October 2006

Buccaneer Bulletin Did Your Chow Down Brain Drain Volume 10 Number 1

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

October 2006

Bulletins

Crash Rates Reduced

Limiting the hours teens can drive and the number of people riding with them, can reduce crash rates among young motorists by twenty percent, according to a study of drivers in Canada and Oregon.

Researchers with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation in Ottawa, Canada, compared accidents involving 16-year-old drivers in Oregon and Ontario in the year 2005.

Oregon restricted unsupervised nighttime driving and the number of passengers, while Ontario did not carry the prohibitions at the time.

Crashes involving injuries and deaths were 20 percent fewer among the teen drivers in Oregon, offering evidence that strong graduated drivers’ licensing prog r a m s c a n m a k e a d i ff e r e n c e .

This Summer?

By Abby Martin Reporter

--The Post-Standard

Students Invited to Attend Reading Group at Oswego Library

The Teen Reading Group at the Oswego Public Library is back for more months of Pizza and Pages.

As always the fun starts at 2 p.m.

On Saturday October 14, the reading group will talk about So B. It, by Sarah Weeks. On November 11 there will be a review of Elsewhere, by Gabriele Zevin. An interest in reading an appetite for free pizza are welcome.

--The Palladium-Times

Do Not Enter!!!!!

School officials remind students and their parents that cars are not to drop off or pick up students in the Utica St. parking lot before or after school due to the dangers it presents to pedestrians.

OverPierced Page 5

photo by abby Martin

Students in seventh period lunch enjoy good food and conversation.

Changes in the Cafeteria: Leadership and the Menu

By Fred Maxon Reporter

The Oswego City School District recently welcomed Mr. Dennis Jerome to the district as the new director of Food Service. Jerome, a food service veteran, has put changes into effect that have been the talk of the school so far this year.

These changes include a “taco hut” in the OHS cafeteria, a line continually serving pizza, and a make-your-own-salad bar. He plans on introducing soup during the winter months and hotdogs that are grilled, not boiled.

While he has received positive feedback about the changes he has made, there are minor rumblings of discontent, predominantly about the absence of some “junk” food favorites. “I think they should bring the cookies back,” said Alex Jackson, a senior. Also, the overcrowding of the cafeteria has led to uncomfortable eating conditions many students face everyday. “There are too many obnoxious kids in my lunch period,” stated junior Elizabeth Schermerhorn.

Jerome will be open to suggestions. To increase the quality of see

Meet the New OHS Teachers Pages 8, 9

Summer vacation is probably the best time of the year because of the simple fact that there is no school.

But sometimes, summer can be so much fun that we lose just about everything we learned the previous school year. From remembering the quadratic formula, to reading and being able to comprehend simple English, we all are affected by the infamous “summer slide.”

Many people agree that summer, though fun and relaxing, is often a time for “brain drain.” When the weather is beautiful and you don’t have to worry about handing your homework in on time, the last thing you find most kids doing is studying. They basically use the months of July and August to take advantage of the freedoms that they are not granted in school.

“During summer, when you finally have the chance and freedom to do whatever you want, the last thing you want to do is anything having to do with school,” said sophomore Carly King.

“There is just so much that goes on over the summer that you don’t have any time to think about school,” stated senior Ian MacDonald.

A problem that has established itself among many educators is the lack of retention among the students. “It’s very frustrating,” said OHS math teacher Mrs. Lisa Schultzkie. “We just don’t have enough time to start over again.”

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” said Mrs. Tammy Palmitesso, of the math department. “You just know that they had learned all the material before.”

Math and language classes are often

“changes” page 2

see

“knowledge” page 2

Cheerleading: Also Inside ...

• What’s Your Opinion?

Safe or Dangerous? • Clublicity Images Page 11

•

Sports

News

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Knowledge Drained During Summer Vacation continued from page

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the most difficult to get back into with each new year at the high school level because they require so many years of study. It is also important, in these areas, to remember everything taught in previous years. The summer proves to be a break that

makes remembering facts and details even harder, sometimes erasing the material from the minds of students completely.

“Over the summer, students fail to use it (Spanish) because they are not exposed to it,” said OHS Spanish teacher Ms. Jennifer Dempsey.

“Being

concluded, “The material is completely gone by the time they (the students) get back in September.”

Some teachers, like Dempsey, are understanding when it comes to returning to school. “They do tend to forget for the first couple of weeks, but most do catch on quickly and remember after a week or two of review.

I come in expecting them to struggle and since I come into school with that mind-set, I do not get too frus-

“Over the summer, students fail to use it (Spanish) because they are not exposed to it.”

Ms. Jennifer Dempsey OHS Spanish Teacher

Graphic by Fred Maxon

Cafeteria

around it and using the language is the best practice.”

“Summer vacation is like “draino,” Schultzkie

trated; I am a lot more understanding.”

Summer is a great time for many people, partly because it’s a good opportunity to relax and get away from the stresses of school. But the length of vacation and completely ignoring learning for over two months, just “drain the brain” to the extent that it makes the start of the school year that much harder.

Changes are the Talk of the School

1 certain amount in a week. He also plans to increase the food service program, and to find out what stu- the number of fruits and vegetables we eat. One dents like and don’t like, Jerome is interested in measure he has undertaken to make foods healthier creating an open forum comprised of four or five is having the pizza made with whole-grain dough. students picked by Principal Myles to give him Jerome has worked in the food service industry more information on the students’ food preferences. for twenty-seven years. He spent eleven at South Jefferson, one year Among his goals are to raise student particiteaching culinary pation in the lunch pro- “I’ve been in a lot of districts, and this arts at South Jefgram. Currently, forty one has so many respectful kids. I don’t ferson, six years in to forty-two percent of and nine in hear too much swearing or vulgarities. Pulaski the students enrolled at Central Square. He the high school are buy- I am very pleased to be here.” graduated from Jefing lunches. He would Dennis Jerome ferson Community like to raise that up to with a deOCSD Director of Food Service College about eighty percent. gree in hotel restauHe understands that rant management. many students are doubling up on classes, and do not have In his years of experience, he has learned that a lunch period. He is more than willing to figure out a kids change, and so do their eating habits. “There way for them to get a lunch while still taking the classes. is a huge balance between what kids like, what All of this year’s food offerings meet New York kids want, and what is good for them,” he said.

State requirements. Jerome constantly tracks and “I’ve been in a lot of districts, and this one has so monitors the number of allowed calories and so- many respectful kids. I don’t hear too much swearing or dium in the food he prepares, as he can’t exceed a vulgarities. I am very pleased to be here,” Jerome stated. continued from page

Buccaneer Bulletin

Physical Skills Decline During Summer Too Academics are not the only thing affected by the summer slide of skills.

Fall sports, as well as the music program, seem to experience difficulty in getting back into the swing of things after summer vacation.

According to Mr. Josh Lerch, head coach of the varsity girls’ swim program, “There are two types of athletes: the one that uses the summer as an opportunity to train at a higher intensity level than the varsity season, obviously returning in shape, and then there is the other athlete. This is the person who sits around all summer and eats, losing muscle and gaining weight.”

Depending on what the athletes choose to do, dictates what they are capable of accomplishing when they return in the fall.

“I only swim competitively until mid-July, so towards the middle of the summer I was in shape, but then when pre-season started I suddenly realized I wasn’t at the level I wanted to be at anymore,” added senior athlete Maggie Donovan.

Another thing that is affected by the summer season is the music program. Though OHS has a successful program with many talented musicians, some of the kids can’t wait to go home at the end of the year and store the instrument under the bed for the entire summer.

“When we start again in September, we just want to get the “rusties” out and remember what a stringed instrument actually looks like again,” said Orchestra Director Mrs. Cheryl Rogers. “I have to help them make up the work they should have been doing over the summer by having to review everything again.”

October 2006

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October 2006

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Advertisement Oswego High School’s Student Voice Staff: Samuel-Graeme Austin Amanda Bingham Alyscia Clohecy Zachary Coty Sarah Dehm Lauren Dimarco Catherine Divita Patrick Dougherty Colin Etherington M.Waruguru Gichane Kailyn Gray Zachary Grulich James Gunn Genevieve Hall Alyssa Holland Ashley Johnston Kevin Kearns Mallory Kelly Christina King Kathryn Lazarski Gregory Lyons Lindsay Marsh Abigail Martin Frederick Maxon Emily Mclaughlin Morgan Mcnamara Cassandra Morley Mary Mulcahey Sophia Rosenbaum Lindsay Usherwood Chelsea Waters Advisors: Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200.

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

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

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2006

Columns

PM Program Ends; Students Back to OHS On the first day of school it was obvious that the high school was more crowded than usual.

One contributing reason is the fact that the PM school program was cut, and those students are now attending regular, day-time school.

PM school was a program that was geared towards at-risk kids that didn’t do well in a regular nine-period a day school setting.

The program helped kids that Chrissy were behind get credits in hopes of King allowing them to eventually return to regular school. “I like PM school because I got to sleep later, but I like regular school because there are more girls,” commented Shane Hartman, a student who attended PM school. PM school offered classes in English, social studies, math, and technology taught by regular OHS teachers. By teaching the PM school, classes the teachers’ schedules were modified so they could come into teach later in the day, usually around second or third period. This allowed them to teach a normal teaching load, yet conclude their day at 5:30 instead of 2:30.

In theory, the PM school program was

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worthwhile. In reality, the program wasn’t so perfect. According to Mr. Peter Myles, executive principal of OHS, PM school was closed because of poor attendance. Apparently, the attendance rate for PM school on average was less than 50 percent.

According to Mr. Philip Meaney, a

there really was just no interest.”

Will this apparent lack of motivation from those students, cause problems for teachers of regular school and other more motivated students in their classes this year? Teachers may now have to step out of the box in their teaching methods to reach the of these “Teaching PM school was completely different interests students, while still than teaching regular school; I tried everything accommodating all other students. from teaching computer toolbox to robotics their Another idea to to model making and there really was just no help these students succeed would be interest.” to help students Mr. Philip Meaney get registered in a OHS Technology Teacher CTE program. This would allow them to learn a trade while technology teacher who taught PM school, another still attending school. reason that PM school didn’t work out may have Since the PM school closed, most of the been because there was a lack of enthusiasm on kids who attended the program have come back to the student’s behalf. Meaney said, “Teaching PM regular school. Myles stated, “The kids are doing school was completely different than teaching well.” However, for those who realized regular regular school; I tried everything from teaching school wasn’t for them, have chosen to enter the computer toolbox to robotics to model making and GED program instead of returning to school.

Kids Need Piercings Like a Hole in the Head!

Fashion has gone holey; first it was wearing jeans with holes in them, now it’s putting holes in your face, or putting giant holes in your ears.

Why? Apparently it’s “really wicked sweet” to have a face full of metal.

Some might say it’s the unique Ahsley thing to do, but how johnston unique is it to get your lip pierced with the other five hundred kids at OHS, or with the five-bazillion kids in the USA with a piercing or two, or three, or ten!. I know that when I want to feel original I go and find a new part of my body to put a hole in.

If piercing is a way to be a non-conformist, then is it still nonconformity if everyone is piercing?

My idea of individuality isn’t when you’re walking in a crowd with your friends that all look the same. It’s kind of like when people cut their hair to do something different, but if you cut your hair the exact same way as every other “different” girl, your

Buccaneer Bulletin

age it’s not different, any more.

Not only is the piercing craze unappealing, it has got to be painful.

To go and sit in a chair and have someone place a puncture wound in your face to make a fashion statement, is a little drastic don’t you think? You must be awfully tough to get you lip pierced eight times, or get both eyebrows done twice.

Actually when I think tough, I think of all those kids who go and get their faces pierced.

Walking by someone with facial piercing I actually find myself a little afraid; being metal faced is a little intimidating.

I wonder if with a metal face you can go through a metal detector at the airport. I know that when I go through the metal detector I have to take off all my jewelry. Maybe in airports they make exceptions to people with facial piercings, even though there is a high threat of terrorism. Good thing we aren’t like some high schools that have metal detectors at the entrances!

Not to state the obvious, but our world today is based merely on

photo Illustration by fred maxon

image and how you are perceived by everyone. Honestly, people with a face full of rings, post and rivets, don’t necessarily look like the most dependable people.

My grandma used to say, “I need that like I need another hole in my head.” Apparently gram didn’t anticipate the piecing craze.

October 2006

Editorial

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Drawing Board

Are there any negatives to the OHS cafeteria this year ?

R.J. Lowery “It’s really crowded and having all these people around me makes it hard to eat.”

Class of 2009

Joe Farella “Some lunch periods have empty seats, others are way too overcrowded” Class of 2008

Leah Folgeraight “I don’t like the cafeteria because it’s so crowded you can’t get a table to sit at with all your friends.”

Class of 2010

Mr. Phil Meaney “In the beginning of the year, they weren’t ready for the first lunch period and the students were sitting waiting for the doors to open even after the second bell.”

Buccaneer Bulletin

Faculty

cartoon by SAMuel-Graeme AUSTIN

…To the overcrowding in hallways and cafeteria. You can hardly get to your classes in the allotted four minutes when the hallways are at a near standstill. …To the blockade formed at the entrance of the cafeteria due to the food lines Not only is it almost impossible to find a seat in the cafeteria during some periods, it’s also almost impossible to get a seat because the way the lines for food form in front of the doorway. …To the unbalanced classes. It is ridiculous that in one class there may be only 15 students, and in the next there are 29. This overcrowding of classes makes it harder for students to learn because there is less attention placed on the individual. …To the loss of the school resource officer’s position. Though school is a safe place with our increased number of hall monitors and security guards, there was a greater sense of comfort last year knowing there was a police officer in school. …To the removal of some of the vending machines from the cafeteria. This makes it rough on kids who have to wait twenty minutes before they can actually get in line for lunch because there is less for them to snack on beforehand.

October 2006

Editorials

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In Our View . . .

A Solution to Cafeteria Madness

From the resignation of the former director of food services, to the appointment Mr. Dennis Jerome, and the issue of overcrowding, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the OHS cafeteria this year.

We, at The Buc Bulletin, feel that the negative aspects of overcrowding definitely outweigh the positives when it comes to these drastic changes. We understand that all change is difficult, but the overcrowding cannot be a surprise to school administration.

We know this is out of the hands of Mr. Jerome and staff, but the most frustrating thing about the lunch room this year is how crowded it is! Each period lunch is offered, there are so many kids, that spotting one of your friends is like “finding a needle in a haystack.” You can honestly get lost in there! Even worse, when you are finally done wasting half of the period in lines that seem to extend all the way to Zimbabwe, you then have to consume your lunch in the standing position! Yes, many students are forced to stand the entire period because good seats have become as rare as diamonds, especially in sixth period.

While we are still on the topic of the overcrowding, the weather is going to start getting colder and the option of enjoying your lunch outside will no longer exist. This will only make things worse!

We have to admit; the tacos this year are excellent and have become a favorite among students. But they have created a monster. The taco line annoyingly spills out into the hallway, making it difficult to enter and exit the cafeteria smoothly.

There is really not much we can do about the population problem because ethics do not allow us to perform human sacrifices to the lunch gods.

However, there is one possible solution that would make things much easier. How about an additional period? Many people would consider this ludicrous, but after some getting used to, how bad could it be?

Our middle school and elementary schools, for example, start serving lunch when we start dozing off in fourth period. Also, many high school students do not eat breakfast in the morning and often find themselves hungry well before their actual lunch period.

Do the Math: 1,700 students divided among 4 lunch periods is 425 students per period.

Divide those same 1,700 students by 5 lunch periods; it’s only 340 kids per period. For those of you who are not excelled in math, it equals a big difference.

You could also look at it this way: which makes more sense--finishing lunch 45 minutes before going home at 2:30, or beginning lunch three-and-a half hours after you arrive to school? With a fourth period lunch and service starting just after 10:00 am, we strongly believe that the issue of overcrowding would be resolved and there would also be fewer fights, less noise, enough seats, and quicker service!

Since building a second cafeteria, adding on to our current one, or the aforementioned human sacrifice are not options, the only solution to this potentially dangerous situation is to offer a fifth lunch period to alleviate the problem of overcrowding here at OHS.

There is really not much we can do about the population problem because ethics do not allow us to perform human sacrifices to the lunch gods.

…To the custodial maintenance crew for getting the school getting ready on time after the summer asbestos removal project. After all the rumors over summer that school wouldn’t get started until October, it was a relief to be in school on time. …To the new and better food in the cafeteria. No one can complain about having to buy school lunches anymore because the food is now healthier and better-tasting than ever before. …To the return of freshman sports and clubs. With the return of these activities, school spirit should be at an all-time high. …To ceilings that don’t leak. It’s nice to be able to walk down the hall on a rainy day without getting wet and having to navigate around garbage cans and wet floors to get to class. ...To Student Council students of the month for September: Maria Bellardini (nominated by Mr. Thom Caswell) and Sarah Hartley (nominated by Mr. John C. Anderson V.)

Buccaneer Bulletin

What do you like most about the OHS cafeteria this year ?

Mr. Rowlee “I like that they have choices and yet still consitency, I think that is only going to improve over the year.”

Faculty

Matt Howard “It’s a safe haven away from class and away from learning, so I like it.”

Class of 2010

Jess Mazur “I like the taco bar and how many new choices there are.”

Class of 2008

Mr. Gryzca “It seems to be calm and pretty clean compared to my previous experiences.”

Faculty

October 2006

Feature

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Welcome to the Oswego High Family Mrs. Brandi Weidman

A “sort-of newcomer” on the staff of the English Department

this year is Brandi Weidman, who worked at Niskayuna High in the past as well as a previous stint at OHS. As a graduate of SUNY Albany, Weidman believes, “The secret to happiness is not in doing what one likes to do, but in liking what one has to do.” She also loves the song “Thank You” by Natalie Merchant. Weidman teaches English 9 Honors and American Literature. She feels that Oswego High has really helped her get started this year with little difficulty.

Mrs. Stacy Barlow

New French teacher Stacy Barlow last worked not in the

classroom, but at an alteration shop at Ft. Drum. A graduate of SUNY Oswego, she enjoys bowling, cards, and photography. She teaches French 1, 2, and 9. She likes to listen to opera, classical music, and other intense compositions. She enjoys the company of her two cats. Barlow would choose “Into the Mist” by Van Morrison as her theme song, and firmly believes in the phrase “If you try it, you can do it!”

Mrs. Patricia Devendorf “Patti”

As a graduate of Oswego State, Patricia Devendorf

came to Oswego High from Hannibal, where she served as an eighth grade teacher. When asked about the change from middle school to high school, Devendorf said she was pleasantly surprised at how well it went because she expected it to be a lot more difficult.

Devendorf teaches American Literature and World Literature here, and spends her free time reading, working out, walking, and enjoying whatever good weather there is here in Oswego.

Devendorf also lives by the quote “Stand by me because I’m loyal.”

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2006

Feature

9

New Teachers Welcomed to OHS Mr. Stephen Defren

Mr. Defren was previously employed at Syracuse City

Schools as a music teacher. He describes the first couple of weeks at OHS “Like the love boat--exciting and new.” Mr. Defren is teaching Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. He also is the new Marching Band director. He says that good teachers in high school are what got him into teaching. He has a number of hobbies including music, sailing and someday he would like to take up golf.

He also has a two year old son. Mr. Defren says that his theme song would be “Sailing Away” by Jethro Tull. The quote that he lives his life by is “Pride in Excellence.”

Mrs. Kristina Mastrangelo

Before coming to OHS, Mrs. Mastrangelo taught seventh

grade English at Geneva Middle School for three years. She says that the start of the school year has gone smoothly, with no major concerns. Mrs. Mastrangelo is teaching both English 9 and 10. Mrs. Mastrangelo says, “I love to learn and I love to convey that knowledge to my students. I enjoy being with young people because it reminds me to stop and think outside the box on a regular occasion.” She, too, likes boating, and hanging out by the campfire with family and friends, and reading in the winter time.

Mr. Michael Mallet

Mr. Mallet came to OHS from Chester Academy Minisink

Valley to teach Global Studies, and Participation in Government.

His mother ran a day care center, and he always liked working with children, so he decided to continue working with them. Mr. Mallet enjoys watching car races. Mr. Mallet say that his theme song would be “Small Town” by John Mellencamp. “For a while I lived near NYC and it wasn’t the same, but now I’ve come back to live in a small town and I just enjoy it so much better than where I was before.” Mallet says the quote he lives his life by is, “Every man dies, but not every man truly lives,” from Braveheart.

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2006

News

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Clubs Start with Organizational Meetings Media Club meets in the library every Tuesday.

Pictured are Andrea Goodman, Stephanie Potchman, Amber Perry, and Mrs. Bernreuther.

Mrs. Shaver teaches the music for the upcoming musical, Les Miserables. photo by abby martin

photo by abby martin

Key Club meets every Monday in room 200.

Here, students fill out contact information.

Pictured are Joe Munk, Eddie Bristol, Eric Stein, and Mike Vivlemore participating in Science Club with Dr. Altman. The club meets every Wednesday in room 127. photo by sam austin

photo by Chrissy King

Drama Club meets on Tuesdays in the Theatre. Pictured auditioning is Beth Schermerhorn.

Meg Nyman and Jess Dickquist participate in SADD Club, which meets every Wednesday in room 137. photo by Fred Maxon

Buccaneer Bulletin

photo by abby martin

October 2006

Sports

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Is Cheerleading Too Dangerous?

Point Dave Winklebleck

There is no question that cheerleading should be officially recognized as a sport. The athletes involved in the sport work just as hard, or harder, than any sport recognized by the NYSPHSAA (New York State Public High School Athletic Association). But, before that happens, some changes in the safety have to be made.

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, from 1990 to 2002, cheerleading injuries, specifically catastrophic ones, have more than doubled. The main reason for such an incredible increase in injuries is that safety measures and equipment have not caught up to the evolution of the sport.

The cheerleaders today are doing a lot more than

Cheerleading stunts are necessary, but caution is advised.

standing around, looking pretty, and leading the crowd in some cheers. They are legitimate athletes doing very dangerous maneuvers. Other sports have realized the evolution of their sports and the athletes competing, such as football players, are far stronger and faster today. But they have also developed new equipment such as more protective helmets and shoulder pads in order to compensate for the more athletic competition.

Cheerleading has completely disregarded the fact that girls are more athletic, and doing maneuvers that have them flying through the air, with no failsafe in case their teammates don’t do their job spotting or catching. This “human error”

Cheerleaders should cheer--Not become projectiles!

Watching cheerleaders vault high up into the night sky and do twists and turns that most people can only envy, is almost always jaw dropping.

The only exception is when the cheerleader comes flying down and ends up lying on the ground, paralyzed for the rest of her young life.

Sure, it hasn’t happened yet here at Oswego High, but if it can happen to a cheerleader at Syracuse Univeristy or San Jose State, as it did last year, it undoubtedly can happen anywhere.

As my fellow columnist Dave Winklebleck noted above, cheerleading injuries nearly doubled from 1990 to 2002. That is stunning. Is it really worth risking a young girl’s life who has a promising future, in front of her, just to get a little adrenaline rush for the Oswego faithful. Since when is starting

Buccaneer Bulletin

is the primary cause of the dramatic increase of injuries to high school and college cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders shouldn’t be stopped from doing such maneuvers, but if they are going to attempt them,, there needs to be an increase in both training for coaches (to make sure they’re teaching their athletes the proper way to be doing such moves) and also some type of safety equipment into incorporated into their performances. Perhaps cables don’t need to be attached to the “flyers” or anything that drastic, but maybe the use of a gymnastics-like mat while doing such maneuvers would greatly decrease the number of injuries to cheerleaders in the coming years.

Counterpoint

chants and supporting the team not enough to get the crowd psyched up? If we absoltely need cheerleaders to risk their safety so our fans go from normal fans to fanatics, then it should be considered an insult to our teams for not being able to provide the excitement that most sports demand.

Not all cheerleading accidents result in permanent paralysis. But there are dozens of documented cases of torn ligaments, broken bones, and concussions resulting from cheerleading mishaps. In cheerleading, everytime a girl gets tossed up into the air there is a incredibly high chance that they won’t land safely in their fellow cheerleader’s arms.

Kevin Kearns

We constantly hear how young people’s lives end from drunk driving, and no matter how hard people try, that will never be completely stopped. Yet cheerleading injuries are something we have complete control over, but we fail to prevent them. How about having our teams and fellow fans around us in the stands give us an adrenaline rush rather than a young girl risking her safety by being tossed in the air like a rag doll. San Jose State has already gotten the point from a cheerleader becoming paraylzed and banned the stunts. Hopefully everyone else catches on before it’s too late!

October 2006

Buccaneer Sports Volume 10 Number 1

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

October 2006

Grant Rejected

Courtesy of northrop high school

Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana has the type of fitness equipment that OHS had hoped to put in place through a government grant.

OCSD Had High Hopes for Federal Funding

By Kevin Kearns Reporter

Frustration, anger, and the disappointment. Those age” kid to work and become fit, would appeal to but to ultimately get kids fit…” said Kasmer. three words, express the feelings of the athletic depart- the people in the U.S. Department of Education.

In anticipation of the grant, the school district ment at the news that OHS did not receive a allocated the P.E. department $50,000 in “local much-needed grant to upgrade its weight room Even though they didn’t get the grant, “It seems like everything that comes funds.”

“The fact that Fairport got the grant over the money is tentatively going to be used to buy us makes me downright mad because need- out doesn’t encourage you to move some new cardiovascular equipment for the weight wise, we should’ve gotten the grant,” said so it’s our job to motivate you to room/wellness center according to a member of Mr. Brian Parrotte, a P.E. teacher at OHS. the committee deciding what to use the money on.

Mrs. Debrah Kasmer agreed with Par- stay fit and we need this wellness “$50,000 just isn’t going to do it all,” stated Parrotte that Oswego should have been cho- center to be able to motivate you to rotte. “To get ourselves a sufficient wellness center , sen over a school like Fairport, because we are going to need somewhere around $400,000. of how wealthy that Rochester suburb is. move….”

The $50,000 is definitely a start, and it should make Mr. Brian Parrotte our weight room more female-oriented, but I think Mr. Jim Zumbo, the Athletic Director at Fairport High School, said, “We tried to base OHS PE Teacher that our community is just starting to realize that our application on motivation for lifetime fitthis is definitely something that we need. Maybe the ness, because this was our third year attemptanswer is having some big corporation, like Noving to get the grant. We have done tons of surveys with Parrotte and Kasmer both still believe that they elis, come in and say we want to be part of that….” our students to figure out what we wanted to develop will be able to achieve their original goal of getting the “It seems like everything that comes out doesn’t and we are planning to build a weight room with new Carol M. White Grant, but it’ll have to be in another encourage you to move, so it’s our job to motivate technology which would teach our kids responsibil- year. Parrotte believes that applying for a second year you to stay fit and we need this wellness center to ity and how to stay fit for the rest of their lives” in a row will help because many of the schools that re- be able to motivate you to move…” Parrotte said.

The Oswego committee which put together the apply obtain the money the second or third time around.

With a weight room that seems to become more and application for the grant decided to base the ap- “The whole goal behind this grant is not more dilapidated by the day, hopefully next Septemplication on wellness. They hoped that the idea of just to make it more male and female orient- ber our P.E. department will be deciding how to spend building a center which would motivate the “aver- ed, or to give the students more P.E. electives, several hundred thousand dollars in grant money.