The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School Volume 2, Issue 7 http://somersschools.org/domain/995 Winter 2016 ‘Right to Dream’ Tolerance Message Resonates with SMS Students By Remi Saad African-American girl growing up Tusker Tribune during the Civil Rights era. Staff I had the opportunity of It is im- interviewing Taren and learn a portant to respect lot about her, after she did her each other on more than just play. I asked her, "How did the our gender, race, color or character, Ruby, change your life religion. and help you become who you are We had the honor of having Taren Man- today?" gual present to the 6th and 7th graders a pro- She replied, "Well, I was able to gram called ''The Right to Dream" during a spe- learn more about people, get more comfortable cial assembly on February 10. with my character, and even though Ruby The presentation is actually a is not a real person, I always think she is multi-media play about the struggles there when I perform. Without her and her that has happened in the past with character I would not be here right now. white people and black people during the She also taught me the power of not hav- Civil Rights Movement. ing to be violent when you want something The presentation teaches us why accomplished." we shouldn't be racist and why it is im- I have learned so much from her portant that we don't judge people based and the play ,and I was very engaged with on their color. Taren delivers the mes- her story. I hope you learned a lot, too. sage by playing the role of “Ruby”, an Super Bowl 50 Recap: Manning’s Legacy By Evan Volkman it was clear that the winner would be whatever Tusker Tribune Staff team's’ defense was better. After 15 minutes of On February 7, 2016, the 15-1 Carolina play, it was 10-0 Broncos. Then at half it was Panthers and the 13-3 Denver Broncos faced off 13-7. Von Miller and Danny Trevathan were at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. probably the most hungry players on the Bron- Prior to the game, all of the players who had cos and were dominating the defensive side of won the Super Bowl MVP Award were brought the ball. Cam Newton was pressured a lot and together on field for a group photo. Then around when he had time to throw, Denver’s secondary 6:35, kickoff started and the dominance of the would not allow a completion. D# began. This game was established quickly, and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Page 2 The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School The Tusker Tribune Special Feature: Matt Kushner’s “First Communications” series Chapter 11: Captain Blekniq plan! Help us! Convince the slav--the hu- mans of the truth, the truth that we only When I realized how stupid I was, want to help! You are, in fact, the first one it was a little too late. to talk to us with a real conversation. So, “Give me my daughter back!” I will you do it? Because if you don’t… we had wandered the halls of the ship until I will get mad.” reached a room that seemed to be the And then a plan went to my mind. bridge of the ship. There, and only there, One that would help me save the U.S. and were aliens on the ship. Like all the rest my daughter. “Don’t worry, Mr…..” had disappeared. “Just call me Captain Blekniq.” “Give me my daughter back or else you “Of course, Captain Blekniq. I will help will feel the wrath of… uh… The Hulk! You have you. Because I am the only one that can help taken my daughter, and you have made me mad. you.” You do not want to see me mad! Do you?” I hoped “Good.” And right after the pony-alien said the aliens did not know of who The Hulk really that, my earlier- and failed- experiment would was. come of use. “Ah… Dr. Crevasse, or should I say… The For once, the I tricked the aliens. Hulk. We want you to be the final part of our was 16-7 Denver. Peyton Man- Super Bowl 50 Recap ning was being pressured and Continued from page 1 could not throw very efficiently as he ended with only 141 yards With defensive on 13 completions. So, the Bron- players including De- cos ran and ran the ball. Marcus Ware, Von Mil- After more and more inefficient offense by ler, Aqib Talib, and TJ the Panthers, Denver scored to make it a 22-10 Ward, you’ve got a game. If they went for the extra point, it would be group of elites. When it a 13 point game. Two touchdowns for Panthers came time for halftime, would result in a 24-23 game. But, if they went Coldplay opened up and for two, they could make it an even 14 point performed “Yellow”, game. “Viva la Vida”, Peyton Manning found Corey Latimer “Paradise”, and “Adventure Of A open in the end zone, and then that was it. Final Lifetime” before Mark Ronson score, 24 Denver, 10 Carolina. It was great seeing and Bruno Mars rocked out to Peyton Manning ride his Bronco horse off into the “Uptown Funk”. After, Be- San Francisco Bay sunset. Von Miller was MVP yonce performed “Formation”, for his defensive excellence. and they all ended with “Fix In the post game interview, Cam Newton You/Up&Up”. This was in my left in the middle and cried off. Is it a coincidence opinion a pretty bad show. The that Peyton Manning ended his career with 200 headliner was supposed to be Coldplay, but they total wins? I think not. So, what’s next for the ended up being a third wheel. Beyonce did the NFL? Super Bowl in 2013, and Bruno Mars did it in 2014. They were clearly just coming back. And also, what is up with Bruno’s hair? Anyway, after halftime, Carolina contin- ued to have a difficult time. They actually only got into Broncos’ territory twice. After three, it Page 3 The Tusker Tribune The student newspaper of Somers Middle School Volkman’s “All Star Analysis” By Evan Volkman with a few Eastern Conference Tusker Tribune Sports Staff Player Of The Week awards, he is worth the start. In his Player of the This year’s NBA All Star fes- Week plays, he is 7-1, averaged 36.4 tivities will be held from February PPG and 13.5 APG during those 12-14, in Toronto, Canada. The head- games. In addition, the Eastern liner event is the All Star Game, Conference team will be coached by which will be on Valentine’s Day. someone who will have about 10 Here are the rosters: games of experience. Tyronn Lue just became a EASTERN CONFERENCE coach last week and has little expe- Starters: rience. This game will really end up PG Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors being coached by LeBron James. SG Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat Also, there are three small forwards SF LeBron James - Cleveland Cava- starting. The tallest starter is 6-9! I liers can understand having 2 small for- SF Paul George - Indiana Pacers wards, but Carmelo Anthony at cen- SF Carmelo Anthony - New York ter? Really? Anthony is a good play- Knicks er, but certainly not a starting cen- Reserves: ter. The NBA has Andre Drummond SG Jimmy Butler - Chicago Bulls sitting on the bench for the first 10 SG DeMar DeRozan - Toronto Raptors minutes. When you compare Anthony’s stats PF Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks and Drummond’s, center or not, Drummond is C Andre Drummond - Detroit Pistons playing better. PF Chris Bosh - Miami Heat PG John Wall - Washington Wizards Carmelo Anthony Stat Andre Drummond PG Isaiah Thomas - Boston Celtics Head Coach: Tyronn Lue 21.2 PPG PPG 17.3 PPG There is lots wrong with this lineup. First off, 7.5 RPG RPG 15.1 RPG other than LeBron James, not one of the start- ers should be starters. I know that the lineups 43.2% FG% 52.1% are fan voted, but the NBA should consider hav- ing professionals select the lineups. For starters, 82.3% FT% 35.2% Dwyane Wade? Really? The 34 year old isn’t having as good a season as he has in the past. He is in his decline and will be considering re- tirement. He is averaging only 18.8 PPG (lowest WESTERN CONFERENCE since his rookie year). He may be the heart and soul of the Miami Heat, but is not All Star start- PG Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors er worthy. A possible replacement? Maybe JIM- PG Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder MY BUTLER!!! Butler is in his prime and now SF Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers the face of the Chicago Bulls. He has improved SF Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder every year he has played and is much better. SF Kawhi Leonard - San Antonio Spurs With 22.4 PPG on .455 shooting percentage, he is a better pick. There isn’t much to say about this lineup, Then you have Kyle Lowry. He has I mean, this is an All Star Game. If you have a played well this year but just shouldn’t be start- small ball running offense, you will do fine. As ing this game. He has played All Star quality by usual, viewers can expect for a close game with not superstar quality.