Issue Number 27 htps://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 Spring 2021 Class of ‘21 Hams it Up for Drone Photo

The drone Photos by Cheryl Astrologo over SIS So... I’m Going to High School Next Year Now You See It . . . By Emma Gordon Tusker Tribune Staff If you’re in 8th grade this year, then you are most likely going to go to the High School next year. Maybe you forgot in the midst of this crazy year; or maybe you have already start- ed the summer reading. But no matter what –not to sound ominous- the High School is waiting for you to come next year. Just like how it’s waiting for me. And honestly, the first thought that comes to my mind about next year...is that I’m going to have absolutely no idea on how to get anywhere in the High School! I can barely even find the auditorium there without getting lost! But I also predict (and hope) that I’ll easily fig- The Pathways yearbooks are IN! The SMS Yearbook Club is ure it out; kind of like how I did when I first giving you a sneak peek (kind of . . . ). They’ll be distributed came to the Middle School. June 15 Continued on Page 3 The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

What Happened to the Lakers?

By Benji Cutler Suns. Tusker Tribune Staff Now that we’re up to date, let’s quickly In the 2020 NBA offseason, the Los go over what the future of this team may hold. Angeles Lakers picked up a few top tier First off, the Lakers have some players to role players in an attempt to make a bet- ter overall team after winning the 2020 NBA Fi- think about in nals in the Disneyworld bubble. However, did free agency this those changes to summer. Alex the Lakers Caruso, Dennis make them even Schroder, An- worse? dre Drummond Today, and Montrezl we will review Harrell are the past year of among those the LA Lakers, players who LeBron James, may be switching jerseys, and the Lakers will have to think about who should have a spot in and the future of what LA can change to improve as a team. the purple and gold. To start, if you haven’t heard already, the , Drummond and Schroder Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the are in trade or sign-and-trade talks for a po- 2021 NBA Playoffs by the , and it tential third star either at the guard or took Phoenix six games to knock LA down. But to spot Having another playmak- take a step back and to lead up to this end result, er, leader, shooter or defender in the backcourt the LA Lakers made three key additions in the with James and Davis can benefit the whole 2020 offseason, adding from the team. With Kyle Lowry showing signs of frus- LA Clippers, Dennis Schroder from the OKC tration and giv- Thunder and from the Toronto Rap- ing up in Toron- tors. As well as this, LA signed Andre Drum- to, a sign-and- mond from the buyout market in late March. On trade including the flipside, they lost , Javale Schroder is defi- McGee, , and Rajon nitely possible. Rondo. Many of those players made a major impact Even Damian to their 2020 championship run. With the core of Lillard has been the team already assembled around LeBron thrown into po- James, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, tential trade Kyle Kuzma and , the media had even offers around the media. However, I won’t go higher expectations for this new and improved too in depth of offseason targets because it is Lakers team. always so unpredictable. Before the All-Star break in early March, the Lakers had a 24-13 record even through calf As LeBron James keeps aging and the and Achilles injuries of Anthony Davis. Then, on Lakers roster changes every single year, the March 20, against the Hawks, LeBron road ahead for the may James went not be flowers and rainbows, but if general down with an an- manager , kle injury that and owner play their cards right, kept him out un- LA could stay on track and become true cham- til May. pionship contenders once again. Throughout that The Tusker Tribune is the online Somers Middle School time, the Lakers Student Newspaper. It is published weekly (except during went 18-17 to fin- school vacations) on the Somers Middle School Website. It ish with a 42-30 is entirely student-written by 6th, 7th and 8th grade stu- record and the 7th dents from: Somers Middle School, 250 Route 202, Somers, NY, seed in the Western Conference. USA. Then, in an intense play-in tournament Any SMS student is eligible to write stories. If interested, game, the Lakers took down the Golden State please e-mail Advisor Dean Pappas at Warriors to take the 7th seed and take on the [email protected]. Website: and led Phoenix https://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

High School Pause Button Doesn’t Change Who You Are From Page 1 One year not knowing how to get By Phil Santore to the library, the next knowing the Tusker Tribune Staff school like the back of my hand. Editor’s Note: Phil’s response is to the The next thought that comes to prompt, “which would you rather have, a my mind about next year are all of the rewind button or a pause button for your new things that I’ll get to try! All the life?” classes that I get to choose to take, not to mention the many different clubs If I could choose to pause my life right now, I that the high school has to offer. I’m es- would over the rewind button. And I would choose the pecially excited about joining the drama pause button because I can stop club, and the film club next year. right now and look on to see Another thought that comes to what’s going to happen in my my mind about next year is how every- life. thing will suddenly count for the rest of I can also look back on my life and all of the countless hours I’ll what has already happened in have to spend on homework... my life and see what I can do Oh! And I heard that the food’s better in the future and what pretty good there, too! decisions I made and whether The last thought that excites me they were right or wrong. for next year is something that a lot of I’d rather pause than people with older siblings can relate to... rewind, because stuff that has being able to embarrass your older sib- happened to you in your life lings! Whether you were still able to in make you the person you are today, and rewinding your Primrose, SIS, and SMS because they’re life to change stuff that has happened in your life, and 1 or 2 years older than you, or whether that can change the person you are now. they’re going to be a Senior next year and you finally get to annoy them, it will be very nice to finally have a chance Kids Today Take Away From My to annoy and embarrass them! Especial- ly when my brother will be forced to Peace and Quiet drive me to school... And as for those of you who have By Max Khorram a younger sibling, don’t let them read Tusker Tribune Staff this. It’ll give them ideas. Editor’s Note: Max’s response is to the In conclusion, I predict that my prompt, “you’re in your 70’s or 80’s. Complain departure from the middle school into about kids today.” the high school will definitely be very Kids today are so annoying. Whenever I’m in the eventful and exciting for me. There are town pool relaxing, kids always come in and splash all some things I’m excited for (new clubs) around in the pool while I’m trying to relax, even though and some things I dread (homework). it says “no splashing”. But overall, I’m very excited to start When I’m sleeping, all I hear is kids outside run- this new chapter of my life and head in- ning around and being to the unknown. loud and annoying. OH! AND I FORGOT TO MEN- When I’m driv- TION NEEDING TO WAKE UP EAR- ing in the neighbor- LIER!!! LET ME GET INTO THE NEXT hood, kids jump in FIVE PARAGRAPHS OF THAT . . . front of the car be- cause they are not looking on both sides of the road before they go on the road to cross. Whenever I am on the tennis courts playing tennis with my friends, kids al- ways run on the court in the middle of our game and mess up our game. I can’t do anything peaceful because all I hear are kids running around and being loud . Kids are so annoying sometimes. The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Easter Bunny is Pretty My Hand Has Unique Frightening Features

By Lou Hochman By Kayla Tompkins Tusker Tribune Staff Tusker Tribune Staff Editor’s Note: Lou’s response is to the Editor’s Note: Kayla’s response is to prompt, “make me scared of the East- the prompt, “look at one of your hands er Bunny.” and describe it.” I am looking at my left hand and it The Easter Bunny has long claws that are looks big. Oddly big. as sharp as knives. He has a lot of teeth that are You would think that because I have big very sharp and dangerous. His eyes are red and hands, I would be tall, but nope, I am 5’2”. Please gloomy. someone, give me height! He is 7 feet tall and he is My hand has lines in it jacked. At night-time, he comes and a scar on it because of my into your house and takes all your cousin’s cat scratching me. I also candy. He walks up to you when have freckle on it that I remem- you’re sleeping and screams into ber poking with a pencil, and your ear. When you wake up from then a freckle has been there ev- the scream, he vanishes, and you er since. I also can light my can- have nightmares forever about dle with it because my hand does the bunny. not fit in the jar. Every Easter, you never go I think it’s kind of weird to sleep because of the bunny. we had the option to write about our hand but I And even when it’s not Easter, he still might am. My nails are panted hot pink and one of come into your house and do the same thing. them chipped on my left hand, and it is annoying, Every time he does this, the kids tell his parents but you can’t really tell. but the parents don’t believe them. They think I have really long fingers and nail beds, the Easter bunny is a nice caring animal, but he which most people think is weird but I think I is nowhere close to that. This is a vicious animal have nice hands overall. that will haunt you forever. Took a Day off to Play Cricket

By Xander DiPasquale Tusker Tribune Staff Editor’s Note: Xander’s response is to Year-End Events the prompt, “my teacher isn’t in school MONDAY, 6/14: 6th Grade Field Day—1:15-2:20 PM today. He/she is ______.” TUESDAY, 6/14: Yearbook Distribution during lunch periods. My teacher is not in school today because he was playing cricket. I do not know TUESDAY, 6/15: 8th Grade Field Day—1:15-2:20 PM why he was playing cricket . It sounds so boring WEDNESDAY, 6/16: 7th Grade Field Day—1:15-2:20 PM running back and fourth and just catching a ball. I am going to ask him when he comes back why WEDNESDAY, 6/16: Car Parade 7:00pm he was playing cricket. THURSDAY, 6/17: 8th Grade Field Trip Camp Kiwi – more info As the day goes on, to come my friends and I still won- der why our teacher is TUESDAY, 6/22: 8th Grade Graduation 1:15 – 2:20 Student playing cricket. We think only ceremony. Video will be made available to families.

maybe is really good at it, WEDNESDAY, 6/23: ½ day & Algebra Regents—½ day for 6th Maybe he is watching his & 7th graders. Only 8th graders taking Algebra regents attend kids. And then it hit us— school.

this was his champion- THURSDAY, 6/24: ½ day & Earth Science Regents—½ day for ship. 6th & 7th graders. Only 8th graders taking ES Regents attend So after we told school. everyone, it all clicked. He has been talking about it FRIDAY, 6/25: 1/2 Day, then all done! for weeks and weeks. So we found the channel on TV and watched the game. Our teacher is pretty Reporters Max Khorram good. He even hit the game winner. Benji Cutler Phil Santore When he came back, we all congratulated Xander DiPasquale Kayla Tompkins him for the win. So we celebrated the rest of the Emma Gordon day and that is why our teacher was not in school. Lou Hochman