RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER LOCAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BY: KAITLYN LALLY BEFORE CHRISTMAS ORIGINS BY: MATT HAGBERG One of the most recognizable Christmas sto- ries is Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicho- las”. Doesn’t sound familiar? You may recognize it by its alternative titles “The Night Before Christmas” or “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular- Every year The poem was first published anonymously in since 1933, Santa and his fabulous Rockettes have 1823 through the Sentinel, a newspaper based in Troy, been putting on a show to amaze people of all ages. New York, which is about 150 miles north of New York DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 With their high kicks and tricks, you’ll never get bored. City. It tells the story of a man who is awakened by Whether you have or haven’t seen the performance the trot of footsteps on his roof, which turns out to be yet, this holiday season would be great to see one of Saint Nicholas. St. Nick is stuffing the stockings by the the shows. They run all through December! fireplace until he sees the man. Astonished, the man says nothing. Santa simply smiles and ascends back •The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop- This workshop is up the chimney. Then he calls out each of the rein- made for children to go and meet the Grinch himself, deer names as he flies away. It is from this poem that help him with his sleigh, or go on a scavenger hunt. we get the common names of the reindeer; Dasher, Kids will be able to experience scenes from the movie Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and live them with Blitzen. It became very popular, and was reprinted the Grinch. This events has been running from Octo- several times in several different states with no name ber 25 and continues till December 31st at the Chil- attached. It wasn’t until 1837 that Moore stepped for- dren’s Museum of Manhattan in New York City, NY. ward as the author. Moore claims he got the idea for the poem while Christmas shopping. However, there •The Holiday Shops At Bryant Park- If you need to is much controversy surrounding the author. Some satisfy your loved ones’ shopping lists, you should go people claim that the poem was written by Henry and take a trip to Bryant Park in New York City, NY. Livingston, Jr., even though he has never personally More than 125 merchants fill the park through early taken credit for the poem. January selling clothing, jewelry, household items, crafts, art and more. The park lights up at night and is Whomever the author, it is clear that the poem a fun place to visit to do your holiday shopping. is a landmark of American culture. The poem, which has been translated into over 25 languages and •Polar Bear Plunge- The Asbury Park Polar Bear been published in several countries, has been up- Plunge is a big event in this area. If you pay 25 dol- dated throughout the years. For example, the archaic lars you can participate in running into the ocean at conjunction ere has been replaced with as in later McLoone’s on King Street with the rest of people who versions of the poem. This has changed to meaning do it. All the money goes to charity! somewhat because ere indicated a previous action, •Red Bank Holiday Horse and Carriage Rides- These while as indicates two actions happening simultane- rides run through November 29th- December 27th. ously. Even though the story has changed over the Take a horse drawn carriage ride through Red Bank years, the real meaning of the story hasn’t changed at with your loved ones this holiday season. all. RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER SANTA PHOTO POLL BY: LAUREN CHRIST Last month’s poll asked what your favorite Thanksgiving tradition was! Out of our options of food, football, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade we found that most people like the food part of Thanksgiving the best. December’s poll incorporates and personal touch from the Rocket Review. Below are baby pictures of the Rocket Review journalists with Santa Claus! Vote for who you think has the cutest picture with Santa. Click the link and tell us what you think! https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/1UAI2zdtqoNx_6hV65mg7SB6Y7VVDC-ZZK2Gb2CodOXQ/viewform?usp=send_form DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10

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PICTURE SEVEN PICTURE SIX PICTURE FIVE DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 ------BY: ASHLEY MIR BY: CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS CHRISTMAS RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL’S RARITAN

To help Santa determine who is naughty and who is nice, Santa needs spies. A way for Santa to know to Santa for A way needs spies. Santa who is naughty determine help Santa and who is nice, To •What better way to let Santa know what you want for Christmas than by telling him yourself? Writing Writing him yourself? telling Christmas than by for want know let Santa you to what way better •What After decorating the interior of your home, you must tackle the outside. First put white, green, red or red green, put white, must tackle First you the outside. home, of your the interior decorating After What’s Christmas without a tree? Whether your family purchases an artificial the make family purchases real one, your or a Whether Christmas without a tree? What’s The perfect way to spread Christmas cheer around your neighborhood is to go caroling. Grab your your Grab go caroling. neighborhood is to your perfect Christmas cheer around The spread to way Knowing Christmas is approaching is enough to put anyone in a great mood! Christmas mood! is a time of a great in anyone put is enough to Knowing Christmas is approaching RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN flies over to the North Pole every the Northto after night observingover Afterflies the Elf arriving back in the home, the children. trylocation! new always to find the Elf’s and the children for the day to settle finds a new place • the Elf has it that Legend today. and continues years many for has been a tradition This is the Elf on the Shelf. take a seat on his lap and tell him everything you want for Christmas. There, he usually has Mrs. Claus and his There, Christmas. for him everything want on his lap and tell take a seat you worth totally it. it’s the long lines, assist him. Despite to there elves him in person is but meeting him and telling fails, and never is traditional Santa to the North to a letter Pole could you malls where at or stations on the weekends usually holds a breakfast Santa worth the experience. are gumdrops, licorice, icing and peppermints. icing licorice, gumdrops, are your front door to complete the Christmas decoration. Another addition to the indoor decorations is a gin the indoor decorations addition to Another the Christmas decoration. complete door to front your could make the You in the early in 1800s. Germany house originated gingerbread first The house. gerbread house the gingerbread to decorations Additional stores. many made at it already or purchase gingerbread ups and other outdoor lawn decorations. The most traditional blow ups are snowglobes, snowmen and Ru and snowmen snowglobes, ups are blow most traditional The decorations. lawn ups and other outdoor can put you also trees are There decoration. is a popular lawn in lights with his reindeer Santa a dolph. Also, to add a wreath Finally, have. you the outside pine trees decorate hang to could bulbs you outside and giant • a variety of blow is always there Depot Home or Lowe’s, At house. of your the perimeter around blue lights sugar cookies, peppermint and apple crisp. Wreaths also add to the Christmas feel. Lastly, having a count having Lastly, the Christmas feel. also add to Wreaths apple crisp. sugar cookies, peppermint and the holidays! for everyone keep on their toes to is an intriguing way Christmas Day to down acters, pictures, and candy canes. After the ornaments are all on, don’t forget the finishing touch; the angel or finishing the forget all on, don’t are the ornaments After and candy canes. pictures, acters, stock chimney and hang your your to Head over though. there, end doesn’t decorating The the top. star at with the smell of your home to fill around candles scattered Add scented be filled on Christmas Day. ings to best of it! If your family does buy a new one, go with them and help cut it down. When it is brought back it is brought When go with them and help cut it down. a new one, best of it! If family does buy your the skirt Put and of the tree the bottom blast Christmas up the decorations. at music and set home, your to all kinds Hang Christmas char of ornaments up; bulbs, it up. brighten to the branches garland through place • a dance or song of praise and joy! America’s first Christmas carols took place in the 19th century in the 19th took place and has first Christmas carols America’s and joy! or song of praise a dance O Christmas World, The To Joy Hall, The Deck sing are most popular songs to The then! since strong stayed of Christmas. 12 Days The favorite, and my Tree, • means “carol” word The the vibes. spread to area your around take a walk family and friends up to and bundle a number of traditions have been established to celebrate this religious holiday and keep it going for a num keep it going for and holiday this religious celebrate been established to have a number of traditions ber of years. • a major Christmas has remained Thankfully, about. and care love the people you happiness with celebrating the start Since in Americaand will hopefully carry holiday of Christmas 25, 336 A.D., on December on forever! RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS TREES BRIDGET BAKES: AND STOCKINGS GINGERBREAD COOKIES BY: ERIN WOJCIK Origins of the Christmas Tree and Stockings

Long before Christianity, evergreen boughs were put on peoples’ doors to block out any unwant- ed spirits, witches, demons, etc. In ancient times, peo- ple believed that the sun was a god and when winter DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 came around the Sun God got weak or sick. To follow after that, they put evergreen boughs on their doors What You’ll Need: to symbolize the return of the sun gods well-being in •6 cups all-purpose flour hopes that spring will be back again. Then, in the start •1 tablespoon baking powder of the 16th century, Americans were influenced by the •1 tablespoon ground ginger Germans when they began decorating trees and put- •1 teaspoon ground nutmeg ting them inside. The first Christmas tree market was •1 teaspoon ground cloves in 1851 in New York City and from then on, more and •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon more shops formed and the tradition expanded. •1 cup shortening, melted & cooled slightly •1 cup molasses Origins of Stockings •1 cup packed brown sugar •1/2 cup water According to ancient legend, there once was a man •1 egg who had many inventions but all of them were unsuc- •1 teaspoon vanilla extract cessful. He had three daughters to support and when it came time for one of them to marry, the father Directions: became more depressed and could not afford it. One 1.Sift flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, night the daughters washed their clothes and hung and cinnamon; set aside. their stockings by the fireplace to dry. That night, 2.In a medium bowl, mix the shortening, molasses, Saint Nicholas stopped by knowing the families de- brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. spair and placed gold coins in each one of their stock- Gradually stir in dry ingredients, until they are ab- ings. When the girls woke up the next morning, they sorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 were ecstatic to see they had enough money to get inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate married. Now kids put their stockings by the fireplace for 3 hours. in hope Saint Nicholas will bring gifts. In France, they 3.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly floured have the tradition of putting their shoes by the door. surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto BRIDGET BAKES: ungreased cookie sheet. HOLIDAY BAKING TIPS 4.Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. •Line cookie sheets for easier clean up. When cookies are done, they will look dry, but still •Avoid over-mixing the batter. be soft to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet •Rotate baking sheets. to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be •When storing cookies, do not put crisp and soft cook- frosted with the icing. ies in the same container… the crisp ones will soften. DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 BRIDGET BAKES: BUTTER SNOWFLAKE •1/4 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon cinnamon ground •1/4 teaspoon •1 cup butter softened package•1 (3 ounce) cheese, cream sugar •1 cup white •1 egg yolk extract vanilla •1 teaspoon zest orange •1 teaspoon Directions: C). F (175 degrees Sift 350 degrees to oven 1.Preheat and cinnamon; set aside. salt, the flour, together and butter together cream 2.In a medium bowl, until sugar and egg yolk; beat Add cheese. cream zest. orange vanilla and Stir in the and fluffy. light a cookie Fill blend in the dryGradually ingredients. or pastrypress cookies bag with dough, and form on cookie sheet. an ungreased or oven, in the preheated 15 minutes 12 to 3.Bake for on the peaks and the cookies golden brown until are cookie once from sheets at Remove on the bottoms. racks. on wire cool to What You’ll Need: What You’ll •2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - -

RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL’S RARITAN BRIDGET BAKES:

HANUKKAH RUGELACH RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN Cool on wire racks. Store in airtight containers...they in airtight Store containers...they racks. wire on Cool 5.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). degrees F (180 350 degrees to oven 5.Preheat bake them in the center chilled, rugelach are 6.After golden. lightly until 22 minutes oven of your rack end up with point on outside of cookie. Place on un Place on outside of cookie. end up with point baking greased sheets and chill rugelach 20 minutes baking. before chefs knife or pizza cutter, cut each round into 12 into cut each round knife or pizza cutter, chefs will you narrow, wide to from Roll wedges wedges. 4.Roll each disk into a 9 inch round keeping other a 9 inch round 4.Roll each disk into them. Sprinkle roll to round ready disks chilled until With dough. into lightly Press with sugar/nut mixture. 3.Combine sugar, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon, chopped walnuts, sugar, 3.Combine miniature substitute raisins (may finely chopped raisins). chips for chocolate 2.Shape crumbly mixture into four equal disks. Wrap Wrap equal disks. four 2.Shape crumbly mixture into 2 days. each disk and chill 2 hours or up to 1.Cut cold butter or margarine and cream cheese into cheese into and cream or margarine butter cold 1.Cut or mar butter salt, pulse flour, processor In food bits. crumbly. until cheese and sour cream cream garine, •1/2 cup raisins Directions: •1 tablespoon ground cinnamon •1 tablespoon ground walnuts •1 cup finely chopped •1 (8 ounce) package•1 (8 ounce) cheese cream •1/3 cup sour cream sugar •1/2 cup white •2 cups all-purpose flour salt •1/4 teaspoon butter •1 cup unsalted What You’ll Need: What You’ll RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER BRIDGET BAKES: BRIDGET BAKES: SNOWBALL COOKIES ITALIAN BISCOTTI

What You’ll Need: •1 cup butter •1 teaspoon vanilla extract What You’ll Need: •6 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar •1/4 cup light olive oil •2 cups all-purpose flour •3/4 cup white sugar •1 cup chopped walnuts (can substitute for chopped •2 teaspoons vanilla extract pecans) •1/2 teaspoon almond extract •1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar for decoration •2 eggs •1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Directions: •1/4 teaspoon salt 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). •1 teaspoon baking powder 2.In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until •1/2 cup dried cranberries smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners’ •1 1/2 cups pistachio nuts sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough Directions: into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on 1.Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). an ungreased cookie sheet. 2.In a large bowl, mix together oil and sugar until 3.Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When well blended. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts, cool, roll in remaining confectioners’ sugar. I also like then beat in the eggs. Combine flour, salt, and baking to roll mine in the sugar a second time. powder; gradually stir into egg mixture. Mix in cran- berries and nuts by hand. GIVING BACK 3.Divide dough in half. Form two logs (12x2 inches) BY: LAUREN CHRIST on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment All over the world, people are in need; especially dur- paper. Dough may be sticky; wet hands with cool ing the holiday season. There are so many opportuni- water to handle dough more easily. ties to get involved in your own community to help 4.Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until out those in need. Here are some local events that logs are light brown. Remove from oven, and set could really make someone’s holiday special. aside to cool for 10 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 275 1.December 8th-17th- Christmas present wrapping at degrees F (135 degrees C). Holy Family School’s gymnasium- 6-10 p.m 5.Cut logs on diagonal into 3/4 inch thick slices. Lay on sides on parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake 2.Local Food Drives within the town and our school approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until dry; cool. 3.Christmas present donations If you have any questions about anything you can talk to the guidance department or Mr. Petruzzi. RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER BRIDGET BAKES: ASK THE ROCKET PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS BY: LAUIRA AGUINAGA My grades for the first marking period weren’t that good. I’m only a freshmen but I want to get into a great college. I’m scared I’m never going to get my grades up.

- I felt the exact same way my freshman year. I pan- icked almost every time I got a terrible grade on a test. For the career I want to pursue, I need a great algebra What You’ll Need: grade. I’m not great at algebra. I understand how much

you want to get into a great college but you have 3 DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 •1/4 cup light olive oil years left, you can bring your grades up easily. As long •3/4 cup white sugar as you try your hardest and push yourself then I can •2 teaspoons vanilla extract assure you that you’ll do fine. I believe in you! •1/2 teaspoon almond extract •2 eggs I’m trying to find the right clique at school, but I just •1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour can’t seem to fit in anywhere. What should I do? •1/4 teaspoon salt •1 teaspoon baking powder - Just put yourself out there. Be you. Be obnoxious, •1/2 cup dried cranberries loud and crazy if that’s what you are. Be who you are •1 1/2 cups pistachio nuts and let no one stand in the way of that. Personally, I’m the friend that makes terrible jokes and expect people Directions: to laugh at them. I’m very loud when I want to be but I can also be timid when I met new people. But just 1.Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). be you. Don’t be scared of what people think of you. 2.In a large bowl, mix together oil and sugar until well You’re only going to see half of these people after high blended. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts, then school. “The lion shouldn’t lose sleep over the opinions beat in the eggs. Combine flour, salt, and baking pow-of the sheep.” der; gradually stir into egg mixture. Mix in cranberries and nuts by hand. A lot of people are talking about me. They’re teas- 3.Divide dough in half. Form two logs (12x2 inches) ing me about something that happened 2 years ago. on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment Why can’t they just let it go? paper. Dough may be sticky; wet hands with cool water to handle dough more easily. - People are like that. I’m sorry to tell you this but that’s 4.Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until just how high school is. People will try to break you. logs are light brown. Remove from oven, and set asideBut you just need to push through it, you have friends to cool for 10 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 275 de- that are going to be there for you. Don’t let what grees F (135 degrees C). they’re saying affect you. Stay away from the drama 5.Cut logs on diagonal into 3/4 inch thick slices. Lay you don’t need it in your life. Let go of the negative. on sides on parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake You don’t need that. It’s tough, yes I know. I went approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until dry; cool. through the same thing. But get rid of the negativity, Trust me, your life will get so much better when you cut all the negativity out of your life. RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER DECEMBER HOROSCOPE streets. He was also known for creating the “rose pill”, BY: SARAH STRICK a herbal lozenge that was rich in Vitamin C, which gave some relief to patients with mild cases of the Sagittarius (November 22nd- December plague. After his wife and children died from the 21st)- Sometimes the thing you fear is the thing you plague, he spent the next couple of years traveling attract because you pour so much time, attention, and through Italy, Greece, and Turkey and it was widely energy into it. If you can pour the same time, atten- believed that he experienced a psychic awakening. tion, and energy into something positive, something He went back to France and published two books on you want, you can draw that to you as well. It’s all a medical science. Soon enough he began to spend situation of mind over matter, and of sending positive hours meditating and it would bring on a trance vibrations out into the universe, instead of dwelling in with visions. He began to write about these visions negative energy. Don’t focus on what you fear might

in his first almanac. It received a great response and DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 happen. Instead focus on what you hope will happen. his name was spread all throughout France. He then FAMOUS SAGITTARIUS: planned to write 10 volumes that would contain 100 predictions forecasting the next 2000 years. He had JAMIE LEE CURTIS suffered from gout and arthritis for most of his adult BY: SARAH STRICK life and in the last year of his life the condition turned Born on November 22, 1958, Jamie Lee Curtis is the into edema. Without treatment, the condition re- perfect Sagittarius for this time of the year, having sulted in congestive heart failure and on July 2, 1566, starred in Christmas With The Kranks, a comedy about Nostradamus was found dead on the floor next to his a couple who decides to skip Christmas. She is the bed. Even though some scholars believe he was just daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh and has been commenting on events of his time and the people in the spotlight since birth. She is an author to 10 in it, he is still popular for all the predictions he is childrens books and created a diaper with a moisture believed to have made for the 20th and 21st century. proof pocket that contain wipes. She wouldn’t let the THE MYTH OF SANTA product be marketed until companies started selling BY: LAURA AGUINAGA biodegradable diapers. She was featured in a perfor- •As we all know, Santa Claus is the one who delivers mance of a staged reenactment of the federal trial Christmas presents all around the world. He’s the one that overturned California’s Prop 8 ban on same sex that makes Christmas more joyous than it already is. marriage. It broadcasted on YouTube to raise money We put out cookies for him and make lists of all the for the American Foundation For Equal Rights. She things we wish to have for that year and we leave car- takes part in many organizations and her family is of rots for his beloved reindeer. We know that his name huge importance to her. is actually Saint Nicholas, but we nicknamed him FAMOUS JEWISH SAGITTARIUS: Saint Nick. We write Christmas carols about him and NOSTRADAMUS hope that he gives us what we asked for. BY: SARAH STRICK •The myth of Santa Claus started way back in Germanic culture and traveled all the way up to 1881 Born on December 14, 1503, Michel de Nos- to present times. In 1881, there was an illustration tredame was an astrologer and physician known for called “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” and in 1934 the his prophecies that he published in a book entitled original Christmas carol “Santa Claus Is Coming To The Prophecies in 1555. His father being a part time Town” was written. The myth of Santa Claus is still notary of Jewish descent, spent several years treating around today and will always be around for little kids victims of bubonic plague and came up with many to enjoy. It’s part of their childhood and for them progressive methods for dealing with it. He had good Santa Claus is not a myth. hygiene and pushed for the removal of corpses from RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FAMOUS HOLIDAY CHARACTERS BY: SCOTT MAIORANA We all love Christmas; from opening presents to drinking egg nog, to eating Christmas dinner and singing some great songs. And as always, the holiday begins with Santa sliding down the chimney to bring us pres- ents. But remember, there are other famous holiday characters that bring out the Christmas spirit in all of us. •The Grinch - From the beloved children’s book to a cartoon and a full length movie, the Grinch always learns that Christmas doesn’t come from a store, but means a little bit more. •Charlie Brown - Everyone’s favorite blockhead, who gets rocks for Halloween, headlines the holidays when he tries to direct the Christmas play with his “friends,” and soon he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. •Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The leader of Santa’s Reindeer, with his nose so bright, leads Santa’s sleigh through a blizzard in order to save Christmas.

•Frosty the Snowman - The jolly happy soul, with his corn cob pipe and his buttons nose, gets everyone DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10 excited for the holidays, but when he melts, don’t worry, he’ll be back by next year. •Ebeneezer Scrooge - The miser who changes his ways about Christmas, when he’s visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. •Ralphie - The kid who wanted An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle, but instead gets a pink bunny suit. •The Miser Brothers - Snow Miser is Mr. White Christmas and Mr. Snow, while Heat Miser is Mr. Green Christ- mas and Mr. Sun. •Cindy Lou Who - The girl no more than two, who catches the Grinch taking the tree away, but is fooled by the fake Santa Claus who was so sly and so slick. Favorite Characters While there aren’t that many Hanukkah specials, there are a couple of characters that might make you get into the mood for the full eight days. •Chanukah Zombie - The Chanukah icon in the year 3000, who helps fight an alien invasion and helps save the planet, with the help of Santa Claus Robot and Kwanzaabot. •Hanukkah Harry - The SNL counterpart of Santa Claus, played by , who also shares the same name of a children’s book. Mordechai Jefferson Carver- He is known as , who tries to stop Santa’s evil son from destroying Hanukkah. Favorite Kwanzaa Characters •Kwanzaabot - The Kwanzaa version of Santa Claus Robot in the year 3000 who hands out traditional Kwan- zaa literature and helps Santa Claus Robot and the Chanukah Zombie save the planet from aliens. STUDENTS OF THE MONTH BY: KAITLYN LALLY Bethany Budner- Bethany was nominated for her continual acts of kindness and great diligence. Bethany al- ways shows up to class with a smile on her face, Prepared to learn and willingly help. She is constantly work- ing to improve her skills and abilities as a student and sees her mistakes as a way to further learn.

Kazia Moore- Kazia was nominated for being a role model; an extraordinary student, leader, as well as pleas- ant individual. Kazia exhibits immense dedication, commitment, organization, and responsibility to not only her studies but every organization she is part of. Her maturity, excellent time management skills, and dedica- tion have proven to be the key elements to her success. RARITAN REVIEW RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL’S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER HANUKKAH TRADITIONS BY: LAUREN CHRIST DECEMBER 2014, ISSUE 10

Hanukkah begins on December 16th until December 24th, and many who celebrate Hanukkah sing songs about their religion and the holiday itself. Hanukkah is a very family oriented holiday that includes games and activities such as spinning and trading gold coins. Another big aspect of the holiday in- cludes all the fried treats. Potato , and sufganiyot are a huge part of the cuisine. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, actually starts on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s most central texts, Judah Maccabee witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights. This left the people time to find a new supply of oil to keep the candles burning. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish sages to pro- claim a yearly eight-day festival.