HE HIEFTAIN TMONTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL OAKDALE ,C CT 06370 ISSUE #10 2016 Are the Contests Rigged? Homecoming Dance 2016 By: Emmiley Genua Students at Montville High School believe that the spirit week contests are rigged. Assistant principal, Mrs. Patten, said, “It’s absolutely not rigged based on the daily count of dressed up students participation. We usually pick random people to decide the winner of the banner contest and never the same people. In fact, one year freshmen won the banner contest and it was the first time since I started working here.” Every year the seniors tend to win the screaming contest. The seniors have been at the high school for four years, so they strive to be the loudest. There may be some advantages, but the contests are usually determined fairly. Junior, Fernanda Reyes, said, “I think they’re Homecoming Dance 2016 . Photo By: Jessica Stronach rigged. Our class, for two years in a row, had to go against the seniors to determine By: Lilly Pastrana the real winner. We lost both times even With black and orange streamers take a break from the stress of the school though we sounded louder.” As each class everywhere, students lined up at the doors year and surround themselves with people is yelling the students can’t really tell if of MHS for Homecoming Dance. After who radiate positive vibes. Junior, Nicole they were the loudest or not. Therefore, it the win against Ledyard, students were McDonald said, “Homecoming was a fun really comes down to the judges. Juniors revved up and ready to celebrate. experience and usually I would never think this year have 183 students in their class. Overall, there was an enthusiastic to go but I had so much fun dancing and The seniors have 137 students. This would turnout. According to Josh Archibald, letting loose with my friends.” This year’s technically give the juniors an advantage Student Government VP, over 300 tickets Homecoming Dance seemed to create a in spirit week competitions. were sold. Students began pouring into positive response within the student body Although people may have the school when the doors opened at 7:00 and proved to be a successful event run by different thoughts about the fairness of the pm and the gym remained packed until members of Student Government. pep rally, everybody still enjoys it. Angela 10:00 when the DJ played the last song of The homecoming court winners Chen, junior, said, “Obviously it’s rigged the night, “Closer” by the Chainsmokers were announced at the end of the night. because we are going against the seniors, and Halsey. Whether people were hanging The King and Queen were seniors, Colin but that happens every year and you get out in small groups or on the middle of Zawacki and Ria Alvaran. The Prince and over it and still have fun.” the floor, everyone attending this dance Princess were juniors, Greg Clark and Spirit week is the week that seemed to be enjoying themselves Greta Cook. The sophomore Dutch and students look forward to the most. The throughout the night. Junior, Tayler Dutchess were KJ Fletcher and Hannah students get to take a break from all of the Cowles stated, “I felt homecoming had Phillips, and the freshmen Lord and Lady seriousness. They still have homework a very peaceful vibe this year. People were Jayden Long and Kayla Gaughan. and classes, but they’re allowed to come were carefree, including myself. I had Refreshments were available for all to school in an outfit that they can’t wear a beautiful time and didn’t feel any students in the cafeteria throughout the any other day. Senior, Nicole Funk, said, judgement because everyone was just entire evening. “I think they’re rigged, but seniors and enjoying themselves and their friends.” juniors are always neck and neck. Seniors Homecoming is a great way for students to deserve the money.” Page 1 THE CHIEFTAIN SPORTS Johnny’s Journey Fall Pep Rally 2016 By: Andrew Petherick Johnny Manziel’s life is experiencing a mid-life crisis that many find hysterical or disappointing. The current free agent has an eventful year. Manziel had been suffering from a drug and alcohol problem that many people have confronted him about. In February this year, Manziel’s father said he was worried Manziel would not make it to his next birthday. The problem has stemmed back to the beginning of Manziel’s NFL career. Early into his rookie year, Manziel was already skipping practices to party in Las Vegas. These little antics were punished. The college football sensation and first- round pick lost his starting position for the Cleveland Browns. Eventually, Manziel found his way into a rehabillation center, Juniors try to yell the loudest at the fall pep rally. Photo By: Grace Carlos which (was unnamed). Despite all of the good news, Manziel got out and continued By: Shumoel Zafar to party. Some caught him holding a The gymnasium was swarming Whittaker, Hannah Phillips, and Lauren rolled-up dollar bill, a popular way to with orange and black and the roars of the Velazquez. For Juniors the nominees snort cocaine, in 2015. During the 2015- students could be heard far and wide as were: Alex Quidgeon, Jordan Rivera, 16 season, Manziel plummeted and was they cheered for their school and showed Greg Clark, Sarah May, Angela Chen, released from the Browns. Montville pride. The pep rally started and Greta Cook. For seniors the nominees Manziel continued his antics with the volleyball players running out were: Joe Satiro, Colin Zawacki, Austin up until this past summer. The former into the gymnasium followed by girls’ Glidden, Ria Alvaran, Alexis Mayfield, Browns quarterback claimed to have been soccer, boys’ soccer, cross country, Samantha Tulli, and Brooke LaVallie. Mr. sober since July 1. swimming, then finally football. After the Grove and Ms. Walsh were once again Some people believe Manziel appreciation of sports, the cheerleaders crowned Emperor and Empress. After will relapse, so many people are in put on a phenomenal dance routine to this took place, the long awaited scream doubt, including NFL teams. A pal close various songs. contest began. Each class screamed MHS to Manziel says, “He wants to make a Following the introduction of the following their cheerleaders signal. The return for the 2017 season.” Manziel teams, class winners for spirit week were winners were the seniors, but it was a reportedly has wanted to sign with the announced. Seniors took home the gold close contest between the juniors and Dallas Cowboys, which is the team of and also won best class banner. seniors. his home state, Texas. Stephen Jones, the The nominees for homecoming The pie contest took place and executive vice president, said, “No, there court were announced. For freshmen Dr. Estep was pied in the face by student, is no chance.” the nominees were: Jayden Long, Frank Zhao Lin who admitted to contributing “a There may be doubt, but Manziel Cook, Sean Ventresca, Kolt MacCraken, lot” of cash towards Estep’s “win.” has been proving us all wrong. The former Jerrell Fitch, Adam Pomeranke, Maddy The event ended with the annual addict has enrolled in classes at Texas Dawley, Kylee Waite, Kayla Gaughan, rain dance in which Mrs. Brooks, the A&M University. Reports have shown and Sydney Winakor. For sophomores reigning champion, won again. him at bars, but Manziel has only been the nominees were: Junior Alarcon, seen socializing. Doubt will be there, but KJ Fletcher, Ryan Gallagher, Mady Manziel seems to be overcoming it. Page 2 THE CHIEFTAIN SPORTS Homecoming Football Game By: Elizabeth Whitney After the Fall Pep Rally, a hot drink or hot food. The game was Montville High School’s football team apparently worth it according to Jordyn gave it their all at the Homecoming game. Neese, a junior here at Montville, who It was raining heavily, but students and said, “It felt colder than Antarctica but the the community all flocked to the bleachers one dollar hot coco and pretzel warmed to show their support. me right up. But seeing our football team The marching band played Iron play at homecoming definitely was worth Man, like they do every year, as the teams it in my opinion. I wouldn’t have missed were getting ready and the cheerleaders it for anything.” were getting into position to cheer on their The night wasn’t completely respected teams. perfect; a member of our football team was After singing the National injured in the last 5 minutes of the game. Anthem and football Captain Andrew It wasn’t a serious injury, but nonetheless Petherick giving his speech on safety Montville was there for their teammate. and fairness, Ledyard started the game. By the end of the game, Montville However, it was the MHS Indians who had completely slaughtered the opposing scored the first point. team. The score was 40-0. Everyone was In fact, by half-time, Montville drenched from the rain, but their spirits was winning the game by 27-0. Many were high and they were ready to celebrate spectators circled around the food stand the next night at the Homecoming dance. Photo Courtesy The New London Day in an effort to warm themselves up with Rookie Quarterbacks in the NFL By: Van Heller Last Spring during the NFL offensive players injured, including star Rookie of the Month for Sept. draft, experts warned fans of teams that wide receiver (Dez Bryant) from a knee Every rookie QB has a different drafted rookie quarterbacks (QB) that injury. story this season. Jacoby Brissett (New the progress would be slow and full of Carson Wentz was the second England Patriots) wasn’t expecting to beginner mistakes and based on trial and overall pick in the draft and has secured play two and a half games this season.