The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Issue Number 22 http://somersschools.org/domain/995 Winter 2019 Language Can Open Doors for You

By Natalia Tellez Additionally, knowing more Tusker Tribune than one language will prepare stu- Staff dents to lead and work later in life. “One language Michael Hayward a freshman tak- will set students in a ing French said, “I will use it in corridor for life. Two some sort of career,” and he was languages will open every door right. More than seventy agencies along the way.” in the USA government require the A survey shows that 16 ability to speak a few languages, out of 19 countries give the op- including the State Department, portunity of learning another National Security Agency, and language to elementary stu- many others, too. More and more dents as part of the core curric- employers need these skills in their ulum. It has been proven numerous times that workers and schools have to power to give the ed- speaking two languages helps kids in various ucation needed to help the child’s future career. ways. Also, speaking multiple languages will help the First of all, there is an increase in global students in a global economy and give them the and cultural awareness; it grows the brain in skills needed for cross-cultural interaction. many ways, and helps the children’s future. Multilingual workers have an advantage in Students should learn a foreign language at an international trade because they can receive infor- earlier grade because being bilingual benefits mation in many languages, take trips for business their future. without worry, and integrate with others even if According to an article, speaking two lan- they don’t know English. Therefore, having the guages gives people an advantage in communica- ability to speak two language and the ability to be tion, memory, multi-tasking, and problem-solving bilingual that comes from studying a foreign lan- skills which all help in jobs and colleges. Re- guage at an earlier grade can help the children’s searchers in Scotland also found that bilingual future tremendously. students perform better in tests and acquire a Kids should learn a foreign language at an greater amount of concentration. These tests bi- earlier grade because it grows and improves their linguals do great on can be the deciding factor in brain. For example, executive and cognitive func- whether they are valuable workers in their future tioning develop earlier in bilinguals. jobs. Continued on Page 2 Appreciate Team Time’s Value! By Sara Hanford Team time is great for Tusker Tribune doing homework, studying, or Staff working on a project. If you don’t SMS students have any homework or studying are very fortunate to to do, other great ways to spend have a period of their school Team time are reading, organiz- day to get homework done. ing folders/ binders, or making However, this time is up a missed orchestra lesson. often wasted by playing There is always something you games, listening to music, can be getting done during Team drawing, and other distrac- time. tions on your tablet. Wouldn’t you rather have I strongly encourage plenty of time at home to hang you to use your time wisely out, than do homework? Using during this period, because Team time wisely will help make you will have more time to spend at home. this possible. The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

By Molly Fink much. There Tusker Tribune Staff were also many Out of all the books I've read, the parts that came series has been my favorite se- as a surprise to ries. Although I do admit that some of me. the books have parts that are not very interesting, Moving each book is packed with action that will make on to the next you not want to put it down. book, , The first book, Twilight, is my least favor- was another one ite book. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the that was not my others, mostly because there were only a few favorite. I didn’t parts that were interesting, and many more parts like this one that I had to almost force mostly because it did not have a lot of parts that myself to read. were interesting to me. There were some very The next book, New good parts, but not as many as my favorite books. Moon, was my second fa- Lastly, my favorite book is Breaking vorite. I loved this one be- Dawn. There is so much to say about this book, cause it was mostly about but I won’t say in case you would like to read this. my favorite character, Ja- There are so many new characters introduced in cob Black. Although if you this book and a lot of action and twists, especially like the other main charac- at the end. ter, , you If you like a good fiction book, the Twilight may not enjoy this one as series is for you!

Language er language gives kids a more open mind and posi- From Page 1 tive attitudes to cultures, ways of life, people, and their differences. This is something that is called This means that students would have a for in school because everyone would be nicer, and better ability to focus, ignore distractions, decide it would prevent bullying to kids whose only crime between alternatives, disregard irrelevant infor- is being more different than others. In addition, learning a language at an ear- mation, and have divergent thinking. This would lier grade will aid kids in a multicultural society give students the best opportunity to exceed in and everyone should be conscious of that. Samara school. In addition, knowing two languages keeps Shibab, a junior, has been taking French since she your brain fit and to its best capacity. was little and says, “It was very useful and made Bilinguals actually get superior results me have to learn about the countries culture too.” than others in achievement tests especially in the Senior, Trisha Agrawal, also said that the two subjects reading and math. Joe Kreyhak, a experience made her more cultured. Furthermore, senior took Latin and says it improved his English learning a foreign language can have fun, cultural and vocabulary grades. Furthermore, learning an- benefits. For example, after they mastered the other language at an earlier grade helps kids be- skill, kids can travel to a lot of places and have cause they have more time to use it, get more op- the alternative of communicating in multiple lan- portunities to practice and get comfortable speak- guages. Students might learn to cook and even try ing it. Did you know that the need to always th choose which language is needed for each situa- authentic meals. I know that 7 graders in SMS tion boosts their brain development? Not only that have a World Language Day where they prepare but it can delay adults' cognitive faculties longer, and taste food from all over the world, this shows the start of dementia, and even full on Alzhei- that learning a foreign language can be enjoyable mer's disease.In conclusion, the brain grows be- too. Overall, global awareness and understanding coming exceptional, more capable, and sharp dur- of other cultures is more common in kids learning ing the process of learning a foreign language at a foreign language, so why aren’t they? an early grade. I personally think that students should Studying a foreign language at an earlier learn a language at an earlier grade for all of grade increases global awareness and apprecia- these reasons and more. If it’s beneficial and helps tion for other cultures. Research shows, that when them, why don’t they have this education availa- kids are at a younger age, they are better at learn- ble. What do you think? Is it a smart move or bad ing about other people’s cultures. Learning anoth- one? The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

By Kaeleigh Picco Tusker Tribune Staff Have you ever wondered what happened today ten years ago? Twenty years ago? Thirty? In This Week in History I will tell you about the events that happened that particular week that could have impacted our everyday lives or are just really interesting to learn about.

February 13th, 1635 The first public school was opened in Boston, Massachusetts on this date. It was called the Boston Latin School, and was established by early Puritan settlers. To- day, it is named one of the top-twenty high schools in the United States.

February 14th Happy Valentines Day! Celebrated across the United States and around the world, Valentines day is known for romance, flowers, and my personal favorite, chocolate! The holiday was named after St. Val- entine, who lived during the time of the Roman Empire.

February 15th, 1564 Galileo Galilei, famous astronomer and physicist, was born on this date in Pisa, Italy. He is well known for being the first astronomer to use the tele- scope and add to the theory that the sun was the center of the solar system.

February 15th, 1898 This date marks a spark that brought the United States into the Spanish-American war. In Havana, Cuba, the American battleship, Maine exploded in the bay of Ma- nila. The boat quickly sank and 260 sailors lost their lives. This infuriated Americans, and since Cuba was under the control of Spain, they declared war on the European nation on April 25th. The phrase, “Remember the Maine!” was intensely popularized, and became a slogan for the American cause.

The Tusker Tribune is the online Co-Editors Reporters Somers Middle School Student Noah Volkman Natalia Tellez Newspaper. It is published Joseph Melillo Noah Volkman weekly (except during school Kaeleigh Picco vacations) on the Somers Mid- Feature Editor Sara Hanford dle School Website. It is entirely Samuel Sanz Molly Fink student-written by 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from: Sports Editor Somers Middle School Jesse Manginelli 250 Route 202 Somers, NY, USA. Photography Editor Any SMS student is eligible to Allison O’Connor write stories. If interested, Copy Editors please e-mail William Underkoffler Advisor Dean Pappas at Michael Aiello [email protected]

The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School

Grammy Awards 2019: Who Won Big?

By Noah Volkman Bradley Cooper Tusker Tribune Staff Winner: Shallow – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper The Recording Academy Grammy Awards show is a concert and award show Best Pop Vocal Album: featuring the best musicians – making it Who I Wanted to Win: Reputation – Taylor Swift one of music’s most anticipating nights of the Winner: Sweetener – year. This year’s show was hosted by Alicia Best Rock Song: Keys, who has over a dozen Grammys of her own. Who I Wanted to Win: Jumpsuit – twenty one pi- Women were winning lots many of the biggest cate- Winner: Masseduction – St. Vincent gories, including Lady Ga- ga, H.E.R., and Kacey Best Rock Album: Musgraves, among others. Who I Wanted to Win: Pacific Day- ’s Invasion dream – Weezer of Privacy took best rap Winner: From the Fires – Greta album over Mac Miller’s Van Fleet Swimming (Rest in peace), Pusha T’s Daytona, Travis Best R&B Song: Scott’s Astroworld (which I Who I Wanted to Win: Boo’d Up – wanted to win) and Nipsey Ella Mai Hussle’s Victory Lap. Winner: Boo’d Up – Ella Mai It was also a night of record-breaking. Child- Best Urban Contemporary Al- ish Gambino (Donald bum: Glover)’s hit song “This Is Who I Wanted to Win: Everything America” took four Is Love – The Carters awards, also being the Winner: Everything Is Love – The first rap song to win both Carters Record and Song of the Year. Now, the stats. Best Rap Performance: Who I Wanted to Win: Sicko Mode – Record of the Year: Winner (Tie): King’s Dead – Kendrick Lamar, Jay Who I Wanted to Win: God’s Plan - Rock, Future & James Blake, Bubblin – Ander- Winner: This Is America – Childish Gambino son .Paak

Album of the Year: Best Rap/Sung Performance: Who I Wanted to Win: Beerbongs & Bentleys – Who I Wanted to Win: Rockstar – Post Malone & Post Malone 21 Savage Winner: Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves Winner: This Is America – Childish Gambino

Song of the Year: Best Rap Song: Who I Wanted to Win: This Is America – Childish Who I Wanted to Win: God’s Plan – Drake Gambino Winner: God’s Plan – Drake Winner: This Is America – Childish Gambino Best Rap Album: Best New Artist: Who I Wanted to Win: Astroworld – Travis Scott Who I Wanted to Win: Winner: Invasion of Privacy – Cardi B Winner: Dua Lipa Best Country Duo/Group Performance: Best Pop Solo Performance: Who I Wanted to Win: Meant to Be – Bebe Rexha Who I Wanted to Win: God Is a Woman – Ariana & Florida Georgia Line Grande Winner: Tequila – Dan + Shay Winner: Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Go- in’?) – Lady Gaga Best Country Song: Who I Wanted to Win: Tequila – Dan + Shay Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Winner: Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves Who I Wanted to Win: Shallow – Lady Gaga & Continued on Page 5 The Tusker Tribune Page 5 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School New Security Vestibule Opens!

SMS’ New Security Entrance opened this week. After students ar- rive through the main doors off the bus loop, subsequent visitors to the school enter through the new Security Vestibule to be checked in before wait- ing in the main lobby. At left, 7th grader Arjun Ojha inside the new vestibule. Below, left, the view of the re- ception window that visitors first see upon entering the vestibule. Below, center, Security Guard Jim Reese monitors the cameras and other data in the reception room. At right, the view of the door leading from the vesti- bule to the main lobby.

Grammys Best Song Written for Visual Media: From Page 4 Who I Wanted to Win: All the Stars – Kendrick Lamar & SZA (from Black Panther) Best Reggae Album: Winner: Shallow – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper Who I Wanted to Win: 44/876 – Sting & Shaggy (from A Star Is Born) Winner: 44/876 – Sting & Shaggy Producer of the Year: Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Me- Who I Wanted to Win: Boi-1da (Be Careful – dia: Cardi B, God’s Plan – Drake, Lucky You – Who I Wanted to Win: The Greatest Showman Eminem) Winner: The Greatest Showman Winner: Pharrell Williams (Sweetener – Ariana Grande, Stir Fry – Migos) Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: Who I Wanted to Win: Black Panther – Ludwig Best Music Video: Goransson Who I Wanted to Win: This Is America – Childish Winner: Black Panther – Ludwig Goransson Gambino Winner: This Is America – Childish Gambino