Issue Number 16 htps://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 Winter 2021

Ready to Return To School? At right, 8th grader Emily Mladeno- vic works at a desk that features the new individual plastic barriers that will be installed on each classroom desk, with desks spaced three feet apart, as the school district arranges to have the majority of students re- turn for in-person learning. There is a tentative goal of implementing this plan after the spring break.

Is the NBA All-Star Weekend Getting Worse?

By Benji Cutler All-Star Game Tusker Tribune Staff To start off, we will begin with the main This weekend, on Sunday, March 7, all of event every year, the All-Star Game. In the NBA, the NBA All-Star Weekend Events are there are 2 conferences, the Western and Eastern. taking place. The Skills Challenge and 3 They have always competed against each other. Contest are taking place at 6:30 P.M. EST, In the NBA Finals, in legendary rivalries and in the All-Star Game is taking place at 8:00 P.M. previous All-Star games. You have Bird vs Magic, EST, and the Dunk Contest will take place at the Kobe vs the Celtics big 3, vs Karl halftime break of the All-Star Game. In the past, Malone and , LeBron vs Curry these events have had several legendary mo- when LeBron was on the Cavaliers, and so many ments, including ’s 360 windmill and more incredible duels. With the new format of the arm in the rim dunks, Michael Jordan’s free All-Star game, we can’t see that. The new format, throw line dunk, doing the 3 Point which is two captains drafting the All-Star start- contest with his warmup gear and celebrating the ers and reserves, both east and west, is so differ- win before his last shot went in, 5’7” ent that many people do not enjoy it. beating his teammate, in the On the other end, some people enjoy rivals dunk contest, and many more. However, in the teaming up for one game. However, ever since last couple of years, these events just have not 2012, which includes every year with the new for- been the same. Today, I will individually analyze mat, the highest amount of people watching in a each All-Star event other than the Skills Chal- single year worldwide was in 2013, with about 8 lenge and discuss why it is better or worse than it million people. Since then, the ratings have grad- once was and how it can become better. ually decreased to a record low of 6.8 million peo- ple in 2019. Only in a 7-year span, 1.2 million people around the world decided to not watch the All-Star Game that isn’t East vs West anymore. I’m not saying that is the only reason, but some people enjoyed watching potential Finals Match- ups like LeBron vs Kobe or Michael Jordan vs Ko- be or LeBron vs Curry. Even though the addition of a themed pickup game in the 4th quarter in 2020 may interest more people, there will likely not be as many people watching the All-Star Game now as there were previously. Continued on Page 2 The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

NBA Weekend ing as it once was and has just been boring in From Page 1 general. The main reason for that is the partici- However, what the NBA could do is keep pants and the players who win. To lay it out for the starters separate by conference and have two you, from 1984-2000, we had Dunk Contest win- captains pick the bench from the pool of All-Star ners like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, reserves. Then, the most popular duels from both Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant just to name a conferences will still be going at it and there can few. Those are just some of the winners, imagine still be a modern element to the game. what the participants looked like! From 2001 to 3 Point Contest 2020, the only eye-catching names are Jason Next up is the 3 Richardson, , Point Contest. This one is- and . n’t as popular or different Those are great players, but than it has been, but there they aren’t fan favorites like have been a few changes the previous four are. I could that have made the contest understand if some fan favor- feel odd. First, last year, ites like LeBron James don’t the NBA added two Mtn want to be in the Dunk Con- Dew shots that are 6 feet test, but to make the event behind the 3-point line and more entertaining and have are worth 3 points. They more people watching, you also added a rule that lets need to have superstars or at the shooter choose one rack least multiple All-Stars. That of their choice that is all is a big problem in many peo- “money balls”, which are worth 2 points. Those ple’s eyes with the Dunk Contest. additions could make the contest more entertain- Next, we have the scoring system. Last ing, but it is different. year’s dunk contest was a perfect demonstration. Another huge part of the event is the par- In the final round, Derrick Jones Jr. and Aaron ticipants. Recently, some of Gordon were facing off to be the participants either crowned as the 2020 Dunk aren’t big names or aren’t Contest Champion. The fi- the best shooters in the nal round was intense, and league. For example, last went back and forth until year, players like Davis the final dunk for each Bertans and Devonte’ Gra- player. Derrick Jones Jr. ham were participating. scored a 48 on a windmill Those aren’t big names or dunk a little bit above the the best shooters. In 2018, line. People Wayne Ellington and Eric thought it was definitely Gordon were participants. over for Jones Jr. Because My point is most people Gordon was getting 50 after don’t know who some of 50 every dunk. Aaron Gor- these players are! I think don’s final dunk was a two- what they should do to make the contest the best handed slam over 7’5” Tacko Fall! Now everyone it can be is put in the top 4 non-All-Star 3-point knew it was over! Until, 3 judges gave Gordon a 9 shooters based on percentage of 3-pointers made, to drop his score to 47. People call this dunk one and 4 All-Stars that are great shooters, since half of the greatest of all time, and it didn’t earn him will be big names that are great shooters and the win because the final round was going on for half will be the actual best shooters in the league, too long? This is a huge problem that could either technically. I think that would make more people be fixed by changing the scores system or the want to watch their favor- judging system. ite players go at it with the These are my true best shooters in the thoughts on how All-Star NBA. Weekend could improve, Dunk Contest because the All-Star events Finally, we have the Dunk take place this Sunday, Contest. The Dunk Con- starting at 6:30 P.M. Est, test, in my opinion, is the on TNT! Below will be the event that should be by far participants for each event, the best and most enter- but other than that, be sure taining, but that’s not what to have fun and enjoy the outcome has been re- watching the 2021 NBA All cently. It has been disap- -Star festivities this Sun- pointing, not as entertain- day! The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School An Exhausting Field Trip This Was NOT the Day to

By Jayden Reynolds Miss School! Tusker Tribune Staff I should have been in school that By Damien Zherka day. It was a Monday, and it was very sun- Tusker Tribune Staff ny, and warm, and I decided to stay home. I should have been at school that And of course, there was an unexpected day in third grade, because there was a field trip, and the trip was to Canada, so it was a big party in my class and there were do- big trip. And I found out about this two minutes nuts and all types of food and candy. before they were going, so I had to pack a bag, get I didn’t dressed, get in the car, start know that there was the car, go to the airport, all in going to be a party in two minutes. Impossible my class, and all the sounding, right? kids got to go to re- But then, out of no- cess all day. They where, a camel with rocket didn’t have to do any jets came out of the sky and work, and they were picked me up to take me there. able to watch a mov- Afterwards, however, when it was time to leave, ie, and everyone re- the camel disappeared and the plane had already ceived a free Xbox, a free puppy, and a check for left, so I walked like for 69 hours to get home. $999,999,999,999,999. I missed all of that. In addition, the kids went on a field trup to a football game, and then Hoping for Another Florida went to a baseball game. After that, they attend- ed a UFC fight, and they ended the day at Reis Vacation Park, where they ate pizza, and cake. And I missed all of it. By Jonathan Rivera Tusker Tribune Staff When I was little, I only went to Flor- ida once. I remembered how fun it was—so Disney World Trip Will be many rides, food and many other things. I Great really wanted to go this year, but since COVID hit, you could not do anything. By Bledin Rexhepi We could've gone but nothing was open. When Tusker Tribune Staff we went last time, we rented this house, we had a I’m filled with hope. You know pool and everything, we why? I am going to Disney World. I played games, soccer, football can go on all the fun rides. I will have and watched movies. We had a lot of fun. I think it will take a little while to their pizza, and it was very get on one ride because Disney World, most of good. the time, is always busy, especially on the hol- I think my favorite part idays. was when my uncle went fast, I will eat lots of great food and enjoy it and we got pulled over. He with my was so nervous, it was hilari- family. I will ous. see lots of If we ever go again, there is a fair that I want Disney char- to go to again because the cookies there were really acters. I will good and the rides were probably an 8 on a scale of 1 watch the -10. fireworks at the end of the night. I The Tusker Tribune is the online Somers Middle School Stu- will walk dent around and Newspaper. It is published weekly (except during school vaca- see lots of tions) on the Somers Middle School Website. It is entirely stu- adventurous dent-written by 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from: things. I will see lots of people having fun Somers Middle School, 250 Route 202, Somers, NY, USA. with their families. I might go on some of my Any SMS student is eligible to write stories. If interested, please e-mail Advisor Dean Pappas at favorite rides. [email protected] When I go there, I will never forget an- Website: ything. This will be a journey that I will never https://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 forget for the rest of my life. The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Staying Home From Restless Dog Caps a Tough Day

School Is Really Boring By Noah Hechler Tusker Tribune Staff By George Sullivan My phone lit and began to buzz. It was Tusker Tribune Staff my mom, I had no clue what she wanted. It was I should have been in midnight and she woke me up. school that day. I wanted to go, I was wondering why she was calling me but my parents made me stay so late so I began to worry and feel scared, but I had to home. They were all sick, but I wasn't. pick up so I did and she said, “Noah, I’m really tired But I begged to go to school. and I have not had a good day and I’m not in a good Then my parents mood.” said no, and I got all sad She kept going on because it was so boring and on about how bad staying home, having the day was and then I nothing to do while I'm knew something bad was home. going to happen, but then I went outside she got to the point and and got bored, and then she just added that the thought of the home- dog was restless, and work I had that I didn’t barking, and she wanted do because I wasn’t go- me to taker her out. ing to school. My heart was re- Then I went back lived. I thought I was going to be in so much trouble, outside and got bored and was angry be- but then I said, “Sure mom.” cause I was stuck in my room, playing on So I went in her room, gave her a hug, and said, my iPad, bored. “Sorry for your bad day,” and took my dog and walked I had the worst day of my life and her. When I returned, I allowed her to sleep in my I will tell my parents you should regret room. She promptly went right to sleep near my face, this decision a lot because it was horrible. but I didn’t mind because she is so cute.

A Sleepover and a Talk with The Police

By Joseph Guerrido Reporters Tusker Tribune Staff Beji Cutler My phone lit and began to buzz. It was Nick Goncalves the boys texting that they wanted to hang out at Joseph Guerrido Bobby’s house, have a sleepover party with all Noah Hechler the boys, and have some weekend fun. So the Ryan Hunter group of boys start getting to Bobby’s house one bye one, Tristan Iglesias filling the whole house up, going in the pool, riding dirt Julianna Maffei bikes and skateboards, and hav- Emily Mladenovic ing a fun time. Then we went on a walk Bledin Rexhepi around Bobby’s town, and we Jayden Reynolds were just walking and talking, Jonathan Rivera and then this police car pulled Kate Seeger up alongside of us because they George Sullivan thought we were up to no good. I Andrew Underkoffler guess it was because there were Damien Zherka like 25 of us. So Bobby started talking to the police, asking why they thought we did something wrong. The officers said it was because they had heard from someone in town that kids were knocking on doors and then running away. At one point, the police saw five boys, so they chased them but didn’t get them. Bobby said none of us had anything to do with that, and that the police could talk to his mom to back that up. Later, the police found the five boys, hiding in Bobby’s yard, so the police apologized for accusing us. The Tusker Tribune Page 5 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School A Trip to See Blue Man Computers Can Be Terrifying Group By Emily Mladenovic By Nick Goncalves Tusker Tribune Staff Tusker Tribune Staff Of all the things that I have ever I should have been in school that been afraid of, my computer terrified me day, but my mom took my family to the the most. You never know who’s watch- city and my mom brought her friend ing through cameras or through apps. from high school with us. Theres always someone there. People can As we were walking to the theater my also hack into your com- mom told us about, we still didn’t know what puter and find what you’re show we were going to watch. searching up and expose Then, out of no- you if you’re doing some- where, my brother throws thing embarrassing. up over my mom’s friend. People hack, take So then we go to CVS to your credit card number get medicine, and my mom and buy a bunch of items, asked my brother, “Do you and take money from your want to go home? We can card. The internet judges go another day to see the you. If you post a good show.” photo, people write “ugly”, My brother said, “We can go.” “cow”, “photoshop”, etc. When we get there, it was the Blue The internet doesn’t have a filter. They say what Man Group show. There were things getting they want when they want. They cancel people for thrown and there was paint everywhere, along everything and anything. For example they can- with loud drums being played. celled Lana Del Rey because her music didn’t em- It was interesting, but when we were power women. It doesn’t matter what she done and going home, my sister started to cry writes about in her song; it’s not even ours. because she didn’t feel good. So it might have The internet also can give us false infor- been better if I had gone to school. mation. Anyone can go onto Google and put ran- dom stuff on there and we would believe it. Making a Championship Prediction The Thrill of Meeting A Challenge By Tristan Iglesias Tusker Tribune Staff By Julianna Maffei I wish I could tell you why I was Tusker Tribune Staff so sad to win the football championship. I am filled with hope, but my It was not happy tears; they were real. bones are jittery. I have been waiting for While I was happy to win, I was this day to come, but now that it’s finally just very sad to see my here, I don’t want to find out the results. brother upset and crying Whatever happens will make a because he never won a huge difference in my championship, and he has life. The email is com- been trying for almost six ing out in one minute years to win one. I had only and I can feel the sweat been trying for three years. build up on my palms. I It make me said to see him have been training for in the car because he never field hockey my whole won. life and if I don’t make So, I chose to go it on this team, I would- talk to him and said, n’t know what to do. It’s “You’ll win next year. I promise. We’ll just have my dream! I’m shaking all over and I can feel to practice more and go outside a lot to make butterflies flying around my insides. sure we get better.” My muscles feel tense, so I try to relax myself He said to me after that “it’s fine I just by taking deep breaths. I refresh my page, and can’t win.” there it is. The email that can change my life. Do And after he said that, I said to him, I click on it now, or do I wait? I don’t think I can “You’ll never know if you can’t win if you stop wait much longer so I tap on the email and my trying, so let’s go”. So, he listened to me and we stomach drops when I notice that I got in! went to go hang out and he promised me that My face forms a huge smile and my heart he will practice more next year. starts racing. I did it! The Tusker Tribune Page 6 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School A Rude Wakeup Was Only The Beginning By Ryan Hunter went downstairs and ate breakfast and left for Tusker Tribune Staff school. Once I got on the bus, some kids behind me I should have been in school that day. started kicking my seat until the bus stopped. That day was the Now I did not know why, but it worst day of my life looked like the bus popped a tire. So and it all started when I we had to wait while the bus driver woke up. fixed the tire. Then, the kids started So I have this annoy- to kick my seat again, and then I ing sister named Karen and remembered the test! this morning, she was in a I had a math test today and if I bad mood because mom missed it, I would not graduate, so would not buy her the doll at that moment, I ran off the bus she wanted. Now, that is and ran to school. Luckily, school bad for me because when wasn’t that far, so I had a shot to she is in a bad mood, she make it there if I ran full speed. But can, and I quote, “take a house down.” you see, I failed PE, and to add on top of that, my So when my mom said to wake me up, she school had a policy that if you are not there by 9 threw off my comforter and yelled at me to get up, AM, you can’t come in. It was for some attendance which was not the wake-up I wanted. So, I got up, thing, so let’s just say odds were not in my favor. A Frustrating Time On Zoom

By Kate Seeger very glitchy and she kept freezing. Tusker Tribune Staff So my teacher and the kids on Zoom I should have been in had to talk through the chat in school that day. My mom Zoom. She said to leave the Zoom wanted my hole family to and that there wouldn’t be a test. I stay home because it was close to was so happy! the holidays, and we wanted to see Then I asked my friend who my grandparents for Christmas. was in class if we had any work, and We did not want to get them she said, “No, we’re just playing re- sick. So one day I was on Zoom and view games.” we were supposed to have a Spanish test, then a I was happy, but mad at the same time be- math test. So I was on Zoom and my Spanish cause I wanted to review. The same thing was teacher did not let us in until like 30 minutes after happening with math, except we did not play a the class. review game. I really wanted to review for the We got in and I could not hear her. She was test. Editor’s Note: Many of the stories in Lots of Snow Made for this issue are based on prompts that our writers were given. Some of the A Great Winter prompts include: • I should have been in school that By Andrew Underkoffler day. Tusker Tribune Staff • We are what we pretend to be, so we must be This winter, we got a lot of snow, and careful about what we pretend to be. that filled me with hope because I thought • They’re asking me to remember. • It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks we’d never have school again. They would nev- were striking 13. er get the roads clear. • It began on the night we died on the Kamikaze Of course, if that happened, we’d have to roller coaster. go to summer school, after the snow melts. • The days of the week meant nothing to him. Still, I’m not really sad • I am not a category. because we got a lot more snow • Of all the things that I have ever been afraid of, this winter than last winter my computer terrified me the most. and I had a lot of fun skiing • All my life, I’ve been an outcast and a freak. and snowboarding. I also tried • Imagine you are alone when a smiley, happy clown appears. some stepper trails in order to • It was a nice day for a funeral. get more speed, and that was • I only went there once. really good. • I wish I could tell you why. We didn’t go to Thunder Ridge this year, but • I keep the things that scare me secret. we did go to Vermont, so that was a lot of fun. • I’m filled with hope. • My phone lit and began to buzz.