February/March edition Inside this issue: Anticipating “Annie” School/ 1-5 A preview for the upcoming St. Regis and Mike Craw- because it really shows how local news spring musical ford as Rooster Hannigan. much Warbucks has grown By Amanda Hayes But, there are many more to love Annie and it shows 5-6 talented actors in the produc- that Warbucks isn't really as Sports Recently, the high school tion with roles as orphans, uptight as he seems.” hallways have been filled radio hosts and presidents. Regarding the same with exuberantly colored When asked what question, Nigrelli said, “My flyers advertising “Annie,” the audience would enjoy favorite song has to be „I Reviews 6-7 the spring musical debuting most, Meghan Nigrelli said, Think I'm Gonna Like it in early March. Already, a “I believe that the audience Here,‟ because the song significant amount of people will really like the appeal takes place when the ser- are planning on attending. „Annie‟ has to a younger age vants and Grace welcome All are very excited to see group. It's a very family Annie to the mansion, and Opinion 8-9 the cast and sing along to the friendly show, but it also has she gets to see a life outside songs. scenes that parents, teenag- the orphanage for the first The ers, and kids time ever.” Go See it! musical, directed can enjoy.” The whole cast of Thursday and Friday: by Mr. Steve Alex Narcotta “Annie” has been working March 8 and 9 at Shannon and said, “I think very hard, and the effort is choreographed 7:30pm, the audience paying off. They are excited by Ms. Tara And would take McSweeney, is Saturday: March 10 away the great for the score, the dances and sure to live up to at 2:00pm at the story being even the props and cos- the standards of Frolio Middle School. told, and also tumes. For example, the dog all the musicals the great rela- Sandy in the show will be directed by this duo in the tionships formed not only played by a real dog (a love- past. This year it is also pro- between Annie and War- able therapy dog named duced by Mr. Dorman, who bucks, but also Grace and Benjamin). Overall, there is produced “All Shook Up” Warbucks, as well as Ms. last spring. The cast is exten- Hannigan to Annie.” great anticipation and en- sive, with talented individu- Aside from the well thusiasm as the date of the als in leading roles, includ- -known classic songs such as show approaches. “Annie” ing Meghan Nigrelli as An- “Tomorrow,” “It‟s the Hard will be performed Thurs- nie, Alex Narcotta as Daddy Knock Life” and “Easy day and Friday, March 8 Warbucks and Meredith Cel- Street,” there are many other and 9 at 7:30pm, and Sat- lini as Miss Hannigan. Other songs to look out for. Nar- principal roles are filled by cotta said, “My favorite urday, March 10 at 2:00pm Melissa Joseph as Grace number has to be „I Don't at the Frolio Middle Farrell, Vicky Lynch as Lily Need Anything But You,‟ School. Legalizing Marijuana A major debate in today’s government medical marijuana shops around the By Michael Donaher country would stop, and states would be on given the right to choose for them- On January 30, President Obama held a selves. video question and answer session with Some say the government has members of YouTube, answering the no right to intrude on what one puts in most popular questions in which users their body. More say that the failed submitted and voted on. The top voted policies cost way too much money and question was from Stephen Dowling, a are part of the reason for the recession. member of Law En- For example, the Drug Policy Alliance forcement against Pro- published a report about drug costs for hibition (LEAP). 2010. The report states that $75 million Dowling talked about were spent in New York City on proc- the failed policies of the essing and prosecuting drug criminals, a War on Drugs, and ridiculous amount considering what asked the president could be spent on violent criminals. about rethinking his But what about kids and teen- strategy regarding a agers getting access to these drugs? policy that has failed. This is a legitimate claim made by those Unfortunately, this supporting prohibition. Yet somehow, question was ignored; it these drugs are available while they are was never answered by MCT illegal, so what difference would be the president. made? This is the same as alcohol: if it Dowling brings up a good exists at all, teenagers will find a way to point with the drug war, and an ever get it somehow. bigger point in ending prohibition and An important thing to keep in legalizing marijuana. For many years mind is the legislation being passed, and now, federal laws state that marijuana is how this legislation is influenced. If one illegal, even while a few states allow follows the money, prescription drug the substance for medical purposes. If companies pound money into lobbying this law were to be repealed, the raids for keeping marijuana illegal so that Open mic night Here’s to another successful open mic night! There was a large turnout of fresh faces reading haikus, singing songs, telling stories and even acting! Interested in attending the next open mic night? It’s coming up in March! Stay tuned to the morning announce- ments for more information or, con- Aidan Cawley reads at open mic tact Dr.G. night. Page 2 Interview with Nick Malafronte Abington Alumnus makes strides Sam Malafronte: How was your reha- follow. towards recovery bilitation stay at the Shepherd Center? SM: How was the staff at the Shepherd By Sam Malafronte Nick Malafronte: It was very good and Center? I don‟t believe my rehab would have NM: The staff was incredible at the My brother, Abington High School been the same if I hadn‟t gone there. I alumnus Nick Malafronte, class of Shepherd Center. From the nurses, did therapy Monday through Friday 9 to therapists, the cooks and janitorial staff, 2010, was injured in a diving accident 5, for almost four months, and I was while on duty as a lifeguard at the Is- everyone had a smile on their faces able to regain movement that the doc- every day and were never afraid to say land Grove in July of 2011. In the div- tors believed I would never regain. ing accident the nineteen-year-old in- hi and ask how your day was, always SM: Explain your jured his spinal cord and has lost mobil- making you feel like daily routine while ity from the chest down. After the acci- you were going to you were staying dent he was in Atlanta doing rehabilita- recover back to nor- there. tion at the Shep- mal. herd Center, one of NM: Well, I SM: What are your the top rehab cen- would wake plans for continuing ters for brain and up at least an your rehab here in spinal cord injuries hour and a Boston? half before in the world. Nick “Everyone had a smile NM: Currently I‟m arrived back in on their faces every my sched- uled therapy doing therapy twice Abington on No- day and were never vember 10, and he time just to get showered and eat a week at Spaulding Rehab Center in has since been con- afraid to say hi and breakfast. Then I would go to Boston. I hope to get more therapy tinuing his recov- ask how your day was” therapy and I would do a wide hours there, and I am also currently on ery at Spaulding -Nick Malafronte variety of exercises and activities the waiting list for Journey Forward in Rehabilitation Cen- to help me regain mobility. There Canton, MA. I am also planning on would also be an hour lunch ses- ter in Boston. As returning back to the Shepherd Center Nick settled into sion in the middle of the day in June for continued extensive therapy. his new routine with more therapy in the after- back home in Bos- noon and then I would eat dinner ton I was fortunate enough to sit down and go to bed early in preparation for and interview him. the long therapy day that was going to Teacher Talk Profile of new teacher Ms. Swartz with students and being able to be crea- goal is to film school events. Before By Alyssa Baldwin tive with lessons and coming up with vacation the group filmed presentations new learning ideas. Swartz says that she for International Week and will film the Ms. Swartz is currently substituting always wanted to be an elementary drama production of “Annie.” She long term for Ms. Louko who is on ma- school teacher and that her hopes that soon there will ternity leave. She is a graduate from passion for reading and even be a school wide Bridgewater State University. Swartz writing grew stronger news program. attended Fontbonne Academy for high through high school and Swartz says that the stu- she wants to pass on that school previously. In college she was a dents here at Abington special education aide and before she passion. Some of her favor- have been nice and have came to Abington she worked at ite books are “Catcher in Stoughton. the Rye” and the “Hunger helped her to transition Games” series. smoothly. She loves Her favorite class in school was English and her hobbies included Ms.