RBR Concludes a Blooming Year of Blissful Bounty—The Baby Boomlet!
RBR’s Lynn McGowan is responsible for sending out news on the significant events that occur in our staff’s. One of her favorites is the “stork” announcements. As the year progressed, she noticed an interesting trend. There were a lot of them. Many babies were welcomed into the world this school year. She told the Buccaneer and we wanted to note her keen observation in pictures.
In addition there were six more babies born to staff members this year for an even dozen!: Kyle Waltz, Social Studies, a boy; Jessica Verdilgione, Math a girl; Jon Aliaga, Social Studies, a boy; Amy Eagelton, World Language, a boy, Cara Scacco, VPA, a girl, Jerry Capozzi, Maintenance, a boy. And we have three summer births on the way to kick off our 2016-2017 school year.
A Farewell from the Editor in Chief
By: Amy Cavallo
It’s June and the 2015-2016 school year is coming to a close. I’d like to take advantage of this time of year to say a final thank you and farewell. I’ve been working with The Buccaneer for the last four years and it’s been a pleasure watching the newspaper grow and evolve. However, I’ll be graduating this year and moving on from RBR. Over the years, I’ve written and edited countless articles about everything from school events to natural disasters, politics, and celebrity scandals. Additionally, the paper has given me opportunities I never could have imagined, like interviewing Melanie, the youngest performer at Woodstock. And although I don’t plan on pursuing journalism as a career, The Buccaneer Student Newspaper has improved my writing ability tremendously, which will help me throughout the rest of my life. I will be studying Finance and Psychology next year at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut through their 3+1 MBA Program.
I’d like to thank the staff of The Buccaneer for working with me, creating wonderful story ideas, and contributing new perspectives for the paper. Also, I want to say a huge thank you to our club advisor Marianne Kligman for working with us for the past four years and for allowing me to develop my skills as an editor as well as a writer. Thank you to the RBR administration for being so cooperative and allowing us to participate in the RBR Hall of Fame Alumni Induction ceremonies. Lastly, and most importantly, thank you to our readers. You give us a reason to write and inspiration to find new, innovative ideas for our paper. Life will be different without The Buccaneer Student Newspaper in my life, but I trust that I’m passing the reigns into the very capable hands of Ella Brockway.
I’d like to thank the staff of The Buccaneer for working with me, creating wonderful story ideas, and contributing new perspectives for the paper. Also, I want to say a huge thank you to our club advisor Marianne Kligman for working with us for the past four years and for allowing me to develop my skills as an editor as well as a writer. Thank you to the RBR administration for being so cooperative and allowing us to participate in the RBR Hall of Fame Alumni Induction ceremonies. Lastly, and most importantly, thank you to our readers. You give us a reason to write and inspiration to find new, innovative ideas for our paper. Life will be different without The Buccaneer Student Newspaper in my life, but I trust that I’m passing the reigns into the very capable hands of Ella Brockway.
May 2016
RBR Alumni Induction 2015-2016
Lindsay Maggio, MD, MPH
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Tahj Holden
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RBR Band, Piano and Harp Musicians Make Magnificent Music
By Edith Torres
“Music can change the world because it can change people.”-BONO
It’s no wonder why the concert band conductor and teacher, Mr. Pryor uses this quote while connecting with his students. Music has a special place in everyone's hearts. From the coast of New Jersey to the expanses of Asia, music is important. The feelings evoked by music, like math, are the same in every country. While there are different ways to play each instrument, and arrange each piece, the music itself has a similar impact in each society. Music can soothe a mind, or excite a crowd. So, the way it is presented is important. Here at RBR, music is just as significant. Students in the VPA program work hard each day to prepare for their concerts and other performances. They try their very best to make the music their audience hears magnificent. Recently, two concerts took place at RBR: one on May 6 and one on May 13.
The May 6 performance featured the RBR bands. This includes the concert and jazz bands, along with the percussion ensemble. The concert band performed music that went back and forth between light and dark themes. One of the songs that stood out was called “Dark Heart.” It was written by a composer Mr. Pryor contracted to write it, especially for the RBR concert band. It was also the darkest song of the performance. This piece will benefit the future bands in many ways, starting with an increase in the student’s feeling of originality while performing.
Along with the bands’ collective musical pieces, several soloists and pairs performed. The soloists were either VPA majors or students taking the band elective. All of the students performed difficult and challenging songs. One student even wrote their own piano piece, which demonstrates just how much the music majors grow in their four years of performing.
The May 13 Harp and Piano Concert similarly featured our students magnificent talent . It should be noted that while the piano performers were music majors, the harpists were not. The advanced task of learning these instruments is daunting but when learned successfully, the sounds created by these instruments are the most rewarding anybody could imagine. Piano and harp teacher Mrs. Thompson, always lets her students know that they are special. Not just because of their talent; because of their strong love and passion for the world of music.
It’s no wonder why the concert band conductor and teacher, Mr. Pryor uses this quote while connecting with his students. Music has a special place in everyone's hearts. From the coast of New Jersey to the expanses of Asia, music is important. The feelings evoked by music, like math, are the same in every country. While there are different ways to play each instrument, and arrange each piece, the music itself has a similar impact in each society. Music can soothe a mind, or excite a crowd. So, the way it is presented is important. Here at RBR, music is just as significant. Students in the VPA program work hard each day to prepare for their concerts and other performances. They try their very best to make the music their audience hears magnificent. Recently, two concerts took place at RBR: one on May 6 and one on May 13.
The May 6 performance featured the RBR bands. This includes the concert and jazz bands, along with the percussion ensemble. The concert band performed music that went back and forth between light and dark themes. One of the songs that stood out was called “Dark Heart.” It was written by a composer Mr. Pryor contracted to write it, especially for the RBR concert band. It was also the darkest song of the performance. This piece will benefit the future bands in many ways, starting with an increase in the student’s feeling of originality while performing.
Along with the bands’ collective musical pieces, several soloists and pairs performed. The soloists were either VPA majors or students taking the band elective. All of the students performed difficult and challenging songs. One student even wrote their own piano piece, which demonstrates just how much the music majors grow in their four years of performing.
The May 13 Harp and Piano Concert similarly featured our students magnificent talent . It should be noted that while the piano performers were music majors, the harpists were not. The advanced task of learning these instruments is daunting but when learned successfully, the sounds created by these instruments are the most rewarding anybody could imagine. Piano and harp teacher Mrs. Thompson, always lets her students know that they are special. Not just because of their talent; because of their strong love and passion for the world of music.
RBR Math League Finishes Season in Historic Way
By: Ella Brockway
For the first time in its ten years as a club at Red Bank Regional, the RBR Math League placed in the top ten of the Shore Math League’s end-of-year standings, finishing tied for eighth place and earning a long-awaited trophy for the Bucs.
The goal of placing in the top ten at the end of the competition season is one that was a priority for the members of the club since the first introductory meeting last fall, according to senior club president Sam Falotico.
“We had our goal of placing in the top ten from the very beginning of the season, and to achieve that goal was amazing,” said Falotico. “Placing in the top ten was a feat never accomplished previously, so after years of almost making it, finally getting there was phenomenal.”
The Shore Math League is made up of eighteen schools from Monmouth County who send teams of twelve to six meets from September to February. At each meet, students from the schools compete in three contests: the individual stage, in which each student answers five questions; the relay stage, in which each school assembles two teams of three to answer a question with multiple parts, and the team question, which is often a logic problem answered by seven students on the school’s team.
A total of 24 students represented RBR at the meets over the course of the competition season. Sophomore Harry Jain received an award from the League as the highest point scorer from RBR in the six meets. Jain earned two perfect scores and finished with 23 out of 30 possible points in the individual stages of the meets this year.
“I am very proud of our team this year, because they really worked at improving their competitive skills,” said club adviser and RBR math teacher Annie Murray. “The students organized practices early in the year, holding them once or twice a month so students could get used to the format, and know formulas they should memorize.”
According to Falotico, one of the best parts of the entire experience in Math League this year was the camaraderie amongst the members.
“Math League really felt like a "team" this year; getting shirts, having practices, and the atmosphere itself made us feel like more than just a club,” he said. “Everyone put so much effort into the season and it really showed. The dedication and motivation of my fellow teammates was truly inspiring.”
Murray agreed, noting that the active recruitment of new members for the club by officers Will Cronin, Vincent Novellino, Claire McEvoy, Jain and Falotico resulted in increased participation and enthusiasm for Math League.
Even though the team will graduate several seniors who played key roles in the eighth-place finish and success, Falotico said that the efforts of those in Math League this year will set good examples of what to do in the years to come.
“For the success of future seasons, this year displayed key aspects of leadership, organization, and teamwork,” he said. “I believe this year created a solid foundation for [the] future.”
The goal of placing in the top ten at the end of the competition season is one that was a priority for the members of the club since the first introductory meeting last fall, according to senior club president Sam Falotico.
“We had our goal of placing in the top ten from the very beginning of the season, and to achieve that goal was amazing,” said Falotico. “Placing in the top ten was a feat never accomplished previously, so after years of almost making it, finally getting there was phenomenal.”
The Shore Math League is made up of eighteen schools from Monmouth County who send teams of twelve to six meets from September to February. At each meet, students from the schools compete in three contests: the individual stage, in which each student answers five questions; the relay stage, in which each school assembles two teams of three to answer a question with multiple parts, and the team question, which is often a logic problem answered by seven students on the school’s team.
A total of 24 students represented RBR at the meets over the course of the competition season. Sophomore Harry Jain received an award from the League as the highest point scorer from RBR in the six meets. Jain earned two perfect scores and finished with 23 out of 30 possible points in the individual stages of the meets this year.
“I am very proud of our team this year, because they really worked at improving their competitive skills,” said club adviser and RBR math teacher Annie Murray. “The students organized practices early in the year, holding them once or twice a month so students could get used to the format, and know formulas they should memorize.”
According to Falotico, one of the best parts of the entire experience in Math League this year was the camaraderie amongst the members.
“Math League really felt like a "team" this year; getting shirts, having practices, and the atmosphere itself made us feel like more than just a club,” he said. “Everyone put so much effort into the season and it really showed. The dedication and motivation of my fellow teammates was truly inspiring.”
Murray agreed, noting that the active recruitment of new members for the club by officers Will Cronin, Vincent Novellino, Claire McEvoy, Jain and Falotico resulted in increased participation and enthusiasm for Math League.
Even though the team will graduate several seniors who played key roles in the eighth-place finish and success, Falotico said that the efforts of those in Math League this year will set good examples of what to do in the years to come.
“For the success of future seasons, this year displayed key aspects of leadership, organization, and teamwork,” he said. “I believe this year created a solid foundation for [the] future.”
"Comfort is Key": An Editorial
By: Claire Taylor
The life of a transgender is a life vulnerable to criticism and judgment, especially in a high school setting where teens are on a journey of self-discovery called growing up. Maturing each year, your feelings about how you view yourself and others changes drastically.
As for RBR, many students will argue that we are accepting of our transgender population. This community is not shut down or made to feel ashamed. Transgender people are free to share their “true colors” here at RBR and are active in the LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender or Questioning) Club. This club is hosting their “Sixth Annual GAYLA! LGBTQ & Ally Prom” on Friday, June 3rd. If interested, you can receive the details from: [email protected].
Outside of RBR, the 21st century movement for gender equality is a rising issue. Gender equality expands beyond feminism, applying to the transgender community as well. A community growing throughout the United States that has recently been recognized by the Obama Administration as the “New York Times” announced on May 12th that the Obama Administration is taking action by declaring: “...every public school district in the country to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity” (Davis, Apuzzo). This directive does not have the power of a law, however, a threat to face lawsuits or lose federal funding is implicated. State officials and many citizens continue nationally to agree that enforcing the equality of transgenders is long overdue. Robbie Goldberg, a 16 year old from Framingham, Massachusetts states her opinion on the topic:
“ I’m a high schooler and the co-president of the Gay Straight Alliance at my school. I 100% think that this is a step in the right direction. We have been fighting for this right at my school for years and are very pleased that it is being addressed federally. We are thrilled that this will make our school a safer and more comfortable place for students to learn (and relieve themselves) regardless of their gender identity.”
The Secretary of the Department of Education, John B. King Jr., explains that, “No student should ever have to go through the experience of feeling unwelcome at school or on a college campus” (Davis, Apuzzo). While some laws do address transgender rights, prior to President Obama's recent action, never has anything taken into account the effect this injustice has on our teen population. The school’s obligation under federal law is to provide: “...transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities” (Davis, Apuzzo). The goal in this movement towards equality is not only accepting transgenders, it is the act of making it comfortable for them to learn in a school environment."
The 21st century movement of gender equality is moving in the right direction. People will choose who they want to be and still will be viewed as an equal individual. They will still be valued as not only a citizen, but as a student. As for Red Bank, we will accept our community’s own movement.
“Please know that history is on your side” - General Loretta E. Lynch
As for RBR, many students will argue that we are accepting of our transgender population. This community is not shut down or made to feel ashamed. Transgender people are free to share their “true colors” here at RBR and are active in the LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender or Questioning) Club. This club is hosting their “Sixth Annual GAYLA! LGBTQ & Ally Prom” on Friday, June 3rd. If interested, you can receive the details from: [email protected].
Outside of RBR, the 21st century movement for gender equality is a rising issue. Gender equality expands beyond feminism, applying to the transgender community as well. A community growing throughout the United States that has recently been recognized by the Obama Administration as the “New York Times” announced on May 12th that the Obama Administration is taking action by declaring: “...every public school district in the country to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity” (Davis, Apuzzo). This directive does not have the power of a law, however, a threat to face lawsuits or lose federal funding is implicated. State officials and many citizens continue nationally to agree that enforcing the equality of transgenders is long overdue. Robbie Goldberg, a 16 year old from Framingham, Massachusetts states her opinion on the topic:
“ I’m a high schooler and the co-president of the Gay Straight Alliance at my school. I 100% think that this is a step in the right direction. We have been fighting for this right at my school for years and are very pleased that it is being addressed federally. We are thrilled that this will make our school a safer and more comfortable place for students to learn (and relieve themselves) regardless of their gender identity.”
The Secretary of the Department of Education, John B. King Jr., explains that, “No student should ever have to go through the experience of feeling unwelcome at school or on a college campus” (Davis, Apuzzo). While some laws do address transgender rights, prior to President Obama's recent action, never has anything taken into account the effect this injustice has on our teen population. The school’s obligation under federal law is to provide: “...transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities” (Davis, Apuzzo). The goal in this movement towards equality is not only accepting transgenders, it is the act of making it comfortable for them to learn in a school environment."
The 21st century movement of gender equality is moving in the right direction. People will choose who they want to be and still will be viewed as an equal individual. They will still be valued as not only a citizen, but as a student. As for Red Bank, we will accept our community’s own movement.
“Please know that history is on your side” - General Loretta E. Lynch
Voices--Really Got them Thinking
By: Phoebe Carr, Arts Editor
“I’m really glad I came, it really got me thinkin’,” is a short, but perfect summary for this year’s annual Creative Writing performance, Voices, given to us by Thea Yates, future RBR student. She’s right – Voices is a thoughtful, moving, borderline existentialist experience to writers and non-writers alike. This year included a good mixture of skits and traditional poetry performance together in one place, rather than just poetry reading. As is to be expected from this emotional program, there were many moving pieces about issues like the struggle of transgender youth or being profiled as one stereotype or another as a young Black woman. All around, Voices did not disappoint and the Buccaneer is more than ready to see Echoes (the senior creative writing performance) later this month.
March - April 2016
A Night to make a Difference Presents what is Different
By Edith Torres
On March 10, a evening was dedicated to celebrating many world culture’s at RBR. International Night led by multicultural club advisors Karina Tedeschi and Odilia Lligui, began at 6:00 PM in the RBR commons. Rectangular tables dressed in the colors of the Irish lined the sides of the space while round tables in the middle supplied seating for an audience to watch the entertainment prepared for the evening. International Night came together with the help of students from both the multicultural and culinary clubs. Additionally, the foreign language teachers and their students came to represent their cultures. As explained by the advisors, the event was created “to spread awareness and acceptance for different cultures.”
Opening the show were the freshman and sophomore dance majors, who, performed a ballet from Don Quixote. Music continued to play as the Chinese school students danced around performing jaw-dropping moves with their Chinese yo-yos. The mood was enhanced by the delicious dishes prepared by Chef Peter Roskowinski’s culinary students. The audience got a chance to taste a plethora of cuisines. Spanish Rice, Italian meatball, Chinese stir fry, Jamaican Jerk Pork, Chipotle Chicken Fajitas, Kielbasa with Polish Kraut and Pierogies were among the samplings. The experience itself was like travelling through multiple countries in just a short amount of time.
Rounding out the entertainment, Kyle Eber performed a song, in both English and Hebrew, written by a poet who lost her life in the Holocaust. Finally, sophomore Tyler Brunson performed a solo dance to Indian music. Henna tattoos and caricatures were available, as well. In all, it was a night to truly celebrate and enjoy the world’s entertaining and delicious diversity.
Opening the show were the freshman and sophomore dance majors, who, performed a ballet from Don Quixote. Music continued to play as the Chinese school students danced around performing jaw-dropping moves with their Chinese yo-yos. The mood was enhanced by the delicious dishes prepared by Chef Peter Roskowinski’s culinary students. The audience got a chance to taste a plethora of cuisines. Spanish Rice, Italian meatball, Chinese stir fry, Jamaican Jerk Pork, Chipotle Chicken Fajitas, Kielbasa with Polish Kraut and Pierogies were among the samplings. The experience itself was like travelling through multiple countries in just a short amount of time.
Rounding out the entertainment, Kyle Eber performed a song, in both English and Hebrew, written by a poet who lost her life in the Holocaust. Finally, sophomore Tyler Brunson performed a solo dance to Indian music. Henna tattoos and caricatures were available, as well. In all, it was a night to truly celebrate and enjoy the world’s entertaining and delicious diversity.
Financial Aid 101: An Editorial
By: Amy Cavallo
As college application season draws to a close, seniors are beginning to make important college decisions. One of the most important concerns for a soon-to-be college student is how they’re going to pay for their education. Between grants, scholarships, loans, and work study programs, it’s no wonder some seniors’ heads are spinning. So, I figured I’ll take this month to explain the basics of financial aid.
First of all, on January 1, the FAFSA becomes available for online access on www.fafsa.gov. FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it’s a form that is filled out by every student who’ll be attending college in that year. When filling out the form, you should have your family’s previous year’s tax information ready to estimate the values for the upcoming year. The FAFSA is sent to the colleges you applied to and then, within a month or so, the schools will send back a full summary of all your financial aid. (As a tip, from my own personal experience, you want to fill out the FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible.)
One of the most recognized types of financial aid is scholarship. Whether it’s for academics, athletics, or something completely different, scholarships are definitely very popular, generally straightforward, and don’t have to be paid back. Some colleges have their own scholarship programs and will automatically consider you for anything for which you qualify. You will usually find out what you’ve been awarded when you get your acceptance letter. However, some schools will wait until they send out your full financial aid package (which will be sent to you at least a few weeks after you submit your FAFSA form). Other scholarships are available almost everywhere. There are websites dedicated to helping you find scholarship matches. Naviance lists both local and national scholarships, and many clubs and organizations have their own scholarship opportunities.
Grants are another type of financial aid that you don’t have to pay back, also known as “gift aid”. But, as opposed to scholarships, grants are awarded based on personal financial need. Grants usually come from the federal or state government and can be found on the financial aid package you receive from your schools.
Work study programs are a great way to cut down the cost of tuition. For those who aren’t aware, work study programs involve students working on campus for the school. Instead of getting paid, the wages get deducted from tuition costs. For people who are interested in jobs on campus, this can be an advantageous program. Your school will let you know how much work study is available to you in your financial aid package (as long as you marked on your application that you’d be interested in the work study program).
Loans are one of the scariest parts of college. Student loans tend to be synonymous with long term debt and that’s a concept that’s really intimidating for an 18-year-old who’s looking their future directly in the face. But, loans are a very real thing for most students in college so, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. In terms of loans, there are two options: subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans require the applicant to demonstrate financial need and do not incur interest until 6 months after you’re out of school, which can save students large amounts of money in the long run. Unsubsidized loans, however, do not require any kind of demonstration of financial need. But, they begin incurring interest immediately, which can add a great amount to a student’s overall debt. Also, when looking for lenders, check with your schools. They may have a list of commonly used or preferred companies to help you out.
In conclusion, paying for college can be really stressful. But, there are many of options out there for everyone in terms of financial aid. There are options you don’t have to pay back, like scholarships and grants, there are on campus opportunities, and there are student loans. Also, if you’re still hesitant about student loans, that’s understandable. Of course, no one wants to be in heaps of debt at the beginning of their adult life. However, a little debt is sometimes necessary to afford college. Instead of trying to get out of college debt-free, try focusing on minimizing your debt and the amount of loans you need by taking advantage of the other above-mentioned options. Overall, the college process can be stressful and very expensive, before you make any commitments talk to your guidance counselor or anyone else that has experience with it, like your parents,older siblings or other students who have been through the process.
.
First of all, on January 1, the FAFSA becomes available for online access on www.fafsa.gov. FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it’s a form that is filled out by every student who’ll be attending college in that year. When filling out the form, you should have your family’s previous year’s tax information ready to estimate the values for the upcoming year. The FAFSA is sent to the colleges you applied to and then, within a month or so, the schools will send back a full summary of all your financial aid. (As a tip, from my own personal experience, you want to fill out the FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible.)
One of the most recognized types of financial aid is scholarship. Whether it’s for academics, athletics, or something completely different, scholarships are definitely very popular, generally straightforward, and don’t have to be paid back. Some colleges have their own scholarship programs and will automatically consider you for anything for which you qualify. You will usually find out what you’ve been awarded when you get your acceptance letter. However, some schools will wait until they send out your full financial aid package (which will be sent to you at least a few weeks after you submit your FAFSA form). Other scholarships are available almost everywhere. There are websites dedicated to helping you find scholarship matches. Naviance lists both local and national scholarships, and many clubs and organizations have their own scholarship opportunities.
Grants are another type of financial aid that you don’t have to pay back, also known as “gift aid”. But, as opposed to scholarships, grants are awarded based on personal financial need. Grants usually come from the federal or state government and can be found on the financial aid package you receive from your schools.
Work study programs are a great way to cut down the cost of tuition. For those who aren’t aware, work study programs involve students working on campus for the school. Instead of getting paid, the wages get deducted from tuition costs. For people who are interested in jobs on campus, this can be an advantageous program. Your school will let you know how much work study is available to you in your financial aid package (as long as you marked on your application that you’d be interested in the work study program).
Loans are one of the scariest parts of college. Student loans tend to be synonymous with long term debt and that’s a concept that’s really intimidating for an 18-year-old who’s looking their future directly in the face. But, loans are a very real thing for most students in college so, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. In terms of loans, there are two options: subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans require the applicant to demonstrate financial need and do not incur interest until 6 months after you’re out of school, which can save students large amounts of money in the long run. Unsubsidized loans, however, do not require any kind of demonstration of financial need. But, they begin incurring interest immediately, which can add a great amount to a student’s overall debt. Also, when looking for lenders, check with your schools. They may have a list of commonly used or preferred companies to help you out.
In conclusion, paying for college can be really stressful. But, there are many of options out there for everyone in terms of financial aid. There are options you don’t have to pay back, like scholarships and grants, there are on campus opportunities, and there are student loans. Also, if you’re still hesitant about student loans, that’s understandable. Of course, no one wants to be in heaps of debt at the beginning of their adult life. However, a little debt is sometimes necessary to afford college. Instead of trying to get out of college debt-free, try focusing on minimizing your debt and the amount of loans you need by taking advantage of the other above-mentioned options. Overall, the college process can be stressful and very expensive, before you make any commitments talk to your guidance counselor or anyone else that has experience with it, like your parents,older siblings or other students who have been through the process.
.
January - February 2016
Americans are Feeling the Bern: An Editorial
By: Zeke Weston
With the primaries around the corner, the presidential hopefuls have been campaigning in full force. One name that has caught the attention of the nation is Bernie Sanders. So, who exactly is this guy? You may have heard of him as the crazy old socialist, but that’s not all there is to know about Bernie. The 74-year-old is currently a United States Senator representing Vermont, one of the most economically successful states in the country. It’s no coincidence that the “Green Mountain State” has one of the lowest unemployment rates and one of the highest median household incomes in the nation. Not only has Sanders pushed to make Vermont’s economic structure stable, but he has also contributed to making, what the Huffington Post calls, “the Greenest state in the U.S.” -and that’s not just because of all the evergreens. With so much success and such a passion for what he does, the former mayor of Burlington has taken the reins as the only Democratic Socialist in the running for the presidency.
Many Americans believe that Hillary Clinton is bound to run away with the Democratic nomination, but in recent months that hasn’t always been the case. All eyes have been on the Iowa Caucus, where Clinton squeezed out a 0.3% victory over Sanders. Although Sanders didn’t exactly win that Midwest state, virtually tying Clinton in the Caucus tells the nation that he’s not backing down from the fight for the democratic nomination. With polls underway in New Hampshire, Sanders seems to have taken a respectable lead thus far. Most believe this is due to the fact that New Hampshire neighbors Sanders’s home state of Vermont, but his increasing national popularity begs to differ.
Much of Bernie’s success is due to his support from young, educated adults. This may seem ironic because of his older age, but in fact, most of his ideas appeal to younger generations. For instance, the Senator has some of the most liberal ideas on education ever to be proposed in this country, including free college tuition for public colleges. Sanders has proposed a way to implement a small tax on Wall Street that would cover the costs of tuition and enable students to attend public colleges and universities for free. What would be know as the College For All Act could possibly be one of most influential acts to date. Allowing youths to receive a college education at no cost will drastically cut student loan debt, freeing future generations from the heavy financial burden students face today.
Other areas Sanders pinpoints as issues that must immediately be addressed focus on the nation's economy. Democrats are among the biggest supporters of restoring the middle class back in America. To make that happen, Sanders wants to increase minimum wage to a staggering $15 over time (it is currently less than half that much). He believes minimum wage should be enough to live on, especially for those who work 40 hours a week. Although it may seem like small businesses will have a tough time paying its employees such high wages, studies prove otherwise. If people all across the economic spectrum are making more money, they’ll be spending more. Therefore, sales will increase allowing small businesses to keep up with the rising wages.
Aside from raising the minimum wage, Sanders wants to make a drastic change to big business regulation. His first steps would include ending all off-shore tax havens where major corporations hide millions of dollars to get out of paying taxes on their profits. Sanders would force these corporations to pay their share in taxes in order to help the economy, where the money could be invested in small businesses and the working class. In regards to financial business regulation, Sanders would attempt to reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act originally passed during the Great Depression. Such an act would prevent banks from investing people’s savings in risky investments where the potential to fail is high. Many politicians and economists believe that President Bill Clinton’s repeal of the original Glass-Steagall Act in 1999 contributed to the recession in 2008 and re-implementing it will bring back the safeguard it once provided our economy.
In addition to reforming the economy for the better, Sanders possesses strong ideas on dealing with ISIS. Rather than leading the way in the effort to stop the terrorist group, Bernie believes we should collaborate with our Middle Eastern allies to defeat ISIS. He thinks countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which have strong militaries and good relations with the U.S., should lead the effort. In particular, Saudi Arabia maintains one of the highest military budgets in the world financing a very large air force. However, they have yet to take charge in the fight against ISIS; encouraging them to do so could stop the terrorist’s expansion.
Apart from Bernie’s popular views on national and global issues, much of his success is due to the genuine intensity he brings to rallies and debates. He has a certain way of connecting with his audiences that’s like no other candidate, not even Trump. The comfort and assurance of his words, the passion and honesty in his tone, it all makes the underdog that much more appealing. Just by yelling the term “Glass-Steagall” and raising his hands in the air, Sanders can completely make an audience come alive. His supporters scream and shout, chanting “Feel the Bern” to the extent that Sanders himself has to calm them down. It’s a movement like never before, with people pouring in record numbers to his rallies just to feel the adrenaline he raises.
Although his supporters are turning out in record numbers, the most impressive factor of Bernie’s campaign may just be the contributions. Unlike Clinton and Trump, Sanders doesn’t have millions of dollars to spend, nor is he asking wealthy investors for that type of money, which could make him beholden to them. Instead, he urges his supporters to make small donations in the amounts of $5-$50. No candidate has been able to fund a campaign with such small donations, but Sanders has done just that. The senator has been able to raise millions of dollars just by an average contribution of about $27! Such qualities in a candidate make Sanders a candidate to watch.
Despite the increase in followers of Senator Sanders, defeating Clinton in the Democratic primary is just the first task in the journey to inauguration. If he faces Donald Trump in the general election, many Americans believe Trump and his republican supporters will overpower Sanders. However, picking the right running mate could potentially give Sanders all the momentum he needs to win. For instance, teaming up with Elizabeth Warren, Senator of Massachusetts, may be the perfect solution. The New England duo share many ideas, including limiting big business, suppressing Wall Street, and helping the middle class. Warren, who many believe could’ve been a key competitor if she had joined the race for office, could make a great impact on Bernie’s campaign. From here on out, this may become one of the most interesting presidential elections to date, with Sanders leading the charge.
Many Americans believe that Hillary Clinton is bound to run away with the Democratic nomination, but in recent months that hasn’t always been the case. All eyes have been on the Iowa Caucus, where Clinton squeezed out a 0.3% victory over Sanders. Although Sanders didn’t exactly win that Midwest state, virtually tying Clinton in the Caucus tells the nation that he’s not backing down from the fight for the democratic nomination. With polls underway in New Hampshire, Sanders seems to have taken a respectable lead thus far. Most believe this is due to the fact that New Hampshire neighbors Sanders’s home state of Vermont, but his increasing national popularity begs to differ.
Much of Bernie’s success is due to his support from young, educated adults. This may seem ironic because of his older age, but in fact, most of his ideas appeal to younger generations. For instance, the Senator has some of the most liberal ideas on education ever to be proposed in this country, including free college tuition for public colleges. Sanders has proposed a way to implement a small tax on Wall Street that would cover the costs of tuition and enable students to attend public colleges and universities for free. What would be know as the College For All Act could possibly be one of most influential acts to date. Allowing youths to receive a college education at no cost will drastically cut student loan debt, freeing future generations from the heavy financial burden students face today.
Other areas Sanders pinpoints as issues that must immediately be addressed focus on the nation's economy. Democrats are among the biggest supporters of restoring the middle class back in America. To make that happen, Sanders wants to increase minimum wage to a staggering $15 over time (it is currently less than half that much). He believes minimum wage should be enough to live on, especially for those who work 40 hours a week. Although it may seem like small businesses will have a tough time paying its employees such high wages, studies prove otherwise. If people all across the economic spectrum are making more money, they’ll be spending more. Therefore, sales will increase allowing small businesses to keep up with the rising wages.
Aside from raising the minimum wage, Sanders wants to make a drastic change to big business regulation. His first steps would include ending all off-shore tax havens where major corporations hide millions of dollars to get out of paying taxes on their profits. Sanders would force these corporations to pay their share in taxes in order to help the economy, where the money could be invested in small businesses and the working class. In regards to financial business regulation, Sanders would attempt to reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act originally passed during the Great Depression. Such an act would prevent banks from investing people’s savings in risky investments where the potential to fail is high. Many politicians and economists believe that President Bill Clinton’s repeal of the original Glass-Steagall Act in 1999 contributed to the recession in 2008 and re-implementing it will bring back the safeguard it once provided our economy.
In addition to reforming the economy for the better, Sanders possesses strong ideas on dealing with ISIS. Rather than leading the way in the effort to stop the terrorist group, Bernie believes we should collaborate with our Middle Eastern allies to defeat ISIS. He thinks countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which have strong militaries and good relations with the U.S., should lead the effort. In particular, Saudi Arabia maintains one of the highest military budgets in the world financing a very large air force. However, they have yet to take charge in the fight against ISIS; encouraging them to do so could stop the terrorist’s expansion.
Apart from Bernie’s popular views on national and global issues, much of his success is due to the genuine intensity he brings to rallies and debates. He has a certain way of connecting with his audiences that’s like no other candidate, not even Trump. The comfort and assurance of his words, the passion and honesty in his tone, it all makes the underdog that much more appealing. Just by yelling the term “Glass-Steagall” and raising his hands in the air, Sanders can completely make an audience come alive. His supporters scream and shout, chanting “Feel the Bern” to the extent that Sanders himself has to calm them down. It’s a movement like never before, with people pouring in record numbers to his rallies just to feel the adrenaline he raises.
Although his supporters are turning out in record numbers, the most impressive factor of Bernie’s campaign may just be the contributions. Unlike Clinton and Trump, Sanders doesn’t have millions of dollars to spend, nor is he asking wealthy investors for that type of money, which could make him beholden to them. Instead, he urges his supporters to make small donations in the amounts of $5-$50. No candidate has been able to fund a campaign with such small donations, but Sanders has done just that. The senator has been able to raise millions of dollars just by an average contribution of about $27! Such qualities in a candidate make Sanders a candidate to watch.
Despite the increase in followers of Senator Sanders, defeating Clinton in the Democratic primary is just the first task in the journey to inauguration. If he faces Donald Trump in the general election, many Americans believe Trump and his republican supporters will overpower Sanders. However, picking the right running mate could potentially give Sanders all the momentum he needs to win. For instance, teaming up with Elizabeth Warren, Senator of Massachusetts, may be the perfect solution. The New England duo share many ideas, including limiting big business, suppressing Wall Street, and helping the middle class. Warren, who many believe could’ve been a key competitor if she had joined the race for office, could make a great impact on Bernie’s campaign. From here on out, this may become one of the most interesting presidential elections to date, with Sanders leading the charge.
The College Application Process through the Eyes of a Senior: An Editorial
By: Amy Cavallo
At this point, the school year is half over. Many seniors are beyond stressed out with college decisions on top of the normal pressures of high school. For seniors, the first half of the last year of high school is usually the most hectic five months of their high school career. Those months are filled with college applications, scholarship searches, and enough acronyms to make your head spin. In my experience, meeting deadlines and writing application essays while keeping up with homework and AP classes was a real challenge. And once the applications were submitted, the waiting game began. So, even though it was a relief to have my applications done, I had to wait for weeks before I received my decisions. The anticipation I felt checking the mail everyday never seemed to dissipate, no matter how many days passed. Even after I received all my responses, the stress I’d had about the letters was replaced with scholarship stress. One of the only constants in the first semester was the pressure to keep my high school grades up while I was slowly entering into the college world. In those few months, it felt as if I was straddling the line between high school and college, with one foot on each side.
To put things plainly, the first half of senior year is ridiculously stressful. To those readers who are currently underclassmen, be prepared, but not apprehensive. This is a step that every high school student has to go through eventually. So, do not dread senior year because of the stress! With the help of your guidance counselor, who I became very close to during this whole college process, you can get it all done easily enough. Ultimately, if you put in the effort to get things done early (and you don’t procrastinate or blame your oh-so-real case of senioritis) you should be able to minimize your stress throughout the process. Just think, millions of people go through this every year and survive unscathed; so you can do it too.
Here are my tips for senior year:
To put things plainly, the first half of senior year is ridiculously stressful. To those readers who are currently underclassmen, be prepared, but not apprehensive. This is a step that every high school student has to go through eventually. So, do not dread senior year because of the stress! With the help of your guidance counselor, who I became very close to during this whole college process, you can get it all done easily enough. Ultimately, if you put in the effort to get things done early (and you don’t procrastinate or blame your oh-so-real case of senioritis) you should be able to minimize your stress throughout the process. Just think, millions of people go through this every year and survive unscathed; so you can do it too.
Here are my tips for senior year:
- Be prepared to get college things done in the beginning of the school year! Trust me, it will help you get ahead of deadlines and you’ll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders when you hit the “submit” button.
- Fight your senioritis as much as you can! It may be tempting to stop doing your homework or quit studying for quizzes, but keeping your GPA up during senior year is extremely important. Not to mention that, during senior year, you should be learning as much as you can to prepare yourself for college.
- Don’t take it too seriously! Even though senior year is important, try to have fun! It’s your last year of high school so enjoy it! Be excited for prom! Be excited for the finals’ exemptions you’ve waited four years for! Try to take a class you’re going to truly enjoy!
Is the Media Going to Pick our Next President?: An Editorial
By: Ella Brockway, Sports Co-Editor
At the end of 2015, CNN.com asked Millennials to describe the 2016 election in one word. The results? Disappointed. Captivating. Fierce. WW3. #turnt.
Is it just me, or does it sound a little like a television review? If you agree, then one more answer from CNN’s survey shouldn’t be shocking, especially because it’s one of the more accurate descriptions of the election so far.
Reality television. See: Kardashians.
Welcome to 2016.
Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, said it pretty well on the show’s final episode of 2015: we spent most of 2015 talking about 2016. And now, we’re going to spend the rest of 2016 talking about what will be decided in November. More so, the media will spend every waking moment analyzing and overanalyzing how this election will turn out.
Yes, that means you will hear more about caucuses than you ever wanted to hear, without really knowing what a caucus actually is. You will listen to nine different “experts”, including an expert in technology and even a counterterrorism official thrown on just for the heck of it, say the same thing about Hillary Clinton’s emails on CNN. You will hear four Fox News pundits debate over whether the fact that Ted Cruz was born in Canada means he cannot run for president, and if you’re lucky, you may hear a debate on said channel about whether or not Canada is still a country.
Again, welcome to 2016.
We’ve reached the point in which this election may very well be decided by which candidate claims the most media attention. People called it early--The Hill, Politico, and CIO all predicted in the summer that social media would change this election. And it already has--part of the reason why billionaire businessman Donald Trump has done so well in the polls is because he (meaning his campaign team) has mastered the art of the social media game.
Calling out other candidates by tagging them on Twitter (see: Jeb Bush)? Check. Calling out the news media on Twitter (see: Fox News and CNN)? Check. Skipping a televised debate so he could be the elephant in the room without actually being in the room? Check. As he was quoted in a Buzzfeed article recently, CNN’s senior media correspondent Brian Stelter: “I can’t help but wonder,” he said. “If (Trump’s) Twitter account is more effective at this point than a TV ad.”
What’s the resultant effect of all this? Coverage. Media coverage on top of media coverage. Watch the afternoon hours of CNN, or Fox News, or MSNBC, or pretty much any news channel, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find yourself watching more of those so-called experts deciphering a candidate’s Tweet or Facebook post, or a sound byte from a town hall in Iowa. Today, a candidate can say anything that registers on the Richter scale of shock value, and the media will be quick to call it breaking news.
Trump gets attention because the things he says and does register on the high end of that scale. It’s the same thing with Ted Cruz. It’s shocking that Donald Trump will send his campaign spokeswoman, Katrina Pierson, to speak on his behalf on CNN while wearing a necklace made of bullets. But hey, if more viewers tune in to CNN next time Pierson speaks to see what she says next, mission accomplished. Even generals in the U.S. Army have called Cruz’s strategy to carpet bomb ISIS when he is President, “absurd”. But hey, if the news media can use “CRUZ WANTS TO CARPET BOMB ISIS” as a headline for a few more weeks, then keep talking Ted!
The race for 2016 has become more dramatic than this season of the Bachelor. And for anyone who watches the Bachelor, you know that the winner is always the one who the cameras never focus on in the beginning. The winner is the girl who stepped out of the limo and was an afterthought for the first five weeks, until she gets a one-on-one date late in the show and the world realizes that she was the right one all along. But we don’t know that in the early weeks, because the gossip shows and social media like to focus on the girls who reach the “great” range on the shock value scale.
That’s the reason why you shouldn’t be shocked that the New York Times (which hasn’t endorsed a Republican candidate since 1956) chose to endorse not only the Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, but also the GOP’s John Kasich, who won only one delegate at this week’s Iowa caucuses. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised when people say that Marco Rubio was the real winner in Iowa, because he’s proven that he can win both the social conservatives and the ultra-conservatives in a less confrontational way than Cruz and a less controversial way than Trump.
The bottom line is that the media will not pick the next president, as much as it seems like they will right now--you will. And that’s what matters.
Welcome to 2016.
Is it just me, or does it sound a little like a television review? If you agree, then one more answer from CNN’s survey shouldn’t be shocking, especially because it’s one of the more accurate descriptions of the election so far.
Reality television. See: Kardashians.
Welcome to 2016.
Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, said it pretty well on the show’s final episode of 2015: we spent most of 2015 talking about 2016. And now, we’re going to spend the rest of 2016 talking about what will be decided in November. More so, the media will spend every waking moment analyzing and overanalyzing how this election will turn out.
Yes, that means you will hear more about caucuses than you ever wanted to hear, without really knowing what a caucus actually is. You will listen to nine different “experts”, including an expert in technology and even a counterterrorism official thrown on just for the heck of it, say the same thing about Hillary Clinton’s emails on CNN. You will hear four Fox News pundits debate over whether the fact that Ted Cruz was born in Canada means he cannot run for president, and if you’re lucky, you may hear a debate on said channel about whether or not Canada is still a country.
Again, welcome to 2016.
We’ve reached the point in which this election may very well be decided by which candidate claims the most media attention. People called it early--The Hill, Politico, and CIO all predicted in the summer that social media would change this election. And it already has--part of the reason why billionaire businessman Donald Trump has done so well in the polls is because he (meaning his campaign team) has mastered the art of the social media game.
Calling out other candidates by tagging them on Twitter (see: Jeb Bush)? Check. Calling out the news media on Twitter (see: Fox News and CNN)? Check. Skipping a televised debate so he could be the elephant in the room without actually being in the room? Check. As he was quoted in a Buzzfeed article recently, CNN’s senior media correspondent Brian Stelter: “I can’t help but wonder,” he said. “If (Trump’s) Twitter account is more effective at this point than a TV ad.”
What’s the resultant effect of all this? Coverage. Media coverage on top of media coverage. Watch the afternoon hours of CNN, or Fox News, or MSNBC, or pretty much any news channel, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find yourself watching more of those so-called experts deciphering a candidate’s Tweet or Facebook post, or a sound byte from a town hall in Iowa. Today, a candidate can say anything that registers on the Richter scale of shock value, and the media will be quick to call it breaking news.
Trump gets attention because the things he says and does register on the high end of that scale. It’s the same thing with Ted Cruz. It’s shocking that Donald Trump will send his campaign spokeswoman, Katrina Pierson, to speak on his behalf on CNN while wearing a necklace made of bullets. But hey, if more viewers tune in to CNN next time Pierson speaks to see what she says next, mission accomplished. Even generals in the U.S. Army have called Cruz’s strategy to carpet bomb ISIS when he is President, “absurd”. But hey, if the news media can use “CRUZ WANTS TO CARPET BOMB ISIS” as a headline for a few more weeks, then keep talking Ted!
The race for 2016 has become more dramatic than this season of the Bachelor. And for anyone who watches the Bachelor, you know that the winner is always the one who the cameras never focus on in the beginning. The winner is the girl who stepped out of the limo and was an afterthought for the first five weeks, until she gets a one-on-one date late in the show and the world realizes that she was the right one all along. But we don’t know that in the early weeks, because the gossip shows and social media like to focus on the girls who reach the “great” range on the shock value scale.
That’s the reason why you shouldn’t be shocked that the New York Times (which hasn’t endorsed a Republican candidate since 1956) chose to endorse not only the Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, but also the GOP’s John Kasich, who won only one delegate at this week’s Iowa caucuses. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised when people say that Marco Rubio was the real winner in Iowa, because he’s proven that he can win both the social conservatives and the ultra-conservatives in a less confrontational way than Cruz and a less controversial way than Trump.
The bottom line is that the media will not pick the next president, as much as it seems like they will right now--you will. And that’s what matters.
Welcome to 2016.
SAT Tips and The New SAT
By: Briana Taddeo
Once again, the SAT has been revamped.Instead of three separate sections, there are now two: math & evidence-based reading and writing. The new perfect score is a 1600, rather than a 2400,.and is made up of a possible 800 points for the math section and 800 points for the reading section. The essay is worth an additional 8 points and is scored based on reading, writing, and additional criteria.
The essay on the previous version of the SAT was mandatory written in 25 minutes. There is now an optional essay, which you have double the time to complete. It is a written analyzation of an article instead of a personal piece in response to a prompt. Overall, the SAT is now shorter and allows five minutes breaks between each section. The math section is 80 minutes, the reading section is 65 minutes and the writing section is 35 minutes. There is a 10 minute break between the reading and writing section and, if you choose to write the essay, it would add 50 minutes to the total test time.Also, the new exam only allows you to use a calculator for one portion of the math section unlike than the old SAT, which allowed you to use it for the entire math section.
Test Tips
It’s important to remember that the purpose of a test is only to see what you know. By thinking that it represents anything more important than that may stress you out. So,go into this test (and any other test for that matter) with confidence and don’t look at it as anything other than a test of what you know.
The essay on the previous version of the SAT was mandatory written in 25 minutes. There is now an optional essay, which you have double the time to complete. It is a written analyzation of an article instead of a personal piece in response to a prompt. Overall, the SAT is now shorter and allows five minutes breaks between each section. The math section is 80 minutes, the reading section is 65 minutes and the writing section is 35 minutes. There is a 10 minute break between the reading and writing section and, if you choose to write the essay, it would add 50 minutes to the total test time.Also, the new exam only allows you to use a calculator for one portion of the math section unlike than the old SAT, which allowed you to use it for the entire math section.
Test Tips
- If you are stuck on a question, or don’t quite understand the wording, try mouthing the words or reading the question very quietly to yourself. It may help you think.
- Pace yourself.
- Take your time reading and rereading challenging questions and answers. Don’t worry about finishing before others. You are only hurting your own score by rushing through the questions.
- If you start feeling stressed or anxious, take 60 seconds to calm yourself. Sit up straight, think about things that make you happy (your favorite song, your friends, etc.), and focus on your breathing. After refocus on your test, and try to remember that this one test is not the most important thing in the world.
It’s important to remember that the purpose of a test is only to see what you know. By thinking that it represents anything more important than that may stress you out. So,go into this test (and any other test for that matter) with confidence and don’t look at it as anything other than a test of what you know.
The Crisis in Flint, Michigan
By: Clair Toomey, Co-Editor In Chief
Although the Flint, Michigan, water crisis has only recently become a focus of public attention, the problem has been escalating for over a year. In April of 2014, the heavily impoverished city made the decision to stop using water from Detroit in order to save money. City officials, overseen by state emergency manager Darnell Earley (who, like other emergency managers around the state, is able to override local policies in the name of "fiscal responsibility") drafted a plan to use water from Lord Huron, a project which would take roughly three years to complete. In the meantime, the city sourced its water from the Flint River.
Soon after this change, residents of Flint started to report strange characteristics of the water supply, including abnormal color, taste, and odor. Additionally, rashes and concerns about bacteria were noted. In the summer of that year, a boil advisory was issued in certain areas of the city after E.Coli and coliform were detected in the water supply. A few months later, General Motors had to stop using water from the Flint River, as it began to erode engine parts. The city then arranged for the company to tap into a different water line, while the residents of Flint still had to drink the river water.
In January 2015, Detroit offered to reconnect its water supply with Flint, waiving a $4 million connection fee. This offer, however, was declined by Flint’s new state-appointed emergency manager, Jerry Ambrose. Further investigations into the water showed the presence of a high level trihalomethanes, a disinfectant byproduct, in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Sediment and discoloration were also noted, though officials continued to insist that Flint residents had nothing to worry about. The manager of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on the other hand, warned Michigan officials that river contaminants, including lead, were polluting the water system.
After further testing, the water again failed the Safe Drinking Water Act and new data indicated that more children had lead in their blood since the water switch. City officials then began to acknowledge the harmful effects of the water supply, with Governor Snyder announcing that the state would buy water filters, test lead in schools, and recommended Flint switch back to Detroit’s water system.
Flint city officials urged residents to stop drinking water after consistent reportings of dangerously high lead levels surfaced. Exposure to high levels of lead can have serious consequences on individuals’ health. Young children are particularly at risk and can be irreversibly impacted, both physically and mentally. In some cases, lead poisoning can even be fatal. The dire nature of these findings demanded drastic measures to be taken. In October of 2015, Flint headed Synder’s advice and reconnected to Detroit. Due to the damage that had already been done, residents were warned not to use unfiltered tap water for drinking, cooking, or bathing.
In January 2016, Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint and called the National Guard to distribute both water bottles and filters. The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the issue. The contaminated water supply was then linked to Legionnaires’ disease, which accounted for 10 deaths after the city started using river water. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration and ordered federal aid for Flint, with the Michigan House also approving the $28 million requested by the governor to assist the city. Several administrators have either resigned or were fired and the situation is currently under criminal investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Congress has begun public hearings.
Soon after this change, residents of Flint started to report strange characteristics of the water supply, including abnormal color, taste, and odor. Additionally, rashes and concerns about bacteria were noted. In the summer of that year, a boil advisory was issued in certain areas of the city after E.Coli and coliform were detected in the water supply. A few months later, General Motors had to stop using water from the Flint River, as it began to erode engine parts. The city then arranged for the company to tap into a different water line, while the residents of Flint still had to drink the river water.
In January 2015, Detroit offered to reconnect its water supply with Flint, waiving a $4 million connection fee. This offer, however, was declined by Flint’s new state-appointed emergency manager, Jerry Ambrose. Further investigations into the water showed the presence of a high level trihalomethanes, a disinfectant byproduct, in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Sediment and discoloration were also noted, though officials continued to insist that Flint residents had nothing to worry about. The manager of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on the other hand, warned Michigan officials that river contaminants, including lead, were polluting the water system.
After further testing, the water again failed the Safe Drinking Water Act and new data indicated that more children had lead in their blood since the water switch. City officials then began to acknowledge the harmful effects of the water supply, with Governor Snyder announcing that the state would buy water filters, test lead in schools, and recommended Flint switch back to Detroit’s water system.
Flint city officials urged residents to stop drinking water after consistent reportings of dangerously high lead levels surfaced. Exposure to high levels of lead can have serious consequences on individuals’ health. Young children are particularly at risk and can be irreversibly impacted, both physically and mentally. In some cases, lead poisoning can even be fatal. The dire nature of these findings demanded drastic measures to be taken. In October of 2015, Flint headed Synder’s advice and reconnected to Detroit. Due to the damage that had already been done, residents were warned not to use unfiltered tap water for drinking, cooking, or bathing.
In January 2016, Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint and called the National Guard to distribute both water bottles and filters. The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the issue. The contaminated water supply was then linked to Legionnaires’ disease, which accounted for 10 deaths after the city started using river water. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration and ordered federal aid for Flint, with the Michigan House also approving the $28 million requested by the governor to assist the city. Several administrators have either resigned or were fired and the situation is currently under criminal investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Congress has begun public hearings.
November-December 2015
Paris Devastated By Terror Attack
By: Amy Cavallo
November 13th, 2015 was a day that shook the world. That night, several coordinated terror attacks were carried out in Paris, France. The first explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber at 9:20 PM local time in France’s national stadium, Stade de France, during a soccer match. The bomber and one other person were killed. The second attack occurred only five minutes later when gunmen opened fire on a bar and restaurant in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, killing 15 people and injuring 10 others. At 9:30 PM, another bomber detonates his device in the Stade de France. Luckily, since the stadium had been evacuated after the first explosion, no one was killed other than the bomber himself. Only two minutes later, bullets rained down on Rue de la Fontaine au Roi in the 11th arrondissement, leaving five dead and eight wounded. At 9:36 PM, at a local bar in the 11th arrondissement, gunmen in a black van fired off rounds killing 19 people and wounding nine others. At 9:40 PM, the most Infamous attack occurred. Three gunmen stormed a nightclub where fans were attending a Eagles of Death Metal concert. The American band was playing to a full crowd when the terrorists entered the club and took the audience hostage. Then, the men discharged their weapons into the crowd several times, taking the time to reload their guns and shoot over and over again. Some patrons dropped to the floor in an attempt to play dead and remain unnoticed by the gunmen. Survivors said that the men fired randomly, trying to kill as many people as possible in a short period of time. Eyewitnesses also said that the terrorists were surprisingly calm and composed through the entire shooting. In this final attack alone, 89 people were left dead.
The terrorist who carried out the plot were mostly France-born, although some others had recently travelled to France from Belgium. Seven of the suspects were killed during the attacks and at least eight others were later arrested either in France or at the border of neighboring country while trying to flee. It is now known that these terrorists were working in the name of the radical terror group ISIS.
After the attacks, French president Franҫois Hollande called for three days of mourning. Along with France, many other countries mourned the loss. #PrayForParis trended on Twitter, Facebook created a French flag filter for their members profile pictures, and major leaders all around the world commented on the tragedy.
The terrorist who carried out the plot were mostly France-born, although some others had recently travelled to France from Belgium. Seven of the suspects were killed during the attacks and at least eight others were later arrested either in France or at the border of neighboring country while trying to flee. It is now known that these terrorists were working in the name of the radical terror group ISIS.
After the attacks, French president Franҫois Hollande called for three days of mourning. Along with France, many other countries mourned the loss. #PrayForParis trended on Twitter, Facebook created a French flag filter for their members profile pictures, and major leaders all around the world commented on the tragedy.
RBR's Maroon March!!
RBR Participates in Clean Action Beach Sweep
By: Alex Sosa
On October 24th, 2015 about 49 RBR students participated in the Clean Action Beach Sweep at Sandy Hook. In total, over 1,000 pieces of trash were picked up and disposed of in careful and environmentally friendly ways. From 9 to 12 pm, students discarded trash found all over the beach. There was garbage everywhere, proving how much we misuse and harm our beaches. The garbage was separated into trash and recyclables while larger or unsafe items were marked by a flag. Those items were then disposed of properly later in the day by a different team. It was a successful day for the beach sweep volunteers. The reason so many students came together for this event was The Environmental Club. Their motto is, “Focused on making the RBR community more environmentally aware.” The club, advised by Science teacher Mr.Hussey, works to help aid the environment so we can have a clean and safer world. Our beaches need to be protected, and by cleaning them, students are making a significant positive impact. Not only are they protecting the beach, but the ocean and animals too. In total, hundreds of volunteers from different schools attended the event. It showed how we can all come together as a community to protect the things we care about.
September - October 2015
Kevin Breel Visits RBR
By: Amy Cavallo
In early October, Canadian-born comedian Kevin Breel made a special stop at RBR. In the middle of the book tour for his memoir, Boy Meets Depression, Breel noted that Red Bank Regional was an important place for him to visit since it’s a community that has been affected by suicide. During the assembly, Breel shared a bit of his own struggle with the attentive students. His parents had divorced and his father was an alcoholic. He saw at a young age that personal problems and pain weren’t usually discussed openly with others. And so, he learned to tuck it away where it wouldn’t be seen. However, Breel soon found that he was becoming two different people. In the view of others, he was a class clown who was always bubbly and excited. But when he was alone, he felt empty and hopeless. After hitting rock bottom and writing his own suicide note in 2011, Kevin realized that he needed to get help. He ended his speech to the students by encouraging them to seek out help from others if they had similar feelings and to never be ashamed of their emotions.
The students responded to the discussion remarkably well and some even noted how right Kevin was in saying that the discussion about mental illness is one that needs to happen in a much more public setting. Breel emphasized the importance of eliminating the stigma around mental illness and many students agreed.
One student said, “[Mental illness] can be an uncomfortable topic. The media doesn’t show how there are kids in high school who are really struggling. And many adults won’t take it seriously because we’re so young and they think that, because our troubles are of a different magnitude than theirs, we can’t actually be having a difficult time. But just because someone’s struggle is different from our own doesn’t make ours any less valid.”
Quite a few students felt that the assembly was enlightening and extremely helpful in bringing the subject into the light. “Everyone is struggling with something,” said another student. “Everyone needs help coping sometimes. He made it seem like it’s okay to get the help you may need.”
In Kevin’s book, Boy Meets Depression, he explains his struggle in a much more detailed fashion. However, he also describes his recovery. On a road full of counseling and emotion, Breel slowly found his way out of his depression. Although he states that he still succumbs to negativity every once in awhile, there is one main difference that separates his sadness from his past depression: he knows that the sadness will pass and he will make it through.
Kevin himself stated, “The theme of my book is to own your story before it ends up owning you. This generation has the power to not just change the conversation, but change the culture.”
The students responded to the discussion remarkably well and some even noted how right Kevin was in saying that the discussion about mental illness is one that needs to happen in a much more public setting. Breel emphasized the importance of eliminating the stigma around mental illness and many students agreed.
One student said, “[Mental illness] can be an uncomfortable topic. The media doesn’t show how there are kids in high school who are really struggling. And many adults won’t take it seriously because we’re so young and they think that, because our troubles are of a different magnitude than theirs, we can’t actually be having a difficult time. But just because someone’s struggle is different from our own doesn’t make ours any less valid.”
Quite a few students felt that the assembly was enlightening and extremely helpful in bringing the subject into the light. “Everyone is struggling with something,” said another student. “Everyone needs help coping sometimes. He made it seem like it’s okay to get the help you may need.”
In Kevin’s book, Boy Meets Depression, he explains his struggle in a much more detailed fashion. However, he also describes his recovery. On a road full of counseling and emotion, Breel slowly found his way out of his depression. Although he states that he still succumbs to negativity every once in awhile, there is one main difference that separates his sadness from his past depression: he knows that the sadness will pass and he will make it through.
Kevin himself stated, “The theme of my book is to own your story before it ends up owning you. This generation has the power to not just change the conversation, but change the culture.”
In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage: A Review
By: Pheobe Carr
On October 8, RBR had its annual Hispanic History Month assembly. Every student in the school gathered in the auditorium to hear what the Multicultural club had put together to represent people of Latino/Hispanic decent. The main theme of the assembly was tradition, with a heavy focus on food. It was truly enlightening and entertaining to learn the ins and outs of cultures not everyone is familiar with.
The assembly opened with the debut of the RBR guitar class, where 20+ students played two traditional songs in unison to set the tone for the show. The guest speaker was Juanita Lynn, a chef born in Peru who brought her traditional Peruvian meals to America and opened an esteemed catering service and restaurant. Lynn was incredibly inspirational and incomparably established; a real role model for students to follow.
After Lynn’s speech, the Multicultural club did a presentation on chefs and foods from Hispanic descent. This was followed by a fantastic traditional dance performance from the dance majors that highlighted many different cultures and styles of dance. Alex Sosa and Grace Cody performed a stunning poem about growing up in different cultures and learning about the world as you age. This was closely followed by a striking piece about American politician Donald Trump and his feelings about Mexican immigrants, written and performed by Emily Lugos and Mya Nunally. Lugos and Nunally are veterans of the Red Bank Regional Hispanic Heritage Month assembly, and as seniors, this was a wonderful way to close their tenure as great performing artists.
Overall, the assembly was informational and full of heart; the multicultural club very obviously put forth a lot of effort to make it as good as it could possibly be.
The assembly opened with the debut of the RBR guitar class, where 20+ students played two traditional songs in unison to set the tone for the show. The guest speaker was Juanita Lynn, a chef born in Peru who brought her traditional Peruvian meals to America and opened an esteemed catering service and restaurant. Lynn was incredibly inspirational and incomparably established; a real role model for students to follow.
After Lynn’s speech, the Multicultural club did a presentation on chefs and foods from Hispanic descent. This was followed by a fantastic traditional dance performance from the dance majors that highlighted many different cultures and styles of dance. Alex Sosa and Grace Cody performed a stunning poem about growing up in different cultures and learning about the world as you age. This was closely followed by a striking piece about American politician Donald Trump and his feelings about Mexican immigrants, written and performed by Emily Lugos and Mya Nunally. Lugos and Nunally are veterans of the Red Bank Regional Hispanic Heritage Month assembly, and as seniors, this was a wonderful way to close their tenure as great performing artists.
Overall, the assembly was informational and full of heart; the multicultural club very obviously put forth a lot of effort to make it as good as it could possibly be.
Pope Francis Flies to the USA: An Editorial
By: Alex Sosa
On Tuesday, September 22, a miracle visited America, as in the eyes of us all. For the first time (as pope, as person) ever, Pope Francis stepped out of his airplane in the U.S.A. He arrived in D.C at Joint Base Andrews and was greeted by many of his admirers. Millions of people had traveled from all over the U.S just to meet him. He had a welcoming ceremony as well as a meeting with President Barack Obama. Francis was given a parade, conducted multiple masses, and made numerous prayers.
He also traveled to New York and Philadelphia, hosting a mass in the iconic Madison Square Garden. Tickets we're bought, traffic was held up, and excitement filled the air. One person coming to our country may not seem like a big deal, but for the people, The Pope is a symbol of the humility that Christianity was founded upon. Viewed to be one of the greatest Catholic leaders, Francis is well known for his kindness and love towards others. During his stay he visited prisons, countless of the injured, and even shared a meal with the homeless. Francis doesn’t ride in the fancy car provided for him, instead drives around in a simple fiat. This type of behaviour sends a message all around the world. Whether you’re religious or not, we should all strive to follow in Francis’s footsteps. He exemplifies a symbol of kindness that we can follow throughout our everyday lives.
Click Here for a full shedule report on the Pope and his Journey: http://www.popefrancisvisit.com/official-final-schedule-of-pope-francis-u-s-visit-2015/
He also traveled to New York and Philadelphia, hosting a mass in the iconic Madison Square Garden. Tickets we're bought, traffic was held up, and excitement filled the air. One person coming to our country may not seem like a big deal, but for the people, The Pope is a symbol of the humility that Christianity was founded upon. Viewed to be one of the greatest Catholic leaders, Francis is well known for his kindness and love towards others. During his stay he visited prisons, countless of the injured, and even shared a meal with the homeless. Francis doesn’t ride in the fancy car provided for him, instead drives around in a simple fiat. This type of behaviour sends a message all around the world. Whether you’re religious or not, we should all strive to follow in Francis’s footsteps. He exemplifies a symbol of kindness that we can follow throughout our everyday lives.
Click Here for a full shedule report on the Pope and his Journey: http://www.popefrancisvisit.com/official-final-schedule-of-pope-francis-u-s-visit-2015/
Civil Unrest in Syria
By: Claire Toomey
Separated from North America by an entire ocean, the enormity of the Syrian crisis is a difficult concept for many to grasp. It does not affect the average American’s day-to-day life and, as a result, may seem distant and inconsequential. Sensationalist headlines cause shock and empathy for a fleeting moment, only to be replaced by the newest piece of breaking news. But, though our attention spans may be short and our ability to understand the conflict may be limited, the facts remain; losses in Syria have been staggering and are not likely to stop any time soon.
The conflict began in March of 2011, during the the Arab Spring, when anti-government demonstrators protested the arrest and torture of a group of teenagers who had been caught painting revolutionary signs on a school building. Security forces opened fire on the peaceful demonstration, killing several. As the administration of President Bashar al-Assad grew increasingly hostile towards protesters, they too became violent. Many called for the resignation of Assad, whose forceful tactics were challenged nationwide. Opposition supporters took up arms, first as a defensive measure and later as a way of forcing security forces out of their local areas.
By July of 2011, army defectors loosely convened as the Free Syrian Army. The nature of the unrest became more nuanced, as is shifted from solely being a battle between those for or against President Assad into a religiously charged conflict. Enemy lines have been drawn between the country's Sunni majority and the president's Shia Alawite sect. The involvement of neighbouring countries and world powers, as well as the rise of the jihadist groups, including the Islamic State, have added further tension. Seeing the chaos in the region as an opportunity to demand control, the Islamic State - known commonly as ISIS - has taken over huge regions across northern and eastern Syria, as well as neighbouring Iraq. Its many foreign fighters in Syria are now involved in a "war within a war", battling rebels and jihadists from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, who object to their tactics, as well as Kurdish and government forces. Within only a few years, the situation has spiraled from a series of protests to a full-fledged civil war.
Attempting to flee their chaotic homeland, more than four million people have fled Syria since the start of the conflict. The country’s neighbors - Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey - are struggling to adapt to the enormous influx of immigrants. A further 7.6 million Syrians have been internally displaced within the country, bringing the total number forced to flee their homes to more than 11 million. This number is more than half of the country's pre-crisis population. Overall, more than 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including 5.6 million children, according to the UN. In December 2014, the UN launched an appeal for $8.4 billion to provide assistance to 18 million Syrians. It has been estimated that by March 2015 the total economic loss had reached $202 billion and that four in every five Syrians were now living in poverty. Syria's education, health and social welfare systems are also in a state of collapse as the country’s unrest continues to intensify, and as many on-the ground reporters state, “there appears to be no end to this civil war and ensuing humanitarian crisis insight.
The conflict began in March of 2011, during the the Arab Spring, when anti-government demonstrators protested the arrest and torture of a group of teenagers who had been caught painting revolutionary signs on a school building. Security forces opened fire on the peaceful demonstration, killing several. As the administration of President Bashar al-Assad grew increasingly hostile towards protesters, they too became violent. Many called for the resignation of Assad, whose forceful tactics were challenged nationwide. Opposition supporters took up arms, first as a defensive measure and later as a way of forcing security forces out of their local areas.
By July of 2011, army defectors loosely convened as the Free Syrian Army. The nature of the unrest became more nuanced, as is shifted from solely being a battle between those for or against President Assad into a religiously charged conflict. Enemy lines have been drawn between the country's Sunni majority and the president's Shia Alawite sect. The involvement of neighbouring countries and world powers, as well as the rise of the jihadist groups, including the Islamic State, have added further tension. Seeing the chaos in the region as an opportunity to demand control, the Islamic State - known commonly as ISIS - has taken over huge regions across northern and eastern Syria, as well as neighbouring Iraq. Its many foreign fighters in Syria are now involved in a "war within a war", battling rebels and jihadists from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, who object to their tactics, as well as Kurdish and government forces. Within only a few years, the situation has spiraled from a series of protests to a full-fledged civil war.
Attempting to flee their chaotic homeland, more than four million people have fled Syria since the start of the conflict. The country’s neighbors - Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey - are struggling to adapt to the enormous influx of immigrants. A further 7.6 million Syrians have been internally displaced within the country, bringing the total number forced to flee their homes to more than 11 million. This number is more than half of the country's pre-crisis population. Overall, more than 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including 5.6 million children, according to the UN. In December 2014, the UN launched an appeal for $8.4 billion to provide assistance to 18 million Syrians. It has been estimated that by March 2015 the total economic loss had reached $202 billion and that four in every five Syrians were now living in poverty. Syria's education, health and social welfare systems are also in a state of collapse as the country’s unrest continues to intensify, and as many on-the ground reporters state, “there appears to be no end to this civil war and ensuing humanitarian crisis insight.