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The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Issue Number 16 http://somersschools.org/domain/995 Winter 2019 NCAA Crown Goes to Cast Your Vote for the 2019 Clemson NBA All-Star Game!

By Arjun Ojha By Benji Cutler Tusker Tribune Staff Tusker Tribune Staff On January 7th, 2019, the #2 The NBA All- ranked Clemson Tigers led by Dabo Star Game is a game Swinney faced the #1 ranked Ala- where fans get to pick bama Crimson Tide led by Nick Saban. the starters from each confer- They played each other in Levi’s Stadium ence and all NBA head coaches in San Fransisco, . select the reserves. This year, the voting is presented The ticket prices went down be- by Google either on a device or on any Google Assistant cause not many people were interested in your home. since it was the 4th year in a row that Through a device, you can click here: https:// these 2 teams have played each other. The vote.nba.com/?cid=asv18_nbadrd#/ 3rd meeting was a semifinal, not a national to easily get to a completely simple way of voting, or championship. you can vote using the NBA app. It allows you to vote Both Clemson and Alabama had for two guards and three frontcourt players from each young QB’s (Quarterbacks). conference, the Eastern Conference and the West. Continued on Page 7

The Hottest Producers of 2018 By Noah Volkman College and scored his very first Tusker Tribune Staff #1 hit that same week. In July, he As 2018 came to an end, I decided spoke about what’s made him so to look at the best producers of the year by successful. “I’d say my sound is gathering the most popular songs and kinda like that Memphis original their producers. down South bounce sound mixed At #10, we have with the new sound, too.” , who produced songs For #6 we have Illa- like Halsey’s “Without Me”, and DaProducer, who crafted ’s “” and ’s MGK response track, “Psycho.” “Killshot.” And according to Il- At #9 is la, the song wasn’t originally Atlanta’s Mike for Eminem. “But when Slim WiLL Made-It, came calling, he answered. So who crafted a slew of tracks when I originally started the last year, including , beat for “Killshot” it was actually for . He and ’s always asked me for these horror movie beats. “King’s Dead.” That’s what I was thinking when I made the At #8 we have New Jer- “Killshot” beat was just something mean, gritty, sey’s for his work on grimey.” Kanye At #5 we have Canada’s West and ’s “I Love , the man behind It” as well as Machine Gun ’s “Call Out My Kelly’s withering Eminem diss Name,” which may’ve been track, “Rap Devil.” about Abel’s ex, . Coming in at #7, is Dukes executive produced The Memphis’ who had Weeknd’s somber March 2018 3 Top 5 hits, on of them being co EP, . -production on ’s “.” Not only that, Keith graduated from Middle Tennessee Continued on Page 5 The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

By Kaeleigh Picco Tusker Tribune Staff Have you ever wondered what happened today- ten years ago? Twenty years ago? Thirty? In This Week in History I will tell you about the events that hap- pened that particular week that could have impacted our everyday lives, or are just really interesting to learn about.

January 10th, 1776 Thomas Paine, one of the major social figures leading up to the Revolu- tionary War, published his charismatic and controversial book, Sense on this date. Common Sense played a major role in convincing the American colonists to rebel from Great Britain. It openly challenged the English monarch and proposed a new, democratic republic.

January 11th, 1755 I’m sure most of you have heard of the musical Hamilton, and this date marks the birthday of the man himself. Alexander Hamilton was everything from a Founding Father in the early days of America, to the first Secretary of the Treasury, to being a Senior Officer in the military. This man truly did it all.

January 13th, 1990 A proud day for the long fought civil rights movement across the U.S., Douglas Wilder of Virginia became the first African-American governor in America as he took his oath of office in Richmond (the capital of Vir- ginia).

January 15th, 1559 Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, was crowned Queen of England on this date; she would go on to become the long- est reigning ruler until Queen Elizabeth II and never married nor had any children.

The Tusker Tribune Staff

Co-Editors Photography Editor Reporters Noah Volkman Allison O’Connor Kaeleigh Picco Joseph Melillo Ian Cohen Copy Editors Alex Susca Feature Editor William Underkoffler Noah Volkman Samuel Sanz Andre Possante Anastasia Fiorella Michael Aiello Jeanne Manteau Sports Editor Arjun Ojha Jesse Manginelli Allison O’Connor Benji Cutler Olivia Soto Jesse Manginelli Mikayla Haran

The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Hulk Roller Coaster Lives Up to Expectations

By Ian Cohen The rollercoast- Tusker Tribune Staff er went around on flips, Over break my family and I went corkscrews, and over to Universal Studios in . When we the lake upside down. went to Island of Adventure, we were In 45 seconds, looking for crazy rollercoasters to ride the ride was over. I The second we stepped foot inside, there it thought to myself, that was the “Incredible Hulk” ride. We waited on the was the best ride ever. line and when we got inside it was like a science laboratory inside. Hulk Roller Coaster When we were up, we went inside a tube Facts with all LED  Top speed: 67 mph lights  Number of inver- inside. sions (loops, etc.): 7 We  Refurbished in 2015 moved and reopened in very 2016 slowly,  Total length: 3,700 then, in feet the  Maximum Height: 110 feet blink of  First drop: 105 feet an eye,  Total time of ride: 1 minute, 30 seconds we shot  Number of passengers per train: 32 out of  Number of subterranean dives: 2 the tube  Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard, a Swiss at crazy company. speed. ‘Wicked’ Does Not Disappoint

By Alexander Susca voices. Just to take it off the Tusker Tribune table, there isn’t much I can Staff say about the acting itself be- “Wicked” is a sides that there were no mess musical about the ori- -ups and they played their gins of the wicked parts fantastically. witch from The Wizard of . On to the final part, It follows a girl who is an out- the sets. The outline of the cast because of her green skin. stage was a bunch of gears She later becomes the wicked turning. I thought that was witch. really cool. My favorite set I would rate this show was the Emerald City. That a 9/10 for many reasons. First set was perfect, and the lights off, the story. The story was made it really look like emer- amazingly written with no ald. All the other sets were a plot gaps. The perfect balance little bland, and that’s the one of story and . Which point off. brings us to our next part, the Overall, it was an music/singing. The music is amazing musical. I would rec- outstanding with intense ommend it to anyone who songs, calm songs, songs that liked the Wizard of Oz or if you would think were sung by you just need an entertaining someone on the radio. play to see. Oh, and look out All the actors knew the for the dragon. music by heart and had great The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Life After Death: Who Controls & XXXTENTACION’s Posthumous Music?

By Noah Volkman er by labels and stuff like that. I just want to have Tusker Tribune Staff my friends featured on the and my friends In the last two months of 2018, making the beats so that it becomes its own enti- there were two posthumous (post-death) ty.” At the time, Makonnen insisted that the record releases – the late Lil Peep’s Come Over was meant to bring people together. “I think it’ll be When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 and XXXTENTACION’s good for everybody. Both legacies, all that.” He SKINS. While both released filled fans’ yearning said. Still there is no way to know what Peep for new music, they weren’t without their missteps would’ve wanted – and therein lies the moral quan- and bigger questions. dary with these posthumous releases – do you add Lil Peep, known to many as a visionary due to his features when the artist isn’t alive to approve it? fusion of mid-aughts with today’s trap sound, As for X, his album SKINS was released was fresh off the release of his de- with only one feature – . but album, Come Over When Longtime X collaborator John Cun- You’re Sober, Pt. 1, when in No- ningham explained why West was in- vember 2017, tragedy struck. The cluded on the album, saying “because 20-year-old X was loved by fans for he was always talked about Kanye’s his raw and emotive lyrics. He al- work and was actively wanting to do a so had a dark side though. In June song with him up until the day he 2018, the months of his death, X passed. Also, Scarlxrd was never on was awaiting trial for charges for that song but we love him too. Cun- domestic abuse and false imprison- ningham also said that he and X be- ment regarding his ex-girlfriend. gan work on this project not long after He was killed in an altercation out- X’s ? album, saying, "the songs and the side of a motorcycle shop that ideas and the vision of it all was done same month. The charges against or very close to being done.” Knowing X were dropped after his death. that John and X were close should put Both him and Peep left behind many fan worries to rest – but feasibly plenty of unfinished songs – with there could still be controversy on the no real direction for what to do horizon. with them. This is a unique conun- X reportedly signed a $10 mil- drum for today’s generation of art- lion deal shortly before his death, ists as the New Yorker’s Carrie Battan writes, “… which may mean more posthumous are on there exists a mountain of unreleased music by de- the way that were not approved by X while he was ceased young stars to be sifted and pumped out in- alive. Issues over releases like these aren’t any- to the world. It’s a minefield of commercial poten- thing new. In fact, in June took some flack tial. In an interview with Lil Peep’s parents, his for using dated vocals on his 5th mother, Liza Womack, said, “We gotta do what Gus studio album, Scorpion. Michael Jackson’s nephew would have wanted, and Gus had very strong feel- raised some concerns. Austin Brown, MJ’s nephew ings about his work.” said, “I feel like, if he didn’t finish it, then you After Peep’s brother urged her to get in- shouldn’t use it.” volved, she started to take more control over Come But Drake’s been here before – in 2014 he Over When You’re Sober Pt. 2. “He said to me, had to abandon a posthumous album of Aaliyah’s ‘Mama, you gotta start to get involved with what’s music after her frequent collaborator going to happen with Gus’ music,” Liza said. She objected. “Aaliyah music only work with it’s soul- believes Pt. 2 is the perfect sequel to Peep’s debut. mate…which is me.” Timbaland said. As for MJ, “You can see how it went from Come Over When there’s a lawsuit alleging that Sony’s 2010 album You’re Sober 1 to Come Over When You’re Sober 2,” Michael – the first release after his death in 2009 – she said. included three fake records. And if we look at rap But the process wasn’t always so smooth. In history – notably the numerous releases from 2Pac September 2018, a Peep & X collab called “Falling and the Notorious B.I.G. after they died – we Down” dropped. Originally “Falling Down,” was might see more from X and Peep. 2Pac and Biggie titled “Sunlight On Your Skin” and featured iLo- even posthumously appeared on a song together in veMakonnen. The addition of X caused quite a stir 2003. As fans we’ll just have to hope that those in amongst Peep’s friends and fans. “He explicitly re- control of these artists legacies stay true to what jected XXX for his abuse of women, spent time and they wanted. And when it comes to Lil Peep, we money getting XXX’s songs removed from his may not have to worry at all. “There’s a lot of mu- playlist, and wouldn’t have co-signed that sic, and I’m going to be a very busy mom, because I song.” A fan said. And in one of his final inter- gotta go around and make it happen the right views, Peep said, “I hate features that were togeth- way,” Womack said. The Tusker Tribune Page 5 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

MISS KNOW-IT-ALL

Dear Miss Know-It-All: Wwhat should I do? This Friday I must make the decision on what sport I should play. I have 3 choices. The first sport my dad re- ally wants me to play. He played it when he was younger. The sec- ond my friends really want me to play; they’re all on the team al- ready. And the third, I really want to play. I’m worried that if I choose the sport, I like then my dad will be disappointed in me and my friends won’t think I’m cool. What’s the right choice? The Tusker Tribune is the Sincerely, online Somers Middle School Student Newspaper. MR. SUPERFAN It is published weekly (except during school vaca- tions) on the Somers Mid- Dear MR. SUPERFAN: dle School Website. The minute read I read your question I knew this issue would be a It is entirely student- tough one. As a student myself, I've struggled with plenty of drama and written by 6th, 7th and 8th school/home related problems. I think that the most positive and reliable grade students from: choice would to be choosing what you want. If MISS KNOW-IT-ALL Somers Middle School you choose to do anything else, we both know 250 Route 202 you would be very unhappy. Even though you're Somers, NY, USA. scared that your dad might be disappointed in you, I’m sure you're just worrying too much. He Any SMS student is eligi- will understand the decision you make, and if he ble to write stories. If inter- doesn’t explain to him why you made that choice. ested, please e-mail And as for your friends, they are obviously not Advisor Dean Pappas at that cool if they make fun of you for doing a different sport. And if they DPappas do make comments to you about your choice then you show them how cool @somersschools.org your sport is and that you’re an amazing player. Be confident! do what you want and enjoy it. Best Regards, Miss Know-It-All

Producers the production of five albums, released over the From Page 1 span of 5 weeks in May and June. But his biggest hit was with Lil Pump (“I At #4 we have the German Love It”). twins , who also co-produced Finally, at #1 is Canada’s oth- Travis Scott’s “SICKO MODE,” along er golden boy, Boi-1da, who produced with and ’s and co-produced a “FEFE” with . slew of songs last #3 is John year, including Drake’s tear-jerker, Cunningham, the “God’s Plan.” Boi-1da and Drake late XXXTENTACION collabora- go way back, and he also tor and executive producer for worked with Drizzy on another SKINS. In October 2018, Cun- early 2018 track, “Diplomatic ningham spoke in an interview Immunity.” “You just know ahead of the release of X’s first what you’re getting with him. posthumous album about the pro- You just know that it’s gonna be cess and he said, “We basically a hit song, you know it’s gonna be a moment, you started making this next album right after ? came know any time Drake drops something, everybody out. The songs and the ideas and the vision of it all stops to hear it so you just know it’ll be something was done or very close to being done.” great.” Coming in at #2 is Kanye West, who led So who’s your favorite producer of 2018? The Tusker Tribune Page 6 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Historic Philadelphia Keeps the Past Alive

By Anastasia Fiorella I also went to go see the American Tusker Tribune Staff Revolution museum. There A couple of weeks ago were things from the war my Dad and I went to Phila- like the little guns and ri- delphia PA. We went to go fles they used in their bat- see a pop artist concert that tles! When you would walk evening, but before the show, we around there were little went to see the historic district. videos being projected onto the In The National Constitution wall and they would talk about Center, they had statues of all the Con- the battles of the American gressional representatives from each Revolution and what the sol- state that made the laws. Another cool diers went through. thing that I saw was the actual room As you went along the where they signed the Declaration of museum there was also a president section and Independence, at Independence Hall in in there they had all the presidents’ pictures and the heart of Philadelphia. The room their own little section with their picture and itself was small as people back then what they did for our country. There was also a were not as tall as little voting station where you would go in the we are today. ‘’voting’’ booth and simulate that you’re voting, It was cool to see the and on the screen they had a little trivia on the same room that I saw in some screen and you got to pick which president did videos I watched. It was amaz- what. ing they kept everything the Overall the experience was amazing and same as it was back when they there was so much to see and I couldn’t get to all. signed the Declaration! It’s definitely a two day trip!

The Tusker Tribune Commentary: All Star School Uniforms Have Advantages From Page 1

By Jeanne Manteau TNT will reveal the Tusker Tribune Staff NBA All-Star starters re- We hear complaints about sults, including the two cap- having school uniforms or even just a tains (which I will explain in simple dress code. an article I will be writing However, it seems obvious that sometime in February) on Thursday, January 24 having a school uniform would be a good impro- during NBA Tip-Off. TNT will also be announc- vement for many schools throughout the coun- ing the reserves, which are selected by the head try. School uniforms are helpful in so many coaches, on Thursday, January 31. Throughout ways, yet not many people seem to like them! the voting period, fans are School uniforms prevent allowed to submit one full people from being left out. Nobo- ballot every single day. dy gets criticized because of For the third their clothes or mocked because straight year, NBA players they are not following some and media along with fans trend or other style that just select the NBA All-Star happens to be popular. starters. Fans will account Also, kids in the morning as 50% of the vote, while NBA players and media can spend time stressing about panel will count as 25% each. Players and media their clothes, wondering if they’ll fit in or if their have the same rules for voting, and are allowed o clothes are too flashy, too bland, etc. Well, ha- vote for themselves or their teammates. ving a school uniform solves all of those pro- You have until Martin Luther King Jr. blems! You only can wear one item, so nobody Day, Monday, January 21 to vote, just letting you can get teased because of their clothing. And no all know, if you are interested in voting, once need to hesitate in the morning, because you ei- again, you can go through https://vote.nba.com/? ther wear your uniform, or you wear your uni- cid=asv18_nbadrd#/ through Google or vote form! through the NBA app. I will be making another So, before dismissing the thought of ha- article on how the All-Star Game itself works and ving a uniform, think about all it gives you, and will be sharing the results of all the starters and hopefully it’ll change YOUR opinion! reserves, so stay tuned! The Tusker Tribune Page 7 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School The Highest Paid Athletes of 2018

By Jesse Manginelli Speaking of Ronaldo, he is next on Tusker Tribune Staff the list. Ronaldo is also a profes- Many professional sional soccer player. Ronaldo made athletes make a lot of $108 million this year which is just money, but these athletes under Messi, who made $111 mil- were the highest paid ath- lion. letes of 2018. Connor McGregor is fourth on this Floyd Mayweather, list at $99 million. McGregor made a retired boxer holds 1st place as $3 million from his fight against the highest paid athlete. He Mayweather. Many people specu- earned $285 million. Most of this late that McGregor didn’t make as money came from his high- much money as Mayweather ly publicized fight against because he lost the fight. Connor McGregor. May- weather has been the high- Number 5 on the list is Ney- est paid athlete 4 times in mar at $90 million. Neymar is 7 years. a professional soccer player. The second highest He plays for the Brazil Na- paid athlete this year is tional Team and Paris Saint- Lionel Messi, a profession- Germain F.C. al soccer player for Barce- Sixth on the list is star - lona and the Argentine na- ketball player LeBron James. tional team. Messi made James has played for multiple $111 million which is just NBA organizations including over Christiano Ronaldo’s the Lakers, Cavaliers, and the earnings. Heat. Last year he made a whopping $85.5 million.

What Makes a ‘Good Student’?

By Allison O’Connor A good student is someone Tusker Tribune Staff who is helpful, kind, and friendly, A good student is but the one thing that makes some- somebody who has a keen one a good student is the way they interest and a desire to behave. When you behave you don’t learn and a willingness to want to be screaming, shouting out work hard. bad things. You don’t want to give What makes a good stu- up before you even try. You don’t dent is perseverance and discipline. want to be rude and pick on people. A good student is not someone who You don’t want to scream in the thinks they are perfect and gets perfect grades. A halls and make ruckus. good student is someone who tries hard, who never Remember you want to be a good student, gives up, and doesn’t leave someone out. not the bad one.

points. Alabama scored Clemson th From Page 1 none. In the 4 quarter no one scored. In the end, Their names are Trevor Clemson won the national Lawrence (19) and Tua Tagovai- championship by a score of loa (20). In the 1st quarter, both 44 to 16. teams scored 27 points combined. After college ends, Clemson Clemson scored 14 and Alabama will be losing all their start- scored 13. ing Defensive Linemen. In the 2nd quarter, both Those names include Dexter teams scored 20 points combined. Lawrence (21), Christian Clemson scored 17 points and Alabama scored 3 Wilkins (23), Clelin Ferrell rd (21), Austin Bryant (22). They will also be losing points. In the 3 quarter, Clemson scored 13 their Wide Receiver Hunter Renfrow (23). The Tusker Tribune Page 8 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

7th Graders Don’t Need Cell Phones By Mikayla Haran cell phones lose sleep because of talking at night or Tusker Tribune Staff because of being anxious that they do not miss a These days, everyone's on their call, and as a result suffer from headaches and phones and I'm not going to lie but I’m al- sleepiness during the day, which interferes with ways on mine, too. learning at school." But I find my phone as a dis- This was recently stated by traction for getting good grades. David O. Carpenter, Director, Insti- Studies show that people with tute for Health and the Environ- phones get worse grades then people ment & Professor of Environmental without them. I could live without Health Sciences, University at Alba- my phone for a day. Why don’t you ny. try see if studies are right? See if not Additionally, Georgia S. having a phone improves your Thompson, Vice President of the grades! Another thing is we Programs and Affiliate Network, all wonder why we have so many car crashes in the National Black Child Development Institute, world. Could you guess why? If you guessed “cell notes, “Kids should not have cell phones. I may be phone”, then you’re right. These car crashes hap- alone on this, but I don’t see a real need for them, pen 1.6 million times a year. and I certainly don’t see the benefits for young "There are several reasons why kids should children. I actually know of a five-year-old child not have cell phones. Kids with cell phones are who owns a cell phone. Children’s excessive use of likely to spend too much time on them, keeping cell phones can lead to issues with both them from doing more productive things, like exer- health and safety." cising and reading. There is increasing evidence of The experts seem to be of one mind, and addiction to electronic devices, which like any oth- they support my claim that 7h graders would prob- er kind of addiction is destructive. Many kids with ably be better off without cell phones. Why is Everyone Rappng Offbeat?

By Noah Volkman fia. And then there’s Tusker Tribune Staff YBN Nahmir, who’s Today, in hip-hop from Ala- there are a few popular flows bama. and you know exactly where Hon- they came from. estly, as There’s the ’ rap, rap, 2018 moved rap and pause flow, , along, more and ’s sanging flow. and more Valee’s bored, run-on sentence flow… rappers be- , and 6ix9ine’s gan to sound like Vallejo, California’s “I AM YELLING AT YOU” rager flow. SOB X RBE. Coming together in 2015, , and BbyMutha’s slow SOB X RBE has released three projects, and were drawl flow and Drake and Tierra Whack’s sing- hit up personally by Kendrick Lamar to join 2018’s song flow… and we can’t forget Eminem, Joyner Black Panther soundtrack. But their flow is em- Lucas and MGK’s speed rap. And then, blematic of Northern California’s overall style of there’s another one that keeps popping up. rap that was born in the late 80s and ear- , the living, breath- ly 1990s. And, of course, another Vallejo ing In- vet E-40, whose linguistic twists and ternet turns are sometimes on but mostly off- meme, beat, on purpose. Elsewhere in the Bay is has got- Oakland’s gruff-voiced, Yaddaamean ten a lot King, Keak Da Sneak. of at- This 90s flow has even influenced tention underground scenes across the country, for his like Detriot’s and ’s offbeat flow . So there you have it, the tradition of fast- along with paced offbeat creative flows can be traced back to Shoreline Ma- at least these West Coast forefathers—and appar- ently, anybody can get it.