The Tusker Tribune the Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School

Volume 2, Issue 7 http://somersschools.org/domain/995 Winter 2016

‘Right to Dream’ Tolerance Message Resonates with SMS Students

By Remi Saad African-American girl growing up Tusker Tribune during the Civil Rights era. Staff I had the opportunity of It is im- interviewing Taren and learn a portant to respect lot about her, after she did her each other on more than just play. I asked her, "How did the our gender, race, color or character, Ruby, change your life religion. and help you become who you are We had the honor of having Taren Man- today?" gual present to the 6th and 7th graders a pro- She replied, "Well, I was able to gram called ''The Right to Dream" during a spe- learn more about people, get more comfortable cial assembly on February 10. with my character, and even though Ruby The presentation is actually a is not a real person, I always think she is multi-media play about the struggles there when I perform. Without her and her that has happened in the past with character I would not be here right now. white people and black people during the She also taught me the power of not hav- Civil Rights Movement. ing to be violent when you want something The presentation teaches us why accomplished." we shouldn't be racist and why it is im- I have learned so much from her portant that we don't judge people based and the play ,and I was very engaged with on their color. Taren delivers the mes- her story. I hope you learned a lot, too. sage by playing the role of “Ruby”, an

Super Bowl 50 Recap: Manning’s Legacy

By Evan Volkman it was clear that the winner would be whatever Tusker Tribune Staff team's’ defense was better. After 15 minutes of On February 7, 2016, the 15-1 Carolina play, it was 10-0 Broncos. Then at half it was Panthers and the 13-3 Denver Broncos faced off 13-7. Von Miller and Danny Trevathan were at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. probably the most hungry players on the Bron- Prior to the game, all of the players who had cos and were dominating the defensive side of won the Super Bowl MVP Award were brought the ball. Cam Newton was pressured a lot and together on field for a group photo. Then around when he had time to throw, Denver’s secondary 6:35, kickoff started and the dominance of the would not allow a completion. D# began. This game was established quickly, and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Page 2 The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School The Tusker Tribune Special Feature: Matt Kushner’s “First Communications” series

Chapter 11: Captain Blekniq plan! Help us! Convince the slav--the hu- mans of the truth, the truth that we only When I realized how stupid I was, want to help! You are, in fact, the first one it was a little too late. to talk to us with a real conversation. So, “Give me my daughter back!” I will you do it? Because if you don’t… we had wandered the halls of the ship until I will get mad.” reached a room that seemed to be the And then a plan went to my mind. bridge of the ship. There, and only there, One that would help me save the U.S. and were aliens on the ship. Like all the rest my daughter. “Don’t worry, Mr…..” had disappeared. “Just call me Captain Blekniq.” “Give me my daughter back or else you “Of course, Captain Blekniq. I will help will feel the wrath of… uh… The Hulk! You have you. Because I am the only one that can help taken my daughter, and you have made me mad. you.” You do not want to see me mad! Do you?” I hoped “Good.” And right after the pony-alien said the aliens did not know of who The Hulk really that, my earlier- and failed- experiment would was. come of use. “Ah… Dr. Crevasse, or should I say… The For once, the I tricked the aliens. Hulk. We want you to be the final part of our

was 16-7 Denver. Peyton Man- Super Bowl 50 Recap ning was being pressured and Continued from page 1 could not throw very efficiently as he ended with only 141 yards With defensive on 13 completions. So, the Bron- players including De- cos ran and ran the ball. Marcus Ware, Von Mil- After more and more inefficient offense by ler, Aqib Talib, and TJ the Panthers, Denver scored to make it a 22-10 Ward, you’ve got a game. If they went for the extra point, it would be group of elites. When it a 13 point game. Two touchdowns for Panthers came time for halftime, would result in a 24-23 game. But, if they went Coldplay opened up and for two, they could make it an even 14 point performed “Yellow”, game. “Viva la Vida”, Peyton Manning found Corey Latimer “Paradise”, and “Adventure Of A open in the end zone, and then that was it. Final Lifetime” before Mark Ronson score, 24 Denver, 10 Carolina. It was great seeing and Bruno Mars rocked out to Peyton Manning ride his Bronco horse off into the “Uptown Funk”. After, Be- San Francisco Bay sunset. Von Miller was MVP yonce performed “Formation”, for his defensive excellence. and they all ended with “Fix In the post game interview, Cam Newton You/Up&Up”. This was in my left in the middle and cried off. Is it a coincidence opinion a pretty bad show. The that Peyton Manning ended his career with 200 headliner was supposed to be Coldplay, but they total wins? I think not. So, what’s next for the ended up being a third wheel. Beyonce did the NFL? Super Bowl in 2013, and Bruno Mars did it in 2014. They were clearly just coming back. And also, what is up with Bruno’s hair? Anyway, after halftime, Carolina continued to have a difficult time. They actually only got into Broncos’ territory twice. After three, it Page 3 The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School Volkman’s “All Star Analysis”

By Evan Volkman with a few Eastern Conference Tusker Tribune Sports Staff Player Of The Week awards, he is worth the start. In his Player of the This year’s NBA All Star fes- Week plays, he is 7-1, averaged 36.4 tivities will be held from February PPG and 13.5 APG during those 12-14, in Toronto, Canada. The head- games. In addition, the Eastern liner event is the All Star Game, Conference team will be coached by which will be on Valentine’s Day. someone who will have about 10 Here are the rosters: games of experience. Tyronn Lue just became a EASTERN CONFERENCE coach last week and has little expe- Starters: rience. This game will really end up PG Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors being coached by LeBron James. SG Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat Also, there are three small forwards SF LeBron James - Cleveland Cava- starting. The tallest starter is 6-9! I liers can understand having 2 small for- SF Paul George - Indiana Pacers wards, but Carmelo Anthony at cen- SF Carmelo Anthony - New York ter? Really? Anthony is a good play- Knicks er, but certainly not a starting cen- Reserves: ter. The NBA has Andre Drummond SG Jimmy Butler - Chicago Bulls sitting on the bench for the first 10 SG DeMar DeRozan - Toronto Raptors minutes. When you compare Anthony’s stats PF Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks and Drummond’s, center or not, Drummond is C Andre Drummond - Detroit Pistons playing better. PF Chris Bosh - Miami Heat PG John Wall - Washington Wizards Carmelo Anthony Stat Andre Drummond PG Isaiah Thomas - Boston Celtics

Head Coach: Tyronn Lue 21.2 PPG PPG 17.3 PPG

There is lots wrong with this lineup. First off, 7.5 RPG RPG 15.1 RPG other than LeBron James, not one of the starters should be starters. I know that the lineups 43.2% FG% 52.1% are fan voted, but the NBA should consider having professionals select the lineups. For starters, 82.3% FT% 35.2% Dwyane Wade? Really? The 34 year old isn’t having as good a season as he has in the past. He is in his decline and will be considering re- tirement. He is averaging only 18.8 PPG (lowest WESTERN CONFERENCE since his rookie year). He may be the heart and soul of the Miami Heat, but is not All Star start- PG Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors er worthy. A possible replacement? Maybe JIM- PG Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder MY BUTLER!!! Butler is in his prime and now SF Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers the face of the Chicago Bulls. He has improved SF Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder every year he has played and is much better. SF Kawhi Leonard - San Antonio Spurs With 22.4 PPG on .455 shooting percentage, he is a better pick. There isn’t much to say about this lineup, Then you have Kyle Lowry. He has I mean, this is an All Star Game. If you have a played well this year but just shouldn’t be start- small ball running offense, you will do fine. As ing this game. He has played All Star quality by usual, viewers can expect for a close game with not superstar quality. So, who should replace both teams scoring more than 120 points. Look him? John Wall. With 19.5 PPG, 9.8 APG, and out for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. 2.1 SPG, he has been playing out of his mind. With Bradley Beal sidelined, he has taken over. He is a consistent double-double player, and Page 4 The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School

The Tusker Tribune “Comics, Cartoons n’ Creative Creations”

The Tusker Tribune Game Review:

By Mykalah Channer girls who I interviewed named “Zara“ (not her Tusker Tribune Staff real name) said, “The Sims 4 is the best game ev- er. I have been waiting so long to get this game Introduction and now that I finally got it I have been on it Sims 4 is a game where you cre- 24/7.” The last girl I inter- ate a sim (your character) and viewed, Olivia, said “I have this you plan out your sim’s life. You game on my school computer can do anything from building and on my home computer. Eve- houses to make a person just rything.I have played Sims 3 like yourself with the same per- but Sims 4 has way better sonalities. This is a game where graphics.” you control and you figure out how you make your sims life Latest Updates better or worst. One of the latest updates on the Sims 4 is the Romantic Garden Feedback on the Game retreat. The Romantic Garden I have interviewed three kids at retreat is for Valentine’s Day Somers Middle School on this game. All three and it is only $9.99. Sims 4 can be very cheap kids claim it’s the best game in the Sims series. A with their prices when you think of how many girl named Madeline says that “This game is a things you are getting in that expansion pack. life changer. I am able to plan out a perfect life- There are many other expansion packs to search style for my family and me.” Another one of the from and find just what you want for your sims. Page 5 The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School The Tusker Tribune Editorials: Book Review:

Ideas for SMS Socials City of Bones

By Julianna Aiello Tusker Tribune Editorial Staff By Noelle DeMarinis Tusker Tribune Staff Many students at- physical game (dodge ball). If you enjoy reading fantasy books tend the socials. The ones Activities. Some- with tons of action, drama, love who attend them say that thing that could keep kids and a huge plot twist, then the Mortal In- they had a lot of fun. healthy and be enjoyable at struments series is perfect for you! But what would the same time. Like maybe This series includes six books and please ALL of the a social station is written from the creative mind of Cas- students? What where you can sandra Clare. I was introduced to the would you do to meet new peo- Mortal Instruments world and I instantly change it? Here is ple and find fell in love with the story! Who wouldn’t what I thought. common inter- with Cassandra Clare’s hugely entertain- Music. The ests. ing writing style and gripping plot! newest hits available would Now it is YOUR The book begins with Clary Fray catch your eye (and ears). TURN to think. What and her best friend Simon Lewis heading Themes. A theme would you like to see? What out to the Pandemonium Club. Some- that would seem appealing. would you change? Write it where between dancing and talking she Like “Dance for a Chance”, down and send it to Mr. notices a couple or “The Grammys”, or “The Pappas for an article space. sneaking off to the Red Carpet” where every- Who knows, maybe it storage room. Then body would dress up. Or might just happen… she spots two boys even a sports theme, like a armed with knives follow them inside. De- termined to help The Tusker The Tusker Tribune is published online the witness, Clary Tribune Staff and is featured weekly on the Somers Middle School Website. It is entirely Matthew Kushner follows the people student-written by 6th, 7th and 8th Remi Saad into the storage Julianna Aiello grade students from Hunter Duffy Somers Middle School room, and threaten Charley Martabano 250 Route 202, to call the cops. Evan Volkman Somers, NY, USA. Noelle DeMarinis Any SMS student is eligible to write But the killers are Mykalah Channer stories. If interested, please e-mail undaunted and state the boy was a demon Conor Durso Advisor Dean Pappas at Dani Cicogna [email protected] and they are demon hunters. Mitos Galeano Bewildered and confused Clary leaves and soon finds out that it would be the last normal day of her life. If you are craving for fantasies and action packed themes this book is for you because “All the stories are true”.