Plymouth North High School Issue 2
January 2025
Plymouth Orchestra and Band Travel To Hawaii
Plymouth High Schools orchestra and band members were selected to perform in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
By Amelia Finley
It s not everyday that students are selected from across the country to go to Hawaii and pay a special tribute Plymouth North and South were the only schools from Massachusetts chosen to attend and perform at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on December 7th
Students had found out about the trip in January of 2024, giving them almost a whole year to plan for the occasion, and they were going to need all the time they could get to find ways to raise money that would cover the cost of the trip and other expenses
They did multiple fundraisers such as the Don Jovi tribute concert, a raise craze, and selling Hilliards Chocolate bars These opportunities helped out a lot of students financially
Raising money was just one part of the preparation for the trip Orchestra and Band members had just three months to rehearse and remember their music
“Plymouth North and South is filled with talented musicians where they can pick up music very easily,” Emma Kallenberg, Viola Player from Plymouth North said
The group had originally intended to perform on the USS Missouri dock for a tribute performance, although the tropical weather had other plans The rain would have been damaging to the wooden instruments so Plymouth’s performance had to be rescheduled
“Before the opening ceremony, the company had allowed Plymouth to perform the songs that would’ve been played at the Missouri, ” Mrs Bonnie Holmes, Orchestra and Band Director said This was an honor that had never been given before
This schedule change was one of several mishaps that occurred during the trip However, thanks to quick thinking of the travel company and unappreciated work of Mrs Holmes and the chaperones, everything came together to create an amazing and unforgettable trip
If you were to ask any of the participants of the trip what they would say about the trip they would say it was full of new experiences
Many orchestra students are not members in the marching band, so they were encouraged to take on some new roles
“They (Orchestra Students) were given the opportunity to learn how to spin six foot flags with color guard, shake Pom poms, or hold our banner” Evelyn Morin, Band member from Plymouth North, said, “It was truly an amazing opportunity for everyone ”
Other new experiences were discovered throughout the trip such as seeing the Polynesian Cultural Center, visiting the USS Arizona Memorial, and receiving a tour of the island and it’s unique features
“Seeing how important this day is to people was really insightful and meaningful to me,” Morin said Kallenberg added “It was eye opening to see how people honor this day ”
Plymouth North and South Orchestras performing in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade with the Color Guard
Photo courtesy of Colleen Johnson
The USS Missouri Photo courtesy of Colleen Johnson
Plymouth North and South combined Band performing before the Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Colleen Johnson
Plymouth North and South Bands Orchestras and Color Guard on the dock of the USS Missouri
Photo courtesy of Colleen Johnson
Friends Without Borders: A Club for Students of Every Background
Friends Without Borders, formerly known as“Culture Club” encourages new members' involvement and participation to share new perspectives on the many diverse cultures inside Plymouth North By:
The club “Friends Without Borders” has been in operation for about fourteen years, under many different names, but all with the same mission The ultimate goal of Friends Without Borders is to create a space where all students from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds feel included Together, the club meets every other Thursday whether it is to share stories food do an activity or simply hang out and make new friends
In 2024, the club made an effort to encourage new students to join the club through Instagram posts and flyers in the hallways The students involved in Friends Without Borders are implored to bring their friends to the club It thrives on bringing in new perspectives and cultures into the conscious minds of students, so many members are pushing for participation in the club that makes them feel a sense of belonging at North
“Everyone there is very friendly and welcoming and accepting,” said Junior Club Member, Marina Mikhaeil “I’d like to see more people join, we could benefit from more perspectives ”
Mrs Linda Goggin, club advisor, said, “Anyone can come any time, I’m always looking for students that want to share culture and be part of a group of students that know so many things and have so much to share ”
Jennifer Cormier-Fosdick
As someone who had just moved five years ago, and knew nothing, and just had to be friends with the people around you who spoke the same language, it feels so good to have a place where it’s like ‘yeah everyone is different, so what?’ That's what makes it great” said Junior Valentina Neves
However, Friends Without Borders is more than a club where students can make new friends It works to help each other learn to coexist with different cultures and people from different countries It is an environment that aims to educate students and broaden their perspectives about their peers
“I got to see Mexican culture, French culture, and we have Mandarin culture, which is very interesting because we all have a different point of view ” said Junior Samuel Dos Santos “My favorite part is always the food, because the food from different places is always so good, and it’s a different perspective ”
Neves said, “You can just give it a chance-it’s so good to meet people from other cultures because everybody is so excited to share about their own and hear about other people because they’re all so different ”
The impact of Friends Without Borders goes beyond the core idea of making new friendships and encourages students to learn about their peers through their unique experiences and cultural backgrounds Students are encouraged to participate in activities such as sharing food from their cultures, watching movies, and simply spending time with each other
“We get to see other people's point of view,” said Dos Santos “It makes me feel included because it shares my perspective on cultures, not only mine or the American culture, but others as well ”
“It originally started 14 years ago when I started with what a few students wanted to call ‘culture club’ and it has maintained much of the same mission” said Goggin “I get to witness some cross-cultural friendships being made ”
The group meets every other Thursday in Mrs Goggin s classroom with twelve consistent members who are eager to add many more perspectives into the club On average, there are at least four different countries represented including Egypt, Brazil, the US, and Korea The ultimate goal is to share as many stories as possible
Goggin said, “My hope is that students from different countries and from different schools feel welcome here and that they feel like they can be a part of a community, and that only happens if I get students from all different kinds of communities
“You can just give it a chance--it’s so good to meet people from other cultures because everybody is so excited to share about their own and hear about other people because they’re all so different” said Neves “Friends Without Borders is a great place to find where you belong ”
The EDTV Film Festival Starts Again in Plymouth
An insight into this year ’ s contest and the changes made in preparation for the Film Festival
By: Molly Lutz
The Plymouth EDTV department has hit play once again this year to bring together another Film Festival The Festival first began 6 years ago in 2019 to encourage local student to make clips for a larger video for the Plymouth 400 celebration in 2020
Since then, it has developed into a competitive contest where students can enter their own videos to win an array of prizes and earn recognition at the Film Festival ceremony in April Each video must include a line of dialogue and a prop assigned by the EDTV team, this year’s being a key and the phrase “wait a second ”
Submissions to the EDTV Film Festival are open to both middle and high school students and are due by February 28th Submissions can be uploaded through plymouthedtv com/filmfestival/
With different video categories as well as a photography section, the contest sparks the interest and imagination of many middle and high school students across the district
We do a lot of broadcast journalism in EDTV, and the film festival gives kids the opportunity to reach out of that structure and out of that format,” Jen Mulvaney, elementary video specialist, said “They could do more narrative and highlight their voices in unique ways that aren't necessarily based in broadcast journalism ”
Typically, broadcast journalism practiced in schools consists of news reporting stories, with constraints on student’s creativity due to its professionalism, however, students in the film festival are able to create their own storylines in categories such as drama, mystery, or comedy With several options to participate in, students are able to pursue new areas of filmmaking independently or as a part of class
“It was assigned to me in my film class, but regardless of the fact that it was an assignment for me, I still would have participated because I thought it was a good opportunity for me to experiment more with film,” Kendra Hayes, Plymouth North High School Senior said
Kendra received the Industry Award at last year's film festival for her film, “The Last Day,” Hayes’ film stood out to Executive Creative Director at the Boston Film Festival, Robin Dawson and her film was later selected to be screened at the 40th Boston Film Festival
With many successful films produced in past festival’s, new student participants are excited to contribute to the new opportunities presented this year
“My photography career has increased significantly and my photos have been improving especially in the past year, which gave me more confidence to actually participate in it this year,” Bella Johnson, Plymouth North High School Senior said
With photography being a newer addition to the film festival, more students were welcomed to incorporate another perspective of film to the competition, ultimately, opening greater opportunities to a wider variety of students
“The format has changed, the categories, the prizes, and as time went on we added a photography section,” Mulvaney said “I think the heart of it is just trying to get as many kids involved, and as many facets of storytelling and visual representations as we can ”
Plymouth Public School’s EDTV Film Festival banner for 2025
Hanging on by a Thread?
Students take initiative in their favorite extracurricular activities without volunteer advisors
By: Amy Lee
Plymouth North students are “hooked” on their extracurriculars Even in the absence of funding for select activities, student leaders have found ways to continue their favorite clubs
The recent absence of the Crochet Club, an extracurricular that fosters love for crocheting in addition to social connections outside of the classroom, has been a struggle for previous participants Students formerly involved in the club, which did not continue this school year due to lack of funding from the district and an advisor to run the club, miss the bi-weekly meetings that allowed them to express their creativity with their peers
Nora Contrino, the former President of the Crochet Club, who felt discouraged due to the loss of the extracurricular this year, described, “The Crochet Club served as a creative outlet for all of its participants It was not just a creative activity, it was a social activity It was a way to spend time with friends while exercising your creative side ”
The Crochet Club hoped to eventually become a part of the official list of extracurricular activities and subsequent stipends in the teachers’ contract This classification would qualify the club to begin receiving compensation for its advisors Despite this goal, the group did not receive a budget or appear in the teachers’ contract and did not continue at Plymouth North this school year
“For the first one or two years [of a club], it’s actually not compensated You need to show that there is a desire for the club After you have that success, then you can make a proposal to the union and they bring it up during negotiations ” Mr Nicholas Davis Plymouth North French teacher, explained “If it’s accepted, it’s in the contract If it’s not, then once again, you’re doing it on a volunteer basis, which a lot of teachers can get frustrated with It’s a lot of time and a lot of investment ”
There is a limited number of activities that the district can run with the designated budget “If something new comes about, then we have to do a trade-off If someone says they want to create a new club, [Plymouth Public Schools] might say ‘we might be able to do it, but we won’t be able to fund another club this year ’” said Dr Adam Blaisdell, School Business Administrator for the Plymouth Public Schools Dr Blaisdell is involved in the district’s coordination of funds and budgets for courses, clubs, sports, facilities, and supplies “We try to make sure that we fund clubs and athletics as much as possible We try to make sure that we get everyone,” Dr Blaisdell emphasized Teachers and students at North remain hopeful that the Crochet Club will continue in the coming years, despite financial roadblocks Leaders in the Crochet Club are planning to organize crochet “pop up” events Starting in the second semester, these events will allow students to continue or to start building their crochet skills during k-block sessions every few months
“I think that the crochet pop up could be a great opportunity for people who used to be and want to be in the Crochet Club to at least do it every now and again!” Contrino said Other clubs at Plymouth North that do not appear in the teachers’ contract have overcome challenges while lacking a compensated advisor The Intergenerational Discussion Club, which promotes connections with senior citizens at the Center for Active Living, has continued this year with the support of seniors Emerson Spinale and Caitlin Richer
Richer expressed the challenges of running a club without an official advisor, “It really makes it difficult to reach certain deadlines It’s difficult to recruit new people to the club when we don’t have a teacher promoting the club We don’t have a classroom to meet in, we meet in the library and not many people hear about it ”
There are clear advantages of compensating an invested advisor to organize student activities “It provides a source of structured guidance mentorship and an advocate really for your group they re going to help students find success in whatever their mission is and have them find a sense of belonging Not having an advisor takes away that level of support that is frankly necessary,” said Mr Davis
However Richer and Spinale are grateful for the opportunity to take initiative in a new and exciting way, as the sole leaders of the extracurricular “We get to make up our own topics and choose the dates ourselves It gives us the opportunity to take that role a leadership position, one we may not have had if a teacher was involved,” Richer said
Overall, Plymouth North students and faculty have demonstrated through the continuance of these extracurriculars that challenges can unite “There is a certain aspect of crochet that brings people together in their shared love for creativity,” Contrino asserted Similarly, Dr Blaisdell pushes the importance of extracurricular activities as a part of the high school experience “We want kids to have as many opportunities as they possibly can ” he explained
Mr Davis described the pride that staff at North have of student leaders stepping up to continue the clubs they love, “I think every advisor has the same goal in mind We want students to take ownership of their club, their ideas and how they function ”
Plymouth’s Center for Active Living
ReStyle: Turning Trash Into Treasure
This student-driven DECA project raises awareness for the power of upcycling
By Ellie Rogers
With stores like Shein and H&M producing clothing at a rapid rate the fashion industry’s waste has only increased in recent years To combat this, many consumers have turned to thrifting and recycling to reduce their footprint
Plymouth North seniors Jocelyn Melleby and Maya Maccow decided to combat fast fashion by creating ReStyle, a hypothetical brand that aims to upcycle clothing Upcycling is the process of taking old clothing and repurposing it into new pieces These pieces are often able to be recycled (or broken down and made into something new) at the end of their life span, further reducing their ecological footprint
“I'm bothered by how badly fast fashion has been getting so it just feels nice to make something without contributing excessive amounts of waste,” said Melleby
ReStyle proposes a monthly clothing subscription box full of custom-made pieces
Contrary to many fashion subscriptions, ReStyle sends customers hand-made upcycled clothing
So far, one prototype box has been created with upcycled clothing hand-made by Melleby
“It would help to eliminate fast fashion waste as the clothes are turned into something new,” said Melleby
The students were able to make this project through the school’s DECA program, which encourages its seniors to create and present startup business plans Mrs Hollianne Sprowl one of the DECA marketing teachers at Plymouth North, oversees these projects
“These are comprehensive, prepared events that require months of dedication, creativity, and strategic thinking,” Mrs Sprowl said “The goal is to create a compelling business pitch or project that not only showcases their innovative ideas but also their ability to apply real-world business skills ”
These projects are no small feat They present students with a demanding workload and expect them to create high-quality elements to produce a unique and cohesive final product
Students are required to prepare a 10-page written project detailing their
business concept then they deliver a 15minute presentation to a panel of judges, accompanied by a trifold board that visually communicates their idea,” said Mrs Sprowl
Unsurprisingly, students must learn to overcome stress and prepare to meet these demanding requirements
“I tend to get in my head before any presentation I am about to give I prepare for it by making sure I understand every part of ReStyles brand, message, and logistics,” said Maccow
DECA projects provide students with invaluable opportunities and experiences
“Students gain real-world skills through this process that they can carry into college and beyond The projects push them outside their comfort zones, teaching them how to apply practical, life-changing skills in a meaningful way, said Mrs Sprowl
Besides just being a passion project, ReStyle allows the students to improve their college and job applications “I chose to work on ReStyle because I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience in business operations and fashion Also, I really wanted to add more fashion
The Rising Use of AI
extracurriculars to my college applications,” said Melleby
ReStyle placed fourth at DECA districts on January 7th and January 8th and will be presented at states March 7th-9th From there, Maccow and Melleby hope to move on to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April
Regardless of how far it advances in DECA competitions, working on ReStyle will undoubtedly make a positive difference for Melleby and Maccow
“These initiatives become a part of who students are, allowing them to create something meaningful that extends far beyond the classroom ” said Mrs Sprowl
Thanks to the DECA program and the guidance of teachers like Mrs Sprowl, Plymouth North students have the privilege of learning the business world while creating something that they are excited about
“Jocelyn and I both share a love for fashion and styling, so we created a project that we could both be passionate about,” Maccow said “I think upcycling is so creative and in e ”
As technology continues to evolve, artificial intelligence has been increasing as a classroom tool
By: Vivian Langton
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to make its way into classrooms and impact the way students learn and teachers teach As technology advances, there are growing concerns about its impacts on the education system as a whole
AI has the ability to potentially revolutionize education in ways that once felt impossible
Many teachers have begun to use this tool as a way to improve their lessons Mr Hudson, the technology integration specialist at Plymouth North said, "Currently, there are some teachers who are using it for useful ways to improve upon their instruction ”
On the same note, Mr Alex Cardoso, Plymouth North AP Computer Science teacher, said, “AI can help with personalized learning, offering support where students need it most It’s also great for sparking creativity ”
AI technology is able to adapt to the needs of specific students and provide customized lesson plans Chatbots are also able to offer 24/7 support for student questions for homework
There are some negatives with the growing use of AI and educators are working to find a balance “I can make it tempting for students to skip critical thinking if they rely on it too much It’s a tool, not a replacement for effort,” Mr Cardoso said
Some students are using programs including ‘ChatGPT’ to plagiarize their schoolwork and not put as much effort into their assignments as necessary These dangers are causing teachers to worry that their students will not be receiving the education that will allow them to be successful in their lives
“That same tool, if you change the prompt to help me understand it can help you organize your thoughts and create a good essay but you have to rely on your own curiosities and your own motivation to learn,” said Mr Hudson
Students are recently learning about AI use in classes They are able to learn about not only the dangers of it, but how to use it effectively in a classroom setting
One student at Plymouth North, Kasey Gilette, recalls learning about AI in her AP Computer Science and Office Technology class
“I think people shouldn’t be copying AI word
for word, but I think AI can be useful to help spark ideas and learn new materials ” Kasey said Mr Hudson said that there are many ways that AI can be used in a beneficial way in classrooms If someone were to ask it to help you organize your thoughts or find counter arguments to your idea, it can be an example of an ethical and thoughtful use of AI for students to increase their learning skills
AI is bound to keep evolving over the next few years The potential ways for schools to adapt these new technologies are endless
Maya Maccow and Jocelyn Melleby at DECA Districts
An Online Alternative to In-Person AP Courses
Rather than traditional in-person Advanced Placement classes, some students opt to take online courses as a substitute
As colleges become more selective, students maintain competitiveness with others through rigorous course loads: advanced placement classes Yet, some students are unable to take the advanced placement (AP) or college level classes they desire for a multitude of reasons, including scheduling conflicts or the lack of courses at the school
As an alternative, some schools offer VHS Learning, a Massachusetts based company that offers virtual self-paced AP classes With this resource, students can take the courses they desire individually and receive class credit based on grades determined by a VHS course instructor
“It is self paced but with specific weekly due dates, the assignments for that week can be done in any order, students can choose to finish the week's work as soon as they like Their course can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection,” said Mrs Debra Foreaker, a PNHS VHS Site Coordinator
The highly accessible nature of the courses means that students can self-pace themselves, completing assignments and homework during an assigned
By Caitlin Richer
class block in the Plymouth North library
Currently, students at Plymouth North are applying themselves to courses such as AP Statistics, Government and Politics, Seminar, Microeconomics, and more
“These courses are very rigorous and challenging, very close to taking a college course Many students find the virtual environment hard to adjust to They prefer the in-person form of instruction where you can immediately ask a question and get clarification of a question, the face-toface interaction,” said Mrs Debra Foreaker
While the adjustment to virtual AP courses may be a difficult learning curve, students who take these courses feel they are beneficial to their high school experience
Mollie Oravec, a senior taking online AP Government and Politics said, “Especially since our school only offers civics as a half-year class - [online AP’s] allow for an in depth class about government and politics Similarly classes that are not offered here are offered online allowing people to broaden their horizons and take classes they are genuinely interested in!” Though these classes are great for those
taking AP’s not offered at the school or in their schedule, they come with their own set of challenges and disadvantages
“The hardest thing about virtual AP’s is not having a specific person dedicated to teaching the subject and class,” said Chelsea Ohiwa, a PNHS senior taking online AP Statistics “If I don't understand something, I have to figure it out on my own or find help from a teacher and take time out of their day ”
In order to be successful in virtual AP’s, students must be dedicated to their education and learning
“While there isn't a certain GPA requirement to take an online course, we do find that students who are self motivated, complete work on time, and are independent thinkers and learners tend to do better in online courses” said Andrea Norton, PNHS Guidance Counselor
This March, sophomores and juniors at Plymouth North will be creating their schedule for the next school year While making this decision, they should consider the learning curve as well as the personal work-ethic and determination needed to succeed in these rewarding virtual AP classes
Understanding Local Scholarships
Plymouth North High School provides opportunities for students to fund their education
By: Maeve Geary
As the halfway point of the school year approaches, Plymouth North seniors are anxiously awaiting graduation day Along with that, though, are worries about the future, especially for students planning to further their education
Planning for college brings with it many worries, one of the biggest being affordability
According to the Education Data Initiative in the last 20 years the average cost of tuition at a public four-year institution has risen by 141% College is a financial strain on countless families but, fortunately, Plymouth North presents students with the opportunity to apply for local scholarships
“There are approximately 230 different scholarships, split between North and South, and there is $380,000 that gets split between the two high schools ” Assistant Principal Mr Arthur Butters said
The application for local scholarships is a Google form that seniors can find on both the Naviance website and in the class of 2025 Google Classroom, including questions and an essay The application must be submitted and a printed copy of the essay must be brought to the Guidance Office by Friday, January 31 at 2:00 PM in order to be considered for the scholarships
“When the senior fills it out, it goes to a database where the scholarship secretary gathers all the information in a spreadsheet and it goes to the scholarship committee, made up of teachers and administrators, who determine who gets the scholarship ” Mr Butters said In addition to the application provided
by guidance, students can also find a list of private scholarships on Naviance “They’re adding to those all the time,” Administrative Assistant Mrs Cindy Scanlon said Students should be checking those every single week ”
To access those, students can log into their Naviance account and go to the ‘Scholarships and More’ section of the website Students should keep in mind that the Google Form application for local scholarships is not applicable for these scholarships, as they are private These scholarships will have their own application form and, possibly, their own essay prompt
“Some of the questions on there will ask you about your clubs, your sports, and your activities, but some of them are specific to certain people, certain majors, or experiences you have gone through ” Ms Kara Simmons a guidance counselor at Plymouth North, said What students should remember is that the scholarships are not one-size-fits-all “Always apply,” Mrs Scanlon said “There are so many scholarships out there that people don t claim because they feel that way I know somebody who paid for most of her first year of college with scholarships by applying for even the smallest ones ”
Despite student misconceptions there are a wide variety of available scholarships that students could be eligible for, with a range of criteria
“Sometimes students have this assumption that their parents make too much money so they won’t get any aid,” Ms Simmons said “While there are need-based scholarships, there are also
scholarships that look at certain clubs, activities, or academic standing The team tries their best to make sure that as many students as possible can get some sort of aid
Students are also asked to fill out the Free Application for Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, which determines a student's eligibility for Federal financial aid based on the student’s and family’s income sources This can be done through the FAFSA website Along with the application and essay, the Guidance Office requests a copy of the FAFSA Submission Summary, which contains the Student Aid Index
“We want to make sure that we can see the Student Aid Index because, when the scholarship committee meets and reads everyone’s applications, it is helpful to see what kind of money is being contributed already and disperse as much money as they possibly can equally throughout the class ” Ms Simmons said These, and other supporting documents for private scholarships, may be submitted to the Guidance Office through Friday, March 21, 2025
Students with questions about where to find these scholarships or who are seeking help in the application process are encouraged to schedule a meeting with their guidance counselor Seniors must also actively check their Naviance accounts and school emails for new scholarships and general information Ms Simmons said, “If you haven’t talked to your guidance counselor in a long time, checkin and make sure you are utilizing all the resources that are out there ”
Senioritis: It’s Effects and How to Prevent the Disease
A deeper look into the effects of senior year on Plymouth North students and the best methods to combat burnout
By: Ava Johnson
Senioritis A disease easy to catch and hard to get rid of Many high schoolers have reported they are coming down with this, and every year, there are new cases of senioritis showing up This disease continues to take students down, a shared experience that needs to be addressed
Senioritis can best be described as the decrease in motivation as students approach the end of their high school years The effects of this simple disease are numerous and complicated to overcome However, this does not mean it is incurable There are simple cures to battling symptoms
“Kids are getting caught up in trying to apply to colleges at the same time they are trying to do their work,” Mrs Norton, Plymouth North Guidance Counselor, said Students feel this stress and resort to avoiding the root of the problem This takes a noticeable toll on many things, not just attendance
“I’m mostly unmotivated to make deadlines for college, homework things like that,” Emily O Connor, Plymouth North Senior, said I think college applications have definitely affected my performance this year I think the stress of having to get all of it done contributes to my loss of motivation ”
Students often feel hopeless when it comes to combating this disease So how can seniors learn to get past these mental blockages? There is no correct answer, but students can implement many different solutions to kickstart
their road to recovery I would say blocking out chunks of time keep your end goal of finishing strong, Mrs Norton said “Colleges definitely look at final grades ”
Jane Harhay, a freshman at the University of Connecticut, said, “Since coming to UCONN, I have joined swim club and have found such good friends ”
The opportunities Ms Harhay has gained can be attributed to her hard work in finishing her senior year of high school off strong Slacking off at the end of the finish line will only hurt you in the long run
“There are really no perfect strategies that could apply to every person,” Harhay said “So finding what motivates you is how I persevered through senioritis ”
Students need to recognize that their attendance still matters, but they should not push themselves so hard that they have burned out all their energy Recognize the hard work it has taken to become a senior, reward yourself every once in a while, and continue to strive towards your goals High school is almost through; it is essential to remember there is so much more ahead This can help to motivate students to finish out their final year stronger than ever
Gabby Lopes, a freshman at Babson College, said, “Since I got to Babson, it definitely felt like I had more flexibility in my schedule and more freedom it actually felt easier than high school as for my social life ”
Senioritis may come on fast It may seem impossible to beat But creating time to get tasks done and holding space for yourself to relax are some easy steps to keep yourself on track and beat the disease once and for all
What Juniors Can Do To Begin Their College Journey
The timeline on what juniors should expect while entering semester two of this year
By: Lydia Canniff
Senior year is approaching fast for the current Juniors at Plymouth North High School As semester two begins there is a lot for Juniors to keep up with
“In regards to starting the college search process, the first step is some self-reflection” Furman, guidance counselor at Plymouth North said “Here are some good questions to ask: Why do I want to go to college?
How do I learn best (lecture, discussion or a combination)?
How far from home would I like to be?
What do I want to major in (it’s OK not to have an answer)?
What kind of people do I like to be around? What activities do I need to have to be happy?”
It is very important for Juniors to think about what they want to pursue in the beginning of their college process
However, Furman advises “It’s OK not to have all the answers!”
For starters; it is useful to work on a basic college search When using Naviance- an app available to all students- the supermatch feature is one of the most helpful tools, allowing them to match themselves to colleges based on their preferences
“This will give students a list to start with, and students should not dismiss a college just because they haven’t heard of it,” Furman said When it comes to making trips to colleges to visit the campuses, current seniors know all about it and its importance
When visiting a college for the first time, it really opens your eyes to how you would fit in there as a student Everyone has their preference on location, campus, classes taught at the University, activities, and size
“I got a good idea of what the campus was like
and how I could possibly fit in there ”
Lila Blackington, Senior at Plymouth North High School said after touring her first college towards the end of her junior year
When it comes to wondering what comes next for juniors, starting senior year is the biggest event And there's a lot to get started on
“Students should ask teachers for recommendations by the beginning of senior year, and it would be great to create a common app account,” Furman said
Recommendation letters are submitted by the teacher the student asks and they will go straight to the common app From there any college the student applies to will be able to access any recommendation letters provided
Starting college essays over the summer is 100% an option for students, but it is not a necessity Each senior ELA class, elective or not, all have an entire unit dedicated to creating a college essay and allowing students to have their peers review their essays In which this is also allowing an opportunity to get advice/bouncing ideas off of each other
Once the fall of 2025 hits, students should begin completing and even submitting their applications, checking deadlines, and figuring out when they should apply for each college
“Community college military trade schools/apprenticeship programs, employment, or some combination for these could be the right options for many graduates ” Furman said
Each student will have a meeting set up with their prospective guidance counselor in order to go over their plans for the future Talking to the guidance counselor and asking questions is a very important step of the whole process!
The end of junior year and the start of senior year can be stressful for students, which is why it is super important to utilize your resources throughout it
Winter Resilience: How Swans Thrive in New England’s Cold
Swans are unique as they remain in New England throughout the winter, unlike other similar bird species that migrate south
By: Noah Kerr
As winter’s chill envelops New England, the skies and waters empty as many migratory birds seek refuge in warmer climates Yet swans, their graceful forms gliding across icy ponds and rivers, remain a steadfast presence, braving the cold with remarkable adaptability Their resilience, a blend of biological strength and resourceful behavior, make them a captivating exception to the seasonal rhythm of migration
Swans, particularly mute swans, can often be found in the Northeast throughout the year
According to Nate Cristofori Natural Resources Specialist for the Town of Plymouth’s division of Natural Resources, “Swans are among our year-round residents Similar birds such as Canada geese also stay throughout the year, but ducks vary widely depending on species ”
Unlike many waterfowl that follow the Atlantic Flyway, swans have no pressing need to migrate due to their ability to find food and shelter locally
Like many species, swans possess the ability to adapt to their environment seasonally Their dense feathers and layers of fat provide insulation against frigid waters Additionally, their circulatory system minimizes heat loss through their legs and feet, enabling them to wade and swim in icy ponds without discomfort
“Swans definitely cope with the cold temperature fine They adapt to cold water and don’t seem to be bothered by it at all,” said Ken Grille of Ken Grille Photography
Despite their resilience, frozen ponds can present challenges “If a pond freezes over, it will be harder for them to find food, so they may have to go elsewhere ” said Grille “As long as the pond isn’t completely frozen, they eat pretty much the same way in all seasons ” Originally introduced to the United States in the 1800s because “they look pretty,” swans can be ecologically harmful because they are extremely territorial “This behavior drives out native bird species, decreasing diversity and forcing other birds to seek alternative habitats During the winter months, however, swans are more docile and can be seen roosting and floating among native waterfowl without incident, Cristofori explained The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, also known as MassWildlife, is responsible for the conservation of freshwater fish and wildlife in the Commonwealth However, an unnamed representative from the agency commented, "[MassWildlife] doesn’t manage the Mute swan populations in Massachusetts because they are not a native species Swans compete with native waterfowl and can cause damage to water bodies due to their big appetite "
Swans often congregate in large numbers during the winter “We’ve seen over 100 adults and first-year juvenile swans in Little Herring Pond and Billington Sea on countless occasions over the years,” said Cristofori The availability of open water is also a key factor in their decision to stay Grille has spent years capturing the beauty of swans throughout the seasons, including winter “By wintertime the families have usually parted ways, and it’s just mom and dad hanging out with each other again,” Grille said He recounted one particularly memorable moment at Jenney Pond sharing, “I photographed two swans sliding on the ice, trying to get into a part of the pond that wasn’t frozen They walked on the ice, slid, and fell a bunch of times But once they reached the water, they started swimming strongly again without a care in the world ”
As the snow falls and ponds freeze, experts advise to keep swans alone and do not interfere with their natural behavior The swans of the Northeast continue to navigate winter’s challenges with grace and tenacity, a testament to their adaptability and enduring allure
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Photo Curtosy of Lydia Cannif
Photo Curtosy of Lydia Cannif