Volume 57 Issue 1 Mahwah High School September/October 2018 2018 Updates and Upgrades By Ryan Spector Mahwah High School un- derwent a multitude of changes that should be recognized by staff and students alike. The more noticeable updates are found in commonly inhabited spots around the school. The Senior Nook is now known as the “Senior Nest” as it has been deemed more appropriate for the Mahwah Thunderbirds. The lights in the auditorium have been upgraded so that it “looks less like a dungeon” and the school plans to supply the The- atre Department with a scrim curtain, a unique piece of stage equipment that appears opaque or transparent when exposed to light at different angles. Ad- New Construction Gaining S.T.E.A.M ditional renovations have taken place in certain classrooms, such building as it poses a major secu- to juniors, sophomores, and finally and will be celebrated in various as the new furniture in room 125 rity risk. In the near future, all stu- freshman. Other security addi- ways. The SGA is in charge of the and the complete transformation dents will be issued FOBs that they tions include the hiring of Officer celebrations and will solicit ideas of room 107 (previously the cook- must keep on them at all times, Jack as the School Resource Officer from students and staff. Pascale ing room) into a classroom/apart- which differ from school IDs with and the school-wide installation of promises that the MHS social me- ment/coffeehouse that the special their ability to open school doors. brand new alarm systems. dia pages will be more active than education program will implement For now, just until the entire stu- The most prominent addition ever reporting this topic, using when teaching independent living dent populations receives individu- to come, as most students know, is hashtags such as #CelebrateMah- skills. al FOBs, the doors are temporarily the construction of a new STEAM wah and #MHS60Yrs. He also that The most important shift from set to timers so that students can facility in MHS’ backyard. The classes and clubs will integrate this last year, however, is an increase in enter the building at specific times, building is currently about one- milestone into their future plans school security. Mr. Pascale urges such as the morning. They have al- third complete. Once the walls are and activities. students not to open doors for ready been distributed to seniors fully established, steel will be in- The most noteworthy en- anyone after initially entering the and will eventually make their way serted into the building for stabil- deavor that will be taken to sanc- ity, the roof will be installed, and tify MHS’ 60th anniversary is the the brick surrounding the exterior burial of a time capsule. It will be of the building will be finished. filled with various items from MHS Pascale reveals that the building which students and staff can help will hopefully be completed during choose and assemble. Behind the June of 2019, but will most likely new STEAM building lies a perfect be operational by the time Septem- area for burial, where it will remain ber rolls back around. The building undisturbed for forty years until will (tentatively) host many class- it is unearthed by the high school es, including Humanoid Robotics, community of the future! All of Technology and Engineering Prin- these betterments of MHS’ infra- ciples, and Innovations and Inven- structure and security are perfectly tions, as well as relevant extracur- represented by the very mission riculars like the Mahwah Robo statement inspired by the school’s T-Birds. 60th anniversary— “Celebrate, Another major occurrence Connect, Create: Where Thunder- this year is the commemoration of bird Tradition Meets Tomorrow.” Mr. Humphrey’s Temporary View Mahwah High School’s 60th An- niversary! Such a milestone must Page 2 September/October 2018 College Corner: The College Essay By Sofia Smith To help spark inspiration in any critical portion of seniors who are struggling with your personality. The beginning of the school starting, I compiled a list of help of Pieces that do not year beckons an influx of seniors tips and tricks provided by notable display who you are who are stressing over college ad- teachers around the school, among and what you care missions and essays. As guidance them, Mr. Fuchs, Ms. Cording, and about are trite and counselors emphasize time and Mrs. Morgan. dull. Pick a topic that Colleges tend interests you so that dur- to look at writing ca- ing the essay process, pabilities more than you do not find yourself the perfect story. If stuck in one place. If you you show what you specific types of powerful writing. are not focused while have learned through colorful use Many colleges differ in styles of writing the essay, it is of words and figurative language, writing such as personal writing, more than likely that the many colleges will acknowledge fictional writing, or even existen- admissions office won’t your literary abilities, a key quality tial writing. They want variety and either. in your application. something out of the ordinary. From the moment Building off of the last point, With these useful ideas, you begin your first draft, your topic doesn’t have to be as anyone can make an essay that time again, a persuasive and cap- incorporate voice and style so serious or morose as many people catches the eyes and hearts of any tivating essay may be the decid- that your experience is conveyed in believe. It can easily be a silly topic admissions office. TheTom-Tom ing factor in your acceptance to a more riveting manner. The reader as long as you write it in a tasteful wishes all seniors the best of luck a university because it reveals an should not struggle to finish read- and creative light. with their application, especially important facet of your charac- ing your essay and should instead Take time to research com- with the impending November 1st ter that cannot be shown through be hanging on the edge of his seat. mon types of essays each college deadline. Happy writing! GPAs and standardized test scores. Your essay should capture a looks for since many search for Staff Summer Reading Assignments By Zuzanna Niepostyn and Nicole Kwan, The Outsider by Stephen Mr. Nahum Solich King, and Kitchen Confidential by This summer Mr. Nahum read Anthony Bordain. She enjoyed all Their Eyes Were Watching God by Summer is a time where stu- of these books. Sofia is currently Zora Neale Hurston. The book dem- dents and teachers alike are able reading the book Educated by Tara onstrates the struggle black wom- to relax from homework and take Westover. She also recommends en had to face. It follows a woman’s a break from the treacherous work- the book The Glass Castle by Jean- journey to find personal freedom load of school. Some decide to play nette Walls, which is one of her all- after enduring many hardships. video games all summer while oth- time favorites. Nahum spoke highly of the book ers take the time to read a good Mrs. Devine and said he definitely encourages book. We interviewed multiple Mrs. Devine went on a trip to all to borrow it. The book discusses teachers to find out what books beautiful France this summer. Pri- sexism and racism, two topics that they read over the summer and or to the trip, she read many travel are becoming increasingly relevant which ones they recommend for books. Currently, she is reading in today’s society. you! Mrs. Kandoth Mr. Ryan Mrs. Kandoth believes that Over the summer, Mr. Ryan summer is a great opportunity read News of the West by Paulette Mr. Jankowski to read a hefty load of books. Be- Jiles. It is about a young girl trav- Throughout the summer, Mr. ing a history teacher, she reads eling through the west when sud- Jankowski spent his days read- many historical books. Amongst denly a group of Native Americans ing The Plague by Albert Camus. her countless picks are Beneath the kill her parents and kidnap her. She Camus is a Nobel prize-winning Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan and grows up with them and then is author. Jankowski specifically ap- Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wing- given the opportunity to get back preciates Camus’ choice to weave ate. She especially loved Before We to her family. Ryan recommends details from his life’s background Were Yours, a story about women the book; in fact, he read the book into the story. The book is about that were kidnapped and sold into for his wife’s book club but his kids an epidemic in Africa. He loved sex trafficking. didn’t like it. this book so much that he even Sr. Castro Miss Pizza named a fantasy football team Over the summer, Sr. Castro Miss Pizza read The Poetics of “The Plague.” He suggests this read many books, one of his favor- Space by Gaston Bacheland for grad novel to people who enjoy reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste ites is Oculus by Michael Offutt. school. It explores the manner in psychology. Ng, which is about a person who Castro gave it a glowing review, which humans look back at their Mrs. Sofia has gone missing. She describes saying, “It’s a book about hope and childhood homes and memories. Mrs. Sofia adores reading. Celeste Ng as a talented and pow- gives perspective on life.” Overall it She said she enjoyed the book but Over the summer, she read count- erful writer.