Wadsworth High School
Newspaper II/III
1870 - 2015 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 145 years of Excellence in Education”
Volume XLI No. 3
The
BRUIN
DECEMBER 2015
Winter Break Dec. 21-Jan. 1
625 Broad Street Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
$1.00
Violence overshadows historic events of 2015 BY EMILY ANDREWS AND NICK LANDOLPH
Throughout 2015, many events occurred that captured the world’s attention. The year started off relatively well in the United States, as the women’s national soccer team won the 2015 World Cup in July. The ladies played flawless soccer and defeated Japan in the World Cup finals 5-2. The ladies’ victory brought out a sense of patriotism and nationalism that the country had not seen in many years. The United States also made huge strides in its social equality. For many years, those in the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community had been asking for fair partnership rights and on Jun. 26, 2015, America made a monumental decision to legalize gay marriage. Two-thirds of the American population supports gay marriage, and this support shows the acceptance of diversity in America.
However, many tragic events occurred in 2015 that have become more prominent than these positive events. Police brutality has been a reoccurring issue that has plaqued 2015. Thanks to social media, multiple videos have gone viral showing police brutality in action. These videos have been
the beginning, but it did not take long for things to get violent. In the end, at least 20 police officers were injured, and over 200 businesses were damaged in an attempt to end police brutality. Since the riots in Baltimore, multiple other cases of police brutality have been posted to the Internet, and many Americans are
photo cOURTESY OF mct campus
Flowers and notes are left to pay respect to those who have passed due to the shooting in San Bernardino, California.
causing national uproar as well as riots in Baltimore. The protesters were rioting because of the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. The demonstrations were peaceful in
concerned about whether or not they can trust the police. In June, Dylann Roof opened fire at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina. Roof shot and
photo BY EMILY ANDREWS
Inside
the
Star Wadsworth students Darrin Gilkerson, 12, and Erin Kilbride, 12, recently received perfect scores on their ACTs, and are looking to do even more. Wadsworth City Schools has always been known for excellence in education, but even the most excellent schools hardly ever have two students scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT. The ACT has four major components: English, Reading,
Bruin:
Organizations Thriving this holiday season College Football Playoff set to Kick off
killed nine people with the hopes of igniting a race war. He had taken a picture of the Confederate flag prior to the shooting, so the flag became a symbol of a renewed source of rebellion. The American government made the decision to ban the Confederate flag from Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The flag had always been seen as a sign of rebellion, but this shooting pushed government officials to ban the flag from all government property. However,the flag is still allowed to be flown on private property. The amount of terrorist activity has also been a major story of 2015, as ISIS has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks and shootings this year.
Perhaps the most extreme attack of the year occurred in November when members of ISIS attacked Paris, France. The attackers killed 130 innocent civilians, and injured between 352 and 368 others. After the attack in Paris, two supporters of ISIS opened fire on a crowd of people in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people and injuring 21 others. This attack on Dec. 2, shocked Americans because it is rare to have attacks of that scale on American soil. As 2015 comes to an end, U.S. citizens hope the presidential election and the Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will counter the tough times of 2015.
Math and Science. Each section is scored individually, and all of the individual scores are used to calculate the overall score. “Going into the test site, Darrin and I both were expecting to earn around a 34,” Kilbride said. Both put in time and effort to studying. They took many practice tests to study and took rigorous AP classes to prepare for the test. Since there are so many questions on the test, there are usually several questions that are particularly hard, but not for Gilkerson. “I knew, or I thought I knew them all,” Gilkerson said. A lot of their credit goes to their teachers throughout their high
school career. “I have loved every teacher I have had at Wadsworth, and I feel like I am extremely prepared,” Gilkerson said. Earning a 36 has opened many doors for these students. Going to a school like MIT or Harvard is now a great possibility for these two because of their test scores. Gilkerson wants to be an Engineering Physics major. This would give Gilkerson an opportunity to potentially work at NASA or Space X. After graduation, Kilbride is looking forward to attending Northwestern or the University of Southern California. She will be going to these schools to study medicine.
Students achieve perfection
BY EMILY ANDREWS AND NICK LANDOLPH
Erin (left) and Darrin (right) throw up a three and a six to show that they earned a perfect 36 on their ACTs.
photos cOURTESY OF mct campus
A young protester (left) in Baltimore holds a sign showing that he is against the political corruption of the city. French President Francois Hollande (right) delivers a speech during a ceremony for the victims of the ISIS attack on Paris.
–page 3 –page 11
Cast of Almost, Main stages beautiful performance –page14 INDEX PAGE
Editorial............................................................. 2 News................................................................. 3 Opinion.......................................................... 4,5 Ads ........................................................... 6,7,12 Features.......................................................... 13 Entertainment.................................................. 14 Picture Page....................................................... 8 Letters to Santa.................................................. 9 Sports........................................................ 10, 11 Of the Month................................................... 15 Speakout......................................................... 16
find a snowman in your bruin and win a prize!
photo cOURTESY OF mct campus
Only one percent of test takers score between a 34-36 on the ACT.
Visit the Bruin Online at http://www.bruinonline.org
2
D ecember 2015
Brewin’ Debate
Goodbye, 2015
Staff Editorial
Happy holidays, Wadsworth High! The most wonderful time of the year is upon us again, and Winter Break is right around the corner. Why not gather your loved ones and enjoy the latest issue of The Bruin with them? Although receiving gifts is a big part of the holiday season for most people, do not forget what this time of year is really all about: giving. Try taking time during your Winter Break to do something to give back to the Wadsworth community. Ringing a bell for donations to the Salvation Army is an easy service, and you can gather a group of friends to make it more fun. We at The Bruin also think it is important to spend time with loved ones, especially during this time of year. As the wise Meghan Trainor once said, “We’re not promised tomorrow.” The recent violent
tragedies that have plagued the world are a reminder of this. Be sure you make time for your family over the coming break, and make sure they know that they are loved. December is also a time to reflect on the successes (and failures) of the past year. We at The Bruin believe that we have had much more success than failure this year, and we hope to continue this trend in 2016. Before we return to school, the new year will have arrived in Wadsworth. What are your New Year’s resolutions? The Bruin staff’s ultimate resolution is to consistently create the best paper ever and go all out. Each issue in 2016 will be better than the last! Whatever holiday you celebrate, The Bruin wishes you a happy one. Enjoy your time with your family and friends, and we will see you in 2016! Contact The Bruin: Twitter (@wadsworthbruin) Instagram (@WHS_Bruin) wadsworthbruin@gmail.com
E ditorial
The Bruin
Are real Christmas trees better than fake ones? Yes
No
By Noah baughman
by ALex lenc
What does tradition mean to you? I truly believe that without a real Christmas tree, the holidays just are not the same. Ever since families began celebrating Christmas, the pine tree has been a symbol for the winter celebrations. Although buying a real tree year in and year out may have its downfalls, nothing compares to an actual tree. A real tree may leave behind a mess of pine needles, but the beautiful smell that fills your home is worth the cleanup. Purchasing a new tree each year may not be the most cost beneficial, but many fake trees cost more than real trees and often break sooner than later. Fake Christmas trees contain harmful plastics that hurt the environment when produced and manufactured. Fake Christmas trees are not environmentally friendly. Buying real Christmas trees promotes the idea of planting trees and loving our planet. Nothing gets the Christmas spirit going like sawing down a lovely pine tree, tying it to the rooftop of your car and bringing it home to set up and decorate with your family. Buying a real tree brings the families of America closer. Keeping the tradition of real Christmas trees is vital to the holiday season and winter spirit.
It is the idea that matters most. A tree is a tree, and buying a fake one is a smart way to spend your money considering that you will not have to buy another one for several years. Cleanup and maintenance are also much easier if you decide to stay away from real trees. Buying a fake tree means you are ready to dismiss the pesky tasks of watering the tree and cleaning up the many pine needles that are left all over the place. Fake trees are going to look just as nice as the real ones, usually come with some decoration already on them, and can be used over and over again for years to come. Real trees are also not as good for the environment as most people think. Some people may believe that real trees would be a more eco-friendly alternative to the fake ones but this is not the case. A large amount of Christmas trees are grown with harmful pesticides that should not be in a household and these pesticides are harmful to some animals. You may not be able to cut the tree down together, but families still can set these trees up together along with all of their house decorations to keep the Christmas spirit alive. There is much more to Christmas than just the tree, so save yourself some money and buy something that looks just like the real thing.
Students REACT TO CANNED FOOD DRIVE
Many juniors are upset about the sophomores losing the canned food drive contest but still getting the movie prize. Many sophomores are upset because they said juniors cheated. What each class is having trouble realizing is that together we gathered 10,000 cans (ramen noodles) to help the people who really need it; that is an insane amount of cans. P.S. But juniors still won! -Blake Hallas, 11 The canned food drive has always been a successful event. This year the high school stepped up their game. Fighting for dominance and victory, the sophomores and juniors were in an all-out war. Neither the sophomores nor the juniors really cared about the movie or the time off; they just wanted to see the other grade fail and fall behind. For the sophomores this was a typical sight. The “war” blew out of proportion and extended beyond its purpose. The juniors rallied together to pull out the win. Hopefully the administration
continues the class vs. class competition because in reality it comes down to the fact that there are hundreds of hungry people out there who are now able to be eat because of this Canned food drive. Wadsworth students do not like to lose, and luckily, people in need this holiday season were able to benefit from the WHS Civil War of 2015. -Kenzie Grice, 10
The canned food drive at WHS is meant for helping people in need. It is one of the many things Wadsworth does to help the community. This year’s canned food drive broke the all-time record, bringing in 10,000 cans at Wadsworth High School. Part of the reason that I believe our school brought in so many cans was because of the class rivalries. These rivalries have been around for a long time, but a different side came out in the sophomore and junior classes. It was a close race to see who could win, but the juniors ended up pulling through. They won by about 400 cans, leaving the
sophomores in second place and the juniors with movie Friday. It was not until Mr. Moore announced that the sophomores had also won that war broke out on Twitter. The hashtag “SpoiledSophomores” became very popular, and there were many tweets going back and forth between classes. Many sophomores will tell you that we did not deserve to be called winners, too; we lost, and the juniors won. Overall, I believe that the entire Twitter fight was completely unnecessary and could have been avoided. The bigger picture is how many people our school was able to help because of such great generosity. -Maddie Movsesian, 10
This year’s canned food drive was a very big success. As a whole, we collected over 10,000 canned foods. That is the most Wadsworth High School has ever collected. The class that brought in the most cans was the junior class. In second place were the sophomores, in third place were the freshmen, and in fourth
Bruin Staff Editor-in-Chief: Robert Hahn Assistant Editor: Elizabeth Heckler Head Copy Editor: Haylee Kupiec Managing Editor: John Merhar Marketing Manager: Regan Szalay Social Media Manager: Hannah Studenic Front Page: Page Editor: Regan Szalay Reporters: Nick Landolph, Emily Andrews Editorial: Page Editor: Hannah Studenic Reporters: Noah Baughman, Alex Lenc Speakout: Page Editor: Hannah Studenic Reporter: Abigail Cipar Opinion 1: Page Editor: Regan Szalay Reporters: Dylan Bowers, Alex Jones Opinion 2: Page Editor: Regan Szalay Reporters: Macie Carmel, Erin Kilbride News: Page Editor: Gary Noe Reporters: Dean Beddow, Olivia Addis Picture Pages: Editor: Madison Quinn Reporters: Lauren Knipl, Cody Surratt Sports 1: Page Editor: Cameron Mendel Reporters: Jenna Jonhson, Lauren Whitley Sports 2: Page Editor: Cameron Mendel Reporters: Michael Callow, Chase Pegrim Entertainment: Editor: Madison Quinn Reporters: Maria Reguerio, Jodi Johnson Features: Editor: Madison Quinn Reporters: Emily Eggleton, Alyssa Hopkins Of The Month: Editor: Hannah Studenic Reporters: Olivia Chaney Ads/Business Manager: Noah Baughman Assistant: Alex Lenc Adviser: John Gramuglia
place were the seniors. For bringing in the most cans, the juniors get to have a movie day on the last day of school before Winter Break. Since Wadsworth High School did so well in this event, Mr. Moore is looking to award the students and staff with an entire day off of school. -Sophia Fortner, 10 & Julia Brooks, 12
The war over a canned food drive is ridiculous. There should not be a reward for doing something charitable. You are doing the canned food drive because it is the right thing to do, not because of greed. If you wanted to make it a competition, bragging rights should be enough. -Ross Thompson, 12 The canned food drive at Wadsworth was a huge success, from the point of the less fortunate. Over ten thousand cans were collected for those in need, and the student body as a whole has reason to be proud. However, student conduct following the
announcement of the results is completely appalling. Students who took to Twitter to express their opinions by using profane and divisive language ruined what was a great competition. Personal attacks on students AND staff are shameful and cruel. Students responsible for the Twitter account dedicated to spreading negativity towards the sophomore class demonstrated extreme immaturity and low moral values. Others who edited photographs of students and staff did so in a demeaning way. Members of our community who read these tweets will be shocked to see the lack of respect we have for our administration. Above all, students have lost sight of the real reason we held a canned food drive in the first place. Classes have become enemies, and there is no justifiable reason for this. We need to remember that we here at WHS are very fortunate, and we should focus on being proud of our great accomplishment for our community. -Colin Wright, 10
Editorial Policy The Bruin is a monthly publication produced by the Newspaper II and Newspaper III students at Wadsworth High School. The Newspaper I class produces the April/May issue. The staff will do its best to inform the student body and the community of intra-school, community or national events that affect the student body. This paper provides on-the-job training for the staff members. All decisions are made by the staff members with the advice and suggestions of the adviser. The school administration works closely with the staff to ensure accuracy. We, as the students of journalism, hold the same rights and the same responsibilities as professional journalists as we strive for professional standards. These rights include the right to print any material that is not libelous, obscene or excessively disruptive to the school process. The Bruin will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, color, creed or sex. The staff members accept full responsibility for everything appearing in this publication. The staff strongly encourages students to express their opinions through the letters to the editor column, which is printed every month. The staff also encourages the members of the community to express their opinion as well. Space permitting, all letters will be printed. Because the staff accepts the responsibility for the contents of the paper, we must reserve the right to edit or omit any portion of any letter. All letters must be signed, but the name will be withheld upon request.
N ews
The Bruin
D ecember 2015
NEWS BRIEFS
3
A word from our
principal
WORLD N. Korea claims possession of Hydrogen bomb
PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCY GIVENS
WHS Alumna, Mercy Givens, self published a new book about a little girl growing up during Civil War reconstruction.
On Dec. 10, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country has developed a hydrogen bomb and the country is now a “powerful nuclear weapons state ready to detonateself-relient atomic and hydrogen bombs to reliably defend its sovereignty and the dignity of the nation”. Kim said he is prepared to wage war against the United States if necessary in a speech to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Communist Workers’ Party on Oct. 10.
Suicide bombers target Chad market
LOCAL
WHS alumna, newfound author Wadsworth High School alumna Mercy Givens realized her life long dream when she published her first book ‘Almost Home: A Katie Galloway Adventure.’ This book is the first of a series and is available on Amazon as an e-book or paperback.
On Dec. 5, three suicide bombers carried out coordinated attacks at a village market in Chad, killing 27 people and wounding about 80 others, security sources said. The bombers struck three different parts of the busy market in Loulou Fou, which is on an island in Lake Chad near the border with Nigeria.
Second chance on Route 94
NATIONAL
Wadsworth City officials are hopeful that new bids for the State Route 94 widening project will come in at a more reasonable price the second time around. The project was supposed to begin in June.
14 killed in California mass shooting 14 people were killed on Dec. 2 at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. The two shooters were identified as Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, who were husband and wife.
New Board of Education Member elected On Nov. 3, Jody McDougal was elected to the Board of Education. She has stepped into the former position left absent by Dave White. “I am proud to be a part of a school board in a district with the tradition of excellence,” says McDougal.
Two dead over $480k gold bar Beverly Giannonatti and her son Greg were found dead after inheriting a gold bar worth $480K from Giannonatti’s late ex-husband in Deer Lodge, Montana.
Career Day, freshmen field trip day Friday, Dec. 11 was the annual Career Day. Grades 10 - 12 participated in sessions at WHS. Freshmen participated in a field trip to local manufacturing sites. Career day helped shape ideas in the students mind for a career path.
ISIS claims to have beheaded Russian spy PHOTO BY Sandy Hall
Jody McDougal was recently elected a Wadsworth Board of Education Member.
ISIS released a video showing the beheading of a man. They claimed him to be a Russian spy and proclaimed a message chastising Russian President Vladimir Putin and threatening Russian citizens.
Organizations thrive this holiday season BY OLIVIA ADDIS AND DEAN BEDDOW
The holiday season is a time for giving and caring for others. The holidays are a time to show how much appreciation one has. This holiday season, organizations are thriving when it comes to receiving donations. FISH In Wadsworth, one of the organizations helping this holiday season is called “FISH.” The name comes from the fish symbol that was secretly used by early Christians during centuries of persecution to identify themselves from non-Christians. FISH is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency shortterm assistance to Wadsworth and Wadsworth Township. This symbol is used because it represents “neighbors helping neighbors.” Key Club Many schools participate in a club called “Key Club.” It is a student-driven community service group whose main objective is “The development of initiative, leadership ability and good citizenship practices.” The club’s main core values are leadership, character building, caring and inclusiveness. Key Club strives to give back to the community by volunteering and organizing events to help everyone in the town. The Salvation Army The Salvation Army is “an integral part of the Christian Church.” It is a charitable organization structured in a
military fashion. Its volunteers are frequently seen standing out in the cold, ringing their bells and waiting for people to donate money to the cause. The organization provides dinners, clothing and toys for children of families in need. The Salvation Army also displays kids’ Christmas lists around town so that people can sign up to buy those kids the toys they asked for. The Angel Tree Program is a program run by the Salvation Army. It is a system in which people take tags off of “Angel Trees” located in local companies and organizations. Each tag has the name, age and gender of a child in need. The person then buys appropriate gifts for the child. WHS Canned Food Drive Over the years, Wadsworth High School has participated in the annual canned food drive. This year happened to be an all-time high for the amount of items donated with a total of 10,632. As the statistics show, these organizations and events are much needed. According the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the overall number of the homeless in the United States in 2014 was 578,424. Of that number, almost 8% are unaccompanied children and youth. Hopefully through events and organizations like these, everyone, upper, middle and lower class alike, can have an enjoyable holiday season.
Photo BY JOHN GRAMUGLIA
Wadsworth High School collected 10,632 cans for the canned food drive which will be donated to people in our community that are going through tough times.
Students, Christmas time is upon us and we are about to put to close the year 2015. I hope that each of you take the time over the holiday season to visit with your families and friends. Our lives, especially as high school students, can be very hectic and time consuming. Over the two week holiday break please reflect on all the people that put you in the positive position that you are in today. Enjoy the Holiday Season for the wonderful things that it is to you (plus have a cookie or two as well). I want to thank the entire student body for bringing in over 10,000 canned food items for our annual canned food drive. That donation allows our salvation army to assist Wadsworth families with food for several months. As a District we contributed close to 30,000 items. GREAT JOB. When we return in January we will be starting our 2nd semester. Hard to believe we are halfway through the school year. Keep plugging away at your academic goals. Your performance in your classes needs to be maintained at a high level to make certain you are able to achieve all of your goals this year. Friendly reminder that January and February tend to be our snowiest months. If we have a snow day, it will be broadcast on local media as well as an alert now call from our Superintendent, Dr. Hill. We also have the ability to call a 2 hour delay. IF that was the case then our school would simply start 2 hours later (9:35 AM). Visit your handbook for the exact schedule for a 2 hour delay. Enjoy the Holidays and Merry Christmas to all.
Photo BY JOHN GRAMUGLIA
A group of students help to organize the items donated for the canned food drive this holiday season.
Mr. Moore
O pinion 1 THE BRUIN 4 U.S., allies rally to combat terrorism worldwide D ecember 2015
OPINION BY Dylan
Over the past month, vicious terrorist attacks in Paris and Mali have left more than 150 people dead and many calling for a more aggressive approach to ending terrorism. ISIS, the terrorist organization responsible for the Paris attacks and many others, has become one of the world’s biggest problems over the past few years. ISIS has been able to successfully recruit fighters from all over the world. While ISIS has become one of the biggest threats in the world, other terrorist organizations
such as Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram still remain a threat. Even here in the United States, Americans face the threat of terrorism on a daily basis. On Dec. 2, there was a mass shooting in San Bernardino, CA, where 14 people lost their lives and over 20 were wounded. As the world leaders decide what needs to be done to stop these terrorist organizations, I, along with many others, remain highly critical. One of the biggest questions people ask is “how should the U.S. fight these terrorists?” Should the U.S. send troops in like we have before, or should we use a combination of troops and air support? These are some of the questions that world leaders are currently discussing. President Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and President Obama (right) are discussing potential solutions to terrorism with other world leaders.
French President François Hollande have all been active in attempting to find a solution to the terrorism issue. President Obama has deployed 200 Special Operations forces to Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS, and the U.S. has begun developing relationships with local tribes and Sunnis willing to fight ISIS. After the Paris attacks, President Putin began discussions with the U.S. in regards to fighting ISIS. President Hollande has also declared that France is at war with ISIS. Hollande proposed new laws and more spending on public safety in response to the Paris attacks and promised to eliminate terrorism. I am personally aware that the U.S. needs to do more than putting American boots on the ground in the Middle East. ISIS and other terrorist organizations alike have been adamant in their hatred of Western civilization and its lifestyle. It is time for new tactics and measures to be taken. Should the U.S. consider using nuclear weapons against ISIS and other terrorist organizations? Those tactics worked in World War II when the U.S. dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan. ISIS and these other terrorist organizations have taken terrorism to a whole new level, and it is time we take being an American to a whole new level.
How should the United States combat terrorism amid the recent attacks?
“I think they should use drones to bomb their headquarters.” -Trevor , 9
“I think the U.S. should isolate themselves and ignore the foreign terrorists for now.” -Hailee , 10 “I think they should use nuclear weapons on their most heavily populated area.” -Daniel , 11
“I feel like the U.S. has to do whatever is necessary to stop them.” -Mr. John Johnson PHOTOS BY DYLAN BOWERS
Stop the Christmas creep, one holiday at a time When is the best time to start preparing for
Christmas?
OPINION BY ALEX JONES
OPINION BY ALEX
“A week before Christmas because all the good Christmas movies are on, and we still have time to celebrate Christmas.” -Teon, 10
“Dec. 1 because you are still thinking about Thanksgiving before and you cannot think of two holidays at the same time.” -Trey, 11
“After Thanksgiving is the best time to celebrate, so you have one holiday on your mind.” -Emily, 9
PHOTOS BY ALEX JONES
Across the country, many people cannot wait for the holiday season to begin. People are so anxious for Christmas that they skip some great holidays in the process. It is important people understand when it is necessary to start celebrating Christmas. There are different opinions as to when the best time to start celebrating Christmas is. Many people cannot wait and start celebrating by setting up lights, decorations, buying Christmas trees and buying gifts for their loved ones. The time that people commonly start to celebrate Christmas is after Thanksgiving. Celebrating Christmas after Thanksgiving is ideal because people can fully focus on their Christmas duties. The Bruin ran a poll on Twitter asking when its followers felt the appropriate time to start celebrating Christmas is. A total of 119 people took part in the poll. 24% of people believed it was appropriate to start celebrating on Nov. 1, while 76% of people believed it was better to start celebrating Christmas
after Thanksgiving. The best time to start celebrating Christmas is Dec. 1. You cannot officially feel the Christmas spirit until December rolls around and snow starts falling. People are still too focused on trick-or-treating and celebrating with a Thanksgiving feast. They cannot properly be all in for the holiday. I understand that some do not celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving, but for those who do, people do not want to see your Christmas lights and decorations put up until Dec. 1, or at least not until after Thanksgiving. The opponents of this argue that Christmas celebrations should begin on Nov. 1 because
they enjoy Christmas more than any other holiday and cannot wait to start celebrating. Others argue that celebrating Christmas early leaves plenty of time to accomplish everything that needs to be done, with the most important thing being buying presents. If people started celebrating Christmas only a month before, they would not have time to go shopping, decorate the house, get a tree and other Christmas festivities. Either way, both times to celebrate Christmas are great times, and both offer valid reasons to begin celebrating when they do. In the end, though, the best time to start celebrating Christmas is Dec. 1.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
O pinion 2
THE BRUIN
D ecember 2015
5
School cafeteria needs improvement
OPINION BY ERIN
One of the most frustrating things for WHS students is why food from restaurants are not allowed to be brought in our school for lunch. We should not only be allowed to bring in outside food, but the school should take it one step further and allow restaurants’ food to be offered in the school’s cafeteria. Other schools throughout the U.S. have restaurants offered in their cafeteria and allow students to buy food from there instead of from their school’s cafeteria. This benefits both the school and the students because the students are getting food they know and love, and the school would make more money because more students would be buying lunch. Currently, the school wants students to buy the lunches from Food Services in order to make money, but the school could actually make more money by becoming franchises of different restaurants. There are nine schools throughout Virginia who currently offer fast food in their cafeterias. Kecoughtan High School became
a Subway franchise in 2008, and they are currently one of fifty schools in the nation to do this. They offer six types of six-inch subs which are all available for between two and three dollars. The startup costs were about $1300, but they were glad they spent that after their school started making more money than they had ever before. Likewise, Subway was also excited to make the deal because they make 12.5% of sales revenue. Wadsworth High School could benefit from doing the same thing as Kecoughtan High School. The amount of complaints coming from students regarding the school’s food has continuously risen throughout the years. “I always pack because it is healthier and tastes a lot better than the school’s food,” said Riley Finegan, 10, recently. Many students have similar complaints to Finegan and rarely buy the school’s lunches. If the school was to offer restaurants, however, students would be willing to pay for the better quality food. “I would buy the lunches only if they had restaurants like Chipotle even though it would be more expensive,” said Jason Collins, 12. For the students on free or reduced lunches, there would still be quality cheaper options, such as the Subway six-inch subs for under $3 that they could receive at a reduced rate.
Even if the school was not able to have restaurants in the cafeteria, students should be able to bring in food from restaurants for lunch. Currently, students are not allowed to bring in “outside food,” such as Chipotle or Subway, because those restaurants are considered to be in competition with the school’s Food Services. However, students are allowed to pack their food every day, and this is not considered to be competition.
morning to open them. Receiving gifts is the most exciting part. The meaning of Christmas is “getting together with family and friends and celebrating.” Says Lauren Schlauch, 10. Many people spend months preparing to buy Christmas gifts for their significant other, friends and family. If everyone stopped buying gifts, Christmas may not be as exciting and fun as it is now. When asked what the real meaning of Christmas is, some people disagree. “It is to give, not to get.” said Carson Risher, 9. People usually make time to spend the holidays with their families. I, on the other hand, disagree. Christmas break is a time to have fun, travel and to do what one wants, not to be forced into spending time at a distant relative’s house. Many do not understand the true meaning of Christmas.
“Having a good time and enjoying good times with friends and family,” said Bella Perry, 12. The holidays are something one is supposed to enjoy, so why spend it being bored at a relative’s house? Go out, travel and enjoy Christmas break. This is the only time, besides the spring and summer breaks, that students get more than a couple of days to relax and not worry about school. Everyone should focus on taking the time to relax during Christmas break. Many Christmas movies are based off of vacations, so it must be important to take some time to get away from day-to-day life. People who do not do this are missing out. Be sure to reach the full potential of Christmas break by relaxing the whole time. People who stay home and do nothing are most likely to be bored. Vacations during the
What
restaurants do you want to see in
Our
school’s cafeteria?
Pizza Hut Subway 6% 9%
Chick-fil-A 32%
Chipotle Chipotle 53% 53%
The results of this poll came from Wadsworth Bruin’s Twitter. 95 people responded, and students were from all grades. The clear winner was Chipotle, but students would also like to see a Chick-fil-A in our school.
“When I have my leftover Chipotle, I would really enjoy eating it at school the next day for lunch, but we are not allowed. This needs to be changed ASAP,” said Senior Haley Witschey. This is a common problem for all students, and the rule does not make sense. It makes sense that the school wants to make money off the school lunches, but if students are going to pack, they should have the option of bringing Subway over a homemade sub.
WHS can better the school’s cafeteria in a few different ways, such as allowing outside food and becoming franchises for restaurants. It would make students a lot happier to bring in whatever food they want. However, the best scenario for students would be for Chipotle and Chick-fil-A to enter our school’s cafeteria. If this were to happen, not only would students’ lunches be improved, but their whole day would.
Students speak on the real meaning of Christmas
OPINION BY MACIE
Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate Christmas... the wrong way. Some people spend the majority of their time with their family and giving to other people over the holiday. The real meaning of Christmas is receiving presents, spending time with friends and going on vacation. Presents are one of the best parts about Christmas and no one wants to admit that. Who really enjoys seeing other people receive gifts? The whole point of Christmas is Santa bringing gifts and waking up early Christmas
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Cities around the world decorate for Christmas in extravagant ways, like in Clearwater, Florida.
holidays are more entertaining than staying at home and just going to family dinner. Christmas is such an important time of the year. Although having fun with family, friends and going on vacations is great, students should still take time to be thankful for all they have.
“A good time with the people you love,” said Dan Ott’s, 9, on celebrating Christmas correctly. Many forget how lucky we truly are. Make sure to be thankful for all the gifts you recieve. Also, remember to be thankful to spend another holiday with your loved ones.
What is the real meaning of Christmas?
“Getting together with friends and family, celebrating and getting gifts.”
“Having a good time and enjoying good times with friends and family.”
“Spending time with your family.” -Zach 11
-Lauren, 10
“It is to give, not to receive.” -Carson 9
-Bella, 12
“Spending a good time with the people you love.” -Dan, 9
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December 2015
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Patrons 2015-2016 111 Bistro Allison Parsons Angie Snowball Ann and Kilian Mendel Ben Klafczynski Betty Nalepa Bill and Isabella Robertson Bill Goebel Brad and Karla Wilson Brad Musgrave Bret and Lisa Bressler Brian and Claudia Coote Callow Family Charlene Blevins Charles and Patty Szalay Chris and Julie Adams Christine N. Andrews Chuck and Carrie Szalay Clarke and Shawn VanDyke Dammarell Family Dana North Dave and Trish Swanson Dave Regueiro Dean and Kris Beddow Don and Tanya Miksch Don Lenc Sr. Doug and Beth Synder Doug Beeman Dr. and Mrs. Dale Fortner Dr. Andrew Hill and Family Edward and Amy Cipar Gary and Barb Klaus Gary and Kimberly Noe Geoff and Jan Westphal Goldsmith and Eggleton Hamilton Family Hendricks Family Dentistry Jack and Jone Cionni Jason Jurey Jeff and Trisha Loguidice Jerrilyn Breyton Jessica Gibson Jill and Terry Young Jill Brown Jim and Cas Isaac
Jim Ladrach and Family Joan and George Solti Joan Arrowsmith Joan Reed Joanne Isaac Joanne K. Schar Jody McDougal Joe and Terry Carter John and Karen Baker John and Patty Thompson Joyce and Jim Pannunzio Ken and Ellen Tollett Kevin and Dana Quinn Larry and JoLynn Kaufman Leanne Virgin Lenc Family Libby Egleston Lisa Pletcher Mark and Debbie Carr Family Mark and Megan Postak Mark Schoonover and Family Matt and Mary Porter Melissa Eaton Mick and Sue Movsesian Mr. and Mrs. Greg Pegrim Mr. and Mrs. North Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eggleton Mr. and Mrs. Tim O Dell Mrs. Wandamilich Pat and Dawn Landolph Philip Horrisberger Rachel Jones Randy and Robin Kilbride Rebecca Dills Rich and Dana Berlin Richard and Patricia Studenic Rick and Carol Johnson Risher Family Rob Hahn Rob Karovic Robert and Carolyn Hahn Ron and Angie Mendel Ron and Kim Hart Ronald & Steffany Kupiec Sra Mateos
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Steve and Sarah McIlvaine Steve Moore Steve Webb Studenic Family Suzanne and Chris Raber The Alic Family The Case Family The Cerino Family The Cliffel Family The Cossick Family The Dennison Family The Gabel Family The Knipl Family The LaMonica Family The Merhar Family The Moore Family The Morek Family The Recupero Family The Sieber Family The Singleton Family The Thompson Family The Weinerman Family The Whitaker Family The Wright Family Thomas and Cynthia Hill Tim and Mary Jones + Family Timothy Knipl Jr Todd and Jodi Bowers Tom and Lynn Bardar Tom and Maryann Postak Tom Saddler and Pat Lawson Witschey Family
The Bruin thanks you for your continued support!
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A. Holly, 11, and her older brother hold hands for a cute Christmas picture. B. Craig, 11, is all bundled up and ready to go snow tubing. C. Riley, 10, stands next to her adorable snowman. D. Siblings Max, 12, and Grace, 11, pose for a picture with their dog while wearing Santa hats. E. Brothers Nathan, 12, and Anthony, 10, show off their Christmas spirit by wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers. F. Abby, 12, sits next to her Christmas tree for a picture. G. Allyson, 11, poses with her presents before opening them on Christmas Day. H. Sarah, 12, pouts while wearing an adorable Santa hat. I. A.J. , 11, celebrates his very first Christmas. J. Charlie, 11, sits on Santa’s lap and tells him what he wants for Christmas. K. Cameron, 11, poses in front of her Christmas tree. L. Craig, 12, and Lindsay Carr, 10, smile for a cute family photo. M. Siblings Hunter, 10, and Ali 9, take a picture with their ginger bread house. N. Devanne 10, gets together with her older brother to take a picture worthy of a Christmas card.
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Letters to Santa Dear Santa, My name is Joey and I am 16 and 1/2 years old. I have been a very good boy this year. I help Mommy wash the dishes every night, and I listen to Daddy when he tells me to clean my room. I am so nice to my older brother, even though he can be really annoying sometimes. This year I would like a jump rope, a kitten and a new bike. I really, really want a new bike. Please give my love to Mrs. Clause, the elves and all the reindeer. I will leave some carrots for the reindeer next to your milk and cookies. -Joey Baughman, 10
Dear Santa, I hope all is well in the North Pole. This year has been very busy, and I have been nice. All I really want for Christmas is to be able to snowboard this season. I would love if you could use your magic to fix my knee and to make it snow. I also need some new things for my car, such as a blanket and a charger. Tell everyone in the North Pole that I said, “Hello.” -Michaela Macko, 11
Dear Santa, I have not been on my best behavior, but I ask for your forgiveness and just a few presents for Christmas. I would like some icy new clothes for my wardrobe including some Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and maybe some gift cards to VILLA if you can swing it. -Stellan McMaster, 12
Dear Santa, This Christmas, I would like to see the Cleveland Browns win a football game. I would like some gift cards to BW3’s so I can eat there often. I would like a new car, also, and for it to fit under the tree. I have been nice, so I should get what I asked for. -Josh Hagans, 10
Dear Santa, This year I have been on my best behavior. This year I am not asking for much. I would like a waterproof iPod to listen to music while I am swimming, wireless Beats and most of all, for my family to have an amazing Christmas. This is the most wonderful time of the year, and I want to make sure it is nice. -Hailey Short, 11
Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. I want them because my two front teeth are actually fake, so I would like to have my real ones back. -Chase Centea, 11
Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is new clothes, shoes and makeup. I would also like stuff to decorate my room. I would like new workout clothes and a new phone case. I am not picky on what I want, mostly just clothes. I think I have been good this year and deserve what I asked for. Thanks, Santa; you are the best. -Olivia Kirven,10
Dear Santa, I am not sure what I want for Christmas this year, so if you think of anything, just surprise me. I have been a really nice boy, and to top it all off, I am going to leave cookies and milk out for you. -Alex Covert, 12 Dear Santa, This Christmas, I would like for the basketball team to win every game for the rest of the season. That would be great. -Alec Booth, 12
Dear Santa, This Christmas, I would truly enjoy seeing new shoes under my tree. More specifically, the Nike shoes called Roshes. To help out your elves, I would like to have white midsoles and black toe and heel material. -Grace Thompson,10 Dear Santa, This year I am expecting a yacht. Although I have been a little naughty, I am still expecting my man Santa to pull through with that yacht. I deserve it because I have been asking for it since the first grade, and it is the least that you could do for putting it off so long. I hope I get everything I ask for, because I really want it. -Hannah Toolis, 10
Dear Santa, Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas going to all the children’s houses to deliver presents. This Christmas I do not want much. I am expecting to get clothes from American Eagle, Pink and Charlotte Russe. Maybe a pair of boots for a casual look to wear to school or out to eat. I have been nice this whole year. I deserve what I asked for because I have been so busy this year with activities, and I have not asked for much. -Devanne O’Connor, 10
Dear Santa, This Christmas, I have been on the nice list for trying hard in school and helping others around me. What I would like for Christmas this year is one of those giant stuffed teddy bears. The reason I want one is because they are huge and look really comfortable to lay on. I think I should get a gift like this because it is a one-of-akind gift that only some people would get. -Paige Lepley, 10 Dear Santa, I am expecting to get a lot this year, buddy. I have been a little bad but mostly good, so do not forget that. I want clothes and shoes. -Jack Simmons, 9
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I n t r a m u r a l s e a s o n t i p s o ff i n s t y l e BY JENNA JOHNSON AND LAUREN WHITLEY
It is that time of the year again. Wadsworth High School students have formed their teams and are ready to compete against their peers for the intramural basketball championship. These games take place every Saturday morning throughout December and February. Students go head to head and compete to win the desirable prizes of t-shirts and bragging rights. Students enjoy getting together with their peers to form their teams. Each team creates a team name and makes a unique jersey. Typically, every team is composed of seven to eight players. The intramural teams grab attention with the creativity in their team names. Names such as Cow Herd, Sheesh, Dunkin Donuts, Get Shrek’d, Padres and Slum Dunk Millionaires have captured the public’s focus. High school boys and girls of any grade are eligible to participate in the enjoyment of the sport. Although both genders are qualified to play, the teams cannot be co-ed. There are a variety of different
rules that apply to the basketball games. For example, when one of the men’s teams play a women’s team, it is prohibited that the boys interfere with a girl’s shot if she is in the paint. All general rules of basketball apply in this league. Each intramural game consists of two 12 minute halves with a two minute half time. The clock runs constantly throughout the entire game. The students who participate in this activity show dedication to the game. Each player wakes up bright and early at eight a.m. every Saturday to fight with their teammates to have a chance to win the championship. The teams work together to form trick plays, offenses and defenses. Players put in the time after school to prepare for each game. “I practice my basketball skills five hours a day. I train hard while listening to music that pumps me up for my games” said Brenna Murphy, 11. Mr. Rob Lynn has put together an activity for students to participate in if they do not participate in a winter sport. This league has given many students at Wadsworth High School the opportunity to
How do you prepare for the intramural season?
Photo by jenna johnson
Camden, 12, and Erin M, 11, go head to head for the jump ball at the beginning of their intramural game.
show their skills on the court. Wadsworth High School teachers also engage in the fun. Mr. Rob Lynn, Mr. Mike Lee and Mr. John Thompson participate as the referees for these intramural basketball games. Although the season has just started, teams are already getting very competitive with each other. Each game is very intense, and everyone strives to win. Many students are looking forward to playing this season. Intramural basketball
gives the opportunity for students to participate in a fun activity at the school. Intramurals at Wadsworth High School have always been a way to get involved in school activities. They are not only fun, but they are an excellent way to burn calories from Christmas meals. Students enjoy being able to play a sport with their friends. Intramurals are a popular activity that not only showcase friendship but the competitive spirit found in the game.
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“I practice five hours a day and train hard.” -Brenna, 11
“Extensive weight lifting and training with THE Craig Rench.” -Austin, 11 PHOTOS BY JENNA JOHNSON
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1. Two teams compete against each other at their intramural basketball game. 2. Max, 12, looks to go to the basket while being defended by the opposing team. 3. An intramural player goes up for a shot in the paint while the opposing team tries to block him. 4. Alyssa, 12, lines up to shoot a free throw after being fouled by the opposing team.
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College Football Playoff set to kick off BY MICHAEL CALLOW
With the regular season in the books, the committee has selected the four teams that will compete for the title in the second edition of the College Football Playoff. For the second year in a row, each team is from a different conference; the ACC, Big XII, SEC and Big Ten. In the Capital One Orange Bowl, the undefeated Clemson Tigers will face off against the 11-1 Oklahoma Sooners. Both teams are powered by high octane offenses with outstanding quarterback play. The Goodyear Cotton Bowl features two of the most elite defenses in the nation, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan State Spartans. Alabama comes in to the game with the number three ranked defense while Michigan State comes in fourth. The playoff format did not disappoint fans in its inaugural season, and with these teams playing, it should be a playoff to remember. Orange Bowl The first game to kick off this year is the Capital One Orange Bowl. Both teams come into this match up with offenses ranked in the top ten. Clemson is led by star quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson has had an outstanding season with over 3,500 yards
Semifinal
National Championship
Semifinal
2016 Orange Bowl
passing and over 850 rushing while totaling 41 touchdowns. Watson is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and is the only quarterback in contention for the award. On the opposing side, Oklahoma is led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. The charismatic leader of the Sooners has thrown 35 touchdown passes while racking up seven more on the ground. Mayfield has thrown for almost 3,400 yards with a completion percentage of 68.6%. The Sooners are looking to avenge a 40-6 blowout loss to the Tigers in the Russell Athletic
National Champion
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McCaffrey breaks Sanders all-purpose yards record
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Cotton Bowl
Bowl last year. Cotton Bowl This match up features two of the nations top four defenses in the Crimson Tide and the Spartans. The Crimson Tide are the only returning team from the inaugural playoff. They have a chip on their shoulder due to a stunning loss to Ohio State last year. Alabama is led by Heisman trophy finalist and NCAA leading rusher, Derrick Henry. Over the past five games, Henry has averaged 188.4 rushing yards per game but is going up against
a stout MSU rush defense that is only giving up 122.6 total rushing yards per game. Michigan State’s offense comes into the game averaging 32.2 points per game, while Alabama is only giving up 14.4 points per game. The Spartans come into the game winners of four straight, including wins over defending national champions Ohio State and a win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship. The Orange Bowl will kick off at 4:00 p.m. EST followed by the Cotton Bowl at 8:00 p.m. EST.
BY CHASE PEGRIM
will break his record with around 430 three pointers on the season. His game is not just limited to three pointers. He currently leads the league in points per
By Michael Callow
Stanford’s Mr. Everything, Christian McCaffrey, broke Barry Sanders’ all-purpose yards record of 3,250 yards, earning himself an invitation to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. McCaffrey finished with an astounding 3,496 all-purpose yards during his 13 game regular season, lifting Stanford to a PAC-12 championship and a birth in the Rose Bowl.
2015 Stats All-Purpose: 3,496 yards Rushing: 1,847 yards Receiving: 540 yards Return: 1,109 yards Avg. yds/gm: 268.92 yards
Unbeaten Warriors continue to make history ‘15-‘16 Golden State Warriors 23-0 Record
101.2 OPP PPG
115.8 PPG
116.4 Off. RTG
49.6 FG%
101.7 Def. RTG
X-Factor: Stephen Curry
‘95-‘96 Chicago Bulls 72-10 Record
92.9 OPP PPG
105.2 PPG
115.2 Off. RTG
47.8 FG%
101.8 Def. RTG
X-Factor: Michael Jordan
With the NBA season just a quarter of the way through, the Golden State Warriors are already breaking records. The Warriors set the record for the best start in NBA history (16-0) after leveling the Lakers 111 to 77. Many doubted the Warriors could repeat last year’s performance. They were wrong, according to point guard Stephen Curry at least. “We are better than we were last year,” said Curry after a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors are the last remaining undefeated team in the NBA with a record of 23-0. Their stats so far are also astronomical, scoring a league high 115.8 points per game. They are also one of the most efficient scoring teams in the NBA, averaging 49.6% from the field. In that game, the soon to be retired Lakers star Kobe Bryant went just 1 for 17 from the field, setting the record for the worst shooting percentage in a single game at just 5.8%. Steph Curry, Golden State’s golden boy, is having a record breaking season already. He is on pace to break his own record for three pointers made in a season, though break might be an understatement. Curry currently has the top two spots on the record list for three pointers in a season at 272 and 286. If he maintains the averages he has accumulated so far, Curry
“We are better than we were last year.” -Stephen Curry game with 32.4 over Houston’s James Harden who averages 29.3 points per game. During the 1995-1996 season, the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls achieved an all time best record of 72-10. Some analysts believe that this years Warriors team could beat the ‘95-‘96 Bulls.
The Warriors have averaged 115.8 points per game this year, six points higher than the Bulls. The Bulls edge out the Warriors in defensive rating but only by a tenth of a point. The Warriors have a higher offensive rating by 1.2 points. Though pace of game play is not considered a method of measuring how effective a team is, the Warriors play with a pace rating of 99.1 while the 72-10 Bulls played with a pace of 91.1. While labeling the Warriors as better than the ‘95-‘96 Bulls may be a bit premature, Stephen Curry and the Warriors have the better half of this season to make a good case. Only time will tell if the Golden State Warriors can reach even greater heights.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT campus
Stephen Curry celebrates after a win at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. He currently leads the NBA in points per game, three pointers per game, three point percentage and ranks fourth in the league in steals per game.
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THE BRUIN Features December 2015 13 Bruin Staff’s Christmas Wish Lists Some of your Bruin staffers revealed what they want for Christmas. Try to match each staffer with their wish list item!
1. Macie
4. Elizabeth
7. Emily
2. Dylan
5. Dean
8. Lauren
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3. Michael
6. Chase
9. Alex PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
PHOTOS BY BRUIN STAFF
ANSWERS: 1. c - jar of peanut butter, 2. g - coal from Krampus, 3. i - college football playoff tickets, 4. f - college acceptance letters, 5. a - facial hair, 6. h - corn bread, 7. e - 3-D puzzle ball, 8. d - panda, 9. b - dill pickles
Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year from your 2015-2016 Bruin Staff!
Holiday School Spirit
Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy,
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Mrs. Van Dyke and Brooke, 9, shows off their Christmas spirit.
Jayne, 11, stays cozy with her festive penguin sweater.
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Bailey, 11, presents her very festive Christmas sweater.
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Icing Ingredients 6 oz cream cheese 3 tbsp butter 3 tbsp shortening 3/4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
about 3-4 minutes. 3. Mix in egg, vanilla extract, vinegar and red food color. 4. With the mixer on low speed, add flour, cornstarch, baking soda, dry pudding mix and cocoa powder. 5. Add milk if needed. Dough will be thick. 6. Make balls of about 1 tbsp and then flatten a bit into thick discs and place on parchment lined cookie sheet, or use a silicon baking mat. They will spread a little while they bake. 7. Bake for about 7-8 minutes. 8. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes on cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely. 9. While cookies cool, make icing. Beat the cream cheese, butter and shortening until smooth. 10. Slowly add 3 cups of powdered sugar. Mix until combined. 11. Mix in the vanilla extract. 12. Add the rest of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add water or milk until it is the right consistency. 13. Once cookies are cool, make cookie sandwiches and cover with sprinkles.
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Looking to enjoy a yummy treat during the holiday season? Try this recipe for Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches by Lindsay on lifeloveandsugar.com. Sandwich Ingredients: 3/4 cup salted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1-2 tsp vinegar 1 1/2 tbsp red food color (less than 1 ounce) 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp cornstarch 1 tsp baking soda 1 3.4 oz package dry instant vanilla pudding mix 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 tsp milk
LET ON
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFELOVEANDSUGAR.COM
Lily, 9, poses in her warm holiday sweater.
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Entertainment
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D ecember 2015
Favorite Winter Movies “Little Drummer Boy” -Zach 12 Emily, 11,
, 12 and Andrew
Micha
el, 10,
and Ka
tie, 10
‘‘ Little Women” -Mrs. Trausch
, 11, Jayne
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” - Mr. Klafczynski
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” -Kylee, 9
PHOTOS BY JODI JOHNSON
ared,
and J
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Nate , 12, and Natalie, 11 PHOTOS COURTESY OF MRS. CSKAY
Cast of Almost, Maine stages beautiful performance BY MARIA REGUEIRO
The cast of the “real romantic comedy” Almost, Maine performed the opening night show in the WHS Performing Arts Center on Dec. 3 The two casts included students from all four classes. Some freshmen and sophomores performed Wednesday in the B-Cast, and some sophomores, juniors and seniors performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the A-cast.
“Our cast and crew did such a fantastic job, as did the B-Cast, and I’m so grateful to our directors for giving us their all to make this a wonderful production,” Emily Brazier, 11, said. Brazier (pictured above) played Ginette in the A-cast. Both casts put in an immense amount of work in order to make the play a success. Almost, Maine is not your average love story. Unlike most plays, Almost, Maine does not have one long
plot with one climax and resolution. Rather, it shows short stories of couples of the town of Almost falling in and out of love. Ripe with symbolism, this play has equal amounts of drama and comedy, making it different from the productions the drama department has done in the past. The audience was very impressed with the acting and the equal parts of humor and drama. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for putting on such a great show.
Christmas Word Search G D C X E J H S V E Q T P J A
H I Z F R L T T N O C L R L S
G F N C Q O O A A T Z N E F N
I E L S GC R RS J P S ANT AE UL O XI I T S NB DL L GKVNG D MOE L CE ORS YE L BY I WR E G C C P K R MG V B M A E H I O P L RHR ND S S T E H G E Q E T MR P E L T S I MA E E X ORORANE DGR V Q WS O W D B A C S E NT S NY E S E P M WWX S S Y E E O WM A N T Y I P R
BELLS CANDYCANE CHRISTMAS DECEMBER ELVES STOCKING
MISTLETOE NORTHPOLE PRESENTS REINDEER GINGERBREAD JOLLY
U G Y I H S T L P H A R X N X
V S P C D A S H M J F O Y R M
RUDOLPH SANTA SLEIGH SNOWMAN MERRY TREE
Of The Month
THE BRUIN
Students of the Month
Joey
D ecember 2015
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Junk of the Month
Brittany PHOTOS BY OLIVIA CHANEY
Career Tech
Luke Marketing
PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVIA CHANEY
Makayla, Carpentry PHOTOS BY OLIVIA CHANEY
Haley, 12, owns a 1992 Chevy S10 that is in its final years of existence. As “Ol Buck” prepares to take on the rough conditions of winter, Haley has to be careful to keep the rest of the truck intact. The truck contains manual window cranks, one of which is broken and stabs the hand of the driver when trying to put it down. It has countless rust spots and missing paint areas. With the missing seat belt in the middle, the truck only seats two and a half people. Hoping to keep family with tradition, Haley wishes for the car to last at least one more year to be her younger sister Stacy’s first car as it was for her and her two older sisters.
Quote of the Month
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” -Buddy the Elf Freshman Feature
Most Wanted Gift of the Month
Hoverboard
Movie of the Month
Kendall
What do you look forward to most in your upcoming years at WHS? “I look forward to moving down on the bleachers during the basketball and football games.” What is your favorite thing about high school so far? “The lunch ladies.” Best friends: Elizabeth Talabac and Grace Back. Her best guy friend is Beau Casey. Hobbies: Basketball, soccer, gymnastics and water polo Favorite things to do: She likes to roast weenies and make fires, as well as bungee jump in her free time.
Song of the month
Jingle Bell Rock By Bobby Helms
Christmas Fact
The world’s biggest snowman was 113 feet tall and was built in Maine .
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e b d l u o w t a h W r e t n i w r u o y in ? k c a p r e t star
“Definitely a onesie. Also, Netflix and a good WiFi connection.” -Mary
, oodle soup “Chicken n p u u need so because yo ter. College in the win also a big football is winter.” part of my -Mr. Derrig
“Slippers, b oard games - m ainly Risk becau se I always win and a pillo w fort.” -Matt 9
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and hot chocolate with marshmallows.”
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“I would get out my knitting supplies and start knitting right away. Also, hand warmers!” -Lauren, 12
-Mrs. Rapp
“An electri c blanket, va cation plans to he lp me get throug h the winter and a space heater.” -Mrs. Harig
“My guitar, a warm fire and a pair of sweatpants.” -Laney, 11
“Definitely a sled, a robe, pajam as and my PS4.” -Will, 9
“It would include YouTube, goldfish crackers and video games.” -Dean 12