The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Issue Number 33 http://somersschools.org/domain/995 Spring 2018

Is This Year’s 6th Grade REALLY That Bad?

By Joseph Melillo not shy. We get more inde- Tusker Tribune Staff pendence now so we have to The 6th grade. Maybe crazy kids. be on time to our classes. Nobody outside our grade really knows us Maybe some kids are late, but except our teachers We are loud, and we not everyone. We are kids normally do not listen. We like rap and we like to socialize and music and don’t like rules. talk with friends. Some of us But seriously, are we really just straight up refuse to lis- that bad? We are kids, normal kids ten to anyone or anything. who like doing what we want. Sure, I guess we are Sure, we may have had two assem- loud during announcements blies on behavior, but we listen and talk when the teacher is when we must or when it is im- talking and sometimes misbehave during recess portant. and locker time, but it could be worse. Some people are quiet and shy; others are loud and are really What do YOU THINK? Living History Day Brings the Past Alive

By Juliana Spano firefighters from the Somers Fire Tusker Tribune Staff Department and got to see one of The 2018 Living their rescue trucks, an ambulance History day was a success! and all their equipment. According to all the 7th We also got to meet women who graders I talked to they all had showed us how bread and butter fun! were made long ago. My personal There were so many favorite was a very sweet old wom- different activities for the stu- an who showed us the types of medi- dents to do, including a 19th centu- cines they ry school house, several artifacts used during from wars, an activity where stu- the times of dents got to shoot muskets and war. She much more. showed us how potatoes In the 19th century were used to help treat school house, we burns and how potato were shown authen- brine helped headaches. tic and replicated She also showed us a rep- books from the 19th licated version of a tooth- century and we brush from that time and were even tested in the "tooth powder" they a spelling bee. We used. got to see the car Overall I believe that used to belong that living history day was to Caroline Wright a complete success and Reis before she died. that all of the 7th graders We also got to meet enjoyed themselves. The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School A Summer Shopping List

By Gretchen Gilroy  Drinks Tusker Tribune Staff  Bathing suits Bye bye, tests  Shorts and homework! Hello  Tee shirts vacations, camps, swim-  Flip flops ming, parties!  Slides Summer is heading our  Relaxation way, and everyone must be  Vacation ready for it! Here's a list to This list will make sure you’re prepared...... guarantee that you will  Sunscreen be prepared for summer  Beaches and not have to stress,  Pools because after all, sum-  Friends mer is supposed to be  Food fun, not stressful.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

By Alexa Warycha dramatic events, plot twist, worry and sor- Tusker Tribune Staff rowful events. The Honest Truth by I interviewed Amanda Malkin and Dan Gemeinhart is an amaz- asked her how she viewed the book. She ing story about a boy named said, "The book was great!" She also said, "It Mark. was the best book ever." Mark is an ordinary boy with a Also, Maya Shirakura said, "It was dog named Beau and a best friend the best book in the world." She also said, "It named Jessie. The only difference was so suspenseful, I could not put the book about mark is that he has cancer. down." Mark is destined to climb To conclude, The Honest Truth is a Mount Rainier before he dies. The fantastic story that everyone should read. Honest Truth is a story filled with

Movie Review: Solo

By Lindsey Gill coaxium, one of the most Tusker Tribune Staff valuable materials in the On May 25, 2018, galaxy that could make his a new Star Wars movie rich. came out, directed by Ron Han and the bounty Howard. This time, the mov- hunters encounter Lando ie focuses on Han Solo. Han Calrissian on the look to joined a group of bounty hunters find a fast-enough ship to to make money and run away get them all the way to from his home. He travels all Kessel for the coaxium. around the galaxy to find his true This is a funny and love, Qi'ra, after they got split up action-packed film that any and he goes on a dangerous quest to collect Star Wars fan will love. The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Tyler Blevins Finds $, Fame With ‘Fortnite’

By Jimmy Rae He also stated getting money from Tusker Tribune Staff Twitch.tv, a version of YouTube with only stream- Most people just play Fortnite after ing or live video. You can sponsor people on a hard day at school. Others are just lazy twitch for $5 a month. people who play About two weeks all day. ago, Ninja had most like- But some people ly the best day of his life. take advantage of the Drake, the famous Cana- game’s popularity and dian rapper, wanted to make tons of money off play with Ninja. He came it. One of those people is to play with him and oth- Tyler Blevins, otherwise er stars followed, includ- known as “Ninja” or ing Travis Scott, another “NinjasHyper”. He rapper, and Juju Smith, started off playing Halo a new up and coming then started to get good Pittsburgh Steelers foot- at video games and ball player. started competing in He gained 50 contests and gaining thousand twitch sponsors fame and money. That that day, which is worth all changed when he al- $250,000. He now has most lost his vision and 200 thousand twitch his retina almost got sponsors which made him completely severed. He turned out ok, but his roughly $550,000. He quickly became the richest gaming viewership was sinking badly because of gamer, in addition to the biggest person on the sixmonths away for rehab and such. YouTube Pewdiepie. He also broke many records His luck changed again when Fortnite on YouTube twitch and other websites. came out. He quickly became a gaming star again Tyler Blevins seems to be a very genuine and he quickly began to rack up subscribers on guy and a hard worker. He is a great ace for the YouTube and sponsors from Bud Lite. emerging gaming community. End of Year Calendar!!!! June 8th: 6th Grade Au- June 18th: FLACS (8th Grade thor’s Day (1/2 day of World Language final exam) school) June 18th &19th: 6th and 7th June 11th: 8th Grade So- Health final exam cial Studies final exam June 18th: 7th Grade Splashdown June 11th-15th: 7th Grade Trip World Language Final (one June 18th: 8th Grade Graduation piece per day) Practice June 11th-13th: Geometry June 18th: 8th Grade Dance Final Exam @Villa Barone June 12th &13th: 8th June 19th: 6th Grade Social Stud- Grade Math final exam ies final exam June 12th: Algebra Re- June 19th: 8th Grade Lake Com- gents (12:00pm) pounce Trip June 12th: Jazz Band @BOE meeting (6:30pm) June 20th: 7th Grade Science final exam June 13th &14th: 7th Grade Math final exam June 20th: 6th Grade Math final exam June 13th: 6th Grade Trip (movie and park) June 21st: 6th Grade Red Team Science end of June 14th: 6th Grade White Team Science Unit year exam Exam June 21st: 8th Grade Graduation @5:30pm June 14th: 7th Grade Social Studies final exam June 22nd: Last Day of School – ½ day (11:30am June 14th: Earth Science Regents (8:30am) dismissal) June 15th: District Strings Concert The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Global Warming IS Reality

By Ciara McMahon weather wise, causing us bigger, Tusker Tribune Staff worse, more frequent storms. It’s an unknown These changes in weather patterns problem no one realizes have not only caused more storms because they have bigger and wetness for some, it has been things to worry about. depriving other places of water. Cali- The summers recently have been fornia and Australia have been going very hot, and the winters have through long droughts. Because of been weird recently. little water, the plants have been There have been large, drying out and that is just more damaging weather events re- wood for devastating wild fires. cently. Everyone can remember We all love animals. From the a few. And who doesn’t like California? Well that little penguins in is at risk too. But why do you need to worry about Antarctica, to the it? adorable white Everyone re- polar bears in members the the Arctic. But storms we have what if those ani- had recently, mals are going to knocking power go extinct? Die out, taking out along with all down trees, the other ani- there were mals in the world even tornados and maybe us, here! Adults too. say, "I never Because remember of global warm- storms this bad ing, the habitats when I was growing up, maybe two". of all the animals all over he world are being de- Well, that is because of global warming. stroyed and too many are animals are during and The heating of the polar ice caps has messed up not enough are being born. They will go extinct weather patterns causing many things to change eventually.

The Scourge of Homework! The Tusker Tribune Staff By Dan Gordon Tusker Tribune Staff Dan Gordon Every day, Mon- Juliana Spano day through Friday, kids Joseph Melillo go home from school and Alexa Warycha are annoyed how much home- work and test studying they are Lindsey Gill having to do. Jimmy Rae Why do we even get so Ciara McMahon much homework anyway? Middle Dan Gordon school doesn't even count! (as far time to do homework or study for Andrew Tatela as college is concerned). their tests. I really care about my Gretchen Gilroy Also, having a lot of home- grades and I think you do, too, work could make you really but there is just no time for most Arielle Zeitchick stressed. Kids want to come home of us to study and do homework. Lily Graber from school and relax after hav- I think the teachers Jessica Leahy ing a long day, but you can't do should cut down homework, be- Emily Horowitz that because there’s a lot of cause then you can avoid being in TimmyAzimi homework and studying that you the situation I’m usually in, Noah Volkman must start right away or else you where I had so much homework won't finish until late. to do, that I was trying to finish Andre Possante And kids have a lot of ac- this newspaper article at 9:30 pm Joseph Melillo tivities, so they will have less the day before it was due! The Tusker Tribune Page 5 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

We Wonder What’s With Weezer?

By Andrew Tatela Black Album”. (They've also Tusker Tribune released Green, Red, and Staff White albums.) Not much Weezer. has been said about this up- You've proba- coming album besides the bly never heard of them. So, fact that it will be darker I'll enlighten you: Weezer is than most of Weezer's other a rock band formed in 1992. material. Their 1994 debut self-titled The release date has album, often nicknamed been rumored to be May “The Blue Album”, went 25th, which has passed. So quadruple platinum. Their who knows. biggest hits and most recog- Weezer has very re- nizable songs are "Say It cently released a single, a Ain't So," "Island In the cover of Toto's "Africa." It Sun," and "Beverly Hills." hit number one on the They're one of my favorite iTunes charts, and the bands of all time, and Youtube video had over two they're still making music million views less than a today. week after release. That's The band currently impressive for something has four members: Rivers that isn't mainstream pop. Cuomo on vocals and guitar, All in all, I'm going to Brian Bell on guitar, Scott see them this summer, and Shriner on bass, and Pat Wilson on drums. They I'm eagerly anticipating their new album. When- have an upcoming album, supposedly called “The ever it comes out.

Tips for Getting Over the ‘Finals’ Hurdle The Tusker Tribune is featured online and is published weekly By Arielle Zeitchick during class. (except during school Tusker Tribune Staff  Get a calendar and mark the vacations) on the Som- ALERT! ALERT! dates for each final so you know ers Middle School ALERT! FINALS COMING exactly how much time you have. Website. It is entirely UP!!!!! Finals are flying in  Pace yourself only study for 15-20 student-written by 6th, quick. If minutes at a time 7th and 8th grade stu- you are stressing then take a little dents from: about finals and break. Study for Somers Middle are puzzling the too long will stress School idea of studying you out and ulti- 250 Route 202 for all of them and mately cause you Somers, NY, USA. believe that you to forget every- Any SMS student is are going to end thing. eligible to write sto- up procrastinating  Try some stress and failing, this relieving activities ries. If interested, article will help (Ex.playing sports, please e-mail Advisor you a lot. yoga, drawing, Dean Pappas at writing poetry, DPappas Some tips: taking walks, @somersschools.org  Make a chart cloud watching, of what days etc.) you are going to study for what.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help or  Make sure you are going to bed at go to extra help in the library af- a reasonable time so you are en- ter school. ergized and not falling asleep The Tusker Tribune Page 6 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Summer Reading Suggestions

By Lily Graber amazing journey Tusker Tribune Staff will change the Are you currently world, and make between books? Do you new friendships. not know what to read I really like this next? If so here are a few sug- book, and I sug- gestions: gest you read it too. (4 books) Series Single books: The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling: once you finish Ida B., by one book, there is another to Katherine read, but they are really long, so Hannigan: Ida B. is a won- they may not be the derful book, about a girl who best choice for slow was home schooled, but now readers. This series she must face her fear of go- is definitely for peo- ing to a real school. This is ple who like fanta- an amazing realistic fiction sy, or adventure. (7 book, that you should read. books) The Candy Makers, The Chroni- by Wendy Mass: this fictional cles of Narnia, by book is about four kids who C.S. Lewis: it is SO are becoming best friends interesting, and after being chosen to compete this series is also a in a contest where they put classic story that must show they are worthy has been popular of making candy. Along the for more than 50 way their secret selves are years. This series is revealed, and they realize also for people who that friends are more im- like to read fanta- portant than winning. sy, or adventure The One and Only Ivan, by Kath- books. (7 books) erine Ap- The plegate: Matched Trilogy, Ivan is a by Ally Condi: it's gorilla an interesting, ad- who is venturous, dystopi- living a an, love story, (etc.) life in a about a girl who small has to make risky space at a choices, to escape mall. the overruling gov- When he ernment. This trilo- was a ba- gy should be much by, he was tak- more famous than en from his jun- it is. (3 books) gle home, and Unwind, by now he spends Neal Shusterman: his life amusing dystopian books, shoppers. The about kids who are One and Only going against the Ivan is based law, so they can on a true story escape their of a real gorilla. "division", which is I suggest this book, because it makes people a form of body do- aware of animals in captivity, and it is a very nation. Their interesting, eye-opening book. The Tusker Tribune Page 7 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School ‘Roxy’ is a True Rescue(d) Dog!

By Jessica Leahy Now she can't open her mouth a lot and Tusker Tribune Staff she can barely eat. It takes her approximately 20 Roxy is my dog. She has been minutes to eat 1 cup of food, all because the previ- through a lot. She has- ous owners didn’t feel like bringing n't had the life every her to a shelter. She almost was eu- dog dreams of. She is strong thanized; nobody wanted her. and brave. Since she is a Finally, someone took her in, Pitbull she was supposed to be though they had other dogs who did- a fighting dog. She was too n’t get along with her. But my mom sweet for that. Her owners heard about her and fell in love. Roxy thought they could just dump came over to our house and ran her. They didn’t need her, they around the entire time and then we didn’t want her. She wasn’t got to keep her for the night. It was a meant for fighting. They decid- bumpy road. She had a lot of medical ed to drive across a highway and throw her from a problems, but she is better now. We have had car. She ended up breaking her jaw and also is Roxy for eight years and I have never thought of blind in one eye. giving her up. Coping Strategies for Final Exams

By Emily Horowitz 3. Minimize the distractions. Tusker Tribune Staff 4. Put away the phone, music, and How should I study for fi- the tv. If you’re in a quiet room with nals? Since June rolled around its no electronics you wont be tempted to now officially "that time of year". quit. The time when your studying load 5. Don’t pull an all-nighter doubles to prepare yourself for the one big 6. It’s common to wait until the last test that’s given in each of your classes. minute and cram everything in the It could get tricky trying to squeeze all that last minute. Exhausted students can't concen- information in at once. You need to know the best trate on exams. If you’re well rested, you will ways to study so you can get that A+ you’re hop- be much more focused and relaxed. ing for. 7. Reward yourself. 1. Save the procrastination for later. 8. Take breaks or do something fun after you fin- 2. It might seem as like you have many days to ish a subject. Say to yourself you can watch study and you can afford to procrastinate. But one video if you finish this chapter or every beware, those dates are closer then they seem. two questions you can have a cookie. This will So, put down the phone and start studying, motivate you to want to finish. the sooner the better.

Anthem Issue Causes Trump to Snub Eagles

By Timmy Azimi and Eagles fans are ready for it. Tusker Tribune Staff Instead of hosting the Eagles, Presi- The Super Bowl dent Trump had a ceremony where Champion Philadelphia he sang the National Anthem sur- Eagles will not visit The rounded by members of the mili- White House. President Donald tary. Trump tweeted out that the Phila- In a press conference, the delphia Eagles will not visit The head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pe- White House, due to players terson, said "We were all disap- kneeling during the National An- pointed that we can't go. We did them. something amazing last season and The White House is canceling the visit. Ea- we were looking forward to being recognized as gles fans were in shock. They were so angered by world champions." this action by the president that they took to social He said the Eagle's organization is hard at media and expressed their frustration saying that work in Philly, training for the new season and are Trump is trying to start a war with Philadelphia looking to repeat. The Tusker Tribune Page 8 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Commentary On Finals

By Jake Polito Tusker Tribune Staff A Spectacular I know what you are thinking: “OMG fi- nals are sooo annoying. I just can’t wait to be done with them!” Spring Concert As a student, I feel your pain. Every year the school makes us take a final test for almost every class and every year, every student slowly but surely gets his or her happiness taken away from them once June By Andre Possante comes around. Tusker Tribune Staff Right now, all of us are trying On June 5, the Spring Con- to remember what final we have on cert, well technically, the 2nd spring what day and before you know it, it’s concert, took place in the Middle final time so now all the times you School auditorium. thought it was a good idea to get late It was by far one of the most excit- to class, not pay attention or just plain ing performances I've seen during my life don’t care, becomes a factor when you have to remember span of concerts. We had Orchestra and everything you learned this year. What? You don’t re- Chorus performing member every single thing you learned this year? like usual, but we Yeah, I did not think so. So you may realize that had a few special you’ll have a tough time with finals. instrument players My advice is to just try to pass these finals be- who played the fol- cause then you’ll have a new worry that’s much more lowing: clarinet, fun—what to do this summer. double bass, violins, and a bongo player. First in line to perform was the Orchestra. I myself Yearbook Etiquette was not there to watch because I was By Joseph Melillo and make the signature in the instrument Tusker Tribune very memorable. wing, waiting to go Staff Secondly, they say on stage for Chorus, The 2017- too keep it short and sweet, but I knew that it 2018 yearbooks they say about 2 inches by was going to be unique and spectacular. were finally distributed 3 inches if he/she is just a The songs they played were: Undercur- during lunch. Everyone friend, but for really good rents, In The Hall Of The Mountain King, wanted to get theirs signed friends, they say about 4 and a collection of Grease songs. I heard a during lunch and during inches by 4 inches. Finally, lot of folks say that it was interesting to class. But, they say use watch. everyone neat handwrit- Next up after them was the 6th just puts ing. This would Grade Chorus. We in their make your performed the fol- name and thoughtful mes- lowing songs: Fire- writes sage (Hopefully work by Katy Per- “H.A.G.S”, if you were pay- ry, Just the Way which ing attention!) You Are by Bruno means legible by the Mars, Hakuna have a reader so it will Matata from the great sum- be memorable. Lion King, and mer. If you When I Close My Is there a proper make your thoughtful mes- Eyes by Jim Pa- way to sign these year- sage illegible, it won’t be poulis. It was an books and to make them very memorable, as the amazing perfor- memorable? According to a person you are writing to mance, remarked site called WikiHow, they cannot read it. Ok, so, now several spectators. say it would be good to that you know how to There was write thoughtful messages, properly sign a yearbook (if also a clarinet solo like a memory you and the you paied attention!) you for Hakuna Matata, and a double bass so- person shared, or some sort can write thoughtful, neat, lo for When I Close My Eyes. of inside joke. This could and not to lengthy messag- possibly get to the person es to your friends. Continued on Page 9 The Tusker Tribune Page 9 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Music Report

By Noah Volkman night, he did it around noon or so. It is only seven Tusker Tribune Staff songs, which is a big letdown, and only two of the songs in my opinion are good—"Yikes" and "All Good Man – Ne-Yo Mine". Like The Life of Pablo, he doesn't reveal guest features but there are some astonishing The guest features (Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla $ign, Char- R&B superstar lie Wilson, Kid Ne-Yo has offi- Cudi). cially "come The al- back" (as if he bum cover ever fell off), as shows the he has already snowcapped gotten radio mountains en- plays for his circling Jackson collab with Be- Hole, Wyoming be Rexha and and text saying, Stefflon Don, "I hate being bi- "Push Back". polar it's awe- Good Man some". Across (stylized as the project, he "GOOD MAN") mentions the was originally #MeToo move- just a single ment, adult film song around star Stormy the web, but never official. Then he released Daniels, slav- "Push Back" and decided that he would go all in. I ery. He also discusses mental health: within the believe there will be a few gems from this project. first minute of the first song, West confesses sui- cidal and homicidal thoughts, then says he bipolar ye – Kanye West. on "Yikes", yet says that it's his "super- power...ain't no disability." He praises his wife I know I did a report on Love Everyone last Kim Kardashian-West and his daughters and week, but "Ye" decided to change the album title claims they've changed his views on women. Ye is to ye and, instead of dropping it on June 1 at mid- concise, but meaningful.

Concert The songs they sang were: From Page 8 Hallelujiah by Jeff Buckley, Sisi Ni Not to mention Mr. Bar- Moja by Jacob Narverud, and, we anowski on the piano, already know this one, a blend of 6 rocking it like a pro! I Phantom of the Opera Songs by thought it was very cool to Unknown Composer. have all these instrument- There was so much ap- players to join us in our plause and whistling that the roof singing. could have blown off the school. Af- But the grandest ter everything was said and done, performance of the night most of my peers and their parents was probably the 7th and were discussing how moving and th emotional the 7/8th grader's perfor- 8 grade chorus because mance was. they sung a medley of six This Spring Concert was a Phantom of the Opera hit success, and I think everyone songs! I was absolutely did a great job. I want to especially congratulate astonished at how good they sounded, and I was th absolutely amazed that they could pull this six- the 7th and 8 graders for an outstanding show and wish the best of luck for you 8th graders who piece wonder off because it had so many lyrics to are moving on to the high school next year. This memorize. was really a one of a kind performance!