The Tusker Tribune the Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Issue Number 35 https://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 Spring 2019

Tennis: Don’t Judge It ’Til You’ve Tried It

By Natalia Tellez win a point, you can’t just Tusker Tribune Staff swing at the ball and hope Have you ever heard someone say your opponent can’t return it. that tennis is not a real sport or isn’t re- You need to be able to swing ally hard to do? a tennis racket properly and I have and I always tell the person that if with enough force to place it you actually know what tennis is about and how on the spot you want on the to play it, their opinion would definitely change. court. Not enough and it There are multiple ways of tennis which might doesn’t go over the net and give the impression that it isn’t challenging and a too much causes the ball to lazy sport to play. But, of course, a couple of old either go in the double's alley or out of bounds. and easily tired people playing a tennis game will One of the hardest skills to master in ten- definitely not require skill, just a small swing nis is serving. To get a good serve, you first have from the players. to toss a good ball above your head, far away that I'm talking about the tennis where you you can hit it comfortable but close enough that have to be in extreme shape, have great skill, and you can lean into it. Then, you must place it in the intense concentration. right position on the court, with the right amount First of all, to be a good tennis player you of spin, use the right movement, and do it all need to have good stamina and have without making a mistake. good fitness. To play a good game, you Another super hard technique have to be able to run quickly up, in tennis is knowing when to put spin down, and side to side. This makes you on a ball and when to use what need endurance and speed and usually stroke. This can include hitting a lob, not for a few minutes since tennis cross-court hit, volley, serve, a drop doesn’t have a time limit and can go on shot, backhand, forehand and driving for a long time. hit. Moreover, tennis is not as simple The running portion of tennis as you may think and requires lots of can be compared to doing suicides (an practice to learn all the different exercise where you sprint back and types of shots and the right tech- forth across a field) while carrying a nique. racket and thinking of technique and Not only that, but to be win in tennis, placing without a break. Sound easy you must have very good concentra- right? Well.....no. tion and more. You always have to be Also, tennis works out almost every muscle paying attention to the shot and where it landed, in your body and can cause the player to be sore in whether it’s out or is going out. If you get distract- your legs, arms, and more. It has been proven that ed for even a small second, you will miss the ball you burn more calories playing tennis than most and lose a point and in tennis that can either other sports and can burn up to 200 calories in a make or break a set. Furthermore, you have to 30-minute match. Overall, tennis certainly de- pay attention to your placing and the opponents mands the exercise and place on the court. fitness part that other Tennis isn't just hitting the ball and hoping sports may have. the other player will make a mistake, but actually In addition, to setting up your opponent to mess up. For example, having a good tennis if they are close to a net, you might hit it over match you need have their head or if they are staying on one side you great skill in multiple place it on the other half of the court. This also ways. To get all the tech- applies if they are far away from the net, you nique needed you must might do a soft hit so they can’t reach it in time. attend various practices and train hard. Also, to Continued on Page 2 The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School A War For First Place

By Jesse Manginelli Yelich is signed to a 7-year Tusker Tribune Staff contract that pays $49.57M. Yelich In my last article I is one of many players who was talked about Cody Bellinger drafted out of high school. He was and his chosen by the amazing Miami Marlins season with his in the first round The Tusker Tribune is the most home runs. in 2010. online Somers Middle Although he was Yelich School Student Newspa- outshining every- made it to the per. It is published weekly one a new face majors in 2013. (except during school vaca- has come up to Yelich has also tions) on the Somers Mid- take his reign. won a Golden dle School Website. It is Christian Glove Award entirely student-written by Yelich now has and a Silver 6th, 7th and 8th grade the most home Slugger Award. students from: runs. Yelich has Yelich has Somers Middle School 22 home runs and played most of 250 Route 202 Bellinger has 20. his days on the Marlins but was Somers, NY, USA. Although Bellinger has more traded to Milwaukee Brewers in Any SMS student is eligi- RBIs and a higher batting average, early 2018. ble to write stories. If in- Yelich took a first place away and Christian Yelich went to terested, please took it for himself. Yelich is 27 Westlake High School. That is all e-mail Advisor Dean years old. Yelich is a center fielder for today. I think Yelich is going to Pappas at for the Milwaukee Brewers. Yelich have a great season because of him DPappas has a .309 batting average this sea- being at the top of almost every stat @somersschools.org son and a career average of .298. He this season. Do you think he will also has 117 career homeruns and live up to these expectations? 452 career RBIs.

Tennis From Page 1 End of Year Calendar!

Also, during your serve you can’t mess up more than once or else June 7th: June 24th-26th: you will have given away an easy Mentoring Breakfast 1/2 day of school for students point which can ruin your chances at June 12th: June 24th: winning the game. To sum it up, ten- ALP Trip to NYC FLACS Exam nis certainly includes the mental June 13th: June 24th: part that many have 8th Grade Dinner Dance 6h & 7th Grades SS and- said it doesn’t. June 14th: Science Final exams In conclusion, tennis is 8th Lake Compounce Trip June 25th: a sport where you June 17th: 6th Grade ELA and Math ex- have to be in great 6th Grade Field Trip am shape, have extreme June 18th: June 25th: concentration, and be Rain date for Splashdown 7th Grade Math and very skilled. It’s a Trip WorldLanguage exams game where you have June 19th: June 25th: no one to fall back on Algebra Regents 8th Grade Graduation @ but your partner if in doubles, and June 20th: 2:00pm all with short breaks in between Earth Science Regents June 26th: each match. Next time someone says June 21st: Last Day of School – ½ day that tennis is on old ladies sport or Geometry Regents (11:30am dismissal) not hard to play make sure to say June 21st: otherwise. 7th Grade Splashdown Trip Now you tell me, is tennis June 21st: hard? I definitely think so. 8th Grade Graduation Practice

The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

This Week In History By Kaeleigh Picco Tusker Tribune Staff

Have you ever wondered what happened today ten years ago? Twenty years ago? Fifty? In This Week in History, I will tell you about the events that happened that par- ticular week that could have impacted our everyday lives or are just really interesting to learn about.

June 6th, 1944 This date marks the largest seaborne invasion in history. Also known as the Battle of Normandy, this historic landing in World War Two took place in several beaches on the northern coast of France. This attack by the allies took months of plan- ning, and involved over 1,527,000 soldiers in 47 allied divisions. American troops landed on Omaha and Utah beaches, while British and Canadian troops landed on Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches. By the time the allies has successfully finished the invasion, 150,000 allied soldiers had been landed, at a cost of about 40,000 lives.

June 8th, 1867 American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born on this day in Richland Cen- ter, Wisconsin. During his career he has created over 1,000 structures. He used a style commonly known as the “Prairie School”, with houses that featured low pitched roofs and lines that appeared to blend into the landscape. He is considered to be one of the most influential architects of his time. Wright died in 1959 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 92.

June 10th, 1922 Actress Judy Garland was born on this date in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her birth name was Frances Gumm. Garland was an immensely popular performer and is most well known for her role as Dorothy Gale in the Wizard of Oz in 1939. She soon af- ter became one of the most well known concert performers in New York and broke box office records in New York City and London.

Co-Editors Photography Editor Reporters Noah Volkman Allison O’Connor Natalia Tellez Joseph Melillo Jesse Manginelli Copy Editors Kaeleigh Picco Feature Editor William Underkoffler Noah Volkman Samuel Sanz Michael Aiello Aidan Brinn Lucas Fry Sports Editor Jesse Manginelli

The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Tyler, The Creator’s IGOR: Good or Bad?

By Noah Volkman Unlike Tyler, DJ Tusker Tribune Khaled had been atop the Staff charts before with 2017’s More than a Grateful and 2016’s Major decade since made an Key. Father of Asahd had earfquake in the music an impressive first week, industry, Tyler, The Creator buoyed in part by the finally has his first No. 1 al- streaming success on bum on the Billboard 200 with songs like “Wish Wish” IGOR. The record, which was with Cardi B and 21 Sav- entirely produced and ar- age and “Higher” with ranged by Tyler, moved John Legend and Nipsey 165,000 total units in its first Hussle. Khaled’s latest week according to Forbes, best- album moved 136,000 ing DJ Khaled’s long-awaited units. I explored the many Father of Asahd and The Na- surprise collaborators on tional’s I Am Easy to Find. IGOR, including Playboi Tyler came close to top- Carti, Solange and Kanye ping the charts with 2017’s West. But the interesting Flower Boy, which peaked at thing is, Tyler, The Crea- No. 2 after moving 160,000 al- tor’s highly anticipated bum-equivalent units in its in- fifth solo album was re- augural week. He’s also had leased listed features three other studio albums de- prompting an Easter egg but within the top five, dating hunt of sorts for its collab- back to 2011’s Goblin. The rap- orators. per posted a reaction video To make things soon after learning the news. both easier and harder at After IGOR’s release the same time, two days Tyler shared an Instagram after IGOR’s release, Ty- post explaining that the album ler posted a photo with was a deliberate departure the names of the people on from both traditional hip-hop the project – and that’s and all his previous studio rec- where the fun began. ords, imploring fans to give it So far, this is what their undivided attention on I’ve gathered: first listen and share with him  IGOR’S THEME fea- their favorite moments, writ- tures Lil Uzi Vert and ing: “Igor. This is not B*******. Solange This is not Goblin. This is not  EARFQUAKE fea- Wolf. This is not Cherry Bomb. This is not Flower tures Playboi Carti and Charlie Wilson Boy. This is Igor. Pronounced Eee-Gore. Don’t go  I THINK features Solange into this expecting a rap album. Don’t go into this  EXACTLY WHAT YOU RUN FROM YOU expecting any album. Just go, jump into it. I be- END UP CHASING is said by Jerrod Carmi- lieve the first listen works best all the way chael through, no skips. Front to back. No distractions  RUNNING OUT OF TIME is a solo track either. No checking your phone no watching TV no  NEW MAGIC WAND features Jerrod Carmi- holding convo, full attn. towards the sounds where chael and Santigold you can form your own opinions and feelings to-  A BOY IS A GUN* is a solo track wards the album. Some go on walks, some drive,  PUPPET features Kanye West and Jerrod some lay in bed and sponge it all up. Carmichael Whatever it is you choose, fully indulge. With vol-  WHAT’S GOOD features slowthai ume. As much as I would like to paint a picture  GONE, GONE / THANK YOU features CeeLo and tell you my favorite moments, I would rather Green and Jerrod Carmichael you form your own. If we ever cross paths, feel  I DON’T LOVE YOU ANYMORE is a solo free to articulate what those moments were for track you, keep it timely tho I’m not tryna have an  ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? features Al Green Oprah episode. Stank you smelly mucho. IGOR. and Pharrell Williams All songs written, produced and arranged by Tyler What’s your favorite song? Okanma.” The Tusker Tribune Page 5 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Why So Much Waste? Have Reusable Trays!

By Lucas Fry plastic or metal trays are a simple fix. Tusker Tribune Staff Kids can use their trays and then put them Every day, somewhere where people in during periods 4, 5 the kitchen can come and and 6, kids in Som- get them. They do not re- ers Middle School quire much work to be kids buy a hot lunch. washed and with a few peo- The school gives hot ple working they could be lunches on paper trays cleaned easily. Also, you that kids throw since there can get a basic lunch tray isn’t any designated recy- with different sections for cling and because you around three dollars. If you can’t. Hundreds are being estimate there’s around 750- thrown out each day and thou- 800 kids in the school and you round sands each week. Over time, this up to 800, that’s about $2,400 not in- becomes a large contributor to fill- cluding that companies will probably ing landfills. give a discount when the school buys As a school, we have a large amount of a certain product. worked to become eco-friendlier If we do this with all the and more efficient. For example, schools, the total amount of buying we were one of the first schools to all these trays would be around receive solar panels from New $10,400 which would eventually York State. We have also stopped make it a cost-effective decision. using paper in some of our classes and instead, Considering that all kids in 5th Grade up to use our tablets to do our work. 12th Grade have tablets and those tablets get bet- This year, the technology class made bins ter every year, getting plastic trays would not be for recycling outside and there is a huge bin in the lots of money for the district. cafeteria, so that each grade can recycle their bot- This could stop our school from producing so much tles. However, we can’t recycle the paper trays waste and it could point us in a direction where, that you get lunch on when eating cafeteria food as a district we keep increasing our effort to be- because they have food on them. Using reusable come more environmentally friendly.

The Somers Slam is a Memorable and Fun Event

By Aidan Brinn There were many vendors selling food, such as Tusker Tribune Staff Pow Burgers, Mario’s Wood Fired Pizza and Ice So, what is the Somers Slam all Cream from the Snack Shack. about? Well, it was an all-day boy’s la- Apparel and lacrosse equipment were also crosse tourna- sold. Some of these vendors ment on the 2nd of were: Grass Slides, and June. This well- Twin Lacrosse. There were organized event was so also fun activities and big, it hosted 76 teams games where kids could win from all over. Some prizes. There was a radar teams were from as far gun shooting contest where away as Brooklyn, NY, a player from every grade Ossining, NY, and even who shot fastest won some Greenwich, CT. Teams free lacrosse apparel. There that entered the tourna- was also a sling shot water ment stretched from Kin- balloon launcher (no prizes) dergarten to 8th grade. but still very fun! ) Players would load the sling As a player on the Somers 7th and 8th Red shot and fire at the opposing player. The person team, this event was a lot of fun. This was be- who was hit lost. cause we played very talented and skilled teams, Remember, this is an annual event. It hap- that we would not play during the regular season. pens the 1st weekend in June. Be sure to come We really lucked out because the thunderstorms next year to support the Somers Youth Lacrosse stayed away that day and we had great weather. at the Somers Slam.