Shoreham-Wading River High School ildcat ause Volume XXXIII No. 7 WShoreham-Wading River High School P May 2011 Two different paths, both lead to success JUDITH GOLDFARB major but is interested in a career in the medical field. STAFF WRITER According to math teacher Mr. Michael Gabriel, “you have to strive to be the best to Dreams are not hard to come by. Walk through the halls and you’ll hear goals of be the best,” and in his eyes, Szymanski did just that. “It was fantastic [working with her,]” becoming a professional dancer or making it to the MLB. To some this might seem foolish, said Mr. Gabriel. Szymanski works to her full potential and encourages those around her to but after all, the saying is “dream big or go home.” do so as well. “She’s a spectacular kid,” said Mr. Gabriel. The class of 2011’s valedictorian and salutatorian, Rachel Szymanski and Michelle Szymanski scored a 2260 on the SAT, a 34 on the ACT, a 790 on the Chemistry SAT II Gostic, were announced before spring break. The news did not come as a surprise to the and a 770 on the US History SAT II. “I have studied a lot over the years, but luckily I have student body since since Syzmanski and Gostic are notorious for their hard work and a very good memory,” she explained. “Once I learn something it sticks, so I tend to not need too much review to do well.” It is assumed that those who earn the title of valedictorian or salutatorian work specifically to achieve them, but this was not among Gostic’s goals. It was important to her to work hard in general so that she could attend a good college. In the fall she will attend Cornell University in hopes becoming an environmental engineer. Gostic had the luxury of choosing between many schools, including Tuft Univer- sity. “Out of the schools I was accepted to,” she explained, “Cornell had the best academics, and I felt that their environmental engineering program was the strongest.” She knows that attending Cornell will guarantee her a job in four years. Students might describe Gostic as a “genius” due to her track record with test grades. She scored a 35 on the ACT, a 720 on the World History SAT II’s, and a 700 on the Math 1 SAT II’s. Impressive as these scores are, they did not come without preparation. “I definitely have to study to get good grades,” said Gostic, “I probably study a lot more than I need to, actually.” Along with studying, both Gostic and Szymanski are involved in many extra curricular activities. Gostic participates in cross country, softball, basketball, Natural Helpers and National Honor Society. She also plays the trumpet and piano. Time management was a struggle for her, and it took time and experience to learn how to balance everything. It was a challenge to decide how much time should be devoted to studying and how much to athletics, but “after a lot of stress, I think I’ve figured it out,” she said. Similar to Gostic, the most difficult struggle for Szymanski was learning how to balance academics and extracurriculars. She has played violin for 10 years which she dedicates time to taking private lessons as well as playing in school. She’s involved in the chamber orchestra and was accepted into the All-County and All-State orches- tras. She is also actively involved in Best Buddies, making time for her buddy and the events each month. Through her high school career, Szymanski has sacrificed “a lot of fun” and down Photo by J. Goldfarb Seniors Michelle Gostic, salutatorian, and Rachel Szymanski, valedictorian, time. She chose to take difficult courses which require a great deal of work. “Even on are proof that hard work and dedication pay off. On June 25, they will give weekends and vacations, I spent most of my time doing school work,” she said. graduation speeches marking the end of high school for the class of 2011. Having experienced what it’s like to live without some recreations that stuents take part in, Szymanski would like to leave the school with the message that “Although it dedication to school. They will also be among this year’s graduation speakers. sounds corny, you really can achieve whatever you want to achieve as long as you are willing Syzmanski recognized her dream and hard work followed. At the end of her junior year to make some sacrifices and not allow distractions, especially in the age of texting and she had a weighted GPA of 103. Facebook, to lead you astray.” “I have always aimed to do well in school, but I think it was some time in middle school Gostic didn’t have to make many sacrifices throughout her high school career. She that I seriously decided to be valedictorian,”said Szymanski .Gostic, however,“was ex- managed to fit sports, music and academics into her schedule. “I probably sacrificed a little tremely shocked” when she heard the news despite her weighted GPA of 101.98. She of my sanity,” she admitted. genuinely didn’t believe that she would be named salutatorian. Gostic’s Legacy: “I’d really like it if I wasn’t remembered as a nerd. I guess it would be Szymanski is going to Amherst College on a scholarship. “I love the school’s high level nice to be remembered as someone who was well-rounded and friendly.” academics and the incredible opportunities provided by a very open curriculum,” she said. Szymanski’s Legacy: “I hope that I am not just remembered as the girl who always had “It also has a beautiful campus and town, and since it is a small school, the students receive her hand raised in class, but as a friend people could count on.” very individual attention from the teachers and faculty.” Szymanski is undecided on her Academic probation limits participation MICHELLE GOSTIC cause playing a sport doesn’t have to do with school.” However, other students, like senior Greg Turano were STAFF WRITER Despite the anger displayed by students, the school’s unaffected by the policy. “I still did the minimum amount of According to the official code of conduct, “participa- policy is designed to help the students, not hurt them. As work I could.” tion in extracurricular activities is a privilege borne of favor- stated in the Board of Education’s official policy, “The Mr. Vann spoke of the success of the policy: “When able academic standing and good school citizenship.” Shoreham-Wading River Central School District considers looking at the [academic standings of] kids that have been This statement, which provides the foundation of the the well being and success of its students as its highest put on probation or become ineligible, and then look at their school’s official extracurricular eligibility policy, has pre- priority. The primary goal of any educational institution is to subsequent report cards or progress reports, we noticed that vented numerous athletes, thespians and club members facilitate the growth many more times from participating in extracurricular activities this year. of students into ma- than not kids do Though it is preached that extra curricular activities are ture, responsible make adjustments a privilege, not a right, only recently have students felt strict adults.” and changes so enforcement of this idea. Though stu- that they do be- Assistant Principal Kevin Vann said, “mid-last year we dents affected by come eligible…and really took a good look at the policy in conjunction with Mr. academic probation that is ultimately Marlborough, the athletic director, and made the agreement disagree with the the goal, to get as a building and as a district to enforce the policy more policy, many stu- kids to be able to consistently than it had been in the past.” dents admit it has participate.” Many students are displeased with stricter enforce- yielded positive re- A common ment. sults. misconception “I think [academic probation] is unfair because you Delia said, “It about academic shouldn’t suffer because you aren’t good at a subject, and gave me a wakeup call. I was more focused on school than probation is that it only affects athletes, but the policy you should be able to do something you like. When you take sports.” applies to members of all extracurricular activities, such as that away, it makes things worse,” said senior Chelsea Delia. Piotrowski said, “I had to go to a lot of extra help, so it clubs and school productions. Freshman Adam Piotrowski agreed. “It’s not fair be- actually got me a better grade.” continued on pg. 2 NEWS FEATURE OPINION ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS Teacher takes A Day in the Life of... Fat isn’t funny Rebecca Black gets Is it all on the wrist? a daring trip down on Friday A look inside the lives of Whose to blame for Just how powerful are power Mrs. Swersey travels across SWR seniors. Americans putting on the Which seat will she take? balance bracelets? the world and experiences an pounds? earthquake. PAGE 2 PAGE 6 & 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 11 PAGE 11 News Page 2/May 2011/Wildcat Pause Yikes! Swersey shaken but never stirred BREANNA BAICHAN STAFF WRITER “Jishin!” That’s the word that ran through everyone’s mind as the 8.9 earthquake struck Japan. Translated, it means earthquake, but Mrs. Jane Swersey didn’t know that. In fact, at first she had no idea what was going on. Mrs. Swersey, who teaches Global I and AP World, traveled to Japan with Yale Univer- sity on March 6 to visit the Nissan, Toyota, Panasonic and Sony factories to evaluate their industrial processes.