WJHS Press Spring 2014 Issue

ALWAYS FREE

ISSUE NO. 5

WJHS PRESS WELLS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL/ LATE WINTER/ 2013 & 2014

Staff: Christian Saulnier Olivia Durfee Megan Schneider Paige Raymond Rosemary Campenella Drew Peters Nolan Potter Channing Wang Braeden Macneill Kyle Crothers Madison Szczygiel Advisors: Ms. Esch Ms. Zotos

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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-Quilts for Veterans with Mrs. Kilbride -Shootin’ for a Cure -One Student’s Thoughts -Poetry -WJHS Wrestling -Faith, Trust, and PixieDust -8th Grade Boys Basketball -Civil Rights at WJHS

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"Little things make big things happen."

(John Wooden) Mrs. Kilbride and the rest of the fifth grade team, along with the fifth graders, made quilts for veterans. The kids each make a piece of a quilt and in the end, these places are turned into one big quilt per class.

Many people helped out such as the fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Gaidamas, and some parents. We interviewed Mrs. Kilbride, the creator of all this, to get a behind the scenes look at the making of the quilts and when it all began.

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Megan: What made you come up with the idea of Quilts For Veterans?

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Mrs. Kilbride: Last spring I was visiting my daughter in Michigan, and we went to her Quilt Guild Meeting and a lady was there who is in charge of Miracle Quilts. Miracle is the last name of a young soldier who was killed from Michigan. She showed us quilts that people were making. There was a school that sent some in.

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TOASTY QUILTS FOR FREEDOM

Megan: Where did the passion start for helping the veterans?

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Mrs. Kilbride: There are over 500 veterans buried across the street here.

That has always been kind of in the forefront, because I drive by that cemetery just as much as you guys do.

There are veterans from over 400 years ago. It's about not taking that for granted. My siblings have all been in the military, as well as my husband. I think it's easy to take for granted.

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More with Quilts for Veterans By: Paige Raymond & Megan Schneider Paige: Who has helped you make the quilts?

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Mrs. Kilbride: Ms. Gaidimas has been a big help. Parents have come in to volunteer too. They donated fabric and the PTO donated money to help get the materials that we didn't get from parents.

All of the fifth graders and teachers have helped. All of the kids got to sew, cut, and pick out their colors.

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Paige: What do the students think of this project?

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Mrs. Kilbride: They all came up to show me their squares and make sure I took a picture. I think when they see the finished quilts, it will be more meaningful to them, but they certainly were all proud of their squares! What an amazing, admirable project. Thank you Mrs. Kilbride!

Shootin’ For a Cure By: Olivia Durfee, Megan Schneider & Madison Szczygiel You go for your annual check up only to find out that you have breast cancer. Barely able to support your family, how will you pay for the treatment?

Five years ago Coach Donny Abbott found a way to stop these tragedies. Donny coaches the varsity girls basketball team for Wells. In 2009, he found out one of his player's mothers had breast cancer. He connected it to his friend's wife who also had breast cancer.

Wanting to help them, Donny Abbott thought of the idea for Shootin' for A Cure, a fundraiser to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer and also for breast cancer awareness.

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This year was the fifth Shootin' for A Cure fundraiser, raising about $33,000! Girls from grades five to twelve shot 50 foul shots this year, the top shooter Ally O'Brien making 43 foul shots. Our own eight grade girls basketball team raised the most (as a team)!

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At the event there are raffles that go on all throughout the day and face painting. All of the money goes to the York Hospital.

Also, the girls high school team plays it's annual Shootin' For A Cure game. Both teams wear pink uniforms and even the cheerleaders get into it also wearing Shootin' for a Cure shirts and cheering with pink pom-poms! There are always tons of people at the game; students, teachers, parents, and family members who come to support our Lady Warriors.

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The girls never let us down and this year won against Traip! !

On behalf of the Lady Warriors we hope to see you at next year's Shootin' For A Cure!

Photos By Robin Reidy

One Student’s Thoughts By: Estelle Reardon Though most of you probably still feel that you are living in the aftermath of last election, America's media and candidates are already preparing for the 2016 election! Potential candidates are already being bombarded from every direction, particularly the democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The media has been claiming that Mrs.Clinton is now too old to run for office. It's true that in 2016 at the time of inauguration Mrs.Clinton will be 69 years old, compared to the average age of presidential inauguration 50-54. It's also true that after her head injury in 2012 her health could be questioned. However, since then Hillary's doctors claim that she has made a full recovery from the accident and she appears ready for the campaign trail. Mrs.Clinton isn't the first older candidate to run for office, Ronald Reagan was sworn in at age 69, John McCain ran at 70 and another potential candidate, Joe Biden will be 74.

Not to mention how extensive research shows that women are prone to live longer lives then men. (The Huffington Post) Hillary's gender could render her practically equivalent in age to some of her younger male counterparts.

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Yet the battle with those skeptical of her age doesn't end at health and overall longevity. With almost all older candidates there is inquiry to whether or not they have outdated views that could potentially keep our country from progressing. Though there is some inquiry, particularly among republicans an article by Charlie Cook of the National Journal indicates that for Hillary this is not a problem.

"According to The Atlantic, during her tenure as secretary of State, Clinton traveled for 401 days to 112 countries, totaling 956,733 miles, a distance equal to more than 38 times around the globe . . . . Assuming that she does run, Clinton would obviously be a formidable candidate." Mrs.Clinton has now been in politics for a number of years and having traveled so extensively she has been exposed to a great deal

of "new ideas" and forward-thinking progressiveness.

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In addition, most female politicians go into politics at a later age due to the fact that they are raising children. If this trend continues then a great deal of America's future female candidates will be running for office at later ages. If America decides that 69 is too old, it will be a huge setback for women in politics. Both Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi entered politics after raising children. When Pelosi was asked if she thought that her decision to run for minority leader prohibits the party from having younger leadership this was her response: "I came to Congress when my youngest child, Alexandra, was a senior in high school and practically on her way to college. I knew that my male colleagues had come when they were 30. They had a jump on me because they didn’t have to stay home with children. Now, I did what I wanted to do, I was blessed to have that opportunity to sequentially raise my family and then come to Congress … You’ve got to take off of that 14 years for me because I was home raising a family, getting the best experience of all in diplomacy, interpersonal skills. No, the answer is no." Despite the age controversy directed by the media the current poles don't seem to care how old Mrs.Clinton is. This "senior citizen" is currently first in national poles.

Poetry By: Madison Szczygiel and Christan Saulnier "Lost"

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Hope

Hope is all I have

Hope that this unknown world is more than what I'm seeing

Nothing

Nothing is what I feel

Nothing can save me from the darkness

Looking

Looking into the distance praying

Praying

Praying in the cold

The last breath slipping

Slipping

And suddenly

I’m lost

-Madison Szczygiel

‘We are the Champions’’

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It's game time The whole season seems as if it didn't even matter Because it's all about right now Six seconds left We are on the losing side And the clock is winding down the time is now

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I ask myself; What do I do?

I have the ball I am the most important man on the court I am the FBIs most wanted of basketball Like the ball, the game is in my hands A screen is set for me

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Squeaking shoes echo throughout the gym The crowd claps Feet pound on the bleachers moving through me My heart skips a beat I pound the ball four feet left I take a jab step in, and pop back out And pick up my dribble with three seconds left

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"Sky"

I wandered lonely as a cloud

I wandered over Earth

Earth filled with souls

Souls not found in the Sky

For the Sky is as bare as the trees in winter

Cold and Alone

So I wandered on.....

-Masidon Szczygiel

I jump up to shoot I spot a wide open red jersey in the corner of my eye Instead of taking the shot I whip the ball back out to the top of the key The pass is received cleanly And with half a second left The shot goes up -

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The buzzer sounds The crowd roars and storms the court Depression and defeat, a solemn mask on the opposing teams' faces My head tilts to the scoreboard, and my eyes widen I run towards my team Goosebumps run up down my arms and legs We are the champions.

-Christan Saulnier

Poetry By: Rosemary Campanella “There's the Light”

“I Didn't Write A Poem Today”

"Azerbaijan"

There's the light, Can you reach?

Over the waves, Onto the beach.

I didn't write a Poem today.

It's all so very Sad. I'll have to work on It tomorrow.

Please, don't tell my Dad.

There was a pathway, Now it's gone.

I should find it Before the dawn.

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There's the light, So very strong.

Am I right, Or am I wrong?

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There's the light, Can you see?

Right over there, Joyous and free.

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There's the light, Looking fine.

Just take a break, And watch it shine.

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I was so caught up in Homework, Such a drawn out day at School.

I was tired when I Got home, So I jumped right into the Pool.

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Then I went out Shopping, With all my girlfriends, I did.

I think I spent to much Money, So I went to my room And hid.

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I didn't write a Poem today.

Please, don't tell my Mother.

For if you do, I'll Strangle you.

And blame it on my Brother.

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First go left, Then go right.

Next thing you know, There is no light.

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I had a tent, Right over there.

It disappeared Into thin air.

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It must be dark, I lost the sun.

Plus my backpack Weighs a ton.

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I did have food, High in a tree.

I locked it up, And ate the key.

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There was a pathway, Now it's gone.

I'm somewhere in Azerbaijan.

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WJHS Wrestling By: Nolan Potter Wrestling, a sport done for over a thousand years, and respected by all who have witnessed it. It's a sport that requires all the physical and mental strength and preparation that you possibly could have.

All the hard work that you put in is for 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Now as short as this seems, there has been nothing harder for me as a wrestler than dueling it out with another good wrestler on the mat. This is not just any other sport, this is wrestling.

Just recently, your Wells Junior High team finished an excellent season, led by Coach Mark Lewia. All the wrestlers on this team were extremely successful on the mat this year. They all worked extremely hard at practice and it payed off at the meets and tournaments. Along with the weekday meets, the team would give up most of their precious Saturday to get to the school at 6:30am for all day weekend tournaments.

But all this hard work that we put in was not

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for nothing. When you have fought for those four minutes and 30 seconds with all your might, and you emerge victorious and you get this feeling, deep inside of you. When you get your hand raised, that feeling overflows you giving you happiness and satisfaction that you have never felt before.

That's why the sport is so beautiful and why I don't ever stop. Ask any of the wrestlers on the 2014 Junior High team and they will agree. This year, 8th graders Michael Wrigley, Chad Fitzpatrick, Matt Szczygiel, Brendan Dean, Cole Preo, Ryan Norton, Drew Peters, Tim Bullard, Sean McCormack-Kuhman, Lukas Hall and I, Nolan Potter, all had their last year of middle school wrestling, and I think it was a season to remember. Well done to all the wrestlers.

Faith, Trust, and Pixie-dust By: Kyle Crothers "Off to Neverland!" This year’s musical, Peter Pan, was full of singing, dancing, and sword fighting. Starring Kyle Crothers as Peter Pan and Ty Morrison as Wendy. The director, Ms. Rhonda Verges, has put 66 people in a 48 person play. While directing this whole play, she has changed the script three times.

She has added a bunch of new characters, and lines. "Some people have come up with lines on there own during the play," says Ms. Rhonda Verges. We i n t e r v i e w e d Ty M o r r i s o n (Wendy) and asked her some questions to get a behind the scenes look at the play.

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Kyle: "How do you think the play will turn out in the end?"

Ty: "I think that the play will turn out great in the end [it sure did] because there are a lot of really talented people working so hard even though there are really tough songs and dances that go with different scenes."

Kyle: "Which role, out of all of them, do you think is the toughest?"

Ty: "There are a lot of tough roles in the play, but if I had to

choose one of them it would be Shadow. He has to mirror and mouth whatever Peter is saying or doing for the whole play."

Kyle: "Why did you join the play cast?"

Ty: "I love music, I've always been interested in entertaining people, and I thought this play would be a fun new thing to try" Kyle: "Who did you audition for?"

Ty: "I auditioned for Wendy and got the part. I feel that it's filled with challenges and overall is a great fit for me. During my audition, I sang the song 'Safe and Sound' by Taylor Swift.

Since Wendy is an innocent character, I wanted to go with a song that was happy and up lifting. It seemed to work."

Kyle: "Do you find your role very difficult?"

Ty: "I do find my role to be difficult. I did plays when I was younger, but this is the first time I've had a lead role. It is a challenge to remember all of the lines, lyrics, notes to songs, dance steps, and cues for each scene. I know that each role has its own challenges, but I know I love to be challenged."

Kyle: "Who do you think has the best role out of the whole play? Why?" Ty: "I feel there are lots of great characters in the play. They are all very different and each actor is great at his or her part. I don't believe there is any 'best role in the play," they are all different and each one plays a big part in making the play great."

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Mrs. Reidy

Mrs. Reidy

Mrs. Reidy

8th Grade Boys Basketball By: Christian Saulnier & Channing Wang The score is 42-40, Biddeford is winning. The 4th quarter is just about to begin. The 8th grade basketball team is destined to end their season with a bang. The first half and third quarter had been filled with lots of three pointers and turnovers.

With a rough first half and third quarter, the score wasn't expected to be this close by either team.

With the 4th quarter about to begin, Wells adjusts their defense to bring the score back in their favor.

To open the quarter, Liam Bell (#22) intercepts a lob pass to the wing, and dribbles down the court to finish with a strong left handed layup. Now, the game is all tied up with just over six minutes to play. Up until there was two minutes left to play, the three pointers went back and forth. With about a minute and a half left to play, Mitch Libby (#51) sinks a dagger. As the three goes up, the crowds mouths drop and their eyes widen. Swish. The shot goes through the hoop as the Wells side of the bleachers stand and scream. Now back the other way, a fast break for Biddeford, and the opposing team's point guard jumps to a stop. The shot goes up. TWEET! The basket is good, and Mitch Libby is charged with his 5th foul, eliminating him from the game. Under 10 seconds on the clock, and Wells is up by three. Just as it looks like Wells is about to win, Biddeford ties the game with a clutch three and we head into overtime! Now, overtime begins with point guard, Christian Saulnier (#20) in for Mitch Libby. Wells starts overtime with an easy layup, but Biddeford comes back strong with one their own. As overtime winds down, threes are knocked down at both ends. Liam shoots out of his

mind, but so does the Biddeford guard. Time's ticking, and there is under 1 minute and 15 seconds left in the game, with Biddeford wining 56-55.

Biddeford jogs down in a hurry, makes a few crisp passes, and makes a layup! From the sidelines you can feel the thumping of the bleachers as the Tigers fan's go wild. Wells goes back down the other way and passes the ball to who else, but the on-fire Liam Bell who sticks a three right in the defender's eye. 58-58. Biddeford runs back down the other way, which was not needed and Liam's dirty defense catches them off-guard. The ball is stolen and both teams are running back down the court.

TWEET! Liam is fouled with just about 45 seconds to go. Unfortunately, Liam clangs both free throws and the score stays 58 all. Biddeford dribbles the ball back the other way and misses another easy bunny! Wells races down again, and Cam Cousins (#24) takes a layup on the fast-break. TWEET! Biddeford foul; two shots. One shot falls, another misses, but Biddeford collapses. Another steal for Wells! Channing Wang (#15) is passed the ball and is fouled immediately. Wang makes one out of two free throws with 6 seconds left.

This is Biddeford's last chance to win the game.

Their shooting guard is given the ball behind the ark in the corner, unguarded and gets ready to shoot. However, the intimidation of Dylan MacKay (#5) jumping out causes the guard to miss his shot, and Wells secures the win! The Warriors walk out of Biddeford, having achieved satisfaction.

Civil Rights at WJHS By: Hannah Wrigley In every school, even in our school, there are biased-motivated behaviors. These negative behaviors can be inflicted upon students because of their gender, age, height, academic success, or ancestry, and these are only some of the most common found in schools. Preventing and/or stopping behaviors like these are the main target of the WJHS Civil Rights Team. Our plan is to eliminate bullying and harassment and stand up to bullying while emphasizing the importance of being yourself. Our mission is to make Wells Junior High School an environment where people feel confident in themselves and have no need to be worried about being picked on at school.

Bullying comes in all sorts of forms. This can include physical, cyber, and verbal, to name a few.

Making people feel unconfident, putting them down, or making them feel scared is also considered a form of intimidation. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to stop these actions outside of school, but we hope to encourage students enough that they will realize that behaviors that hurt someone physically or emotionally should not occur anywhere.

Recently, the Civil Rights team held “Be Yourself” week. Each day of the week focused on a theme emphasizing the importance of being true to yourself. Being comfortable in your own skin is especially critical during our middle school years, because this is a time in our lives that “fitting in” and being accepted is a part of our everyday life . The purpose of “Be Yourself” week was to assure everyone that just because someone seems different on the outside, doesn’t mean they aren’t the same on the inside. Our ten member team, with representatives from each grade, has high hopes for the future and is excited to build off of what we have started this year. We hope that our efforts have opened the eyes for some people, as well as made other students feel more comfortable with themselves

http://somethingforthepeople.wordpress.com/

Interview

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By: Braeden Macneill

The recent formation of the Civil Rights Team has been organized to make sure the student body can be accepted for who they are and therefore keep the rights that they deserve. I interviewed Givon McLean, one of two sixth graders on the Civil Rights Team to see what the group’s mission is for the school.

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Q: What is it like to be a Civil Rights Team member?

A: It feels great to be a part of a group that is dedicated to stopping biased behavior throughout the school.

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Q: What kind of things are done in The Civil Rights Team?

A: We created “Be Yourself Week” which was very fun to come up with. We also performed a short skit during lunch blocks.

Q: How were you picked to be on the Civil Rights Team?

A: Ms. Soucy came up to me and asked if I was interested in being a part of the Civil Rights Team.

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Q: Did you have to do anything special to get in?

A: No, but we did attend a state wide meeting in Portland to be trained as student Civil Rights members.

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The highlight of “Be Yourself Week” was a funny presentation from Brandon Baldwin, the Civil Rights Team Project Trainer for the State of Maine.

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