Jan-Feb 2016

Good luck to Joshua Musano, Trevor Harvey, Thomas Porco, Adam Apostol, and Christian Hete as they go on to represent our school at the annual Tri-State Spelling Bee on March 13.

Photo by Mrs. Goldstein

Round Two Spelling Champs by Matthew Hollay [grade 8] February 17th was the second round of the DDMS spelling bee. Twenty people competed, and only five could move on to the third round against four other schools. To relieve stress, the contestants participated in a practice round. In the practice round, it didn’t matter whether or not contestants spelled their word right. Fifteen out of twenty contestants spelled their word right. In round one, many contestants were nervous. Even so, most were not eliminated. Only four contestants were out with the words: sonar, granola, torrent, and worrywart. In round two, even less contestants were eliminated, and the words were only getting more and more difficult. Two contestants were defeat- ed with the words pedigree and bewilder. Just like round three, very few were eliminated as the words grew stronger and stronger. The two contestants were bested by the words hypnotic and pomposity, which obviously means to be like a possum— right. Sixth Grade Needs to Take By the end of round five, the numbers of contestants were dwindling, and the words were getting to the point where none of the contestants Care of Their Wing knew what they meant. Three of the five people eliminated between by Andre Phillips [grade 6] round four and round five were taken out by the words cartouches, ad- As a sixth grader, I think we should take hesion, and olfactory. Kudos if you know what any of those words mean. better care of our wing. When I stay after In the middle of round six, one person was already eliminated with school for an activity, I see how messy the wing the word acetone. There were only six contestants left. The next person is. Would you really want to have a messy hall- to spell something out was wrong, and the remaining five would move way? What if the mess was never cleaned up? on to the third round. Then, the word mawkish came, and the contest- How messy would our hallway be? The an- ant misspelled it. swers to those questions are; 1) No; 2) That The spelling bee was over. The winners are Joshua Musano, Trevor would be terrible; and 3) Very messy. So it’s Harvey, Thomas Porco, Adam Apostol, and Christian Hete. Be sure to now or never that we start taking care of our wish them luck. If any of them win round three, they are going to Wash- hallway. ington D.C.

High School Students Inspire Future Business Leaders December Students of the Month January Students of the Month

by Janice Healey [grade 7] Katelyn Barcelowski [grade 6] Giulia Casagrande [grade 6] On February twelfth, the entire seventh Habit 3: Put First Things First. Habit 1: Be Proactive. grade had an amazing and inspiring assembly Academic habits: I study for 30 Academic habits: I love reading class with a few DV high schoolers in our school’s minutes every other night. because it is very easy. auditorium. These generous high schoolers Extracurricular interests: swim, soc- Extracurricular Interests: swimming, Be a leader, not a took time out of their own school to have a Study so you can suc- cer, and reading Field Hockey, Cheerleading, and run- ceed. follower. Be yourself. motivational talk with all of the seventh grad- Plans for the Future: Work at a hospi- ning —Katelyn Barcelowski —Giulia Casagrande ers, and they are also members of FBLA, Fu- tal. Plans for the future: To graduate high ture Business Leaders of America. In case you school and move onto college. are wondering what FBLA is, it is a profession- Ava Nienstadt [grade 7] al student organization that primarily helps Habit 3: Put First Things First. Michele Capozzi [grade 7] students transition to the business world of Academic habits: I study a little every Habit 3: Put First Things First. America, and it ensures students excel in busi- day and do my best. Academic habits: I am usually in the ness as their future occupation. In my opinion Extracurricular interests: Soccer, front of the class so I listen more. Al- I believe this assembly caught quite a few sev- Photo by Calista DiPrima [grade 7] Sound and Lights Crew, crafts, and so, once I get home I do my home- enth graders’ eyes and left a spark of inspira- drawing work. Study a little every tional light in them. Plans for the Future: Go into the ani- Extracurricular Interests: Drama and First the six FBLA members introduced themselves. There you have to figure and work out everything right in front of day. Work hard. Do your —Ava Nienstadt mal behavior field. Girl Scouts homework before was Drake Eshleman (the President), Sophia Festa (the His- you by yourself, you are wrong. It’s not a bad thing to ask Plans for the future: I want to finish anything else. torian), Celine Mojica (Treasurer), Alyssa Harvey for help by an advisor or an adult and get some great ad- Tatumn Bonney [grade 8] Girl Scouts and to get a Silver Award —Michele Capozzi (Community Service Director), Cindy Li (Secretary), and Joe vice. It’s better to have the help and support by others in Habit 3: Put First Things First. this year. Gurkan (Technical Director). Then they all explained to the FBLA. Except do not think you can have an advisor with you Academic habits: Well, I try to study seventh graders how FBLA operates and what they do. They the entire time you work on certain tasks that must be 10 minutes every night for all my clas- Ashley Pallotta [grade 8 Achieve- began to tell them that they go to workshops, attend com- done, some of the work you should learn how to do by ses. ment] petitive events, help associate with community service, and yourself to create responsibility. FBLA does not control Extracurricular interests: volleyball, Habit 1: Be Proactive. receive national, regional, and state level awards. Also they your life and it does not require hard work. By spending horseback riding, Fashion Club Academic habits: I never put off stud- told the seventh grade why and how FBLA is beneficial to fifteen minutes of your day you can become a great FBLA Always make the best Plans for the Future: To have my own ying, because you will never get it teens lives. The President, Drake, explained it as something member. Now you may ask, what do you do in those out of every situation. horse, and get really good grades. done. that “expands education opportunities, and it shows what fifteen minutes? Well you could use Quizlet which isa Extracurricular interests: Youth you’re really made of.” Another FBLA officer was, and still is, website that gives people easy access learning tools for —Tatumn Bonney Jenna D’Angelo [grade 8 Achieve- Group, Cheer, Track, drawing, singing, Don’t give up, and being inspired to start her own business once she becomes studying, you could Google search an FBLA event before- ment] spending time with friends and family always stay positive. an adult. And not only did she have the thought to start a hand, attend short study lessons, use multiple textbooks as Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. Plans for the Future: To go to col- —Ashley Pallotta business, but also three other officers have the same exact resources, study at a library, or you could review past origi- Academic habits: I study and do my lege, get a good job, and have a fami- idea. As we can all see FBLA has had such a big impact to- nal materials. Not to mention, most of the tasks for middle best. ly. wards these teenagers, and still they are many more who level are quite simple. There is a spreadsheet you do while Extracurricular interests: hanging out are truly inspired by this. using Excel, and you take a test that is multiple choice and with friends Cody O’Neill [grade 8-Leadership] Next, all of the seventh grade participated in a game that one that involves production. The way to make the test Plans for the Future: Go to a good Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind. the FBLA officers had in store for them. Since I am a seventh and spreadsheet very easy is to follow the directions pre- college and get a good job. Academic habits: I study whenever I Be yourself. Follow grader, I got to participate too. This game almost had the cisely. The way I have described FBLA might have made it have free-time and participate in same exact outlines of Simon Says. Instead of someone say- sound slightly boring, but remember you would not do all your dreams. —Jenna D’Angelo classes as much as I can. ing “Simon says...” and doing the action that is said to do, of this alone. You would have a great team working with Extracurricular interests: DD Press, Be sure to make sure the person had to say “If you’re leader...” in order for every- you and sticking behind your back along the way. Programming Club, Track, playing your homework is one to do the action. Plus it’s still the same that you cannot In conclusion, FBLA is something that is rewarding and games, designing and building completed. move if the person does not say “If you’re not a leader...” Of fun once you commit to it. You would have the opportunity Plans for the Future: To reach my —Cody O’Neill course I did not make it to the end, but quite a few others of a lifetime to get wonderful new friends, achieve high in goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. did make it and in return got a cup as a courteous reward. school, and to understand more about the big world we all Right after the fun, short game the seventh grade did, live in. Just imagine how many teens in the future will be- Drake, Sophia, and Alyssa told us more about FBLA. They come the greatest business people America has ever faced said that FBLA guides you to get skills, to understand direc- seen. Maybe one of those people could be you if you join tions given and to do things on your own. Plus if you think FBLA today or whenever. Habit 4: by Emily Thomas Habit 5: Seek First to Under- [grade 7] Zakkary Dietz [grade 7] Think Win-Win A way a student at Warriors seek first to un- stand, Then to Be Understood by Janice Healey [grade 7] DDMS can use this derstand, then to be under- Emily Herold [grade 7] The lovely habit four has final- habit is to work to- stood. A student at DDMS Everyone needs to learn to listen. There’s not ly arrived. Think win-win is one gether more than could use this habit because one person I know that can truly listen, even I need of the greatest habits. No won- fighting to win. Why whenever somebody is telling to work on listening. I know listening can some- der it is the first habit you must only have one person them their problems instead times be hard when you have something else on by Alice Cauchi [grade 7] accomplish in your public victo- win if all of you can? of always interrupting and Listening Ears your mind, but some people don’t even try. I have Psychologist ry. Now I put everything figura- I know it’s fun to win, saying their personal opinion by Krishna this one friend (who shall not be named) that when but imagine if you I try and talk to her about anything (something that During the eighth grade career day, we asked the adults tively in food. Let’s say you and they should just listen and Kahar [grade 7] were the one that happened in my talking about their career which of the Seven Habits of your friend are eating cookies give their opinion when they lost. It’s not fun. So, day, something Highly Effective People they thought was most important in and there is only one left. Op- are asked for it. think Win-Win so that interests me, etc.) she’ll cut me off and start talk- their career. We got many different answers, but this month tions are: you get the cookie and you both have fun. ing about herself or even someone else that she obvi- we are focusing on habits 4 and 5. One of the careers that your friend doesn’t, you don’t Olivia Norwood [grade 7] ously likes more than me. People should start to listen. really went along with habit #5, was Dr. Lamberti’s. Dr. Lam- get the cookie and your friend Most of the time people by Cayden Bell One way someone can do this is not to only pay atten- berti is a psychologist and supervisor in a jail. He says to be does, you and your friend splits don’t want advice. They just [grade 7] tion to the words, but to also pay attention to the tone a psychologist you must go to college for four years, and the cookie in half, or neither want someone to listen to Cell Phone by Savannah Bailey A DDMS student of voice and the person’s body language. graduate school for five years, but most importantly you gets the cookie. I just described them. When you truly listen, [grade 7] the four attitudes that are in can do this habit on a people will open up. You need to seek first to understand, then to be understood. Dr. daily basis by making Lamberti has been a psychologist for 15 years, and first he habit four. Win-Lose. Lose-Win. should wait until they are Congratulations, others feel good by Matthew Hollay [grade 8] has to understand what the inmates are trying to say, and Win-Win. And Lose-Lose. The ready. Listen to not only their Win-Win solution to the cookie about themselves. words, but their tone and feel- Mrs. Bachmann A big congratulations to Mrs. Bachman, who after he has accomplished that he will try to make is to split the cookie in half with ings. You should also observe won Teacher of the Month for December. Mrs. by Emma Tlusty Bachman couldn’t have been more surprised the inmates understand your friend. Both gets a portion their body language. [grade 7] that she won since she is a new teacher. When him. Habit #5 relates to of it and feels happy. Thinking If you’re having a she was chosen, she was extremely excited everyone, no matter if Win-Win will benefit you and Haydee Carrada [grade 7] someone else and make both disagreement, try Listen to what someone and surprised. And when she read what stu- you are a psychologist or compromising so Logo by a middle school student feel like they get what they else is telling you. Don’t space dents wrote about her, she couldn’t have been everyone can win. more flattered. She says that out of all of the Janice Healey here at DDMS. wanted. out. They will appreciate your [grade 7] time listening and the next seven habits, she mostly follows Habit 2: Begin by Angelia Loria time they will listen to you. with the End in Mind. January Students of the Month [grade 7] Make sure to congratulate Mrs. Donovan, You have one pen- Christina Contreras [grade 7] because she is Teacher of the Month for Janu- Dominic Puglisi [grade 8] cil and someone else A student can do this habit Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, needs one. You on a daily basis by taking the And Miss Donovan Then to Be Understood. break the pencil in time to listen without judging Academic habits: Ten to fifteen half and sharpen the and without giving advice. To December Student of the Month minutes a day, doesn’t need to be all other side and give it understand someone you night. Always raising my hand in to him. must listen to them. Natalia Liszka [grade 8-Leadership] class. ary. She did have a suspicion that she would Habit 4: Think Win-Win. Extracurricular interests: Odyssey of Savannah Bailey [grade 7] win Teacher of the Month because many stu- Academic habits: I study at least 10 the Mind [OM], Drama, Soccer If you want to be under- dents said they were voting for her. Also, she th minutes of each subject every night, stood stop texting, but if you is both a 6 grade English teacher and a and participate in everything that I can. want to understand ask ques- coach for field hockey and softball, so there Extracurricular interests: Odyssey of tions. are more students she meets that might vote the Mind, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Chil- for her. She was enormously excited and hap- Be yourself. Don’t dren’s Choir, Science Olympiad, 4-H, Krishna Kahar [grade 7] py when she found out she was going to be change who you are knitting, the outdoors, and arts and Listen when people are Teacher of the Month. When she heard what to impress someone crafts talking to you, and mirror how students wrote about her, she was tremen- else. they feel. Look at people dously thankful and flattered. Out of all of the Plans for the Future: To travel the Prioritize. —Natalia Liszka seven habits, she mostly follows habit 7: world. —Dominic Puglisi when they are talking. Sharpen the Saw. Rubik’s Cube Club: Facts About Speed Cubing!by Photo by Mrs. Goldstein “It’s a building Michael Asprea [grade 7]

Compiled by Janice Healey [grade 7] Healey Janice by Compiled If you don’t know what speed cubing is, it’s a thing where you try to get a re- year. We could use ally fast time on solving all the Rubik Cube you have. People who compete go to more teammates.” competitions around the world just to test their skills. Here are some records Connor LaMarca that people have made:

 The number 1 speed cuber is Lucas Etter with a 4.90 seconds on the 3x3. February 7,  Feliks Zemdegs currently hold the world record for the 4x4 Rubik’s “Connor is one to  Cube with a 21.54 seconds record. watch next year. I On This Day  The record for the 5x5 Rubik’s Cube is 46.97 seconds. This record is  held by Feliks Zemdegs really think he can  The record for the 2x2 Rubik’s Cube is .58 seconds. This record is held by Rami Sbahi. in History...  The record for the Megaminx is 37.58 seconds. This record is held by Yu Da-Hyun. make states.”  The record for the Pyraminx is 1.32 seconds. This record is held by Drew Brads. Mrs. DeFrancesco  The record to solve 41 Rubik’s Cubes Blindfolded is 54 minuets and 14 seconds. Mrs. DeFrancesco, Aiden McCarthy and Connor LaMarca  This record is held by Marcin Kowalczyk. The biggest Rubik Cube is a 28x28x28. Its almost as big as a basketball! That is huge! LaMarca Ranks 6th in Math Counts Competition You will need your own 2x2 3x3 4x4, or Pyraminx if you want to join. We need by Matthew Hollay [grade 8]

1795 The 11th Amendment to at least 30 students to join. If you want to join, come to me (Mike Rubik’s Cube Tower Make sure to congratulate Connor LaMarca if you see him, because he ranked 6 out of 100 the U.S. Constitution was Asprea) or Jayden Latini. Mrs. Curchoe will be our adviser if you guys photo by Michael participants in the Math Counts Competition. The Math Counts Club is likely because Connor ratified by the powers of join! It will be a lot of fun! Asprea [grade 7] and LaMarca says he plans to do Math Counts again next year. He will likely even pursue a career the states after almost a Jayden Latini [grade 6] year since it was passed by involving math. Connor says he practices for Math Counts at home sometimes. He wasn’t even nervous during the competition because he has done Math Counts before . Congress. The Year You Can Vote by Ashley Kizis [grade 8] The future is coming faster than you think. Before you know Real World Math Henry Clay it, you’ll be able to vote. You may not be eligible to vote in this declares, “I had ra- year's election, but for 8th graders, the next election after this Photos by Mrs. Strocchia ther be right than will be your time to share your opinion. For 7th and 6th graders, Alex Husejnovic: I used math this summer for my grandpa’s pool. I had

1839 president.” you’re gonna have to wait until 2024, sorry about that. to measure the depth, the width, and the height of the pool to fill it Have you ever thought about what you’d vote for? This with chlorine. I also worked at my grandpa’s carpet and tile store every year's candidates are giving a multitude of ideas and opinions to day, so I had to count and measure the flooring, and multiply and di-

straighten up this country. Maybe you’d like the minimum wage vide the whole time too. The good thing is, I got paid $10 dollars an to be raised for better equality, tighter gun control, or even for hour. Amelia Earhart us to attack ISIS. These happen to be things many candidates married George P. are voicing their opinion on. Scott Vollmer: When I swam laps in the community Putnam, an Ameri- Don’t stress yourself out on this. You still have years until you pool, I would time myself and count my laps. I can pub- Trump Political Cartoon by

1931 have to make a decision, even if it happens to be in four years. would use the equation d/t=s (distance divided by lisher, au- Erika Cutaia [grade 8] But just remember, the future belongs in your hands and is time equals speed). I also counted my steps when thor and changing every second that goes by. I went hiking.

explorer. PGA Celebrates 100th Mason VanHorn: At my new club, Quick Strike FC, we used math to figure out our passing percent- by Zoe Elaro [grade 7] age and how often we scored. For instance, if we This year marks the 100th anniversary of the PGA of America passed the soccer ball 100 times total during a (Professional Golf Association of America).The PGA was founded on April 10, match and completed 70 of them, our team 1916 in New York City by 35 charter members. Today, the PGA of America would have an average of 70% passing accuracy 2016 works to encourage Americans’ love of golf and educate and equip those in that game. who already do. The PGA has over 28,0000 members who continue to make

golf more enjoyable to all and promote the game to men and women every-

Amber Godfrey: I had to calculate the position, angle, and ball pressure where. Since 1916, the PGA has held 98 yearly championships, two being to throw a basketball into the hoop without missing. I threw an average cancelled on account of World War 1. So if you have a love of all things golf of 4 out of 5. I’d missed the second shot because I changed my angle, so be sure to tune into this year’s PGA championship, which will be held at Bal- by Zoe Elaro I went back to what I did at first. tusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. [grade 7]

Photos by by Peter Wilson [grade 8] Last but not least is German. German is very guttural Riley Calla- Are you a seventh grader and looking for a language to and is not a Romance language. German is the most spo- han [grade 7] pick next year? Then this article is for you! If you didn’t ken language in the European Union and has the best know the following languages to choose are French, Ger- economy. Like French it is a gateway to higher education man, and Spanish. Each one is unique in their own ways. and business. It has a lot of the same cultural achieve- Spanish is usually the go-to language when people are ments like France when it comes to arts and innovation. “I thought the talent show was a choosing. This is mostly because it’s the second most spo- German can be the ultimate language in business because blast, especially DJ Dillan.” ken language in the world besides Mandarin Chinese. Span- It has a great economy and trade with U.S. Since most of ish is phonetic and easier compared to its counterparts. European Union speaks German it can be great when —Elijah Carrada [grade 8] Spanish is extremely useful in terms of jobs in the U.S. You traveling in Europe. Like French many have told me it can are most likely going to see many, many Spanish-speaking be easy or hard. Many people say it’s fun and can really people when you go to work in the future and Spanish can help in terms of jobs. My own cousin lives in Germany “It was really interesting and fun. come in handy when it comes to it. Spanish and French are and he says that the Germans are true innovators. They There was a lot of good energy both romance languages. Many think it has something to do have made tons of contributions to the U.S. and have there and good acts.” with love, but actually it’s because they both originated by made very good products such as Adidas, multiple auto- the Romans. If you learn a Romance language like Spanish mobiles, airbags, aspirin, book printing, bicycle, etc. —Courtney Mauro [grade 7] you can learn other Romance languages more quickly like The pros of these languages are you won’t need to French and Italian. As you learn more about the Romance learn a new alphabet or characters like Chinese, Japa- Languages you really start to appreciate the culture, food, nese, Russian, Korean, etc. All of these languages are “I thought it was supa dupa fab- and all the traveling spots. good to learn and will help you in the real world. ulous.” Next is French, like Spanish it is a Romance language. There are mixed reviews about —Janice Healey [grade 7] French, some people say it’s hard French Valentine: Ma Petite Pomme de Terre and others say it can be easier than Cartoon by Janice Healey [grade 7] Spanish. French has a unique pro- “It was amazing. Everyone did a nunciation and a lot of silent letters. French is the sixth most widely spo- great job! We definitely have ken language in the world. If you great talent at DDMS and I can’t want the highest education or busi- wait for next year’s Talent ness, French speaking schools and show.” businesses are the highest ranked. In terms of jobs most people speak —Calista DiPrima [grade 7] French in Canada, Africa, Switzer- land, and Monaco. Also French is the international language for theatre, “Very interesting.” cooking, fashion, dance/ architecture, and visual arts. If you —Riley Callahan [grade 7] are looking into going into the arts, French can be a good language to know. Many people I know say that Column by Ariana DiGeso and Juliana Krabill [both French can be a lot of fun and learn- grade 7]; Graphic by Heather Starr [grade 8] ing French sets you up for a great school or business. If you decide to pick Spanish, it’s great to pursue French afterwards. Also many inter- net sources say that most of the best traveling spots speak French. the way farming has been around in France. “Farming is one Love is In the Air! of France’s most important industries,” explains france- by Janice Healey [grade 7] pub.com. Since the crops and animals in farms are im- “Mon choux.” “Mon sucre d’orge.” What do these portant, it seems like couples are calling each other im- mean? Well the first one means “my cabbage”, and the portant to their world, just like food is important to every- other one means “my barley sugar.” Wait a second. Now 1. What is your experience with name calling or verbal Bullying Quotes by Greg Aiello [grade 6] body’s world. Whatever the kind of reason behind this, it is what could these phrases possibly be used for? It might still a fun and interesting way to show one’s affection to a bullying at school (during the school year)? seem strange, but these phrases are actually used be- person. River over stone, you shall be the stone, tween French couples or people in love. Yes, the most insults will be thy river. Another way people in France express their love is by us- romantic and beautiful language uses these odd yet en- ing love locks. Love locks are padlocks that couples lock to a Anger can make people swell Life is always dearing phrases to show people’s affection towards oth- bridge, fence, fate or other public fixture to symbolize their until—like a volcano—they erupt. changing, so ers. Although they might sound weird by written words, forever, unbeatable love. In France, there is a famous don’t live in the they are definitely beautifully spoken in French. bridge, Pont des Arts, in Paris that has millions of love locks Sadness and grief will weigh past. As we all know the capital of France is Paris, and that with engraved names on it. It is such a beautiful sight to see you down like a ball and chain. Paris is famously known as the City of Love. Not to men- all of those locks together in such a big row representing all tion all of love in France, it is also the most beautiful of those who commit their love to a special someone. This is 2.If name calling or verbal bullying has taken place, check each place on Earth. Let’s learn more about this great and fun such a wonderful way for anyone, not only people in France, item below that reflects the type of comment you heard: -loving country and their splendid traditions they do. to show their everlasting love to the whole world. Because To begin with, French is a great language to discover. of how great it is, this has spread worldwide to numerous It is considered one of the most romantic languages all countries. There are love locks in Moscow, Russia, Beaulieu around the world, and that is only one reason why peo- Palace House, UK, and Daegu, South Korea. This is only one Sadness coils around the ple want to learn it. This unique language shows their other way to let the wings of love fly in the air, yet there are heart and cracks it to rubble. love to their partners in very different ways we do here still many more ways. in America, speaking of terms verbally. Most couples call To summarize this up, French Valentine’s is an amazing Life is too short to live in self-pity, one another different arrays of food and barnyard ani- sadness, and grief. holiday that really allows couples to show their love. If any- mals. People may ask, “why would anyone call their spe- one wants to show their love in a special way to someone, cial someone a barnyard animal?” Well, although there they don’t have to fly over France to do it. In America, peo- is no exact reason for this tradition, here are people’s Like the ple can give their someone a box of delicious and sweet thoughts on why. One person believes it is because of chocolate. Isn’t it neat how love is in the air this time of clouds, friends how resourceful and adorable farm animals can be, and come and go, year? how great foods are. Another one thinks it is because but family is forever. 3. In the past month, name calling or verbal bullying has taken place in the following places: Graphic by Stephen Demmo [grade 8] Winter Weather Not Ideal for Snowboarding Q: There are four brothers in this world that were all by Lily Williams[grade 6] born together. The first runs and never wearies. The The conditions for this season were not great. second eats and is never full. The third drinks and is At first, it was very icy and frigid, which was not always thirsty. The fourth sings a song that is never good for snowboarding. Throughout the weeks, it good. did get less icy, but it was still very cold. In the beginning of the season, with the lack of snow- Q: What has a foot on each side and one in the middle? fall, they did have to make fake snow, which Q: Four men were fishing when the boat fell over and quickly became very icy. Toward the end of the season, less snow was needed to be made. From they fell into the water, yet not a single man got wet. my experience, the conditions were not the best, Q: I have keys, but no locks. I have space, but no room. but there was at least some snow to snowboard You can enter, but can’t leave. What am I? on! But, even with the conditions, about 50 peo- Bullies are rocks, you ple were in the club. The club took place every

can’t throw them, but Thursday for six whole weeks. Mr.Skibber,

; "Are you you "Are ;

were all married; A keyboard keyboard A married; all were you can go around Mrs.Favaro, and Mr.Curchoe all ran the club and

They ; ; wind earth, fire, Water, A yardstick A them. also went skiing and snowboarding while they Fashion Meltdown by Jarrett Photo by RJ Wehnert [grade 8] were there. Palmadessa [grade 8] Author Spotlight: Rick Riordan Dividing Light from Dark continued Book Review: Percy Jackson by Janice Healey [grade 7] other gods, including Apollo and Athena. The by Riley Callahan [grade 7] I know a Guy Named Rick! Well not personally of course but, I know Light side does have an advantage, which is Rick Riordan, the author of 39 Clues, wrote that this Rick has very recently won the Goodreads Choice Awards Best that the Dark Side has some people who nev- the extraordinary story of Percy Jackson, a Middle Grade & Children's in 2015 for his awesome book The Sword of er took the quiz or read the books. All of the young boy who discovers the truth about the Summer. Now I am betting you know who this. It is the one and only Rick members of the Light Side have read at least world. He learns that he is a demigod; a half- Riordan. He is most famous for his mythical and action-packed series one of the books. Both the Light and the human and a half-god. And yes, I do mean Percy Jackson. He comes up with his ideas for his books by correspond- Dark Sides are trying to get more people, but the gods of Greece. When he first finds out ing the events and characters towards his real life. If you are thinking he less people know who their godly parent is. that the gods are real, he finds himself at a played life-and-death-capture-the-flag in real life, he did not really. To camp made for demigods; Camp Half-Blood. think of that would be so cool. We only know a partial amount of Rick. At the camp Percy joins with Annabeth; a Learning more about an author will definitely affect the way you think of 6-Degrees: demi-god, and Grover; a satyr. Together the their novels. Let’s find out more about this outstanding author. Mrs. Strocchia group goes on an amazing and dangerous To start off with, when Rick was in middle school he used to make Sociologists say that everyone in the quest to return the lightning bolt to its short stories just for fun. The reason behind it is because he read the world is connected to everyone else in rightful owner; Zeus, Leader of Olympus. Lord of The Rings Trilogy and he loved Greek mythology. He used writing Sea of Monsters cover the world within 6-degrees. That Read more about their adventure in Percy to express his fun loving, creative imagination, and as you can see all of by Janice Healey [grade 7] means that you know someone who knows someone, Jackson and the Lightning Thief, the first book that “practice” paid off. Except when he was in high school and college one day, it you should have a “mentor who be- who knows someone etc. 6 times. See how DDMS is of the series. years he lost the interest to write. He was more into music at the time. lieves in your talents.” Secondly, you must read, connected to the world— and history. Actually he was so into it that he made a folk rock band with some of his and he means a lot! “You will learn the craft of close friends. writing by immersing yourself in the voices, 1st degree: Mrs. Strocchia taught High School Musical After Rick’s rock and folk time in college, he became a teacher. He A Chat with Cheerleader styles, and structures of writers who have gone actor, Lucas Grabeel, at Kickapoo High School in taught the wonders of English and history at public and private middle before you.” Finally, you should write every day, Springfield, MO in her first teaching Kaitlyn Lapalme schools. He taught in his home state, Texas, and San Francisco Bay Area. job out of college. so have ideas and creativity you use in your by Vanessa Evers [grade 7] Rick was honored for the First Master Teacher Award in Saint Mary’s writing. “Writing is like a sport—you only get Vanessa: HowYES old were you when you start- Hall, San Antonio. 1st degree: Mrs. Strocchia had a pic- better if you practice.” ed cheer? While he was enjoying his fantastic ture book manuscript critique with Kaitlyn: 11 teaching career, Rick was beginning to literary agent Nancy Gallt, All information from: www.rickriordan.com/ years old NO write some mystery novels for adults 2nd degree: who represents Rick about/an-interview-with-rick whenever he had free time to do so. A few Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson Vanessa: Why months later he had his first book finished, series. did you want Big Red Tequila. After a while it was pub- Dividing Light and Dark to try out for lished and was out in the year 1997. Be- by Lily Williams [grade 6] 1st degree: Mrs. Strocchia’s father, former DDMS cheer? fore you know it, Rick was writing and The divide between the Sixth grade is based band director Mr. Barrie Bartle Kaitlyn: I writing every day. off of a Godly Parent quiz. Most of the Sixth 2nd degree: took trumpet lessons with Rei Christo- st thought it Once the 21 century began, Rick had graders are taking a quiz to find out who their pher would be real- the greatest idea of all. He thought of godly parent is. The godly parent quiz was made 3rd degree: who played horn in John Philip SousaYES ’s ly fun to do all writing a book series called Percy Jackson. mainly because of Rick Riordan’s book series, band. Sousa composed “The Stars and Stripes Forev- the stunts. It was all because of his wondrous son Ha- Percy Jackson and The Olympians. Once they er” and many other well-known marches, NO ley. Haley has ADHD, Attention Deficit/ find out who their parent is, they will be recruit- 4th degree: and served as conductor of “The President’s Own,” the U.S. Vanessa: Is Hyperactivity Disorder, and Dyslexia, so ed to one of the sides. The two sides are the Marine Band under presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and competition hard? that means he has a difficult time reading. Light Side and the Dark Side. The Light side is Harrison. Kaitlyn: Yes, because there is a lot of things Every night, Rick would tell Haley bedtimes the side of the Greek Gods. The Dark Side is the to remember for the routine. stories about Greek mythology, and that’s side of the Titans. The leaders of the Dark Side

when his mind clicked. He began to write are Victoria Corcoran and Wyatt Magill. The Vanessa: What is your most memorable ac- down ideas for Percy Jackson and made leaders of the Light Side are Lily Williams, Made- complishment? Percy Jackson, including all the other half- line Mallon, Taino Rivera, and Alana Cavanaugh. Kaitlyn: Probably when I got my first half. bloods, to be dyslexic and ADHD. Some of the Sixth graders chose to be neutral

In the end, Rick is one of the best au- though. Currently, the Dark Side has lots of chil- Vanessa: What position are you in cheer? thors out there today. He is also a very in- dren of the more powerful gods like Zeus and Kaitlyn: A base spirational person. His advice, if you your- Poseidon. The Light Side does have an equal Percy Jackson by Janice self one day want to become and author amount of people, except they have more of the Healey [grade 7] by Ashley Kizis [grade 8] and Juliana Krabill [grade 7] A Chat with Girls Basket- Have you heard the songs Victorious, Nine In ball Player Sierra Gillian The Afternoon , New Perspective or I Write Sins by Vanessa Evers [grade 7] Not Tragedies on DDTV? Well those songs happen Vanessa: How old were you when you to be by a band named Panic! At The Disco. The started basketball? band was formed in Las Vegas NV in 2004 by Sierra: 7 years old members , , Brent Wilson (who was kicked out in 2006 and replaced by ) and . Vanessa: Do you In 2005 they released their debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out plan to play in the with the hit leading single I Write Sins Not Tragedies (that one song about future? closing the door.) The record sold a total of 10,000 their first week - and Sierra: Yes after I Write Sins Not Tragedies marked the Billboard top charts - it then sold over 500,000. Vanessa: Why do In 2008, the band released their 2nd album Pretty. Odd. which had a you like basket- completely new sound. The album has a 60’s/70’s vibe to it sounding like ball? bands such as , The Beach Boys, and The Zombies. The record Sierra: Yeah, be- reached number 2 on the billboard charts and sold a total of 139,00 the first cause it’s fun and week with the hit single . I get to play with my friends. In 2009, the band turned different directions, with Ryan and Jon wanting the new album to have more of a Pretty. Odd. sound and Brendon and Spen- Vanessa: What is your most memorable cer wanting it to sound more like ...Fever… Because of that, Ryan and Jon moment? left the band and formed their own new band called . Sierra: When I made my first basket. In 2011, the remaining members (along with the band getting a new bassist named for touring ) created their 3rd album Vices Vanessa: Who inspired you to play? Why? and Virtues. The album peaked up to number 7 on the charts and sold with- Sierra: My cousin, because she used to in 56,000 its first week and their first single The Ballad Of peaked play. up to 89 on the top 200. The albums 2nd single Ready To Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind) was used as the end credit song for the 2011 film The Smurfs. It was also used in three Diet Coke commercials in 2011, a commercial for Sky Science Olympiad TV in the UK, a commercial promoting Universal Orlando, and commercials by Mary Lee [grade 7] for the 20th season of The Amazing Race. In January 2014, the song was Have you ever known that there was a used to promote the launch of the Australian subscription television net- competitive club named Science Olympiad? work TVH!TS. It was also used in Alpha and Omega: The Legend of the Saw It is directed by Mr. Alderfer and is a great Tooth Cave. Let’s just say that the song was promoted A LOT. place to broaden our minds on science. Eve- In 2013, the band released their 4th album Too Weird To Live, Too Rare rything comes from science and this year the To Die. The album was the first album to feature new bassist Dallon Weekes. events are pretty awesome. “There are good The album took a different turn in genre - people have even called it a building projects this year,” Mr. Alderfer ‘’party record” - as it was almost completely pop. The album featured the said. For example, there is an event called hit singles and . The record debuted number 2 on Air Trajectory where you get to build a real the U. S Billboard Top 200 earning the band their second career number 2. catapult. Science Olympiad keeps the stu- With promotion of the album the band got to go on the Save Rock And Roll dents very busy. Not only are they supposed Tour with bands such as Fall Out Boy and . to do work after school, but they also have In January 2016, the band released their 5th studio album Death Of A to do work at home. Like Mr. Alderfer said, Bachelor which is still currently the number 1 album on the Billboard 200 “There are a lot of responsibilities for the charts. The leading single Victorious reached up to number 89 on the U.S kids and I am glad to have a good group of Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Billboard Rock Charts. kids this year.” They also go to competition Panic! At The Disco is one of those bands you never get sick of. There’s in March. Hopefully we will do well on the just something about them. Maybe it’s their uniqueness or the fact that events we enter, but we probably won’t do their genres (and band members) are always changing. But one thing’s for well as a team because we didn’t do all the sure, they truly are a musical inspiration. And hey, maybe you should check events. We wish the team luck and to give them out, because you may just find your new favorite band. their all. As one genius has said, “Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” —Albert Einstein