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SPORTS The Greylock Echo See Page 5 Mt. Greylock RHS Williamstown, Mass. March 6, 2014 STUDENT COUNCIL REWRITES CONSTITUTION 1 in 650: By ELIAS SEKKAL AND KATELIN MARCHAND Committee in support of the new constitu- An Interview tion stated, “There have been discussions about improving civics education and mak- ing student government more central at Mt. with Ryan Greylock for over twenty years, and the cur- rent policy is simply one more part of the Wadsworth larger, long-term effort.” Currently, the constitution is still in a rough draft phase as both the Student Coun- By IAN CULNANE cil and the School Committee debate and try to make compromises about what it should contain. The School Committee feels that the way the constitution elects members and represents Mt. Greylock’s student body needs improvement. For example, the School Committee wants the constitution to require that the entire student body votes for the ratification of the Student Government Constitution. The final policy changes that were requested for the constitution were to include a method for periodic editing and to Photo courtesy of Kiara Garofolo. state that the Student Council will relay to the School Committee the needs and opin- The Student Council poses after the successful lock-in. ions of the student body. Since the first meeting with Langston on At 10:53 am on Thursday, January 30, the felt that the old constitution did not give January 16, the issue has been hotly debated, Mt. Greylock Student Council shut them- enough representation to the other student not only by Student Council members, but selves into the Meeting Room and began ed- government groups, such as the class offi- also throughout the school. Many Student iting their Constitution. All of the members cers, and there was hope that the change in Council members felt that the constitution stayed until the end of the school day rewrit- policy would expand the knowledge of civ- did not need be rewritten, so they made the ing their constitution, and some even stayed ics at Mt. Greylock. In the afterschool hours decision to edit the constitution as opposed until five to finish making the changes. of the editing, some class officers from vari- to creating a new one. Student Council pres- Mt. Greylock School Committee members ous grades came to review the role that was ident Caleb Raymond commented, “The were the ones that requested the changes in written for them in the revised constitution. Photo courtesy of Ian Culnane. the policy. Some of the committee members David Langston, a member of the School Continued on Page 5. Mt. Greylock is home to many talented students, some of whom are emerging mu- SIGN-IN BOOKS NEW PIPELINE SPEEDS INTERNET ACCESS sicians. The very first 1 in 650 back in 2011 By KATELIN MARCHAND By ANDREW WHITAKER featured Greylock rapper Harris MacDon- ald. Last year, senior Ryan Wadsworth On January 27, the first day of the second Over February break, the internet at change is necessary. The school’s internet emerged onto the Greylock music scene at a semester, sign-in books were introduced Mt. Greylock quadrupled in speed. This bandwidth is maxed out for most of the time when it was being revitalized by many into every classroom. Students are required change will benefit the school community school day, making it much more difficult passionate upperclassmen. His most recent to sign-in and out of class if they have to greatly, as it allows more people to be on- to access the Internet than after hours. song, “Teenage Dreamer,” was shared all go to their locker, use the bathroom, get a line and it saves the school money. “This is the perfect time to make this over social media and has received a lot of drink of water or do any other activity that “The network is like a public water pipe,” change: our contract with Time Warner positive feedback. We sat down with Ryan requires them to leave the room. Also, if a said webmaster Peter Niemeyer, who is Cable just expired, we can get four times to learn what goes into his music and to student is late, besides needing a pass they also a member of Mt. Greylock’s technol- our current speed, and we will be saving hear about his other passions. also have to sign-in. The initial reactions ogy committee. “If fire hydrants are being $100 every month,” Wnuk added, excited of the student body were of disdain, but as used down the street, you won’t be able to for the change. Echo: What do you like about rapping? students settled into third quarter the dis- use your tap.” With the large number of The school’s current speed is 25 MBps Ryan: I like rapping because it gives me a like has somewhat dissipated. students now using the network to watch (the average speed in Massachusetts is way to express myself. It’s a good way for “We are looking to keep students ac- videos, download updates and stay con- approximately 9MBps) after the change me to get things off my mind. countable,” said Assistant Principal, Jacob nected, it has become a struggle for teach- in provider, it will increase to 100MBps, Echo: What made you interested in rap ini- Schutz, “These books were introduced in ers to load educational content, especially requiring a larger SonicWall and a new tially? light of the recent iPhone and money thefts YouTube videos. Rob Wnuk, the school’s switch. The new plan is a result of the Ryan: Ever since I was little, I have always in the gym locker room.” Sign-in books Network Administrator, is able to monitor Massachusetts Broadband Institute, an ini- loved music. And for the past few years, how much of the network is used at any tiative to bring faster internet speeds to ru- Continued on Page 2. I always kind of sang and rapped but al- given time, and the results show that this ral parts of Western Massachusetts. xyz ways kept it to myself. I then found out that my friend Mark Messina enjoyed the same hobby, so we decided to write a song MG CHORUS ON LOCAL TV together. And now the more I write music, the more I fall in love with it, and its some- By NICOLE JONES thing I always have to do. I’ve been getting so much support from all my friends and This year, the Mt. Greylock choir has said Caton. “The song is sung a capella in a family which has been giving me so much been selected to perform in WGBY-TV’s round, so it all comes together in this com- motivation to help improve my songs. fourth annual “Together in Song” compe- prehensive harmonic chaos. People who Echo: Who do you look to for inspiration? tition. Each November, various regional have heard it either love it or hate it, but Ryan: Some of my biggest inspirations choral groups submit audition videos with everyone remembers it.” have always been Jake Miller for the mes- hopes of being selected to participate. The WGBY must have loved it, because the sages he gives in his songs and Hoodie Al- top fifty groups then go to Springfield to Mt. Greylock choir was the only choir in len for his awesome flow. record their four-minute songs, which will the Berkshires chosen to participate in “To- Echo: What goes into producing a song? be broadcast in March. Viewers will vote gether in Song.” The choir elected to use Ryan: Well before anything, I try to figure for their favorites, and the top groups will their audition song again when they filmed out what I’m gonna want to rap about in move on to the finals, where the winner will their performance for the show on Febru- my song. I start listing out ideas and topics. be selected. The winning choir will receive ary 8th. Once I find a topic, I try to find the right a free thirty minute TV performance. The school choir is a serious competi- beat that would match my topic. Some Chorus teacher Kate Caton first heard tor for this event because of its strong per- decisions I make are if I want my song to about the competition through a mass email formers. Each singer is expected to be able have a fast or slow flow to it. Once I have sent out by WGBY to stimulate interest in to sing any voice part. “This builds more a beat and a general idea of how the song the program. The school choir chose to flexibility within the group. You’re not just will flow, the fun part begins, and I begin audition with the song “Jerusalem” by Mi- an alto or a soprano. We put you where to write. I really try to make sure that ev- Senior Matt Malloy signs out under the chael McGlynn because of its obscurity and you’re needed. This makes the group more new policy. Photo courtesy of Liz Wall. uniqueness. “It is a contemporary spiritual Continued on Page 2. song that uses traditional Celtic melodies,” Continued on Page 2. THE LEGO MOVIE AMERICAN IDIOT Jacob Rossiter reviews the movie which has become a breakout success. chef’S HAT Read Will Walter’s story on Green See Page 3. Hannah Fein and Anya Day’s rock opera American Idiot. Sheldon tell us about their visit to the breakfast joint. See Page 3. DEAR EVI See Page 4. Evi Mahon once again offers sage adivce to her fellow Mounties.

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