TRAIL MIX Staff: John Krieg, Cerridwen Moser- LONG TRAIL SCHOOL Bertsche, HaleyKenyon. 1045 Kirby Hollow Rd. Dorset, VT 05251 Advisors: Barb, Melissa, Anharad. April 8th, 2009

Art Students Visit Mass MoCA By Anharad Edson On February 27th a group of 18 students Moving into the next room found us looking at As we proceeded upstairs and down again we and 3 adults embarked on an artistic adventure to art work which used photo shop elements to tell a encountered many different artists and styles. the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art story in photography. A fifteen feet long triptych Ansem Kiefer, German sculptor and painter, spoke in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The theme of (three separate canvases positioned next to one with strong opposition to war by using cement sculp- most of the art museum at that time was global another to create one full painting) showed the tures and dramatic mixed media paintings. Sol Lewitt, awareness to overcrowding, climate change, polar ice caps melting, with fish and mammals a walldrawing perspective was a shock to the eyes as pollution, and generally the planet’s inhabitants’ swimming under the ocean, and ships passing several rooms were transformed, from ceiling to floor, overall mismanagement of Mother Earth. The through. Another artist expressed his disgust with into his personal palette by showing dizzying students were impressed with the diversity of the the planet’s pollution by photographing aerial combinations of color and pattern. The students en- exhibit. We were greeted by a very joyed exploring the tree-house-like display knowledgeable docent who escorted us created by several artists who turned a through the galleries. The first room boat into a roving collection of recycled featured an artist who painted a subtle art and material and traveled down the mural on a wall and wood floor which Mississippi River. There were also rooms looked like the shadows cast in a room of terrariums, a sprawling city made of with a window where trees grew outside. foam core, stainless steel interpretive It was so real looking that we wondered if sculptures, and much more. there was a screen over the spotlight with the image cut out to project onto the wall. When it was time to head back to We soon discovered it was the artist’s school the students visited the gift shop choice of subtle paint colors on top of a and gathered for a photo. It was a well- very detailed drawing. The next exhibit spent Friday afternoon! We all came we encountered was the work of a Chi- away with the notion that as artists, the nese artist who showed (through large oil most powerful way to express your feel- paintings) the effects of pollution, greed, ings and ignite other people’s interest in and overpopulation on the planet. An unusual installment caught our eyes as we your cause is through the universal lan- turned the corner to see a digitally created flower- views of nuclear plants and toxic dumps where, guage of art! ing tree moving and swaying on a huge wall, as if ironically, magnificent colors and patterns create a in a calm breeze. For twenty minutes the viewer beautiful design. It is not until the viewer reads can watch this “cyber tree” as it gradually changes the artist’s statement that one realizes what exactly from spring, to summer foliage, to fall colors, and this beautiful design is! The artist has had to turn finally to the bare branches of winter. It is a to satellite imagery as he has been banned from mesmerizing exhibit and we all found it very the properties of many of our nation’s worst calming and beautiful. pollution offenders. NHS Minutes EXAM WEEK What are we up to?

spring months. So keep your eyes peeled by Hannah Scott This has been a busy year for the for more news about upcoming events and National Honor Society. Since we opportunities. started the 2008-2009 school year, we've had a very progressive Exam week is definitely an exciting and agenda. In the fall we started stressful time at school. Students in grades eight planning member projects so that through twelve are expected to take one or more all of this year's members could exams in many classes. Classes range in material personally contribute something and difficulty. There are courses such as: Biology, of their creation to the school's World and American History, Environmental Sci- event schedule for the season. ences, Chemistry, English, Literature and World Our first finished project was Languages. As this time of year rolls around, stu- Denim day/Pink day, run by dents begin to really ask themselves: How can I per- Fiona, and Talia. Now that the form best? What should I study? How much should new members have joined us and I study? For all these questions, there is no definitive our number has grown, the new answer. It can be said that each person needs to find guys have either started projects his own way of studying and this is normally done of their own, or joined up with essentially by trial and error. I think the first day of one of the pre-existing ones. exams is the most difficult for everyone. After the Also in the works is the planning first day is over, students begin to realize that in fact for the annual ziti dinner on May no matter how hard the exam was, they did not and 8th and another member project, will not die! Exam time at Long Trail is for many the 80s dance on April 25th. the most stressful time of the year, but I also see it as Along with the delicious tradi- a new beginning, a time to start fresh and clean. As tional ziti, we're also having bingo! a whole, exams are one thing I believe that holds It will be a great night with fun, our education within us for a lasting amount of time. games, prizes, and of course They make us look back upon what we have studied yummy food for the whole in the past months and sift through all our knowl- family. edge to glean the most crucial and important aspects The Society is continuing of our course we have learned. to work hard and there will be many surprises yet to come in the

TRAIL MIX: PAGE 2 LONG TRAIL SCHOOL April 8th, 2009 Reading Drama Movie Review 02/09/09 Judith Gründler By: Cerridwen Moser-Bertsche Journal on helplessness, events beyond your control Playing by Heart The Thing with the Hearts

You could tie me up, and throw me into Starring: , , Sean the sea, and I still wouldn't be as helpless as I am, Connery, Anthony when I am in love. When people are in love, they Edwards, , Jay Mohr, Ryan Phil- don't have control over what they are doing. lippe, Dennis Quaid, , , and Madeleine Stowe. It sounds weird, but it is true. Let me explain. Written, produced, and directed by Willard Let's say, you met somebody. At a Carroll friend's party for instance, and you really liked that person, you talked a lot, and you felt like you had a lot in common. When the night ended, you Playing By Heart is a sexy, sweet, roman- exchanged phone numbers. tic comedy about love, So, at this point you are not in love... but life, and all the bits and pieces that inevi- this is where it starts to get complicated. Who tably come with both. At the calls first? opening of the movie, you get a little in- You can't call too early, because then it tro to each of the characters, but seems like you would be desperate, so you wait. their relationships to one another have For a text message, or a call... just a sign of life. yet to be revealed. As the film You start checking your phone every five seconds progresses we get a larger and larger (even in places where you don't have service) and peek into the lives of Joan, Hannah you just can't help it. When the first contact and Paul, Keenan, Meredith, Gracie, is made, (phone call, text message) you can't an- Mark, Hugh, Mildred, Roger, and the swer too quickly. You can't call too often, but cast of supporting characters that make you can't stay aloof either. the story one you will never You see what I mean? forget. The stories of each character When it is about love, people start to weave together like the threads of a interpret a WHOLE WORLD in one little favorite t-shirt. At the climax of the phone call, one text message. We get irrational movie, all is laid out in the open when we are in love, and we can't help it. for us to see. The secrets are revealed When he talks to another girl, he is cheating on and a big picture of true love, you. When she doesn't pick up the phone happiness, life stories, and even some twice, she is mad at you for some reason you try sadness. this is a very important message to all the girls to figure out for days, and in the end, her This movie will keep you asking ques- and boys out there: battery just died. tions, laughing, crying, and falling in It's just a phone call. I know it is hard to stay with your feet on love with love. the ground when you find somebody you like, but

Horoscopes by: Cerridwen and Haley

Aries: This month will be bad for you, stay in your house as much as possible. Libra: Avoid theater activities for at least the next two weeks; otherwise you will quickly come to un- Gemini : You’re feeling a little off balance this month, derstand the literal interpretation of "break a don’t draw anything because the left side will be lop- leg". sided every time, even ovals. Just don’t bother. Scorpio: Go shopping on the 19th; I hear it's supposed to be a Taurus: You’re getting on peo- great day ples nerves. Try meeting new for sales. people who aren’t as aware of your annoying nature. Sagittarius: Try something new like an ethnic food somewhere Cancer: You will discover a around the 23rd; even if it's really hidden talent this month. It is odd, I promise it'll be worth it in not music related, stop trying to the end. impress your friends with your guitar hero skills. Capricorn: Don't do it...seriously, just don't do it. Leo: This will be a good month for you; you will discover great Aquarius: Don’t be afraid to try wealth in aplace you never expected to find it. Try your new things, unless it’s skydiving. boyfriend's wallet. Pisces: Be careful what you say about people, you Virgo: I would advise staying inside at all times this never know who might have bugged your house. month. Your ex h as put out a hit on you and you just never know when they'll strike. TRAIL MIX: PAGE 3 April 8th, 2009 TRAIL MIX Poetry Page!

Crisis

By John Krieg I look at my hands

I see the lines

They tell me nothing…

I look outside

I see darkness

And no light…

My house grows dim with sorrow

My friends stay at home

My eyes fill with tears…

I look at the stars and they seem sad

I look at the birds who were once so bright

They are almost moaning…

Day after day I see this happening

Day after day the darkness expands

Taking over everything…

The last spark of light is diminished

The last bit of happiness gone

With one drop of hope remaining…

From The Music in Nature listening we did in Project: By: Hannah Thorn

Rain pattering above. Leaves crackling snap crackle pop. Wind blowing through my hair Sweet smells Rain stops. Birds chirp. Sun waking up Faintest breeze surrounding me Close eyes. Aromas around Open eyes: Color. Smoke and fresh scents linger. The soft patter of raindrops against my coat.

LONG TRAIL SCHOOL

Results of a School-wide Survey distributed recently:

Should companies be required to label products containing Should companies be required to label products containing GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms)? GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms)?

No opinion No opinion 20% 20%

No No 10% 10%

Yes Yes 70% 70%

Should the US continue to express support for Do you think Global Warming is something to be Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? concerned about?

No opinion Yes 20% 22% No opinion 32%

No 10%

Yes 70%

No 46%