Cape Henlopen High School Volume 42 No. 4 Viking Ventures Student Newspaper December 2010 Viking by Anonymous What’s Inside? What’s Inside? Happy Non-Specific Holiday (Cont.) Page 2: New Teachers ~Grace Hetfield, ‘13 Page 10: Showcase Update The air is rich with the aroma of gingerbread and hot cocoa. It’s that time of year again: a time to celebrate kindness and/or materialism depending on one’s Christmas traditions. However, not everyone cel- ebrates Christmas. While many secular families have adopted the holiday, Christmas is a traditionally Christian holiday. Several groups, both religious and opposed to religion, opt not to deck the halls with bells and holly. Careful measures are made to not offend Page 3: Student Contributions anyone with the use of the non-specific phrase “happy holidays” but Christmas seems Page 11: TSA Leaders to overshadow all these other non-specific holidays. The “holiday” decorations that adorn every public place and even Cape Henlopen High School (the tree in the rotunda or the motifs decorating the school website, for example) are blatantly Christmas- themed with their use of red and green colors, Santa Claus, and other Christmas em- blems. Even the use of religious imagery such as nativity scenes is on display at some public places. Is it okay that Christmas seems to overshadow other religious holidays of the season? Or is it offensive to shove Christmas spirit in the faces of those who will Page 4: NYC Mosque not be decorating trees this holiday season? Page 12: Looking For Alaska Sophomore Brittney Robinson’s opinion is no. “I know atheists who celebrate Christmas. I know Jewish people who celebrate Christmas. Not everyone celebrates the religious aspects of the holiday.” Sophomore Myranda Gransbury agrees. “My opinion now is that Christmas now is not about religion. It’s about Santa and presents.” My- randa voices passionately, anchoring herself to the cafeteria table with a curled fist. Their views may be biased, as they both celebrate Christmas, but not all Christmas celebrators agree that Christmas cheer is not offensive to some groups of people. It may Page 5: Rocketry Club be offensive because, “we get all our holidays off...why can’t they get their holidays Page 13: Punk Rock off, too?” says 2013 graduate Katelyn Gebbia about the winter [continued on pg. 13] break. Joseph: A Look Inside ~Taylor Goebel, ‘12 Page 6 & 7: Sports Walking into the theatre at 6PM (a half hour early before ev- Page 14: Student Spotlights eryone was called) I was not surprised to see Zack Leary and Triever Sherwood hanging out on the main platform. Zack was playing “Hal- lelujah” on the guitar and singing along with Triever Sherwood. Their voices drifted throughout the ancient Greek-inspired theatre, as did their cackling and rambunctious voices (due to boredom). Daniel Iammatteo arrived shortly after, confronting me about why the dressing room was not open yet. Dramatically, I ex- claimed that I just did not have the keys, and Mr. Dutton (aka DD, Derek, or Duuur- Page 8: Addiction rek, the theatre manager) was not here. Page 15: Soon though, everyone arrived in droves. Jessica Stevenson excitedly rushed in to the group of cast members, plopping a rather large bag of make- up on the platform (and whatever else necessi- ties were needed for the Egyptian look), exclaim- Page 9: Youtube Page 16: Surf Bagel ing “Mother!” (An inside joke that would make anyone question the theatre kids’ nor- malcy- or lack thereof). The “tapdance of death” [photo by D. Bland] [continued on pg. 4] 2 Viking Ventures Tough It Out Same Love ~Cassie Gotto, ‘11 ~ Jillian Brower, ‘13 Everyone has their stronger and weaker subjects As people are progressing, and society is getting less in school. For some, math comes very easily. For others, and less judgmental, same-sex relations seem to be more English is their strongpoint. For me, math is not only a widely accepted than before. In 1942, the American Psychi- school subject but also a daily struggle. Math is the one atric Association declared homosexuality as a disease. In thing that stands between me and graduation day. Maybe the present day, there are still many people who view it that you are struggling in math, or maybe English is your way. Ryan Brower, 17, says, “It’s wrong. I believe in the most-hated subject. Whatever you are having difficulties Bible, and it says man shall not lay with man, and woman with, things can be done to improve your grade and your self-confidence.shall not lay with woman.” Unfortunately for some, our school requires four credits in math Even though there’s a noticeable population of people who are AND English in order to graduate. If you aren’t happy with your grades against and relations with the same sex, there’s also a big percent that don’t at this point in time, don’t fret. The first semester doesn’t end until after have a problem with it. “They aren’t any different than people who date the break. Until then, try your absolute hardest in the class(es) that you are opposite gender. They just happen to look at personality rather than gender. struggling in. Put off some of your extra-curricular activities to make timeI just don’t think you should care about who other people are seeing, as long for some homework or possibly some extra credit work. Maybe ask your as they’re happy,” says Allie Mueller, a sophomore. teacher if you can sit in the front of the classroom. Surprisingly, grades do According to statistics, 28% of gay and lesbian students dropped out tend to rise the closer you sit to the front of the room. You will be forced to from being teased and pressured about being gay. 26% of gay and lesbian behave and focus because your teacher will always be right in front of you. teens are forced out of their homes from their families disowning them. A Sometimes bombing one test can bring your whole grade down lot of teens struggling with fitting into a society they can’t, end up isolating to failing. Ask your teacher if you can retake the test or quiz that you did themselves from everyone else. In fear they won’t be accepted, or in fear of poorly on. If this is not an option, see if extra credit work is a possibility. what people would say. Failing one quiz or test should not bring down your whole grade. It might “Honestly I don’t feel alienated here at Cape. I like girls, and not be pain staking to stay after school and retake a quiz, but it will be so many people know, but it’s not like I’m hiding it. No one should really be afraid to show their true colors. Their true friends will be there no matter worth it when you see your grade rise. what, just like mine are.” Says an anonymous Junior here at Cape. There It is hard to focus on school when Christmas presents and vacation isn’t a huge uproar about discrimination against someone’s orientation. At is on the brain, but if you can hold on a little while longer and concentrate Indian River High School last year, they wouldn’t allow a female student to on your grades, your break will end up being a better after all. If your bring another female guest. Everyone’s subject to their own opinions, and grades are good, maybe you’ll get some goodies in your stocking instead there’s no right or wrong, but with society now leaning towards being more of coal. lenient about open-gay/bi relationships, people can feel more themselves, and express who they are. Viking Ventures Cape Henlopen High School 1250 Kings Highway Lewes, DE 19958 Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Cassandra Gotto Slater Clampitt Advanced staff Colleen Beck, Taylor Goebel, Bethany Graves, Morgan Kaplan, Kirstin Pollock, Courtney Puckett, Conrad Rutkowski, Jennifer Rutkowski, Matt Wilson Welcome, New Teachers! ~Kayla Doud, ‘14 Introduction to Journalism staff We would like to welcome two new teachers to our Mateo Andrade, Brian Beitzel, Amber Bobbitt, Jillian Brower, school - Mr. Greg Berman, who took Ms. Serman’s place, Rose Campbell, Nora Carle, Kayla Doud, Nikki Dumigan, and Mr. Rex Willoughby, who is replacing Mr. King. Rebecca Dziak, Matt Gerle, Ryan Gross, Brittany Hart, Devin Heron, Mr. Berman is teaching Span- Grace Hetfield, Suzi Jamgochian, U.J. Johnson, Katie Kolobielski, ish 1 and 2 in room D111. He once Adrienne Lineaweaver, Alexandria Lewis, Amber Maloney, lived in Japan for three years and he Margaret McClure, Bryanna Miller, MacKenzie Miller, used to teach Japanese. Berman even lived in Ecua- Kayleigh Murphy, Daniel Myers, Yasmeen Othman, Ryan Pedrick, dor last year where he learned Spanish. He commuted Denise Pizzola, Emily Reed, Claudia Ratner, Georgia Shenk, between the U.S and Ecuador but then decided that he Kassy Sizemore, Elizabeth Sparks, Brian Spicer, Romy Stancofski, wanted to come back to the Cape School District. Lacey Steele, Taylor Trimmer, Rachael Webb, Leah Wilson For many students, he is a familiar face and because of his odd resemblance to Chris Daughtry. Mr. Berman acquired Adviser - Amie King that nickname from his former BMS students. One student, Charlie Bur- ton, greeted him like an old friend. Another ninth grader, Kierstyn Miller said “He was always there to talk to. He was really cool! I’m glad to see him again.” Mr. Berman, who also likes to be called Mr.B, loves it when his students have that aha! moment, when it really clicks for them.