and steamers. Not only is the coffee sold over the counter, but it is also sold by the pound for those who like to make their own coffee at home.

Taste the World has a friendly atmosphere which is inviting to anyone and everyone. Everything in the store is unique and the possibility of finding it somewhere else is minimal. One of the weirdest, but coolest products the store has ever had is bacon soda. In stock during the fall months are freshly flavored Pumpkin Spice coffee and

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a blueberry flavor called Cinnaberry Blue.

Turning the corner from Taste the World is the Canal Commons Barbershop. Men and boys from around the city flock to the shop to get their hair cut. I’ve never seen a day when they aren’t jam packed from the minute they open their door (or before, because sometimes a group of guys sits there waiting for the moment they open at 8 a.m) to when they’re finally done for the day.

Across the hall from them is Bistro 197, or commonly referred to as The Bistro. The small little restaurant has a fancy atmosphere with a fabulous menu. I’ve never had anything from the Bistro that wasn’t delicious. The restaurant is currently working on an expansion, turning the empty store next door into a classy styled martini bar complete with a baby grand piano. The much looked forward to expansion will be open sometime in mid-November.

Maida’s Flower Shop and another newer store by the same owner, the Liz Scott Boutique share spaces across the hall from each other. The flower shop offers beautifully arranged bouquets or single flowers. The bouquets can be custom ordered or picked out in the store. Walking into Maida’s Flower shop overwhelms your nose with a lovely scent.

Across the hall from Maida’s is the Liz Scott Boutique featuring a very unique and different style of clothing.

The clothes featured in this small boutique are definitely clothes you won’t find anywhere else locally. Not only can you find dresses and skirts from this shop, but beautiful flowing scarves and lovely jewelry. This is definitely a store you’d want to check out.

And of course, there’s the famous Man in the Moon Candies. The shelves and cases that line the store are full of marvelous kinds of chocolate. Walking in the shop is a woman’s paradise.

One of my personal favorites from the candy shop is their chocolate covered espresso beans featuring the freshly roasted beans from Taste the World. On the other side of the hallway is the door that leads into the factory where all the goodies are made.

Walking through the hallways of Canal Commons, the smell is heavenly. There’s a delicious mixture of coffee, chocolate, flowers, and all different types of treats. Many people don’t know about the hidden shops on West First Street, including the stairs that lead down to Inkings, one of the multiple tattoo shops in Oswego or Second Chance Massage Therapy.

No one catches the hidden elevator tucked into a corridor that leads to the gorgeous apartments upstairs. This building is full of marvelous unknown things that everyone in the city should know about.

November 2013

Point Counter-Point

7

Should high school students have open campus lunch?

The health and safety of students eating at school is a benefit of closed campus

Open campus lunch provides an opportunity to develop time management skills

By Rachael Purtell

By Jordan Oatman

Webmaster

Chief Photographer

Although open campus lunch has some potential benefits, the negative A student’s junior and senior year is full of special privileges that the aspects highly outweigh the positives. Unfortunately, open campus lunch serves underclassmen do not get to do. There are big privileges like Junior Prom, Senior as a threat to the health and safety of students. Students’ wallets as well as their Dinner Dance, 100 Days, and Powderpuff. There are other small every day attendance in their afternoon classes would suffer. privileges like senior short day, Senior Spirit Week, getting the good parking For many Oswego High School students, open campus lunch would mean spaces, or senior study hall. Among the privileges that the upperclassmen do not a trip to McDonald’s for a lunch of fattening fast food. Having a closed campus currently get, but used to have in the past, is an open campus lunch. lunch allows schools to have some influence over the Open campus lunch is the ability to go off health of their students. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids school grounds during the lunch period. The Act of 2010 called for the first major changes in school high school is surrounded by various fast food lunches in fifteen years. restaurants and little shops for students to go The United States Department of Agriculture to, or one could simply go home for lunch if (USDA) set nutrition standards for school lunches in their house was close enough. order to help raise a healthier generation of children and This gives students more of a choice, if OHS allowed open campus lunch, students would be especially for those who cannot bring exposed to meals with lower nutritional value than that of a bagged lunch from home, can’t find school lunches. anything in the lunch lines they like or New York has the nineteenth highest rate of child simply do not like the taste of school obesity with 32.4% of children in the country being food. overweight. If OHS allowed open campus lunch, The ability to leave and come that number could potentially increase by giving back would benefit students the opportunity to have an unhealthy fast students a great deal. food meal every day. Additionally, eating healthy Common situations provides the body with the energy to function such as finishing and a student who ate an unhealthy lunch would homework due be more likely to have trouble focusing in class later in the day or than a student who enjoyed a healthier lunch studying for a test the provided by the school. next period becomes The safety of students is also at risk easier when done at because lunch periods are only 42 minutes home. The lunch periods and many would be rushing to get off school might become less full and grounds to get to their lunch destinations. fewer problems might Restaurants would be swamped with high school occur in the lunch room. students which gives students another reason to Students seem to arrive as quickly as possible since they will not prosper when given the want to wait in enormous lines to order their meals. opportunity to do so.

High school students who are licensed are young, An open campus allows the inexperienced and sometimes reckless drivers who upperclassmen the option to have are more likely to get in a car accident on or near special privileges while allowing school grounds if they are all in such a hurry. them to get a grip on their future. Once Allowing students the privilege of open students have graduated and gone to campus lunch would more than likely end up college, no one is going to be standing hurting them monetarily. Most restaurants sell over their shoulder to make sure that food at a higher price than the cafeteria does so they are behaving and supervising them students would be spending more money for throughout the day. The lunch break lunch each day. Licensed students with a car allows for more of a sense of maturity would also be paying more to put gas in their and an easier transition into the future. car for the additional fuel they would burn Students can’t be expected to be mature each day driving to their lunch destinations. if they are not given opportunities Lastly, allowing students the freedom which allow them to expand and of an open campus lunch would hurt school showcase their maturity. attendance because it would be tempting for As such, an open campus for a student to skip their afternoon classes. Of lunch should be a privilege for the course, many students would be responsible upperclassmen, not a right. Students enough to have the motivation to return to should prove their capability to handle the school; however, they would still have to deal privilege. Those with behavioral problems, with unexpected problems that could make them who show constant disrespect for staff and other late when returning to school. For example, if students, or have low and/or failing grades should students decided to spend their lunch break not be able to participate. downtown at Port City Café or The Red Sun, Overall, an open campus lunch gives they may run into heavier traffic than they the hardworking upperclassmen a little allotted time to drive back to school. sense of freedom that one should be Despite the appeal of open campus able to feel in their teenage years of lunch, students fail to realize the risks high school. it would pose. Open campus lunch is a threat to students’ wallets, attendance in PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATELYN CLARY afternoon classes, and overall health.

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November 2013

Marching B

8 Nazareth Pennsylvania

O

n October 11, the Oswego Marching Buccaneers attended a competition in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, which is just outside of Philadelphia.

They placed first in their division and also won the entire show! Other awards the Bucs won include Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best General Effect, Best Music Performance and Best Visual Performance. These victories were hard fought and well earned, and the Bucs competed against 16 other bands from all around the Northeast.

!! WINN

Syracuse Carrier Dome

The Marching Bucs attended another competition at the Syracuse Carrier Dome on October 27 and placed fourth overall in their first year of competing there.

Band directors Mr. Scott Ciesla and Mr. Steve Defren were very pleased with their outstanding performance and are already looking forward to next season which should be just as exciting.

The 2013-2014 Oswego

Mr.Cies Mr. Defren- Assistant Di Mr. Peer- Assistant D Miss Sweeting- Assis Mr. Tierney- Visual C Mr. Baratta Mr. Walls Mr. McPher Mr. Buchma Mr. Bronner- Color G Mrs. DeSantisMiss Sivers- C Mr. English-Percus Mr. Prinsen-

Drum major Anne Reynolds

Trumpet player Sam Gilbert

Editor’s Note: The following students contributed to these pages: Lisa Kanbur, Dylan Kimball and Alex Borland. All photos courtesy of oswegobands.org.

Sousaphone player Conor Henrie

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In front from left to right: Austin Jackson, Tyme Bawz, Jordan Attwood and Justin Abbott.

Tory W

Visit us on the web at www.bucca

Buccaneers

9

NERS !!

Emily King and Cassandra Hondro were recently accepted into the U.S. Army AllAmerican Band. To be accepted is a great accomplishment as only two other students were selected from New York State. King and Hondro were notified of their acceptance in August, but had to keep the news to themselves. “I honestly can’t wait not only to represent the state of New York, but the city of Oswego, our school, and our music program. We wouldn’t have been given this great honor if it weren’t for our roots here, so thank you everyone!” said King.

Pictured are Emily King and Cassandra Hondro on All-American Night.

Band director Scott Ciesla with Cassandra Hondro and Emily King.

“Emily and Cassandra exemplify all that is right in Oswego. These two students and all of the music students strive for excellence each and every time they perform. They choose to challenge themselves to grow as performers, and more importantly as people,” said Ciesla.

King and Hondro will perform at the U.S. All-American Bowl in January in San Antonio, Texas. “We are all very proud of Emily and Cassandra and we wish them the best of luck as they prepare to perform,” stated Defren.

Seniors Finish Strong!

o Marching Buccaneers

sla- Director rector/Woodwind Instructor Director/Brass Instructor tant Director/Percussion Coordinator/Drill Writer a- Music Writer s-Visual Tech son- Visual Tech ann- Visual Tech Guard Designer/Intructor - Color Guard Tech Color Guard Tech ssion Writer/Instructor Percussion Tech

Welsch

U.S. Army All-American Band

Drum major Cassandra Hondro

Flute players at the front: Katherine Pecora and Julia Choate.

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Another recent victory includes their first place win at the Central Square Red Hawks competition with a score of 82.30.

With more than 30 seniors, this last season was very emotional, as it was the last time these students competed for Oswego.

Drum majors Anne Reynolds and Cassandra Hondro are also graduating and will be greatly missed.

Saxophonists from left to right are: Caleb Perry, Lauren Samson, Austin Jackson, Sarah Smolinski and Austin Attwood.

Trumpet players Aaric Celeste and Austin Attwood.

Seniors pictured from left to right are: in front Anne Reynolds and Cassie Hondro. Next row: Tiffany Smith, Stephanie Cusyck, Myranda Arnesen, Cassie Jones, Betsy O’Gorman, Marsaili Knopp, Danielle Gilbert. Next row: Loren Willmes, Sarah Lamb, Emily Mills, Tiffiani Vosseiler, Alexanderia DeSacia, Nina Alcasid, Conor Henrie, Austin Jackson, Brittany Reed. Next row: Tom Godfrey, Nick Sheary, Tyme Baez, Justin Abbott, Alex Carl, Emily King, Tyler Benjamin, Jordan Attwood, Tory Welsch, Mike Chetney, Kenzie Harts, Kennedy Singletary, Casey Adner, Mike Sheffield, Caylin Ward and Holly Gilbert.

Clarinetists from left to right: Tiffani Vossilier, Amanda Cali, Zachary Smolinski and Tyler Youngman.

Through countless hours of rehearsals and lots of late night competitions, students agree it’s all worth it as well as fun. Marching band is also a huge time commitment but that doesn’t stop these students from doing what they love. Many of the students in marching band participate in sports, which require large amounts of their time after school as well. After the practices games, students head right to marching band practice, which doesn’t finish until very late. On top of that, homework needs to be done and showers are a necessity. A typical day is long and strenuous.

November 2013

10

Walking the Plank

Zombies, wolves, and Halloween attract this student

By Victoria Armet Alumni Editor

Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Adam Rowley: Adam Patrick Rowley.

BB: What grade are you in?

AR: Super senior.

BB: What is a little known fact about you?

AR: People hate me because I don’t like talking to people.

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

AR: Energetic, annoying and rambunctious.

BB: What is your favorite food?

AR: Ramen noodles.

BB: What is your favorite color?

AR: Black.

BB: What is your favorite class and who is your favorite teacher?

AR: Lunch, TJ and Steve.

BB: Do you have a favorite book?

AR: The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd because he is half human half vampire.

I also really like supernatural stuff.

BB: What is your favorite holiday?

AR: Halloween because people get to express their dark side.

BB: What is your favorite TV show of all time and why?

AR: Teen Wolf because it is kind of good and people die.

BB: What is your favorite animal?

AR: Wolves because I am a dog person.

BB: Do you have any pets or siblings?

AR: Nope.

BB: Do you participate in any sports?

AR: No. BB: If you could have any super

PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

Adam Rowley poses doing his best Ozzy Osborne impersonation for November’s Walking the Plank.

power what would it be and why?

AR: Flying so I can get away and so I don’t have to take the bus.

BB: What is your favorite movie?

AR: Zombieland because it has zombies in it.

BB: What do you do in your free time?

AR: Sleep, draw and read.

BB: What is your biggest pet peeve?

AR: Bullies because I have been picked on by them in the past.

BB: What is your biggest fear?

AR: Clowns because of the movie It. My mom made me watch it when I was

five and the next day we went to the circus.

are there.

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

AR: A boat, gas and food because who wants to be stuck on a deserted island?

BB: If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

AR: Ozzy Osborne because he is a good singer, makes good songs and does good movies.

BB: What are three things you can’t live without?

AR: Friends, family and technology because no one can live without them.

BB: If you were to win the lottery, what are the first three things you would do with the money?

AR: I would buy a house, car and boat.

BB: If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

AR: Japan because some of my favorite authors, creators and TV shows

BB: What is one thing you want to do before you die?

AR: Climb Mt. Everest so I can feel like the king of the world.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

Buccaneer Bulletin

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November 2013

Artist of the Month

11

E pop dance debuts in Oswego thanks to Italian visitor

By Patrick Baer

Managing Editor

F

rom Italy to small town Oswego, Francesca Polato has been strutting her E pop dance moves every chance she gets. After choosing to become a foreign exchange student and travel to the United States, Polato decided to continue with her love of E pop dance and keep the beats moving while on her adventures in Oswego.

Polato’s signature style of dance is E pop which she learned over the past six years in Italy. Polato started dancing when she was just 11 and has been dancing every day since. Polato describes E pop as “a style of dance that was born in the street, kind of like the movie Step Up, not anything like ballet or contemporary.” It was a dance that was originally for guys in the Bronx to do on the streets and just have fun with it.

In Italy, Polato is involved with two dance groups that she competes and performs with; Master Academy is in Rezzato and MJ Academy is located in Mandolossa. Here in Oswego, Polato has joined Miss Kelly’s Dance Studio “She gave me a type of scholarship, and I can take any class I want. I decided to try different types of dance. I am also teaching a dance class at some point during the winter break while I am here.”

Polato is very inspired by her first E pop teacher.

“He lived in the Bronx and moved to Italy; he opened one of the first E pop studios in Italy and started teaching. That’s where I began.”

Within the studio, Polato competes in groups and solo. “It is not like a dance competition for any other type of dance because you do not have to prepare. You just have to listen to the music and dance in that moment without any preparation.”

Last year Polato received second place in a freestyle competition and fourth place with a group of dancers. These were nationwide competitions and Polato was very proud of these accomplishments.

Three years ago, Polato traveled to Barcelona, Spain and placed fourth with her group Ohana Crew.

Polato’s group named their crew Ohana because “In

the movie Lilo and Stitch, they talked about how Ohana means family, and we are a family.”

Ohana Crew just traveled to London to compete, and although Polato is sad that she missed that, she is happy for them getting chances to compete. “I really miss my group; back in Italy I dance everyday so they are a second family.”

Polato brings her E pop dance talents to the United States during her exchange program and will share her skills with everyone she meets. After some great achievements and having experiences that will last a life time, Polato has proven to be a true artist.

“In the movie Lilo and Stitch, they talked about how Ohana means family, and we are a family.”

Francesca Polato

OHS exchange student Francesca Polato displays one of her E pop dance moves.

PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

JOURNALISM STUDENTS WANTED FOR THE 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR SEE YOUR COUNSELOR TO SIGN UP!

WE NEED WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, GRAPHIC ARTISTS, AND AD REPS Buccaneer Bulletin

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November 2013

Columns

12

Heyyyy read about an annoying but popular vocal trend at the end of a word or sentence.

Recently, pathologists have discovered that vocal fry can be permanently damaging to your vocal cords and it’s not just something annoying stuck-up girls do.

In an article on the Huffington Post with Ramon Franco, Franco stated, “We all use vocal fry, your voice may creak at the end of a sentence or when you’re tired. Radio

gravelly voice to convey gravitas.

Recently, several speech researchers have noted a trend of frequent vocal fry among young women, exemplified by celebrities like Katy Perry, Zooey Deschanel, and Kim Kardashian.”

This topic is becoming increasingly discussed because many people know that some celebrities or typical drama queens have annoying voices, but now that it is claimed to

girl was to text me, she would usually say “heyyyy” or “hiiii” just to make it more interesting, I guess. What she doesn’t know is that in person she actually talks like the words are spelled with that annoying voice.

Texting like this is actually called “word lengthening” and it is often We all know that one girl who used to emphasize a word or phrase. loves to gossip about everything Whether you are the one who and anything. We also know the does vocal fry or just somebody annoying voice you know, it associated with “It’s not unusual to hear a lot of fry during lectures where professors use a is annoying that gossip. and harmful in Something low gravelly voice to convey gravitas. Recently, several speech researchers many ways. along the The next have noted a trend of frequent vocal fry among young women, exemplified lines of Kim time you want by celebrities like Katy Perry, Zooey Deschanel, and Kim Kardashian.”

Kardashian to emphasize or one of the --Ramon Franco something, Mean Girls Huffington Post Journalist just say it where they like loudly instead to elongate of frying your their words and it has a funny sound and T.V. broadcasters are often harm your vocal cords, individuals vocal cords. It’s much less annoying, to it. What you didn’t know is that trained to eliminate vocal fry, but in are talking up a storm. you won’t be compared to Kim annoying voice is called vocal fry other contexts it is very common. It’s Talking like this can be closely Kardashian, and more importantly and it is very unhealthy for you. not unusual to hear a lot of fry during related to how some people text your vocal cords will be healthier for Vocal fry is a low creaky lectures where professors use a low message each other. Personally, if a much longer. vibration made by the vocal cords

The far reaching influence of Walt Disney Productions

“You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.” By staying true to his words, Walter Elias “Walt” Disney and his brother Roy co-founded Walt Disney Productions, one of the best known motion picture companies in the world. Throughout his lifetime, Disney won 22 Academy Awards and founded both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.

Plane Crazy was the first short animated film that Walt Disney Productions released in 1928, and it was also the debut of the popular cartoon character Mickey Mouse. This cartoon began with farm animals constructing a plane while our hero, Mickey Mouse, was studying from a book entitled How To Fly. Mickey’s first attempt at flying was a complete failure and ended with him crashing into a tree. After some modifications to his flying machine, Mickey was able to successfully take a wild ride in the sky. However, his wild ride ended dramatically when he jumped out of the plane in pursuit of his female comrade, Minnie Mouse.

Disney said, “Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.”

In my early childhood, Disney’s films gave me ideals for love and romance. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs taught me that “… someday my prince will come…” Cinderella inspired me to chase my dreams because they are “… a wish your heart makes…” and Sleeping Beauty got me all excited to experience “…true loves first kiss…” (although my first kiss ended up being very

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lackluster compared to the sweet, romantic kiss Disney led me to expect).

Walt Disney also taught me many lessons about friendship and being a good friend to myself.

The 1953 film Peter Pan taught me to cherish my friendships and to “… never say goodbye because saying goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting…” and The Jungle Book taught me to always be there for my friends because “… that’s what friends are for…”

Disney’s film Alice in Wonderland encouraged me to embrace my individuality because “… we’re all mad here…” and The Sword in the Stone taught me that we live in a world of opposites because “… for every to there is a fro, for every stop there is a go, (and) that’s what makes the world go ‘round…”

As I got a little bit older, I began to watch less of the classic Disney movies and became interested in the more modern series shown on the Disney Channel which was launched in April, 1983 and featured quality family programs such as BabySitters Club, Flash Forward, and Vault Disney.

By the time I was a viewer, the channel had moved on to shows such as Kim Possible, That’s So Raven, The Proud Family, and Lizzie McGuire. For the most part, these shows were centered around pre-teens and teenagers trying to survive high school, and I believed that these programs served as an example of the person I was going to be when I reached the age of the main characters.

Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I continued to occasionally view Disney Channel into my years of junior high school. By that time, shows being aired included Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed these programs at the time, they were harder to relate to because the main characters were often in more unconventional situations than the main characters www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

of the shows I had watched during my elementary school years. For example, most high school students will never experience living in a five star hotel or leading a double life as a famous singer.

Today, the majority of the programs running on the Disney Channel are absolutely ridiculous.

Disney said, “We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.”

Disney Channel is not living up to these words because the majority of my friends and family can’t even stand to be in the same room when a little sibling or cousin is tuned into A.N.T. Farm, Shake It Up or almost any of their other current programs, and we are the public! The main characters are in such extraordinary situations that most viewers cannot relate to them and frankly, the quality of the acting is quite poor.

I do recognize talent in some of the actors and actresses; however, the talent lies in other areas.

For example, Zendaya Coleman plays Raquel “Rocky” Blue in the Disney Channel series Shake It Up and she is one of the most impressive dancers I have ever seen. I watched her compete on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars week after week during the show’s sixteenth season and was repeatedly blown away by what she was able to do on the dance floor. However, as a person who enjoys the use of entertainment media, her acting abilities have never been impressive.

Disney is no longer as loveable as it used to be for me, and I think I speak for a lot of other former Disney fans. I miss the classic, inspiring movies that were the foundation of my childhood beliefs and I miss the genuine characters I grew up watching on television!

However, I still have faith that the Disney Channel can redirect itself to these ideals because of their logo. Despite all the changes the Disney Channel has made, they have always kept their logo in the shape of a mouse’s head and Disney always said, “I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”

November 2013

Entertainment

13

Record breaking audience for season debut

By Drazen Schrecengost Business Manager

This past October, a record breaking audience of 16.1 million viewers tuned in to catch the season premiere of The Walking Dead. This first episode of the series’ fourth season received a rating of 8.2 out of 10 among adults ages 18 to 49, stomping on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory season premiere which ranked 5.5. These numbers shattered the all-time high of 12.42 million viewers received during The Walking Dead’s season three finale and is an alltime high for any cable series.

Things seemed to look good for the group living in the prison. The Ricktatorship seen in season three has come to an end and a formal council has been established. With the citizens of Woodbury being taken into the group, we are beginning to see the development of a stable community.

People are starting to take on specific roles in the prison; fence cleaners, food and supply runners, and, most importantly, Carol reading Knife Skills for Dummies to the children just in case a walker ever got into the prison. With Carol now in charge of Lizzie and Mika; however, are her precautions justified? If we think back to season two and how Carol lost Sophia, would her daughter still be alive today if she knew what it took to survive and fend for herself?

Now that Patrick’s brutal reign of terror on cell block D is over, the group is left confused and divided among those who have been exposed to the virus and those who have not. This unknown flu separating the group could be a weakness if there were to ever be another crisis, but for now we are left to wonder if this is the same disease that killed Carl’s pig, Violet. If so, does that mean all of the pigs in the pen are infected?

And does this mean everyone eating the meat is infected as well? It sure seemed that way with Patrick, but let’s not jump to conclusions. Just to be safe, Rick got rid of the piglets by feeding them to

the zombies, but if we think about it, was it worth Maybe she was feeding the walkers to keep them the risk to keep them? alive.

This season’s first episode started with Rick The last thing that deserves a part in this in the garden weeding when he stumbled upon discussion is Rick’s executive decision to banish a gun buried in the ground. With ear phones on, Carol from the prison after she made the “right Rick started his work, the camera zoomed out and decision” to kill the sickly Karen and David to we got a look at all of the walkers clinging to the prevent further spread of the disease. She argued fence. Later in the episode, Carol mentioned that that she was just looking out for the group, but the walkers, “tend who was to say that not to spread out they were going to much anymore,” to die? Although the Daryl and called him infected seem to pookie (are these die very soon after two a thing now?). contracting the It seemed odd that virus, this may have all the walkers not been the case for were grouped up Karen and David. in one spot. Why Rick banished don’t they spread Carol not for the out? We almost good of the group, get the answer to but for the safety of that question in his own children. the second episode She could now be when it opened with considered a threat someone we cannot and can no longer PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES see feeding a rat to a be trusted. The only fence clinger. Now concern with Rick we know why they cling to one spot on the fence; making this decision could be what the rest of the they know where to go to eat! group will think of his choice. Some could say that The next question on everyone’s mind is who it was not in Rick’s power to make such a crucial is feeding the fence walkers? If you watched the decision. And Tyreese, wanting to deal with Carol second episode carefully, Mika or Lizzie drew a himself, might snap at Rick again. This could come picture of walkers on the fence and gave one a back to bite Rick in the butt. name. This far along in the season, it would not be With all of this going on, there are still many farfetched to say that one of the two girls could be questions floating around in our heads. Where is the walker feeder. the Governor? What’s up with Michonne when she This relates to the first episode when all of the holds Judith in episode two? Did she lose a child of children were outside looking and talking to the her own? And when is Rick going to shave? It’s the walkers at the fence. Carl comes out and says they zombie apocalypse, not the end of the world! are not people anymore and that they are dead, Catch The Walking Dead Sunday nights at 9:00 Lizzie disagrees and thinks they are still human. p.m. on AMC.

Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks

By Tara Stacy Editor-in-Chief

We have all heard the infamous childhood rhyme, “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.”

But in the new production of Lizzie Borden Took an Axe written by Garrett Heater, we are transported back to 19th century Massachusetts, during the time of the very real double-murder trial of Lizzie Borden.

The OHS Drama Club portrayed the story of Lizzie’s life leading to her murder trial. Heater, the show’s director, cast Stephen Mahan as Lizzie’s abusive, rich father, Andrew Borden, Gabriela Castiglia as Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother, and Rachel Leotta as Lizzie herself.

The play follows Lizzie and her sister Emma, played by Natalie Griffin, as they try to take back the land their father is going to sign over to their step-mother Abby.

Buccaneer Bulletin

PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

Cast members on top from left to right include Ryan Smith, Keelan McGreevy, Mark Forger, Stephen Mahan, Jordan Oatman, Natalie Griffin, Sarah Lamb. Cast members on bottom from left to right include Rachel Leotta, Assistant Director Megan Shafer, and Gabriela Castiglia.

Leotta shows Lizzie’s obvious hate for her step-mother in several heated debates throughout the play.

The most passionate debate of the

play involved the spunky Irish maid, Bridget, “Maggie”, Sullivan, played by Sarah Lamb.

Mahan portrays Lizzie’s

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miserly, abusive father well.

Throughout the play, we are reminded that though Andrew Borden is extremely wealthy, he chooses to force his family to live as if he is not. He compares Lizzie to her dead mother and takes her down to “the cellar” where he presumably rapes and abuses her.

All in all, the show was very well produced. In between some scenes and sets of lines there were voiceovers of transcripts of the actual court case in which Lizzie was acquitted. Sound and lighting was managed by TJ Bandla and Steve Braun, along with the OHS tech and stage crews.

Heater, assistant director Megan Shafer, and Drama Club adviser Robert Dumas put on a spectacular fall Drama Club play whose sets, actors and production took audiences back in time on a suspenseful, historical journey.

Heater and Dumas will work together again this winter for the annual OHS musical which will be the production Evita.

November 2013

Sports

14

Teams spike their way to Section III championships Girls’ volleyball team defeats Fulton in three sets for the title Opponent

Team Record: 10-8

BUCCANEER BULLETIN PHOTO

Members of the Section III Girls Volleyball Team on the top row from left to right are Reilly Patrick, Allie Henderson, Kellie Gorman, Madison Collins, Alexis Sheridan, Bella Winklestine, Clara Culeton, Erica Atkins, Marguerite Dillon, Shanell Meyers, Sarah Fitzgibbons. In front from left to right are Natasha Mezza, Carlie Stoebner, and Jessica Pfeifer

Baldwinsville Liverpool West Genesee CNS Nottingham Henninger Corcoran West Genesee Baldwinsville FM Auburn Central Square Liverpool CNS Central Square Auburn Fulton Burnt Hills

W/L L L L W W W W L L W W W L L W W W L

Boys’ volleyball team sinks Baldwinsville in three sets for the title

Opponent

W/L

Team Record: 17-3

FM Baldwinsville JD Syracuse Liverpool Central Square CNS Horseheads FM Baldwinsville JD Syracuse LWA Liverpool Central Square CNS LWA CNS Baldwinsville Bethlehem Buccaneer Bulletin

W W W W W W W W L L W W W W W W W W W L

BUCCANEER BULLETIN PHOTO

Members of the Section III Boys Volleyball Team on the top row from left to right are Ben Dufoe, Kyle Kon, Cole Shurtleff, Jason Proud, Alex Haessig, Pat Dillon, Trevor Bradshaw, Emmett O’Brien, Drazen Schrecengost, Matt Samson and Trey Clark. On the bottom from left to right are Derrick Cahill, Liam Moran, Logan Krass, Josh Carney, Zach Gillard, and Mike Edwards. The coaches in the back from left to right are Eric McCrobie, Kevin O’Connor, John Oleyourryk and Mike Shea. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

November 2013

Sports

WBUC PRIMETIME SPORTS Hard work yields great broadcasts

15

Buc Sports Flashback 5 years ago… (2008)

*Girls’ volleyball lost to CNS *Blame for the loss was put on the two underclassmen CNS students who refereed the game without pay and full knowledge of the game.

Inside the trailer, the SD card with all of the segments are cued up with the opening, followed by Have you gone to a sporting event and seen that a segment to play after the commentators introduce white WBUC Primetime Sports trailer and wondered themselves and the game. The graphics get finished what goes on inside? The students who make up the up with some last minute adjustments to the 10 years ago… (2003) Primetime Sports crew put in countless hours of work scoreboard and starting lineups are added in. A new *Oswego Lady Bucs won the section 3 both during the school day and on their own free time tape is put into the record deck. The program director soccer championship to film OHS sporting events. tells the camera people where they are for the start of *Ali Canale turned away the fifth penalty Regarding in-class work, students have a paper the game and the type of shot they will be getting. kick to hold on to the win over Liverpool. with nine tasks During the * Senior Kelly Owings played strong that need to be game, the camera defense. completed by people usually get *Scoring the penalty kick for the Bucs were the end of each rotated out after Erin Baker, Courtney Hocking, Brooke Sherman marking period. the end of every and Shannon Farden.

The tasks include quarter, set or getting stats and period. This gives 15 years ago… (1998) writing an opening them time to warm *Gymnastics team went undefeated, 9-0 in script for the up, get something dual meets led by Trisha Zappala. announcers, making to eat, and relax *They won the sectional title for the first player biographies, before they are sent time! creating segments back to their jobs. for halftime, The people who 20 years ago… (1993) and creating a are running the *The Oswego BMX Racing team consisted scoreboard graphic. graphics, the video of Mark Roy, Wayne Tice, Mike Sorendo, Dan They report to the board, and replay Doolittle, Scott Conrade, and Norm Beck. program director generally stay at *Most races were held on Sundays at Bingo to figure out what their spots for most BMX Race Track. they are doing in of the game. *Doolittle was ranked fifth in the state for preparation for the The graphics his age group (14 novice). week’s game. operator updates Under the the scoreboard and 25 years ago… (1988) supervision of changes any titles *Freshmen football loss to West Genesee technology teacher that appear on the led by these outstanding players: Brandon Mr. Jamie Sykut, screen. The video Lagoe, Shawn Caroccio and Shawn Ackley students produce board operator *The gymnastics team led by seniors Lisa the broadcasts. The changes between Lloyd, Rory Cloonan, Julie Farletti and Mary crew starts to show which camera shot Beth McAllister was having a great year. up about two hours is on during the PHOTO BY RACHAEL PURTELL before gametime recording. He also Editor’s Note: Buc Sports Flashback is WBUC Students Alex Borland, Alex Kemper, and Mike to begin set-up. tells the cameramen a monthly feature of the Buccaneer Bulletin.

Farden set up a camera before a production.

The commentators’ to adjust their shots If you have any events that you would like to booth is set-up accordingly. The see included in future Buc Sports Flashbacks with a table, chairs, two headsets, and a monitor with person on replay cues up good plays that happened please contact Tara Stacy at tstacy@oswego. a number of wires running between there and the a couple of minutes beforehand to play for the org. This month’s Buc Sports Flashback was trailer. commentators and have them analyze what happened. done by Dylan Kimball.

Three cameras are set up. The main one is high Teardown after the game is one of the best times in the bleachers at center court, and that cameraman of the night. Tearing down everything is usually a is supposed to capture wide shots of the action. They speedy process that takes about 20 or 30 minutes. The are the go-to shot. Two other cameras are usually put commentators’ table gets broken down and put into some of the game from the day before or they on the baselines or on each end of the court a couple one case. All of the cameras and tripods are placed begin planning for the next game. When they of rows deep in the bleachers. in their own respective cases. Microphones are put watch the most recent game in-class, they critique Background microphones are placed at field away. their performance. There is never a game that level. Two forms of mics are used. An unmanned Everybody’s least favorite part is winding up the goes perfectly for them. There is always room for shotgun mic is placed near the field to pick up noise reels of cords. That usually takes a good chunk of improvement. Usually when the game is being from the game and watched in class, there is stationary. Some a couple of people The students who make up the Primetime Sports crew put in are noise that is picked who are taking notes on up is the sound of the countless hours of work both during the school day and on their the game. If they do not ball being dribbled watch the game in-class, own free time to film OHS sporting events. on the court, players then they go back to their getting hit, and the normal preparations by fans’ noise. There is choosing what game they also a parabolic mic that is manned by a staff member time. It especially takes longer when a certain crew are filming next. and they follow the game. member, who shall remain nameless, puts a reel on The Primetime Sports crew records a large After wires for everything have been run back to the hood of Sykut’s Audi and proceeds to reel the number of sporting events, concerts, and community the trailer, set-up is essentially done. The only thing cord up. That did leave marks on his car. Fortunately, events throughout the school year. Almost all of them that needs to be done is have some things double Sykut was able to get the marks out by spending his are available for purchase. If one is interested in checked by the program director and/or Mr. Sykut.

Saturday working on it. Once everything is packed purchasing a game, please get in contact with Sykut All in all, set-up for everything outside of the trailer up, the crew is done for the night. by seeing him in the WBUC studio or emailing him usually takes at least an hour.

The next day in-class students either watch at jsykut2@oswego.org.

By Alex Borland Layout Editor

Buccaneer Bulletin

www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

November 2013

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Oswego High School’s Student Voice Volume 2 Number 2 November 2013

ERICA ATKINS

By Isabella Winklestine Sports Editor

Senior Erica Atkins set herself up for success throughout her volleyball career. Atkins has been playing volleyball since seventh grade where she started out as a setter.

Soon enough, Erica was spiking her way to the top and was given the opportunity to practice with the varsity team during her freshman year where her talent was needed as an outside hitter.

From that point on, Atkins started on the varsity team, earning many impressive awards such as; first team All League, All CNY section 3, and fourth team All State.

Atkins’ work ethic was not only present on the volleyball court but also shone through on the basketball court and the lacrosse field where she’s been playing varsity since freshman year.

As if her athleticism is not enough, Atkins also stands out in the classroom where she’s earned a spot in the top twenty-five all four years of high school. When asked how she manages sports and school, Atkins said, “I have to manage my time well, and some days that means losing some sleep in order to get all my work done. It’s all worth it though because I love sports.”

Atkins has worked hard to be a part of the volleyball program; she’s spent countless weekends at volleyball tournaments playing for club teams and many summer days at the volleyball gym participating in open gyms.

Fellow volleyball player Shanell Meyers said, “Erica always tells us to keep pushing and never put our heads down. She’s always giving us good advice and reminds us what our goals are. Erica is a very talented player; her hits and passing are important points in our games. Her ability to shake mistakes off is an admirable trait.”

The outside hitter is recognized for her hitting and passing ability with the second highest number of digs and kills this season. “I love getting a big kill and all of the teammates I’ve become close with,” Atkins stated.

She has been a big part of the Oswego girl’s high school volleyball program and hopes to continue into college where she hopes to become an accountant.

PHOTO BY JORDAN OATMAN

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ATHLETES OF THE MONTH KYLE COLLINS

By Isabella Winklestine Sports Editor

Kyle Collins has been playing soccer ever since he can remember. His love for soccer continued through high school where he has been on the Oswego High School varsity soccer team for three years.

Collins stated, “What I love is that there is a plethora of ways for me to improve so I always have something to work on. Also, having the opportunity to play with all of my closest friends has helped keep me going.”

Collins has won several awards such as honorable mention his junior year and first team all league his senior year.

Fellow senior soccer player Alec Crossman complimented Collins when he said, “He’s a great leader, he makes sure everyone’s on track and doing what they need to do. Kyle is also a talented player, he has good foot work and knows when and who to pass to at all times.”

Not only is Collins focused on the field, but he is also very invested in his school work as he is ranked sixth in his class.

Varsity boys’ soccer coach Tom Benjamin said, “Kyle led the team in goals and assists this year. Not only is he a talented player but he’s also a great leader and someone for the younger players to look up to.”

Collins plans on furthering his education by going to college but will decide whether or not to further his soccer career depending on where he is accepted.

Collins said what he’ll miss most about playing soccer is, “My upper 90 goal against Central Square and playing with my best friend, Leighton Smith.”

Editor’s note: “Athlete of the Month” is a regular feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin to showcase some of the top athletes here at OHS. If you know a student who you think would deserve to be an athlete of the month, contact Isabella Winklestine at IWinkles@oswego.org.