The Chariho Charger “Concurre ad futurum” June 2014 Volume VI, Issue 4
“You are feeling sleepy...you are asleep”
By Tara Gozaydin ‘17 Charger Writer On March 19, I went to the Hypnotist Show for the first time. I used to think that there was no such thing as hypnotism. I had no idea what to expect, except that it would probably be very weird. It turned out that it was actually more funny than weird: I couldn’t stop laughing. At first, I thought that they were just acting, and that they really wanted to do what hypnotist Spinnato said. However, I began to realize that they were not exactly doing these crazy things from free will, they were only concentrating. He played a little game involving different songs being played (that was my favorite one to watch). While the volunteers were in their deep sleep state, he would tap one of them and tell them, when this song comes on (he plays a part of it), they will do this (pretend to be a model in a fashion show, for exam-
ABOVE: Seniors remain in a trance-like state as hypnotist Mr. Spinnato instructs them to perform specific acts. ple). He would make every volunteer do something different with a different song. Then, he would “wake” them up by telling them to open their eyes. Thus, when he turned on a song a person would react and do exactly what he said they would. In my opinion, the fun-
niest act was when Spinnato played a Taylor Swift song and told senior Alden Andrea to sing and dance to it as if he were Taylor Swift herself. Of course, that’s exactly what he did. He took it very seriously, which only made it funnier. It even sounded like he was actually trying to sing it well,
even if he didn’t know the entire song! As soon as Spinnato stopped the music, Andrea stopped, and had a slightly confused look on his face. He asked him, “Do you remember the guy dancing and singing up here just like Taylor Swift?” “No,” Andrea said. Spinnato explained to him,
Letters about literature
By Marissa Alfiero ‘17 Charger Writer
Stories are universal languages that withstand the trials thrown against them throughout history. That is the reason why Chariho High School is so honored to have their very own talented writers honored by placing in the 2014 Letters About Literature Contest. In this competition, students were asked to submit personal letters to an author that has written a book that has wrought a change into the life of said student. It is a contest designed to promote reading and help to stimulate the minds of young writers throughout the nation. In the Level 3 category, for grades 9-12, Chariho’s own Zachary Gardell, ’14, was the winner. Then, one of the three honorable mentions was Paige
ABOVE: Salutatorian Paige Pajarillo and valedictorian Zachary Gardell pose for a Letters about Literature picture.
Pajarillo, ’14, another young mind cultivated by Chariho. Sophomore Elisha Grimshaw also was one of the 34 semifinalists out of 156 entries (for the Level 3 category). The letters sent in by these
my book of choice was The Great Gatsby. There’s something about its splendor and spiraling catastrophic plot that entices me to read it over and over again. I personally love TGG because it speaks to me about what the American Dream means. Yes, Gatsby falls in love with a horrendously shallow woman, but I feel that his innovation and his desire to seek the green light in his life reflect my own. He’s never happy with what he has, and that’s how I am. I will never be happy with what I have, because I know my tomorrow holds so much more.” While Pajarillo’s choice was a magnificent classic, Grimshaw opted to write to the author of a more modern tales, Ellen Hopkins. When asked
three scholars were sent to the Library of Congress to the Rhode Island Center for the Book for judging. Says Pajarillo on the topic of her letter, “For me, my favorite author is F. Scott Fitzgerald. Of course, See Letters about / Page 5
From aircraft carrier to ballroom dancing By Erin Spicola ‘16 Charger Writer A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit New York City with the rest of the high school chorus. We stayed over one night and our trip was jampacked with fun activities! When we arrived in the city around noon on Friday we sang a concert on the Intrepid, a giant aircraft carrier
turned museum. We set up on the top deck, looking out over the skyline. The view was beautiful, and between the view and the songs we were singing, I felt very patriotic. After the concert, we had a little time to explore the ship. About fifteen small airplanes and helicopters sit on the top deck. One was painted to look like a tiger and many others
stated a branch of the military on their side. The second floor is home to many inside exhibits, including more small planes and even a “ride” that simulates zero-gravity! Afterwards, we went to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for dinner. It was an extremely cool experience because the waiters and waitresses perform songs for their pa-
Newspaper Staff Editor-in-chief Paige Pajarillo ‘14 Managing Editor Jocelyn Foraker ‘14 Advisor Mrs. Mary Manning
Charger Writers Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Erin Spicola ‘16 Marissa Alfiero ‘17 Tara Gozaydin ‘17 Maxwell McArdle ‘17 Isaiah Hopper ‘17 Henry Heistand ‘15
Contributors Ms. Shelley Kenny, Humanities Specialist Jillian Trager ‘15 Jung Kim ‘15
trons. Many of them are trying to make it on Broadway so their voices are incredible. We were seated on the balcony above the first floor so we could easily see the performers. Sometimes, they even came upstairs to sing to us. Next, we stopped at Madame Tussauds, a wax muSee Airtcraft carrier / Page 6
“Yes, you’re the guy who was up here singing and dancing along to a Taylor Swift song and you rocked it! Do you remember yourself doing that?” “No,” Andrea says. “Would you ever do something like that?” Andrea responded, “No! I would never do that!” Yet, as soon as Spinnato turned the song back on again, Andrea would start singing and dancing again! Then, he turned it off very quickly and asked him the same question, “Do you remember yourself doing that, being up here singing and dancing along to a Taylor Swift song?” I just cracked up when Andea said, “No, that didn’t happen. That wasn’t me. I would never do that. Never.” The look on his face was priceless. How can you fake that? The participants engaged in many other games and acSee “You are feeling” / Page 7
Words of the wise experienced By Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Charger Writer
Coming to a new school is confusing and a little scary for everyone. It takes a few years to get things figured out, but sure enough you’ll find your way, though as a senior there is a chance, you will look back on your high school years wishing you could have deterred yourself from a bad decision or taken a chance somewhere you did not. The class of 2014 shared their own advice they would have given themselves.“9th grade can be an emotional, crazy time- just try to keep your cool and get all your work done! It gets better <3” “High school goes by with the blink of an eye. It has been my favorite part of life, so don’t let one thing get you down just enjoy everything and do as much as you can!” Every year can be a new form of crazy, however. “Whatever you think is a good idea now, is not. So don’t be stupid.” “Pick your friends more wisely.” “Avoid Boys.” “Don’t go that far ya fool!” “DO NOT DATE (name), the worst boy in the history of high school boys.” The trick is to be you. “The advice I would have given to myself is to trust my gut feelings and to believe in myself.”
See Words of the wise / Page 6
Questions? Comments? Contact us at mary.manning@chariho.k12.ri.us JOIN US! The Chariho Charger staff meets every Monday after school in the library.