The Chariho Charger by The Westerly Sun

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.

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The Chariho Charger

June 2014

Looking S#arp

By Isaiah Hopper ‘17 Charger Writer

“L’Histoire n’est pas une science, c’est un art.” The Humanities Corner by Shelley Kenny Thank You For a Great Year! For Next Year:  Poetry Out Loud  Chariho Poets Society  Chariho’s 2nd Annual Film Festival  New for next year - A Night of Poetry and Music Winners of the Chariho’s 1st Annual Student Film Festival

Alycia Zenga winner shorts 1st Place (right) Cameron Brady honorable mention (left)

Zachary Gardell earns valedictorian title By Paige Pajarillo ‘14 Editor-in-Chief

For many, maintaining grades is a constant struggle. For senior Zachary Gardell, strong academics are just the beginning. As both the NHS President and Class Treasurer of the senior class at Chariho, Gardell has managed to maintain his title of valedictorian for the past four years. Hard work surely pays off, as Gardell plans on attending Brown University and majoring in Biochemistry. When asked about his proudest achievement in high school, Gardell said, “Looking back now, one thing sticks out. It may not be your dictionary definition of an achievement but it certainly is an achievement to me: Completing and succeeding in both AP Language and AP Literature, the two advanced placement English classes offered at our school. Those of you who know me know, that I’m not an English person, never have been. However, I’m happy to say I challenged myself and took advanced classes in a subject that I struggled in. Sure, I didn’t receive straight 100s but I did the best that I could do. I’m certainly proud of that.”

With such a strong affinity for the sciences, it’s no wonder that Gardell’s favorite class/ teacher was AP Chemistry with Ms. Kilmartin. “Between the material, the challenge, the self-guided work, and the community of the class, [AP Chemistry] simply worked for me,” says Gardell, “Ms. Kilmartin struck the perfect balance between support and fun. I’m a little bit [biased] as I love chemistry in the first place but the formula fit me.” Gardell’s reputation for success extends far beyond the classroom as well. During the school year, he serves as the senior soccer captain for the boys’ varsity soccer team in addition to being a varsity track runner for both indoor and outdoor track. During school recesses, Gardell volunteers through his church by building houses in South Carolina for the less fortunate. When giving advice for underclassmen, Gardell notes, “One of the richest men I’ve ever met (of spirit rather than wealth) once said to me ‘Some kids achieve, achieve, achieve and forget to truly live.’ Before you start thinking ‘YOLO,’ hear me out. If there’s one piece of ad-

Seth Bueno winner longs 1st Place (right) Tyler LaValley honorable mention (left)

vice I could possibly instill in underclassmen, it would be to do what you do because you enjoy it, because it challenges you, because it makes you who you are. Don’t achieve to get ahead in life or to fit a mold. Achieve in order to challenge yourself, in order to show yourself what you’re made of. Challenge yourself. Challenge your peers. Push your limits. Above all, have fun along the way and enjoy the process. Do this and the rest will fall into place. Do this and you will certainly understand what I mean when I say truly living.” For those underclassmen who have the tendency to procrastinate a lot, you’re in the same boat as this year’s valedictorian. “For me, at least, the hardest aspect of high school was self-motivation. Weird, right? The valedictorian having problems with

motivation,” jokes Gardell. “Well, to be honest, I’m one of the worst offenders. It’s the mental battles that are often the most difficult. You can stay up all night staring at your homework, but if you don’t have motivation, nothing will get done. The key is to stay positive and take everything one step at a time; little victories, I like to call them.” Being the valedictorian in high school is a huge accomplishment, but Gardell still holds higher goals for himself. After undergraduate education, he plans on pursuing graduate school, perhaps even a doctorial or PhD degree. After all, furthering one’s education is just one of the many ways to improve one’s life. “Do your best in every aspect of your life,” says Gardell, “All you can ask of yourself is your best.”

On Monday and Thursday mornings, five Chariho students and their teacher rehearse. Rehearse what, though? Music, of course! The Chariho Chorus Men’s Group consists of five students. The members are Michael Dotson, Ted Donovan, Max Leatham, Nic Palombo, and Seth Bueno. These five students rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. The group started about a month and a half before the chorus’ holiday concert in December. The group’s initial formation was the idea of Ted Donovan, but it was later suggested by Seth Bueno, who wasn’t in the group at the beginning, for them to perform for the holiday concert. The music that the group sings is largely left up to its members. “We have a very democratic, if hectic system… Mrs. Dowding, our wonderful chorus

director, was very patient and open minded and guided us in certain directions, but she left the decisions largely up to us,” said Ted Donovan. The group is definitely doing well. In about 2004, the first chorus men’s group was formed. Since then, there have been four groups. The first group, Cameo, had four people. The second group, Encore, had six people. Encore was the only group that stuck around for two years. The third group, A Perfect Fifth, had five people. The fourth group is the current group, named Looking S#arp. Regarding joining the group, anyone can join, even if they aren’t in chorus. Being able to read music is not a requirement. However, being able to hold your pitch is a necessity because there is usually only one person on a part. Looking S#arp is most certainly a wonderful group with much potential. Hopefully, they will continue to perform during the next school year.

Playwright Christopher Durang By Marissa Alfiero ‘17 ly fictional, for I could Charger Writer

not comprehend how one could not enjoy a three-hour long night of some of Christopher Durang’s most wonderful pieces. Although, seeing as Mr. Durang is my absolute favorite contemporary playwright, I may perceive this all with a slightly-biased perspective. In any case, the weekend of May 9th and 10th hosted a barrel of laughs for anyone that attended The Chariho Players performance. Director Geri Sereno, as well as associate directors Rachel Overand and Rebecca Renna, somehow managed to wrangle a rowdy group of aspiring actors and, with the combined talents at their disposal, produce a phenomenal show. Mr. Durang’s plays leave a certain impact, despite their overall brevity. He has the unique ability to pen fantastic plays from a limitless stream of cynical humor. If one delves farther past this façade of laughter, the profound topics of human nature can be seen peering through as well. For instance, in the startling moment from the end of the skit, “Wan-

THIS PERFORMANCE THROUGH THE EYES OF A RELATIVELY SANE HUMAN PERSON: Oh. Oh dear. I am not sure I quite understand… There are people pretending to be furniture. And the show is opening with a man garbed in a dress. He is an old woman? I do not think this is a sign that bodes well for the remainder of this show. The names of the various scenes are not too bizarre. “Laughing Wild,” “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls,” “Wanda’s Visit.” Nothing too obscene. And- “Canker Sores and Other Distractions?” That does not sound promising. “Funeral Parlor,” “1900 Desperate,” “The Actor’s Nightmare.” How dreadfully morbid. I surely hope this director knows what she is doing. And who wrote these? Christopher Durang. Huh. Why, I have never heard of the man. AND THE VOCALIZED PERSPECTIVE OF PEOPLE BELONGING TO A DIFFERENT GENRE ENTIRELY: See, this would be See Playwright / the dull type of person I Page 7 would hope to be entire-

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A word from your salutatorian

The Chariho Charger

June 2014

URI field trip By Jung Kim ‘15 Contributing Writer

For future plans, I top model? High school By Paige Pajarillo ‘14 plan on attending Bos- isn’t just about prom or Editor-in-Chief As both the editor-in-chief of this newspaper and the salutatorian of the class of 2014, it is my responsibility to write an in-depth, coherent article concerning my position, which is based on integrity, responsibility, and determination. So naturally, I wrote this article two days after it was due. Of course, being salutatorian was not what I had in my eager freshman mind four years ago. I mean, who really wants to be 1st loser? All jokes aside, I’m honored for being recognized for the work I put into my high school career. For the past four years, I’ve been involved in various extracurriculars offered at Chariho, from Student Government to Lacrosse to National Honor Society. Being a senior, I’ve acquired several leadership positions, such as being the vice president of NHS, editor-in-chief (obviously) of the high school newspaper, and varsity captain of the lacrosse team. Being in charge of any organization can be tricky, but I find it important to take the time, determination, and skill to lead.

ton University and majoring in biomedical engineering along with taking a pre-medical track. Accepted into the Kilachand Honors College, I plan on enrolling in various liberal arts classes in addition to my other classes. I hope to continue on to medical school and become a surgeon. Should I actually use my biomedical degree, I plan on focusing on prosthetics. Now comes the philosophical, deep-meaning propaganda that every high school senior will shower underclassmen with. Yes, this is our way of showing how much we care about you. First things first, recognize that high school is just the four years of the rest of your life. Depressing? Perhaps. Accurate? Yes. I don’t mean to make you question the meaning of life. Rather, I hope you focus on what your life means. Sure, having a good time is important, but your future is even more important. Use these four years to figure out what you want to do. Do you like science-related jobs? What is your taste in literature? Do you have what it takes to be America’s next

sports games or socializing. It’s about preparation for the years after. Finally, here is my overall experience at Chariho. I would like to thank Ms. Kilmartin for teaching AP Chemistry in such a way where I would only cry once a day about chemistry (compared to the national average of 3.4 crying times a day for the average AP Chemistry student). I would also like to thank Ms. Burke for teaching me how to effectively convey an argument and use rhetoric to my advantage. Another thank you goes to the entire school, who has dealt with my shenanigans and personality for a near total of four years. Finally, I would like to thank Ms. Sagamang for teaching me that yes, humans are indeed animals (Editor’s note: sarcasm). Overall, there have been dozens of salutatorians before me and there will be dozens of salutatorians after me. We can go on with the clichéd advice about high school, or we can stop and truly accept the situation at hand. Yes, being 2nd in my class is an accomplished feat. Now it’s time for the real world.

ABOVE: Various upperclassmen stroll around the URI campus. As a high school student I was able to absorb a plethora of information during the URI field trip. This experience allowed me to understand that popular search engines such as Google and the unmistakable websites such as Wikipedia are not the only places to get information. I was able to understand that resourc-

es such as the URI databases are a great source for obtaining high quality information and even primary sources. Along with finding new information resources, I was able to create a stronger grasp on the concepts behind plagiarism and the importance of citing sources in college. This experience opened my

eyes to the college life. With a guide to show us around, I was able to immerse myself for a day as a college student. Overall, the experience allowed me to fortify my previous knowledge I had as well as allow me to experience college life.

BELOW: Junior Kathleen Carpenter looks away momentarily as the rest of her classmates listen to a college guide.

Chariho Prom Night… Chariho Prom Night… Night… CharihoChariho Prom Prom Night…

It can be a time of laughter, dancing, fun, and celebration. But it can also a dangerous time. Automobile crashes are the It can be a time of laughter,and dancing, fun, and celebration. leading cause of death among teens, according to recent It can be a time of laughter, dancing, fun, and celebration. It can be a time of laughter, dancing, fun, and celebration. But it can also a dangerous time. crashes are But it can also aAutomobile dangerous time. Automobile crashes are the the NHTSA (National Highway and Transport Safety But it can also a dangerous time. Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, and according to recent Administration) figures, approximately 33% of teens, traffic deaths leading cause of death teens, and according to recent leading cause of among death among and according to Safety recent NHTSA (National Highway and Transport of 15to 20-year-olds are alcohol-related. The use of approximately alcohol Administration) figures, 33% of traffic deaths NHTSA (National Highway and Transport Safety NHTSA (National Highway and Transport Safety of 15to 20-year-olds are alcohol-related. The use of alcohol Administration) figures, approximately 33% of traffic deaths or drugs is frequently linked with other risky and potentially or drugs is frequently linked with use othertraffic anddeaths potentially Administration) figures, approximately 33% of of 15to 20-year-olds are alcohol-related. The ofrisky alcohol destructive behaviors, such as physical and emotional destructive behaviors, such as physical and emotional or drugsor is misjudgments, frequently linkedsexual with other risky and potentially of 15to 20-year-olds areviolence, alcohol-related. The useunintentional of alcohol violence, sexual mistakes unintentional mistakes or misjudgments, destructive behaviors, such as physical and emotional injuries such as drowning and falls, and, of course, alcohol injuries as is drowning and falls, and, with of course, alcohol or such drugs frequently linked other risky and potentially violence, sexual mistakes or misjudgments, unintentional overdose. It takes only one such incident to turn what should overdose. It takes only onesuch such to turn be an as event that iswhat remembered forever as a celebration into injuries as incident drowning and falls, and,should of course, alcohol destructive behaviors, such physical and emotional a tragedy. Party Patrols willtobe out what on Prom nights; please be an event that is remembered forever as a celebration into overdose. It takes only one such incident turn should violence, mistakes or misjudgments, unintentional talk to your teens. As parents are still theinto #1 influence in be anwill event remembered forever as ayou celebration a tragedy. Party sexual Patrols bethat outison Prom nights; please your child’s life. Learn more at: a tragedy. Party Patrols be#1 outinfluence on Promof nights; pleasealcohol injuries such as drowning and falls, and, course, talk to your teens. As parents you are stillwillthe in http://beta.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/about to yourat: teens. As parents you are still the #1 influence in your overdose. child’s life. Learn more It talk takes only one more such your child’s life. Learn at: incident to turn what should http://beta.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/about be an event http://beta.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/about that is remembered forever as a celebration into

tragedy. Party Patrols will be out on Prom nights; please CharihoatalkProm Night… to your teens. As parents you are still the #1 influence in your child’s life. Learn more at: http://beta.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/about

It can be a time of laughter, dancing, fun, and celebration. But it can also a dangerous time. Automobile crashes are the www.charihotaskforce.com leading cause of death among teens, and according to recent NHTSA (National Highway and Transport Safety Administration) figures, approximately 33% of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds are alcohol-related. The use of alcohol or drugs is frequently linked with other risky and potentially www.charihotaskforce.com destructive behaviors, such as physical and emotional violence, sexual mistakes or misjudgments, unintentional www.charihotaskforce.com injuries such as drowning and falls, and, of course, alcohol overdose. It takes only one such incident to turn what should be an event that is remembered forever as a celebration into a tragedy. Party Patrols will be out on Prom nights; please talk to your teens. As parents you are still the #1 influence in

Page 4 The Chariho Charger

June 2014

An event for all

By Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Charger Writer

Expressions in film

By Marissa Alfiero ‘17 Charger Writer

ABOVE: Past and current members pose with mascot Charlie the Charger.

Basketballs, sneakers, and smiles- on April 9th Chariho’s Unified Basketball team hosted one of its most important games of the season. If you were in the gym at all during third block this year, you may have caught a home game or two. I myself was able to catch the Chariho versus Westerly game with my AP Literature class this year. The players themselves were impres-

sive, demonstrating great improvement not only as players but as a program as a whole. The unified basketball games offered its players a chance to showcase their talent and love for the game with crowds cheering. Starting with an announcement of both teams players, followed by the national anthem, and a celebratory chant Chariho went on to score 19 points by the half and

Unified

ultimately win the game. Each player had their shining moment, cheered on the whole time by the Chariho Mascot, Clayton, who kept the crowd rallied at half-time and during each. With parents, teachers, and students alike in attendance, it was a game full of encouragement, smile, and a high-five for each player, like every unified game.

Anybody that enjoys fantastic films, free candy, and good company would have fit right in at CHS’s first ever Student Film Festival, presented at the Chariho Middle School Auditorium. So that would be the majority of the school’s population. Because who doesn’t enjoy free candy? Organized by our venerable Humanities Specialist, Ms. Kenny, the screening on Tuesday, May 20th was the premiering Student Film Festival that will stand as the precedent for many more. Young filmmakers from all over the school sent in 12 films- a number double that of the hypothesized amount. There were two categories to enter a film intoshort (1 to 5 minutes) or long (5 to 15 minutes). Though it was a tough selection for judges Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Hague, Mr. Moreau, Mr. Pecoraro, Mrs. Hall (as well as her mother-in law Janice Hall), Ryan Hall, and Ms. Kenny, only four could win the competition. For the short films, Cam Brady scored honorable mention for his hysterical film, ‘The Computer,’ while Alicia Zenga won first prize with her beautiful film, ‘Where the Heart Be-

ABOVE: Robert Zenga and Marissa Alfiero entered the very creative, funny film noir “Lemon Cop.” gins’ (one that focused on a love of reading, something that any avid bookworm out there can associate with). As for the long films, of which there were seven, Tyler LaValley used a tractor beam to reign in honorable mention with his film, ‘The Thirteenth Doctor.’ It is a film pertaining to the classic BBC show Doctor Who. However, discussing that topic in more depth would be enough for an entirely separate newspaper article. Then, Seth Bueno rocked into first place with the vengeful thriller film ‘Betrayed.’ Both Zenga and Bueno not only received the award statues that the honorable mentions did, but they also obtained Regal Cinemas movie passes. Just as it would take to make an actual film, it was necessary that many of the

overall elements be executed in a honed and thorough way. Lighting, sound, concession and announcement volunteers, and even an artist to design the lovely film festival t-shirts were all brought together to formulate one wonderful event. Gratitude is extended towards all of these helpful people. Of course, the main necessary ingredient to this activity was the abundance of films entered. Documentaries, comedies, PSAs, thrillers, and science fiction dramas were all in attendance. Film is an incredible way to spread morals, messages, and stories out to the world. We are all our own little negative prints waiting for the dry result to be unfurled and projected to the world. What film reels are waiting inside of you?

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock

Woody over broadway

basketball

games

By Henry Heistand ‘15 Charger Writer When Mr. Lefty offered students a chance to see Woody Allen’s musical premiere Bullets over Broadway in New York, there was no way I could miss that opportunity. I have enjoyed Mr. Allen’s work in films whether they are his highs (Midnight in Paris, Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters) or his lows (Small Time Crooks, Anything Else, Melinda & Melinda) so I was immediately ready to attend. I had seen the movie upon which the musical was based on and I wondered how it could possibly work as a musical. Regardless, Allen and director/choreographer, Susan Stroman, have done the impossible. The decisions to take classic songs from

complications thus ensue. The glorious ‘20s set design, complete with dancing gangsters, showgirls and the witty script captures a play that could be done only by Allen. After the play jaded Above: Heistand and Braff from the expethe 1920s and change rience as we all waited the lyrics to fit the sto- for the bus outside the ry work seamlessly into theatre after 15 minthe play, adding to the utes or so we heard apstory’s glorious era of plause and sure enough jazz. The play involves the cast was coming out a pompous playwright, of a stage door greeting played by Scrubs’ Zack fans. We all walked toBraff in his Broadway ward and met Braff, Padebut, whose play is fi- store, and Nick Cordero nanced by a mob boss who recently was nom(Vincent Pastore The inated for a Tony for Sopranos’) whose only his performance in Bulcondition is to have his lets. This was the procrass showgirl moll to verbial cherry on top. star in the play. Obvious

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The Chariho Charger

June 2014

Chargers reign as DIII girls’ lacrosse champions By Paige Pajarillo ‘14 Editor-in-chief Down by no less than 5 goals, it appeared as if the Chargers could not regain their undefeated title. “We were all really stressed and intimidated [by the Pilgrim team]” said senior co-captain Paige Pajarillo. “When we were down five points, I just stared at the scoreboard and thought to myself, ‘We can’t keep playing like this. I can’t end [my senior year] like this.” As the only undefeated team in DIII, straggling by five points is unusual for the Chariho girls’ lacrosse team. During the first half, a mere three goals were made, shared between high scorer senior Jenna Brierly and junior Samantha Orciari. Despite Chariho’s use of plays and picks, Pilgrim made goal after goal, mainly with the help of their high scorer Haley McCusker. An

ABOVE: Captain Paige Pajarillo and junior Savannah Dube look on as junior Abigail Cuddy fights senior Haley McCusker for possession. Photo taken by Michael Pajarillo.

aggressive and determined player, she managed to score a majority of the Pilgrim goals. However, hope was not lost by the Chariho team. With the scoreboard grimly looming overhead with the regrettable score, Coach Michelle Tebbets gave a tremendous inspiration speech. “In 5, 10, however many years, you will remember this game. Will you be able

to look back on this game and say ‘I gave it my all and I didn’t let anyone down?’” I can’t say that for one of my games, and it still haunts me six years later” Tebbets sternly told the team (Editor’s note: paraphrased). With the sound of the buzzer blaring across the Brown University field, the Chargers returned to the field, charged and ready for a new half.

Senior year meets Disney musicals

Fortunately, the team played significantly better than their first half. Pajarillo scored halfway through the second half with an assist from sophomore Isabelle Rinne, changing the score to 4-8. No less than four goals followed, each from various members of the lacrosse team. “What made this so important was the fact that there was no high-scorer this game [for Chariho].

We scored and played as a team” Pajarillo stated. Finally, junior Payton Saint Lawrence made the tie-breaking goal with several minutes left on the clock. Now, with a one-point lead over their rivals, Chariho was determined to run the clock and secure the championship title. Such a feat was not easy. With three yellow-cards and dozens of fouls, the Chariho

vs. Pilgrim game was anything but docile. Senior co-captain Emily Manning was violently struck in the neck with a shot on goal before being checked in the face by the opposing team. Likewise, McCusker received a nasty check to the forehead during the first half. Regardless of the aggression found in the game, Chariho held the ball for the remaining minutes, screaming and crying tears of joy as the buzzer snounded and they raced to their varsity goalie, Madison Newman. Orciari, junior Patience Coombe, and sophomore Maisie Jones were largely responsible for holding the ball on Chariho terms. It is unclear whether or not Chariho is eligible/will play in DII next year. This is the first championship title not only for the girls’ lacrosse team, but the Chariho lacrosse program as a whole.

By Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Charger Writer

A lot changes over the years, and senior year in particular is jam-packed with a whole lot of transformation. For me, as I think for many, there have been only a few things that have stayed solid since freshman year. Well, one thing that’s remained since elementary has always been the classic, gooey Disney movies. I find as time goes on, they can continuously be reapplied to new situations. That being said, if a senior could randomly break out into song, these would be a few favorites: Being excited for college: “When Will My Life Begin” - Tangled. It’s alluring, flashy, and almost every senior is thinking about it, while we’re doing homework, chores, clubs, watching television! From the first time you find the one, (the college that will house your next four years perfectly) every task until move-in day is just to bide time. Worried you won’t be accepted to your dream college: “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” - Hercules. No it’s no big deal- just the next four years of my life! It seems like it has to be there, but we all know there’s that slight chance that we won’t be able to go. It’s emotional and worth singing out. Keep in mind seniors, while you can’t hide how much you wanted that other school, college is what you make of it, no matter the campus. Finding which college to go to: “Reflections” - Mulan. Deciding what college to go to requires self-evaluation. However, you can’t hide who you are so go somewhere where you can embrace yourself! That reflection deserves to showcase you and although it may seem there are so many factors that pull you one way or the other, the decision is with you. Choosing a prom date: “Something That Wasn’t There Before” - Beauty and the Beast. So many things to worry about and now you need a date! Suddenly everyone is tested for that perfect date material and somewhere along the line he/she is no longer coarse and unrefined, but sweet and charming- you wonder why you didn’t see it there before. When you arrive they’ll say “Who would have thought,” but you’ll have the perfect date. Joining your older friends: “Part of Your World” - The Little Mermaid. Senior, top of the totem pole. Isn’t neat, wouldn’t you think we’ve got everything? Well we want more. We want to be where our old upperclassmen friends are, after seeing them dancing (on Facebook), and ride around on- what are they called...longboards! The perks of being a senior aren’t enough. At this point we want to be where the college freshmen are. Enlightening Freshmen about school: “Colors of the Wind” - Pocahontas. There’s something about the freshmen-senior dynamic that is so unique. You pass down wisdom in a way you can’t with other grades- and kick that 8th grade attitude to the curb! High school is a diverse place. The freshmen may see you as ignorant and savage (they’re young, they know not) but you are going to show them things they never knew they never knew. Driving in school traffic: “I’m Late I’m Late” - Alice and Wonderland. Oh god, why didn’t I just take the bus with all those annoying underclassmen? Why didn’t I just leave earlier? Well, I needed a coffee. Once you hit that traffic, the worry kicks in, and for every car that is allowed to go before you, you begin to feel later and later. Trying to get past the portfolio coordinators: “One Jump” - Aladdin. Underclassmen, let me save you the hair-pulling stress. You cannot put the portfolio off and the coordinators will be sure to catch you. It always seems like you’re one jump ahead until May. Keep in mind, Aladdin is caught at the end of the song. Moving on: “Circle of Life” - The Lion King. We all have that moment where it’s time to move on. We found our place and now that place is somewhere else and as a senior it becomes easier to see and understand that circle.

Letters about from page one Words that speak to the deepest parts of a person can hoist them from the dimmest abyss and offer a sanctuary. First place winner Gardell seemed to have a similar perspective about how, even if a person is not overly fond of reading, they can connect to a book in on a personal level. “Although I did my research paper on Animal Farm and Candide, I chose to write my letter to Aldous Huxley, the author of Brave New World. Up until the past few years, I never really enjoyed reading. Basically, the book introduced me to a new genre of literature, one that I actual-

ly enjoyed. I wrote to Huxley explaining how his book allowed me to see the deeper meaning of literature that I had never experienced before. I’m excited to see how I do in the national competition.” The dinner commemorating this prestigious event was held Saturday, May 31st, at the Rhode Island State House. Seeing the national the national results should be interesting, as Gardell’s essay will be advanced to this level of the contest. It is all very thrilling for Chariho, who is now seen to possess some hidden talents within its ordinary brick walls.

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why this was, and what Hopkin’s meant to her, she stated that, “because I can relate to her books most out of any books I have ever read. Normally I don’t like reading, but her books make me wish they would never end. When I went to the hospital, I was stripped of everything, but I could bring a book. So I brought her book, Perfect. And it got me through one of the hardest times of my life.” This is one of the countless examples of how much books matter to any single human being on this Earth, despite whether or not reading is among their passions.

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The Chariho Charger

June 2014

Aircraft carrier from page one

Alumni visit By Jillian Trager Contributing Writer Newspaper editor’s visit enlivens journalism class during cancelled career week

At the direction of Ms. Lynn Dowding, the high school chorus performs on the deck of Intrepid. seum. The figures were very life-like and thus slightly creepy. Each of the five floors has a different theme; historical figures (President Obama, Princess Diana, etc.) are on one floor, and pop stars (Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, etc.) occupy another. Despite the creepiness, taking selfies with the wax versions of my favorite celebrities was almost like the real thing. The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel and headed back into the city for a Broadway workshop. We were able to meet with a man who has been in Broadway shows and is now a voice coach. He is a fantastic piano player, and we learned lots of new

voice warm-ups to take back to chorus class. One of the best parts of the day was seeing “Motown: the Musical.” This was my first Broadway show and it definitely will not be my last. The show took us through the history of Motown, a type of soul music that originated in Detroit, Michigan, and the record label that started it all. The actors were absolutely fantastic and the costumes were beautiful. One of the two kids in the cast played three roles – the young version of the main character, young Stevie Wonder, and young Michael Jackson in the Jackson 5. His voice was just fabulous, and he made the perfect Michael! I think

that my favorite character was Diana Ross. The actress portrayed Diana’s struggles and successes so well that it felt as though I was watching and listening to the real Diana Ross. Needless to say, it was a very long show (about three hours), but it is worth it for music lovers. Our last activity before heading home was something that I had been looking forward to for weeks – a ballroom dance lesson! This was something that was thrown into the mix at the last minute because Ms. Dowding’s son works there. I am so grateful to David Dowding and Dance With Me studio for loaning the beautiful space to fif-

excited teenagers. Joining chorus is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Being a part of something is a great feeling and I have made so many friends. Plus, so many opportunities (such as this trip to New York) have come out of it. For example, we sang at a festival in Massachusetts last year and afterwards we went to Six Flags. Also, we get to take a day out of school every June to sing at the elementary schools. If any of these activities sound exciting you should get involved at school. Join a club (or maybe the chorus!) and all kinds of fun things will pop up!

Early morning on May 1st, in a journalism class taught by a Mr. Keith Moreau in Chariho High School, students were given the opportunity to meet Providence Journal multimedia journalist and editor Andrea Panciera and ask questions pertaining to her career and the journalism field. A lively presence in the classroom, Panciera was eager for questions and replied in great depth when asked, elaborating on areas such as her childhood, education, and her decision to go into journalism. A Chariho alumni herself, Panciera graduated from the University of Rhode Island before attending Columbia University for graduate school.

During her last semester at URI as an English major, Panciera took a journalism course and enjoyed it so much that she switched her major to journalism, which she pursued at Columbia. Despite a hectic work schedule, Panciera said her love of English easily translated to her love of journalism, and that she enjoys her job despite some of the stresses it contains, such as working late at night or early into the morning making last-minute corrections. During the presentation, most students appeared to be engaged and interested in what Panciera was saying, asking thought-provoking questions with follow-up questions after. Her visit was welcomed by a class that enjoyed the breakup in the class’s normal schedule, and her fresh perspective on the topic of journalism gave many much to think about, possibly inspiring future journalists in the room.

Cents for symphonies By Marissa Alfiero ‘17 Charger Writer There is a good chance that you have never once pondered the impact that music has in various components of your life, from the most subtle tunes in movies to music’s effect on actual people. Maybe you have. Whether music is something that is relevant to you or not, it is an integral part of our culture, and is one of the things that divides humans from other animals. There is no conceivable way we could function without it. Well, function and still remain happy. This is the reason why Chari-

ho High School’s Student Council is proud to announce that they have donated $800 to our school’s band department. The money donated was the profit made from the Battle of the Bands event that took place last March. This cash will allow CHS’s band to better itself and continue to instill the value of music into our impressionable young minds. It will cast the mold for the harmonic futures of many students who desire to spread music, and therefore spread humanity, to the world.

Words of the wise from page one “I would tell my younger self to be more confident and just go with the flow.” “Do not let your insecurities get to you, push through and put all you have into everything that you do.” “Stop wearing only t-shirts, grow your hair out, and some confidence for Pete’s sake!” “Don’t worry about what other people think, do what makes you happy.” “I would tell myself that I will experience things that may seem impossible to get through but in the end friends and family will help you pull through anything.” “I’d probably tell myself don’t try to fit in.” “Honestly, I would tell

myself to get into a better mind-set and not worry about my current issues so I could focus more in school, and be happier.” “Deep down you know who you are. Don’t let others confuse you.” “Have fun especially your senior year and make lots of memories.” And, of course, that which cannot be repeated enough. Always, always do your work. “Start the college application process sooner, it’s a stressful pain, and the sooner you take care of it, the better.” “I would probably have told myself to start learning music theory so that I would have a better grasp on it now.”

“Get involved with as many extra-curricular activities as possible.” “Don’t let everything get to you, because eventually you’ll figure out who your real friends are. And don’t procrastinate or stay up late.” “Remember your teacher’s names. Seriously, it matters. It’s a point of respect. And you need it for MLA format.” From the begining of Freshmen year.“Don’t Skip School!” When you’re first starting out, nothing is below you.” “If I could I’d tell myself to stop procrastinating before I get into high school.” “Try to find a medical research internship! And on that

AP Calculus quiz on derivatives, √2 x 2 does NOT equal 2.” “Yes this is an assignment, AN assignment, you’ve had them in the past, and you’ll have them in the future, it’s not THE assignment.” “Put school first, I always put friends and my social life first, but that was a huge mistake, also don’t procrastinate!!” “Make better choices and work harder at what you do.” Remember it’s better to do a job right the first time so you don’t have to do it again. If you make better decisions you won’t have to deal with those decisions when you’re older. “Save all your money and get all

your work done and do not procrastinate with the portfolio.” I’d tell my younger self to put more time aside to read for enjoyment, because assigned reading will make you crazy.” “To go back in time I would advise myself that missing work is not easy. Once you fall behind, it’s harder.” “Actually take your work seriously and STOP PROCRASTINATING!” “I would tell myself to learn how to make a thesis.” “Put school first, because you may not realize it at first, but graduation comes a lot faster than it seems.” I am not sure how the following tidbits may help you, but I’m

sure they have their own wisdom:“Eat more chicken.” “Take care of yourself-healthy body, healthy mind.” “Participate in all activities, especially senior year like spirit week, powderpuff, dances, etc.” “Drink lots of water.” So I suppose it’s no surprise high school is a bumpy ride. Hopefully, this advice can help you smooth things out, but it’s further proof that life is not without mistakes. “Do nothing different, learn from your mistakes. Don’t worry about the past.” “The best things can be found in the worst places.”

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The Chariho Charger

June 2014

Playwright from page two

On May 18th, 20 members of the National Honor Society took part in a beach cleanup at Charlestown Breachway as part of a community service project. The cleanup was lead by Jocelyn Foraker, a Cleanup Leader with Save the Bay Narragansett Bay. The group collected 475 pounds of trash and debris, including a large trawling net, rusty metal rebar, and fishing gear.

On May 17th the Chariho High School Band traveled to Six Flags New England and took part in a band competition. The band won 2 trophies; one for 1st place in the High School Band Category and the other for Best Overall performance. Congratulations Chariho Band!

STEM it up!

da’s Visit,” husband and wife Jim and Marsha reflect upon all the ways the visit from charming psychopath, Wanda, has positively affected their lives. Though, positive may not be the ideal term for the way the scene is cut off when Marsha mutters in a melancholy tone, “Now if only we were happy.” On a lighter note, the enormous amount of effort and talent poured into this play must be taken into account. The Chariho Players consists of a skilled set of actors, stagehands, and technical masters. And aside from the aforementioned directors, there is no way this performance could have run so smoothly without assistance from Laureen Gozaydin, Deby Nunes, and Jen Tucker. Anybody that attended would have been a verifiable witness to these statements. Though I may gush so strongly over the performance because I participated in the making of it and the grinning faces at the conclusion of each show can attest to my

truth. Another truth is that many people would much rather go and meander around at a football game while chatting with their friends. And that is fine. But the number of those who simply entertain themselves with mindless activities and forget that there is culture to be seen is far higher than it should be. It never hurts to go off and see a play sometime. “Ah, the spotlight, it burns!” No, I do not suppose that would be the case on any occasion. So it would not hurt. And when you are going to see a play that presents a variety of oddities, including swizzle-stick obsessed hypochondriacs, a gum-snapping waitress with a propensity for ruining remarriages, and a large dose of keening, it is really just what Dr. Durang ordered. And as the executioner said to the perplexed and lost George in “The Actor’s Nightmare”, “Goodbye, Sir Thomas Moore.” And that, folks, is the ideal way to end a theatrical synopsis.

By Jocelyn Foraker ‘14 paint and play the setar. tunity to explore careers trap cars on occasion! Managing Editor I

had the honor of interviewing with Ms. Noorbaloochi, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) specialist at Chariho High School. First, let me tell you a little about Ms. Noorbaloochi. Not only was she raised in Iran, but she has also moved a total of 19 times. The longest she has lived in one state is here in Rhode Island, so the ocean state is where she calls home. For undergraduate education, she attended college in Miami for architectural engineering. Continuing her education, she then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in math education. Ms. Noorbaloochi loves spending time with her family and enjoys raising her two kids. In her free time, she likes to

A math teacher at Chariho for the past seven years, she started the STEM program this year. Ms. Norbaloochi became interested in starting this program due to her background in engineering and mathematics. The goal of this program is to get students more interested in STEM programs for their future college and/ or professional plans. Ms. Noorbaloochi stated that, “The STEM mission at Chariho High School is to involve students in cross-curricular, hands-on and relevant activities in and outside of school. The goal is to enhance the existing curriculum by developing modern learning skills such as critical thinking, communication, invention, innovation and problem solving. Students get an oppor-

and college pathways in STEM fields. Furthermore, students will be able to participate in state and national STEM related competitions and contests.” Several contests were sponsored by the STEM program this year, including the Paper Airplane Contest, Hour of Code, Moody’s Mega Math Challenge and Digital Learning Day. One current focus of this program is to get more women interested in the STEM fields (they often dubbed “STEMdivas”). Through this program, Ms. Noorbaloochi has started an afterschool club called the Da Vinci Club, which meets afterschool on Monday in C12. The club focuses on logic problems, problem-solving, creative thinking, and collaboration. They even make mouse

Ms. Noorbaloochi’s desire is to extend opportunities for students to get involved in fun real-world applications of the STEM fields. She believes that “FUN” is what we remember. In addition to the activities listed above, next year students can also look forward to coding

and “LEGOMINDSTORMS.” Anyone can join as long as they have an open mind and are willing to make mistakes and learn from them. You can discover more about the STEM program and the Da Vinci Club by going to the STEM link on the Chariho High School webpage. From here you can learn about and get involved in STEM’s upcoming events.

“You are feeling” from page one tivities. Spinnato made one boy howl at the moon, while senior Matthew Drummond was told to act as if he was seeing the sexiest woman ever, and as the howling became louder, she became sexier. It sounds really weird, but it was just something you have to laugh at. One of the craziest performances was when Spinnato gave senior Emily Manning imaginary “hypnotizing dust” so that she could put everyone back to a very deep sleep (sitting

with their eyes closed, heads down), because he got her to throw the “hypnotizing dust” at herself, and Manning “slept” instantly! Even if it can be a bit embarrassing, I think I might want to be hypnotized if I get the chance, just to see myself do hilarious things I don’t remember doing. At the end, when Spinnato finally woke everyone up, he asked them how long they think they’ve been up on the stage. A girl said, “a minute,” one

person said, “like five minutes” and one guy said, “Dude, we just got up here!” That was when Spinnato said, “Believe it or not, volunteers usually don’t remember the experience after they are hypnotized, so they only remember when they first get up on stage, and right before they get off the stage.” It was a completely unbelievable experience.

• Screen Printing • Embroidery • Promotional Products

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Page 8 The Chariho Charger

June 2014

What’s in your future? By Paige Pajarillo ‘14 Editor-in-Chief

Durang’s shorts By Maxwell McArdle ‘17 Charger Writer

Aries 3/21–4/19 The next new moon emphasizes that the EWG bus will arrive on time within the following week. Yeah, we don’t believe this horoscope either. Leo 7/23–8/22

The North Star indicates that you have the tendency to be gullible. Also, someone has stolen your online identity, please visit the library and deposit $50 along with your social security number for verification. Sagittarius 11/22–12/21

The Northern Lights hint that you will finally get the body of your dreams. Unfortunately, it won’t be your body.

I was granted the pleasure of speaking with Miss Rebecca Renna, English teacher and assistant director to Geri Sereno, on the production of Christopher Durang’s Shorts performed on May 9th and 10th in the Chariho Middle School Auditorium. The performance was held on May 9th at 7:00pm and May 10th at both 2:00pm and 7:00pm. The Chariho Players worked long and hard toward mastering their scripts for the performance of Christopher Durang’s Shorts, meeting three times a week after school from 4:00pm until 6:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. As the performances grew near, the Players “tech week” was even more work for the performers and technical crew, where practices ran from 2pm until nearly 7:30pm or 8:30pm at night. “Typically in the-

atre, up until the night of the play, you never seemed quite prepared. However, I felt more confident going into tech week for the production of Christopher Durang’s Shorts. The actors loved the scripts and learned their parts quickly,” said Miss Renna during an interview. Among the plays in Christopher Durang‘s Shorts were the DMV Tyrant, For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, Wanda’s Visit, the Funeral Parlor, and many more. The production ran near three hours long, with an intermission around halfway through. During the intermission a wide variety of food and goodies were around the hall to support the club. The play provided a “wide variety of humor. Everyone has their own opinion on comedy,” Miss Renna explained -- Christopher Durang’s Shorts allowed people

of all tastes in comedy to have an enjoyable time.” The production was mint, with the exception of a few technical difficulties such as microphone feedback. But, as they say in the theatre: The show must go on! Also, actors were able to recover quickly to put on an astounding performance in the end. The High School productions of playwrights grant an experience in a different culture. The kids, or Chariho Players, put in a lot of their time, hard work, to produce an interesting scene for their audience to enjoy. An incentive to join in one of the Players productions is that any pamphlet you receive from the play can be placed in Expectation 4 of your portfolio- “Culture in the Arts.” You may also find that you enjoy their work and may want to join more productions in the future.

The Chariho Charger staff would like to thank our community partners at Sun Publishing for their support which makes this newspaper possible.

Taurus 4/20–5/20

The rays of the sun suggest that you will ace your Precalculus MCA with a grand score of a 37. Congratulations!

Prom Giveaway Winner

Virgo 8/23–9/22

A change in the celestial powers above indicate that your future is full of despair, betrayal, and heartbreak. Wait, no, nevermind, that’s the next season of Supernatural. We apologize for this inconvenience. Capricorn 12/22–1/19

The Capricorn constellation predicts that you will think of a goat. Right. Now. Gemini 5/21–6/21

The moon’s luminosity stresses that you will throw a complete “rager” after-prom. That’s right, you’ll break out the apple juice and animal crackers. Libra 9/23–10/22

The stars on a Thursday evening predict that you will spill chocolate milk on your shirt. Except that it won’t be chocolate milk, and it won’t be your shirt. Aquarius 1/20–2/18

The sun indicates that should you read the first half of this sentence, you will read everything else in Comic Sans for the rest of your life! Scorpio 10/23–11/21

Congratulations to the winners of ourSami Prom Giveaway! Segar