Give Back This Holiday Season
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bringing You the Bear Facts THE CLARION Holiday/Winter Issue THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF EAST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL Vol. 54, No. 4 Walking In A Caroling Wonderland by Annaika Taneja Every year, on the last day Christmas carols in groups to during gym class last year, stating, before winter break, the every person it is ordered for. “As I was leaving gym class, choirs of EBHS put on their Choir teacher Mr. Good, my friends in choir surprised best Christmas gear and sing who came to EBHS in 2017, me with a carol. As they were favorite holiday tunes like shares that this tradition is singing to me, a circle of people “Deck the Halls”, “Frosty the “great because not only is it a came to listen and everyone Snowman”, “Dreidel, Dreidel”, fundraiser for chorus, it’s also enjoyed it. I think you should and others. A favorite that has a great way to spread some definitely spend your money recently been added is Mariah holiday cheer.” After coming as this is something that brings Carey’s 1996 hit, “All I Want to EBHS, Mr. Good has joy not only for yourself but for For Christmas Is You”, due continued the traditions more others as well. I know junior to popular demand. These than happily, and admits that year for me is very stressful Christmas carols are sold for $2 East Brunswick is the only and this is definitely a stress- each, where any student or staff school he knows that has these member can choose one song to specific holiday traditions. be sung for their friend in class. Junior Lauren Choi This is something that Kaitlyn Liu From periods 1-4, students contentedly describes her brings joy not only Chorus students rehearsing carols from all periods of choir deliver experience receiving a carol EBHS Choir also performs at school day right before winter for yourself, but for the East Brunswick Barnes and break. During this time, both others as well! Noble in early December each Concert Choir and Chamber year. On this day, both Concert Orchestra come together in the - Junior Lauren Choi Choir and Bella Voce sing middle of B-Hall to sing and play holiday tunes in the center of Hallelujah together. Students the Barnes and Noble, simply from all classes come outside to attract shoppers and spread to watch this spectacle. Former reliever during the holidays.” the holiday spirit. Last year, to alumni also like to come back to Not all caroling is meant as a promote the sale of Christmas East Brunswick High School to fundraiser, however. Each year carols, Concert Choir created participate in this special event Concert Choir, an audition- their own video advertisement. too. As the bell rings on the only ensemble, goes around to This year, Mr. Good hopes last day of school before winter the elementary schools to sing to make the event even bigger break, the choirs have sung holiday carols to all elementary and perhaps for a longer their hearts out, and holiday students and teachers. This period of time during the day. spirit will be a little more visible Kaitlyn Liu year, Concert Choir hopes to go The finale of the caroling, among all East Brunswick Mr. Good’s period 7/8 Chorus class on December 20th. Moreover, however, is at the end of the High School students! Give Back This Holiday Season by Devin Hecht It’s that time of year again! The School’s English department school nurses and collects the holidays are almost upon us, to aid families throughout the names of destitute students, and many students are probably district. Every year the toy drive and then asks clubs and wrapping presents, filled with aids over 60 underprivileged organizations in the High School festive cheer. However, the families, and “the event has to sponsor a child. Students holidays can also be a reminder been in existence for more than raise money, then go shopping that this is a time for giving, 10 years,” according to Ms. for the family. Throughout and for generosity. So, East Rocha, an English teacher at its duration, the toy drive has Brunswick High School has EBHS. In any case, Ms. Rocha supported over 600 families, initiated charity events to allow isn’t the only one in the English and the program is not showing everyone to merrily celebrate the department who contributes. any signs of slowing down. Ms. NJ.com holidays. A toy drive has been Ms. Domond of the English Rocha’s goal is to raise even The New Jersey Veteran’s Memorial Home in Menlo Park created by East Brunswick High department reaches out to more money this year than last, but she admitted that “last to the New Jersey Veteran’s year’s Powderpuff shirt is worn year’s classes set the bar pretty Memorial Home at Menlo to the game. All proceeds from high.” Hopefully this year East Park. The people under their this event will be donated to Brunswick can come together care are in need of clothing Relay For Life: an organization to give back to the community. that East Brunswick High that helps to fund cancer However, the English School will dutifully provide. research. Powerpuff succeeds department’s toy drive is not the Another program that East in bringing many different only charity that East Brunswick Brunswick High School is people from the community High School is participating in. participating in is the annual together, and school spirit is There was a clothing drive that Powderpuff game. Many prevalent throughout the night. took place until November students have probably heard The bonfire gives students a 27th that aided many people of the game and looking chance to bond with their peers in East Brunswick, including forward to it, and the event is outside of class. All the while, veterans. The New Jersey very beneficial to charity. The money is being donated to an Veteran’s Memorial Home Powderpuff game supports the extremely important cause. is a “modern skilled care girl’s football team and male Powderpuff is a truly remarkable nursing home providing 24/7 cheerleaders, and there is a event for East Brunswick. quality healthcare,” according bonfire following the game. The charity events that to the organization’s website. Tickets are only 6 dollars. Even East Brunswick Public Students and members of the Hannah Junn better, the price is reduced to School is participating in Mrs. Domond and Mrs. Rocha enjoy participating in the English community donated men’s 5 dollars with the donation of will make the holidays a department’s annual charity toy drive shirts and women’s socks a can of food, and free if this magical time for everyone. Page 2 EIC & Winter Fun! Holiday Cards: To Send or Not to Send? THE CLARION Eva (For): STAFF 2019-2020 Editor-in-Chief Amasha Jayaratne It was a random Tuesday in December when I suddenly realized that I hadn’t heard from my Chiropractor in a while. I started Editor-in-Chief Eva Vesely to worry, wondering if he was ok and how his family was Executive Assistant Editor Serena Huang doing. A week passed and my anxiety only continued to grow. Executive Assistant Editor Caroline Serpico What if he was abducted? Even worse, what if he quit his job and became a professional drummer? The uncertainty was Executive Assistant Editor Mason Smoller overwhelming. Entertainment Editor Clara Lee Luckily, a week before Hannukah, I received his family’s Entertainment Editor Julia Maling holiday card in the mail. There he was, sitting in front of Features Editor a crackling fireplace, hugging his wife and two children. I Ryan Lin smiled at the picture of their border collie wearing a Santa Features Editor Shreya Rajeswaran hat, my worries alleviated. Same old Roofus! Opinions Editor Srinidhi Ayalasomayajula Thanks to holiday cards, you never have to stress about Opinions Editor Carley Doktorski where your acquaintances may be at any point in time. Holiday cards are people’s way of letting you know that News Editor Rothela Samadi everything is going to be ok. “Happy Holidays” indeed, News Editor John Wang Dr. Campbell! Sports Editor Rohit Narla Visual Editor Hannah Junn Amasha (Against): Visual Editor Kaitlyn Liu Advisor Mrs. Alyson Eliades I love the holiday season! The lights strung up around town, Advisor Mr. Ryan Hynes people putting friendly neighborhood snowmen in their yards, the simple pleasures of hot chocolate and sugar cookies on a cold day-- it’s what I look forward to each year. But holiday cards-- those high sheen, five-by-seven, professionally captured photos-- I do not love. And as an enthusiast of all things holiday, my dislike comes with good reason. Number one: you get holiday cards from people you barely even know. People who do not so much as bother to call or text all year long feel the need to reach out during the holidays, so they can remind you that they do in fact exist, Holiday Crossword and contrary to what you would think given their severe lack of communication, they care!!! Number two: holiday cards are an excuse to show everyone how well you’re doing. We get it, the kids are cute. Number three: the whole idea is creepy. People just have a picture of you and your family, lying around in their house. Perhaps even hung up on their fridge via magnet. And chances are, it will linger there far beyond the holiday season... Crossword I love everything about the holiday season. But holiday cards, that’s going to be a no from me.