Williamstown High School October 2016 Issue

Last Minute DIY Halloween Costumes by Kyle Latimer Just because you forgot to get a costume Skeleton tume will doesn’t mean you can’t look amazing for Got any old shirts lying around? Cut up a be the talk Halloween. Last minute doesn’t have to black t-shirt and layer it over a plain white of the be boring. We’ve come up with these one to get a super quick skeleton outfit. party and super easy last minute do-it-yourself To add to it, get some black eyeliner and would costumes that are sure to impress. Ditch paint on a skull to really complete the make a those eyeliner cat whiskers for some of look. Tutorials on-line are the best way to great Instagram post. Starting with these cool DIY costume ideas! perfect the technique. Eleven, find a pink dress or a long pink shirt and a blond wig. For extra detail add Tacky Tourist Mime a fake nose bleed and a box of Eggo This costume is probably the easiest of This next costume uses Waffles. Any police costume, or tan shirt them all. Take or buy a Hawaiian shirt, items you probably have will be perfect for Sheriff Jim Hopper. strap on a fanny pack, put on some cool in your house. Grab and The monster is a little tricky, but get sunglasses and BAM! you’re a tacky black and white striped creative with some cardboard cutouts and tourist! This costume is funny and quick shirt, some red lipstick, spray paint and have the scariest costume if you’re invited to a last minute party or and a black hat and of the year. if you just don’t want to waste any money. you’re instantly trans- formed into a mime. Finally, we couldn’t forget to include Learn how to stay in an invisible box and Barb. A patterned, puffy button down, a you’ve got yourself a fun party trick as curly orange wig, and some big glasses well! This costume shouldn’t cost you and you’ll do anything and it’s super cute. justice. If you want you can even wear a Stranger Things patterned shirt and Want a group costume? This year gather some Christmas up some friends and go back in time to lights and try and the 80s. A Stranger Things group cos- talk to Will!

I N 2 Surviving College 4 WHS Celebs/Books 7 Fall Play S Applications 5 Music 8 Horoscopes I 3 Clubs Students of the Month D 6 Fashion/Comic Strip E CLASSROOM news

How to Survive the COLLEGE APPLICATION Process... Without Losing Your Mind

by Grace Chen and Louisa Waife For those of you seniors applying early decision to any colleges or universities, this article might be a bit late considering the deadline is November 1st. However, for everyone else applying regular deci- sion, here’s a breakdown of the college applications to make the whole thing a bit easier and less stressful.

Step 1: Select your Schools Step 2: Complete the Common App Step 4: Take the SATs (again) Yes, schools. Unless you’re planning on Most colleges accept applications Hopefully this won’t be your first time. doing the STARS program at RCGC (more through the Common Application (avail- The last time for us seniors to take the on that in a later article), applying to able on commonapp.org). Just sign up SATs is November 2nd, you can still sign multiple schools is probably a good idea, and begin your journey! Be wary of the up (with a late fee) on Collegeboard. considering that rejection is a possibility. required personal essay; the Common College applicants usually divide their App caps you at 650 words (which is Step 5: Apply for Financial Aid schools into three categories: safety, kind of a good thing to be honest). Fill out FAFSA. FAFSA refers to financial match, and reach. Safety schools are aid for colleges, and this application can the ones you’ll definitely get into, match Step 3: Secure Recommendations help you find a way to pay for college. schools are the one’s that you’ll proba- Most schools require at least 2 rec- The FAFSA is a FREE form. There are bly get into, and reach schools, well... ommendations: 1 from your guidance handful of websites that try and charge are a reach. counselor and 1 from a teacher that you to fill it out. Don’t get scammed. liked you. Before asking for a recom- Don’t know where to start? You’re mendation, fill out your brag sheet on Step 6: Wait for things to happen not the only one. Collegeboard has a Naviance. Be wary of Naviance, because You did all of your work, so now what? convenient college search available on if you take longer than an hour it doesn’t Wait for the response letters. Some bigfuture.com that is very helpful. Sift save. I experienced the pain of filling the may be acceptance letters, and other through the mess of flyers and letters entire brag sheet out and it not saving rejection letters. Don’t be upset if one that colleges have been bombarding firsthand, so make sure you periodically school does not want to take you. You your mailbox with. Sign up for a few of save it. Remember that once you submit may end up enjoying where you go, or the college meetings held at our school your brag sheet, you cannot go back possibly transfer to that dream school in (just log into Naviance!). When you have and edit. the future. time outside of school, take the time to visit some colleges. 2 CLUBS what's goin on?

Think you've got what it takes to be in Newspaper Club? We are always looking for creative people with new ideas and talents. If you're looking for a great club to join this year, consider Newspaper Club! Talk to Ms. Ferranto or Mr. Longo if you're interested!

REQUIREMENTS: · Be creative and want to show your talent · Have ideas to help, educate and to entertain our school · Be able to work as a team: Have your own opinions and voice them

BENEFITS: · Get involved with the school · Showcase your artistic talents · Get a taste for journalism and writing · Learn how to write for a target audience

· Learn how to be a reporter and how to interview Positions available · Be in a club that will look good on applications immediately. · Help those who are going into a writing field Join today! · Build up points for prizes (gift cards, food, etc.)

It's never to late to join a club or activity. Clubs are always welcoming new members. Check out all of the offerings below and listen for meeting schedules and events on the morning announcements. Academic Banquet - Ms. Zimmerman Guitar Club - Mr. Longo Spanish National Honor Society * Academic Breakfast/Student of the Month Health Careers Club - Ms. Graham Stage Crew - Mr. Meeks/Mr. Matranga -Mrs. Czbas/Ms. Nolen Interact Club - Ms. Mullen Steppers with Style * African-American Cultural Society - Mr. Redden Irish Culture Club - Mrs. Laxton/Mrs. Spitalieri Student Council - Mr. Zane Asian Club - Mrs. Carpenter/Mr. Rue Italian-American Club - Mr. DiCristofaro Student Athletic Training Club - Band - Mr. Fantazzi Journalism/Photography Club - Mr. DeAngelis - Ms. Ickenroth/Mr. Lee Chess Club - Mr. Jengehino LGBT+ Alliance Club - Ms. Peterson/Ms. Duskee S.U.R.E. Club - Mrs. Carpenter/Mrs. Gaudio Choir - Mrs. Botbyl Mock Trial Club - Mrs. Angelozzi-Gazo/Mr. Spaman Technology Student Association - Mr. Kurczeski Color Guard * National Honor Society - Mr. LaPalomento Tri - M Music Honor Society * Computer Club - Mr. Weikel Newspaper Club - Ms. Ferranto/Mr. Longo TV Club - Mr. Meeks Dance Club - Mrs. Shoemaker Peer Mediation - Mrs. Gaudio/Mr. Kelly Variety Show - Mr. Zane D.E.C.A. Club - Mrs. LaPalomento Poetry Club - Mr. Belluscio Varsity Club - Ms. Dilmore/Ms. Peterson Drama Club - Ms. Krapevka R.E.B.E.L. Club - Mr. LaPalomento Williamstown High School Gospel Choir * Engineering Academy Club - Mr. Kurczeski Renaissance Program - Mrs. Gaudio Yearbook Club - Ms. Ferranto Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Mr. Fischer R.O.C.K. Club - Mrs. Alfarano Class of 2017 - Ms. Borucki/Mrs. Slade Film Club * S.A.D.D. Club - Mrs. Gaudio Class of 2018 - Mr. Carullo/Mrs. Carullo Foreign Language Club - Ms. Quinones S.A.L.S.A. Club - Mrs. Illa-Rojas/Ms. Lopez-Maya Class of 2019 - Mr. Redden/Ms. Zimmerman Friends of OTP - Ms. Zentz S.A.V.E. Club - Mrs. Davis Class of 2020 - Mr. Carl/Mr. Fau Future Teachers of America - Mrs. Boyce/Mrs. Ferraro Science Club - Mrs. Davis 3 ENTERTAINMENT whs celebs books by Stephanie Boateng and Kyle Latimer by Abigail Twiford REAL-LIFE SUPERGIRL MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN Junior, Natalie Donisi is a real-life by Ransom Riggs supergirl. She is currently featured in two plays; "Twelfth Night," here at Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar the high school (November 3rd- 5th Children by Ransom Riggs is about at 7pm), and "Mary Poppins" at the sixteen-year-old Jacob Portman as Grand Theatre on Main Street he struggles to understand his (December 8th-10th at 7pm). grandfather’s past. Jacob’s grandfather had been telling him Natalie is no stranger to the stage. fantastical stories of his time in a She has been dancing for 13 years children’s home, during World War and performing in shows since she 2, since Jacob was seven-years-old. was in 5th grade. Natalie also Grandpa Portman, as Jacob called teaches a dance class to special him, would tell tales of levitating needs kids. When she’s not on girls and invisible boys that resided stage, you could find her at Dairy Fresh, where she works, or in the children’s home. While Jacob fulfilling her executive positions as Vice President of the Class of wholeheartedly believes these stories when he is a young 2018 and Secretary of the Drama Club. Natalie participated in child, the stories seem to be too implausible as he grows older. DECA for the first time last year and with the help of her partner, However, after the death of his grandfather, Jacob feels that Lindsey Sowers, they made it all the way to Nationals in Nash- he must go to the island that the children’s home was located ville, Tennessee. This year she will continue with DECA and there on to find answers about what happened during his grandfa- is no doubt that she will blow the judges away once again. She ther’s time in the children’s home, for Jacob’s sanity, and does all of this and still is able to maintain the #2 spot in her possibly his safety. class rankings. We know what you’re thinking: why can’t we all be a Natalie Donisi? One of my favorite things about this novel was the photography laced in with the story. Whenever a “peculiar child” is intro- Interviewer: What inspires you to do so much inside and duced, a photograph of them will follow shortly after. One of outside of school? my favorite things about this was that all of the photos were Natalie: I like to keep busy and I have fun with everything that I real, and not edited at all. Ransom Riggs just found all of the do. If I didn’t have fun in all of my other activities, I definitely images used in the novel and made a story out of them. I also would not be doing this much. enjoyed the way the story was written. The whole narrative Interviewer: What are your favorite activities that you do? flowed well and the mysterious elements about Grandpa Natalie: Well, I love Drama because that’s where I really started Portman’s past were intriguing and unpredictable. However, everything, DECA is a whole new experience that showed me many of the characters could be quite irritating or were what I wanted to do in the future, and I love working on Senate pointless, specifically almost everyone Jacob meets before stuff because our class is so unified and its cool seeing everyone getting to the island. Many of his family members are insuffer- work together. able, as they are written as nothing but rich and snooty. Overall, the novel is worth reading. It is well written, intriguing Interviewer: How do you keep organized and sane? and the photographs make the story seem more realistic, in a Natalie: I don’t. I take things day by day because when I try to strange way. plan too far ahead, in advance, I stress myself out more. Interviewer: Where do you want to go after high school? Natalie: I plan to go to a four year college and double major or major and minor in business and theatre. Then I want to get my MBA, probably with a marketing concentration.

4 music by Stephanie Boateng by Natalie Doggett

NEW MUSIC TO LISTEN TO SCHOOLING WITH SOLANGE: A SEAT AT THE TABLE REVIEW ALBUMS: 22, A Million – Bon Iver A Seat at the Table – Solange Oh My My – One Republic Day Breaks – Norah Jones Green Day – Revolution Radio Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight – Travis Scott Sit Still Look Pretty – Daya On September 30, 2016, Solange Knowles graced the digital Illuminate – Shawn Mendes world with her newest project, A Seat at the Table. A Seat at the

Table emulates Knowles’ self-affirmation and pride of her blackness in the face of adversity. : TRACKS The title, for one, is a denotation to black history. “The table” is "24k Magic" – Bruno Mars representative of the dinner tables which black people (slaves, "The Greatest" – Sia ft. Kendrick Lamar housemaids, and free citizens alike) were denied seating of in "This Town" – Niall Horan white households during times of slavery and legal segregation. Solange extends an offering at a self-created “table” to marginal- "Thick of It" – Mary J. Blige ized, specifically black people, to seat themselves at and "Caroline" – Amine relinquish in communion. "Trust Nobody" – Cashmere Cat ft. Selena Gomez & Tory Lanez The minimalist visual album features twenty-one tracks, "Cool Girl" – Tove Lo including interludes of short interviews, all of which individually contribute to Knowles’ larger perspective on the current state of black politics. There is a unique juxtaposition that is consistent throughout the tracks: the musicality and tone of Knowles’ voice ALBUMS TO LOOK are hushed and soulful, though the lyrics’ underlying messages address radical issues such as police brutality, the bodily OUT FOR: autonomy of the black woman, and the stimulations of racial Starboy – The Weeknd segregation and discrimination. Joanne – Lady Gaga There are two songs on the album in particular that I have yet to Lady Wood – Tove Lo stop replaying: “Don’t Touch My Hair” and “Borderline (An Ode to Two Vines – Empire of the Sun Self Care)”. Here – Alicia Keys “Don’t Touch My Hair” confronts the harmful subliminal messages that select black women internalize in response to being asked by randoms to touch their hair (in the catchiest, smoothest way possible). Borderline addresses the necessity of self-love and care in times of despair.

5 ENTERTAINMENT fashion by Grace Chen and Kyle Latimer Alexis: Everyone questions why I wear them but I love for the bell DENIM bottoms so I don’t care what they say about them. The fall season brings with it colder air and a need for change in The clothes you wear wardrobe. The American classic, denim, is the best choice to add are an extension of warmth and style to your look, and this season, it gets an update. your personality. We Denim doesn’t have to be just a boring pair of Levis. Flared, love to see how embroidered, or patched, denim can be enhanced and custom- others are styling ized to your style. One of the biggest trends in the past few their newest pieces seasons has been the renewal of 70s fashion. and making their Bellbottoms are back in the form of the “mom jean” look. This outfits unique.The style embraces our inner, mini-van driving, PTA leading, soccer renewal of past mom aesthetic. We have seen these flare jeans in the most trends is a constant popular fast fashion clothing stores like Urban Outfitters, Forever ongoing cycle in 21, and H&M. WHS Junior Alexis Sherlock has been showing off fashion and we are her flares all season! We asked her a few questions on her style always excited to see and her taste in fashion. what the next hottest Interviewer: Where do you get inspiration for your outfits? trend will be. Until Alexis: I live for the 90’s and the 70’s eras, so it’s those time then, sport those periods that speak to me and I love everything about them. flared jeans and channel your inner Interviewer: Have you gotten any negative comments about soccer mom. Above: Alexis wearing her your flare jeans? (they’re what we love!) favorite flare jeans. == Comic Strip == by Raven Castiglione HALLOWEEN

6 by Raven Castiglione

12 7 ARIES TAURUSARIES CANCERTAURUS CANCERLEO LIBRALEO CAPRICORNLIBRA CAPRICORN horoscopes by Megan Myles

AQUARIUS PISCES ARIES TAURUS ARIES TAURUS Jan. 20–Feb.CANCER 19ARIES LEO TAURUS Feb. 20–Mar.LIBRA CANCER 20 CAPRICORN LEO Mar. 21–Apr.LIBRA 20 CAPRICORN Apr. 21–May 20 You will feel religiously Narrow your focus. Career development for Job changes for you are inclined this month. Personal ties and a new you depends on your positive this month. You Money will not be a attraction could consume you, and you social connections. Pay need to start investing problem at all. You'll feel could be processing some heavy-duty off all your loans and save for the rainy right away if you want to make your ARIES TAURUS CANCER LEO LIBRA CAPRICORN SAGITARIUS GEMINISAGITARIUS likeAQUARIUS a free-spiritGEMINI this month.PISCES EnjoyAQUARIUS the SCORPIOemotions.PISCES Maybe it's a projectSCORPIOVIRGO that day.VIRGO It's time to reconsider yourARIES fiercely futureTAURUS secure. CANCER LEO LIBRA CAPRICORN time off. absorbs your time. Whatever the case, independent spirit, The next year is a don't forget about the rest of the world. golden era for teaming up with people whose ideas and skills complement yours.

GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO May 21–June 20 June 21–July 22 ARIES July 23–Aug.TAURUS 22 CANCER Aug. 23–Sept.LEO 22 LIBRA CAPRICORN ARIES TAURUS CANCERYour academic careerLEO and LIBRA Career issues needCAPRICORN to be Changes in business and Your spiritual life will be creativity will be influ- set aside and domestic career can be expected. influenced this month. enced this month. You're concerns should be addressed fully this Earnings and accumulation of wealth Money will flow in from SAGITARIUS feelingGEMINI feisty ARIESand flirtatious—andAQUARIUS TAURUSARIES you're PISCESmonth.CANCER TakeTAURUS thingsSCORPIO at a slowLEOCANCER and nur- VIRGOLIBRAwill be LEOslow. You'reCAPRICORN bubblingLIBRA over with unexpectedCAPRICORN quarters. You need to be a live comedy act on two legs.SAGITARIUS Your turing GEMINIpace. Do some decorating,AQUARIUS start ideasPISCES and projects. SomeSCORPIO of those bril- emotionallyVIRGO stable in order to achieve heart is proudly on your sleeve now, so holiday plans with family, or just spend liant sparks could turn into pure gold. your objectives and goals. don't even bother trying to hide how time with supportive people who don't Don't dismiss your brainstorms as mere you feel. need you to be "on" all the time. flights of fancy. SAGITARIUS GEMINI AQUARIUS PISCES SCORPIO VIRGO SAGITARIUS GEMINI AQUARIUS PISCES SCORPIO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN Sept. 23–Oct. 22 Oct. 23–Nov. 22 Nov. 23–Dec. 21 Dec. 22–Jan. 19 You will have a busy ca- The time is auspicious This month is not your You will face a very tough reer. All the obstructions for religious and spiritual month for jobs. It will time this month in your and challenges in your life are blown development. Love will also be difficult to make money. Widen professional life. Earnings away. The world, at last, is your oyster. be blissful. Make amends if you're at yourSAGITARIUS social circle and the GEMINIrest will AQUARIUSand prosperity willPISCES be phenomenal. SCORPIO VIRGO ARIES TAURUS CANCER SAGITARIUS LEO GEMINI LIBRA AQUARIUS CAPRICORNPISCES oddsSCORPIO with anyone, complete yourVIRGO to-do follow! ARIES TAURUS CANCER LEO LIBRA CAPRICORN SAGITARIUS GEMINI list beforeAQUARIUS taking on newPISCES projects, and SCORPIO VIRGO focus more on your inner world than SAGITARIUS your outerGEMINI reality. AQUARIUS PISCES SCORPIO VIRGO

FRESHMAN JUNIORS students Aaron Lewis Blake Edwards of the Alicia Weddington Jessica Newell SOPHOMORES SENIORS Timothy McBride Jake Chamberlin SAGITARIUS GEMINI AQUARIUS PISCES SCORPIO monthVIRGO SeptemberSAGITARIUS GEMINI AQUARIUS PISCESTaylor Redner-MarshallSCORPIO VIRGOSamantha Mulloy

NEWSPAPER STAFF Stephanie Boateng Natalie Doggett Alex Morales Rasaaq Shittu Raven Castiglione Micah Jackson Megan Myles Sydney Utsey Grace Chen Maya Jones Tatianna Toussaint Louisa Waife Kelsey Dixon Kyle Latimer Abigail Twiford

Ms. Ferranto ~ Advisor/Designer • Mr. Longo ~ Advisor/Editor

8 Didn’t get your own copy of Smoke Signals? Get it on the school website!