October 2007

BuccaneerBulletin Volume 11 Number 1 October 2007

Bulletins OHS Marching Band Students Ranked With The Best in the Nation Eight Central New York marching band members are among the best marching band musicians in the country and will find themselves on national television this winter.

Three students from Oswego High School and five from West Genesee High School were selected for the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, a collection of the nation’s 91 best high school marching musicians.

They will participate in a week of festivities in celebration of the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school football game, to be played in January at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The Oswego students are Heather Buske and Amanda Donovan, both clarinet; and Adam Dristle, tuba.

--The Post-Standard

What’s in a Name?

John F. Kennedy is out, Owl Creek is in when it comes to naming new school buildings across America according a study by education expert Jay Greene.

Naming schools after elements of nature is on the rise in the U.S. while naming schools after presidents or historical local or national figures is declining. Greene sated, “In Florida, schools named after manatees outnumber schools named for George Washington by 11 to 5. In Arizona, new schools are fifty times more likely to be named for mesas or cacti than for a U.S. president.”

Many boards of education don’t want to name facilities after people out of fear of controversy. Greene asks, “If we’re afraid to name schools after presidents, what does that say about the state of our nation?”

--Parade Magazine

Rachel’s Challenge Impacts OHS Page 4

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Turf war

More Top Students Choose State Universities

By Waruguru Gichane Contributing Writer

Photo by Kevin Kearns

The natural grass turf on Joe Wilber Field requires costly maintenance.

Is it Time for Artificial Turf at Joe Wilber Field?

By Kevin Kearns Reporter

High school athletic programs are typically based on two things, the success of the program in general, and the quality of its facilities. Being located in Central New York, many schools find it very difficult to maintain a natural grass stadium, which houses a variety of different events such as football, soccer, and lacrosse games. As the price of synthetic turf fields drops, many schools are beginning to replace their natural grass fields with turf in hopes of a better quality field which is cheaper than maintaining natural grass. Despite this, Oswego seems to favor staying with natural grass over synthetic turf.

In the past, a turf field was looked

upon as a rarity or a luxury which may have given a home team a competitive advantage. However, with 17 out of 104 Section III schools (including Nottingham, Camden, Central Square, Cicero-North Syracuse, Chittenango, Corcoran, Henninger, Homer, Liverpool, Marcellus, Rome Free Academy, Sauquoit Valley, Solvay, Utica Proctor, Watertown, Waterville, and West Genesee) having turf is now the rule, not the exception. “I used to view our turf as somewhat of a home field advantage,” said Liverpool Athletic Director Mark Potter. “However, as more and more schools have been installing turf fields, that advantage is quickly disappearing because schools want to be as competitive as possible, so the playing see

Senior Officers Walk the Plank Page 8

“artificial” page 2

Noun is our Teacher of the Month Page 11

About a decade ago, state universities used to cater primarily to the average student. Their standards were lower than those of most private colleges, and admission was almost always guaranteed. However, with tuition costs at private colleges soaring to previously-unimaginable heights, many top students are opting to go to state universities instead of private universities.

The rise in admission standards at state universities has come about due to several growing trends, the most prominent of which is the cost of education. Mr. Jonathan Glater of the New York Times wrote, “Tuition and room and board at private four-year colleges now add up to more than $30,000 a year on average, and rose by 81 percent, more than double the inflation rate, between 1993 and 2004.” Although private schools do offer financial aid packages, most lowincome and middle class families are unable to foot the bill. Many students graduate from private colleges with thousands to pay off in student loans.

Ms. Jenny Russel, a 2004 graduate of the University of Redlands, stated in a New York Times article, “Even with money from scholarships and other financial aid, I graduated with about $50,000 of debt to accompany my major in creative writing.” Although she enjoyed the small, private, liberal arts school, she just didn’t believe her debt was worth it.

Cost is not the only factor that is driving students to public colleges.

The caliber of education at public universities is steadily on the rise. Colin Lea, a 2007 graduate of Oswego High see

“state” page 2

Also Inside ...

lCode of Conduct is Debated lA Modern Lord of the Flies?

2

News

Schools Throughout CNY Have Turf Fields ing the turf to outside organizations.

Witmer who also plays lacrosse for Gryzca believes that a huge key field really has begun to equalize.”

Aside from the durability of turf, the Bucs added, “Every year we are be- to success is getting more kids to go Although it seems to be a very a turf field also helps school’s athletic hind all the other teams because of how out for football at OHS, and in order popular trend for schools to install teams maintain a competitive balance. long we are stuck in a gym, and it takes to do that, our facilities need a lot of a turf field, Oswego appears to have “Soccer is a completely different game a lot to make up for that disadvantage.” work. “I would say that a turf field no intent to do so in the near future. on turf. The ball moves a lot faster and Another major benefit to having a would convince more kids to come out “Financially, our school district can- the bounces are a lot more predict- turf field is that it typically will reduce and play, but at the same time, all our not afford to invest a couple million able, which has a huge impact on how injuries when sports are played on it. facilities need a lot of work to create dollars into a turf field when we have the game is played,” said Oswego Grass, which gets torn apart easily, a better athletically-competitive envibuildings which need a lot of work High School ronment; I mean so students and faculty can be safe, senior soccer look at the locker warm, and dry during the school player Brian rooms we have year,” said Oswego Assistant Super- Witmer. “It’s to use, they are intendent for Business Pete Colucci. pretty simple, embarrassing.”

Though costly, there is some whenever we Dates also besavings in a turf field. “You don’t have a game lieves that in order have nearly as much work that goes o n t u r f , w e to raise the quality into the field, as you would with a lose, and that’s of Oswego sports, natural grass field, you don’t have to because since the budget needs paint new lines, the field is already we can’t practo start focusing level…so there is not nearly the amount tice on turf we on improving the of everyday maintenance work that aren’t prepared current athletic has to go into it, which helps recu- to play on it.” facilities. “The perate the initial cost,” commented Soccer is bottom line is that former Athletic Director Brad Dates not the only Oswego does not Courtesy of www.maps.live.com value extracuron the financial aspect of a turf field. game which is Aside from the lower maintenance affected by our An aerial view shows the turf field at Michael Bragman Stadium, home of ricular activities, cost many schools find turf fields school’s lack the Northstars on the campus of Cicero North-Syracuse High School. look around, a cheaper due to the fact that it can ac- of an artificial lot of the facilitually create revenue for the school. turf. Spring sports start in Section III causes many types of ankle sprains and, ties here are pathetic,” said Dates.

Many organizations are willing to pay typically in the beginning of March, at times, players have been injured by Colucci agrees that many of the for time on the field. “We rent out our and as anyone who lives in Central falling on rocks. “A turf field is definite- facilities here need a lot of work, and turf field to many organizations outside New York knows, rarely is the snow ly a safer option to play on,” said Oswe- that’s one of the obstacles to getting of our school; such as Section III to use gone at that point. This causes the go’s head football coach David Gryzca. turf. “Let’s say you play baseball and for sectional championships and sev- athletic fields to be unplayable and Many critics of Oswego’s sports your field is in pretty rough shape. eral lacrosse and soccer teams will rent forces the lacrosse team to practice in programs say that some of the lack- While, if we decide to install turf the field from us every year which does a gym, for sometimes several weeks. luster seasons in prominent sports like that would mean we would have less generate a decent source of revenue for “It is a huge problem in the spring football are a result of some of the money to spend on the other fields school district,” said Liverpool’s Potter. that we don’t have a synthetic turf,” more athletically-talented students not and how does the baseball player feel “There are playing. This raises the while his field is falling apart and the some schools question would a state- football program is getting to play in which have done “...playing in a turf stadium gives an athlete of-the-art facility with turf a brand new stadium,” Colucci stated. a really good job a kind of euphoric high. It almost makes help solve this problem?

Colucci did not completely rule of putting their them feel like they are playing at a higher The addition of turf sta- out a turf field, however he said the field out there diums in schools across only way Oswego would be able to and using it as a level, so I definitely think that turf plays the section has seemed afford the financial cost would be if serious revenue a large factor in many of our athletes’ to raise interest in sports a company decided to act as a spongenerator, howlike football and soccer. sor and built the field, then gave it ever there is no decision whether or not to play.”

“I certainly would hope to the district, with Oswego having Mark Potter that the field has little-to- the knowledge that they would be in guarantee that there will always Liverpool Athletic Director no impact on an athlete’s charge of the cost of maintenance. be a market for decision to play,” said In the end, it appears as if a synpeople who want Potter, “but I don’t think thetic surface taking the place of to use the field, so if we ever got to said Dates. “In the spring, if you have that’s always the case. Playing in a the natural grass at Joe Wilber Field the point of proposing a turf field to synthetic turf, you can clear the field turf stadium gives an athlete a kind of in the near future is very unlikely. the taxpayers, we would want the off and you’re set and ready to go. So euphoric high. It almost makes them However, if the time comes that Osschool district to be able to finance while most Section III lacrosse teams feel like they are playing at a higher wego decides to implement a turf the turf without having to rely on an are outside practicing in game-like level, so I definitely think that turf plays field, it appears as if the proposal outside source of revenue,” commented conditions, our team is stuck practic- a large factor in many of our athletes’ would have a great deal of support.

Colucci on the prospects of rent- ing for an outdoor, game indoors.” decisions whether or not to play.”

Continued from page 1

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2007

Columns

3

Overscheduled Kids Feel the Stress Katie DiVita Columnist

So it’s just another regular day of school. You’re taking a few minutes to sit down and read before you’re interrupted by the bell that dictates your life on weekdays from 7:30 to 2:30. As you follow your schedule to the next high level-class, you try to plan your afterschool strategy for being in three places at once and getting to your sports practice, club meeting, or music lesson on time. Sound familiar? Then you probably fit the profile of the overscheduled high school student.

Overemphasis on achievement is fostering an epidemic of overstressed students shuffling from one extracurricular activity to the next. With more sports, clubs, and organizations offered to students than ever, students are committing more and more of their free time to participating in them. This, of course, isn’t a bad thing. Involvement is healthy in moderation and essential to experiencing all aspects of life. But where is the breaking point? How much is too much?

For many students, the principal motivation behind pushing themselves to their limits is to ultimately be accepted into a prestigious university. Most hope to pair their good grades with exceptional school participation and community service to impress admissions representatives. Mrs. Lisa Roman, an OHS counselor, said, “Pressures

activities as children learned to imitate a similar can come from various sources. Some students put a lot of pressure on themselves, while others lifestyle as young adults. In fact, many students perceive pressures from parents, peers, etc.” This go on to create a corresponding stressful way of sometimes results in unbelievably jam-packed life for themselves in college. Boredom becomes schedules and overwhelming amounts of physical a predominantly foreign occurrence and often and mental exertion. Students may become students aren’t content with having spare time to essentially pressed for time and be forced to make relax. They simply don’t know how to not be busy. difficult choices. When they spread themselves too Between all the stress and rushing between thin, they ultimately may disappoint at least one activities, it’s important that students continue person who is depending to enjoy their many on them. Ryan King, It It should never get to the point involvements. an OHS student who should never get to the that an activity becomes a point that an activity is involved in several clubs and extracurricular a monotonous monotonous chore as opposed becomes activities, said, “It chore as opposed to an to an outlet for expression and outlet for expression sometimes gets a little overwhelming and and creativity. creativity. stressful trying not to let Students should take anyone down.” Students advantage of the are often compelled many opportunities to forfeit their best efforts in certain activities their school and community have to offer without in order to attempt to please everyone and still overbooking and overstressing themselves. remain comparatively balanced individuals. With However, drastically adjusting to the opposite end so many teachers and coaches demanding such a of the spectrum to the point of “senioritis” is not the high performance level and time commitment, it’s solution. Leading a lazy, uninvolved lifestyle is an incredibly difficult to excel in every engagement equally hazardous alternative. Roman said, “Every simultaneously. student has a ‘happy medium.’ These are the years How did these overwhelmed, hyper-active that are important for students to experiment to see students become this way? According to studies where that balance lies.” Essentially, students should conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, involve themselves in extracurricular activities to students’ overscheduling tendencies might be the extent of their comfort and abilities, while still accredited to their exceedingly-busy childhoods. ensuring that they are able to fully enjoy every Students who were constantly involved in various aspect of their high school experience.

Traffic Patterns Change, Minor Problems Remain Lindsay Usherwood Columnist

New traffic patterns and parking spots are the hot topic for our school’s drivers.

There have been a few new rules added this year. The senior parking rule has been changed from last year; it is now a lottery both in the fall and spring semesters. The lottery granted thirty official parking spots and five alternates. The winners were hand-picked from a ballot box in front of a senior assembly.

Another new rule implemented this year was the creation of a student drop-off on Liberty St. In the past few years, students were dropped off randomly all over the school, creating traffic congestion.

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There haven’t been many complaints around the school about the new traffic patterns. I hear the occasional person talking about the bridge closing this spring, causing major traffic congestion on Utica St. and that being the reason why we now enter the student drop-off on Utica St. and exit onto Liberty St. However, being a student driver myself, I do notice one major problem with the new pattern. It is not a planning error, but rather a driver error. There are two lanes going through the Liberty St. parking lot.

The left lane should be used for dropping off. However, people are stopping in both lanes causing traffic jams. The right side should be for people passing through, and the left (curb side) for dropping off.

But here’s the real drama of the first month at OHS. “I didn’t get a

parking spot! This is unfair!” This is a common conversation that is very noticeable even just walking around our school hallways. Well, I didn’t get a parking spot and I drive to school.

I am angry about it too, but what’s

though they don’t have a license or a car! What are they going to do with a parking space, if they don’t even have a car to drive to school, let alone a license?

However, Mr. John Anderson, Director of School . . . if you don’t have a car or a Security & Safety, is a busy man. license, surrender your spot to Complaining to someone else who does. That’s him isn’t going to change what fair! Don’t be selfish. happened at the senior assembly.

Therefore, if you unfair? Everyone in the senior class don’t have a car or a license, surrender watched the drawing right? It gave your spot to someone else who does. everyone who wanted a spot an equal That’s fair! Don’t be selfish. opportunity. There’s no way that can I’m sure there’s a lot more drama be unfair. The only way I see the going on about these issues, but senior parking lot lottery drawing overall, both the new traffic laws being unfair, is the fact that some and senior parking lottery are wellseniors entered their names even planned new changes to our school!

October 2007

Features

4

Columbine Victim’s Legacy Lives On

By Ashley Johnston Reporter

out to three different groups that are often neglected, the first, students with handicapped conditions; the second, new students at school; and the third, those who are different, those who are picked on and put down by others.

Rachel believed that her life would have an impact on the world. OHS chemistry teacher, Mrs. Paula Ranous said, “The importance of Rachel’s life was not that she died at Columbine, everyone’s going to die; it was how she lived before she died.”

Rachel’s Challenge visited OHS on October 1 and OMS on October 2 causing an outpouring of emotions.

The auditorium filled with students, some moved, some shocked, and most emotionally shaken. Many girls left the room in tears from the sadness

Rachel Joy Scott, the first of 13 people to be killed at the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado on April 20, 1999, believed that by showing compassion to others, a “chain reaction” of kindness and consideration could be started, thus the birth of Rachel’s Challenge.

Rachel Scott was described by her friends and family as “the most incredible, passionate person” they knew. After Rachel’s death, through her diaries and drawings, a “mission of kindness” was born to eliminate the prejudice occurring in high schools everywhere.

Rachel wrote an essay a month before she was killed entitled, “My Ethics, My Codes of Life,” challenging people to start a “chain reac- “The importance of Rachel’s life tion” of kindness. Rachel was not that she died at Columbine, w r o t e , “ I t everyone’s going to die; it was how she wasn’t until recently that lived before she died.”

I learned that --Mrs. Paula Ranous the first and OHS Science Teacher t he second and the third impression can be deceiving of what kind of person someone is.” She chal- and asking why. Even though Rachel’s lenges you to look past what you think Challenge didn’t hit home with everysomeone is and discover what they one at OHS, those who it did affect said are. Rachel asked for people to reach that their lives will be changed forever.

The Rachel’s Challenge assembly the biggest school shooting in history. exposed one of the biggest issues in high Rachel said, “Input produces outschools--bullying. Rachel’s Challenge put.” Using kind words and doing is based around five principles of liv- little acts of kindness can create huge ing. In Rachel’s journal results. Rachel asked entries and drawings, people in her essay to “go she exposed that life is out of their way to show important, and it could compassion.” Just by be taken away from you saying “hello” to someat any moment. Meone you don’t know in lissa Fiore, speaker from the hallway or by helpRachel’s Challenge said, ing a classmate out with “You don’t have tomorhomework you could row promised to you. begin the “chain reacIn fact, you don’t have tion” Rachel talks about. the next five minutes Lastly, Rachel asked promised,” asking stustudents to start a chain dents to live everyday reaction of kindness and www.wikipedia.com compassion. By achievlike it was their last.

Rachel Joy Scott The first of the five ing the rest of these goals principles is to eliminate prejudice, you could accomplish this one. In her not only religious and racial, but all essay, Rachel wrote, “People will never prejudice in general. By always looking know how far a little kindness can go.” for the best in others maybe you’ll like Ranous stated, “I think it is more someone you didn’t think you would. important for teenagers concentrate Rachel’s second challenge dares you on inventing and discovering things to dream by setting goals and keeping a that haven’t been yet rather than journal. “By writing your goals down, it is dwelling on what you already know.” set in your brain to achieve,” stated Fiore.

“Don’t let your character change Choose a positive influence is the color with your environment. Find third challenge on Rachel’s list. The out who you are and let it stay its people you hang around or idolize affect true color.” Rachel said. Rachel asks the person who you are. Eric Harris and you to be who you want to be, help Dylan Klebold, the Columbine shooters, others by following your own path. idolized Adolph Hitler. By choosing a bad influence, they chose to unleash

Everyone Benefits from ‘Best Buddies’ Program

By Sophie Rosenbaum Reporter

Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that created a program dedicated to enhance the lives of individuals with cognitive and/or social disabilities by assisting them in finding opportunities for one-on-one friendships as well as integrated employment. This nationally-accredited program has been adopted by all 50 states. In this program, regular education students are paired up with special education students.

Best Buddies gives students the opportunity to become involved in a program that could have a lifechanging impact on another individual’s life. Mrs. Jackie Knowles, the head of the Special Education Department at OHS, explains, “You’re basically becoming a best buddy to someone who has difficulty communicating (socially) with others.” Typical after-school activities such as sports games, dances, and clubs are part of a daily routine for hundreds at OHS. Yet, for most of the students involved in the inclusion program,

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they do not have the opportunity to go to these activities as easily. Even if a ride was provided to and from their destination, they still would not be able to attend a football game without someone accompanying them at all times. This is not because they are dependent on other people, rather they need a friend to keep them safe and encourage them to make the right choices.

In school, they may have a teacher or aid nearby at all times, but not during after-school hours or weekends.

Saying “hi” in the hallways or cafeteria is a friendly gesture that does not go unnoticed, but what about taking that friendliness to another level? Knowles added, “The biggest thing is not only saying hello at lunch in passing, rather bringing your best buddy along to some of the after-school activities.” What seems so simple to you could mean the world to someone else.

Mara Sapon-Shivin, a nationally-accredited author who recently authored Widening the Circle, explained at the River’s End Bookstore recently, “There’s not two kinds of kids in the world; there’s either one kind of kid

or 43 million different kinds of kids.” She explained the fact that there are not “inclusion” kids and “exclusion” or “typical” kids. There is either a universal category for kids or there are 43 million different categories for them. No two students (kids) are the same.

Not only is this program beneficial for both students involved, they wind up getting a new, perhaps best friend out of the deal. This would be a way to meet people and expand your horizons.

“What kind of citizens do we want to be raising?” said Sapon-Shivin. She continued by saying that we all live in the same world and therefore, we must integrate ourselves with one another. SaponShivin’s goal is to teach our youth the importance of responsibility towards one another. Perhaps, everyone could make that their goal and then, as a combined group, we could all make a difference.

If you would like to bring a program like Best Buddies to OHS, please contact srosenba@oswego.org.

October 2007

Features

5

Senior Lounge a Thing of the Past at OHS

By Morgan McNamara Reporter

In many high schools across the country, seniors get the opportunity to enjoy their free time in a teacherfree haven of their own. This would be the wellknown, off-limits-to-underclassman, and ultimate sign of senior high school status, the senior lounge.

Senior year has finally come for members of the Class of ‘08 at OHS. Though it’s still only October, and many seniors haven’t even thought about graduation yet, you know it’s not very far from their minds. Senior year is a time to prepare for college and maybe even adulthood. Of course, your senior year comes with AP courses, and the anxiety of college choices, but it’s also a time to have fun with your classmates and to enjoy your last year with no “real responsibilities.”

In the fading days of college prep and adult supervision, a senior lounge gives upperclassmen a VIP experience, until the following year where they’re ready to endure the bottom-of-the–totempole status again. It’s a teacher-free sanctuary where seniors get to relax and enjoy the perks of being a senior. Many seniors will enjoy their senioritis more in a school lounge than anywhere else. They may listen to music or text their friends, while others may be working on an essay due the following period.

Instead of having seniors sitting in silent study halls of the lounges until the students propose and impleor leaving school to get away from the stress and ment a reasonable plan for proper care of the spaces. drama of the day, seniors in some high schools are At Oswego High School many years back, a allowed to go to their senior lounge. During their free senior lounge was available to every senior. Seniors periods, they have a chance to unwind without the would go to the lounge to hang out during their free fear of having a teacher breathing down their necks. periods without the supervision of any adult. “I think Senior lounges have been around for decades in they’re a good idea because it’s a perk for seniors. They the US and were should be able to especially popular out of a study At Oswego High School many years back sign during the 1970s. hall and go to a Back then, smok- a senior lounge was available to every lounge without ing was even althe supervision senior in the OHS. lowed in the seof an adult. I don’t nior lounges, but t h i n k we g ive in today’s culture, the lounges come with some rules students enough opportunity to grow up at this and if these rules are broken, the students are aware high school. Seniors are old enough now to be that the administrators will step in and take away responsible without having an adult present. If their VIP haven. Laboratory High School in Chicago the rules are broken, though, it should be taken has two senior lounges. The third-floor lounge is for away,” said senior class adviser Robert Burt. studying, and because it is very near classrooms, Senior year will be coming to an end before we quiet conversation only. They may also not have know it and it will have come and gone without a sefood or drinks. In the senior lounge in the west end nior lounge. “I think we should have a senior lounge of the cafeteria, all cafeteria rules apply and only because it would give us a chance to reunite with old seniors are allowed to be in the lounge area. They friends that may not be in our classes this year. Our high are warned that if these lounges are used inappro- school career is coming to an end, so it would be a good priately the administrators may close one or more way to associate as a class,” said senior Lexi Deming.

State Schools Continue to be a Bargain Contiued from page 1

2007 graduate of Oswego High School, said that money was not the only thing that drove him towards choosing SUNY Buffalo over Boston University and RIT. He commented, “UB is getting better academically every year.

They are pouring a lot of money into academics for a plan called UB 2020 where they are trying to make UB one of the top public schools in the country.”

Other SUNY schools are also going up in rank. A 2006 article in the Wall Street Journal deemed SUNY Binghamton an Ivy League alternative.

It has sparked deep interest in top in-state, and out-of-state students as well. Ashley Mervine, a freshman at SUNY Geneseo, did not see the state school as her first choice when she started her application process.

However, her mind quickly changed after she revisited the campus and weighed her options. “The final decision to attend Geneseo was not entirely financially based; it was a combination of my love for the campus, the success of the history department, and the closeness to home.” Many SUNY universities have Honors Colleges for top

Buccaneer Bulletin

students who meet a criteria. Some of the benefits of Honors Colleges in state schools are that they offer more personalized attention, special housing, and they have the same caliber of students you’d see in top-notch private colleges.

In the past, students opted to go to private schools so they could ensure job placement or entrance into graduate schools. The belief was that state schools could not do this. Mr. Monico Soto, an admissions counselor at SUNY Oswego, strongly disagrees. He stated, “It is a fallacy that state schools have small alumni networks. SUNY Oswego has one of the largest alumni ne t work s i n the state.” Private university degrees might look good on a resume, but they aren’t the only thing employers are looking for. Graduate schools and employers understand that not all students are able to pay for private education.

Lea spoke to a local engineering firm, and he was told that a brand-name

was not all the company was looking for.

“If you apply yourself at a state school you can get more out of it than someone idly working at an Ivy League school.”

State schools are also getting more selective due to a surge in applications. Mr. Alvin P. Spanoff stated in a USA Today article, “Admissions deans say the ease of applying online, along with the growing popularity of the Common Application — a standardized form now used even by many brand-name institutions — are fueling the increase.” Students who used to apply to three or more colleges are now applying to over six colleges, taking away spots from other applicants.

Soto cited that SUNY Oswego has seen a jump from 10,000 applications to 12,000 applications a year.

Although many students with top applications are opting to go to public universities, that does not mean that there aren’t any schools for average students. Mrs. Rachael Henderson, a guidance counselor at OHS has noted a

decrease in students starting out at fouryear colleges. She said, “ Many students are starting at two-year community colleges and then transferring.” Whether the student starts at a community college or university, there is still a place for them to go. “Each school has its niche,” Soto stated.

There are the high-end SUNYs like Binghamton, Stony Brook and Geneseo, whose middle 50 percent yield SAT scores between 1220 and 1350, but there are also SUNYs that serve the average student. This doesn’t mean that high schoolers should slack off. “Lower-end students need to shape up. More and more students need to focus on their studies,” he added.

While private schools may always be at the top of national rankings, that doesn’t mean that they necessarily offer a superior education. State schools offer a good education at a reasonable price.

The time has come to remove the stigma about public schools, and take advantage of the wonderful institutions in our neighborhood.

October 2007

Editorial

6 Buccaneer Bulletin

Drawing Board

Oswego High School’s Student Voice Staff David Abare Morganne Atutis Joe Bucher Olivia Capone Jack Carmody Dillon Coates Danielle D’Amico Emily Difabio Lauren Dimarco Katie Divita Pat Dougherty Michaela Frost Catherine Furletti Ryan Galloway Waruguru Gichane Maddie Goulet Kailyn Gray Kristin Hadley Blair Harvey Ashley Johnston Kevin Kearns Kat Lazarzki Christy Mather Fred Maxon Brett McClelland Morgan McNamara Sophie Rosenbaum Brittany Ross Caitlin Sawyer Christian Scaccia Kaitlyn Scanlon Michelle Stepien Lindsay Usherwood Liz Waterbury Advisers Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200.

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

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

Buccaneer Bulletin

Cartoon by Mike Vivlemore

…and good luck to former Athletic Director Mr. Brad Dates who has left our school to go take the AD position at Marcellus High School. He has done a lot in his years here for our athletic program. His services will be missed.

…to the KPS and OHS faculties, staffs, students and parents, who helped donate necessities to a family which was struck with the terrible disaster of a house fire last month.

…to the new checkout system which was implemented in our cafeteria. It is a very good addition to our already-stellar program. The lines move more quickly and now students who qualify for free lunch are able to get one without a social stigma.

…to the addition of SMART Boards in many of the classrooms throughout OHS. These new pieces of technology are extremely beneficial in helping students understand difficult material. It also allows our teachers to be much more efficient.

…to the scheduling of senior classes at the end of the day, for example AP Calculus and Spanish 5 are scheduled for 8th and 9th period respectively. This put most seniors in a situation where they can’t take advantage of senior short day, which can be extremely helpful this time of year with college applications and the other difficulties of senior year.

…to the scheduling of homecoming the night before the SAT’s. There are several home football games each year, why does homecoming have to be the night before the SAT’s? The homecoming dance didn’t end until midnight, and most students had to wake up for the SATs around 6:00 A.M. This left students with the decision of whether or not to attend the festivities, which could have had a negative impact on their scores.

…to no more extended library hours in the morning before school. It was a nice comfort for many students to know that if they had a computer failure the night before, they could come into school early and use a school computer to complete their assignments. Extended hours after the school day are beneficial, but the morning hour is greatly missed.

…to having dances at 7:00 p.m. instead of at 8:00 or 9:00. This now allows students the opportunity to attend parties after a dance which makes it more likely for an alcohol-related incident to occur. When a dance takes place later in the night, students are more likely to head home afterwards instead of going out for a night of partying.

October 2007

Editorial

7

In Our View . . .

It’s Time to Install Artificial Turf at Joe Wilber Field

Technology has always changed our lives, and this impact extends to sports as well. Technology now allows us to implant synthetic turf fields, which can be played on in all conditions. Many schools around the area have taken this step to improve their athletic programs. Unfortunately, Oswego High School has not followed the trend and we have decided to stay with natural grass.

Joe Wilber Field, here at OHS, is the home of many of our popular programs such as football, lacrosse, and marching band. These are not the only activities which take place on this field, for on any typical fall or spring day the field is in constant use. This use takes its toll on the field.

There are several downfalls to a natural grass field as compared to synthetic turf. The weather conditions in Central New York combined with the wear-and-tear of lacrosse, soccer, and football on grass beat up the surface.

Secondly the cost of repairing the field to a playable condition can become expensive. On top of that, every week new lines have to be painted onto the field, which is also a major expense and time commitment for the maintenance crew.

However, a synthetic turf field would be able to host all of these events with little to no wear and tear. Although the initial cost of the field is far greater than grass, in the end, the cost would balance out just in maintenance savings.

An additional financial boon could come from our school district renting the turf to outside organizations, such as youth soccer and lacrosse leagues, Pop-Warner football, or even SUNY Oswego teams.

The installation of a synthetic turf field would be financially plausible; more functional and much more pleasing to the eye. Why would our school district not want to take the smart route which would inevitably improve many of the extracurricular activities here at OHS? If our administration believes that we are still on par with our competitors in Liverpool, CNS, Central Square and the other upper-echelon schools in Central New York, all they have to look at is Wilber Field to discover how far we have fallen behind.

It is an absolute necessity to have a artificial turf installed at Joe Wilber Field.

Do you think that our athletes here at OHS are at a disadvantage because we don’t have a turf field?

Gary Carpentier “Yes, in some sports like lacrosse, it works to their advantage.”

Class of 2009

Sarah Skinner

Letter to the Editor

“Yeah, a lot of teams we play have turf and we don’t get to practice on it, so we do worse.”

Another Powderpuff Controversy!

To the Editor: Powderpuff is the highlight of becoming an upperclassman. It’s a time to get pumped up for the rest of the year and it’s the beginning of the end of our time spent here at OHS. One of the best parts is getting to decorate the school. However, the fun of decorating always seems to get ruined.

The past two years of Powderpuff, the seniors have gotten into trouble for “trashing” the school with things like powder, flour, confetti, and silly string. This year the seniors did none of this. The seniors only did what was supposedly allowed.

The seniors spent hours outside of school hours, Thursday night, and early Friday morning of spirit week decorating..

The one thing that tied the all the decorations together was the window paint. Unfortunately, after many seniors spent over two hours painting every single door and window in the school, they had to wash it off. I have one word for this--ridiculous! If the paint is already up, then what is the harm? It’s not like the paint was covering the whole window so you couldn’t see. There was nothing vulgar or inappropriate written, only sayings and lyrics that everyone knows and says like “Meet us on the field, you’re goin’ down!” What’s wrong with that?

Buccaneer Bulletin

The administrators of OHS are not the only people who bring down the fun of Powderpuff.

Other offenders include the students. The junior and senior girls spend hours making posters and decorating the school in an attempt to make it look nice. What becomes of all this hard work? People tear it down! This is also ridiculous. People can’t even leave balloons or signs on their own lockers without the fear of them being torn off. The fact that other students are so disrespectful to the obvious hard work, time, and money that it takes to “try” and make the school festive is horrendous.

Streamers and posters can’t even make it past second period without being destroyed. Students should know how hard people work to make things look nice and in turn respect that and not ruin it.

Some seniors and juniors might not care, but the majority of the girls who participate in Powderpuff are very upset. Powderpuff is meant to be a time of school spirit, hence the reason it is scheduled during Spirit Week. Unfortunately, the only thing that really comes of it is frustration and another reason to add to the list of why seniors can’t wait to graduate and never look back.

Chrissy King Class of 2008

Class of 2010

Sarah Cooley “Yes, because turf is easier to run on.”

Class of 2009

Jeremy Linn “No, because most of the teams have had grass so it would be a disadvantage if we had turf.”

Class of 2008

October 2007

Walking the Plank

8

Senior Class Officers on ‘The Plank’ Officer’s Name

What goals do you have as a senior class officer?

To make this year the best year ever at Oswego High School and to get everyone involved in senior activities.

What do you look forward to doing most everyday?

What’s your favorite movie, and why?

Relaxing a little b e c a u s e it s e e m s I never get to very much, I’m always so busy!

The Notebook because i t ’s a g r e a t m ov i e a n d a l s o Na p o l e o n Dynamite because the quotes are classic.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

As a lawyer or ju d ge a nd p o s si bly involved in politics.

Gabrielle Rumrill President

I want to get the general input of everyone and make sure that everyone gets heard.

The five minutes of sleep that I get after school.

I want to help coordinate the senior trip... I would also like to try to encourage students that, as much as everyone despises school, education is somet h i ng t hat you need to succeed in life and dropping out isn’t a solution to dealing with problems.

I look forward to making the most out of my day and having a good laugh.

I also look forward to spend i ng t i me w it h friends or sometimes by myself, which ever doesn’t include h e a r i n g t h e voic e s of my three siblings.

Animal House because you can’t forget the classic, “Toga, toga, t o g a ”…y o u k n o w what I mean, r ight?

I’ll probably end up back in O-town, teaching with ever yone here.

Kristina Licatese Vice President

Alyssa Collins Secretary

To make all the senior activities go as smoothly as possibly…and to get the money straight, obviously.

Probably playing spor t s, gol f i ng a nd swimming. You know, really getting a workout.

I can’t decide on one, but I always watch Coach Carter and Remember the Titans and never get sick of them. Also, the Lion King because it’s the first movie I ever remember seeing.

300 because it’s a real m a n ly, m a n mov ie.

I see myself being finished with graduate school and having a job that I enjoy that also pays ver y well.

I see myself somewhere toward the South of the nation opening up my own physical therapy practice and golfing a lot.

Casey Donovan Treasurer

Walking the Plank is a regular feature in The Buccaneer Bulletin. Each month, we will profile a member of the Oswego High School community in a detailed questionand-answer feature. If you know of someone we should have “walk the plank” e-mail one of the faculty advisers of The Buc Bulletin, Mr. Reeser (rreeser@oswego.org) or Mr. McCrobie (mmccrobi@oswego.org.)

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2007

Entertainment

9

Straight Edge Lifestyle Promotes Values, Individuality

By Fred Maxon

you. One Oswego High School junior, Gretchen Sackman, has many sXe friends, and on the topic of Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll--three things that them forcing their beliefs onto her, she exclaimed, have gone hand-in-hand since the days of The “No way. They like me the way I am and would Beatles, AC-DC, and Led Zeppelin. However, never try pushing their beliefs that they know I don’t there is another side of the music world that many want on me.” However, she also finds it easier to do not know about, a side stay away from drugs and “We didn’t end up using it for the name of the band, but I promiscuous sex knowing where drug abuse, alcohol abuse and promiscuous sex she has her friends’ ended up writing a song about it, and it was basically a song that are discouraged and looked support. “I know they which was, in my mind, championing the individual.” down upon. This lifestyle, wouldn’t ditch me no matter the Straight Edge lifestyle, Ian MacKaye what, but I guess it makes has many followers due to Singer/Songwriter for Minor Threat it easier knowing that they the ethics that it supports and don’t do it (drugs).” the way that it encourages personal development says Riley Nowokowski, one supporter of the For those who are interested in becoming through abstinence.

Straight Edge ideology. He continued, “ A lot of Straight Edge, or learning more about it, there are The Straight Edge philosophy came on the kids are edge and don’t claim it,” meaning that a lot many online resources that will help you make the scene in 1981, when the short-lived hardcore punk of people abstain from drugs, sex, and alcohol, they transition, but according to Nowokowski, “You band Minor Threat wrote the song “Straight Edge” just don’t see the need to call themselves Straight just have to make it so the alcohol and drugs aren’t for their first EP. Later, for their second EP, the song Edge, or they don’t know what it is. readily available to you, I had to stop talking to a “Out of Step” furthered these beliefs. Lyrics from One thing that many people don’t realize is that, few people, but it wasn’t that much of a loss.” the song “Out of Step” state the message loudly even if one has participated and clearly. “Don’t smoke/Don’t drink/Don’t [have in drugs or promiscuous sex]…” The name for the song “Straight Edge” sex in the past, he/she is came from lead singer Ian MacKaye’s wish to still able to become Straight call Minor Threat “Straight” when the band first Edge. One article on the formed. “I wanted just to name the band Straight, Straight Edge lifestyle because we were going to push this thing even sums it up perfectly. “No more. We didn’t end up using it for the name of the problems about the past! band, but I ended up writing a song about it, and It’s all about the now. it was basically a song which was, in my mind, Otherwise no one could championing the individual.” ever be sXe. But one thing A major symbol of the Straight Edge movement that you should do before is the three X’s. These symbolize how they refuse taking the edge is consider drugs, alcohol and promiscuous sex. The idea that it’s for life, so don’t just behind the use of the X as a symbol came from the play with it. It’s not just a all-ages punk shows, where minors were marked phase....” with an “X” on the hand so that they wouldn’t Another common be able to buy alcohol. Many of those for whom misconception about drinking is legal but have decided not to drink for Straight Edge is that one ideological reasons, often mark themselves with an has to give up his religious “X” as a sign of camaraderie. The logo for Straight beliefs, or become vegan Edge, sXe, makes use of this sign. for the cause. There are People become sXe for many reasons. many Straight Edge Sometimes, they feel the need to control their lives, followers that belong to an something which the use of drugs and alcohol organized religion, such hinder. Other times, they see what drugs have as Catholicism or Islam, done to other people, such as if they grew up in yet some are Atheist. It is an alcoholic family, while still other times they entirely up to the individual just accept the sXe values and identify with them. to believe or not believe Many Straight Edge people feel like there is a lot in an organized religion. of pressure from society to do drugs and have sex.

Also, people are not From television shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” usually addicted to animal featuring promiscuous interns to movies like Little products, so one does not Miss Sunshine dealing with a grandfather addicted need to become a vegan or to drugs, this pressure exists everywhere, and has vegetarian to be Straight been generally accepted by society.

Edge.

However, if one does “fall off the edge” Lastly, a misconception and indulges in one of the three things that are that is utterly false is that prohibited in the sXe lifestyle, it is encouraged that sXe adherents will try to they try again to remain straight edge. force their beliefs onto Reporter

Buccaneer Bulletin

Some people, wanting to appear as if they were drug free, alcohol free, and celibate, use the term “Straight Edge” as a way to cover up activities that go against the philosophy. “It’s just false advertising…. If they want to act like something they’re not, that’s fine, they’ll learn their lesson,”

October 2007

10

Point/Counterpoint

One Code of Conduct for all debated

Why Should Anyone Sign the Code of Conduct?

Everyone Should Sign the Code of Conduct, Not Just Athletes

Reporter

Reporter

By Chrissy King

By Morgan McNamara

“All men are created equal,” is arguably the most well-known phrase On the first day of school every student receives a code of conduct. As in American political history, which describes our foundation of American every one knows, this outlines how students should act, dress, and represent democracy. At Oswego High School, every student receives the Code of our school. The administration and coaches take the code of conduct a Conduct, which is supposed to be an outline on what you are supposed to do step further when it comes to the athletic teams. However, all the members and not do in our school. Since athletes represent our school, they are held to of teams from soccer to track, from football to lacrosse have to sign the a higher standard and have a special code of conduct which they have to sign, athletes code of conduct stating that while they’re on a sports team, they while marching band members and other club participants do not. If our country won’t drink, use tobacco products, or consume or possess alcohol. (and therefore our school) is based on I understand why athletes have to sign equality, then why, at OHS, are athletes the code of conduct. They are representing the only ones held to a higher standard? our school. Doing some things like drinking As an athlete, I understand why I and smoking that are bad for your body can have to sign the code of conduct, but I hurt performance. But why would someone don’t understand why athletes are the who isn’t on a sports team have to sign one? only students affected by it. Throughout First of all, the code of conduct is only a the whole code of conduct, it only refers piece of paper. Seriously, let’s be realistic to “student-athlete,” so pretty much here. I bet a lot of people who sign the code school officials are saying if students of conduct do so just so they can play, and in marching band or Drama Club or then they forget about it. The code of conduct French Club, etc. get in trouble with in actuality does nothing. So why should drugs, alcohol or tobacco, the rules someone in the marching band or in another don’t apply to them. That would be like school-affiliated club sign one when the rules saying only certain people have to abide stated in the conduct are difficult to enforce. by the civic laws. In real life that would I just don’t understand what never happen, so why practice that in our administrators think the current athletic school? If I have to sign it, then so should code of conduct does. There’s no high every other student in our school who school police force that stalks team players participates in an extracurricular club to make sure that they don’t do anything or school-sponsored activity. It’s not fair against the rules. Coaches don’t have photo by lauren dimarco that the athletes are singled out to be the the time or the desire to drive around on Many students are affected by the Code Of Conduct. Some only ones representing our school, when weekends. I know plenty of people that people feel everyone should sign it while others feel it we all know that music organizations sign the code of conduct and ignore it should only be for the athletes. and dozens of school clubs represent our and do what they want. I’ve even heard of school in the eyes of the community too. people drinking before they go to games.

Even though the code of Then there are some who honor the code and don’t do the things the code conduct is just a piece of paper, it still affects many students every year. forbids during the season, but as soon as the season is over those people Of course, if you get in trouble doing something illegal, you should be go out and do what they’ve been waiting to do during the season. punished for it, but everyone should, not just the athletes. If athletes get Plus, if you’re a serious athlete, you shouldn’t be doing those kinds of suspended from their sport, then so should any club or activity member. things anyway. So in a way, if people didn’t have to sign a code of conduct it If the argument is because athletes are involved in physical would weed out the good from the bad, the dedicated from the non-dedicated. activities that include healthy living choices, my point is That way, the people who take care of their bodies and get the accolades. shouldn’t all students be making these healthy choices?

The same goes for other groups like marching band and the school musical.

Our country is based on equality. I think our school should do something If you take pride in your work enough to abstain from drinking or smoking about the equality of the code of conduct. It should be all or nothing. It’s not and taking drugs, then everyone should be able to tell the difference. fair that our school singles out athletes when other groups are representing I think that not making people sign a code of conduct would be better our school as well. School is supposed to be preparing us for real life and because (besides the fact that it’s basically useless anyway) it would promote adulthood. In real life, laws are made and everyone is subject to them, not students making their own decisions and living with the consequences. Not the just certain people. Why should our school be different? It shouldn’t. kind of consequences like your parents giving you a slap on the wrist or the Editor’s Note: Is there a controversial subject that you would like to see debated? If you have any coach sitting you for 25 days, but the real life mental and physical consequences ideas, please e-mail Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Kearns, at kkearns@oswego.org. that partying and not taking care of your body have on your performance.

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2007

Entertainment

11

Don’t Pass up Garneau’s CD Music for Tourists

By Fred Maxon Reporter

Chris Garneau, a young, Boston-born, but French raised musician from Brooklyn is causing quite a stir in the indie music world. His debut CD Music for Tourists is a collection of 14 songs, with each song being as impressive as the song before it. With a soft voice and comparisons to Jeff Buckley, Garneau is slowly gaining recognition as a musician you shouldn’t pass up.

Chris Garneau was born in Boston, but at the age of nine, moved to France due to his father’s work.

Later, he moved back to the United States to finish up middle school and high school. While he was in high school in New Jersey, he became interested in musical theatre. It was this interest in theatre that drew him to the then off-Broadway (and now Tony Award winning) production of Spring Awakening.

It was here that Garneau met Duncan Sheik, the composer for the musical and famous for his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing.” Sheik would later go on to produce Garneau’s debut album, Music For Tourists.

Music was always something Garneau was interested in, even from an early age. “It was really in my bones since I was really little. I started playing piano when I was very young. I remember being six-years old and pretending to play for big audiences in my house. I always knew I wanted to play music. It was very clear,” Garneau said in a recent interview with LOGO Online, a website that features gay musicians. Yes, Garneau is gay, like Rufus Wainwright, another musician his sound has been compared to. However, he has stated that

his sexuality has not directly affected his music. disturbing,” Garneau stated in the interview with He has been compared to Sufjan Stevens, Logo. Later, he said he wasn’t comfortable with how Rufus Wainwright, and Jeff Buckley, and he says it came out, seeing as the vocals used were from a that some of his musical influences include Nina rough cut of “Relief,” but he was still proud of it.

Simone and Chan Marshall. His music is mostly One of Garneau’s most powerful pieces, by far, piano-based, with a cello adding is the song “Black and Blue.” The a deeper string sound. His voice dynamics he uses in that song, such has been described as soft and as a slow crescendo in the chorus intimate. His songs deal with really add to the power of the piece, many topics, such as a song about which I see as being about a relative how he was sexually abused as or friend getting over a drug addica kid (the song doesn’t openly tion, as the lyrics “he sweats it out state it, in fact, and for many, the all the night through, / then throws song is an enigma. However, he up all over me and you,” point to has gone on the record saying symptoms for opiate withdrawal. that this was why he wrote it.)

However, one of the best songs Music for Tourists is a wonon Music for Tourists is the last derful album. It starts off with song, a cover of Elliot Smith’s song the song “Castle-Time,” which “Between the Bars.” Originally is waltz-like but also a very puz- Photo Courtesy of Raphael Neal played on guitar by Smith, who zling song, with lyrics like “My Chris Garneau, a Boston died in 2003, Garneau’s cover is a teacher died / even the frying native, is turning heads with seamless transition to piano, and pan cried, / rain fell slowly ac- his newest album, Music for his soft, shy vocals add to the melcording to Castle-Time.” This Tourists. ancholy lyrics. Any fan of Elliot song was used on the October Smith would agree that this is a cov4 episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” er that does justice to the original.

The next song, “Relief,” is a slow, powerful With his soft vocals, powerful lyrics, and beautiful song about love and forgiveness. The music video piano melodies, Chris Garneau is one musician that it features Garneau working as a waiter in a diner, would be unwise to pass up. His debut CD, Music for something that was inspired by real life. “I was Tourists, is a sure-fire sign that we can expect great just out of high school, so I was working in restau- things from Garneau in the future, and is one CD that rants…I was having a lot of anxiety, stress, panick- would make an excellent addition to any music library. ing…working in restaurants is so depressing and so

Teacher Feature: Mr. Noun Founder of the ALC Throughout his many years at Oswego High School, Mr. William Noun has shown dedication, love, and a unique approach to teaching and learning.

Noun has furthered the education of hundreds of students via his persistence and hard-work the classroom, The Academy (alternative school) as well as in the Assisted Learning Center (ALC). No matter what subject is giving a student difficulty, Noun is there to lend a guiding hand. His help has helped many students achieve success in areas that were difficult for them.

Noun’s hard work has often gone unrecognized and under-appreciated stated a colleague of Noun. He’s had a positive impact on an entire generation of Oswego students. He’s taught kids and their kids, and many people wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed long enough to teach their grandkids!

The infamous Mr. Noun not only serenades the hallways on holidays, he is also quite comical. For example, he stated, “I got hired in 1968 and I’m only 39 (years old).” It is a mere coincidence that Noun has actually been employed at OHS for 39 years.

For over three decades he has demonstrated school pride and brought past OHS traditions back to life, including the resurrection of the famous decibal meter at this month’s pep rally.

It is with great pride that the staff of The Buccaneer Bulletin awards Mr. Noun with the distinction of “Teacher of the Month.”

Mr. Noun provides help to Megan Goodrich in the ALC

Buccaneer Bulletin

Editor’s Note: This month’s teacher feature was written by Sophia Rosenbaum.

Photo is by Lauren DiMarco.

October 2007

12

Entertainment

New TV Show Under Fire from Parent Groups

By Kat Lazarski Reporter

Controversial CBS reality show pits children against the hardships of OldWest settlers.

It seems almost savage what CBS producers have done to 40 children.

In fact, it is savage. However, ratings are up more than ever and it seems as though a new, modern-day Lord of the Flies has been born.

In 1954 when William Golding published Lord of the Flies, he discussed how societies created by men will fail, and how men will always resort to savageness when necessary.

In the now-classic novel, a group of school boys get abandoned on a desert island with only themselves to rely on. As the novel progresses, Golding shows how men, or in this case, school boys, can get unruly and eventually photo courtesy of www.nytimes.com turn savage. Hopefully I’m not ruining any endings, for underclassmen who Depending on who you talk to, CBS has either created a modern-day Lord of the Flies or reached a new level of haven’t read it, but one school boy child abuse with its controversial new show “Kid Nation.” dies as a result of the boys’ savageness. Tom Forman, felt differently about it. new society. The classes include an up- when they drank bleach that had been While Lord of the Flies is a best- Forman wanted to have a new, modern per-class, merchants, cooks, and labor- left in an unmarked soda bottle, a girl selling American novel, it seems as reality show that stretched all the limits ers. Also, a “town council” was chosen who has sprained her arm, and another though the trauma of being deserted of television production. It took six that is responsible for overseeing all girl who caught on fire while cooking. wouldn’t be something fit for any child, months of development at CBS, where of the work done in the community, On top of that, the children were bafespecially those under ten. However, lawyers, labor and production experts as well as being responsible for giving fled when they didn’t know that boiling “Kid Nation” is testing those limits of debated over the plan of the show. How- out the Gold Star. The lucky recipient water was needed to make spaghetti, so modern children. This new CBS realty ever, a second season of “Kid Nation” of the Gold Star is rewarded $20,000 they instead ate the spaghetti raw since show for minors includes 40 children, will probably have to be shot at another cash and is allowed a phone call home. they aren’t allowed to consult with between the ages of eight and fifteen, state, due to a stricter law concerning However, the Gold Star is only re- any adults about what they are doing.

Although many adults may believe stranded in a New Mexico ghost town child labor laws that was passed in warded once every episode, and is only (Bonanza City, New Mexico) for more New Mexico shortly after the show was given to the child who worked the hard- that children don’t do enough work, is est, according to the it really right to throw them out into than a month. While town council. To the real world already? An eight year in the ghost town, the children there Already there has been medical attention to finish out every epi- old boy has already left “Kid Nation” must be able to cre- four of the kids when they drank bleach that sode, host Jonathan after only one episode due to an alleged ate their own soci- had been left in an unmarked soda bottle, a Karsh asks if any nervous breakdown. He said that he new pioneer wishes wasn’t ready to face the “real world” ety, complete with a government and girl who has sprained her arm, and another to leave the town and maybe he has a point. What does and return home. putting 40 kids in New Mexico going disciplinary rules girl who got caught on fire while cooking.

W h i l e t h e to show America? Maybe it will show that must be folpremiere of “Kid that with a little money incentive, like lowed. The children Nation” went off the Gold Star, even the most dauntwould be on camera for over 14 hours a day, seven days a week, and without given the “go ahead” to start shooting seemingly smoothly, many blogs and ing tasks can still be accomplished, The first episode of “Kid Nation” posts against the new show have been no matter how old a person is. The contact with any other friends or family.

With CBS having a running history aired September 19, where Americans posted in response to it. Numerous or- only thing that I know is that those 40 of being a strict, play-by-the-rules, tele- whot tuned in got to see courageous ganizations have voiced their concerns children are much braver than I, and vision network, it’s amazing how they kids try to run their own community. about children being out in the middle the only thing I can do is wish them actually allowed this show to even start In that episode, all 40 kids were given of nowhere, literally, with only each the best of luck in their upcoming production. The executive producer of their first “showdown” which deter- other to rely on. Already there has been challenges against themselves, each “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” mined where they were placed in their medical attention to four of the kids other, and the way that society works.

Buccaneer Bulletin

October 2007