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ronicle School ch la Middle The Valhal Volume 5, Issue 2 March 1, 2013 A newspaper published by and for the stu- dents of Valhalla Middle School. Geography Bee Buzzes at VMS: A Participant’s View By Jeremy Pember On the afternoon of December 21st, 2012, Valhalla Middle School held its annual National Geographic Geography Bee. Congratulations to our third place winner, 6th grader Emily Pacci- cia, our second place winner, 8th grader Casey Sullivan, and our champion, 7th grader Joseph Patti! Joseph later took a test of 70 written questions to see if he qualifies for the New York State Lev- Valhalla Middle School’s proud geography bee winners, pictured from left to el Geography Bee. Unfortunately we do not know the results yet. right: Casey Sullivan, Joseph Patti, and Emily Paccicia There were 21 students in the Geography Bee including the au- thor of this article. Each student represented their Social Studies Super “Souper Bowl” class, and 3 students, who were runner ups of their grade, stood ready as alternates. There are different ways to administer the By Mikhaela Ronin classroom level bees each teacher gives to his/her students. Some Many people all over the world are suffering from hunger. Hun- teachers do single or double elimination while others have the ger is the most extreme form of poverty and many die from star- students take a written test. vation, often little children. 1 in 6 people have the reality of not having food. 17 million children go to bed hungry in America every night, and it’s not stopping there. When watching the bee my first two years, I never realized how VMS has done its part to help feed the world. Our “Souper Bowl” frightening it was to be up there on the stage. It is nearly impossi- st ble to think with 400+ pairs of eyes staring at you waiting for food drive concluded on Thursday, January's 31 2013. Grades 6-8 participated in raising food for Westchester County citizens in your answer. Even though you can’t hear it, they are judging you need, sponsored by the NYSUT (New York State United Teach- every moment you stand at the microphone. Your heart is beat- ers). ing a mile a minute and you just want to get off the stage and All classes competed each day to bring in the most, but of course run but your feet are glued to the floor. Of course when I finally remembering the true meaning of the collection. got out, sat down, and relaxed I was answering almost all of the th rest of the questions in my head. It was a fierce competition in the 8 grade. Lots of classes were becoming very competitive and even jokingly “trash talking.” Heard by many, even Mr. Hayes announced, “We kicked your Despite all of this, the Geography Bee was a great experience can!” that I would have liked to do again if I were eligible next year. You do not have to worry about getting an answer right or Everyone worked together to organize the food and bring in as much as they could to help. However, on the last day, there wrong if you make it to the final round of the bee next year. After could only be one winner. all, you got to where you were because you knew your geogra- th phy better than did most of your peers. In the 8 grade hallway, Mr. Hayes’ period A Social Studies class was in the lead for the first few days. Then, they began losing their lead and sank to fourth place. But, on the last day, every- one was shocked. Bags and bags of food were generously do- nated by students, bringing Mr. Hayes’ period A to victory! Now, all wait for the chart to come out and on the day of the real football “Super Bowl,” it will determine the winner of the Inside this issue….. lunch party. Lending a Helping Hand—page 2 No matter what happens or who wins, everyone did a great job to help feed the hungry. Just think of how many families will be New Teacher in Town—Page 4 helped with all the generous donations! The VMS family should Maroon is “in”—page 6 be very proud of all their hard work! P A G E 2 T H E V ALHALLA M I D D L E S CH O O L CHRONICLE Volume 5, Issue 2 VMHS Helping Hands Reach Out Valhalla’s Got Talent! By Amy He By Shannon Brosnan The VMHS Helping Hands Club plans many fun and On Friday evening, January 11 th at 7:00 p.m. I had the privi- exciting fundraisers and activities for the students at lege of attending the Valhalla Middle/High School talent Valhalla Middle/High School. show held in our auditorium. What made this show special Every year the Helping Hands Club holds the Penny was that for the first time it was run by the students, and spon- for Patients fundraiser. Each class at Kensico Ele- sored by the Valhalla International Foundation Club. The di- mentary gets a box to insert money in, and the class rectors were Adrianna Soto and Deanna Alvarez, and the pro- with the most money wins a pizza party. This year, ducer was Jahari Yates. There was a total of approximately 18 Mr. Wright’s third grade class won the pizza party. acts and 37 performers doing what they love to do best. All the money collected goes to the Leukemia and There were singers, dancers, bands, gymnasts, musicians, and Lymphoma Society. comedians- all which lasted an entertaining two hours. The There are many other exciting events as well. One is most common talent of the evening was individual and group an event at Westchester Meadows. The Helping singing. Many after school and evening hours were put in by Hands Club will visit Westchester Meadows once a the students to rehearse and perfect their performances, and month to give the seniors who live there makeo- judging from the reactions from the audience, all the effort vers. The Helping Hands Club is also replacing the was well worth it! art glass case in our lobby with money from the “Zumba-Thon”. Ensemble and Jazz Band Spread Cheer During the remainder of the school year, the Help- By Carly Etlinger ing Hands Club will be sponsoring many more fun and exciting events. This club is an amazing club to In December 2012 just before the holiday break, the VMS Vocal join! Ensemble and Jazz Band went on a field trip to the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital to perform for the children there. Calista The Animal of the Marking Period Janicki and Sofia Herrera, 7th graders of the vocal ensemble, have shared their voices to warm the children's hearts for the Editor’s Note: This is the next article in a series, that will ap- holiday season. "When I sang to the children, I felt my heart pear in each issue of the 2012-2013 school year, highlight- ing truly unique members of the animal kingdom. warm up a lot, knowing those kids have felt a lot better since we sang our hearts out," said Calista Janicki. "After this trip, my By Krista Balint and Tai Smith perspective on singing has totally changed because I know that it affects kids in a positive way and I felt like I was doing a good The platypus is the strange, furry mammal of rivers, lakes, deed and enjoyed it," said Sofia Herrera. creeks, or dams. You can usually find them throughout the Eastern cost of Australia. They usually live in rain for- Everyone in the middle school community agrees that the two ests. They swim by padding with webbed feet and using musical groups did a wonderful thing by bringing happiness to its tail as a boost. A platypus spends half of its day search- children for whom happiness may be hard to come by. ing for food. Platypuses are carnivores and eat things like shrimp, crayfish, worms and insect larva. When they swim, they keep their eyes closed. It can stay underwater for 2 minutes until they finally have to come up for air. VMS Chronicle Staff Staff: Advisor: Jeremy Pember Brett Erenberg Mikhaela Ronin Student Editors-in-Chief: Carly Etlinger Jeremy Pember Carolyn Brosnan Mikhaela Ronin Shannon Brosnan Tai Smith Amanda DiFeo Amy He Krista Balint P A G E 3 T H E V ALHALLA M I D D L E S CH O O L CHRONICLE Volume 5, Issue 2 Winter Concert Warms The Evolution of the New Hearts Year’s Resolution By Mikhaela Ronin By Mikhaela Ronin What better way to start off the holidays then to enjoy the December 31st marks the end of a year and the performing arts? next day starts a new one. On this night, many go Valhalla Middle School’s Winter Concert was on Tuesday, out and celebrate, while others stay and reflect December 18th 2012. It consisted of memorable perfor- mances by the school’s bands and orchestra, chorus, and vo- on their entire year. cal ensemble. Dr. Rimm-Hewitt conducted the Middle So much can happen in a year, and people often School Concert Band and Symphonic Band that evening. What fabulous entertainment! Both bands played different want to achieve more in the next. Whether it’s holiday pieces as well as fun songs. Concert band played The losing weight, becoming more organized, or Syncopated Clock, 25 or 6 to 4, and Two Holiday Classics.

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