October 2012

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Banning Bath Salts --Page 4

Upcoming Presidential Election --Page 3 New Teachers --Pages 8 & 9 PHOTO BY PATRICK BAER

Volume 1 Number 1 October 2012

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Editorial

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Drawing Board

Buccaneer Bulletin Oswego High School’s Student Voice Editor-in-Chief Madison Rhoades Managing Editors Chloe Martin & Taylor Falls Business Manager Taylor Falls Chief Photographer Patrick Baer Photographers Olivia Drake-Connolly Hannah Griffin Art Director Jordan Oatman Entertainment Editor Shannon Crary Ad Representatives Morgan Cook Carrie Kelly Sports Editor Alanna Maldonado Sports Writers Nick Czerow Kellie Gorman Reporters Sage Dudley Rachael Purtell Catherine Wells Jake Jones Webmaster Tara Stacy Advisers Bill Reeser Heidi 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: An unidentified student mimics the use of synthetic drugs. No real drugs were used in this photo.

Buccaneer Bulletin

cartoon by jordan oatman

. . . to senior Gordon Pan who has completed a flower garden with the assistance of his Eagle Scout troop at the main entrance of the Oswego High School. Gordon spent five months conducting research on this project, getting permission, and finding donors to make his project possible. His project to improve the school he loves was made possible by donations from Ontario Orchards and C&B Farms and Gardens. . . . to the new Buccaneer mascot that was unveiled at the Homecoming Pep Rally. The mascot looked amazing and helped bring more Buc pride and support to the stands. . . . to the Varsity Football team’s Homecoming win. After a rough season, the boys did a great job of making our school proud just in time for Homecoming.

Congrats boys! . . . to the new makeover our weight room underwent. It includes new equipment ranging from treadmills to strength and conditioning machines. . . . to the custodians for making our school shine the first month of school.

. . . to the lack of student parking available. Many students get to school 20 or more minutes early every day and still have problems procuring a spot. . . . to the Senior spirit week being destroyed. It’s a Senior tradition to have fun by dressing differently than the underclassmen. There’s no point in having spirit week if everyone just gets in trouble for it. It’s the last year for the seniors to have a little fun, why ruin it? . . . to the lack of installed printers throughout the school. Many teachers and students need to use printers throughout the day, and it’s difficult to find one they can access. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

October 2012

Editorial In Our View . . .

Get out and vote for your candidate Many people are familiar with the saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” With the 2012 election rapidly approaching, we at the Buccaneer Bulletin believe that this saying goes hand in hand with student involvement in politics. We strongly urge those students who will be eligible to vote this Election Day, November 6, to do so.

In today’s world it is more important than ever to be up to date on what is going on in the world, what problems are being presented, and who you want as your country’s representative to “fix” these problems.

Issues such as the job market, student loans, taxes, the national debt, and healthcare affect all of us, especially students who plan on going to college, have a job or are getting a job in the future. If you think taxes are too high, women’s rights are being compromised, or maybe you’re worried about how you’re going to pay for college, the time to speak up is now.

The election is not an event to be taken lightly.

Whichever candidate is elected will be making our nation’s biggest decisions for the next four years.

This is why it is so important to vote for the right candidate. As individuals, we should vote for the

candidate who is passionate about the same things we are. We shouldn’t vote for someone just because our parents support him, or our friends are voting for him. We need to think about which candidate has the people’s best interest at heart. Can he sympathize with the working class or is he the type to provide tax breaks to the rich? Will he take away personal rights women have, or will he give them more rights by extending health care benefits?

Don’t be one of those people who sits back and watches, get involved and be the catalyst for change. If you are someone who doesn’t think the current power in charge did enough to help our country, now is the time to do something about it. On the contrary, if you think they went above and beyond to benefit our country, your vote could ensure that the current executive power stays in power. We, as voters, ultimately make the decision on what we want to change in our country. Every vote counts.

If you will not be 18 on Election Day, you can still make your voice be heard! You can contact your state representatives if any of the above mentioned issues affect you.

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What’s Your Opinion?

“Who do you plan on voting for or who would you vote for in the upcoming election?”

Jake Gerber Freshman “Obama because he did good for 4 years.”

Chris Jadus Sophomore “Obama, because he has experience in being a president already.”

Registering to Vote On November 6, 2012, people across the U.S. will vote for the next president, as well as other state and local offices.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has resources for voters, including voter guides, registration information, voting accessibility, and information for military and overseas voters.

Voter Eligibility To be eligible to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen. In most states, you must be 18 years old to vote, but some states do allow 17-year-olds to vote. States also have their own residency requirements to vote. For additional information about state-specific requirements and voter eligibility, contact your state election office.

How to Register In almost all states, you can register by mail to vote using the National Mail Voter Registration Form. North Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not accept the National Mail Voter Registration Form. New Hampshire accepts it only as a request for an absentee voter mail-in registration form. If you live in one of these states, please check with your state election office to find out how to register to vote.

You may also use the National Mail Voter Registration Form to update your registration if you changed your name, to change your address, or to register with a political party.

You may be able to apply to register to vote in person at the following public facilities: •State or local voter registration and/or election offices •The department of motor vehicles •Public assistance agencies •Armed services recruitment centers •State-funded programs that serve people with disabilities •Any public facility that a state has designated as a voter registration agency In some states, you can also register online to vote. To learn if your state offers online voter registration, please contact your state election office.

Julia Capone Junior “Mitt Romney because he’s a republican and Obama believes that everyone should share wealth and give more welfare and such which will tax the middle class.”

Colleen Fraser Junior “Obama because he needs more time to prove what he can do.”

Criszer Cabanlig Senior “Obama because we will all get health insurance but higher tax payments. I don’t believe Romney is ready for this country.”

Mrs. Steiger Librarian “I’m not sure who I will vote for because I’m not pleased with either of the candidates.”

courtesy of usa.gov

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October 2012

News

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Community cracking down on synthetic drug sales

By Chloe Martin Managing Editor

The term “Bath Salts” no longer refers to those innocent little scented crystals your mother added to your tub when you were three. It is now a term to describe an incredibly dangerous synthetic drug that has swept the nation seemingly overnight.

The synthetic drug Bath Salts resemble actual legal products made for your tub and share the same name, but the similarities end there. Bath Salts are made up of various chemicals and are usually made in illicit labs. They can be injected, swallowed, snorted, or smoked. The chemicals in these drugs vary from batch to batch as they are constantly being changed to keep up with new laws that make these drugs illegal. When one chemical used to make Bath Salts is banned, a new chemical will be substituted. They are also being advertised with labels that say “not for human consumption” even though consumption is exactly what they are intended for. These factors make it difficult for law enforcement to crack down on people who sell these drugs.

White Dove, Cloud 9, Euphoria, all of these names bring up thoughts of peace and tranquility. In reality, they are alternative names for the synthetic drug we know as Bath Salts. These names are very deceiving because for many synthetic drug users, Bath Salts stir up emotions that are anything but tranquil. In a disturbing Youtube video with more than 700,000 hits titled “Bath Salts Craze Caught on Tape,” a man is seen in the back of a police car laughing maniacally then screaming as though he is being tortured. According to Webmd.com, agitation, increase in heart and blood pressure, paranoia, hallucinations, panic attacks, increased

photo by Taylor Falls

The Oswego City Police Department raided five head shops, including Heagerty’s Hotspot pictured above, as part of the state the crackdown on synthetic drugs.

tolerance for pain and chest pains are effects of bath salt use. The effects of Bath Salt use has also reportedly lead to suicide. When asked what symptoms are seen in synthetic drug related calls, Oswego Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie stated, “Encountered behaviors are consistent with effects of their use.” He went on to say, “We do take precautions due to the expected behavior of synthetic drugs to have police dispatched if it

is suspected these drugs were used.”

According to McCrobie, in Osw e g o C o u n t y, l o c a l E m e rg e n c y Medical Technicians receive calls for possible synthetic drug use weekly.

“If they are in reality that or just a report of that I cannot disclose because of privacy laws,” he explained.

Whether or not these calls are because of synthetic drug use, it is still clear that synthetic drugs are a problem

in our community. This past August, Oswego police raided five local head shops in an attempt to crack down on these drugs. In September, The Oswego County Legislature approved new laws regarding the sale and distribution of synthetic drugs.

These laws will help law enforcement enforce the ban on synthetic drugs by expanding the ban on synthetic drugs to include bath salts.

State restricts tanning for teenagers under age 17

By Taylor Falls Managing Editor

photo by Mackenzie Oatman

Buccaneer Bulletin

Having that happy, summer glow lasting through the harsh, frigid winters in New York is a goal that most teenage girls share. They reach this goal by any means possible. Despite what they hear and see about the serious effects of indoor tanning, they seem to just brush it off like it’s just a suggestion.

Now New York is cracking down, taking initiative into their own hands and making the decisions for all young teens who don’t make the wisest choices. In early July, Governor Cuomo passed legislation restricting everyone under 17 from the tanning salon, even with parent permission. “Exposure to UV radiation can be extremely harmful, particularly for younger people, and this new law will help protect teenagers from the heightened risk of skin cancer that can come from using indoor tanning devices,” Cuomo stated. This news devastated many teens under age. “I thought it wasn’t true, when I found out it was, I was so sad because I love tanning!” stated Victoria Fix, a sophomore at OHS. Teenage years are the most awkward because you’re figuring out your place in the world; you haven’t fully matured and are in between childwww.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

hood and adulthood. Making decisions wisely and efficiently to protect their future isn’t the mindset of most teens. Deciding to go indoor tanning is usually a quick decision with the thought of short-term effects in mind, and we often forget or disregard the things that could really harm our health in the long run. With this new law in place it could potentially save lives. It’s defeating the wanting to go tanning of many young teens, because they simply can’t go. “I do know it’s really dangerous, I was thinking about stopping before, and now that the law passed I have to.” Fix stated.

New York, along with California, Utah, Vermont, and a few more states that enacted this law, supported it with reasoning such that, in your young teens you aren’t educated enough in the effects of tanning. By pushing back the legal age, it gives more time for teens to learn more about it which could possibly persuade many to not go when they turn 17. “At first, I was sad, but if you look at the big picture it really doesn’t matter. God gave me my skin color for a reason, and once I turn 17 I probably will limit the times I go tanning or not go at all.” Fix also pointed out.

October 2012

Features

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‘Big Picture School’ brings new learning experience The Oswego City School District recently added a new school to the district. The Junior/ Senior High school opened in September and provides a different way to learn.

By Alanna Maldonado Sports Editor

Thousands of kids drop out of school every year. For some people, school is easy, but for others, every single day is a struggle. Not everyone learns the same way and some people just need a different environment. Working to solve this problem are The Big Picture Schools.

These schools are popping up not only across the country, but across the world, and they provide a different learning experience from typical middle schools and high schools, and now The Oswego City School District is a part of this movement.

“The Buc” or “The Junior Senior High School” is what it’s being called. Located in the portables next to the middle school, this school was created for students who thrive in a more hands-on environment. With only 40 students, this school has smaller class sizes and students work towards their goal of eventual graduation. The Junior Senior high school currently has students from 7th, 8th and 9th grades and plans to add a grade each year. The current Photo By Patrick Baer location in the portable is a small space, but they make it work. All of the rooms have multiple uses, The site of the new Buccaneer Junior/Senior High School is the portable classroom located on the but that doesn’t hinder the diligent learning pro- grounds of the Oswego Middle School. cess. In one room students read aloud from Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher, while in another room the the country. The students benefit from this system with everyday activities while getting handsstudents played a game in small groups, and in the because it’s more “hands-on”. The school has on experience that will help them in the future.

It’s clear that this school will have a great third room, the kids worked on math. The school smaller class sizes, so the relationships between students and staff are much closer.

The students impact on not only the students, but the commufollows the three words...Rigor, Relationship and work toward the five major regents needed to nity.

It’s a different approach to school and proRelevance. Rigor-for the hard work the students vides a somewhat safe put in everyday. Relahaven for students who tionship-for the small The students benefit from this system because it’s more “hands-on”.

The learn differently and classes, since they school has smaller class sizes so the relationships between students and aren’t made for the “one make it easier for the size fits all” learning students to build relastaff are much closer. experience at a regutionships not only with lar school. It’s a new their peers, but with experience for many the staff, and relevance graduate, while they take internships to help build students and hopefully as it expands, more stufor the students studying the subject they want. life skills for after they graduate.

Relevance.

They dents will get the chance to take part and get a Each of the students who attend school apchoose what they want to do.

What’s important to chance to see exactly how this school works. plied and were selected for the school. “The them, and then they go out into the community With a 92 percent graduation rate through the school is designed for people who wouldn’t fit in and do that.

This also benefits the community Big Picture Movement, this could be the change a mainstream school.” stated one of the students. because it gives volunteers for work.

They assist that the Oswego City School District needed.

There are many big picture schools throughout

Drawing Board Buccaneer Junior/Senior High School By the Numbers

Population - 40 students Principal - 1 counselor - 1 Grade Levels - 7, 8, & 9 Teachers - 3

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October 2012

Clublicity

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OHS classes are busy planning the year’s activities Senior Class The culmination of four years of hard work at OHS results in, obviously, graduation. What many underclassmen don’t realize is the impressive number of fun activities that are planned by the senior class to make the graduating students have the best year possible. Helping to make this happen is long time class advisor Mr. Mirabito, math wizard/advisor Mrs. Palmitesso, and the senior class officers; President Lauren Peel, Vice President Catherine Wells, Secretary Leah Weiss, and Treasurer Matthew Difabio. The Powderpuff game, Winter Semi-Formal, Senior Trip, 100 Days, Senior Class Night, Senior Dinner Dance, Senior Picnic, and graduation are all senior activities. Planning for this year’s events began last year during “debriefing” meetings after each activity, in which the advisors and officers discuss how the event in question can be improved for this year. Some activities are more work-intensive than others; for example, planning the senior trip involves booking flight tickets the previous June, while the trip isn’t until March. It’s also important to make sure the senior class knows what’s going on and the deadlines to sign up for events. This is done through announcements on WBUC, flyers, a Facebook page, and this year there’s also a Twitter account. There are many opportunities available to seniors at OHS, so fend off that senioritis so you can participate!

Junior Class If anyone is under a ton of pressure in September, it would be the Junior Class as they are in charge of planning spirit week, the powder-puff game, pep rally and homecoming. “A lot of planning goes into doing these events and the group leaders have been meeting almost every day after school to stay on track,” said Ms. Taishana Jackson who is co-advising with Mrs. Jennifer Smith. As elected at the end of last year, Junior Class officers are, Molly Malone as president, Madison Collins as vice president, Evan Davis as treasurer, and Hannah Fitzgerald as secretary. After homecoming, the next event that the Junior Class will take on is the Junior Variety Show. Their goal of the J.V. Show is to have a really broad variety of acts to make it like a Saturday Night Live. Even before the J.V. show happens, the Junior Class starts to plan their biggest event of all, prom. They start planning for prom in January due to the amount of work that has to be put on for it to be a success. The first prom meeting will happen almost right when the juniors get back from Christmas break. The next Junior Class meeting is to be announced.

photos by Patrick Baer

Freshman Class Many exciting events are in store for OHS thanks to this year’s freshman class.

Mrs. Nancy Richardson, who is in charge of the freshman class this year, says that students will be focusing on activities involving community service. This will benefit the students greatly as it is required for the 2016 class, as well as all proceeding classes, to have a minimum of 24 hours of community service in order to graduate.

Some fundraisers the class hopes to organize include a bottle/can drive and a Canale’s night in October, along with a Fajita Grill night in November and a Wendy’s night in December. Last year’s class officers held the first annual “ugly Christmas sweater contest” which Mrs. Richardson says she hopes to continue this year. A car wash in the spring is also a possible fundraiser, but again, nothing is set in stone quite so early in the school year. Class officers include Clare Donovan as president, Olivia Peel as vicepresident, Mariah Metcalf as treasurer and Kyra O’Gorman as secretary. The first class meeting in which all freshmen are encouraged to attend will be Wednesday, October 10th but from then on meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month.

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Sophomore Class The sophomore class has many activities and fundraisers planned for this year. They are currently focusing on the dance they’re hosting on October 26th.

Co-Presidents Allison Smith and Meredith Chesare and the rest of the members discussed the possibility of it being a glow dance and are also figuring out the location. From the 1st to 16th of November, there will be a Gertrude Hawk fundraiser, in January and February there will be a Fajita Grill night, and on April 14th a chicken BBQ. There is a need for other sophomore class members to participate and attend more meetings throughout the rest of the year. The next officer meeting will be on October 8th, and the class meeting will be on October 9th.

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October 2012

Clublicity

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OHS clubs always looking for new members National Honor Society

81 Oswego High School students participate in National Honor Society or NHS. National Honor Society is a service organization that strives for academic excellence and assists to help others with volunteer work. The second Wednesday of every month, these eighty-one students meet to discuss upcoming projects and fundraisers.

To be a part of NHS, students must submit an application, an essay and complete 20 hours of volunteer work. A ninety or higher average must be maintained to become and remain a member. Current members of this club must complete various fundraisers and projects. Some of these projects are long term and some are short term. A certain amount of hours must be completed for each of these projects.

The new advisor of National Honor Society, Mr. Stacy, said the club has many goals to achieve throughout the year. Last year’s members raised $11,000 for St. Jude’s Hospital by sending 25 letters each to family and friends requesting donations for a remarkable cause. This year, $100 will be donated to the YMCA on behalf of Mrs. Gilman, a substitute teacher who recently passed away. Members also tutor other students, help at camp or church events and raise money for charities. NHS members strive to be helpful and reliable volunteers for the Oswego community. National Honor Society is often contacted for help as they provide volunteers for those whose assistance is required.

National Honor Society follows the four pillars of leadership, character, scholarship and service. These characteristics are extraordinarily important to follow in order to achieve success. Members are expected to be strong minded and sense the importance to volunteer.

Look into National Honor Society if you’re interested in helping others and making a difference in the community!

OHS Inc.

OHS Inc. is a business course combining economics and government. It is one of the three government class choices that you have to take before you graduate, along with Traditional Economics/Participation in Government, and SUPA Economics. The difference with OHS Inc. is the way the class is taught and how participation in it goes. The students function as employees; they get options to be student managers, presidents, and CEO’s, and they also get “paid.” The teacher who runs OHS Inc., Mr. Richardson, teaches the students real life things that they will need to know, such as learning how to use the cash register, “I teach it. Demonstrate it. They do it.” OHS Inc. plans on some great things going on this year. Along with the usual bake sales and running the Buc Mart (which opens the 1st week of October, a little bit earlier this year), they plan on doing a big survey project on the school board and budget in the spring, and even put an ATM in the school this year!

WBUC

Many (if not all) of the students at OHS know Mr. Jamie Sykut one way or another. Whether you had him as a teacher or if you were in tech club with him at Oswego Middle School, Sykut is a very popular guy on campus. This year, Sykut is taking over the position of Mr. Stephan Cass as the head of the TV department in the Oswego City School District. Cass left the OHS family during the summer to pursue a job in Ithaca. TV and the WBUC cover the morning announcements with a news broadcast and also produce a Sunday broadcast (last year’s Oswego Ego). They also record and air sports games and events for the Buccaneers. All of these air on Channel 16 (Time Warner Cable). Things are going to be different this year with Sykut at the reigns. “I have high expectations for the club (TV/WBUC) this year,” says Sykut,” I am looking forward to making improvements

Buccaneer Bulletin

Photo by Taylor Falls

A student uses the new ATM located outside the OHS Buc Mart. The ATM is courtesy of OHS Inc.

on the WBUC’s already great system.” He told the Buc Bulletin that he wants to try and implement live broadcasts of sports events, and even try and experiment with high definition recording. I speak for everyone when I say that I’m excited for the upcoming TV “season.”

OHS Travel Club

Students in the OHS Travel Club have the opportunity to journey to different parts of the world every year. The advisors are Mrs. Sarah Williams and Mrs. Lisa McPherson. This year, club members will have the chance to travel to Greece and Italy. Every year, club members fundraise to prepare for their trip. In the past, students have had the opportunity to take a trip to places such as Greece, Wales, Germany, Ireland, France and Scotland. During the trips, students have been able to visit historic landmarks, theater and so much more! Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month in room 174 from 2:30 to 3:00. If traveling around the world is something you’re interested in, you should join Travel Club!

Sailing Club

Four Flying Scots set out upon the waters of Lake Ontario this summer every Monday night around 5:30. These 15 foot long sail boats were boarding members of the newly reactivated Sailing Club!

The Flying Scots comfortably sail about six people and are made for both pleasure sailing and racing.

Alison Anderson, an 8 Plus English teacher at the Oswego Middle School, was just appointed as the advisor of the club in September, so due to the new reactivation they only have a handful of members and officers have not been elected yet. Consequently, new members are welcomed and encouraged to join!

The club hopes to go out sailing on Sundays at 1:00 for the remainder of the fall, seeing as the summer is the ideal sailing season. In the winter, they plan to meet once a month to discuss any issues such as fundraising, officers, and such. www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

Interact Club

Looking to do some community service and still have fun? Interact Club is the place for you! Advised

by Mr. Shaw, the club “interacts” with the community through projects such as Blankets for Babies, writing letters to soldiers in Afghanistan, volunteering at the Salvation Army, cleaning up at Fort Ontario, and fundraising to get a water purification system for a village in a third world country. There is a yearly requirement of eight service hours to remain in the club. Helping organize projects such as these this year will be President Ariana Gilbert, Vice President Dylan Lavner, Secretary Chrissy Abare, and Treasurer Kenzie Demong. Shaw said, “I’m really excited about working with Ariana this year, she’s got some great ideas.

It promises to be a very productive and challenging school year.” We at the Buc Bulletin look forward to seeing this year’s members interact with the best of ‘em!

Environmental Club

Environmental Club, headed by Ms. Catherine Celeste, a science teacher at OMS, is not just another high school club. This is the only 7 through 12 grade club integrating many perspectives on environmental issues around Oswego. This group of students did many improvements to the high school and middle school such as planting gardens, making the colorful tops we see on the recycling bins, and cleaning both schools.

They are planning local trips this year and are planning to go to the Galapagos Islands in 2014. They have gone to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii in the past years. Environmental club started the service projects for freshmen this year.

They have made much headway on the environment in Oswego and are planning more to help our city.

Editor’s note: The following staff members contributed to this page: Jake Jones, Tara Stacy, Kellie Gorman, Sage Dudley, Jordan Oatman, Carrie Kelly, Hannah Griffin, Rachael Purtell, and Catherine Wells.

October 2012

New Teach

8 Sarah Bradstreet Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Sarah Bradstreet: Sarah Bradstreet BB: What do you teach at OHS? SB: Global 9 and 10 BB: Where did you work before OHS? SB: I subbed in North Syracuse.

BB: Where did you attend high school/college?

SB: I went to Webster-Shroeder

Jamie Sykut Buccaneer bulletin: What classes do you teach?

Jamie Sykut: I teach two sections of TV Production, Remote Broadcasting, 3D cab, and Communication Systems.

BB: Is teaching high school different from teaching middle school?

JS: It’s a lot different, I know most of you here because I taught you in the middle school, and its weird to

Andrea Poor Buccaneer Bulletin: What’s your full name?

Andrea Poor: Andrea Rochelle Poor BB: Where did you attend college?

AP: First, I went to Limestone College in South Carolina on an athletic scholarship for lacrosse, then I finished at Oswego State. I also completed my masters at Oswego State.

BB: What do you teach?

Robert Dumas Buccaneer Bulletin: How long have you been a teacher?

Robert Dumas: This is my sixth year teaching.

BB: Where were you a teacher prior to OHS? RD: I taught for five years in the Elmira City School District.

BB: Where did you go to school?

RD: I got my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the Crane School of Music and then my

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for high school, for my undergrad I went to Messiah and for my master’s degree I went to Syracuse University.

BB: What was your favorite/ least favorite subject in school?

SB: My favorite was social studies and music, my least favorite was gym class.

BB: How do you like OHS so far?

SB: I love it, everyone’s very nice and I think there’s a very good environment. All the teachers have good enthusiasm.

see all of you four years later. Last time I talked to most of you, you were a lot younger. Its tough to make the adjustment to realize you are adults now and not 12 year olds.

BB: Did you always want to be a technology teacher?

JS: I didn’t want to be a technology teacher until I was going to school for something else, and realized that a lot of the biology and science associated with my major, I couldn’t do that well.

BB: What did you want to be?

JS: A pharmacist.

AP: English 9 and English 10 BB: What inspired to you start teaching?

AP: Mrs. Schinder was my English teacher in high school and she was my inspiration. Her class was just exciting, and she had such enthusiasm that it gave me a passion for literature.

BB: Why Oswego out of all places?

AP: I’m comfortable here; I know a lot of the students and staff. I live here, I love it.

BB: Did you attend Master’s Degree in Music Education at Ithaca College.

BB: Have you always wanted to be a music teacher?

RD: Pretty much, since about ninth grade in high school.

BB: Were you apart of your high school choir?

RD: Yes, but I was originally a bass player.

BB: How are you adjusting to OHS? RD: It’s a nice building, the faculty seems really nice, and

BB: Who is someone that inspires you?

SB: My sister. She’s also a teacher and a mother of four. She’s a four year cancer survivor.

BB: Who is your favorite person in history?

SB: Queen Elizabeth I because she’s very interesting. She was queen in a time where it was a man’s world.

At the beginning of her rule she had to deal with men who didn’t think she should be there. Her being in rule was very good for her country.

BB: What was your first job?

JS: My first actual job, I was a prep cook at a party hall.

BB: What do you do outside of school? Do you have a family?

JS: I have two little girls and a wife. They take up a lot of my time.

What time I have for myself I use it on my job, it’s my new hobby.

BB: What do you like most about teaching?

JS: Seeing the results of things that get produced, and that’s why I love technology.

Oswego High School?

AP: Yes, I graduated in the class of 2004.

BB: What are your expectations for this upcoming school year?

AP: I would like to learn a lot and I would also like my students to learn a lot from me. I want to have fun and I want to try new things, as well as grow as an educator.

BB: What are your pastimes and hobbies?

AP: Family traditions are really important to me and I spend a lot of time coaching lacrosse.

the kids are very well behaved.

BB: Do you have a favorite musical?

RD: Right now my favorite musical is Once. It’s based on a movie that came out a couple years ago.

BB: How do you feel about taking on the Chamber Singers?

RD: I’m excited. We’ve already learned a few pieces this year and they sound really good.

BB: Do you have a favorite food?

RD: If I had to pick it would have to be homemade pie.

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her Feature Mary Koskowski Buccaneer Bulletin: What was your first job?

Mary Koskowski: My first job ever was a paper girl in the 5th grade. My grandpa would drive me around in his truck to deliver the paper so I didn’t even have to walk, so it was a pretty easy job BB: What do you like to do outside of school?

MK: I like to spend time with friends and family, travel when possible, and I have a newborn

Matthew Bock Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Matthew Bock: Matthew Bock BB: What college did you go to?

MB: SUNY Oswego.

BB: What do you teach at OHS? MB: Transportation, Woodworking, Engineering Design and Principles of engineering.

BB: What inspired you to become a teacher?

Heidi Whitney Buccaneer Bulletin: What do you teach?

Heidi Whitney: I teach Math BB: What is something interesting about you?

HW: I do photography.

BB: Why did you want to become a teacher?

HW: I became a teacher because I wanted to help kids,The reason I became a math teacher was

Emily Smuckler Buccaneer Bulletin: What is your full name?

Emily Smuckler: Emily Smuckler.

BB: What do you teach?

ES: Health.

BB: Where did you go to college?

ES: SUNY Cortland.

BB: What inspired you to become a teacher?

ES: My parents inspired me to be a teacher.

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9 baby so she takes up a lot of time.

BB: Do you enjoy any perks of teaching?

MK: Being able to meet different types of kids, getting to know everyone and their different personalities.

BB: What classes do you teach?

MK: Fundamentals of Algebra 1, lot of math lab AIS so I push into some classes to do that and I have several sections on my own, and then Algebra 2 Trigonometry.

BB: How long have you been teaching?

MK: About two and a half years.

BB: What made you choose math as your career?

MK: I originally went to Ithaca for Journalism after working on the Buccaneer Bulletin and WBUC, when I decided I didn’t want to do Journalism because you have to move around to advance. I decided I wanted to teach and it was between Math and Spanish.

I chose Math because it wasn’t my easiest subject. But, I liked the challenge it presented.

MB: Past teachers that I had throughout my school career.

in all my students and want them to make it to college.

BB: Why Oswego?

MB: I like the students and faculty here. Everyone here knows what they’re doing and they do it well.

BB: What are your hobbies?

MB: I’m mostly an outdoorsman, I really like skiing.

BB: Have you ever worked here before?

MB: No, I worked at OMS in 2009. I was cut after that and worked in Albany for a bit. Now I’m back, and glad to be.

BB: What are you planning on doing to involve yourself in the OHS community?

MB-: I plan to attend all of the school functions and aid in getting events filmed and aired throughout the year.

BB: What are your expectations for the year?

MB: I want to see success because when I was in school everybody hated math and I thought it was because math was boring so I decided to become a math teacher to make math more fun.

BB: Whats your favorite part of your job?

HW: My favorite part of my job is working with the students.

BB:How do you like working in the same building as your husband?

HW: I like it. It’s nice to share students and it’s nice to be able to carpool.

BB:How long have you been a teacher?

HW: This is my sisth year teaching.

BB: Where did you go to school?

HW: In high school I went to Central Square and then SUNY Oswego for college.

BB:Where did you teach prior to OHS? HW:I taught at Liverpool and North Syracuse.

BB: Why did you choose Oswego for your first real teaching job?

ES: I wanted to teach high school and I wanted to teach health and it was the only job open.

BB: What are your expectations for this upcoming school year?

ES: I’m hoping to have an impact on students I teach and to be a productive member of this community.

BB: Did you attend OHS? ES: No, I’m from Connecticut. I went to Pomperaug High School.

BB: Did being a substitute teacher influence your decision to become a full time teacher? If so why?

ES: I knew I wanted to be a teacher before subbing.

BB: What are some of your past times or hobbies?

ES: Spending time with my family, I like to travel, and attend sporting events.

BB: Do you play or coach any sports?

ES: I played and coached college gymnastics all throughout college.

October 2012

10

Walking the Plank

Gryczka takes on new responsibilities as Dean of Students

BB:What is your full name?

DG: David Gryczka

BB: Do you still teach health?

DG: No, I do not. I’m the Dean of Students and the Director of Physical Education.

BB: How did you become the Dean of Students?

DG: It’s always been my goal to get into the administration side of things and this was a great opportunity.

To me this opportunity was a great combination of things I love to do as far as the athletic side of things and to work with students who are at risk. It was a good entry level into the administration side of things and a great opportunity to work with great administrators like Mr. Hartwell, Ms. Piasecki, and Mrs. Wheeler.

BB: What exactly do you do as the Director of Physical Education?

DG: Right now it’s a lot of helping people understand what is going to be happening with the new teacher evaluations, the new assessments, trying to work on the number of failures here at the high school, and maybe revamping the physical education program to meet the needs of our students.

BB: Would you say you like being the Dean of Students more than being a health teacher?

DG: So far yeah, I really enjoyed the one-on-one aspect of teaching and being in a small group setting with 20-25 kids. This is a little bit different, it’s more of a real one-on-one type of an interaction with students, more interaction with parents. I went from a thing I loved to a thing I think I’m going to love. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks or months, I’ll say yeah, this is definitely what I want to do.

BB: What is your dream job?

DG: Sometime around college I decided that the people who had the biggest impact on me in my life seemed to be my coaches and my physical education teachers, so I knew I wanted to get into phys ed, and hopefully the athletic director side of things. So far I’m on the right path, and I’ve taken the right steps to where I hoped my career would go.

BB: How long have you been a teacher?

DG: 14 years.

BB: In a few words, how would you describe yourself?

DG: That’s a tough question. I guess I would say I’m fair, consistent, easy going, and caring. I think people that have had me in class would say that I’m somebody who is all four of those things.

Buccaneer Bulletin

photo by Olivia Drake-Connolly

BB: What hobbies do you have outside of school?

DG: I like to play golf, I like to read, I like music, and spending time with my family.

BB: If you won 10 million dollars, do you think you’d still be teaching?

DG: That’s a good question. I think at the very least I’d finish out the year.

Unfortunately, I don’t think 10 million is what it used to be, so I think I would end up having to stay and work. In all honesty though, if I have a week off, I get bored. I get to like Tuesday or Wednesday and I think my wife wants to kick me out of the house, my kids have seen enough of me. I feel like I need to be doing something.

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

DG: Certainly my iPhone or iPod, something with lots of music on it, a couple of good books and a hat. Have to protect the head.

BB: Have you always been a teacher at Oswego High School?

DG: I started teaching K-6 Phys Ed at

a school called Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville.

BB: What is your favorite sport?

DG: Football. I really enjoy watching good football.

BB: What is your favorite movie?

DG: A Few Good Men. BB: Is there anything you miss about being a health teacher?

DG: So far I miss getting up in front of the class, having conversations and hearing their side of things about topics that are important to them, and hearing how things have changed and have stayed the same. Like the problems I had when I was 16 years old are a lot of the same problems you have, the only difference is the infusion of technology.

When I was 16, instead of Facebook the “wall” was going and writing something on the bathroom stall rather than the computer screen.

BB: If you could preach one lesson to the students of OHS, what would it be?

DG: Be safe and be smart. There are a lot of pitfalls out there to navigate.

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One bad decision, ten seconds of what you might think could be fun, could turn out to be a lifetime of misery.

Sometimes when you’re 16 or 17 you think the adults are the enemy, but they know what they’re talking about.

They’ve been there, they’ve done it, and they’ve made mistakes. All they really want is not to ruin your fun but to hopefully keep you from making some of the mistakes that they have made down the line. There is no greater ally than your parents, the teaching staff, and administrators. They’re here to help you and to keep you safe.

BB: Where are you originally from?

DG: East Syracuse but I live in Fayetteville now.

BB: What was your favorite thing about high school when you were a student?

DG: Phys Ed. Editor’s note: “Walking the Plank” is a regular question-and-answer feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin. If you know a student or staff member who you would like to see walk the plank, contact Madison Rhoades at mrhoades@oswego. org This edition of “Walking the Plank” was written by Chloe Martin.

October 2012

Point Counter-Point

11

Should OHS students wear uniforms?

Yes, Oswego High School should have a uniform dress code

No, uniforms should not be a part of Oswego High School’s dress code

Business Manager

Cheif Photographer

By Gabrielle Sacco

Safe to say, most people our age cringe at the sound of somebody saying, “School uniforms.”

Although so many people are against having school uniforms, we should have them for countless reasons.

As much as we don’t want to realize it, bullying is an issue and it can be reduced by having school uniforms. Some people may not be able to afford what society sees as being ‘nice’ clothing, and because of that, they get picked on for what they wear. With uniforms, everybody would be wearing nearly the same thing so nobody could be judged on what they’re wearing. Statistics show that in schools that require school uniforms, violence has decreased dramatically. Violence decreases because students are less likely to be picked on for what they’re wearing and there’s no longer a focus on brand names.

Uniforms are also extremely affordable as well, and, in fact, will save families money. Instead of having to buy many different tops, pants and shoes, you only have to buy what the uniform requires which can cut back costs.

With uniforms comes the argument that they show no originality and that students are stripped of their creativity, but that’s not true at all.

Uniforms still leave plenty of room for originality. The common school uniform allows for three to four different colored polo shirts, two different colored pants or shorts, and skirts for the girls.

You can easily mix and match colored tops with pants, shorts, or skirts. You can still wear your hair the way you want and accessorize as well.

Having uniforms could also help students focus more on their school work and not as much on what each other is wearing. Let’s be real, we all know that as we’re sitting in class, we spend more time looking around at what other students are wearing that day than we do paying attention to what the teacher is saying. Uniforms would provide fewer distractions in the classroom.

Wearing school uniforms can help students realize that there’s more to a person than just what they’re wearing and that what a person is wearing doesn’t define who they are. With uniforms, it’ll be easier to look beyond what somebody is wearing and really notice their personality. Who somebody is shouldn’t be determined by what they’re wearing.

School uniforms could improve schools in many ways. It is clearly evident that uniforms are an extremely good idea for schools.

Buccaneer Bulletin

By Patrick Baer

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY PATRICK BAER

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When it all comes down to it, I believe that the idea of having uniforms in school is a bad one.

When I was younger, I went to a private elementary school where uniforms were a requirement. That meant wearing the same clothes everyday from first grade until sixth grade. And I’ll be the first to tell you how much I hated that; I’m sure everyone else in my school would agree. Looking down the halls, everyone just looked the same, and there was nothing you could really do to stick out.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays we were able to “dress down” if you had been a good student and earned a dress down pass.

These days were few and far between though because the teachers neglected to hand them out since uniforms were not their problem. Our selection of uniform was very scarce too. Three different colors of polo shirts for boys and girls and the choice between navy blue pants or shorts for boys and pants, jumper, or skirt for girls. It got really old really fast.

Once I reached middle school, I also never really had that many clothes which meant I had to go out and buy some because all I had were uniforms that I definitely was not going to wear.

My eyes were suddenly opened to fashion and I found that the way you dress is really a way to express yourself and separate you from your peers. I noticed all sorts of different styles and types of people just based on what they were wearing.

Whether it was a girl wearing all the new clothes from American Eagle or a boy rocking his favorite band’s t-shirt.

It really showed that what you wear can say a lot about who you are and what you like. People, especially teenagers, feel the need to express themselves and are looking for attention, so fashion is just one of those outlets. So why take it away? A lot of people look forward to wearing a new jacket they just bought at the mall or putting on a comfy pair of sweats because they had a long weekend. And remember, uniforms are not flattering to all body types, and that could leave people feeling insecure about themselves. It’s hard for people that have irregular body shapes to feel good about what they’re wearing, so why force a style on them and just expect them to be okay with it?

When I think about going back to the idea of wearing uniforms, it makes me think how lucky we are to be able to wear what we want, following the dress code of course but, nonetheless, it just backs up my idea that uniforms in school are a bad idea.

October 2012

Columns

12

My parents always make me late for everything

By Rachael Purtell

Reporter

Have you ever burst through the gym doors at Leighton, red-faced and sweating in the middle of winter before basketball practice even started? Next, your coach shoots you an evil glare that scares you so much you expect to be riding the pine for the rest of the season. Then you have to run five suicides (one for every minute you’re late) and your teammates join you. You know they run with you because, “they support you” and, “we’re a team” but in reality everyone feels like they’re obligated and are secretly angry with you for the extra sprints. As practice progresses, your worry continues to throw you off. You start missing layups, throwing the ball out of bounds, and dribbling off your feet. The worst part is, you weren’t the one that was really running late!

Your mom just HAD to finish folding that last load of laundry before she took you to practice! Then, after helping her fold them all and you finally get her butt out the door, she realizes that she left her keys in the house! Naturally, when she returns to the house to retrieve them, your little sister loses a tooth which needs to be praised for about ten minutes before you leave. When your mother finally

PHOTO BY TAYLOR FALLS

starts the car, you glance at your phone and groan in frustration when you discover that practice was about to begin in two minutes and you hadn’t even left the house yet.

For many kids under the age of sixteen this is a very common stressor. We’re too young to drive

ourselves, so we have to rely on our parents to fit a ten minute drive into their busy schedules. We understand that being a parent is a tough, fulltime job, but we value our own time as well! As teenagers, we’re expected to act like adults, but yet we’re still treated like children. We want to be

responsible and prove that we are mature, but this becomes difficult when our parents fail to respect the fact that our time is important to us.

This lack of realization often leads to arguments and we typically don’t have the patience to keep ourselves from getting frustrated. Then, we tend to say things we regret that get us in trouble when we’re upset which earns us even less respect than we had before.

However, our generation is typically so concerned about the little things that we often have trouble seeing the big picture. We haven’t reached the stage in our lives yet where we really have to learn how to prioritize. We think we’re there but in reality, when we take a look at our parents compared to them we really don’t have that much to worry about! Maybe in their minds being five minutes late to practice one time or not arriving to school at exactly 7:18 every morning isn’t the end of the world. Oh well, I guess we’ll all solve these mind-baffling mysteries of life when it’s our opportunity to live through them… But for now, I’m still a kid and I still can’t wait until I get a license so all I’ll have to worry about is getting my own butt out the door!

Procrastination is the name of the game for many

By Jordan Oatman Art Director

After a long day at school, you get home and open your planner to see you have a math assignment due tomorrow, an English essay due in a week, one science lab, a foreign language project, and several other worksheets of homework for every other class you’re in.

Almost all of it is due tomorrow. You sit down, ready to work…but then your computer calls to you. Facebook beckons, and it asks you to spend several minutes scrolling through everyone’s lives. And now that you’re on Facebook, you might as well see what’s going on in the world of Twitter and Tumblr. And as everyone knows, you can spend hours upon hours on Tumblr. So maybe you’re not a fan of the Internet, but there’s definitely something better to do than your homework, right? Video games, reading, watching TV. Anything you can do to fill up time and avoid your school work.

Procrastination, it’s something we all do. No one likes doing things they don’t want to do, so we just push them away until we can’t push them anymore. Why do homework or

Buccaneer Bulletin

clean our rooms when we can just go do something fun, right? We’ll have time to do it later, so why do it now? Actually, there are probably plenty of reasons to do it now instead of later. One of them is time management. If you push your homework off until later that night, chances are you’re going to be up all night getting it done.

No one likes staying up

until 11 or midnight doing homework, and then having to wake up at six the next morning. Not only will you be crabby, but you might not have even finished your homework by the time you’re too tired to function either.

That means you’re cramming during study hall www.buccaneerbulletin.wordpress.com

or lunch, rushing to do work you have to hand in next period. This makes work sloppy, rushed, and probably not your best quality. Say goodbye to your good grades.

Another bad side effect of procrastination is stress. For those sorts of people who play a sport every day after school, who have to work, who take all honors classes and have homework in every one every night, procrastination isn’t an option. There’s too much in your daily schedule that you end up feeling severely overwhelmed and start stressing out. Not only will you end up stressing out, your stress will carry over to the people around you, like your parents and your friends. It can turn into affecting health too.

It’s something we all do, though. And sometimes we do it unintentionally.

As much as putting things off seems like a good idea at the moment, they will eventually catch up to you.

So go home, and start that one project you think you’ll have a life time to finish before you have to hand it in. You’ll be thankful in the long run. Although… you could always start it tomorrow.

PHOTO ILLUSTARTION BY MADISON RHOADES

October 2012

Artist of the Month

13

OHS Junior Nina Alcasid displays many talents

By Taylor Falls Managing Editor

When OHS is considered a “school of excellence,” they must be referring to the poster child for excellence, Nina Patricia Alcasid. From piles of homework to hours of swim practice, Nina knows how to withstand immense amounts of pressure and stress.

Beginning a day in Nina’s life starts out with the occasional swim practice before school, then she goes to school, after school comes more swim practice, followed by marching band practice, then finally around nine at night she starts her homework.

Some nights, she admits, “I get about three hours of sleep,” That is an impressive schedule for a 15-yearold!

“I got started playing the piano because my mom used to play, and I loved hearing her play,” Nina Alcasid OHS Junior

Music is what gets her through her day. During the day, she looks forward to her jazz band and wind ensemble classes and loves being there. She plays the oboe, piano, guitar, and the ukulele. Though, her real passion lies within the piano. “I got started playing the piano because my mom used to play, and I loved hearing her play,” Nina stated. She works the hardest at progressing to become better on the piano, more than on any other instrument. She pencils in at least an hour everyday devoted to the piano. “I don’t notice I’m practicing because it’s just fun to me,” Nina commented.

For being only a junior in high school, Nina’s transcript is already filled with A’s in almost all advanced classes. “ I tried to do all honors classes every year,”stated Nina. She really knows how to manage time wisely; she gets her stuff done quickly but efficiently.

Besides her talents as a swimmer and musician, she’s got a great deal of artistic talent as well. “I used to paint and draw a lot,” she stated. As time went on, it got harder to manage all of her talents.

Sticking with music and swimming, she put art on the back burner. She isn’t as passionate about it as she is with her music. Though she loves what she does, sometimes she thinks of how her life could

Buccaneer Bulletin

Photos By Patrick Baer

Multi-talented OHS junior Nina Alcasid plays a variety of different musical instruments one being the clarinet which she is shown posing with above. Below Alcasid plays the piano (right) and swims (left)

be different if she picked up other hobbies. “I always look at gymnastics people or soccer people and think, I wish I could do those things!” she admitted.

Nina’s goal in life is to work in the medical field, although she’s not quite sure which direction

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to take. Leaning towards being a surgeon, she can’t decide what kind. She’s not terribly worried about it now; she figures she’ll learn what she’s best at in college. What the future holds for Nina is unknown, but we can expect nothing but the best.

October 2012

Feature

14

Tablets are changing the way students read

By Gabrielle Sacco

Business Manager Kindles, Nooks and iPads in the classroom? You’ve got that right. It seems as if we’ve been fantasizing about the idea for many years now, but it could soon become a reality.

Using these electronics in the classroom, could advance our ways of learning greatly and open up endless opportunities in the world of education. IPads, weighing only 1.6 pounds would seemingly be the most practical.

IPads, in particular, have a 10 hour battery life, way longer than the average school day, which means students wouldn’t have to constantly recharge it during the day. They could be put onto a charger every night to be ready for the next school day.

These devices are also more efficient.

For instance, you’d only have to pass them out, turn them on with the click of a button, and students would be ready to start their work. With computers, you have to wait for them to turn on, boot up, and then log on which is often time consuming.

One major plus in having these devices in the classroom is e-textbooks. No more flipping through page after page of an actual paper-filled textbook. Now with e-books, students would be pressing a button to flip through the pages of your e-textbook. This would cut down the production of printed textbooks, also saving millions of trees. It’s a win-win situation.

Not only could students access just textbooks electronically on the device,

but also worksheets, tests, quizzes and everything else they’d need as well.

The teacher would just simply send work through an email, you download it, complete it right on the device itself and email it back. There would be no more fussing with printing hundreds of worksheets for students and it yet again cuts down on paper costs and trees being used.

The touch screen technology makes the devices easy to use for people of all ages, and the innovative software is constantly being updated to be even more user friendly than it already is.

In the day and age we now live in, we grow up around constantly changing technology. Having these devices in the classroom would keep schools up-to-date with technology and help students as well as staff have the chance to interact with the latest technology on a day-to-day basis.

Nooks and Kindles seem to be a big hit in school libraries as well.

Oswego High School librarian, Miss.

Gina Iorio says, “I think it’s a great idea. It allows students to become familiar with the technology and more schools should have them. I love books, but we’re going to see more books on the devices. I have been issued an iPad by the school and I think we’re going to start seeing more of them in schools soon,” Iorio said. The high school currently has a set of 30 iPads.

Our own Oswego High School library currently has six Nooks that can be used by the students. Copies of a

photo by patrick baer

Sydney Mangano and Jesse Strasburg are shown above holding two kinds of tablet.

single book can be found on each of the six Nooks and each Nook has copies of many books. A benefit of having Nooks in the library is that now, instead of one student checking out a book to read, six students can now ‘check out’ that same book and read it all at the same time.

It’s easy to see that everyone, as

well as the environment, can benefit from having such devices in our learning environment. It’s possible that soon the use of paper worksheets and textbooks will indeed be outdated.

We ’ r e g r o w i n g i n t e l l e c t u ally just as fast as technology is, so why not just grow with it?

Foreign exchange students enjoy Oswego community

By Madison Rhoades Editor-in-Chief

During the 2007-08 school year OHS hosted 20 foreign exchange students. German native Doris Skiba was featured on the front cover of the December 2007 Buccaneer Bulletin.

Buccaneer Bulletin

Cześć! Hallo! Hoy! At OHS, we participate in the foreign exchange program where students from other countries come to America to experience a new way of life. Not only is it a great experience for the students who come to America, but also for the families who host them.

While in America, the exchange students need somewhere to stay, so they are assigned a host family. Anyone can host a student, big families, single parents, or empty nesters. Families just have to be over twenty-six years old and, of course, fill out an application. After one applies, there is a background check for everyone in the house over the age of seventeen and three references are contacted to make sure the family is right for the job. Many local families have hosted or are currently hosting students. The local coordinator for the program, Linda Germain, has been hosting at least one student a year since she started over ten years ago.

The students are generally fifteen or sixteen years old and come from over 60 different countries. Typically they stay for ten months. Host families are expected to provide a room to sleep that may be shared with another child, provide three meals a day, transportation, and most importantly treat the student as part of the family, acting as a parent.

When these students leave America, they usually have a new outlook on life. They experience an entirely different way of life while they’re here, speaking a different language and living in a new culture. Imagine going to a new country where you don’t know anyone. These students have to make a big adjustment. Coming to America helps them grow as an individual and find themselves. “They come as children and leave as young adults,” said Germain.

Do you have an empty room at your house? Take a chance and fill out an application. You never know what might happen. You can help a kid experience a new way of life and they’ll probably end up teaching you a few things too.

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October 2012

Columns

15

Whatever happened to old traditions at OHS?

By Madison Rhoades

Editor-in-Chief

Do your parents ever talk to you about how high school was “back in the day” when they attended OHS? Do you usually have no idea what they’re talking about? There are quite a few traditions that have gone by the wayside.

Has mom or dad ever told you about their experience at the MORP? The MORP was the dance that was usually the last dance before Prom. (MORP is the word prom, backwards.) There were three rules to the dance: girls must ask the boy; it was a dressdown event, and those who attended had to vote for the MORP King. Back in ’88 Darren Crovitz was crowned the MORP King and accepted the prizes of a toilet plunger, pineapple, and a crown from Burger King. According to the ’88 Paradox, Crovitz was said to be everyone’s favorite “party animal.” Often MORP was given a theme. In ’92, the theme was “Under the Sea,” inspired by The Little Mermaid.

Then in ’94 it was a disco theme, followed by a Hawaiian theme in ’95.

Back in the day, OHS also had Roman Slave Day. It was a yearly fundraiser held by the National Honor Society, where the members were auctioned off and bought by other students to be their “slaves.” The slaves had to do almost everything their “master” told them to do. Most slaves were just made to wear funny outfits but in ’91 Mark Hinrichs had some fun with his slaves. Hinrichs purchased eight slaves and they were all given a toga and name tag with a Roman persona. While half of the slaves carried Hinrichs around on a chair with two poles, the other half had to wave him with olive branches and carry his books.

That same year Megan Morley was slave to Anders Dalmen. Not only was Morley kept on a leash, but she had to wear band-aids on her face and if asked why she was required to answer, “Anders beat me.”

It’s obvious that students had fun with this fundraiser in an era before political correctness ruled while also raising quite a bit of money. Mr. Warren Shaw who has been a teacher at OHS for years remembers this event and said, “It was a lot of fun; they should bring it back.”

Do you ever think your teachers have a really easy job and you could do it without a problem? Students used to have the opportunity to try out being a teacher on Teacher Turnabout Day. Select seniors had to understand the subject they were teaching, come up with a lesson plan and meet with the teacher to make sure they were ready for their day as a teacher. In ’99 Mr. James McCaul had two students turn-a-bout with him. To make the day even more interesting the three wore matching outfits including McCaul’s trademark coach’s shorts. Thinking back on the day he participated in Teacher Turn-a-bout, alumnus Victor Martin said, “It was awesome. I switched with the assistant principal, it was a riot.” Martin later went on to a career in school administration.

Just this year OHS lost two more traditions. Battle of the Bands, sponsored annually by yearbook, is usually held every year in mid March. This year it was cancelled due to lack of interest. At first the battle had eight bands performing, then, as time went on, bands continued to drop out until a few days before the scheduled event, there were only a couple of bands. The cancellation of the battle was unfortunate, but Mr. Chris Mangano, yearbook adviser, said, “We’ll try again next year.” Also cancelled this year, was Winter Sportsfest.

Over the years there had been a decline in participation.

Last year, there were only enough people signed up for dodgeball and the other three sports were cancelled.

Because of this, the student council decided not to sponsor the event.

Buccaneer Bulletin

courtesy of ohs paradox

Former OHS social studies teacher (currently OHS Principal) Mr. Brian Hartwell’s classes were taught by then OHS senior Joe Maurice

courtesy of ohs paradox

Physical education teacher and coach Mr. James McCaul had two students turn-a-bout with him in 1999.

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October 2012

Buccaneer Bulletin Sports Volume 1 Number 1

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

October 2012

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH BRENNA RILEY Sophomore, Brenna Riley, has been making a splash in the pool since she was six years old. She swims all year round, except for during basketball season. Riley is currently ranked number one in the section in the 500 yard freestyle.

Riley’s favorite race is the 500 yard, and just last year at sectionals she took twelve seconds off her time. She loves being in the pool with her friends and her team is very supportive . “It’s an amazing moment after a race when you finish and you see your time,” she said.

Also, she enjoys swimming for her coach, Joshua Lerch. “Brenna is able to pour that finishing speed on earlier than most and that is a key to her success,” said Lerch. He’s been her coach for the past eight years. “He’s dedicated to swimming and he motivates me through everything,” said Riley.

Although she is very dedicated to swim, during the winter season she plays on the basketball team, but over the summer, she balances both sports by participating in summer leagues.

This season she hopes to make states in the 500 and possibly the 200. However, after this season she still has two more years of swimming at OHS, and only time will tell how much more she can improve.

Riley also hopes to continue swimming after high school in college.” She always gives me 100% of whatever she has that day, sick or healthy, and that is why she is so successful and such a pleasure to coach,” said Lerch.

PHOTO BY PATRICK BAER

By Madison Rhoades Editor-in-Chief

TREVOR MARTIN This year senior Trevor Martin is playing his last football season at OHS. He has been making his way down the field since he was eight years old. He currently plays as a middle linebacker and tight end on varsity.

Martin has been playing at the varsity level since he was a sophomore. He loves the game and plans on continuing to play in college but is undecided on where. He’s played many games as a Buccaneer but his favorite was a game against Liverpool his freshman year. “We tied and it was a lot of fun,” he said. Martin is definitely a leader on the field. His favorite football player is Ray Lewis from the Baltimore Ravens, and he thinks they play the same way.

The football team hasn’t had a great reputation for a few years, but this year changing that is new Athletic Director and varsity football coach, Mr. Michael Conners. “Trevor is our most physical player,” s a i d Conners, “ H e leads the team by example, and the teams believes in him.”

The football team had a rough start, but they plan on finishing strong.

“We have all the talent, we just need to put it together on the field,” said Martin. He is very sad about this being his last year playing as a Buccaneer. He will especially miss playing with all of his friends, “We’ve kind of become a family,” said Martin.

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 Alana Maldonado at amaldona@ oswego.org.