he hieftain TMontville High School Oakdale ,C CT 06370 Issue #3 2014 NHS Helps Veterans MHS Says “Konnichiwa” By: Natalie Smith MHS students rushed to the bake sale table to relish in the sweetness of homemade brownies and other desserts. The bake sale was part of the National Honors Society’s (NHS’s) four square tournament to raise money for their service project. The four square tournament was played with twelve teams of 2 in a round- robin style. 4 teams were eliminated by the end of the first day. At the end, the team with the most times in the king’s square won Dunkin Donuts gift cards. The first place winners were seniors Chase Lewis and Jake Schmalz. Juniors Gerald Aquino and Thomas McDaniel took second place. The tournament and bake sale were a success. The funds were used to put on a Some of the Japanese students preforming a traditional dance. photo by: Alex Winakor veterans’ brunch. The NHS also plans to have a jar in the office that students can By: Lacia Japp guess the number of items inside for $1 to Forty-seven Japanese exchange best behavior for the visitors when she raise additional funds. On April 8th, NHS students impressed Montville High School commented, “Different point is students hosted an additional fundraiser at Sweet with their polite smiles, fancy fashion don’t sleeping class. Japanese students Frog. and surprisingly good English. One host sometimes sleep in class.” This year, the NHS hosted a student summarized, “They gave good The group also mentioned that brunch at the Chesterfield Fire House to responses although sometimes it was hard their school is five stories with no water honor veterans and those who are serving. to get them to understand the question.” bubblers or cafeteria, but they wear It was held from 11-2 pm on April 6th. It’s true the visitors did not have school uniforms and change to “inside The brunch was open to the public but trouble understanding the joke when the shoes” instead of wearing the same ones the NHS asked that non-veterans make MHS students in gym got a volleyball all the time. The Japanese school has a small donation to the cause. Besides stuck in the ceiling, and later, a fun night “about seven drink vending machines” food, there were also games and fun for of going out bowling and to dinner with and they can only buy bread and rice balls kids including trivia and a ring toss. A late Montville host students bridged any other for lunch. The mixing of classes and the breakfast was served. The NHS decided cultural gap. That being said, the Japanese giant portions in the lunch room were to help veterans because they realized kids found it easy to point out differences surprising, but Hiroyu Miura confessed, that many people in Montville are serving between here and home: “Students wear “I want to spend my school life here.” America now or are veterans. Also, T-shirt even in the winter. It’s strange,” An MHS student worried, “I bet numerous MHS students will be joining noted Ayane Saito. “Classes are so long. we’re showing them how crazy Americans the military after graduation. My school only an hour and 5 minutes are,” but the Japanese students termed the Many people enjoyed watching in one class. Do they take 2 or 3 hours same observation as “freer” and “better”. and/or playing in the four square in one class?” Satomi Nakabachi asked. All the students found MHS friendly and tournament in March and others liked the “Most Japanese students don’t say our helpful. Maki Kanazaki even offered, baked goods. The NHS hopes that their opinions, Americans say their opinions “Our school has some good points. Why service project will be a success so that very active,” observed Kondo Mami. don’t you come to our school, LOL!” they can help veterans with the money Yuma Arai, proved that MHS put on its raised from their brunch.
Page 1 The Chieftain MHS SPORTS
MHS Cheerleading a The Rigors of Riflery Flying Success By: Helena Sun All of the cascading pom-poms, fierce chants and tumbles have marked a successful season for the cheerleaders here at MHS. The cheerleaders earned the title of Grand Champs in the Compete for a Cure event on February 1. Out of twenty other teams, Montville’s cheerleaders received first place by 9 points, which is considered a substantial difference in cheerleading. The cheerleaders then placed third in their division out of a total of 6 teams at the ECC conference on February 22. At the state competition, our cheerleaders placed fourth out of 22 teams. Some described states as “rigged” due to false deductions. Senior captain Taylor McDonald said, “Considering all Eric Sloan lines up his shot. photo by: Alex Winakor the things that had happened this season that could have discouraged us, it only By: Ryan Turney made us want to win more. I think that’s Eric “Sharpshooter” Sloan has major aspirations for success for Sloan, what makes for a good team.” recently set his sights on riflery for the and he says he wants to “…work on a lot Freshman Avalon Foret says, “I Junior Olympics because of his stellar of different things, my major goals being would definitely try out for cheerleading results in his matches over the high school college. I want to go to Ohio State, West again next year. I had fun going to football season. He was introduced to the sport Virginia or Kentucky.” He has contacted games and competitions with my team. when he was younger, bringing with it college coaches, hoping to get the attention The upperclassmen were supportive and the guidance from his parents who were of their eyes and scope on his situation of helpful to all the new girls throughout the riflery members themselves. His mom, in landing a spot in a Division I college. season.” particular, started out in high school. Eric Sloan takes part in individual In addition to competing, many says he still enjoys competing against her competitions with a .22 caliber rifle cheerleaders teach. 9 of MHS’ cheerleaders in friendly matches. He describes this and a .177 caliber air rifle. With these have coached youth cheerleading (4-14 sport as being the most thrilling thing he types of competitions, he hopes to bring year-olds). Senior Katherine Namin says, has ever done, saying that he also likes the his experience in the Junior Olympics “It taught me patience. I enjoy helping concentration, focus and relaxation that to hopefully land a permanent spot on little kids and teaching them new tricks.” accompanies it. the Junior Division Olympic team and The team is comprised of 7 Sloan recently attended a ultimately be able to take part in the students who participate in other reputable competition for the Junior Olympics Olympics. Sloan has become a competitive cheerleading and dance groups. 6 girls are where he put up an impressive score of and hard-working athlete during his high a part of East Celebrity Elite (ECE), an 563 out of a possible 600 points in the air school career, and that dedication is finally elite cheerleading program which has won rifle competition; he hopes to eventually paying off. over 400 national titles. MHS students achieve a perfect score in this field. The Ali Tschopp and Nicole Funk competed competition was held in New London at at Nationals (hosted by the National the Coast Guard Academy and was called Cheerleaders Association) this year. Their the Junior Olympic Rifle Competition team, Fame, also the highest level of ECE, (JORC). This competition has produced placed eighth out of 39 teams.
Page 2 The Chieftain MHS SPORTS Montville Lacrosse By: Allison Kronk Lacrosse seemed like a dream to hard to be able to play on the school the town of Montville 2 years ago, but with team. “I was excited because originally a small clinic held last year that 101 eager I thought that we would be a club sport kids and determined staff attended, they my senior year, since most sports play spread the dream. Montville went from their first two years this way, but now this having 20 kids who have ever played to gives the seniors a chance to experience over 250 across the youth, instructional, playing varsity and it’s all really exciting and high school teams that formed in the for us,” said girls lacrosse player Brittany spring last year. With this accomplished it Ruley. This year with over 30 kids on seemed as if they had done the impossible, both the boys and girls teams, there will but this was only the beginning for the now be Junior Varsity games added to the lacrosse program in Montville. schedule. “I look forward to just playing The boys and girls high school and getting to know new people,” said teams worked hard throughout their Trevor Swinburn, MHS student, who is seasons, and it paid off. In May of last playing for his first time as a freshman. year the Montville lacrosse program got The lacrosse coaches and players in town unbelievable news: their high school teams accomplished getting lacrosse into MHS would be going varsity. This is amazing and to be recognized as a Varsity sport for the kids in high school as well as the and have spread the idea of playing to an youth players who are already working unbelievable number of students. photo by: Alex Winakor Sonja Campbell Continuing Her Legacy By: Stefanie Szot Montville High School grads go talent. She says, “I guess [Coach] Egan to qualify for nationals. Campbell wants off to college ready to make names for saw some potential when I picked up the to win at nationals and become an All- themselves. They are prepared for life shot for the first time and I just jumped in.” American before graduating college. in the classroom as well as on the field. With hard work and perseverance, Sonja Sonja says the hardest part of Many former grads go on to be as admired would turn this raw talent into success. being a college athlete is balancing school at college as they were here in the halls of Campbell is once again a rookie work with the track schedule. She adds our own high school. and sees this as a chance to redefine herself that it is more challenging than it was Sonja Campbell is one such alum as an athlete. She attends 4 hour lifting and in high school, so to get through it, she (MHS 2013). She originally made a focuses on the future, seeing herself name for herself on the MHS track “I guess [Coach] Egan saw some potential when taking the wins that she is preparing team in shot-put and is continuing to I picked up the shot for the first time and I just for. do so at Southern Connecticut State jumped in.” Campbell gives the credit for University (SCSU) in New Haven. her success to Timothy Egan, Joel Campbell joined track as a throwing practices 6 days a week and it Finnegan and Walt Sherwin. She still freshman after it was recommended by is paying off. She won her first collegiate considers the MHS Girls’ track team to be her brother. She was reluctant at first, meet at Yale and won the Northeast Ten her second family. not wanting to run, but was convinced Conference championships. Campbell has Campbell left her mark here with when hearing of other events. Something a new personal best of 40 feet 8 inches. MHS students still talking of her success about the shot-put attracted her attention, When asked about this season’s outdoor and pleasant attitude. Everyone wishes something which would later prove to be goals, she hopes to throw over 45 feet her luck with shot-putting and academics.
Page 3 The Chieftain ARTS AND CULTURE Lights, Camera, Action
“The Desolation of Smaug"
By: Lacia Japp
“This is the third with all the action and good stuff in it,” anticipated one Lord of the Rings fan lined up to see Part Two of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
Fantasy fans can look forward to epic fight scenes such as two elves slaying orcs by running on the heads of some dwarves who are floating in barrels down a river. Suspense lovers will enjoy the face-off between the powerful wizard Gandalf the Grey and the emerging demon Saruman. Romantics will not miss out either. Viewers agree the screen writers do a better job moving this three hour epic along.
Following its dragged out predecessor, the second part fortunately picks up both the pace and the plotline. Whether adventures in Middle Earth seem tempting or not, the journey’s interest is enhanced by the film’s brilliant animation work.
Tolkein’s creatures crawl out of the book, onto the screen and into the theater with make-up artists and graphic illusions blending lines between imagination and reality. Early in the film, a werewolf like beast chases the heroes through the woods before transforming back into a bushy eye-browed animal- man, whose features realistically straddle the line between man and beast. A few minutes later, giant spiders spring out of the trees in full hair raising detail– with eight bristly black legs and bloodthirsty black eyes. Out of all the mythical creatures portrayed in the movie, the true star of the film has his name in the title. When the golden-eyed dragon Smaug surfaces from beneath his trove of forbidden treasure, all hearts in the theater stop.
Voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, the dragon somehow manages to sound elegantly catty as he tries to kill the heroes, then flies off into the night – promising to wreck more havoc in the final part of the Hobbit Trilogy.
Page 4 The Chieftain ARTS AND CULTURE The Montville Sports Feud By: Stefanie Szot Every season the best of MHS themselves up. Another cause of tension is chance to be even better if they begin go out for their sports to represent the when a sport loses players due to leaving supporting each other. school. All the teams wear the same colors players going to other sports. All athletes and same name, but you would think by know that their team is their family and it the way they bicker on social media hurts when someone leaves the family for and behind each others’ backs they are another so they take out their frustration fighting their biggest rival. It is common on that other sport. What makes this occurrence each season for sports to get problem noticeable is the growth of social into disagreements at MHS, but in order media. Teenagers have the tendency to to fix this, it is important to figure out why post without thinking and what everyone this happens. seems to forget is once it’s out there, it’s All athletes have a competitive there for good. edge as soon as they step on the field and Asking players from all sports, a all teams want respect for their sport. The majority will say that the support between problem is when those two of these traits teams is poor but they all see ways that mix. Everyone wants to play on the “best it could be improved. Simply going to team” in the school. All the players want another sports game or saying “Good to hear talk in the halls of how great their game!” during passing boosts spirit and team did; it is a gratifying feeling. To get pride. All of the sports teams do well this, they bash on the other teams and talk during their seasons, but they have the photo by: Michael Lopez Carnegie Hall
By: Ryan Turney The anticipation subsides, and year there were 10,000 applicants who Before playing in the hall, there you have waited for this after having entered their pieces into the drawing to was a process of auditioning and applying worked so hard to achieve it. The moment play at such a prestigious place. Only 500 for a place among the 500 performing that has come, and the concave structure of kids were accepted. Even this number night. Sun had to master the piece that was the stage that you sit on at Carnegie Hall shows just how selective the process is to picked for the auditioning process and envelopes the sound you have so longed admitting people to play in such a band. worked on it with her clarinet instructor. to play for the wondrous eyes of the There was a band, orchestra and There was a set time frame for each audience before you. The sound resonates choir that all had turns to show what they participant to record their music in and and shakes your very soul as you finally had on stage. Students from all over the due to the time it took for the required realize that you are playing in a prestigious world came with their families to have the piece to be played in, there was enough place such as Carnegie Hall. This was the opportunity to play in a once in a lifetime time to admit a song of her choice for reality for junior Helena Sun. concert among their families and peers. the rest of the duration of their audition. It is an honor and privilege to Sun said that her favorite part about the Sun chose Première Rhapsodie by Claude attend a concert at Carnegie Hall, but experience was “meeting and playing Debussy. Even though this was a stressful to be playing in one is a feat unto itself. with so many people from all over the but exciting process, it all paid off in the Helena Sun, who does phenomenal work world who shared a strong desire for end when she performed five major pieces in and outside the classroom, played the music” like herself. She described the hall of work by famous composers. clarinet at Carnegie Hall in the Honors as very “resonating” and she enjoyed the Band on Sunday, February 9th that she pieces of music she performed along with had auditioned for this past year. This her band members.
Page 5 The Chieftain OPINION What MHS Has to Offer Rent and Reality By: Ryan Turney The accepted belief that one should pay rent in his own house if he is 18 years old and above is popular among parents. Many ask themselves, “Why is this?” Some think that it will push their kids out to go and get a job or a college education if they aren’t planning on doing so already, and others find it as a real-life situation that they want to use as a teaching moment in a young adults life. This belief is obviously not popular among the younger population because of the reality they have to face when coming across such a serious time in their lives. It drives young adults to stress over their future, making it controversial. Paying rent raises this question: Does being an adult officially make you Student Government plans end of year activities. photo by: Alex Winakor eligible to have to pay for rent in your own house? This argument is very two- By: Natalie Smith sided, with strong opinions weighing There has been talk of making Besides after school activities, in on either side. One well supported MHS better and increasing enrollment teachers and students at MHS don’t want opinion is that when a child turns 18, he with administration creating a marketing to be here every day. Some may say that or she has the ability to choose whether video that advertises all of the great parts teenagers are just moody and that none of to pursue a higher education, or become about MHS. With this comes the question them like school but honestly, I only like involved in a field right out of high what makes people come to MHS, and school when it is not stressful and interests school and ultimately be considered an what is special about MHS? The truth is me. When a teacher actively engages adult making one able to feasibly rent an there is nothing special about MHS and students and connects boring topics to the apartment. With the ability to do all these students only come here to achieve a real world, school is fun. Learning could things, the argument to pay rent at your normal high school experience. There are also become more interesting if teachers own house doesn’t seem that farfetched. some students who are talented and there created a positive learning environment The reason it doesn’t seem too out there is is a diverse community of students but that included more hands on activities because of the fact that when you turn this that is it. that engage students. Generic lessons will age, you have the independence to make Other schools have extracurricular never interest students and MHS needs to your own decisions. When you choose to activities that are new and fun like fencing realize that. The tech schools that students stay at home, you are under your parents’ but here we have the same things to do are choosing have interesting classroom supervision and authority to make rules after school as surrounding schools. environments and MHS needs to start whether you like it or not. Compared to some schools, we have less. taking notes on that. The other side to this argument The activities we do have that students With improvements like these, is that someone wouldn’t be able to pay excel at are underfunded. Take the students would enjoy themselves, word for rent because he or she doesn’t have music department for instance, a teacher would get to the middle school and good enough grades to get a good paying admitted that it is good and has always to surrounding areas that MHS was a job to pay for rent. Paying for rent is no been good but despite this fact, the music great place to be, and enrollment would joke, so choose wisely whether you want department gets less funding than sports increase. to go to college with provided housing or that may do worse. live under the rules of your parents. And ultimately, have a plan! Page 6 The Chieftain OPINION Juniors Are Test Stressed By: Stefanie Szot May is right around the corner and about taking is the SBAC. Many are upset that is a terrifying thought for all juniors. that they don’t have the option to take the For them, May isn’t just another month test or not. As junior Adrienne Foret put it, of school, it is a month of testing. For “I opted to take AP and so I have to take some of the students, they are taking the the test. That one was of my own accord, SATs and the ACTs. For kids in Advanced but Smarter Balance doesn’t even apply Placement (AP) course, the AP test will be to us.” She then goes on to explain that taking place as well. In addition, the junior the test is a frustrating because the scores class will be the pilots for the Smarter can’t be seen after taking it; no one wants Balanced Assessment Consortium to take a test like SBAC and not be able to (SBAC). They recently took the Armed see their results. Services Vocational Aptitude Battery An important point to make is that (ASVAB) in March and have taken the the SBAC is taken at a similar time as AP Connecticut Academic Performance Test testing. How can anyone be expected to (CAPT) for the past two years. Mixing perform well on the AP exam after taking this in with the rigorous courses many are the long and tedious SBAC? Junior Nicole taking, the juniors are feeling all of this Dutka states, “It’s ironic actually; it’s not pressure and are wondering when all of smarter and it is definitely not balanced the standardized testing will stop. with AP being the same week.” The test that juniors are frustrated photo by: Michael Lopez The Hunt For a Summer Job By: Natalie Smith Every high school student wants ask about the status of your application. filled out and you receive an interview, be money and parents don’t always give it, Going above and beyond can help land a sure to have answers to generic questions so a summer job is the way to go. Getting job or at least put your application at the top already thought of such as strengths and a job is easier said than done. Below are of the pile. If you are set on a job in town weaknesses. Dress professionally even if some tips in order to get the money for it is important to show your face at local it is a fast food joint, smile, and be polite your summer fun. businesses to ask for an application even if especially if the job involves customer Employers hire on a first come it happens to be online. If you are not sure service. Sell yourself, but don’t come first serve basis, so applying early will who is hiring there are many websites with off too cocky. It also helps to make the increase your success rate. Make sure job listings or places that hire teens such interviewer smile and laugh even if you to talk to friends with jobs to see if their as snagajob.com and hireteen.com. Don’t are nervous. Just laugh it off if you make a employer is hiring and if they can get forget about camp counselor and other mistake and keep going. If you are lucky you in. Be flexible with your hours and seasonal opportunities like lifeguarding you will leave with a minimum wage where you apply. If you are committed or working at a campground. If you are summer job! to getting a job you need to be willing under the age of 16 but still want a job, It is important to apply for a to work weekends, nights, and holidays the Montville Youth Service Bureau has a summer job as early as possible and not in a location that may not be ideal. To Hire a Teen program that teens can sign up to discount any options. At the interview, ensure that you will end up with a job, it is for and do a number of things for people be sure to come prepared. If you follow necessary to apply to many positions and in the community including babysitting all of the steps above, you should have no see who calls back. If you are especially with a babysitting license and yard work. problem getting a job. interested in a certain job you can call to When the applications are all
Page 7 The Chieftain LIFE Low Temps Bring Low Spirits Cell Phone Addiction By: Meagan McAdams Studies show that 73% of Americans would feel panicked, or even desperate without their cell phones, according to the Huffington Post. This is because of “cell phone addiction”. A majority of high school and college students constantly have their cell phones with them. College students are the heaviest users, averaging 109.5 texts and 60 phone checks per day. As much as people love smart phones, they produce a negative effect. Social media seems to lead to more social isolation than ever before. There is less of a need to speak to people when their whole lives are immediately available online. “On the soapbox of so-called As the homework piles up, the library fills up. Photo By : Alex Winakor social media, everyone’s a better, sexier, brainier and actual living avatar By: Helena Sun of themselves that exists only in the The months of January and to the weather doesn’t help. I’m really daydream realm of fantasy,” says William February were filled with anticipating kids looking forward to the spring months. J. Furney of the Huffington Post. checking their phones to see if Montville Hopefully it’ll put a little spring in my Studies show that people who Public Schools declared “No school”. step and get me on track.” constantly use their phones tend to be This year, students and staff began to Numerous studies have shown more angry, or negative. Parents observed experience perhaps too many incomplete weather can, in fact, affect humans in fast food restaurants reacted angrily to weeks. Below freezing temperatures and negatively and positively. In 2005, a study their children when seeking a conversation cloudy days dictated weary attitudes was done where 605 patients responded while they were looking at a phone or towards not just winter, but school. regarding a person’s thinking and the tablet. One mother kicked her child under Teachers have been noticing a drop in weather. The study found that, “Pleasant the table when he interrupted her scrolling grades and loss of focus during class. weather [higher temperature] was related through her phone. “When we plan our lessons, to higher mood, better memory, and However, social media is not the there’s a certain sequence to it. After ‘broadened’ cognitive style during the only reason for the addiction. Popular apps so many snow days, there is a loss of spring (Psych Central).” Although one on smart phones are also contributors. cohesiveness,” says English teacher Kelly may regard this simply as the placebo Like fashion trends, smart phone apps Brooks. Numerous students agree it is effect, there exists a real and serious come and go in popularity. Evolving from difficult to find the will to effectively learn condition called Seasonal Affective Temple Run, to Candy Crush, and the and have strong work ethic after having Disorder (SAD). SAD is characterized by recently popular Flappy Bird, people of numerous days off. This blissful rut of emotions of depression in the winter when all ages with smart phones are giving in to having no school starkly contrasts once temperatures drop and days get shorter. the simple games. students must actually return to school. After a few scattered flurries, though, “Cell phone addiction” is a Junior Kianna Smith says, “The temperatures have been increasing to the disease in dire need of ending. It causes winter weather increases my fatigue 50s and 60s recently, maybe promising people to check their phones when there personally. As students, we all work hard that April’s showers will bring May is no alert because cell phones have at our grades and being ‘sluggish’ due flowers. transformed from communication devices to new limbs. Page 8 The Chieftain LIFE “Promposals” By: Cailin Marsh With prom just around the corner, juniors Emily Dodson and Taylor Lavallie, junior and senior girls are anxiously if a guy wants a definite yes from his girl, waiting to see who will be brave enough he should include food when asking her to perform the always exciting and to prom. According to Lavallie, her ideal outrageous promposal. With acts such as promposal would be the guy spelling out lighting hundreds of candles to spell out “Prom?” in sports balls. prom or baking cookies with prom in While the promposal is cute and icing, each one is bigger and better than exciting in the eyes of the ladies, it can the last and has every girl wishing for be stressful for the man involved. It can their ideal ask. be a lot of pressure to try and live up to According to MHS seniors Ariana past promposals and make the girl feel Wujtewicz, Alyssa Mattison and Kailee special in the eyes of peers and Instagram Tanner, promposals are necessary and followers. As long as a lot of effort goes expected. No girl wants to feel like their into making his date feel special, any guy date did not put thought into the proposal, can be sure to get the yes from his girl! and the girls believe that the proposals are So guys, when it comes to asking important because they want to know that that special someone to prom, do not fret! their date thinks they are special. As long as you put a lot of effort into the According to MHS seniors proposal any girl would be lucky to go Martha Mena and Kenzie Savage and with you. photo by: Alex Winakor The “Unspeakable Challenge” By: Stefanie Szot Everyone remembers September that are recovered, but there is a chance that the airline has been delaying searches. 11, 2001; 2 suicide hijackers crashed that they may not. And it may not ever be What upset families the most was that planes into the World Trade Center. enough or satisfying, and they’re going to Malaysia Airlines texted them a message Thousands of people were killed. It took have to find peace in some other way.” telling that all lives had been lost and then longer than a decade for some remains to With no hard facts, many of the had a face-to-face briefing with them. be identified. What made grieving easier families are keeping hope and believe To express their frustration towards the for the families of victims were answers. their family member(s) will be coming airline, hundreds of friends and families of The families of passengers that were on home. Others, like mother of 2 Chang Li missing passengers marched in Beijing to Flight 370 have nothing. Ping, know they will never see their loved the Malaysian Embassy. When journalists Flight 370 went missing March ones again and struggle with telling their tried to join the protestors, uniformed 8 when traveling from Kuala Lumpar family. Ping explains that she is afraid officers blocked them. to Beijing. Countries around the world to tell her children Dad will never come New theories and evidence arise have been trying to find answers for the home. She said to a CNN reporter, “My each day. “The real issue here is it looks families of the 239 passengers but nothing heart can’t handle it. I don’t want to hurt like— more and more— somebody in definitive can be given. “They will have my children.” the cockpit was directing this plane and to somehow find a way to put their minds What all of them share is directing it away from land,” said CNN at peace, to let go of the idea that body of disappointment in Malaysia Airlines aviation analyst and former National their loved one is going to be recovered,” for not supporting them throughout the Transportation Safety Board Managing stated psychologist Ken Druck to CNN. event. The airline has also been hiding Director Peter Goelz. “Or there may be bits and pieces of things information, the families say, and believe
Page 9 The Chieftain MHS NEWS Spicing it Up with MHS’ Annual They’re MAD! Salsa Contest By: Natalie Smith They’re MAD for knowledge. The Montville Academic Decathlon (MAD) attended the Connecticut state competition on March 1st at Post University. The team received multiple awards including a gold medal in the essay portion and a silver medal in the language and literature section. The team placed 2nd overall and was just shy of going to the National competition in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 24-26, but there is always next year when the national competition will be held in Garden Grove, California. Next year’s topic is New Alternatives in Energy: Ingenuity and Innovation. The MAD competes as a part of the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) program. The competition Ms. Jimenez sampling some prize winning salsa. photo by Michael Lopez consists of 10 events: an impromptu speech, a prepared speech, an essay and a By: Ashley Kolasa series of subject tests in science, literature, Montville High School’s salsa were Jon McCray and T.T. Bowens. art, music, social science, economics and contest was successful for another This year’s salsa contest had over math. A full team is 9 people, 3 Honors (A) year. This is the 8th year that there has 50 different salsa entries and 20 teacher students, 3 Scholastic (B) students, and 3 been a salsa contest held at MHS. Mrs. judges. The most entered salsa for the Varsity (C) students. Academic decathlon Luginsland, has been in charge of the salsa salsa contest was in 2012 with 78 different began only 46 years ago but has grown contest for six years. There were many salsas. There were ones with meat, a seven dramatically since. Every state submits a winners for different varieties of salsa. layered salsa dip, gluten free guacamole, team to Nationals even if the state does For the first and second place winners, different types of fruit salsas and queso. not hold a state competition. prizes were given to them for the best dip They had spicy, medium spicy levels, and This year, Montville did not have salsa, best fruit salsa, best traditional salsa some salsas weren’t spicy at all. a full team because the competition date and the best display. Some had a sweet spin to them, was changed last minute due to snow. The For the best dip salsa, the first and such as the fruit salsas. The chips for team still did well, however, and hopes second place winners were: (1st) partners, fruit salsas are different from traditional to drum up more interest for next year’s Ryan Wrobel and Lara Huapaya and salsa’s chips. They are usually sprinkled exciting topic, since many of the team (2nd) partners, Emily Horton and Kaylin with cinnamon and sugar. “Most of the members are graduating seniors. Joan Amado. For the best fruit salsa, the first traditional salsas made with tomatoes Miller was the number 1 overall scorer and second place winners were: (1st) and onions and other ingredients spice and Jess Turley was the number 1 scorer partners, Cassidy Atkinson and Abigail it up [but] this year, there were over 30 for her division. Baukus and (2nd) partners, MacKadie fruit salsas entered into the contest. Fruit Coach Richmond says “Mr. Hayes Heon and Hannah Watford. For the best salsas are made using mostly fruits and and I are really proud of our 7 seniors. traditional salsa, the first and second place can be very sweet as well as very spicy,” This was a great way for them to end their winners were: (1st) partners, Sierra Baker Luginsland says, “It is very exciting and Academic Decathlon career. This was our and Mia Ferguson and (2nd) partners, always a great time!” best showing in 4 or 5 years. We are really Isabella Persons and Corinne Medina. going to be relying on our underclassmen The best display winners for their salsa and new recruits to carry the torch going forward.” Page 10 The Chieftain MHS NEWS Humans of MHS: Ane Ueland By: Michael Lopez What was the high school environment times… and my friend did a couple times how we behave is our responsibility. The like back in Norway? too. Showering people is a big hit as well. teachers don’t really care if you fail or not, “The High school environment They drag you down to the locker room so you have to take control.” was more laid back and we don’t have the and let you take off your jacket and shoes, same respect for teachers that you do here. then they take you in the shower and We don’t call our teachers by Mr. or Mrs.; won’t let you out until you’re soaked. we call them by their first names. These things happen at school, We also use computers in every but if the teacher catches you, you can get subject and our internet is not blocked. suspended… for a day. The seniors that are This makes it more difficult to learn. You most wild don’t even get their diploma, so have to be more disciplined to learn. they’re going to retake the year anyways A big thing at our school is the and they don’t care. It is normal to retake senior pranks. The two last months of your senior year.” school, from April to May, the seniors can do whatever they want to the freshman, So the two high school environments sophomores, and juniors. They usually that you have been exposed to are totally have these vans that they gang up in, and different from each other? kidnap people. They drive their victims “Yeah, we don’t have that many away and egg them. They do whatever rules. We get treated like we are adults. they want. I got kidnapped a couple Our learning is our responsibility and photo by: Mike Lopez Cafeteria Food
By: Meagan McAdams “Awful and overpriced”, out of the healthier school lunch program Rather than sacrifice a student’s health, “unhealthy”, “some days better than because they could not afford it, so some some schools are instead feeding healthier others”, are common comments when schools are not feeding the students meals, but raising the prices. A majority discussing the cafeteria food at MHS. unhealthy, or appealing meals on purpose, of public schools are facing this decision Students reacted either negatively or but because they cannot afford anything of keeping unhealthy meals at a low cost, passively to being questioned about hot else. This has also led to the increase of or having healthier meals though raising lunches. Having to live with the constant prices. prices. cliché of being absolutely terrible, Aside from the taste of the food, “Fed Up”, a blog run by the cafeteria food at MHS is certainly students are most upset over the cost organization “Do Something”, had student meeting that standard in the minds of of their meals. Seeing as a majority of from across the countries post photos many students. “It’s not really food you underclassman don’t have jobs, therefore of what their schools call food. Readers get excited about eating,” anonymous. little money, the seemingly ever-rising could vote “toss it”, or “eat it”. While Many reports show clear health price is not making any students happy. few seemed appetizing a large majority of violations by many cafeterias across the “I think that it’s irrational that if students the photos were voted to be tossed by an country. The USDA reported that sixty- don’t grab a fruit or vegetable, they get overwhelming amount of votes, and many five percent of student’s daily calorie charged more for their food because, while also were seen to be violating the USDA intake comes from school lunches. Also they think it’s promoting healthy eating it guidelines. Nowadays many students less than one third of schools stay below really is a waste of money as the majority have been thinking twice about buying the recommended standard for fat content of students take the fruit/vegetable and their lunch or not. in their meals. Many schools have dropped throw it away immediately,” anonymous. .
Page 11 The Chieftain THE BACK PAGE Guess the Teacher By: Helena Sun Last issue’s mystery teacher was chocolate. She likes to play Beethoven locked up in a white room and forced to Mrs. Pallin, AP Chemistry teacher and in the house but likes a wide variety of stay in bed, she would “absolutely not” do Assistant Superintendent. music. She secretly enjoys Southern rock/ it. Her pet peeve is when people just say This issue’s teacher tells if she blues music, such as the band the Allman “seen” and not “have seen” or “saw”. An had a super power, it would be to be Brothers. She wishes to travel to New exotic animal she would like to see is the at several places at once. She prefers Zealand for a few months, or Bali and jaguar. Skittles to M&M’s if they aren’t peanut Tahiti. She most enjoys her time near the M&M’s. When she was younger, she lake at a cottage her family owns. She is wanted to become a nun. “It seemed an avid swimmer. She has locked her keys great to live with other women, like in the car before. She reads Winter’s Tale a little community with friends,” she by Mark Helprin every winter. It is also said. She also describes herself as “a her favorite book. She believes three key bird nerd”. For her most recent birthday qualities a fantastic teacher should have she attended a birds of prey lecture. She are: love working with the age group, be considers herself a “fledgling naturalist”. able to learn from the students and be able The most spontaneous activity she has to suspend judgments. She likes pickles done was jump into a fountain outside of but is picky about which kind she prefers a restaurant. She says she makes a mean (it cannot be too garlicky and has to be chocolate mousse bomb. Her favorite fruit Polish). Her favorite flower is the rose. If is the raspberry because it goes well with she was paid $1 million by NASA to be Last issue’s teacher; Mrs. Pallin Photo by: Michael Lopez Candidates Already Vying for the 2016 Presidential Election
By: Kevin Fitzgerald Even before many candidates for and the son and brother of the 41st and 43rd Trends thus far in the fledgling the 2014 elections have declared their Presidents. 2016 Presidential election include intense candidacy, candidates eyeing the 2016 The battle for the Democratic focus on the states of Iowa and New Presidential Election are canvassing nomination has the potential to heat up as Hampshire, both hosts to early primary the country, visiting strategic states and well if former First Lady and ex-Secretary contests. Many nominees have started conventions and communicating with of State Hillary Clinton, who is the favored to court wealthy donors such as casino large donors to establish their legitimacy candidate for the nomination, opts out of magnate and billionaire Sheldon Adelson, as serious competitors for their party’s a run. Clinton’s influence has not stopped who met with governors Christie, Walker, nomination. The Republican Party, faced political commentators from citing Bush and Senator Paul to vet them on their with two presidential election defeats in governors Martin O’Malley of Maryland proposed agendas of their hypothetical a row and a battle to redefine the party’s and Andrew Cuomo of New York as administrations. Adelson threw a reported message, has seen an ever growing list of strong alternatives for the Democratic $100 million behind 2012 Republican potential nominees vying for campaign nomination. Clinton’s supposed hegemony candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt donations and face time with the media. also hasn’t stopped Vice-President Joseph Romney and is now exploring the new Important names to know as the battle Biden from considering a third attempt at batch of nominees. While the 2016 for the Republican nomination heats up winning the Presidency, a fact that should election is well over two and a half years include Rand Paul, the libertarian Senator frighten Mrs. Clinton as she was favored away, the election becomes more heated from Kentucky, Chris Christie, the in the 2008 nomination race before her on a daily basis and the favored candidates bombastic Governor of New Jersey, and upset to then Senator Barack Obama of will become more prominent as the clock Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida Illinois. ticks closer to November 8th, 2016.
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