The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Issue Number 11 http://somersschools.org/domain/995 Fall 2018

SMS students in Mrs. Faivre’s class enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving feast. The kids engage in a lot of ac- tivities throughout the year, which are open to all students and staff at SMS. Events are posted out- side of room 311. ‘Boundless Adventure’ Was Terrific!

By Deanna DeCamp and Natalia Tellez take on a challenge, Tusker Tribune Staff they had some for you. Recently, 6th graders went on a trip Or if you wanted to do to Boundless Adventures, Purchase NY. one nice and easy, you Many 6th graders enjoyed this trip and had got it. The courses had a blast with all of their friends. Some of the different colors to rep- teachers participated too! resent the easy and Everyone agreed that this was a trip to re- harder courses. member. All of the teachers agreed this was the The courses best trip sixth grade has ever been on. The point of went from yellow, (the the trip was to build confidence and easiest) cooperation along with having fun. green, (a little bit harder than yellow) You could see all the stu- blue, (a little bit harder than green) dents climbing throughout the and black (the hardest). One of the courses in the trees, fighting best parts was the ziplines. Each through the cold. It was very cold, course had a minimum of at least one but the weather conditions weren’t and they gave you a trilling ride to the best. With the thin gloves the next part of the course. Boundless Adventures Staff recom- Another fun part of each mended us to use, our fingers be- course were the swings. They were came numb. If you ever go there, not the kind if swings you sit on, but make sure to bring your own gloves they were the kind of swings once you to use instead of theirs. Another tip for if you go step on it and it starts to take you to the other side there in the fall or winter almost instantly. make sure to wear plenty A special shout out to Mr. Dell for organiz- of layers and a hat can ing this whole trip and to all the other teachers make a major difference. and staff who helped chaperone this wonderful Although these trip. On behalf of the 6th grade, we would like to may be the downs of the say thank you for making this amazing trip hap- trip, there were so many pen. fun things to do at Bound- less Adventures. Editor’s Note: Check out Boundless Adven- The place had courses for tures’ Website here: everyone. If you wanted to https://boundlessadventures.net/ The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Think About Why You’re Thankful at Thanksgiving

By Anastasia Fiorella Of course, one of the best Tusker Tribune Staff things about thanksgiving is the We just had Thanks- turkey! When you wake up in the giving, which brings us to morning to the turkey in the oven, the main question, what are cooking, all the food prepared and we really thankful for this ready to eat for dinner. From year? the turkey to the stuffing, (which Sure, we’re thankful for our is my favorite part) to the best family, friends, pets, shelter, food, part of all… The DESSERT!! water, etc. of course, the usual, but When you smell the pumpkin pie let’s get into a more meaningful an- in the morning, you’ll know for swer this year. sure it’s Thanksgiving! What was the most im- However, it’s not just about portant thing that food; it’s about being with your makes you really grateful this year? It could be family who all got together just to cele- from your favorite sports team that won a big brate Thanksgiving with you. game, to you getting a 100 on one of your hardest Don’t get too upset now that Thanksgiving tests you took this year. is over because remember, Black Friday (the day Whatever it is, that’s what you could be after Thanksgiving) is the kickoff to Christmas/ thankful for this year. Instead of having to say Hanukkah! the same old answers, without even thinking of a new, meaningful answer. How Did Ad-Libs Take Over Hip-Hop?

By Noah Volkman ad-lib. Throughout the ;80s Tusker Tribune and ;90s, iconic hype men Staff such as Public Enemy’s Fla- The ad-lib is vor Flav, the Lost Boyz’s an integral part of hip Freaky Tah and Flipmode’s -hop. It is the second layer of Spliff Star turned ad-libs words and sounds that can into an art. Producers like serve as a calling card, a Pete Rock and label execu- shameless boast or a primal tives like Diddy also joined scream. Today, ad-libs are so in with their signature ad- ubiquitous that they’ve be- libs. From the mid-90s to the come the focal point of certain early 2000s, other purveyors hits. With , , of ad-libs, like Missy Elliott, and many other Cam’ron, Jadakiss and more artists dominating the charts added their own spice. DJs with songs where the ad-lib is and producers like Clue, as important, if not more so, Timbaland and others were than the bars they are accom- also known for their quick panying. But how did we get sayings. These sounds were- here? Well, it starts on stage. n’t the main course, but a Many point to James Brown’s screams and Southern wave would begin to change that. grunts as the major inspiration for hip-hop’s ener- Ad-libs have been a part of South- getic ad libs. As a genre, hip-hop draws significant ern rap since bass in the 80s, when the inspiration from the godfather of soul, and in crowd’s chants often made it onto the final tracks. some of rap’s earliest recordings, hype men and Additionally, MCs like Master P and Pastor Troy DJs can be heard in the background dropping ad- were also extremely influential but Crunk music, libs designed to keep the crowd rocking. Artists lead by Three 6 Mafia and Lil Jon, would turn it also used call and response for the same effect. up a notch. “ On many occasions, the crowd’s answers Continued on Page 7 made it onto the final record as a variation of an The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Deanna DeCamp be had to cancel it this Tusker Tribune Staff year. But that didn’t hap- Every year Macy’s has a Thanks- pen. giving Day Parade in on Some famous Thanksgiving. This takes place from 9:00 floats included The AM through 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Grinch, Olaf, Spongebob, They have new floats every year and old ones that The Elf On The Shelf, everyone’s glad to see again. They even do Broad- and even a Nutcracker. way shows from 9:00 AM through 9:30 AM. From There were many other 9:30 AM through 12:00 PM, Macy’s shows perfor- floats too. The floats are mances and most of the balloons. This year was a huge part of the parade different than most of the other years of this spec- every year and its very tacular parade. enjoyable to watch. There wouldn’t be a parade One thing that was different is that it was without these floats. These floats are GINOR- EXTREMELY COLD! It was one of the coldest MOUS! They evn said that the power rangers Thanksgiving since 1901. You could see every- float arm was as big as a school bus! body bundled up freezing on this cold day. Many There were even some performers. Some people were jumping up and included Ashley Tisdale John Leg- trying to keep warm. Watching at end, Ally Brook, Mackenzie Zei- home still made me cold just watch- gler, Johnny Orlando, and even ing. Although going to the parade Teagen Marie. They were on floats may be an enjoyable event, if you that didn’t fly. Some floats includ- don’t like to be cold, I recommend ed Build a Bear, Sesame Street, staying home watching with the fam- Sour path Kids, Girl Scouts, Exotic ily all cozy in pajamas with hot choc- Animal floats, Hawaii Float, olate. Snoopy’s Doghouse and even a Another thing that was dif- brand new fantasy chocolate facto- ferent is that because of the wind ry Float. They were many other speeds, from 9:30 through 10:30 the floats were floats that didn’t fly too. They have been showing very close to the ground. The Grinch was one of Snoopy’s Doghouse float since 1961. the new floats The Broadway shows that performed the which toppled over first half our of the parade were Mean Girls, My due to the wind! Fair Lady, Summer The Donna Summer Musical, After 10:30 the The Prom, Head Over Heal, Dear Evan Hansen wind started to die and even the newest Broadway Show King Kong. down and the floats They show a glimpse of each show with a song went a little bit and a few lines from the parade. higher, but the To end the show Santa comes out on his wind was still at a magical sleigh. They say this is the heart of the high level. The show to wrap up this spectacular parade. This pa- Thanksgiving Day rade is amazing to people all ages. Kids love it parade has been and it makes adults feel like kids again. The Ma- going on since 1971 cy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an event cele- and there was a threat that they would have may- brated by everyone. The Tusker Tribune Staff

Co-Editors Copy Editors Reporters Joseph Melillo Noah Volkman William Underkoffler Kaeleigh Picco Olivia Soto Joseph Melillo Andre Possante Natalia Tellez Michael Aiello Deanna DeCamp Feature Editor Benji Cutler Samuel Sanz Photography Editor Jesse Manginelli Allison O’Connor Noah Volkman Sports Editor Anastasia Fiorella Jesse Manginelli Allison O’Connor The Tusker Tribune Page 4 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 happened that particular week that could have impacted our everyday lives, or are just really interesting to learn about.

December 1st, 1918 Iceland gained independ- ence from the Scandinavian country of Denmark on the first day of this month.

December 2nd, 1804 A famous day-for better or worse- in French history was this date. Napolean Bonaparte, an infamous military general and dictator, was officially crowned Emperor of France by Pope Pius VII within the Notre Dame Cathedral in Par- is, France.

December 4th, 1791 If you enjoy reading the Tusker Tribune, you may enjoy reading other newspapers as well, like the New Y ork Times or Washington Post. However, have you ever wondered when the idea of the newspaper was introduced? On this date in history, The Observer, now the oldest newspaper in the world, was first published in England.

December 5th, 1492 The nation that shares an island with the Domini- can Republic, Haiti, was discovered by Christo- pher Columbus on this date.

Stunning Rare Octopii Spotted Off California Coast

By Allison O’Connor the seafloor. There are more than a Tusker Tribune Staff dozen known species of Dumbos. The Dumbo Octopus is a newly While most are small, measuring discovered species. between 8 and 12 inches long, some The attack style is way different can reach upwards of 6 feet in then a regular old octopus. In- length. stead of squirting ink, the Dumbo The Dumbo octopus was not Octopus has developed sharp the only thrilling discovery. A few days later, an- spines on its tentacles to help de- other rare species was spotted, a cephalopod. Her- fend itself. cules(The founder) came across a massive nesting Also, the Dumbo Octopus ground where over a thousand deep-sea octopii uses its tentacles to crawl across were huddled in the rocks with their eggs. The Tusker Tribune Page 5 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School What You Need to Know About Hanukkah

By Benji Cutler day, add one more lit Tusker Tribune Staff candle and the one in Holiday season is around the cor- the middle, etc. Also, ner, especially for me since I celebrate Ha- on Hanukkah, we eat nukkah. Hanukkah starts on sundown of traditional foods, but Sunday, December 2nd, and ends on Sunday, De- all of them have to be cember 9th. First, I’ll tell you the basics of the cooked in oil, such as Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. potato latkes, donuts Hanukkah is a holiday that lasts (usually for eight days and eight nights. The jelly- word “Hanukkah”, meaning filled), “dedication”, is often called the “Festival and dairy foods. of Lights” and is celebrated with the The major event that originated Ha- lighting of the Menorah, which has 9 nukkah took place around 200 B.C. places to put a candle in, including one in Judea, also known as the land of tall one in the middle to be lit for every Israel, when it came under the con- day of trol of Antiochus III, the king of Syr- Hanuk- ia. In 168 B.C., his soldiers descend- kah. On ed on Jerusalem, the capital of Isra- the first el, massacring thousands of people day, you have one and destroying their Second Temple. candle and the After the massacre, it was very dark, and one in the middle, the Jews needed light, but they only had enough the next day, one oil for one day. Then, after 8 days, the candle was more lit candle still lit! So that’s why we only eat foods cooked and the one in the with oil and it lasts 8 days. It was a miracle that middle, the third created the spectacular holiday of Hanukkah!

Pit Bull Post Makes Waves on the Internet

By Allison O’Connor here like that was Tusker Tribune Staff disgusting. You Are you being mean on the inter- should be ashamed net? Well this guy is. His name online is of yourself ‘cause I'm JHickman. pretty sure their My friend and I were looking at the com- family wouldn't ap- ments of a story called How did pit bulls get preciate you run- such a bad rap? The guy JHickman commented ning around like this “This article is a disgusting con. I hope Cesar that speaking on is sued into oblivion for his role in promoting their behalf. So, get these killer dogs. You pit bull promoters will lost. It's obviously burn, burn, burn in hell, for the lives of children you have never owned a pit bull or large breed that you have helped murder. Your immortal dog before mate. “Cesar, me, us, we are try- souls are stained with the blood of children, chil- ing to educate and show people that all animals dren who were ripped apart and died slowly, in are different and require different approaches agony, by YOUR DAMNED DOGS.” and sometimes different people. Probably the Isn’t that just rude? Some people replied same reason I should never get a horse. and told him how he was a bad “Sorry guys about that, lol. I love what you person. My favorite one is by a do mate if people would just listen and open their person named Bluey: eyes. This is Ruckus, he was my best mate and I “HICKMAN !!! You're an was his. Special bond.” Now that is a good person, absolute tosser, mate. You defi- am I right?” nitely don't have any purpose So, the point is, don’t be mean online! Be being on here other than you’re nice and if someone is being mean, just point bored and wanna run your them out and make them feel like, “Whoa. I mouth and talking about those should have really thought that through. Why did poor little kids in that way on I do that?” The Tusker Tribune Page 6 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School The Tusker Tribune Commentary: School Tablets and Blocked Games

By Joseph Melillo cided to make a move on Tusker Tribune this and blocked the Staff popular game Surviv.io As you all and has blocked the know, Somers Cen- gaming site Crazy tral School District Games. issues Atlas Tablets to stu- However, the dents in grades 6-12. Gear Shack has not Every two years, a completely banned these student is issued a new tab- games. You can still let, and they are said to be play them if you aren’t “better” and “faster”, but we connected to the school’s all know the school tablets WiFi. Students play don’t work very well. these games during in- Students also use the door recess and some school issued to play games think it was stupid of at home, and during class. the Gear Shack to block So, was it the right move to block these games? these games. Or has SCSD sentenced students to boredom dur- Teachers say that the tablets are to be ing indoor recess? As many students probably used for schoolwork only and occasionally allow know, some kids make the choice to play video- students to play educational games. So, has the games on their tablets, so the Gear Shack has de- Gear Shack gone too far? What do you think?

Alex Smith’s Injury Highlights NFL’s Dangers

By Jesse Manginelli Tusker Tribune Staff The Washington Redskin’s Quar- terback, Alex Smith, broke two bones in his right leg November 17 during a game against the Houston Texans. He broke his fibula and tibia. The injury is strikingly similar to Joe Thiesman’s career ending injury. Theisman also broke his fibula and tibia in his right leg. Hopeful- ly, in Alex’s case, this is not career ending. He is most definitely out for the season. While he was being checked out on the field after being injured, all players were on one knee and prayed as Alex As of now, McCoy will be the starting QB Smith was hauled to the for the Redskins. The Redskins are bringing back exit on a stretcher. Even some QBs including . Sanchez is the whole Houston Tex- known for the infamous “Butt ” where he ans bench went over to fumbled the ball after falling into his own line- wish him luck. Colt man’s “behind". Enough said. The tackle on McCoy took Smith’s spot Alex Smith was made by Texan’s J.J. Watt and to finish the game. He Kareem Jackson. Many said his leg bent in an ab- nearly led a comeback normal way. “It was just an eerie moment”, Thies- but in the final ten sec- man, said. He was also quoted saying “it was sur- onds, the 63-yard field real, you see him go down in a pile and then goal, that would win the there’s a shot that showed his leg bent. The cam- game, was short and era turned away right after that. I feel so bad for missed. The final score him.” was 23-21 Texans. Hopefully he will back as soon as possible. The Tusker Tribune Page 7 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Ad Lib MISS KNOW-IT-ALL From Page 2

Dear Miss-Know-It-All, I just recently got braces To hype the verse up even more, we’ll go and I’m really afraid that my friends will judge me behind the verse and we’ll like lay, ‘What! or make fun of me. I want to believe that they will What! What!’ and that’s basically what you be nice and understand, but I can’t be positive would do in the club,” Lil Jon explains about about that. What should I do? his process of ad-libbing. By 2005, Jeezy’s deep laughs and ‘ayys’ Miss Brace had hit the mainstream. Jeezy’s ad-libs became Dear Miss Brace Face, his signature. In 2007, famously used them on “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” Jeezy’s I know all about braces. In fact, I have a style was complemented by other Atlanteans pair myself. The most important thing to have like his rival, . Both Jeezy and Guc- when you first get them is confidence. Confidence ci played major roles in ushering in today’s is a power boost when you feel sad or insecure. trap sound and the ad-libs of Gucci’s proteges If your friends make fun of you then you became their most know that they are not your real friends. There memorable features. will always be people trying to bring you down but ’s appearance know that you are beautiful, and your real friends on Migos’ breakout hit will tell you that. Please be confident and rock your “Versace” pulled the group’s ad-libs into new look!!!! the mainstream. , Rich Homie MISS KNOW-IT-ALL With warm regards, Miss Quan and many oth- Know-It-All ers were also extremely influential. Around You may send your ques- 2012, it was obvious that the game had tions to “Miss Know-It- changed. All” at wasn’t the only home to influen- Tuskertribune tial ad-libbers. In the aughts, the Bay Area’s @somersschools.org Lil B released dozens of ad-lib heavy songs like “Wonton Soup” and “Flex 36.” Lil B was in- ventive, name-dropping celebrities like Dr. Phil and Martha Stewart. Halfway across the coun- try in 2012, Chicago’s continues the The Tusker Tribune is the online Somers Middle trend with his hit, “I Don’t Like.” Artists like School Student Newspaper. Lil B and Chief Keef influenced newcomers It is published weekly (except during school vaca- such as Playboi Carti and . Uzi’s ad tions) on the Somers Middle School Website. It is -lib filled verse on Migos’ “,” hit entirely student-written by 6th, 7th and 8th grade number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2017. students from: Today’s artists are mixing up these in- fluences form all over the map, bringing ad-libs Somers Middle School into the spotlight. Over the last 5 years, Travis 250 Route 202 Scott, , Cardi B, Somers, NY, USA. and many more have prioritized ad-libs. On Any SMS student is eligible to write stories. If in- this topic, Smokepurpp said in an interview, terested, please e-mail Advisor “Me and (Lil) Pump were like, all we listened Dean Pappas at to was drill Chicago music so like they were [email protected] always like ‘let’s get it!’ and then we were like ‘screw the ‘L’, “esskeetit!’” In 2017, Lil Pump reached number Coming up next week . . . In the The Tusker Tribune! three on the with “.” And in May 2018, Childish Gambino features ad-libs from and others A new “Nerd’s Word”!!!!!! for “This Is America.” According to his creative Why Surviv.io should be banned director Ibra Ake, Gambino used the ad-libs as a unifying force. Ake said in an interview that Another “Sports Stuff” by Mike “he just kind of wanted to make a ‘We Are the Abrams. World’ song with rappers and really not them rapping just their ad-libs kind of reducing the A tribute to Stephen Hillenberg features to jazz. All about Throwing Cards From James Brown to ,  and Harry Potter . . . ad-libs prove that the beauty is in the smallest details. The Tusker Tribune Page 8 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School The Truth About Pit Bulls

By William Underkoffler from an article called "Saving Michael Vick's Tusker Tribune Staff Dogs", I found something very disturbing. The What the world needs to know is dogs that he used for dogfighting were sick, mal- that most dogs are not dangerous. The nourished and scarred. This shows that the dogs Pit Bulls are among those misunderstood were not very well cared for, yet they were in "dangerous dogs". In fact, the Pit Bull is the best good condition for a dogfighting ring bust. Also, family dog, there are more danger- from the article mentioned earlier, ous dog breeds than them, and there was some even more disturb- they are the most abused breed of ing news. The stats for the wins dog. Therefore, the Pit Bull is not and losses for Vick's dogs were the most dangerous and scary dog. that seven out of the ten fights rec- It is wrong to stereotype orded were lost, and dogfighting is Pit Bulls because they are one of to the death. This shows that peo- the best family dogs. For instance, ple just throw these dogs into the my little brother did something tiger pit. horrible to our Pit Bull. He Again, from the article thought it was a great idea to mentioned earlier, the most dis- clamp his new pair of high pow- turbing news. The dogs were ered pliers onto our dog's ears! (it chained to car axles near wooden wasn't) Then to top it off, he hovels for shelter, also, if a dog laughed while our poor dog ran didn’t want to fight they were around in pain. Our dog didn't beaten, shot, hanged, electrocuted, even bite him! This demonstrates or drowned. This shows that these how calm these dogs are around hu- people care nothing for these dogs, mans. only for the money they make from Secondly, I interviewed a fel- the dogs winning the fights. Until low Pit Bull owner and she told me people stop abusing these dogs, it is that her Pit Bull looked ferocious wrong to stereotype Pit Bulls be- but was super gentle, as he was best cause they are the most abused dog. friends with her other dog, a York- It is wrong to stereotype Pit shire Terrier, so he knew his own Bulls because there are other dan- strength. This is an important fea- gerous dogs that are much more ture to have for the nanny dog. dangerous than them. In an article Thirdly, from an article called "For called "Rottweiler is Top Dog for Over One-Hundred Years, Pit Bulls lethal accidents", I found some in- Were Our Babysitters". The article teresting facts. The Rottweiler has said, "for generations if you had chil- responsible for 33 lethal accidents dren and wanted to keep them safe, you wanted from 1991 to 1998.This shows that the Pit Bull is a Pit Bull, a dog most reliable with children." not the most dangerous dog breed. Another inter- This demonstrates how long people have trusted esting fact from the article mentioned earlier. this dog. Lastly, some more evidence from the Huskies have been responsible for 6 fatal acci- article mentioned earlier. dents from 1991 to 1998. These dogs are not usu- The article said, "In temperance test (the ally abused because they are so expensive so, equivalent of how many times a child can poke a they attack simply because they are just mean. dog in its eye before it bites them), the first most Lastly, some more facts from the article men- tolerant was the Golden Retriever, the second tioned earlier. The German Shepard has been was the Pit Bull." This demonstrates how these responsible for 4 lethal accidents from 1991 to dogs are the very best around humans (unless 1998. Like the Husky, these dogs are just mean, the human threatens their owner) and is also al- the Pit Bull must be abused a lot before it be- ways ready to fight to the death for their beloved comes dangerous. Even if Pit Bulls are owner. Although the Pit Bull has the worst repu- "dangerous", there are more dangerous dogs. tation of any dog breed, they are the best family In conclusion, Pit Bulls are not the most dan- dog. gerous and scary dog. They are the very best It is wrong to stereotype Pit Bulls because family dog, there are other way more dangerous they are the most abused breed of dog. For exam- dogs, and they are abused more than any other ple, I was browsing the internet and what I dog breed. Here is a challenge to you my readers: found shocked me. I had searched up "abused if you think Pit Bulls are bad dogs and you were dog pictures" and I saw that about 80% of them not persuaded to like them by my essay, then get were Pit Bulls. This shows how this dog breed n to know one and I promise you'll fall in love with is abused than any another dog breed. Secondly, them.