December 2014 Squan School Spirit Shines Bright in this Issue Spirit Week pg 2-6 Life is Good Day pg 7 Academic Team pg 9 Senior for Hire pg 15 Sleep & Stress pg 10 No More Midterms! pg 13 Book Reviews pg 16 Music Reviews pg 14, 17 Special Holiday Section pg 18 - 21 Winter Sports pg 23 - 27 Horoscopes pg 22 Issue One 2014 The Blue & Gray Page 2 Hall Decorating: A Classic MHS Tradition The home- By: Kerry Weiland whole underwater coming dance on world. From card- Friday kick start- board cutouts ed the spirited (taller than lock- celebrations for ers) of SpongeBob MHS’s annual and Squidward’s homecoming houses to color- pep-rally. On ful painted and Manasquan Wednesday, No- pasted balloons vember 26 stu- and streamers the dents and staff juniors definitely High School excitedly came had a shot at beat- to school ready ing the seniors, for competition. and Mrs. Kozic Each grade dec- agrees. She glad- orated their sec- ly said, “Everyone The Blue & Gray tions of the gym and hallways and were worked as a team this year. The juniors, prepared for the various pep-rally games I love them, but next year we’re coming and activities. Volume LXXXII The seniors and juniors were especially competitive. The class of 2015 seniors’ theme was “Sail-Sway Seniors” Issue One while the juniors almost crashed their underwater theme with the famous SpongeBob inspired “Weenie Hut Ju- December 2014 niors.” The seniors took their color, blue, and thought of the open seas, then took an idea, graduation, to conceive Staff: the theme of “Sailing to New Horizons.” Ahoy! They tackled the lockers with Nicholle Beese waves, the upper walls with clouds and sailboats, and not to mention the life Keely Flood size anchors, lighthouse, and sailboats back strong.” Maggie Leddy at the entrance of their hallway. Senior Making way to the second floor, the sophomores gave us a taste of their Logan Muir sweet theme: “Srumdidliumptious.” Also connecting to a popular icon, they took Reed Melchionda features from Willy Wonka and trans- formed their green hallway and gym. Kerry Weiland Their entrance had unique purple gates Sofia Kim opening up to the candy-filled walls of lollipops and top hats that made stu- Sarah Spears dents feel as if they were walking into the chocolate factory. George Taboada continued on page 5 Julia Valgenti Eric Dzenis thinks that this year “Specifi- cally went great especially from the time Principal: consuming waves I made for the lock- ers.” Even though he laughingly said that Mr. Rick Coppola “There could have been more ladders Tuesday night, we came through in the end!” Across the sea, the juniors wel- Adviser: comed us to Bikini Bottom. These up- perclassmen were inspired by the yel- Mr. James Mawn low cartoon character, SpongeBob, and made their hallway into SpongeBob’s Issue One 2014 The Blue & Gray Page 3 Seniors Enjoy Last Powderpuff Experience By: Maggie Leddy On December 1, the annual girl’s Powderpuff game was played on the Vic Kubu Warrior field, marking an end to the final celebration of homecoming festivi- ties. The favored seniors fell to the underdog juniors with a final score of 28-14. The juniors made it clear early on that they were not messing around. With mandatory team practices, matching uniforms, coaching by current MHS football player Luke O’Shaughnessy, and specific plays, they proved to be a powerhouse on the field. The team was stacked with athletic ability and determination. Coached by Mr. Battaglia, it was apparent that the seniors were sick with “senioritis” by the looks of their playing. However, the entire Juniors celebrate a score! team seemed to agree on the fact that they were involved with the game to have fun with each other and not necessarily to win. Perhaps it was the final acceptance and realization of this being their last year together, but win or lose, they were happy to be out there on the field as one unit, something that maybe the juniors will feel next year. Ironically, the game was interrupted during the second half by heavy rainfall making for a muddy field after previously being canceled last week due to what appeared to Senior quarterback Shannon Walsh calls a play. be the same “unplayable” field conditions. Girls were slipping Seniors huddle before a play. and sliding all over the place, but continued to run out the clock. It was definitely a humorous sight to see. Both teams shook hands at the final whistle and accepted their status with maturity and celebration. The seniors huddled together and took on their role as No. 2 and smiled for countless team pictures holding up the popular peace sign symbol- izing their ranking. All while the juniors celebrated their victory by advertising the big win over social media. All in all it was an excellent way to wrap up this year’s homecoming. Key Club Resumes Tradition of Holiday Helping By: George Taboada The Key Club is at it again this Holiday season, providing in Green Acres Park in Brielle, lifting the towns’ holiday spirit. An- assistance to those less fortunate in our area. other favorite is Key Club’s hosting of Old Saint Nick, straight from Known for its volunteer work and fundraising in our local the North Pole, at the Meet Santa event on December 13 and 20 communities, MHS Key Club, run by Mrs. McKenzie and Mrs. Basa- from noon to 4 in the afternoon. And best of all, Key Club’s Wish man, is always active, never hesitating to reach out to those in need. Tree helps numerous local children to receive presents for Christmas, One of their recent, and very that they might not otherwise re- successful, projects was the annual Food donations filled the library, and the Wish Tree stood tall, as ceive. Many faculty members, Thanksgiving Food Drive. Key Club two examples of Key Club’s important activities this stime of year. school clubs and students take a members were required to bring in 10 tag, shop for a child, and wrap boxes or cans of food in order to feed the gifts, which Key Club officers the hungry. They also ran a collection deliver directly to homes. day at Manasquan Elementary School. Finally, the Key Club “Families have a lot to look wreath sale was a recent hit. This forward to this Thanksgiving,” Brooke annual fundraiser helps to raise Mason said cheerfully when inter- much of the club’s money for use viewed. Hundreds of non-perishable throughout the year. Every year food items cover the desks and floors they are beautiful and easy to of our library, ready to go people in hang up on your door. This jour- need of a great Thanksgiving dinner. nalist has bought them before Other than Thanksgiving, Key and can guarantee their quality. Club also has a whole line up of Christ- So whether it is the mas community service to bright- holidays or any days throughout en the community’s hectic holidays. the year, Key Club members con- Members helped out at the annual tinually dedicate themselves to Christmas tree lighting on December 7 helping others in whatever ways possible. Issue One 2014 The Blue & Gray Page 4 Annual Pep Rally Gets the Crowd Going By: Logan Muir On Wednesday November 26th, main focus. The Manasquan Warrior tato sack race, a three-legged race, and students from all grades gathered in the football players waltzed into the gym a cartwheel race. The seniors complet- Manasquan High School gymnasium for under a bridge of cheerleaders’ pom- ed all of the races first, taking first prize the annual pep rally. poms while the for that event. This year’s most ex- Warrior’s an- What occurred next was the citing homecoming them was quietly Nerf football game, which in the words event included all but intensely be- of Mr. Harvey was “one of the best the fun and compet- ing played by the ever.” There game was in no way lack- itive activities that band. Seniors ing excitement, with several big plays get students up and were acknowl- occurring throughout the game. From jumping each year, edged first, as the impressive endzone catch by Ryan including the tug-of- this was the last Jensen to the tipped game-winning war, relay race, and time they would touchdown caught by Jamie Roland, the Nerf football game. experience a pep Nerf football game kept students up on As always, rally as a Warrior their feet and cheering all game long. things got going right football player. The seniors defeated the juniors in the away. As students After a student tournament, but ultimately lost entered the gymna- well-executed to the teachers in the championship sium and joined their performance by game. classmates in the the MHS cheer- Following the Nerf football decorated bleach- leading squad, game was the tug-of-war. In this battle ers, the sounds of the class com- of strength, the juniors pulled out the loud trumpets and petitions began. win against the rest of the classes, but booming drums set The compe- just as the seniors lost to the teachers the perfect mood titions kicked in Nerf football, the juniors fell short for the awesome off with the of total victory, suffering defeat against events to come. Be- balloon-pop- the teachers. fore the main events, ping game and After all the activities were team captains from the always fun complete, Mr. Buss announced the win- fall sports such as pie-eating con- ners and losers for all the Homecoming tennis, soccer, and test.