The Chariho Charger

The Chariho Charger November 2013 Volume VI, Issue 1

By Isaiah Hopper ‘17 Charger Writer

Chariho 1:1 gets a thumbs up from teachers

With the first phase of the Chariho 1:1 initiative currently underway, it seemed like a good time to check in with some of the early participants in the plan: CHS teachers.

The 1:1 Initiative has been titled “An Investment in the Future: Our Journey Toward a Vision for Technology.” The proposal outlines, in multiple phases over a period of four years, how to get mobile computing devices into the hands of both students and teachers. According to the plan, a key reason for providing the devices is to preview the success of the initiative’s other goal. That is, to have the whole school district eventually use an online learning management system, or LMS. The LMS concept has been in wide use for at least a

A few of the techies ready to assist teachers and students - from left to right: Mike Siney, Marissa Martell, Jessica Geremia, and Scott Diggle decade in most American colleges and universities, and for somewhat less time in private K-12 schools.

However, the implementation rate has been much slower in public K-12 education, primarily because

of the expense. The key advantage of an LMS is that it gives teachers and students a centralized on-

Remembrance of things past~ ghostwriters haunt the Chariho High School Library Media Center people who had extraordinary tales to tell. Some of Miss Renna’s ghostwriters told tales of surviving war, while others accounted a personal war waged against body and soul. A slideshow accompanied each story, with the visuals bringing an extra touch of realism to each experience.

Ghostwriter Amanda James told of her grandfather’s experience decoding Chinese messages during the Vietnam War, while Ronnie Figueiredo shared a Korean War veteran’s story explaining how, “The fatigue was worse than the war.” Cameron Fournier’s grandmother spoke of life during the Great Depression and Jamie Gentile became the voice of

By Shelley Kenny Humanities Specialist On the eve of Halloween, students in Miss Renna’s Creative Writing class channeled the extraordinary life experiences of friends, family and acquaintances, through their writing. The Ghostwriter’s Gala took place in the Chariho High School library, where students assumed the voice of a person who they had previously interviewed. The interviews were transformed into 1st person narratives, and then read aloud to the friends, family, and faculty in attendance.

The library was decorated to reflect the spirit of Halloween, and arranged to give voice to ordinary

Amanda James with photo of her grandfather Harvie

See Ghostwriters / Page 5

French exchange student settling in for the 2013 - 2014 school year

By Erin Spicola ‘16 Charger Writer It takes a certain type of person to live in a foreign country with a different language and a new culture for a whole year.

Sam Gernez is one of these people. Originating from northeastern France, he’s recently traded in the French culture for the craEditor-in-chief Paige Pajarillo ‘14 Advisor Mrs. Manning Contributors Mrs. Kenny Hope Lecours ‘17

zy, fast-food-filled streets of America. He chose to come to the U.S. because he wants to improve his English. Believe it or not, Gernez has been learning English since he was fouryears-old! In elementary school, French kids learn simple phrases and immerse themselves into the language, as they get old-

Newspaper Staff Staff Writers Jocelyn Foraker ‘14 Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Miriam Overend ‘16 Emma Legare ‘15 Erin Spicola ‘15

er. “But I was very bad at it. Until I came here I hated English!” Gernez says.

School in France is very different than it is in America. First, students study more subjects than we do.

Also, the days are longer from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

However, there are breaks.

They have a twenty-minute break every two hours Staff Writers Marisa Alfiero ‘17 Tara Gozaydin ‘17 Isaiah Hopper ‘17 Tommy Katechis ‘17 Miles Provost ‘17

and one hour for lunch.

Since he has already graduated high school back home, he has been thinking about college or “university” in Europe. Gernez wants to attend university in France to study biology. When asked if he See French exchange student / Page 3

line interface where they can share learning sources See Chariho 1:1 / Page 4

The Chaos: a dystopian tale of numbers

By Tara Gozaydin ‘17 Charger Writer When it comes to books, usually I’m very picky. Many times, I’ve said I don’t like books, but after reading The Chaos, the second book in the Num8ers series, I’ve definitely changed my mind.

No, I did not read the first book, but you don’t have to read the first in order to understand the second.

Told from the point of view from the two main characters, Adam and Sarah, The Chaos is set in a not-too-distant futuristic world. Adam sees “numbers” or people’s death dates when he looks into their eyes. Additionally, he also feels the terrible, shocking pain of their death. When he meets Sarah, a new girl at his school, she runs away from him.

Although they had never met before, she is completely terrified of him. As it turns out, he has been in her reoccurring nightmare about flames and chaos every night. To make matters worse, Adam’s in LonSee The Chaos / Page 4

Questions? Comments? Contact us at mary.manning@chariho.k12.ri.us .

The Chariho Charger staff meets every Monday afterschool in the library.

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The Chariho Charger

November 2013

Connecting with nature, one preserve at a time

By Miles Provost ‘17 Charger Writer Located between the Charlestown Elementary School and Old Mill Road on Route 112, the Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve is the second largest nature preserve in the state. The 841 acres were purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 2001 and were originally intended to be a place for people to learn about the history of southern New England’s forests. The area is dedicated to Francis Carter, who, with the Champlin Foundations, contributed heavily to the purchase of the land.

The Carter Preserve is a great place for just about anyone who likes the great outdoors. Though mainly an area designed for hiking, the preserve offers

many other activities as well. In the winter season bow hunting is permitted.

In addition, the Nature Conservancy offers many tours and outings, such as bird-watching trips.

The Carter Preserve is full of trails, their lengths varying from less than half a mile to almost two miles. The numerous routes offer many diverse and unique views. On the smallest trail one can see vast fields of rocks, many split clean in half. Rocks such as these were dropped into the valleys of the preserve thousands of years ago by massive glaciers.

For those who choose to stray off the trail a little, a small waterfall can be seen off of the Red Trail.

Near Route 112, a vernal pond resides; during the beginning of the spring

and early summer it thaws revealing the cool water underneath. At this time of year, rivers flow through some areas of the preserve adding a new feel to the blooming springtime atmosphere. Those who wish to travel deeper into the forest

will stumble upon a huge mountain of a rock, right across from another fresh pond. These ponds are vital to the amphibian life that lives here, as the ponds are where the creatures’ eggs are laid and hatched. Besides wood frogs and other

semi-aquatic life, the preserve is full of deer, birds of various species, and even the occasional coyote!

Admission into the park is free, so what are you waiting for? Go out there and have a great time at the Carter Memorial Preserve!

Two test scores are better than one: a guide to college entrance exams

By Jocelyn Foraker ‘14 Charger Writer

As we get into our junior and senior year, many of us have to think about taking the ACT or SAT, especially if we plan on going to college. However, many students don’t know much about the actual tests and their differences. Thus, I am here to tell you about how they are different and my experience with them.

Yes, I know that testing may seem like a pain at times, but they are very important, so do not take them half-heartedly. Not only are they a major factor in the college admission process, but they are also used to win scholarship money. Now, many of you are wondering which test you should take. My advice is to take both and see how well you do with each one.

If you do well on both, then just submit both. However, if you score substantially higher on one than the other, then submit the better score. Everyone is different; some students do score a lot better on one than the other. If you don’t want to spend the money taking both tests, then take practice tests at home. These

tests can be found online on the College Board website, and if you look in guidance there are normally practice test packets for the upcoming ACT and SAT tests.

Now, one of the differences between the two is that the ACT questions tend to be more straightforward. Part of the reason why is that they are easier to understand the first time you read them, whereas with the SAT questions may need to reread a couple of times before you can understand what they are asking. I noticed that the SAT questions tended to try and trick you more.

Another difference is that SAT tends to focus more on vocabulary. On the SAT, they will ask you to fill in the blank and give different words that you can use. Some advice: on the vocabulary section of the SAT the questions get harder as you go on. If you are on the final vocabulary question, and you are between a relatively easy word and a harder word, the answer is most likely the harder word. In order to answer these questions, one must have a wide range of vocabulary. If you are not

Various test-prepatory books can be found in the library media center.

strong in vocabulary, you may like the ACT better.

On the other hand, the ACT has a science section whereas the SAT does not.

Although this science section can be relatively easy as you just need to analyze graphs and tables for information to answer questions, many people still get confused by the scientific jargon. Don’t let the descriptions and scientific vocabulary drain your time or make you nervous. Just read the question quickly and carefully, and take

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the questions one-by-one.

The questions are just based off your reading and reasoning skills for what you’re given. Since the ACT has a science section, most colleges will accept it in place of individual subject tests for the SAT. In addition, the ACT tests on more advanced math. The SAT tests on basic arithmetic, Algebra I and II, and Geometry, whereas the ACT tests on all of those subjects, along with trigonometry. Although many of you may be worried that the questions will be harder as the math is more advanced, I found that the math was actually easier. The ACT math focused more on the subjects I had been currently taking in school, as opposed to subjects that I hadn’t taken for multiple years.

Unlike the SAT test, the ACT writing test is optional. However, I would highly recommend that you take it since it is required by many schools.

For this section you are given 30 minutes, whereas on the SAT writing section you are only given 25 minutes. Now, with the ACT there is only one section per category, and although

these sections are a lot longer than on the SAT you can get them done. Meanwhile, the SAT is broken up into 10 sections. These sections are a lot shorter in time and length than the ACT. On the SAT you will write the essay, then math, then writing, then critical reading, then more math.

When deciding which exam to take, try to figure out whether skipping from topic-to-topic quickly will energize or just confuse you. In addition, take timing into account. If you are someone who can breeze through questions at the beginning but then slow down as it gets harder, then the SAT may be better for you. However, if you are someone that needs a little time to get into the subject, and then can focus on one topic for a period of time, then ACT may be a better choice. With the SAT, you are penalized for each question you get wrong, so guessing can hurt you. Meanwhile, with the ACT you are not penalized for a wrong answer, so be sure to put something down for each question. Good luck with high school, and I wish you the best of luck on your tests!

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French exchange student from page one

had been accepted into a university yet, Gernez explained that university is free in France and all you have to do to get into a university is to tell them that you plan on attending! The process is “very simple.”

Gernez is quite passionate about the arts. He plays the drums and loves photography, making movies, and writing. In fact, he wants to write a book. He plans to become a biology teacher and write books on the side. That way, he can have a steady income while doing what he loves.

Visiting America has been hard for Gernez because of the language barrier. Taking tests are especially difficult because he can’t always understand the questions. He also wishes he could see his friends and family. Yet when he goes back home, there are some things he will miss…Dunkin Donuts, for example! Most importantly, though, he will miss seeing American wildlife. “In America, we can see deer and squirrels everyday so it’s very nice.

I love animals. In France, animals are too scared so we never see them.”

So far, Gernez’s American experience has been a good one. If everything goes well, he will go home to France fluent in English, ready for university, and with many great memories to share!

Learning the ropes to VHS

The Chariho Charger November 2013

By Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Charger Writer

Virtual High School is a great new program offered by our school for students to branch out and take classes not offered by the high school itself. This innovative program allows students to expand their studies, dive deeper into their interests, and celebrate learning while truly utilizing the power of technology. Personally, I have been a fan of VHS ever since it was first introduced just before my sophomore year. In my studies, I have always wanted a little more specialization and room to learn by interest, which VHS was able to provide. I have experience with four classes in VHS, two of which were foreign languages. Though VHS is a wonderful resource, there are some aspects that an online classroom cannot provide. Specifically, in my experience I have noticed an excess of trouble with taking a foreign language with VHS. Not to say that it can’t be done, but if you plan on taking a VHS language, tread carefully. Here are the dos and don’ts of taking a foreign language with VHS to help a student along the way.

Do: Take extra time for a foreign language class with VHS. If you take VHS during a school block, expect homework, while if you take a VHS in your free time, expect to use the weekend. It is a regular class: therefore, one has to be prepared to take the workload of an extra class, which includes studying. In some cases, I would say that truly learning the material that VHS covers takes longer as the online program lacks the face-to-face aspect of the traditional classroom. Those of you who learn by listening or discussion may be frustrated as nearly everything is typed up or read.

Don’t: Leave all the work until the end of the week. This advice is more general as it applies to not only all VHS classes, but classes in general. More responsibility falls to you as a student, so time management becomes vital in taking a VHS class. With a language class in particular, no one can absorb 20 vocabulary words in a day or fully understand a grammatical concept by working on the class once a week. To fully learn a language you need practice, preferably every day.

Do: Find your own online resources. Utilize Youtube and any other site that gives you the least bit of help in studying. That way, you’ll know the material. If you cannot understand the concept you’re working with, the teachers are more than willing to help. With a foreign language, however, you must compensate for the lack of listening and speaking practice by using the internet to the best of your abilities. There are hundreds of Youtubers that specialize in teaching language: you are sure to find one that you love. If there are hundreds of Youtubers, then there are thousands of websites that go over every topic, from idiomatic expressions to pronunciation.

Don’t: Treat it like it as an inferior class. Write out your notes, read the textbook: whatever else you do to study. If it has not been stressed enough, VHS is a normal class. Apply any study methods you have learned from any other foreign language class you have taken and use them. Don’t rely on the work given alone to you by the class: it won’t cut it. If you want to learn something, you have to take the responsibility to do so.

Do: Fit it to your learning style. Study your language by determining if you are a more science-oriented or math-based. Look up tips for your learning style and apply them to your chosen language. If you are unsure of which language to learn, choose a language that will appeal to you on this level. A more visual or artsy person may have an easy time with Chinese when learning the symbols.

Don’t: Think you cannot get outside help. If the class is taught at the school, then that teacher will be more than happy to help you. If not, and you still want person-to-person practice, Google places in town where you may be able to find help. A Scandinavian cultural center or community event for Spanish speakers could be closer than you think.

Do: Work your hardest. There is no point in taking a class you won’t try in: you probably won’t come out of that class even knowing how to say hello. Remember that you want to learn the subject no matter how challenging the class can become. Go above and beyond the given lessons and you’ll find out some pretty neat things. It will be worth it.

Don’t: Give up. Once you have learned the material, you will thank yourself. You will be proud of what you can do when you put your mind to it and your newfound abilities will continue to grow. I did.

Holidays are great time to

PARTY ?

fit in

Consider it.  If you are under 21, it is illegal to drink alcohol. Why? The brain doesn’t stop developing until you are nearly 22. Give your brain a break. Let it develop and be the person you were meant to be.  You could get arrested. Remember Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton, the Narragansett Tribe, DEM and State police are out watching.

fit in

 Your parents could get arrested.

There is a thing called the Social Host Law.

Be smart. Party SOBER.  Drinking and Driving are a deadly mix.

Chariho Task Force www.charihotaskforce.com 49120R

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The Chariho Charger

The Chaos

from page one

November 2013

Chariho 1:1 from page one

HOLIDAY

such as streamed videos, think it’s good. They defislide shows, images, arti- nitely come in handy. It’s a cles, and eBooks, as well as lot more convenient, espeview their own course out- cially during our planning lines, homework assign- periods and getting work ments, and grades. The sys- done, compared to the past.”

Some teachers, howtem will additionally offer online discussion forums, ever, were concerned that where students can hold the students would not class-related conversations use the laptops approprior ask teachers questions. ately. A CTC teacher said, According to the “We’ll see. There have plan’s outline, Macbooks been articles about acawere to be distributed to all demic dishonesty and kids Chariho High teachers six getting through the firemonths prior to the launch walls to Facebook and of the Chariho LMS. With things that shouldn’t hapthe LMS launch targeted pen during the school day. for the second semester That’s my only concern.”

Out of all teachers inof the 2013-2014 school year, we decided to talk to terviewed, only one had some high school teachers ever used a Mac computto see if they had received er. Despite this setback, their equipment and what most found that becoming they thought of it so far. familiar with the laptop Top 10 finalists will take part in a ‘17 bake-off Original artwork

by Tara Gozaydin Many teachers said that was easier than expected. to submit cookies tasting pleasant qualities (suchfor as comes you by just VIPs. do what they received the laptops According to ninth-grade don, andand almostneed everyone’s number is reading as Janu- swearing a lot and smoking you have to do and even if on the first day of Profes- teacher Mrs. Milburn, ary 1, 2027. Though gifted all the time) she was very you mess up a couple times sional Development. Oth- “Assistance was given to see others’ death dates, caring, understanding, and God will give you a sec- ers said they received it and is still being received sponsored by his own number remains wise. At first, I was afraid ond chance - the catch is either one or two days be- when problems arise.” hiden from him. I won’t that this story would seem just finding that chance and fore Labor Day. RegardOverall, the teachreveal the ending, but ev- too unrealistic, but the au- taking it with a strong grip. less, the teachers that were ers with whom we spoke erything in the book leads thor makes it very believ- My advice for people read- interviewed did have some seem to be in favor of the up to that date of chaos. able for the reader. Some ing this book is please do conflicting opinions. Two operation of providing If you want to know parts of the book are pretty not think the world is going of the teachers were very laptops to the entire high what happens, you’ll have depressing, but that only to end. You’ll only stress supportive and in favor of school. While the 1:1 proto read it. One thing I love made me want to read more. yourself out more when the initiative to give every gram has not yet been fulThis book has several you try to read it further. teacher and student a lap- ly implemented, many anabout this book is how all of the characters are very well themes, but the most prom- I highly suggest this book top. Ninth-grade teacher ticipate that the program developed. They are easy inent ones were to never for people who like creepy Mr. Fain stated, “I think it’s will improve learning for to relate to and you end up give up hope and that any- stories that revolve mainly great. It is clearly meaning- the district as a whole. thing can happen.

Also, it around the actually caring about them.

All cookies will be donated tocharacters. a localWhy non-profit organization. ful and important.

It’s the My favorite character was teaches you that you can not give it a try? Find The future and we need to be Adam’s grandma, because never be prepared for the Chaos in the library today! prepared for the future.” although she had some un- future. When that time Another teacher said, “I

Enter your favorite cookie recipe to win!

CONTEST

Contest starts Nov. 21st Winner Announced Dec.18th

with a feature article in the Great Taste Section

1st Prize: Cuisinart Elite 12 Cup Food Processor 2nd Prize: USA Pan Non-Stick 6-Piece Bake Set 3rd Prize: Nordic Ware Cookie Press, Round Rack & Cookie Sheet

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The college fair experience

The Chariho Charger

Ghostwriters

November 2013

From page one

By Emma Legare ‘16 Charger Writer The college fair: a swarming mass of teenagers huddled around small tables, some chatting with admission recruiters, others using the fair as an excuse to hang out. But that’s okay, because I went there with a mission: grab as many flyers and pamphlets as possible. By the end of the hour-long period, I walked away with information from 14 different schools. Not too shabby, but considering I was and still am dead-set on going to URI, why did I grab them? Well, to help YOU, the undecided high school student. This article will not only guide you in how to pick a school, but it will give you an idea of what you’d like to study and hopefully provide you with some sense of relief over the terrifying prospect that college is only a few years (or even a few months) away.

How to pick a school: first of all, you need to read more than just the glossy brochure page that features a gorgeous shot of the school overlooking the ocean. Some schools, such as Salve Regina University in Newport, are in stunning locations. However, upon looking deeper, Salve charges a hefty $34,950 for in or out-of-state students. Add the room and board fee of $12,300 and you’ve got yourself almost $50,000 to pay for one year (on a side note, if you want to play a prank on your parents, just tell them you want to go to Salve and they’ll be sure to choke on whatever they’re eating once they see the prices!) Also, check to make sure it has the majors and concentrations that you’re looking for! If you want an artsy school, Lyme in Connecticut has an impressive range of courses such as Calligraphic Drawing, Digital Illustration, and Portrait Sculpture. Bryant University is excellent for business, such as for becoming a CEO for a company or some other business-dealing job. Its majors include Entrepreneurship, International Business, and Information Technology.

Some general tips for college include the following: •

Don’t pick a college just because your parents are pressuring you or your friends are going to that particular one. If you don’t like it (or even the price tag), don’t go! There’s nothing worse than enrolling in a school halfway across the country and hating it.

•

Speaking of parent pressure, DON’T LET YOUR PARENTS RULE YOUR CAREER CHOICE. Your future is YOUR OWN, not your parents. If you don’t enjoy what your parents want you to do, then don’t take that career path.

It’s always best to stay true to yourself and stick with what you enjoy (but make sure you’re somewhat decent at it as you need to make money in order to pay off those loans).

•

Always think about money. Picking a school based on its course offering is great, but unfortunately today’s society never lets us forget about the cost of education. If you’re going to be rooming at the college, that’s usually an extra $10,000 or so. If you want to stay at home, make sure you have a car or somebody to drive you there and back.

•

Don’t overload yourself the first year with difficult courses. Sure, it’s great to get ahead, but college is a very different experience from what you’re used to and it can be overwhelming. Save the jam-packed studies for sophomore year.

Hopefully, this has been helpful concerning colleges! I wish you the best of luck and hope you get into the school of your choice!

Putting power into Powder-Puff

By Marissa Alfiero ‘17 Charger Writer

Despite the freezing cold, the Chariho campus was full of spectators and viewers alike on Friday, November 8th for the Chariho High School’s Powder-Puff game. This intense game of flag-football pitted the two classes of upperclassmen against one another, and rallied the freshmen and sophomores in a battle of athletic skill. Attendance to the game was admirable, and all of its profits went to the junior and sophomore classes.

Freshmen vs. Sophomores Throughout the first half of the game, the sophomores were taking the freshmen

down with a score of 8 to 6.

Star player sophomore Katie Cuddy was the benefactor of their touchdown. In the next portion of the game, the freshmen drew upon their strength and were led to victory by wide receiver freshman Ali Bobbin, who scored both of their touchdowns throughout the game.

Despite having only had two practices, the underdog freshmen team managed to pull through and win the game with a final score of 12 to 8.

Juniors vs. Seniors The senior class absolutely dominated this highly-anticipated game. By the end of the final quarter, they had obliterated the juniors, hav-

ing racked up a tally of 27 points against the 0 points of the underclassmen. The four touchdowns were made by seniors Lexie Paquette, Brianna Cole, and Jenna Brierly. Though the juniors made valiant attempts to cease the continued touchdowns of the seniors, quarterback senior Brianna Cole crushed through their defenses. Yards were rapidly gathered by swift runner junior Patience Coombe, but her efforts were in vain.

To all those who participated, excellent job ladies!

Sophomore Courtney Drew at the ghostly event

an Australian war bride, who thought post-WWII America would be wonderful, but found the opposite. Through her daughter, Gabey Torres’ mother shared her experience as a volunteer in Haiti, and Courtney Drew spoke as her favorite Spanish teacher. Other ghostwriters included Krystal Colasante as a firefighter, Katie Tefft as her aunt who survived cancer, Haley Tweedell as a bullied friend, and Julia Dolan who spoke as a friend debilitated with a mental illness. The life lessons learned and shared by each of the ghostwriters

were present and powerful.

At the conclusion of the stories, refreshments donated by Culinary Arts and Vesta Bakery in Westerly were enjoyed by all.

Miss Renna is hoping to build on this first-time event, making it bigger and better for next year.

Above: Miss. Renna poses at the concession stand

YOUR DESIGN HERE

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The Chariho Charger

November 2013

Show your talents as a Chariho Charger staff member

By Emma Legare ‘16 Charger Writer

Surprisingly, colleges do not just review your grades in high school.

While strong academics and high ACT/SAT scores heavily influence your chance of getting into the school of your choice, sports and clubs are emphasized as well. That being said, why not join The Chariho Charger newspaper staff? Here are a few things you should know to help you get started!

• Don’t feel like you have to write big articles. People often get disinterested if they have to read something that goes on for more than a page. While our more-experienced writers generally write our attention-grabbing articles, new members are welcome to go for big or small pieces!

• Focus on your passions. Try writing about topics that would be relevant to readers or something that you feel they should know about.

It’s definitely interesting to read about vacations, for instance, but make sure the reader knows why you’re writing about it! Put it in as a future vacation idea, or something that readers can connect to.

You define your job. On the newspaper staff, you can have more than one role. Don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to just being a writer or just a cartoonist. We could definitely use some multi-taskers!

• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Our editors are meant to look out for spelling and grammar mistakes; don’t worry too much about your grammar skills. Just focus on what you want to say. We don’t drastically alter what you write unless it’s inappropriate; we just fix the little errors.

• Be creative! Some different types of articles include interviews, reviews, expositions (informational how-to articles such as skateboarding or dumpster diving), recipes, short stories, poems, and much more! Feel free to explore these types of writing and anything else you can think of (just run it by Mrs. Manning first).

• Dead-lines, not do-or-die. Dead-lines aren’t as much pressure as you think they are. If you commit yourself to an article idea and feel passionate about it, it’s much easier to sit down and get it out!

• Embrace the 1st Amendment! As a staff member, you can essentially put anything you want into the newspaper. Just make sure what you write, draw, etc. is school-appropriate.

• Look for outside sources. If you did a project or essay in school and want to put it in the newspaper, that’s fine! There’s always room for more content!

Above all, have fun! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Mrs. Manning in the library, Paige Pajarillo (our editor-in-chief), Jocelyn Foraker, or any of the newspaper staff!

Above: Nate Lucas ‘13 and Jess NeJame ‘15 sorting cans for the food drive.

Interacting with the community through service

By Mrs. Moen Interact Club Advisor

‘Tis the season for giving to those less fortunate! Please help the Interact Club and Ms. Jennerwein from social services with a holiday food drive. The club needs enough non-perishable food items to fill sixty baskets for Chariho families in

need. Interact Club members will be coming to all advisories to collect food items from now until December 16th. The advisory with the most items will win either a pizza or donut party.

Suggestions for items to bring in are: canned vegetables and fruit, cake and bread mix, tuna and peanut butter,

stuffing and instant potatoes, pasta, soup, hot chocolate and even breakfast foods!

The Interact Club is not alone in supporting this food drive. Ms. Musch’s students in the Chariho Culinary program will be providing a fresh baked pie for each box. The NEA Chariho is generously donating $15 gift cards to Stop and Shop for fifty families to help them purchase a turkey or ham. Hope Valley Elementary School is sponsoring their own food drive and will deliver their donations to the high school. Join the Chariho community in this food drive to make someone’s holiday a little brighter.

THE MIDDLE OF NOWHEREDiner

Welcome to somewhere special!

Where the food is glorious @ the women beautiful

Louie says, “Y’all Come Back!. This is Southern New England, you know!”

397-8855

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222 Nooseneck Hill Rd., Exeter, RI www.themiddleofnowherediner.com

“Isle of Capri” and “Canal in Venice” by Emma Legare ‘16

Italian do’s and don’ts

By Emma Legare ‘15 Charger Writer

“Ah, Venice.” Two famous words uttered by famous archaeologist/adventurer Indiana Jones moments after climbing out of a greasy, rat-infested sewer line. However, there are much better ways to arrive in a classic Italian city, such as by an actual boat. But before I get into Venice, I should start with the valuable information I want to bestow upon you all. In this article, you’ll find helpful tips on dealing with locals, finding food and what not to buy from suspicious vendors. Continue on to truly discover Italy!

Firstly, you need to know how to deal with the locals. The younger people (particularly vendors and service providers) will be friendly, willing to help you and will most likely speak English.

I was ecstatic when I found out that 95% of the people I met spoke words I understood! However, it is important to be polite and be the opposite of a stereotypical tourist.

People in Italy have a saying that roughly translates to, “One needs to have a sack of patience to live in Italy every day” and it’s true. Life there goes at a much slower pace and people don’t feel the need to rush (especially waiters!) As unhurried as they may be, don’t get upset and don’t take their slowness for stupidity. The culture may be leisurely, but the people know how to make a deal and handle impatient customers. The older generation may be huffy about all the tourism, but they have a right to be, seeing as the extra weight of tourists is only hastening the eventual sinking of cities like Venice. Old Italian culture is disappearing just as rapidly, with hotels popping up at every corner to accommodate the newcomers

and tacky shops waiting to pounce on unaware tourists. To be honest, I was disappointed with how much of the Italy I had thought was real had been replaced by a cheap imitation fun!

Nevertheless, it is important to remain patient and kind to the natives of Italy.

Secondly, hotels are going to be different than what you’re used to. I stayed in at least five different hotels (all of them were three, four, or five stars) and yet all (save for the five stars) would be considered below the typ-

it once we arrived at the Italian airport in approximately a minute and a half. Italian money consists of coins and paper bills, just like Americans. $1 is roughly equal to 0.74 euros, meaning that American money is worth less than European money. So, no matter how many dollars you bring with you, it will always be worth less over in countries that use euros. If you buy an item that costs 75€ and have $100 on you, it would be about $101.79, so you wouldn’t have enough money. Some restaurants and stores

ical American standard. Expect rooms to be smaller no matter what size you ask for, mattresses to be firmer, and showers to be no more than a glass closet. Also, most of the toilets won’t have toilet seats but will have a bedais (if you don’t know what that is, look it up). Included breakfasts won’t have your typical bagels, eggs and bacon, but will include bread rolls, sliced cheeses and meats, and pineapple juice. Most likely, you won’t get as many towels as you’ll need and the water handle on the shower will confuse you, so just make sure to order more towels in advance and test the water before you step into it!

Lastly, knowing how to convert dollars into euros is HUGE. It’s not difficult to master, but it is very important to know. My grandfather taught me how to do

won’t accept dollars, however, so it’s best to find a conversion center. While we’re on the subject of money, it’s vital to keep on the watch for thieves!

Italy is a nightmare crowd-wise for most of the year, making great targets for thieves and shady salesmen. Spread your money out to different pockets, wallets, purses, even in your shoes!

Never show how much you have while out shopping because sellers will notice and raise the prices of what you buy. Always take the best bargainer with you wherever you go because people will try to rip you off. Basically, act like you would if you were in New York City.

Hopefully this small guide to surviving a European country has been helpful and will be useful the next time you travel out of the U.S.!

Arrivederci, my future world travelers!

What’s in your future?

By Paige Pajarillo ‘14 Editor-in-Chief

Page 7

The Chariho Charger November 2013 student’s By Tommy Katechis ‘17 Charger Writer

Making the grade: a guide to studying

Let’s be honest: school can be stressful. With the average student balancing sports, clubs, and academics, finding time to study may not be as easy as one would hope. Fear not! With these few tips on how to prepare for test, quiz, or whatever you’re taking, you might just succeed.

• Find your studying method. The most basic form of studying is reading and memorizing notes, but many people find this dull and boring. To spice it up a bit, try rewriting notes on the flashcards. Then, have a friend or parent/guardian ask you the question or say the statement and answer. For example, to study the spelling of words, do the classic spelling-bee method. Ask someone to say the words for you while you spell it slowly.

Not only will this help, but rewriting the notes does wonders.

• Avoid distractions. Another strategy is avoiding sitting or lying down on a bed. You’ll be tempted to sleep.

In addition to eluding sleep, put your phone away and ignore the computer and television. Social media can wait!

• Make the studying fun. Turn it into a game! For instance, if a vocabulary test is coming up and you need to study the spelling and definition of the words, use this method. To know the definition of a word, simply write the word on one card, and write the definition on another card. Continue to do this with your other words and flip them over so the word and definition are concealed. Now play the matching game!

• Space out your studying. Statistic shows kids who jam their studying on the last day don’t get as good grades as people who study a little each day. Cramming and pulling an all-nighter the day before the test for 4 hours is not nearly as effective Aries 3/21–4/19 as studying 30 minutes every day. Not only will you retain the The alignment of the stars suggests that Miley Cyrus is indeed your spirit aninformation better, but you will have lower levels of stress. imal. You may become prone to twerking. Avoid wrecking balls at all costs.

Well, there you are. Studying tips are helpful, but only if you put them into practice. Only you can determine your optimal studying methLeo 7/23–8/22 ods. You may enjoy games whereas your friend may learn best from The moon’s luminosity reveals your inner, sensitive side. And your love for rewriting notes. People study differently, and that’s okay. Just rememDoritos. ber, there’s always a way to prepare yourself for that upcoming test.

Sagittarius 11/22–12/21 A meteor shower in the next week determines your fate on that upcoming math quiz. So there’s really no point in studying. Accept your fate.

Taurus 4/20–5/20 ERROR 404: HOROSCOPE NOT FOUND. Virgo 8/23–9/22 In the next month, you will find yourself showered in riches, happiness, and friends. Oops, did we say next month? We meant next lifetime.

Capricorn 12/22–1/19 You will face an impossible choice, where you have two options but you don’t know which one is right. So in other words, you’re taking a Chemistry quiz.

Gemini 5/21–6/21 The waning of the moon predicts that you will stumble upon a very important person. However, they will not appreciate that some random high-schooler took a swan-dive in front of them.

Libra 9/23–10/22 The North Star hints that you will soon become one with nature. By hitting a squirrel with your car.

Above: Chariho students embracing their inner character during Spirit Week.

Left: Mrs. Leith gets slimed during the CHS pep rally.

Holiday Decorations

Aquarius 1/20–2/18 The changing of the tides indicate that you will become a famous Noble Prize winner, helping not only your nation but the entire world. That, or you won’t.

Scorpio 10/23–11/21 The sun’s pattern predicts that you will find a lot of uncompleted sentences because Pisces 2/19–3/20 Your lucky numbers are 43, 15, and 21. In other words, your following test scores for the next three weeks.

Cancer 6/22-7/22 The Perseid meteor indicates that you will experience a heartbreaking loss.

Yes, your fridge will be empty.

A yearly winter tradition During the winter of 2010-2011, Libby Walker and her family considered Chariho’s senior citizens and the challenges they might face shoveling their own driveways or paying someone else to come and help them. As a solution, they formed the Shovel Brigade, an organization that creates a symbiotic relationship between high school

students who need volunteer hours and the elderly who are in need of shoveled driveways. While this program does require some commitment, it is understandable if you cannot participate on a certain date.

Walker and the recipients understand that school is the first priority and that volunteers may not get to houses immediately, but rather on the weekends or after school. If you

sign up as a volunteer, you will be assigned to a house or houses in your town. To sign up you can contact Walker through the Shovel Brigade’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thecharihoshovelbrigade. com or at charlestownsmo@Gmail. com , richmondsmo@Gmail.com , or hopkintonsmo@ Gmail.com (depending on your town).

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By Miriam Overend ‘16 Charger Writer

Page 8

The Chariho Charger

November 2013

Calling all film-makers!

By Lorraine Wilson ‘14 Chager Writer

Coming up in May is the newest extracurricular to Chariho, the Chariho Student Film Festival. Taking place in May, students can now enter by leaving a note in the specified folder on the door to Mrs. Kenny’s office (B13) or by seeing Mrs. Kenny herself!

The film festival is welcoming a plethora of films, such as (but not limited to): documentaries, creative, animations, and even foreign films. The festival will be partnering with the URI media lab, making HD

cameras available along with the help of URI graduate students. All movies will be edited through iMovie, which is easy to navigate and readily available on the new laptops students will be receiving through the 1:1 Program.

A logo contest is also currently opened to all students of the art, advertising, and design classes.

Speak with Mrs. Kenny for further details. Concerning the film festival as a whole, Mrs. Kenny says, “The kids know better than anyone how fun creative film making can be.”

An introvert’s guide to the world outside

By Marissa Alfiero ‘17 Charger Writer

Do you enjoy taking your own solitary time to process your individual thoughts and the meaning of varied things in life? Does interacting in immense social groups for an extended period of time physically fatigue you? Is listening and decoding slowly the way that you organize your speech process?

If any of these questions formulated the thought of, “Why yes! Yes indeed,” then you just may be an introvert. Now, I for one dislike placing labels on things, unless it is with a literal label maker that prints out sticky-backed slips of lamented paper. But some of us (and I am sure you have an inkling of who you are) are not extroverts. We comprehend the nature of the world in a different way than many others do, and that is perfectly fine.

Author, assistant clinical professor, and introvert Laurie Helgoe, PhD, stated in a recent article that, “Introverts are collectors of thoughts, and solitude is the place where the collection is curated and rearranged to make sense of the present and future.” Just because one does not require external stimuli to boost their self-esteem or create ideas does not make them weird. Weird is a state of mind, much like the despised word ‘normal’.

The nature of their meaning is highly dependent upon the beliefs of the speaker uttering these words. Sometimes, introverts feel a bit lost amid the confusion of a socially-propelled world. Without further ado, here are some tips for the introverts of the world: 1. Extroverts may not understand your preferred vice of solitude. Do not think that this makes you absurd and abnormal. It is the way that some people’s brains are wired, and it does not force them to be certain characteristic traits solely due to introvert tendencies.

2. Be yourself. My favorite thing to do, when in that ‘please leave me alone’ kind of mood that may come over introverts throughout the long hours at school is to simply (when possible) pop on some headphones. Reading a book also is an efficient technique. This signals usually let others know that you are not in a conversation mood.

Unfortunately, some people cannot take a hint. They may ask you what book you are reading, or whatnot. Wordlessly, flip the cover over to show them, eyes on the book the entire time. If this still does not get through to them, simply (and with brevity) explain your disposition to enjoying the splendors of alone time.

3. Don’t do things that you are uncomfortable with. For example, if you aren’t the partying type, avoid large crowds.

4. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Most importantly, always bring an activity to silently occupy yourself at social events, just in case. If people ever judge you for reading books while at a party, or playing on your portable game device at a school dance, then they are clearly not worth your time.

As a parting word, my fellow insightfully-minded peers, never let the world tear away your thoughts. That is the strongest thing we, as the human species, have.

Left: Seniors Zachary Kittell and Delaney Silvestri scale the rock wall at the RockSpot gym located in Peacedale, RI. Both Kittell and Silvestri are members of Chariho’s National Honor Society.

HOLIDAY Enter your favorite cookie recipe to win!

CONTEST

Contest starts Nov. 21st Winner Announced Dec.18th

with a feature article in the Great Taste Section Top 10 finalists will take part in a bake-off and need to submit cookies for tasting by VIPs.

1st Prize: Cuisinart Elite 12 Cup Food Processor 2nd Prize: USA Pan Non-Stick 6-Piece Bake Set 3rd Prize: Nordic Ware Cookie Press, Round Rack & Cookie Sheet

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