Final Edition 13.indd - East Lyme Public Schools

Saga
T H E
V I K I N G
Volume XLI
Edition 13
March 7, 2008
C S P A
The Student Newspaper of East Lyme High School
G o l d
M e d a l i s t
East Lyme, Connecticut
B r e a k i n g i n t o t h e Va u l t
Making “cents” out
of the business world
by Ramona Ostrowski
How many people have
the opportunity to create
an advertising campaign,
conduct market research,
and run a business while
in high school?
At East Lyme High
School, the answer is
everyone. All you have
to do is take Mind Your
Business, the introduction
to business administration
class that handles the
Viking Vault. Mind Your
Business teacher Amy
Derr says it gives students
opportunities they will not
get in the real business
world. “It gives them a
chance to make mistakes
& Naviance
I Edline
report card
N
Page 4
T How much $ does
H your class have?
Page 5
I
S Senior Proposals
Page 7
E
D Tennis champ in
I
our midst
T
Page 9
I
O Save the drama
Page 10
N
– it’s a safe environment,”
she says.
The students do not
seem to be making
many mistakes, though.
Ms. Derr says that the
Viking Vault’s profit “has
increased every single
year.” This year they are
projected to profit between
$1,000 and $1,500. A
portion of this goes back
into the store, and the class
gets to vote on what to do
with the rest.
“We have the creative
[latitude] to decide what
to sell,” says senior
Gordon Hess, touching
on a big aspect of the
class. One item that
never made it to the store
but might have outsold
(See Vault page 7)
S. Felitto/Saga
Senior Crystal Monty, a Mind Your Business student, gears up for a busy day of sales at
the Viking Vault. The vault is open for sale during lunch. The stand’s merchandise includes
everything from breath mints to school supplies to Viking apparel, so you can smell good, look
good and be prepared for class! A student cannot go wrong at the Viking Vault!
W h e n Yo u G o t t a G o . . .
and newest bathrooms
Eight years ago, faculty
association. Due to this
“This is just a trial
run, to see what works
better for you,” said
head custodian Michael
Hewitt. He explained
that the bathrooms are
closed due to the need
to cut down the number
of staff members having
to be on post at a time.
large smoking problem.
Math teacher Linda
Johansen explained that
the objective was to
“monitor the bathrooms
by going in and checking
periodically.” If anyone
was caught smoking,
everyone in the room
was charged as guilty by
Although smoking is no
longer a forefront issue,
staff are still required to
monitor the bathrooms
for vandalism. Principal
Lawrence Roberts said
that the closure of the
B wing bathrooms was
“simply a matter of trying
to (See Bathrooms page 4)
The truth behind the have become forbidden duties were instated after policy, many students
closure of the
is the latest buzz the B wing bathrooms were afraid to even
B wing bathrooms
throughout the school. were closed due to a go into the bathroom.
by Ellie Kleinhans
The quality of the
bathrooms here at East
Lyme
High
School
ranges from automatic
faucets and clean floors
to crusty sinks and empty
soap dispensers. Inquiry
as to why the cleanest
The Viking Saga
Opinion
March 7, 2008
O u r Two C e n t s a r e F r e e
As much as I enjoy turning
on the television and seeing halfnaked women splash around in a
larger-than-life martini glass, I
prefer Law and Order.
While in this day-and-age
reality television shows tend to
dominate the screens of American
viewers, it is hard to find a person
in the tri-state area who has not
seen at least one episode of Law
and Order.
Now as for me, I have
probably seen more episodes
of the dramatic series than the
recommended dose.I must admit,
of the approximated 668 episodes
I have seen, it never gets old.
Apart from the overtly-scripted
retorts of the late Jerry Orbach and
the theatrical closing statements
assistant district attorney Jack
McCoy always seems to pull
from his hat, Law and Order is as
real a television show as any, and
is personally my reality TV.
Reality programs are supposed
to feature “real people.” When
I flip through these shows, it is
hard to find any “real people”
who weigh over 110 pounds
or anyone with a hair color
other than beachy blonde or
glistening caramel.
Law and Order features
characters of all colors, all
shapes and sizes, all accents, all
mental abilities and personality
types—the kind of people that
you find walking the streets of the
real world.
Not only that, but the show
even includes “real people” in the
intended sense of the phrase…
not actors. Everyday people have
had small parts in the production,
or even have been aired as an
extra, or just a passerby.
The show is taped with these
“real people” in the “real world”
streets of New York City. I can
vouch for this because they
filmed a segment right on my
grandmother’s doorstep!
The characters’ words are
real, they do not have to be cut
or bleeped out. There is fighting,
screaming, sex and drugs like
every reality show, except it
is displayed tastefully. There
is an actual plot line that can
be followed, and a point to the
show’s existence.
Then there are the allegations
that reality TV is actually
carefully scripted. Regardless of
their validity, Law and Order is
a step ahead. Writers spend time
scripting each scene, but due to
the short time frame of the taping,
actors and cast members have
the opportunity to ad lib scenes,
making it their own, perhaps
more so than on reality shows.
There are less piercings, tattoos,
belligerent drunken rants and
close-up make-out scenes, but the
show (much like the actual world
that most people live in) does
not always have a happy ending.
In real life, “there is
always next time” as
Fred Thompson says
while the elevator doors
come to a close and Dick
Wolf is credited for yet
another masterpiece.
You can take your Tila, Real
World, or Orange County
housewives, but I am happy
curled up on the couch with
another good ole’ episode of
Law and Order.
visit. When I questioned why she
did not mind leaving her home
to live and work in a struggling
country she responded, “In
Guatemala, you never forget
what is important in life.”
Unfortunately, the same does
not go for the United States.
There has been a rising mentality
in the past 30 years that the
most important quality is to
be driven.
I could easily rattle off
facts, such as 90% of the land
in Guatemala is owned by
20 families, in order to incite
feelings of compassion for the
citizens of the Central American
country that I called my home for
the week of February vacation.
But what I realized is that they do
not want our pity, and in regard to
values, they do not need it.
Through building houses
and visiting public schools with
the organization Common Hope
(featured on page 3), I observed
a lot about what life is like in
Antigua, Guatemala. I saw the dirt
floors, the young children with no
shoes playing in the streets and
the polluted water sources, yet
walked away with the realization
that we are the ones in need.
In Guatemala, young people
break the American stereotype
that all teenagers are selfish.
Those who are fortunate enough
to afford school come home right
after the bell rings to assist their
parents with chores. The children
are always willing to lend a
helping hand no matter what the
task entails. Community, whether
it be family or peers, always
comes first.
As I observed countless
selfless acts by people my own
age, it really made sense to me
what a Common Hope employee
who had recently graduated
college said to me during my
Page 2
The saying “shoot for
the stars” has been taken
too literally, as young
people set high goals and
push aside anyone who
threatens their chance
to succeed.
Parents and students alike put
an overwhelming emphasis on
studying hard to get the grades to
get into a good college to make lots
of money. Everything that young
people do outside of school—
from extracurricular activities
to community service, is done
with the intention of getting one
step ahead of the classmate next
to them.
While American
youth
continue to fall into this warped
sense of what is important, the
foundational values such as
family, community and global
awareness continue to suffer.
There are many things
that teenagers can learn from
traveling to a third-world
country such as Guatemala; it
will open their eyes to a level
of poverty unseen in East Lyme
or better their understanding of
a country struggling to uphold a
peaceful democracy.
But really, the better lesson
learned is how to live, for as
the Guatemalans attempt to pull
themselves up out of hardship,
they reach a hand so that others
can be relieved as well. And
having walked with them for a
week, I pity us.
The Viking Saga
Opinion
March 7, 2008
More About Common Hope
Blatherskite
by Valerie Ferdon
What does it mean?
Something to puzzle over...
V.Ferdon/Saga
“The back corner of the
classroom that never
shuts up.”
-junior Casi Gignac
But what does it REALLY mean?
blath·er·skite
[blath-er-skahyt]
noun
1. a person given to voluble, empty talk.
2. nonsense; blather.
S U M M E R I N T E R N S H I P O P P O RT U N I T Y
at the Ledge Light Health District
Open to junior and senior high school students
25-30 hours/week at a paid rate of $10/hour
Deadline for applications: April 11, 2008
The application and more information can be found at the
College and Career Center
Have an opinion?
Fe a t u r e d Wr i t e r s
Send your letters, questions
and comments to
The Viking Saga at:
[email protected]
*compliments of sudokuoftheday.com
Page 3
Alex Addabbo
Hannah Barner
Kit Brown
Andrea Chrunyk
Ryann Foulke
Matthew Heath
Ellie Kleinhans
Amy Li
Emily Newton
Ramona Ostrowski
Brendan Welch
S t a f f
For more information about how you can help, visit
www.commonhope.org
S.Felitto/Saga
“It’s French
for orange.”
-freshman Kate Kielty
S a g a
team member, Alexa Rucinski (right)
Roving Saga reporters poll the students of ELHS to find out
T h e
Common Hope is an organization in Antigua, Guatemala working
to improve the lives of families by assisting with education, health care
and housing. It was founded
by Dave and Betty Huebsch
of Minnesota in 1985 and
has grown into an expanding
mission that has helped
thousands of families rise
up out of a state of poverty.
Vision teams from all
over the United States travel
to Antigua and partake in
activities such as building
V.Ferdon/Saga
houses
for
affiliated
Building a house in Antigua
members,
teaching or
observing at the elementary school in New Hope Village and doing
work such as gardening
and painting on-site.
Common Hope also runs
a sponsorship program
through which a person
or family can sponsor
a Guatemalan child. In
addition to supporting
the families by sending
money each month, the
“godparents” correspond
V.Ferdon/Saga
with their sponsored child
Valerie playing soccer with three students
through letters and pictures. of New Hope School and her fellow Vision
Stefanie Felitto &
Valerie Ferdon
Editors-in-Chief
John Kleinhans
News Editor
Mollie Teeter
Features Editor
Kate Eberle
Entertainment Editor
Kyle Weiss
Sports Editor
Ariel Nicolosi
Featured Illustrator
Jeff Beale
Advisor
The Viking Saga
News
March 7, 2008
Grading School Utilities: It’s time for Edline and Naviance to face the grades!
by Emily Newton
Edline Report Card
Category Grade
Comment
A
new
process
this
year,
completing
course
registration
online, is a result of Edline.
Registration
B
“This will get the information into
kid’s homes,” explains guidance counselor Deb Kelly. Having course registration online will allow students to see what
the teachers really want them to be in. Both Ms. Kelly and guidance counselor Nadine Barnes agree that paper registration
was just too messy; online registration not only provides information in a straight forward way, it is also less likely that
courses will be entered into the computer wrong.
Edline is such a great resource, it would seem that all teachers would want to provide links and information on their
D+Since
page. This is not the case. Many teachers do not use Edline, so when students go to their page, all that is seen is a picture
Usage
of a stack of books. A picture of books is not helpful when trying to access a PowerPoint that was discussed that day
during class, or for descriptions of future assignments.
Layout
A
One of pros to Edline is that it follows a simple format that is easy to understand. Edline makes the most technologicallyilliterate understand. It helps those who are not usually in front of a computer.
Homework
Retrieval
A
Final Grade
B
When students are sick or out of school, Edline can provide them with a solution to having a friend pick up all their
homework. Ms. Barnes says that teachers have recently been using Edline to post when homework assignments or
projects are due. This is helpful in case of absence, you can look up the homework you would have
received
and turn it in as soon as you get back.
Edline does have some benefits, like report cards and homework retrieval, but there are still many
kinks like usage that have to be worked out with Edline before it earns high-honors status.
Naviance Report Card
Category Grade
Accessibility
A
Usage
Comment
Naviance provides information in a “one-stop process,” allowing students to look up information on colleges whenever they
need to. “You can use it at any location,” says guidance counselor Nadine Barnes. This is helpful when students just want to
check quick information on colleges. Instead of having to make a hard-to-remember screen name and password to access
Collegeboard.com, Naviance allows students to look up information on their account when it is convenient to them, as well
as seeing how other East Lyme students match up.
lack of usage of Naviance by students is one of its most negative aspects. Many students say they barely use Naviance.
C- The
Freshman at University of Connecticut, Julie Tibbetts, says that she only used Naviance once in her entire high school career.
Many agree with Tibbetts, noting that “it is pointless,” like senior Sonal Desai. Desai says that Naviance did not aid in her
college search.
GPA
A
Although seniors, and now juniors, can access their class rank and GPA from Naviance at any time, this luxury is not
available to freshmen and sophomores. According to Ms. Kelly, they will have to wait until they are in their second
semester of their junior year so that the competition is not overbearing. This can be particularly troubling for students who
are getting recruited and need to submit this information in order to be considered.
Memory
Ability
A
Naviance saves all the information about each student including all involvement and awards they had throughout their high school
career. By just filling in one simple chart, students will be able to fill out those annoying activity charts in
college applications with ease. If you are a forgetful person, then this is the best part of Naviance for you.
Naviance has is very effective due to its innate memory and its ability to browse any college of
N
your liking. It earns high marks, but not quite an A.
Final Grade
B+
(Bathrooms continued from front page)
...maximize our faculty coverage for social
study hall.”
“We were very thin in available teachers, but
by moving the open bathrooms to the A wing, we
can double up teachers who can keep an eye on the
social study hall, monitor the bathroom and, a plus,
keep an eye on students wandering down towards
the gym,” Mr. Roberts further explained.
Additionally, as Mr. Hewitt hinted, the custodial staff
will be working on some changes in all of the facilities.
“I will be putting in new paper towel and toilet paper
dispensers, new long mirrors so that you can look at
yourself, new toilet seats and possibly new wall color,”
said Mr. Hewitt. The costodial staff has already replaced
all of the ceiling tiles in the upstairs girls’ bathroom.
Although changes are going to be made, there is
much controversy to the B wing bathrooms being
closed. Teachers in the lower level of the math wing are
concerned about the time it now takes for their students
Page 4
to make a bathroom trip.
“I’ve timed it. To walk from my room to the
commons and back it takes four minutes,” said Mrs.
Johansen, who then estimated that an average person
spends four minutes in the bathroom. “Students
will be out of my class for eight minutes, and that’s
without stopping to talk to friends. That’s ten percent
of class time.”
Currently, teachers are suggesting new solutions
so that class time is not affected so dramatically.
The Viking Saga
News
Campaign Bus Rolls into Connecticut
Mr. Kydd and Ms. Mantoni react to recent Obama rally in Hartford
by Amy Li
Q: In his speech Obama mentions that his critics call him a “Hope Monger.”
Would you say that he is a “Hope Monger”?
A: (Mr. Kydd): Yes. I think he is a hope monger, but …that can be a positive thing and negative
thing. To me hope is something good, but at the same time as a candidate, it could get him into
trouble because people want to see detail - that’s where some of his critics come - they don’t
want to hear just hope and empty promises. People want specifics about his plans as well.
(Ms. Mantoni): I think it’s
true that hope is certainly
one of his themes.
However, by saying that
he is a hope monger, it
kind of gives it a negative
connotation.
In
my
opinion I don’t think it’s
negative to have hope
as one of your themes,
especially now… Right
now he still has hope. He
believes that if we act now
there is hope for healing
Photo submitted/H. Kydd
and for remedying certain
problems at home and
Mr. Kydd and Ms. Mantoni with Congressman Chris Murphy at Obama event
around the world. He
also argued though, that with certain issues, if we wait much longer there will not be hope to
turn things around. He talked about it a lot, but in my opinion, I don’t think it’s inappropriate.
Q: Did he say anything in particular that changed or reinforced
your views?
A: (Mr. Kydd): One of the first things he talked about was the importance of teachers, so that
struck a cord with me because obviously issues that are close to teachers’ hearts are close to
mine. And that, in a way, opened me up for the rest of his speech. Obviously he didn’t plan the
speech according to me being there, but that definitely opened my ears up a bit.
(Ms. Mantoni): He also spoke about helping kids by helping teachers and obviously, I’m very
biased here, but I do believe that if teachers were given the means that are necessary for the
success that the state and federal governments want to see, then they would absolutely be able
to help kids perform to standards. But if teachers aren’t given what they need—smaller class
sizes, more money, more time, more professional development, yet the expectations continue to
pile, then student performance is going to reflect that. And instead of punishing the schools and
the teachers who need the help to help their students, instead let’s give them what they need. It
seems that that’s what he stands for and I loved that.
Q: What about the speech struck you the most?
A: (Mr. Kydd): It wasn’t so much the speech that struck me. It was the crowd. I expected a
college type crowd—a youthful crowd, but what I saw was a really diverse crowd, ethnically
and age-wise as well. There were senior citizens, there were middle age people. I knew that he
was going to be speaking and that he speaks well, but what blew me away was the size of the
crowd and the diversity of it.
(Ms. Mantoni): He’s a phenomenal orator. I think what took me off guard was how emotional I
got. My life’s work is dedicated to service and to education, which is a very difficult job and a
thankless job, so when you have someone standing up there telling you that you still matter—
‘you working people, you people who work hard every single day for not a lot in return, you
do matter, you matter to me’—then it makes me emotional because I think that’s what a leader
should do.
Page 5
March 7, 2008
Who’s Got Money in
the Bank?
Senior class takes the prize!
by Andrea Chrunyk
Freshmen: $0
The freshmen have yet to get started
on fundraising for their class. While they
seem to have plenty of time before they
will actually need the money, freshman
class treasurer Andrew Bi said that they
are making an effort for the near future.
The problem so far has been that many
fundraisers have fallen through, like a
movie night. But with a little bit more
creativity, the freshmen could be on their
way to achieving a total that rivals the
senior total.
Sophomores: $6,600
The sophomores have raised a fair
amount in their short time at East Lyme
High School. Sophomore class adviser
and guidance counselor Lisa Ramaccia
said that the sophomores will continue to
bring the total in the bank account up by
more fundraisers. “We are having a night
called March Madness where we are
showing the championship basketball
game.” She also explained that there
will be food and Guitar Hero present in
addition to the game.
Juniors: $13,000
The juniors have raised a respectable
amount of money for events. The money
came from numerous fundraisers, such
as Winter Ball and selling water at
graduation. The junior class also made a
lot of money from a new fundraiser. “A
good portion of our money is due to the
success of the dodgeball tournament,”
said junior class treasurer Priya Ranade.
Seniors: $26, 967.86
The seniors have, by far, the most
money out of any class. Senior class
treasurer Ricky Connell said the main
reason for the amount of money acquired
was due to “Krispy Kreme donut sales,
Winter Ball and Spring Fling.” He added,
“Spring Fling was huge, the biggest in
school history, and the donut sale raised a
lot of money because it was a good deal.”
Connell also had some advice for
the freshman class if they want to be as
successful as the seniors. “Spend wisely
and have unique fund raisers,” he said,
noting that selling donuts was a unique
way for the seniors to make money.
The Viking Saga
Features
March 7, 2008
YouTube, I Tube,
We
all
Tube
Together
Is there significant educational value in the sensation of Youtube?
Teachers’ Picks
These teachers share their
favorite online videos inside the
classroom with their students.
Technology teacher Ray Campbell:
“‘Drifting’ by Andy McKee because
I play guitar and it’s always fun to
turn people on to cool new music.
Youtube is a great source for pop
culture.”
English teacher Jeannine Poole:
“Chocolate Rain for the disturbing
factor. I also look at old videos from
the 80s.”
History teacher Chris Sandford:
“My favorite YouTube video is any
video that I’m in.”
(Viking Vault continued from front
page)
... even the popular Viking sweatshirts is
condoms. “We went and had a meeting
with Mr. Roberts and he was like ‘no!’”
Hess says, because “...people would have
misunderstood it as promoting underage
sex.”
“I think a number of parents would
have a problem with it,” says Ms. Derr,
adding, “It’s a learning process.”
Along with making merchandise
choices, Mind Your Business students also
learn how to apply advertising techniques.
Their memorable fliers can be seen all over
the school. “It catches people’s attention,”
says freshman Spencer Loomis, defending
the often random images on the fliers.
Soon, the Viking Vault plans to expand
into a new frontier: the Internet. By the end
of the year, the ELHS website will have
a link to the Viking Vault where students
and parents can order merchandise to
be picked up in the office. “That will be
really exciting,” say Ms. Derr.
With all this experience, young
entrepreneurs will not have a hard time
making the jump from the Viking Vault to
a Fortune 500 company.
by Ryann Foulke
What do Cocorico, the Kennedy for explaining the cultural aspects of an era.
assassination and “duck and cover” all have in He feels that television clips from the time
common? These are all featured on teachers’ period are better for understanding than the
lesson plans this year, and they all come from textbook. As Kydd explains, “It demonstrates
YouTube.
what it was like to
Yo u T u b e
live then.”
is
a
cultural
YouTube is also
phenomenon that
used throughout the
has certainly seeped
foreign language
into our daily lives,
department, proving
both socially and
to be very helpful
recreationally. But
when learning a
recently, teachers
language or about
have been using
a foreign culture.
YouTube as an
“I use it with music
educational
tool.
videos; I really only
R. Foulke/ Saga
With over 6 million
use it with music,”
videos, a number
says French teacher
Mr. Sandford chuckles at his computer
that grows by 20%
Nathalie
Casey.
each month, it is about time educators tapped She explains that first she picks a song by its
into the state-of-the-art resource that doubles content, theme and grammar. Then, she gives
as a means of connecting to students.
the lyrics of the song to her students, who try
History teachers seem to use YouTube the to translate them. The class then discusses
most. The website caters to the diminishing the content and Casey plays the song. Finally,
supply of primary
she shows them
sources.
the music video on
By simply typing
YouTube.
in
“Richard
“Cocorico was
Nixon” or “John F.
sick. It was a very
Kennedy,” hundreds
educational video,”
of political videos
says
sophomore
popup, many of
Matt Gionet.
which come directly
This
new
from the 1960s.
teaching style does
History
teacher
have its flaws,
Chris
Sandford
however. Although
R. Foulke/ Saga
uses YouTube to
it is edited for
show the contrast
its content, some
Mr. Kydd and his newest teaching aide
of Kennedy and
inappropriate
Reagan at the Berlin Wall, and asks his students videos do slip through the cracks. Kydd
to compare the two. “I use it all the time,” speaks to this problem by saying, “I think if
responds Sandford in regard to YouTube, used properly it can go a long way.”
also adding that, “when used appropriately,
Casey agrees with this statement, adding
it is an educational tool.” He also uses it to that YouTube is great “if it is used appropriately
show the Kennedy assassination, a video that and the content is appropriate.”
he plays countless times to try to get the full
From dancing roosters to the Cold War,
effect of the event.
YouTube has it all and has finally found its way
“The YouTube visual allowed me to better into the classroom. Teachers are clamoring
understand John F. Kennedy’s assassination,” for the limited number of projectors and
replies junior Brianna Ayers.
laptops, and most agree that these short clips
Another history teacher at East Lyme are a great teaching tool, as well as a means
High School, Henry Kydd, uses it mainly of relating to their students.
Page 6
The Viking Saga
Features
March 7, 2008
Break Away From Spring Break
Alternative spring break for high school and college students
by Hannah Barner
Rebuild a city or trash one. Construct a
house or spend a week partying in one. Which
one is the new craze in American youth, and
which one is the spring break prototype?
Students across the nation are shattering
the spring break norms, heading to relief and
charity programs instead of hitting the typical
beach party scene. With coverage from
national news and even MTV, alternative
spring break trips are the up-and-coming
trend, with programs available for college
and high school students.
With the main goal of encouraging the
youth of America to make a difference, these
programs range from local areas to national
and international efforts. The United Way,
an organization that creates opportunities for
volunteering, is working with thinkMTV to
organize a relief effort in order to rebuild the
Gulf Coast after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
hit the southern coast.
“You’re helping people and
you’re giving them a place
to live.”
-senior Nicole Boike
“I went to New Orleans; we took down
walls and floors and rebuilt them,” explains
senior Nicole Boike who went for a week
with Habitat for Humanity. Boike, who
got involved through Niantic
Community Church, explained
that it was really an enjoyable
experience because everyone who
went really wanted to be there to
help.
Though in high school you
may be limited by your age
or funding, more colleges are
providing opportunities that go
above and beyond these high
school programs. The University
of Connecticut, Emerson College,
Princeton University, University
of Vermont and 152 other schools
Photo Submitted
throughout the country are involved
with the Break Away organization.
Nicole’s group lending a helping hand in
Break Away focuses on providing
New Orleans last spring
opportunities for college students
Habitat for Humanity chapter; support is
in outreach programs during their
spring break. According to Break Away, always welcome. If you are the leading type,
these experiences leave the participants with take it upon yourself to organize a group to
the ability to “take meaningful action that do local clean-up projects or help educate
others about health issues such as transmitted
supports a greater good.”
Summer volunteer vacations, the same disease prevention.
No matter what you do to help, the best idea
type of programs as alternative spring breaks,
are now accepting student applications if is to just lend a hand to someone in need; take
your spring break application deadlines advantage of church or school opportunities
and make a difference while experiencing
have passed.
Whether you are a student, faculty new situations.
“The whole time I had so much fun,” says
member, or even a parent, community
involvement is always an option when Boike. “You’re helping people and you’re
traveling is not. Team up with the local giving them a place to live.”
One CAN Make a Difference
A look into senior proposals that
made a difference
by Emily Newton
It seems all too often that students complain
about something without making the effort to
change it themselves. In years past, students
from Pamela Nowak’s AP English class have
gotten off their lazy behinds to fix some
problems within and outside of East Lyme
High School.
One successful proposal dealt with the
accident-prone turn-off of Lovers Lane. Two
years ago, there was no stop sign at the end
of Lovers Lane to stop oncoming traffic
from, well, coming. A student realized how
dangerous this area was, and as a result wrote
a proposal to put a stop sign at the bottom of
the street. “It’s a lot safer now because there’s
a stop sign so traffic doesn’t go through,” says
sophomore Dana Tricarico who lives near the
development.
Throughout the years of senior proposals,
quite a few have suggested cleaning the
outside of the school or areas that were too
dirty. By offering new methods of cleaning,
students have taken the steps to make East
Lyme an area clean of debris and dirt. This
is even important at the high school, as Catie
Cameron notes that “it’s good for people who
eat outside.”
If you are someone who loves music, you
are surely aware of Spencer Butts’ proposal
that resulted in the purchase of new music
stands for the music department. Before this
proposal went through, many of the stands
were falling apart, squeaking, and were slowly
breaking. Annoyed, Butts proposed that the
Page 7
school purchase all new stands. These stands
are now in the music wing and make students
and sheet music alike very happy.
In addition to the proposals mentioned
above, some ideas have allowed lefties to
rejoice. A pessimistic left-handed student not
too long ago was looking for a change and
proposed the purchase of left-handed desks.
These desks will allow left-handed people to
have an arm rest that many of us righties take
for granted. The left-handed desks will be
more accessible for those who seem to live
in an opposite world. “It’ll be great to have
left-handed desks because then my arm won’t
fall asleep during class,” says senior and lefty
Siusi Power.
All in all, the senior proposals have been
very effective in the past. They show that one
person can make a difference in the school.
Seniors, you have pretty big shoes to fill
this year!
The Viking Saga
Sports
March 7, 2008
Setting Spring Standards
Girls’ Tennis:
Pre-season goals for spring sports
Last year’s girls’ tennis team won ECC’s
and finished the states competition as the 1st
runner up. This year, the girls hope to play
better as a team and perform better during
the States competition. Hopefully, the tennis
girls will win States this year.
by Amy Li
Girls’ Outdoor Track:
For the past couple of years, the East
Lyme High School girls’ track teams, both
indoor and outdoor, have had very successful
seasons. This spring, the girls hope to
continue their success. Senior captain Leah
Clement explains that the team has a lot of
fresh talent and returning runners this year. In
the States competition of the indoor season,
talented sophomore Brianne Mirecki, despite
being sick, placed 4th in the 1,600 meter run.
With the aforementioned talent and great
devotion, the East Lyme Track girls hope to
continue their success and hopefully continue
to do well at all of their competitions.
“Coming from a strong indoor season,
we’re definitely working to repeat that success
in the after season,” comments Clement.
Boys’ Tennis:
Photo Submitted
Girls’ Lacrosse:
Last season, the ELHS girls moved up
to the D-1 division. This spring, they hope
to win ECC’s and make progress in the
States competition. Due to their recent
advancement in division, winning states is
a reach, but the girls hope to make it as far
as possible. Team unity will be a key factor
in doing well this season. Not only will there
be various talented upperclassmen playing
strong offense and defense, but many talented
underclassmen will also be contributing their
skills, potentially allowing the girls to have a
successful season.
Boys’ Lacrosse:
This year the baseball team has many
returning seniors who will bring talent and
experience to the team, giving them a good
chance of winning ECC’s and going far in
States. Luck will also be with the baseball
boys this year, since some of the best players
from other teams in the conference graduated,
giving East Lyme an advantage.
Although the boys lost many former seniors
this year, senior captain Mike Swenson
explains that the boys on the team now have
been playing well together for a long time,
allowing them to have a potentially successful
season. ECC’s are not a major concern for the
team, as they have won that competition for
the past few years. The major goal for the
boys is to win a state title.
“It would mean a lot to us,” says Swenson.
This year, with the help of key players such
as seniors John Elia for attack, Wade Berry
in the midfield and Steve Dion for long pole
midfielder, the team hopes to play well and
accomplish their goals as a team.
Softball:
Boys’ Outdoor Track:
Last year was primarily a season of team
and skill building, where everyone worked to
improve on their own level. The team did
not pass the first round of States last year, but
they hope to do so this year. Senior captain
Nikki Anderson explains that the team hopes
to come together more and qualify for ECC’s
this coming season.
According to assistant coach Sam Harfenist,
for the past six indoor and outdoor seasons
the boys have finished 4th, but this year
they hope to train harder and move up one
number, hopefully finishing 3rd instead. As
for States, the boys hope to place in the top
10. The team’s major goal this year is to run
faster and make progress from last season.
Page 8
Photo Submitted
Baseball:
Junior Surav Sakya explains that the
team will miss previous coaches Mrs. Bass
and Mr. Bush, but by sticking together, the
team can have a successful season. Last year,
the boys’ tennis team set a new standard of
accomplishment as a team, finishing their
2007 season undefeated. Even though they
will have a new coach this year, they still
hope to continue the legacy and have an
undefeated season once again.
Boys’ Crew:
Last crew season, the boys trained and
worked hard, but unfortunately for them, they
came short of winning Public States, taking
third place. Consequently, the boys hope to
do better this year and come closer to being
number one. This year, the lead boat is three
or four people short. Therefore, the team
hopes to train harder, make better rowing
times and fill those empty spots.
Photo Submitted
Girls’ Crew:
In addition to winning States again, the
girls’ crew team wants to strengthen the
tie between the novice and varsity teams.
Senior captain Julia Murphy explains that,
by bringing both groups together, the team
will become stronger because the novices
eventually become the varsity. In order to
achieve this goal, the captains will devote
practice days to working with the novice
and team building games will be played on
Fridays to help members get to know each
other better.
The Viking Saga
T
Sports
Hitting It Off
ELHS’s Vic Santoro excels at tournaments around the country
by Ellie Kleinhans
his past January, sophomore Vic
A Level One tournament, also known as a
Santoro, along with her partner Super National, is the top level. Santoro has
from Massachusetts, won the attended two of these so far, one in Virginia
doubles’ bracket at a nationally Beach last summer, and another in Georgia
ranked tournament in New England where she won two matches. At a Level
where there were
Two tournament, or
nearly 100 girls
a
National
contending for
O p e n ,
the gold.
S a n t o r o
“It feels
reached the
awesome to be
quarter finals.
competing with
“Regardless
people from all
of how you
- Victoria Santoro
over the country.
do it’s a good
It’s easy to get really nervous because experience and it helps you to improve,” said
everyone is playing at such a high level,” Santoro.
said Santoro who has
As the high school
been participating in
season
approaches,
similar events since
Santoro is returning with
the age of 11.
an Eastern Connecticut
Santoro is on the
Conference
girls’
court
practicing
singles championship
almost every day.
under her belt and
Three to four times
hopes to do big things.
a month she travels
“I’m looking to go far
to
tournaments
in States and maintain
around the country.
an undefeated ECC
So far, she has been
season,” she said.
to
Pennsylvania,
Perhaps she will
California, Michigan,
follow after her brother
Virginia, New York
Tom, who plays tennis
and various other
on a full scholarship
states, all for tennis.
at Yale University and
For the most
won the Connecticut
part, all of the
International Athletic
tournaments
that
Conference
singles’
Santoro attends differ
tournament while he
from one another.
was in high school. “I
They are named by
took up tennis when
Photo Submitted
levels, the lower the
he took it up. He plays
level number, the
in college now, so I’ve
more prestigious the
Victoria Santoro competing in
always wanted to be
tournament. Santoro
the Nationals Tournament.
like him,” said Santoro.
won a Level Four
Maybe she will start
tournament in January. She explained that a new legacy, going beyond her brother’s
she “competed with kids in New England, records. After all, she was able to win ECCs
but it counted nationally.”
as a freshman.
‘I’m looking to go far in
States and maintain an
undefeated ECC season.’
Saga
Congratulations to
junior Ryan Clarke for
winning ECCs, 2nd in
Shout States,
and making it to
New
Englands
in wrestling.
Outs!
Congratulations to the girls’
basketball team for upsetting #1 seed
Weathersfield, in the state tournament,
The girls capitalized on seven out of their
last eight free throws of overtime to get
the win.
Page 9
March 7, 2008
2008
by Brendan Welch
March. The month of transition, from winter
to spring. Skies are gray, the weather is dreary,
and college basketball fans are completely off
their rockers.
It is the month of March Madness, the wildly
popular seeded tournament that determines
the college basketball champion. SixtyFour teams enter, but only one can end their
season victoriously.
In recent years, the tourney has not exactly
been kind to Connecticut basketball enthusiasts,
with typical powerhouse UConn left out of the
brackets entirely last year due to its incredibly
disappointing season. This year the Huskies
started off unranked, but an unprecedented
winning streak could leave them with as high
as a fourth seed in the “Midwest” section of
the tournament.
Upsets happen all-too-often in March, the
true source of the event’s madness for manya-Husky-fan. Think back two years ago when
George Mason, seeded as number 11 in their
region, shocked not only Connecticut, but also
North Carolina, and Wichita State on their way
to the Final Four.
Can UConn bring another championship to
Storrs? Just to make it to the Final Four, they
may end up having to play not only UNC’s
Tar Heels, but also the Kansas Jayhawks,
two teams that have dominated almost all of
their opponents this year. In addition, there is
a relatively unknown contender from a small
Iowa college, the Drake Bulldogs. Their record
is 20-1, with a 20-game winning streak. They
could go on quite a run this time around.
The Duke Blue Devils, a perennial favorite
come March, are riding high with a 21-1 record
that includes a win over their hated rival UNC.
Their region does not feature many teams that
could challenge their might. An easy pick for
the Final Four.
Do not be fooled by Memphis’ early
undefeated start. They play weak opponents
due to their membership in Conference USA,
and come tourney time their position as secondto-last in all of Div. I basketball in free throw
shooting could come back to haunt them.
So cheer up when that much-maligned month
of March rears its ugly head; there is Madness
to be spread and basketball to be played. There
is no more entertaining spectacle in collegiate
sports, and no better way to wile the dreary
March days away.
The Viking Saga
Entertainment
March 7, 2008
Drama, Drama, Drama...
R. Ostrowski/ Saga
www.lymeline.com
Cast members of ELHS’s production of Little Women rehearse their
choreography during a lunch period
Cast members of LOLHS’s production of Beauty and the Beast in costume
before the big show
An insider’s look at ELHS’s Little Women
The Old Lyme Players present Beauty and the Beast
by Ramona Ostrowski
by Kit Brown
There’s no business like show business. Cliché, I know, but I truly
believe it. That is why being involved with Little Women, East Lyme
High School drama’s latest production, has been so fun for me.
There is always drama in drama. Ironic, no? This year, a lot of it
has centered on the costumes. Senior Molly Martinez’s character, for
example, is expecting twins in one scene. Do you know how hard
it is to make someone look convincingly pregnant? It is especially
difficult when they keep tearing the padding off, declaring that they
look fat.
Many of the other actors have to wear hoop skirts, which have
proved more difficult to manage than expected, especially because
the set has three staircases and a trap door. No one has tripped yet,
and hopefully no one will; an authentic Civil War wheelchair might
be hard to find!
Little Women is very different from many of the previous shows
because it is not just a light-hearted comedy. There are certainly
funny parts, but there are also scenes that are very dramatic and heartbreaking. Luckily, the cast can handle it. Senior Jessica Stark has
put away her fanny pack and wig from Murder Me Always and fully
embraced the character of Jo March. It was one of her dream roles,
and watching her perform, you know why.
The show truly is, as Jo sings, “Astonishing!”
As I walked into Lyme-Old Lyme High School’s auditorium lobby on
February 8th, I was immediately transported to another world. I found myself
inside a medieval castle surrounded by a dark, sinister forest. To finish it off,
an “enchanted” rose was placed in a glass case in the center of the lobby.
Sound familiar? It should. The drama club at LOLHS, dubbed the Old Lyme
Players, was trying to set the scene for the night’s performance of Beauty and
the Beast.
As a member of the drama club at East Lyme High School, I will admit I
have slightly high standards when it comes to other schools’ plays. Honestly,
I was not expecting much from a town whose entire district has as many kids
as ELHS.
On the contrary, the show was practically flawless. By far, the best
character was the unparalleled Lumiere, played by senior Michael Barclay.
His one-liners were made even funnier by his polished French accent, which
was almost as good as a true Parisian’s.
Belle was portrayed by senior Charlotte Cipparone who played opposite
senior David Zall, the Beast. Each provided solid performances, but their
solos were often drained out by the orchestra, though this could be attributed
to the fact that I was seated close to the musicians.
Overall, the show was a hit. I encourage each and every ELHS student to
branch out, support the arts, and see another school’s play, musical, or dance
production–even Waterford’s!
What They
Sing...
compiled by Matt Heath
* “Mr. Roboto” by Styx: “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, Mata ah-oo hima de.”
* “Kick Start My Heart” by Mötley Crüe: “Say I got trouble, trouble in my eyes. I’m just
looking for another good time. My heart, my heart, kick start my heart.”
* “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens: “Para bailar La Bamba. Para bailar La Bamba, se necesita,
una poca de gracia.”
* “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi: “A loaded six-string on my back… I’m a cowboy,
on a steel horse I ride.”
page 10
The Viking Saga
Entertainment
March 7, 2008
Sounds Good To Me
venues both on and
off campus, ranging
Ithacappella’s new CD has something for everyone
from a stadium in
by Alex Addabbo
Los Angeles where
the group performed
A cappella [ah kuh-pel-uh]: (adv./ with Incubus to our own East Lyme High
adj.) 1. sung without instrumental School auditorium.
accompaniment 2. the type of music that
When Ithacappella came to ELHS this
is performed by Ithacappella.
year during their winter tour, they brought
The word “chorus” is often associated their new CD along with them. Chorus
with the image of a stoic group of singers teacher and former Ithacappella member
belting out the “Hallelujah Chorus” with Anthony Maiese says, “All around, I think
meticulous precision and zero facial it’s their best CD.” This is because Before
expression. The Ithaca College Men’s You Go features popular songs from various
Chorus, more commonly known as genres of music, so there is something
Ithacappella, shatters that perception like for everyone.
a foul ball through a car window. Their
Do you love rock and roll? This CD
latest CD, Before You Go, proves that features an arrangement that mixes a song
you do not have to be a Bach fan to enjoy from School of Rock and “Sweet Child O’
choral music.
Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. If you like pop,
Ithacappella was founded in 1996 by you will love Ithacappella’s version of “Bad
three students with the common goal of Day” by Daniel Powter; somehow they
creating a student-run group that would managed to make the excessively overplayed
continue after they graduated. Since its song enjoyable to listen to again.
founding, Ithacappella has passed the test
For those who favor the golden oldies,
of time. They have performed at numerous the track list also includes “Sixteen Tons”
by Merle Travis and “Get Ready” by the
Temptations. For those who appreciate
the louder sounds of alternative rock,
there is an arrangement of “Machinehead”
by Bush.
The best part about the CD is that you
can tell Ithacappella not only worked hard
to make it, but that they had fun doing
so. Before You Go is the kind of CD that
you will set on repeat and listen to until
you have memorized every line. To order
your own copy, visit the group’s official
website, Ithacappella.com.
www.ithaca.edu
Ithacapella performing with Incubus in
Los Angeles, California
The Junk
Drawer
by Kate Eberle
Ever had a secret that you couldn’t tell
but were dying to get off your chest?
Until Frank Warren came along, there was
simply no solution to this common, gutwrenching problem. Ever since Warren
created www.postsecret.com, however,
hundreds of people have finally found an
outlet for their secrets. The website invites
anyone to anonymously write down their
secret on a postcard and mail it in to be posted
online. Warren has compiled these postcards
livo.files.wordpress.com
into several books (the first of which
is simply titled Postsecret). The
secrets range from funny (“I waste
office supplies because I hate my
boss”) to more deep (“I wish I was
the other twin”). Send in a few secrets
of your own- or, if you just can’t bring
yourself to reveal them quite yet, take a
look through the books or the website.
You’ll be surprised to see just how many
other people may share your secret!
* Meaning: “Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto, until we meet again.”
* Meaning: This song is a reference to when Nikki Sixx’s heart literally had to have a kick
start when he overdosed on heroin.
* Meaning: “In order to dance La Bamba, In order to dance La Bamba, you need a
little grace.”
* Meaning: The “loaded six-string” on his back is a guitar, and the steel horse is his
tour bus.
page 11
...And What
They Mean
The Viking Saga
The Back Page
March 7, 2008
Back Page Wall
If you could write on anyone’s Wall, who would it
be and what would you write?
*photos by The Viking Saga back page team or submitted
Mr. Buchan (faculty) wrote
Mrs. Dubose (from To Kill a Mockingbird): You’re aces with me, baby!
Dave Brown (senior) wrote
Bobby Buckley: Nice hair cut. See you on Jerry Springer!
Hahyung Kim (senior) wrote
Sigmund Freud: Stop smoking cigars.
David Lei (sophomore) wrote
Jessica Alba: Would you have my children?
Chris Worgul (senior) wrote
Mr. Warykas’ Wall: I miss you so much! xoxoxo I still want to know what Didi and Gogo were
waiting for in Waiting for Godot!
Page 12