Cover art by Paulina Thompson, Grade 6 June 8, 2015 Volume 7, Issue 3
New Volunteer Service Award Difficult Winter Weather Brings Makes Valhalla A Better Place Many Unexpected Challenges By Jasmine Grant By Amy He There is a new program in town! VVSA, or the Valhalla Volunteer Service The clouds fill the sky, the wind waves the trees back and forth, Award recognizes volunteers in the community, for the amount of community swinging them around, and the snow falls gently from the sky as if hours that they put in to the causes of their choice. The fact that Dr. Myers agreed to take time out of her busy day to meet with a reporter from the VMS it is a magic kingdom. It is beautiful, like looking out at a picture Chronicle says that this new initiative means a great deal to her, and she is that is painted perfectly. But not all beauty can be brought without adamant for advocating for volunteerism in the community. struggle, as experienced in the dreadful but dazzling winter of When asked, “How does a member of the organization/program monitor the 2015. amount of hours that a candidate for the awards volunteers? Brenda Myers, the New York weather can be very unpredictable, as experienced this Superintendent of Schools, said of the organization that a candidate for the award volunteered for would need to sign off on forms available on the winter. In December 2014, most people expected snow but little schools’ website to validate the volunteer hours of a candidate. As for where came. Snowflakes form in the clouds of the atmosphere when the the idea for VVSA originated, Dr. Myers explained that the idea of VVSA was temperature is at or below freezing, and a minimum amount of discussed with moisture is in the air so the atmosphere in December was most the board likely not cold enough for snowflakes to form. However, it certainly members, at was in late January, all of February, and most of March. The ground various board meetings, as a was also very cold, practically frozen, new project to so the snow stayed on the ground, adopt that not melting an inch and accumulat- promoted ing as more snowstorms came and volunteering. went. The idea came from board The more snow, the more danger member Mr. and inconvenience for daily activity Ierace, whose existed. Many people would slip and employees in his own com- fall on the ice that could not be seen pany used a under the layers of snow on the similar volun- sidewalk, or the black ice that re- teering initia- mains hidden. As it happens, VMS principal Mr. Trigosso slipped tive to great and broke his ankle too, just like so many others, although some success. All 7 Chronicle staff writer Jasmine Grant enjoying the might not have sustained serious injuries like Mr. Trigosso. Our prin- members of privilege of interviewing Superintendent Myers to cipal was only walking on the sidewalk on his way home because the board were learn more about the Valhalla Volunteer Service enthusiastic after school activities were cancelled due to the dreadful snow- about the idea, Award. storm which was predicted. He slipped badly on the snow and ice and none of layers. Unfortunately, his foot twisted one way and his body went them opposed the idea. According to Dr. Myers, the board as a whole will be the other, resulting in a dislocated and broken ankle in several plac- running the program. es, which inconveniently required 16 screws, and 2 plates. Such a Through many hours of meeting and collaboration, the board finally agreed on break is painful, but many other people have had even worse inju- a final plan. When asked if there was any place or particular type of volunteer ries and all because of the quirky New York weather. work the VVSA would hesitate to approve of, Dr. Myers made it clear that as of right now, the board is ready to approve most, if not all types of volunteer ser- The most unpleasant thing is when it looks like such a nice day out, vice. For anyone thinking that perhaps they could submit hours from an exist- but when you go outside it is actually colder than ice and the wind ing group or organization for volunteer hours, for example, Girl Scouts, Cub is whipping back and forth, turning your skin to ice as well. This is Scouts, etc., Dr. Myers explained that the program is for individuals, not for groups. A press release, providing lots of information about the program is the unpredictable, crazy, and extreme New York weather that hap- available on the VUFSD district homepage. The information is also available on pens each year. Weather is not 100% predictable, as the meteorol- the new Valhalla app, which was released in early May. All the necessary forms ogists are always getting blamed for the change in weather, but for taking part in the VVSA will be available in both locations. This program remember that weather is predictably changeable, which means seems to me like it could be a real world-changing opportunity and impactful that especially during the winter months, we should all exercise program. Maybe, now that you know more about how to get involved, you extra caution as we try to navigate our neighborhood. should try to participate too. P A G E 3 V ALHALLA MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRONICLE Volume 7 Issue 3 Springtime Poetry: Moving On To High School A A Flower in the Meadow Bittersweet Milestone By Amy He By Carolyn Brosnan Middle school is a wonderful experience that many 8th graders will miss. I am the flower in the meadow There are so many memories to think of starting in 6th grade on the very first day of school. The joy of finding your first locker and learning how I seek light for I can grow to open your lock. Wandering down the hallway between classes, stop- I am just one flower out of so many, I don’t know ping to talk to your friends, meeting your new teachers, learning your schedule, and that’s not all! There’s the exciting novelty of walking I watch the stars as the day gets old around in the hallways without being lined up. And don’t forget about the I wait for morning so I can see gold classes and the projects! You eat crickets, try cod liver oil, learn about early history, and type your first labs for science. The bee buzzes as it flies away to each and every flower by the day Starting in 7th grade the work came piling up, but along with it came responsibility and I have petals, roots and leaves, I close up when the cold the exciting thought gets to me of being able to do more of what you It’s just me by the mossy rock want. We got to go It’s just me by the tree, I am blooming everyday on interesting trips, including Philadel- I see the seasons change by the day phia and seeing the Too cold, too hot, to a storm, I am still alone not being Liberty Bell, going harmed. to Washington D.C. and seeing the na- I am touched by the morning dew twinkling in the light, tion’s capital and So my petals will shine at night. memorials, and all the end of year 8th Eighth Grade friends enjoy the fruits of their labor If you look by the brook or by the sea there is only one grade trips. It has on awards night. place been such an thrill- Photo by Sue Rossi ing adventure to You’ll find me, alone in the meadow you shall see grow up and mature in such a nurturing and caring community as Valhal- la. The liveliness of such a great environment brings all the joy out of the young teens in such a small town. Valhalla Middle School is a great place National Debate: Should Guan- to learn, have fun, and explore yourself! VMS, we 8th graders will defi- nitely miss you, nut don’t worry! We’re still right upstairs and will be sure tanamo Bay Prison Close? to visit! By Miranda Ferrante
Guantanamo Bay Detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been a popular topic in recent news VMS Chronicle Staff reports. The closing of the prison has been debated. Staff: Advisor: The detention camp holds prisoners found guilty of Ruby Zastenchik Mr. B. Erenberg supporting and engaging in terrorism. For example, a Brandon Ferrante Student Editor -in -Chief and man named Salm Hamdan has been imprisoned at Miranda Ferrante Layout Artist: Guantanamo for being a driver for Osama Bin Laden. Carolyn Brosnan Amy He There are pros and cons to closing the camp and Pres- Shannon Brosnan Special Thanks to: ident Obama believes it should be closed. Some say Amanda DiFeo Students and Teachers of MS Art the closing of the prison should be because of the Amy He alleged torture and inhumane treatment and prison- ers should get a proper trial. Obama says we should Vincent Condura “…develop a process that doesn’t result in releasing Jasmine Grant people who are intent on blowing us up…” The maxi- Maura Brosnan mum security prison is yet to be decided on its clos- Peyton Maher ing. Americans and many others can only hope to Gabriela Miletsky know soon. P A G E 4 V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L CHRONICLE Volume 7, Issue 3 STUDENT VIEWPOINT Lords And Ladies Mind EditorialEditorial: A Nuclear Deal with Iran? Their “Manors” On 6th By Brandon Ferrante Grade Medieval Times Trip The world is holding its breath while it watches anxiously as the U.S., and several other nations attempt to negotiate a deal with Iran regarding nuclear weapons. By Maura Brosnan Iran has been adversarial towards Israel for as long as the world can remember. It's On May 6th, the VMS sixth graders had the opportunity to visit like the fiercest sibling rivalries on steroids. Except Iran has taken it to a close -to the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament located in Lyndhurst, inhumane level. In November of 2014, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei New Jersey which included jousting, horsemanship and falconry took to Twitter to tell the world that he would like to blow Israel off the face of the plus a 4-course, utensil-free meal served in a castle-like space. It earth. He claims that the "barbaric Jewish state has no cure but to be annihilated". was great to have a live experience of the power, the passion and Isn't that wonderful? Upon releasing this statement, the U.S. reacted quickly. They the pageantry of the medieval games. There were colored knight began setting up negotiations with Iran in an attempt to halt their vicious nuclear and horse teams such as blue, red, green, black/yellow, ambitions. However, the U.S. did everything wrong. House Speaker John Boehner black/white, and yellow. We decided he was going to invite Israel to the U.S. - Without consulting President all spent the Obama first. According to the U.S. Constitution, the President and the president afternoon in the alone has the power to negotiate agreements with foreign countries. But of course, castle cheering, people don't like following rules. Boehner admitted to failing to communicate with eating and the White House. He went behind they President's back and set the date for Israeli enjoying the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech with his country’s ambassador to the excitement of United States. Boehner also asked the foreign dignitary to not tell Obama. After all the competitive the U.S. drama was sorted out, the talks began. The U.S., the UK, Russia, France, entertainment. China and Germany were all part of the negotiations. After long talks, somewhat of a We even had conclusion was reached. In short, Iran will sacrifice their nuclear weapons programs the opportunity in exchange for a lifting of the sanctions that cripple their economy. Some of the to interact with the actors by specifics are still being discussed. The 6th Grade Field Trip To Medieval Times was stu- answering their dents’ “Crowning” Achievement For The School Year! Obama has always pledged to never let Iran obtain nuclear weapons, but he has been questions just willing to allow Iran to produce it's own nuclear fuel through a process that can be like we would in Photo By Staff used for civilian or military purposes. Although the fuel production has been al- our classroom. lowed, the U.S. seeks to lower the number of active centrifuges from 10,000 of There’s no dirt in a hole! Even our very own Amanda Tripodi was 196,000 to 5,000. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu is worried about Iran having crowned “Princess of the Day”. We feasted on chicken, corn, pota- anything that could result in a nuclear weapon. toes, bread, cookies and drinks. We even had the opportunity to walk through the Museum of Torture and visit the gift shop. If The negotiations have until June before Congress will likely harshen the sanctions you ever have a chance to visit again in the future, bring your on Iran. Let's all hope the negotiators will figure things out before everything gets family for some medieval action. worse. Memorial Day Not Just Another Day Off Apple iWatch Ticks Off Critics By Carolyn Brosnan By Amanda DiFeo Some people think Memorial Day is a time just for barbeques, a day On April 24 the Apple company was super close to off from work/school or a day to relax. But do you really know what releasing their newest product, the iWatch. Due to so Memorial Day is really about? If you are American and take pride in many preorders, the iWatchdid not come out in stores your country you should know what Memorial Day is about. Memo- on the 24th; only some of those who pre-purchased rial Day is on May 25th their watch got it. I was fortunate enough to be one and it is a federal holiday of those people. The iWatch can range from $400, all in the U.S. Its purpose is to the way up to $17000 (if you get it in solid gold). remember the people that served or presently serve in The iWatch has many features such as Siri, iMessage, America’s armed forces calling, camera, weather, maps, email, Pandora, health throughout rough wars apps, and much more. You do need your iPhone first sacrificing their lives every for these apps to work though. The iWatch also has a day to protect our free- little dial on the side of it that makes the images bigger dom. Memorial Day was or smaller. originated from the Civil Now you're also probably wondering how you type War between the Union Hopefully during Memorial Day break, VMS on such a small screen. Since the iWatch is too small and Confederate soldiers students took a moment to remember the to have a keyboard, you simply speak into the watch who had died in war. By sacrifices our fighting men and women made and it types what you say. the 20th century, Memori- for our freedom. al Day had been extended So what do you think about the watch? Is it a helpful to honor all Americans who died while in military services. So you and genius idea or just a waste of money? I personal- can have your fun and enjoy your day but just remember the mean- ly think it's worth every dime! ing behind this holiday. P A G E 5 V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L CHRONICLE Volume 7, Issue 3 Testing Season Leaves Its Mark Peter Pan Jr. Finally Lands At VMS By Carolyn Brosnan By Amy He After months of work and rehearsals, the long awaited Peter Pan Junior musical production took place on May 8th and 9th at VMS. The cast consisted of our Do your tests stress you out whether or not it counts as a grade? very own middle No matter what it is, students always stress out over it - whether school students ranging from 6th it’s science, social studies, language, English, or whatever subject. through the 8th There are also the state tests to worry about, unless you opt out, grade. For some but that doesn’t really solve anything does it? students it was their very first musical Testing can affect students tremendously in a range of ways, from performance and for - - - the many 8th grad- mild stress, to migraines, to turning your hair gray anxiety. Tests ers it was to be their seek to see how well the student can perform in one area, but some last middle school students are just not good test takers. Some resolve to say it’s in performance before they entered VHS. our nature that all students want to do great; nobody likes to lose. On a daily basis we But some can also compare a test to sports. If you fail, you lose worked hard with and if you move on. The only problem with this comparison is Mrs. Woodard and Stage performers and backstage managers worked that with tests, it feels like when you win it’s not a matter of how Mr. Wright on acting skills, singing, chore- as one to make sure audiences were “hooked.” you pulled off the win, only that you won. ography, and individ- Photo by Sue Rossi ual and group For some students tests are harder as it impacts their emotional scenes. Audiences couldn’t take thei eyes off the stage once they saw all of the state. Things could be hard for the student at home or they could colorful costumes and props. be keeping everything in, holding everything back and not letting We have all watched this musical as young children and were so proud to all be anything go. able to bring this musical to life right here in our own school. Many students also participated by volunteering to help on stage crew, and in addition, many We are sometimes told that tests urge students to reach for the parents helped with construction, painting and props. stars, but many students come to the conclusion that testing is not We hope you enjoyed your magical journey through Neverland. “All it takes is good for them, because it reveals to them just how little they really faith, trust, and pixie dust”. understand. We can disagree about the usefulness of all these New Apple Products Amaze Users In Usefulness And Variety tests, but for now we can all agree that tests impact students in a By Benjamin Sonenshine major way. Fortunately, with our loving families and supportive Apple is going crazy lately! They build a new MacBook with fantastic new features, set a new $69 price for Apple TV, and create the larger iPhone 6, and new Apple watch, which even has a gold teachers, most of us here at Valhalla Middle School can work version (which I think will sell out)! Rumor has it that the next iPhone will be smaller. We don’t through most of the difficulties and survive just fine. know what is going on at Apple HQ. Apple can’t go on like this forever; they have gone above genius- they are the super genius. If you go to the apple website ( https://www.apple.com ) you’ll see all the products. Thank you apple for the new crazy products! YouTube Milestone Reached Volleyball Tournament “Nets” Big Money For Charity
By Vincent Condura By Vincent Condura On March 4, 2015, something amazing happened in the Friday May 25, 2015 was the 9th Annual Valhalla Middle School Volleyball world of YouTube; the most subscribed to channel, PewDiePie (pew -dee -pie), reached 35 million subscrip- Tournament. This year, the “Volley for Volume” tournament made history. For tions, a huge milestone for “Team Internet”, the group of the first time in 9 years, a student volleyball team, “No Spike Zone” from the people who support the platform. As the years have 7th grade succeeded in defeating the teacher time since the first tournament progressed, the video -sharing website’s stars have begun nine years ago. The members of the team (Sean Kelly, Sebastian Pacheco, receiving more and more recognition for their work. The Marco Mazza, Linda Rossi, Olivia Callaghan, Shelby Sekinski, Julianna Abon- a capella group Pentatonix recently won a Grammy for “Best Arrangement, Instrumental of A Capella”, after dola and Sofiah Pacheco) won in a 21-9 victory. The team first won the starting out on YouTube without any big publicity or 7th grade cup with 0 loses, then advanced to defeat the teachers, being the advertisement driving the group. YouTube has received only 6 students in the middle school to have beaten the teachers. Many other recognition for it being a diverse platform of many dif- students in the 7th grade expected them to win, but despite that, they sur- ferent types of content. The real question is; will prised everyone by beating the YouTube become the next television? I’d say so. Musical artists now debut their music of their own VEVO channel teachers. Everyone was so excit- instead of television channels, and YouTube is beginning ed when it had happened. to become available on television screens via ROKU, a Overall, everyone thoroughly streaming device connectable to your TV. I personally think, as time progresses, many things that aren’t on the enjoyed the tournament, and platform yet will arise, such as cartoons. Many television raised over $1300 for the Music shows, such as The Tonight Show and Sesame Street and Memory organization. Be- also put their television content on YouTube. Although it tween the delicious refresh- may take a long time, I feel as if as more generations are born into it, YouTube will not replace television, but ments, hanging with friends, and become another version of it, catered towards a different the excitement of making history, VMS students competing in this year’s volleyball audience overall. it was a good time for everyone. fundraiser show their pride in helping others.
P A G E 6 V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L CHRONICLE Volume 7, Issue 3
Hair Donation Day A Cut Above Jack And The Beanstalk: The Real Story By Amanda DiFeo By Maura Brosnan and Peyton Maher
On June 1st Kensico school had its third annual hair dona- I’m the giant Joseph from the well-known story tion day. 30 students and teachers cut their hair for a great Jack and the Beanstalk. You must think that I’m cause! All of the hair and proceeds are being donated to that fee, fi, fo, fum kind of a giant, but let me tell Panteen Beautiful Lengths. This company will be making you one thing, you’ve got it all wrong! wigs out of the donated hair which provides cancer pa- tients who are losing their hair with wigs. It takes 6 pony- I was watching from up in the clouds, when I saw a tails to make one wig! But don't worry- cutting your hair young fella approach an elder. The next thing I isn't the only way to help. You can donate money to this knew the boy punched the elder unconscious and wonderful cause as well. This hair donation is specially for grabbed a handful of beans from his basket. The Mrs.Floryshak. Mrs.Floryshak's mother sadly passed away boy then dragged the elder and pushed him into a due to cancer. river. This disturbed me because I don’t tolerate Mrs.Floryshak said "I violence, but there was nothing I could do. I mean, I couldn’t just jump down there, it was so far. I saw my mom loosing would die, and with that haunting me, I went her hair and I know home and went to sleep. The next morning I how women with smelled a delicious breakfast waiting for me. When cancer also struggle I got to the kitchen I smelled something familiar, a with this". On the day human boy. After, I asked my wife if she has seen of the event, partici- one, and she answered with a no. Although I did pants can enjoyed smell it, I decided to ignore it. When I went to the snacks, refreshments, bedroom I noticed something was different; some- professional hair styl- thing was missing. Quickly, I pulled up my mattress, ists, before and after my gold! It was gone! I knew I smelled a human pictures and a visit What’s a few inches between friends? The hair dona- boy. I knew it! from The Journal tion event at Kensico was truly the “mane” event of News! We are so the month of June! Photo by Sue Rossi And now here I am waiting to see if that little crook proud of everyone who gave up something important to comes back so I can catch him. Wait a minute… my them for the sake of others in need! hen! My magic, lying golden egg hen! The boy is running off with him. It’s the boy who beat up the Diary of Anne Frank Inspires High- elder. The boy who stole my gold! I ran after him. At the edge of the clouds he Tech Student Project jumped on to a beanstalk and scrambled down. By Shannon Brosnan Those beans he stole from the elder must have grown a giant beanstalk. I jumped onto the bean- In my language arts class we read the play and watched the movie of A stalk and started to climb down. I felt the stalk sway Diary of Anne Frank. This is an impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis during World War II in a concealed under my weight. I look down and see the boy has storage attic. The diary of Anne Frank captures the claustrophobic reali- chopped down the beanstalk. I clung tight to the ties of their daily existence, their fear, their hope, their laughter and their beanstalk as I fell. The last thing I could see was the grief. ground an inch from my nose. When I woke up I Our assignment was to create a project about the diary and I chose to found myself in a hospital bed. I didn’t know what I make a timeline on Timetoast. I documented the key events of the diary was doing there. But, I did know my body was in of Anne Frank during pain, a lot of pain. A nurse saw me wake up, she World War II. This came over to me and told me, I took a big fall from book was fascinating because it gave in- the clouds. But I was going to be ok. depth details of the The nurse also told me that the police were com- harsh realities during World War II. If you ing and taking me to jail. At first, I couldn’t remem- would like to see ber why I was going to jail. But then I realized that further details, you the boy who robbed me, must have told the police can access Time- that I was trying to kill him. I tried to defend myself, toast.com and look but it was no use. I ended up in jail because of that up Anne Frank Time- boy. line.
P A G E 7 V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L CHRONICLE Volume 7, Issue 3 Baltimore Riots Remind Us That Who Let The Dogs Out? Pernicious Problems Persist The Iditarod Racers, That’s By Amanda DiFeo Who! About a month ago, non -violent riots took place By Gabriela Miletsky in Baltimore. On April 27 things got bad, and quickly. The riot was no longer non -violent. The angry rioters Dallas Seavey, two-time Iditarod champion, has just crossed the finish line first again, making him one went into stores such as CVS and smashed all of the youngest people in Iditarod history to have two windows, smashed everything in the stores and eventu- straight Iditarod wins. The 28 year old finished with a ally the fairly new CVS that supplied the city dwellers time of 8 days, 18 hours, and 13 minutes, 5 hours shy with fresh fruit, food and much more, caught on fire. To of the record set by him last year. make matters even worse, while firefighters were trying Along with his second consecutive win, Dallas also to put the fire out, the angry rioters stabbed the hoses wins the 70,000 grand prize and a new truck. with knives, creating holes in them. Police tried to rile The race was pretty close, but ended up being a runa- the crowd up but the rioters threw rocks and bottles at way for Seavey all the way from White Mountain, the the police officers. Things got so bad that the governor second to last checkpoint. However, fellow racers Ai- of Baltimore called a state of emergency and called in ly Zirkile, Mitch Seavey, Aaron Burmeister, and Jes- sie Royer were right on his tail. Mitch Seavey, Dal- the National Guard. 15 police officers were injured and las's father, finished only 4 hours behind Dallas. The had to be hospitalized. This riot was caused by the top 6 mushers were all about 2-3 hours behind each death of Freddy Gray, who died in police custody. other. Many people have agreed that this violence is not the Dallas has already started training for next year's Idi- right way to solve things. These rioters have built up tarod and possibly the Yukon Quest. Dallas would so much anger over the years and are taking it out on like to extend his winning streak to three years, but he their own city. How will this matter be solved? We can better watch out. Aily Zirkile is hungry for her first only wait to find out. Iditarod win.
Book Review: “Croak” A Lively Read In Honor of St. Patrick’s Day: By Shannon Brosnan Irish Soda Bread Recipe The novel Croak by Gina Damico is a great, creepy, By Ruby Zastenchik and hilarious book for preteens. Fed up with her wild behav- How to make Irish Soda Bread: ior, sixteen year old Lex’s parents Ingredients: ship her off to upstate New York to § 4 cups of all -purpose flour, plus extra for currants live with her uncle Mort for the § 4 tablespoons sugar summer hoping that a few months § 1 teaspoon baking soda of dirty farm work will whip her § 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt § 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 –inch dice back into shape. But she doesn’t § 1 ¾ cups cold buttermilk, shaken realize that uncle Mort is a Grim § 1 extra -large egg, lightly beaten
Reaper and he is going to teach Lex § 1 teaspoon grated orange zest the family business. She quickly § 1 cup dried currants assimilates into the world of Croak, Directions: a town populated by reapers who § Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. deliver souls from this life to the § Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a bowl of an electric mixer. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour. next. But whenever Lex encounters § With a whisk, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the a murder victim, she’s craving to mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. This process will be very wet. stop the attackers before they can § Place the dough onto a well -floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf strike again. I recommend my on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. classmates read this, is amazing and Photo accessed from § Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound it is a trilogy! bewitchedbookworms.com § Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.