Volume 8 Number 8
June 13, 2005 Bulletins
Top 10 Graduating Scholars Named
The Student Voice
Moonlighting
These graduates are listed alphabetically, not by academic ranking. They are the ten top seniors academically in the Class of 2005. Nicholas Cummins Alex Fernandes Rob Flanagan Tim Lloyd Moe Mancuso Lacey Morgan Erin Plasse Zach Smith Jacquelyn Stanley Allison Vanouse
A busy two weeks Ahead for seniors Attention all seniors: the month of June is a very busy one for you. Here’s a brief listing of many of the upcoming events: June 15
•Senior Picnic, Thunder Island June 21 •Senior Baccalaureate Service, St. Paul’s Church, 7:00 p.m. June 23 •Graduation Rehearsal, Romney Field House, SUNY Oswego, 9:00 a.m. •Cap and gown pick up, OHS cafeteria, 10:00 a.m. – noon. •Dinner Dance, DA Lodge, 7:00 p.m. June 25, •Graduation, Romney, 10:00 a.m.
Heads up proctors! A recent ABC news survey revealed that 74 perecnt of all high school students admitted to cheating on a test in the past year.
OHS English teacher, Mr. Tom Frawley, paints houses during the summer.
They work hard for the money: Teachers and their summer jobs Erin Reff Reporter As school winds down once again this year, many students are preparing for either a summer of friends and fun, a summer of hardcore work, or even a little of both. For a lot of these students, though, especially seniors, their thoughts are centered on that summer job and trying to squeeze in a little more cash to pad their pockets for their up-and-coming life as a freshman in college. How often have these students stopped to contemplate what happens to their educators over the brief, but pleasant, summer months? It is probable that even if the thought does cross the minds of the students, they most likely assume that teachers spend the entire year within the walls of OHS, let alone participate in
some of the same activities their pupils do? But, in some cases, this is entirely the scenario. Mr. Christopher Mangano, a technology teacher at OHS, is one of the few who does teach all year around. “Each summer I teach a Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) class at the college,” he said, “teaching at the college and teaching at the high school are very similar except for the fact that the college kids actually want to be there, because they are paying to be there.” Mangano also said that this upcoming summer will be the first year that he does not return to his CADD classes. For once, he will experience a true summer vacation just like many of his high school students. continued on page 2
Four veteran Teachers say Goodbye to Oswego High Jackie Stanley Editor-in-chief The end of the 2005 school year marks the end of over a century of combined service to OHS by four of its most established teachers. Mr. Jim Lynch, Mr. Frank Bevacqua, Mrs. Debbie Deeb, and Mr. David Shoemaker will all be retiring this month with plans to spend more time focusing on personal interests; but before they do, they have a few last thank yous and words of advise to pass along. After 31 years of teaching, Mr. Jim Lynch is celebrating his final days on the job. Lynch is retiring after having taught classes in the technology department at OHS for 25 years; including principles of design; design, drawing and production, and architecture. He has led the OHS “engineering team,” to a number of field competitions throughout the years. Lynch says he has found it extremely gratifying to see former students excell in technology. Lynch wants students to remember that, “There is always room to improve and make things better. You’re never done learning or becoming a better person,” he says. His immediate plans are to work for himself doing small carpentry jobs, and to spend time at his camp. He would like to thank all staff, faculty, and students for making his twenty-five years at OHS both enjoyable and fun. Mr. Frank Bevacqua has dedicated himself to Oswego High School for 32 years. Bevacqua teaches Global 10 and sports in america, and has also coached a wide variety of sports continued on page 13
Valedictorian Nick Cummins Walks the plank
Outstanding Senior athletes Are profiled
Check out the Senior pictures of OHS staff
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Pages 8, 9
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The Buccaneer Bulletin The OHS Students’ Voice Editor-in-Chief Jackie Stanley Managing Editors Chris Battles Mary Hoefer Business Manager Ali Canale Entertainment Editor Kevin Kern Layout Editor Jake Rotunno Sports Editor Mike Tyo Alumni Editor Brian Balduzzi Clublicity Editor Joan E. Bristol Chief Photographer Devin Flynn Art Director Tanya Swartz Webmaster JoBeth Dunsmoor Ad Reps/Designers Tom Holland Sara Pritchard Photographer Morgan Arnold Sportswriters Allan Brown Reporters/Columnists Amanda Sawyer Emily Draper Erin Reff Katie Flynn Kristen Kaplewicz Mariah Taylor Advisers Bill Reeser Mike McCrobie The Buccaneer Bulletin, a member of the Empire State School Press Association, and The Quill and Scroll, is published periodically by the students of the Oswego High School, 2 Buccaneer Blvd.; Oswego, New York 13126; (315) 341-2200. Printing services provided by The Palladium-Times. Opinions expressed are those of the students and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration or the advisers.
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Buccaneer Bulletin
Teachers’ summer jobs far away from the classroom continued from page 1 Another teacher who stays close to his profession is Oswego High’s very own Mr. Fran Pappalardo. While he does not teach during the summer, this Chemistry instructor stays close to the source by spending his summer months working in an environmental testing lab. Sound fun? Perhaps if it’s something you enjoy, it would be. No matter what someone chooses to do through the summer, if it is something that they enjoy, it can be considered a vacation for them. “I am a professional musician actually – and although it is not a summer job, per se, the summer allows me the opportunity to play more than the school year does,” says Mr. William Palange, a music instructor in OHS. While some students use the summer to rock out in their garage band, Palange is jazzing it up with The Bearcat Jazz Band, the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, and the Mario DeSantis Orchestra. He will be performing a number of concerts this summer with his three bands, as well as playing in the Freefall Orchestra at Harborfest this July. If you’ve ever wanted to see a teacher doing something they are passionate about outside of school, you won’t want to miss these shows. Some students have attended a camp every summer since they can remember. If this is the case, you have a lot in common with Special Education teacher Kirk Mulverhill. When Mulverhill was fourteen, he gave up the opportunity to attend a Doobie Brothers concert to participate in a week of fun with New York State DEC’s Environmental Education Youth Summer Camp Program. “I have never regretted missing the concert,” he admits. “I haven’t missed one summer at the camp since then,” he said. After attending camp, Mulverhill volunteered before landing a job in food service. From there, he moved on to counseling, which eventually led him to his current position: the Director of Camp Colby. Mulverhill stated, “The DEC camps give 12-17 year old kids a chance to escape standardized tests and Regents exams.” It sounds like this camp helps Mulverhill have an escape from the pressures of school as well. Some teachers take time to invest in their personal businesses over the summer. Photography teacher and yearbook advisor, Mr. Warren Shaw, owns a building on East First Street where he rents space out to various
corporations and small busineses. “This summer I’m going to work on my building,” he said. “I want to create space for more businesses.” Mrs. Deborah Regan is a wedding photographer for J Deb Harbor Framing Photography. These teachers have chosen to do what they want and make money while doing it during their time away from school. There are some teachers who have summer jobs that more closely relate to that of their students. Any waiters, waitresses, or cooks at upscale restaurants would find a friend in Math teacher Kurt D’Angelo, a cook at Oswego’s local Press Box during the summer. Have you ever considered the fact that your teacher may work at the Golden Arches of McDonald’s just like so many teenagers? Spanish teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Dempsey does just that. “It’s true,” she says, “I have a job during the summer at the Fulton McDonald’s.” Many teachers have jobs similar to students. And what may come
across as more bizarre is that some teachers work together outside of school as well. This is true with three members of the OHS English Department. In the summer, instead of discussing nouns, verbs, and Shakespeare, Mr. Thomas Frawley, Mr. Michael McCrobie, and Mr. Michael Sullivan paint houses together. “We paint the interior and exterior of homes,” explained Frawley. While many of our teachers at OHS enjoy a wide variety of jobs throughout the summer, however similar or different from those of their students, there are also some who merely enjoy summer as their vacation from work and choose not to partake in another job. Soon-to-be-retired technology teacher Mr. James Lynch, stated what his summer plans were: “The extent of my work this summer,” he explained, “will be to walk from the door of my house down to my mailbox at the end of the driveway.”Why? “How else would I receive my retirement check,” he asked with a smile on his face.
June 13, 2005
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Their class is dysfunctional, and they wouldn’t have it any other way by Jackie Stanley and Tanya Swartz 12:14 - Tanya: Ahh! Finally, it’s 7th period. I have waited all day for journalism, I mean; it is why I wake up in the morning. As I walk there, a little late, (after all I needed to get all my journalism stuff from my locker) I glance into a classroom. What’s that I see? Why, it’s Jackie Stanley! I’m about ready to yell at her to get to class; it’s the most important of the day, when I realize what she’s busy doing. She’s curing cancer! I guess that Mr. McCrobie will have to wait a few more minutes to say his newest snide comment. But that’s okay, if he didn’t have Jackie’s and my lateness to complain about, half of his brain would dissolve. 12:15 - Jackie: I am completely out of breath when I finally arrive at journalism class, a few seconds after the bell; though seconds might as well be hours for all the grief I get about it. It doesn’t matter that I was busy doing community service, Mr. McCrobie has prepared another one of his “a true leader would...” lectures that I will never hear the end of. I’ve accepted his claim that a true leader wouldn’t be late, and am starting to feel a little bad about letting him and everyone else down, when I see him collecting money from Mr. Reeser. Apparently, he’s actually profited from my “irresponsible behavior,” having made a bet that I would be late. No wonder I couldn’t make it on time… ever heard of the self-fulfilling prophecy? Betting in school; now that’s a true leader for you. 12:18 - Tanya: As I sit down, I hear Mr.McCrobie yelling at Kristen Kaplewicz for being a good writer again. “You’re such a good writer, BUT YOU DON’T WRITE ANYTHING.” This immediately sparks thoughts of Jake, so I ask him, “Jake, what do you actually do for four weeks while we write our stories, since you don’t write at all?” This enrages Brian, who sits in-between Jake and me. He yells at Jake because he’s mad about his latest alumni story, which is apparently the worst thing he’s ever had to do. 12:19 - Jackie: I’ve logged on and gotten about two minutes of work done, when the noise everyone is making starts to get to me. I search the room hoping to find someone else who is actually working on the paper. Finally, I see a word document open on Brian’s computer and I’m reassured. I walk over to him to pat him on the back, only to find that he is not working on his story at all… he has copied the lyrics to Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” onto his screen and is reading them over and over, as the tears stream down his face. I quickly try to scurry away before he sees me, and I’ll have to pretend to be concerned, but it’s too late. Brian turns to me dramatically, and asks with a sniffle, “Jackie, have you ever been in love?” Everyone else has slid their chairs to the other side of the room, so that I am left alone to listen to the sob stories. Thanks guys. 12:24 - Jackie: There is a meeting going on in the corner between Ali and Mr. McCrobie so I
Most of The Buc Bulletin staff at High School Press Day in May. Despite their shenanigans, they received a Gold award for producing the top newspaper, as well as several individual awards.
assume it’s about ads for the paper and walk over to see if I can help. McCrobie shoots me a look to kill. Apparently, not only can’t you walk through his softball practices, but you can’t even walk through his practice planning sessions. (The rule is that any place, even public property, where he utters the word “softball” immediately becomes sacred territory, onto which no person who is not obsessed with the boring sport may step.) Ali is sent off to conduct official softball business, (and probably to get lunch and hit a few parked Pepsi trucks,) while I continue to work on things that actually pertain to The Buc Bulletin. 12:26 - Tanya: While finally getting bored enough to open a blank word document to actually work on my story, I glance over and see Mary Hoefer and Sara Pritchard looking at dresses/shoes/clothing/ pictures. This is much more exciting than trying to actually work on something. Then, Kevin Kern starts tapping my shoulder to show me something really bizarre he found on the Internet. Although it’s plenty interesting, I’m kind of weirded out by his insane knowledge of unimportant facts, so I move on to talking about the best team in baseball, the Boston Red Sox, with sports guys Mike Tyo and Allan-Michael Brown. The two of them are busy pouring over stats on mlb.com, while Kevin, realizing no one cares about Disney World as much as he does, moves on to his somehow-journalism related scholarship applications. 12:30 - Jackie: There is about 30 seconds of silence in which no one is gossiping or creating a scene; everyone seems to be doing his work! I’m so grateful for the quiet that I really don’t care what they’re doing at this point, as long as I can concentrate. Seeing me relish in the moment, though, McCrobie can’t resist ruining it; I feel a girls’ lacrosse joke coming on. In walks lax coach Mr. Chuck Rowlee for his daily visit, and it’s like Christmas morning for McCrobie—double
the victims to torture with his eighty-third sarcastic comment of the day. 12:34 - Tanya: All is well in the world. Brian has miraculously rebounded and has completely forgotten about his endless love, who, fifteen minutes ago, he couldn’t live without. No sooner have the tears dried than he is busy ranting about his utter disgust that Regents students (pronounced with attitude) have found their ways into his honors classes! (The fact that they’ve been born at all angers him enough.) According to him, it’s because the world is “way too humanist” and all kids today are big babies. Brian is right: there should be more kids who are complete geniuses and never throw tantrums and fits and—wait a minute? 12:39 - Jackie: “Where the hell is Tom Holland!” shouts McCrobie. Well, sure, he does nothing but bother people when he is present in class anyway, but it’s the principle of the matter. After we’ve called every room in the building looking for him, we decide to send out a search party. Morgan Arnold along with the Flynn twins, Devin and Katie, jump out of their seats and say they’ll take one for the team and go look for Tom. We’re all pretty sure where Morgan and Devin go on these little journeys, but I still wonder what Katie does when the happy couple is off privately displaying their affection. (Sneaking off to bond in a janitor’s closet is totally acceptable if it spares the class from PDA.) 12:43 - Tanya: Speaking of happy couples, I get up to throw my usual pile of gum wrappers away and I see something weird moving underneath the computer tables. “WOAH”, I scream, “JoBeth, Chris, what are you two doing under there?” Completely ignored, I run away and hope the lights turn off. As I make my way back continued on page 13
Buccaneer Bulletin
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Advice on the secrets of OHS success Editor’s Note: With four years of high school experience behind him, Kevin Kern feels qualified to answer any questions incoming freshmen can throw his way. So in the spirit of “Dear Abby” here is “Dear High Schooler.” Q: “Is high school hard?” ~ Signed: Sleepless in Scriba A: High school is by no means hard. If you groove to your own beat you will be fine. The timeless adage has always said; “You don’t get anywhere if you don’t work hard. Because, if you don’t work Kevin hard, you’re in the Kern same place you were when you started.” Yes, aspects of high school will be hard, I won’t lie to you. Don’t expect to walk through your Regents’ with a 100 if you don’t study or at least pay attention all year. Don’t expect anything to be given to you either. Perhaps the rudest awakening from middle and elementary school is the fact that you are on your own—a bit. You’re going into high school now, so stop worrying, and begin shaping the person you will be for the rest of your life. Q: “What is the best way to make friends and become “popular?” ~ Signed: Ima D. Iva A: Well Ms. D.Iva, I’ll try my best with this one. Above all things, the best way to find out who your true friends are is to be yourself. You should not have to try and pull people to you. People should be attracted to you. If you act like yourself, and just keep on keepin’ it on, you will garner some friends while you’re at OHS. Sure there are cliques and “gangs” (sorry, but I have to qualify the “Gunit” as a clique), but sooner or later everyone gets involved in everyone else’s business. By the time you are a senior, the walls of immaturity (for
What’s your favorite OHS memory?
the most part) are broken down. You all should learn fast, that friends are easier to gain than lose. So stay true to yourself. Q: “What’s the best way to skip class?” ~ Signed: L. “Ike” Toskip A: Well there is no real good way to skip class. I guess I would advise you not to do it all together. With Deputy Dan out there along with the amazing disappearing Mr. Anderson, you will undoubtedly get caught, that is, of course, unless you just stay home and have your parents write you an excuse. But we all know that good kids would never………… next question. Q: “How do I get to the third floor?” ~Signed: G. Ullablefreshmen A: Wake up! If any of your still believe this one…. You need to see the nurse. ASAP. Q: What are those I.D. Card thingys? ~ L. Ostsophomore A: Ah, the legendary I.D. Cards of my childhood. OK, I.D.’s are the administration’s attempt to turn all of us into a number instead of a name. I mean sure—they have your name on the front, but on the back, there is school district information. But according to the databases, I am still 535205. So, basically they are your human branding tags! AHHH!! No, just kidding. They are there so a hall monitor or teacher who doesn’t know you can identify you. They are basically a piece of plastic you need to have on you. Don’t complain, just do it. It will make your life, and everyone else’s lives easier. Q: “I’ve heard the hall monitors are really aliens that eat your soul if you’re out of class!” ~ Signed: I.O. Vereact A: No! Stop! Calm down! You are getting yourself all in a tizzy for nothing. Like Mr. Sullivan says” It’s time to hunker down.” So listen up, this is a crash course in hallway travel— the easy way. The hall monitors are not “hall monsters.” They are all really nice. I would advise everyone to get hall monitor friends. So don’t worry about them. But if you are ever in need to get Frank Sorranno “Engineering Classes.”
through the halls with no pass, here’s how to navigate successfully. If you walk with purpose, and don’t look at anything except the hall ahead of you— no one will say a word! If you look like you are on a “mission,” then you are, and keep it that way. Q: “How is gym? Do we have to change? And who is this god they call McCaul?” ~Anonymous A: It’s just like middle school, yes change (and PLEASE CLEAN YOUR CLOTHES maybe once a year? Please?), and Mr. McCaul is most likely the premier physical education teacher of all time. He has (please excuse the pun) “raised the bar” for physical education teachers. He is amazing. Here is the secret to figuring him out—You will notice he wears the same exact style of coaches’ shorts every day—no they are not dirty. He has numerous pairs of the same shorts, just different colors. Some of us have even dubbed them “mood shorts.” It seems as if his shorts change with his mood. When he is on an off day, his shorts are red, with the fire that only a gym teacher can muster. On calm days, a nice deep blue or muted grey can be seen. For gym days of excitement, the green and black are broken out. This is truly uncanny. For all you who have never noticed this, check it out. And that, is a crash course in high school, OHS style. Basically my final message to everyone is keep your head up. Don’t look back. Never give up on anything. Even if a teacher tells you otherwise (like if you have senioritis and “someone” tells you that you won’t be able to produce any quality work the rest of the semester). Be true to yourself, and have fun in high school. These truly are the times of our lives. We live, we learn, we try to love, and finally we graduate. It is a one track force of life. Congratulations to the class of 2005, and to everyone else coming in, good luck. With work and determination, you can make it.
Mary Barry “In 11th grade when we walked around Oswego and picked up trash.”
Rob Baldwin “Watching a girl fall down a flight of stairs during Powerderpuff cheers.”
Steve Quonce “Playing in Jazz Band.”
June 13, 2005
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Remembering that special teacher that made it fun Throughout our many years here in the Oswego City School District, we have encountered many different personalities as far as teachers go. Some, we couldn’t stand, some we really didn’t notice. But, every now and then, we found a teacher who influenced us. And not just influenced us, but Katie made who we are. Flynn They helped mold us into the human beings that we have become. In sixth grade, my teacher was Mr. Joseph Oleyourryk. I took a particular liking to him because he started off telling us corny jokes. He told us that his girlfriend was outside playing tennis. When we looked, and there was no one there, Mr. Oleyourryk said, “What, you can’t see Annette out there?” His humor got me instantly. But it was more than his humor that captured me. Mr. O (as we often called him) taught me things no one had ever bothered to tell me. The most important thing he taught me was that
being the best should not be a top priority. It sounds corny, I know. But that lesson is something I returned my thoughts to every time I strived to do my best and yet fell short. He told me that being my best is what is important. Another thing I thank Mr. O for is his mediation. My three closest friends were in my class. The four of us constantly fought; it became almost a daily conflict. It got to a point where Mr. O couldn’t handle it anymore. One day, he took us out into the lunchroom. He said, “I’m sick of all this bickering. In three years, none of you will be close friends anymore. And then you’ll look back and wish you didn’t waste all this time fighting, when you should be making memories.” He was right, and we realized, nothing we were fighting about mattered. Or, it wouldn’t in a couple of years, anyway. We stopped fighting so much after that. We started doing more things like going out to the movies together, getting something to eat, and going shopping. We took a lot of
pictures; that was Mr. O’s doing also. Today, I look back at those pictures and it always makes me laugh. We were so young and naïve. Mr. O made learning fun for us. I remember watching Ben-Hur at the end of the year. Nobody was looking forward to watching it; especially in school. Mr. O knew how much we would hate it, so he allowed us to combine with the class next door so we could be with our friends. He also allowed us to bring in candy and snacks for the movie if we wanted to. It made the movie much more enjoyable. He taught us about things he knew weren’t
in the sixth grade curriculum because he felt they were things we deserved to know. When I think of adults or teachers who influenced me, I could name quite a few. But only one name sticks out in my head the most. Mr. Joseph Oleyourryk is an understanding, intelligent, funny human being. He loves children and he was proud to show it off. Even though I haven’t been able to see him since he retired a few years ago, I will never forget his face. His lessons and advice are things I hope to pass onto my own children someday.
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Buccaneer Bulletin
Walking the Plank
Top-ranked graduate, Nick Cummins, ‘walks the plank’ or Hawaii.
Editor’s Note: Each issue, we ask a notable OHS personality to “Walk the Plank” in a question-and-answer format. This month, Webmaster JoBeth Dunsmoor sat down with senior class valedictorian Nick Cummins. BB: What advice can you give to students who also strive for academic achievement? NC: Just take it one day at a time, and don’t get ahead of yourself. BB: What colleges did you apply to? NC: University of Rochester, RIT, University of Chicago, Brandeis, Yale, Columbia, and Cornell. BB: Where will you be attending college/how did you choose this college? NC: I’m going to Columbia University in New York City, because it was always a dream of mine to go there and the area is awesome. BB: What teacher do you feel influenced your success the most? NC: Mrs. Ranous, because she helped me discover my love for science. BB: It is popular these days for students to completely fill their schedule, sometimes not even leaving room for a lunch. Do you recommend this? Were your schedules always so demanding? NC: Definitely not. I had a lunch every year, and study halls here and there. It’s good to have a break. BB: What’s your favorite breakfast food? NC: Belgian waffles with peanut butter on top. So good. BB: What’s your favorite class? NC: Chemistry, because I really got into the subject and Mrs. Ranous is an awesome teacher. BB: What’s your worst fear? NC: Helplessness.
BB: If you could change one thing about OHS, what would it be? NC: I wish we had more school spirit here; we need it. BB: What is your theme song? NC: “Headstrong” by Trapt, definitely. It’s awesome. BB: Who is your dream date? NC: Halle Berry. She seems very real and has an incredible smile. BB: Where do you see yourself in ten years? NC: Probably locked up in an underground lab working on some secret project. BB: What would you choose for your last meal and who would you eat it with and why? NC: If it was my last meal, I’d eat it with my family and friends I guess, and I’d definitely eat Wolfgang Pack’s barbeque chicken pizza. Oh my God, so good. BB: If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? NC: I’d be Professor X because I’d want to read people’s minds. BB: How would you describe yourself? NC: Hardworking, optimistic, and maybe a little crazy. BB: What person is most influential to you? NC: I don’t think I can pick just one, I’ve been influenced by so many people in my life that that decision would be impossible. BB: If you could own any car in the world, what would it be and why? NC: A Prowler, they’re really fast and have an awesome look. BB: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? NC: Anywhere on a beach, maybe Florida
BB: What is in your CD player now? NC: Trapt. They’re the best alternative rock band ever. BB: What are some of your favorite song lyrics? NC: “Someday I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dyin’,” from Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dyin.’” BB: What are your thoughts waking up? NC: I wish I could go back to sleep… BB: Are you a morning person or a night owl? NC: Neither, honestly. I’m a middle of the day kind of guy. BB: What will your major be in college? NC: Physics and/or chemistry. BB: What will you take away from OHS? NC: A sense of who I am and where I’m going, and what I want out of life. BB: What’s your favorite OHS memory? NC: It would have to be either tricking Ryan Tonkin into jumping out of Mr. Runeari’s window and then locking him out in 9th grade, or watching Scott Sarkissian run face first into a sliding glass door on the senior trip. BB: What was the highlight of your senior year? NC: Definitely senior trip, not much can top that. BB: What was the low point of your high school career? NC: I don’t think there was a low point, I had my ups and downs but overall high school wasn’t that bad. BB: Who would you like to thank for getting you to graduation day? NC: My parents, for motivating me even when I didn’t want to be motivated.
JoBeth Dunsmoor conducted this interview; photos by Morgan Arnold. “Walking the Plank” is a regular feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin.
June 13, 2005
Walking the Plank
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Getting to know salutatorian Maureen ‘Moe’ Mancuso Editor’s Note: Each issue, we ask a notable OHS personality to “Walk the Plank” in a question-and-answer format. This month, Webmaster JoBeth Dunsmoor sat down with senior class salutatorian Moe Mancuso.
BB: Where do you see yourself in ten years? MM: In ten years, I hope to have a doctorate in physical therapy and be working in a rehab facility.
BB: What advice can you give to students who also strive for academic achievement? MM: Do your own work, give a little effort, and ask questions!
BB: What would you choose for your last meal and who would you eat it with and why? MM: It would be Taco Bell and some ice cream with my friends ...that might be fun.
BB: What colleges did you apply to? MM: I applied to SUNY Geneseo, Nazareth College, and LeMoyne College.
BB: If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? MM: Umm…I would be Elastigirl from The Incredibles because she was pretty cool.
BB: Where will you be attending college and how did you choose this college? MM: I am going to SUNY Geneseo because I really liked the campus, and they have a program with Upstate so hopefully I can go there after Geneseo. BB: What teachers do you feel had an influence on your success? MM: There are many teachers who have had an influence…especially my teachers in my junior and senior years. BB: It is popular these days for students to completely fill their schedule, not even leaving room for a lunch. Do you recommend this? Were your schedules always so demanding? MM: No! You can’t go all day without a break. My schedules had a lunch and many times a study hall too. BB: What’s your favorite breakfast food? MM: A toasted cinnamon and sugar bagel from the Bagel Shop. BB: What’s your favorite class? MM: My favorite class has always been math…but this year New Vision (Health) has been fun too.
BB: How would you describe yourself? MM: Very sarcastic! BB: What person is most influential to you? MM: I think that my classmates were most influential because they too were determined to do well in school. BB: If you could own any car in the world, what would it be and why? MM: How about a black BMW? Why not? BB: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? MM: I would like to live someplace that is sunny everyday, but not too hot, because then I could be outside all the time. BB: What is in your CD player right now? MM: A CD with a bunch of different songs on it. BB: What are some of your favorite song lyrics? MM: Let’s see…haha…I like “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys! BB: What are your thoughts when you first wake up? MM: Do I have time to go back to sleep?
BB: What’s your worst fear? MM: People laughing at me!
BB: Are you a morning person or a night owl? MM: Usually a night owl.
BB: If you could change one thing about OHS, what would it be? MM: I would make the halls a little bigger.
BB: What will your major be in college? MM: Physical therapy.
BB: What is your theme song? MM: Never thought about this before…I have no idea.
BB: What will you take away from OHS? MM: A good education and lots of memories!
JoBeth Dunsmoor conducted this interview; photos by JoBeth Dunsmoor. “Walking the Plank” is a regular feature of The Buccaneer Bulletin.
Buccaneer Bulletin
Columns
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Even the cynics are graduating with mixed emotions Are these really the best years of our lives? This is the ultimate question we ask ourselves and the statement our (apparently depressed) elders tell us. Is this really it? The gut reaction, at least mine, is, if this is true, why not kill ourselves now? My real question is, what was all this, what is all Tanya this (high school that is) Swartz for? What is the real value? Because truly, high school, and public education in general was made intended to prepare ‘us’ for the real world- sending us out able to get jobs. McDonald’s, here we come! But in today’s reality, all it prepares us for is more education whether in particular skills or in the academic arena. So, besides a stepping-stone to better things, why do we do it? We basically do it because we have to. However, in the ideas of society, the persistence of government and the pressure our parents and teachers, we have evolved into ‘ourselves’. High school is like a blank piece of paper. You have so many expectations of what you will create on this paper, whether with words or a drawing, but it never comes out as intended, and I do not think high school is anything like we thought it would be. In order to organize my thoughts or what we learned or experienced during high school, I will use an acrostic poem. H-Horror. You know when people tell you things about people that you really didn’t want to know. Like you find out who did what this weekend with who and it makes you want to vomit. Then you walk through the halls and see them and want to vomit, again. We will probably never know so much about complete strangers (or people we walk by in hallways or on streets) so enjoy it, or try to keep your lunch down, while we have the chance. I-Idiotic. We walk through the halls, day by day, and year by year, and
What was the highlight of your high school career?
see people doing things that make IDIOT splash across the screen in our minds. Whether it is seeing someone ‘suck face,’ seeing someone fight, seeing someone read, or seeing someone eat a glue stick, we all think someone is an idiot. Years later, I’m sure we will all tell the more ridiculous stories that happened, or some really stupid statement someone said. We all have stories, and when it comes right down to it, the idiots are what make high school bearable, even humorous.
with people do you read where they state how cool, smart and popular they were in high school? I’m sure Bill Gates wasn’t Mr. ‘Cool.’ And come to think of it a lot of super rich (not that that necessarily implies success) didn’t even graduate high school. So maybe we should stop doing our homework and coming to class to try to fail out. Then we can become rich and be on Driven. And school… S-Stunning- There will always be the person (or persons) that you believed
There is something, even for the most cynical, really sad about it being over. Whether it’s the fact that we won’t see or talk to most of our friends till Christmas, or whether it is the frightening reality that we are entering the ‘real world.’ G-Grateful. Although we like to complain about OHS, whether we like to admit it or not, we also need to recognize that we are thankful. There is at least one class you enjoyed in high school. We have to thank those teachers who let us enjoy school, for the subject, for their advice and for their constant tolerance of us. (THANK YOU: to all my teachers. I recognize the fact that if I were you I would have slapped me in the face.) And if not because of the teacher, then because of the bodies of cells around you. We can all think of that one class that was not only completely pointless, but the teacher was insane too; that we suffered through and managed to make friends with people we would have probably never met or talked to otherwise. (Not specifically any class I had/have) Those are the classes we will remember. H- Heightened. Heightened as in our thoughts of how important high school actually is in the broad scheme that is our life. How many interviews
Brandon Holliday “My friends and all the people I’ve met.”
was the best looking person you had ever seen in your life. You may not even talk to them but you will always remember passing them in the hallways and your thoughts of ‘Gsdjhaksjfh’; namely, there are no words for this person’s amazing ness. C- Calumniator. (Meaning foe or enemy). We have learned a lot from our enemies and we will probably remember them more than some of our friends. Everyone has enemies in high school. It’s part of the fun. (Or maybe that’s just me) But at some point, think back to why you ‘hate’ this person (or these people). Can you even remember? Is it a legitimate reason, or is it absolutely ridiculous? We will have to deal with people who we don’t like until forever; they aren’t going to disappear like the enemies now will when we leave (hopefully). Having enemies and dealing with their upsetting existence shapes us a lot more than we think. H- Humdrum. Okay, it was hard to find another H word. (Although I
Meghan Rose “Senior trip.”
am sure you are thinking of the same, four letter H word I am thinking of). Meaning dull, I think we can all admit that the days became a little anticlimactic and repetitive. Perhaps this is actually a good thing, making us all a little bit more creative. O-Over. Finally. We can move on, move out, stay here, and not have to get up before 7 am on weekdays. There is something, even for the most cynical, really sad about it being over. Whether it’s the fact that we won’t see or talk to most of our friends till Christmas, or whether is the frightening reality that we are entering the ‘real world’. O- Oswego. More than anything else in the entire world (okay, perhaps there are a few things that are more important) I want to leave Oswego. But no matter how you look at it; there is at least some, nostalgia for this town. Especially if you were born and raised here (and if you weren’t don’t bring it up, it sparks insane murderous jealously among your native counterparts). Whether it’s your backyard, or Wal*Mart, there is somewhere you will miss about this place. L-Long. This was probably four of the longest years of our lives (thus far). And certainly, at least hopefully, not the very best years of our lives. Sure, everything was ‘paid for’ by our parents (food, etc). But are we that afraid of responsibility that the some of the ‘easiest’ years of our lives are the best. We now get to move on and move whenever, basically, we want to. Once we are out on our own, we can, and certainly should, change our environment when we really really don’t like it. And to think I was trying to make this positive. All I’m saying (and why you should listen to me, or have even gotten this far in the column is beyond me) is not to let these be the best years of your life. Yes, they are a part of our life, but this was not it. High school is not a reality so much as a memory now, emotionally vivid yet mentally void.
Dave Pelkey “Meeting Dave Wild.”
Sarah Peddle “Finally figuring out college plans so I can get out of here.”
June 13, 2005
News
Page 11
College is next for these members of the senior class This list was compiled by Brian Balduzzi, Alumni Editor, with the help of Mrs. Moreau and the Career Center. AB Tech Amanda Gabrielle Air Force David Buske Alfred University Alan Johnson Nathan Kisselburgh Kate Naron William Price Joseph Pritchard Scott Sarkissian Army Bryan Coe Justin March Tom March Belmont Abbey College Michelle Babcock Shannon Farden Bethel College Lindsay Johnson
Stephanie Falise Samantha Ferguson Devin Flynn Katie Flynn Kara Forbes Gina Garcia Brad Goewey Robert Greeney Alecia Losurdo Austin Marks Patrick McConnell Danielle Mulcahey Jill Mulcahey Ciera Nelson Ashley O’Neil Travis Quonce Steve Petrie Steve Pomerville Shawn Regan Noah Sweeting Clarkson University Bridgette Doran James Holland Nicholas Miles Coastal Carolina University Thomas Schrader
Bloomfield College Karen Engle
College of Environmental Science and Forestry Nathan Brady
Boston College Zach Smith
Columbia University Nicholas Cummins
Brandeis University Allison Vanouse
Crouse School of Nursing Alexa Fantom
Brigham Young University Samuel Purdy
Culinary Institute of America Jeffery Deloff
California State University of San Bernardino Rob Maher
Daemen College Sarah Ferlito
Castleton State College Ron Cahill Josh Flett Cassy Wilson Cayuga Community College Thomas Abtey Jessica Atkinson Natasha Baker Chas Berardi Danielle Bonner Christopher Bracy Shawna Brasher Jeanette Briglin Mike Brown Christopher Bucher Dave Burger Stefanie Burgess Danielle Carter Amanda Cole Ryan Coleman Sarah Crucitti Melissa Dawson Ben Driskell
D’Youville University Morgan Arnold Finger Lakes Community College Jeremy Donohue Matthew Gentile Florida Institute of Technology Thomas Blodgett Sean Joyce Full Sail Nicholas Ferrara Ryan Russell Kevin Tonkin
Hamilton College Timothy Lloyd Garrett Morgan Herkimer Community College Michael Culeton Mark Donovan Jenna Earl Nicole Haynes Michelle Hibbert Ashlee Hinckley Brian Johnson Brian McCrobie Andrew Stein Hofstra University Sarah Bame Brad Guilds Sara Pritchard Hudson Valley Community College Tina Hausworth Brittany Holliday Ithaca College Mary Hoefer Katie Schultz ITT Technical Institute Josh Baum Ryan Brown Jefferson Community College Aleisha Bennett Danielle Thompson Johnson & Wales University Travis Potter Thomas Sullivan Junior Hockey Mark Talamo LeMoyne College Robert Baldwin Stephanie Bristol Andy Larson Sara Pelkey Justine Ravas Ed Tucker Loyola University of New Orleans Alysse Dowdle Lynchburg College Kathleen Payne Marines Mark Bauer
Georgetown University Jacquelyn Stanley
Marist College Ashley Cowden Jake Rotunno
Georgia State University Karli Klein
McGill University Meera Bhardwaj
Great Basin College Saleena Goglio
Medaille University Shala Reifinger
Mohawk Valley Community College Patrick Gates Kara McLaughlin Monroe Community College Shane Alton Matthew Bailey Joshua Bolton Katie Breen Joseph Burns Thomas Holland Amber Mahoney Liz Miller Shane Murray Alexis Taylor Navy Ryan Farley Joshua Stiles Nazareth College Maggie Brown Madeline Donovan Eric Germain Ashley Gessner Christina Losurdo Ali McGrath Kyle Potter New England Culinary Institute Christopher Ferguson New Jersey Institute of Technology Robert Ahart Niagara Community College Aftin Devney Niagara University Megan Donovan Crystal Flack Sharon Plank North Carolina State University Patrick Donovan Northeastern University Timothy Sollenberger Onondaga Community College Jonathan Ashline Rob Myhill Steve Quonce Devin Rookey Paul Smith College Nick Rose Pratt at Munson-Williams-Proctor Maggie Henry Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute Roy Marshall Robert Wesleyan College Lindsay Currier Shawn Taylor
continued on page 15
Page 12
Columns
Buccaneer Bulletin
Some advice to the seniors from a mere underclassman SENIORS, your future is now. There is so much storm - It is your senior year summer…. There you go. there for you providing guidance that, whether or not There will be good times, a last trip with close you’ll admit it, has influenced your life in more ways out there – college, careers, YOUR INDEPENDENCE. friends to concert, a job to get some last minute cash, than you can grasp. Shop with an aunt, go fishing with Please, don’t forget where you came from. Remember your elementary just hoping you’re ready for what’s next. There will be your uncle, play catch with your dad, take your siblings go-cart racing, and send flowers to your days? Learning to spell four letgrandparents. Indulge yourself in their hister words (i.e. girl, star, and bear), tory; they gave you the future. timed multiplication quizzes, the Remember those classmates lunch room, and thinking sixth “Follow the path before you with wisdom.” around you who have been there since grade meant being king of the your first memory. Many of these you may world. How about middle school? There was real homework, traveling book buying, debt counting, and parents complaining – never see their faces again, never hear their names, see faces, or shake their hands again. Don’t lose the chance sports teams, new faces, and just wait- but you’ve made it. So what to do now? Chris This month, go back to your elementary school to enjoy a final nostalgic moment. ing to get to high school. Battles Life goes on, and so do the rifts between us all. Here you are. Freshmen year and say goodbye to a teacher who never got to share seemed like yesterday, yet it’s easy to the fruits of their labors with you. Live for memories. Savor the time you have, mend your differences with deny – you’re “grown up” now. You can vote, give blood, Write a thank you to that math teacher that never let others. Sign every yearbook as if it was your best be drafted, sign your own name on the dotted line, and you quit, or to a best friend you lost touch with over the friend’s. Finally, when you meet what destiny has in store for you, come home. Follow the path before you drive your own car. Everything is rolling in the right di- years past. HUG YOUR MOM. People have come-and-gone with wisdom and unwavering passion, and you will acrection and your fate seems to be sealed for another few years. At last! A time to relax, a calm before no in your eighteen years. In all your life, she has been complish your greatest dreams.
Thirteen years, so many memories, so-long Oswego High School When I look back at Kindergarten, the things I remember most clearly are: a scheduled nap-time every day, being graded for coloring and counting to one hundred. Art class consisted of finger painting, and in music we could sing children’s songs out of Amanda tune. We had recess on the playground Sawyer every day and had a sandbox in our classroom which always proved to be a distraction from what we were really supposed to be doing. Back then, the biggest lesson to learn was how to share your toys with your classmates. One of the biggest challenges we were given was coloring within the lines, but it wasn’t too big a deal if you couldn’t. All you had to know about math was one plus one is equal to two. There was not one of us who had any worries about what we wanted to be when we grew up. We didn’t really care what college we went to or what diploma we would receive upon graduating. We were carefree and just wanted to go outside and race the entire class to the swing set. Our minds had yet to be corrupted with learning standards and Regents exams. In fact, the only thing we worried about was how we were going to fit our coat, backpack, and item for show-and-tell in our “cubbies. I remember graduating from Kindergarten back in ‘93 at Saint
Mary’s, wearing a little blue graduation cap on my head made of blue construction paper and a tassel made of yarn. Our parents sat in the basement of Hopkins Hall with us on that tiny stage, (but then it felt so big). At that moment in time, I was as happy as could be and it was the most important moment in my life. My classmates and I were so excited to be moving on to first grade in the fall. My first day in first grade I had no idea where I was going since during the summer I had decided to switch from Saint Mary’s to Leighton Elementary. Luckily my neighbor and best friend, Tiffany, was in my class and sat next to me, being the only person I knew. Second grade brought writing books with Mrs. Barnes, and having my own, slightly more difficult spelling list. Fourth grade introduced the “Scholar Dollar” system with Mrs. McKeever and me refusing to learn multiplication. In fifth grade we wrote a play about the solar system with our first grade reading buddies. Through the years there were Arts Festivals, chorus concerts, kickball tournaments in the playground, and sledding down Leighton Hill. Halloween brought costume contests and Christmas, “Secret Santa.” Then in sixth grade came another graduation ceremony, with our parents in uncomfortable folding chairs sitting behind us and the fourth and fifth graders at Leighton Elementary sitting impatiently and fidgeting
in the bleachers behind them. We waited for what felt like hours while they called all of our names, although there were only about one hundred of us at the most. Once again it felt like the most important moment in our lives when we walked down the aisle between those folding chairs to get our “diploma” and certificates. Middle school brought dances, first boyfriends, trying to fit in and lockers that we could barely fit our backpacks into. The top compartments smacked the person who stood next to you in the head if you weren’t careful. Eighth grade ended with an award ceremony, not a graduation because “you won’t really graduate until you are finished with high school,” and a dance which felt like prom, except only eighth grade style. Then the class of 2005 entered the high school with our freshman “Be an OHS winner, not an OHS whiner” t-shirts which we were harassed greatly for, and lockers that I couldn’t open for the life of me, for days. Two days later we encountered September 11, which shaped our entire high school career and made many of us grow up more within a few hours than we had in years. Football games, chorus concerts, the yearly high school musicals, and Regents exams followed over the next four years, bringing us to the point where we are now. With only days left until we graduate, many of us will reflect over our school years, remembering all of the good times and bad times that we
shared together, our triumphs and defeats, our ups and downs. We will hear talk in the hallways about the colleges that we will be attending in the fall and how we will walk across that stage in a real cap and gown, not the paper one from kindergarten. We will give our final farewells to Oswego High School, promising that we will come back and visit once in a while to catch up with teachers and friends. We will leave behind our lockers, leaving the people next to us the permission to harass the new freshman who inhabits it in the fall. Then we are gone, leaving everything open to a new generation of people who will replace us, as we are off to college, the military, or the workforce. I would like to wish all of my fellow classmates good luck in whatever they decide to do in their lives. Make new friends in college, but don’t forget the ones here that you had your entire lives here in good old Oswego. I hope that you all go off to do great things in your lifetime and live your lives to the fullest. And now the time has come where I am forced to give my final farewell to the Class of ’05, and every other student in OHS with the Irish Blessing. “May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun be warm on your face. May the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you - Hold you in the palm of his hand” Goodbye… and I’m out… Peace.
June 13, 2005
Features/Columns
Page 13
Before They Were Our Stars: Teachers’ Senior Pics
As times change, people change. How do you think your senior picture will llook ten or twenty years from now? Pictured here are some of the faces that we, as OHS students see everyday. But, do we recognize these famliar faces? These are the senior portraits of some OHS teachers and staff members. How many can you recognize? (Look in the bottom right corner of page 15 for the answers.)
How in the world does this group produce an award-winning paper? continued from page 3 to my seat, I see that there are actually people working. Joani Bristol, Emily Draper, Mariah Taylor, and Erin Reff are all sitting diligently working on journalism. That’s impressive. Or maybe they’re just really good at faking it. I’m not sure which would actually be more extraordinary. Meanwhile, McCrobie has become busy admiring his pierced ear in the computer screen. 12:45 - Jackie: The usual debate has arisen about where Jake got his accent, when I discover that the news story that was planned for page one is nowhere to be found. It’s like Amanda Sawyer has sensed that someone realized her story is missing because she’s left the room again. Damn; and I was so looking forward to hearing the newest excuse, too! I really enjoyed that
last one, when she swore every person she had planned to interview died in a freak confrontation with a bull. 12:50 - Tanya: It’s almost the end of class. This is when Mr. McCrobie gets bored. “Tanya… what’s the fifth commandment? Where’s my money.” I respond with a quick “spent.” Background check: One day, when someone was giving me crap about the family being religious (yet again), McCrobie made a bet with me about what the 5th commandment is. (It’s honor your father and mother). He didn’t believe me, so we checked online sources…1…2…. 3 proved me right. He still didn’t believe me, so I ran down to the library, stole the “T” encyclopedia, proved him wrong, and was paid 5 dollars. Then, after he’d typed some papers on Word saying I was wrong, he
called me a liar and insisted I pay him back. Whatever. 12:54 - Jackie: Morgan and Devin are back, without Tom, and Morgan’s hair is all messed up. No comment. Ali is back too, and is amusing everyone with a reenactment and diagram of her latest minor car accident. Everything seems to be relatively in order (as much as it ever will be). Just when I think we’ve made it through the entire class without a serious crisis, everyone’s computers malfunction and noone’s work will save. The creepy smirk that Jake always wears on his face transforms into a look of sheer horror.. “SAVE TO THE C-DRIVE, SAVE TO THE C-DRIVE!!” he is running around the room yelling, as if any of us even know what the C-drive is. Sara dropped her lip gloss again and is
more concerned with saving it than saving her layout. The paper may need to be finished tomorrow, but she’s got to be beautiful today. 12:56 – Tanya: Considering it’s past 12:45 this makes it time to leave. I sit for a moment pondering why I signed up for this class to begin with. When I realize Jake, Brian and McCrobie are in a fight and my ears instantly start to bleed. That’s my cue. 12:57 - Jackie: I reflect on our behavior and wonder how we’ve managed to produce a paper at all. By the time class is over I am at a loss for words… all I can really think of to say to this group of lunatics is, “Keep up the good work!” No one hears me, of course, because they’ve all left already, but oh well, the paper’s put to bed.
Retirees Lynch, Bevacqua, Shoemaker, and Deeb on life after OHS continued from page 1 in the district as well. While at OHS, he has most enjoyed his interaction with clubs, teams, and students, and says that being able to deliver a good lesson and helping students find answers to tough questions is extremely gratifying. In the future this teacher and coach plans to travel extensively and open a small business with his daughter Kristen. In leaving, Bevacqua adds, “It has been a privilege to work here . . . I just hope I have had a small positive influence on some of my students. That is all a teacher can expect.” Mrs. Debbie Deeb is retiring at the end of this school year after having spent
her entire 33 years of teaching here at OHS. Throughout that time, Deeb has taught nearly all levels of English classes, and most recently has taught American Lit and SUPA English. One of her legacies at OHS is the creation of The Writing Center in 1995. Deeb acknowledges that the best part of teaching has been working with students and teachers, or what she calls “the people part” of the job. After retirement, Deeb hopes to spend her new-found spare time reading, writing, traveling, and being with family. Her hobbies also include gardening and landscaping; if she does choose to work again in the future, she says she’ll be perfectly happy with a job at Ontario Orchards. Deeb jokingly confesses, “I’ll
miss (OHS), but not the paperwork.” Mr. David Shoemaker says he is “closing this chapter” of his life when he retires from teaching at the end of this year. Shoemaker has taught for 29 years, 25 of which he’s spent at OHS. Prior to his teaching career he spent 4 years in the Navy serving at the South Pole and Vietnam. Shoemaker has taught engineering classes, wood shop, drafting, small engines, metal shop, and digital electronics. He has also donated his time to Model Aircraft Club, which he hopes to continue advising even after he retires. Shoemaker says he will continue doing machine shop work independently, where he’ll build museum-quality small
model-engines. Also, “Shoe” plans to increase his time spent raising horses on the farm he runs with his daughter. His favorite part of teaching has been working with “interesting students of all levels and abilities.” He says he’ll miss that teacher-student interaction, and also that, in general, he has found that at OHS, “most people are just really nice.” With their final farewells taken care of, these four veterans will teach the last classes of their careers on June 15. After decades of enthusiastically lending their knowledge, guidance, and expertise to students and other teachers, they will finally have some wellearned retirement time to spend on themselves for a change.
Buccaneer Bulletin
Columns
Page 14
Our four years at OHS was not just another teen movie! Dear Oswego High School: I accept the fact that I had to sacrifice four years in high school for whatever it was I did wrong. What I did was wrong, but I think you’re crazy to make Brian me write a Balduzzi column, telling you who I think I am. What do you care? You see me as you want to see me, in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see me as: a brain, an athlete, a basket case, “princess”, and a criminal. Correct? That’s the way I saw myself freshmen year. I was brainwashed. It’s easy to look at the last four years and run screaming down the hall, flailing your arms towards the escape of high school, yet I find myself reflective of who I was and what I’ve become. I had typical expectations of high school prior to getting shoved in my first locker. Unfortunately, these prospects looked dim as the lights in most of our classrooms. I was raised on melodramatic, often satirical high school movies starring actresses such as Molly Ringwald, who I insist is still stuck in a high school somewhere in Idaho with “Napoleon Dynamite”. These movies provided fictitious “wonder years” of high school for me that it has yet to live up to. Maybe we were Better off Dead. As I am about to walk across the stage at graduation towards a new stage in my life, I decided to watch all the
What would you change about OHS if you could for future students?
movies that are supposed to have given me a detailed analysis of the higher learning we call “high school.” I started with Sixteen Candles, a popular comedy idealizing Molly Ringwald’s pathetic existence as an actress. What if all you wanted out of high school was that “one person”? They are the reason why you
are filled more with hormones than students. The best friend suffers through late nights playing board games with the other’s parents, the 2:00 am annoying phone calls, the tortuous double dates, and the tears over not being named Prom Queen. They have been through everything high school can offer two friends, practically nothing, but enough to
simply, “when you get there [the real world], it won’t matter if you were prom queen or the quarterback or the biggest nerd in school. What matters is that you don’t regret who you were, who you are…” Not a bad lesson for a hyped up teenage melodramatic comedy. This column began with a bet, similar to She’s All That: Who will miss high school first? My partner-incynicism and I competed to write the best sarcastic and bitter “farewell to high school” column. I guess I lost, but gained something more important: an identity. In the past year, I’ve learned that it is normal, even expected of us, to fulfill these stereotypes of a typical Friday night with friends and enemies. I even respect these people for enjoying the few years we have as teenagers, the only time to indulge in “teenage debauchery.” To the rest of you, including myself, make the most of the time you have. Don’t be afraid to say hi to the cute girl who sits behind you in math, talk about a lecture was with the cool guy in your economics class, or tell someone how much you respect them. As I look back, there are a lot of things I wish I had told people, conversations I was never able to get the courage to have, people I never had the opportunity to meet. Don’t have any regrets when you walk across the stage at graduation. This column began with a purpose, to finish and
Don’t have any regrets when you walk across the stage at graduation. joined Student Council to have a conversation starter, why you lied to your parents to go to a party. They are your reason for getting up in the morning, the reason why you are who you are. As unrealistic as it sounds, I know people who have done it, their own foolish fumble through fifty-two pick-up for the King or Queen of (Our) Hearts. We need this, our first harsh realization as to why love is sometimes called a “crush.” High school would not have been the same without this person, I would not have been the same without this person. On a similar note, I suffered through “Pretty in Pink” with the infamous best friend love. The opposite gender best friend is an infamous cliché in high school dramas, but I’ve been on the offering side. I firmly believe a guy and a girl can never truly be “just friends,” despite opposing claims. It’s not possible in high schools that Tim Stitt “I would make language and math electives.”
stimulate hormonal rushes to the “heart” of love. Before we leave, tell that one person how much they meant to you, no matter when they meant the most to you. Life is all about chances, the chance of success without acknowledgement of a fact is statistically zero. What about the people who have Never Been Kissed? The people some of us strut past everyday, never realizing their personal sufferings, like how I sat home last Friday night with my parents playing Parcheesi and… These are the people who categorize and stereotype our high school’s “in-crowd.” These are people we long to party with, but later hear practical jokes and blackmail stories about on Monday mornings. What if high school was all about being “popular”? Not to sound cliché, but there is a “bigger world” out there beyond Prom courts, hockey games, and “sucking face.” This movie taught me quite Sam Ferguson “I would allow students to sit in front of their lockers during and after school.”
Justin Minotti “I would make the bagels in the cafeteria bigger.”
explore high school with the help of stereotypes. It ends without a purpose and stretched longer than I thought necessary. In a way, doesn’t that resemble high school? We’re just as confused when we end as when we began, and it took us four long years to realize that it doesn’t matter how we began, only where we are now. We leave wanting to be remembered; we want to leave a message for those left behind. My message is honest and true, and quite out of character: Enjoy high school. Enjoy your last years of freedom, your “moments” (yes, I’ve had some), your feuding friends, the last adults who care about you, the “best years of your life.” In Dead Poet’s Society, a classic teenage drama, Robin William’s character quotes Herrick, “Gather thee rosebuds while thee may, Old time is still a-flying…”. This is my message for you, the senior class. I hope you all made the most of the time you had because I didn’t. To the rest of the student population, realize the opportunities you have, however meager they might seem. In conclusion: Dear Oswego High School: You see our class as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, The Senior Class.
Amanda Gabrielle “I would have the attendance policy changed.”
June 13, 2005
News
Page 15
Post-graduation Plans
Class of 2005 chooses colleges, universities near and far continued from page 11 Rochester Institute of Technology Alex Angelina Justin Baum Colin Blake-Butler Shaun Boyer Dan Bradshaw Brittany Graham Tony Knopp Laura Mandanas Amanda Quirk Seana Scanlon Tom Schneider Christine Stone Saint Michael’s College Kelley Callahan Saint Rose College Amy Smith Seminole/Florida State Pamela Scholla Simmons Institute of Mortuary Service Ryan Baldwin Sparten College of Aeronautics & Technology Darrell Moreau Derrick Moreau Saint John Fisher College Erika Kocher Megan MacDonald Meghan Rose Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing Ashley Murphy Saint Lawrence University Shannon Buckley Stevens Institute of Technology Eric Smith
Katie Jones Erin Murphy Tyler Robillard Thomas West SUNY Canton Alison Barnard Garrett Earl Neil Height Brett King Justin Minotti Nicholas Thomas Matthew Turner SUNY Cortland Alison Canale Katrina Kranz Ashley Kronenbitter Anna McNamara Frank Soranno Eric Strahley Tiffany Zappala SUNY Delhi Amber Burgess SUNY Fredonia Mandi Adydan Mike Flannigan Ronald Miller Anthony Pisa Carly Scranton Liam Shaughnessy David Thompson Tom Tiballi Amanda Tynan Nicole Weigelt SUNY Geneseo Ted Collins Elizabeth Fear Dustin Knight Maureen Mancuso Sean Murney Cali Sawyer Christin Thorpe
SUNYAlbany David Demling Kevin Cullinan Chelsea Kaye-Bidinger Rachel McCormick
SUNY Morrisville Jose Barker David Demling Rachel Erkan Luke Murphy Jonathan Velzy
SUNY Binghamton Tyler Fernaays Cory Johnson Evan Thomas
SUNY New Paltz Mark Chipman Sarah Peddle
SUNY Brockport Mary Bendzunas Lauren Lok Ashley Smith Brianna Tunaley SUNY Buffalo Robert Flannigan Matthew Gianetto Sarah Ingerson
SUNY Oswego Mary Barry Katie Breitbeck Ken Buske Courtney Carroll Joseph Church Mary Kate Dehm Carrie Fleischman Bagel Friel Jennie Fullington
Matthew Galletta Chad Gehrig Ryan Grulich Brandy Haynes Kayla Hough Joseph Johnson Jamie Kapuscinski Desiree Kavanaugh Margaret Knopp Anthony Lazzaro Matthew Marturano Gina Mazzoli Angela McDonald Corey Metz Emily Monacelli Daniel Morey Jes Munk Doug Parkhurst Larissa Potter Ryan Pratt John Proietti Erin Reff Matthew Reitz Clarece Rojek Nathan Roy Patrick Ryan Amanda Sawyer Amanda Spaulding Andrew Stead Brian Stoutenger Ashley Thompson Jennalyn Thompson Jairo Vazquez Brad Wentworth David Wild Megan Zerrahn SUNY Plattsburgh Bronwyn Jones Charlie Thomas SUNY Potsdam Joseph Corradino Kirsten Johnson Morgan Mears Lindsay Smith Kerry Smith Syracuse University Emily Kaier Joshua Cotter Kevin Kern Art Institute of Pittsburgh Gary Barrow Foster Caffrey
University of Miami Ryan Tonkin University of New Hampshire Elizabeth Close University of Pittsburgh Tanya Swartz University of Rochester Christopher Brown University of South Carolina Mike McCarthy University of Tampa Michael Henry Villanova University Josh DuFore Wagner College Kelly Gambino Wells College Stephanie Melnick Chris VanWert Wentworth Institute of Technology Jason Smith Workforce Matt Bradford Peter Brown Justin Buske Mindy Buske Kira Canale Elisabeth Distin Steven Falcetti John Fellows Stephen Flack Margaux Goewey Rob Henry Rhiannon Hill Andrew Johnson Josh McDonald Sean McLaughlin Mike Montagnola Ashley Santoro Mariah Taylor Josh Vangorder Samuel Virgo, Jr. Jolene Webster Zachery Wills Jerrett Wheeler
Boston Conservatory of Music Brandon Gianetto
WyoTech David Caruso Christopher Waring
Tufts University Josh Ensworth Alex Fernandes
Before They Were Our Stars Answers from page 13
Union College Brian Balduzzi Lacey Morgan Erin Plasse
Teachers’ senior pictures (left to right): Mr. Mark Fierro, Ms. Cheryl Irwin, Mr. Shawn Caroccio, Mrs. Cindy Fatiga, and Mrs. Mary Beth Fierro
Page 16
Sports
Buccaneer Bulletin
Recalling four years of OHS sports memories Freshman Year 2001-2002 The Buccaneer varsity baseball team started the season 0-3, but won 11 of its last 12 games to pull their record to 11-4, earning them a berth in the sectionals. Some of their key players were catcher Brandon Delaney, hitters Steve Gioia, Tom Wild, Tom Farrell, and the stellar pitching staff. Head coach Tom Frawley Sr. led the Bucs into sectionals, where they won their first game against B-Ville, but fell to CNS in the second round. Sophomore Year 2002-2003 The Oswego High School lost
four outstanding senior athletes to graduation, all four of whom signed on to strong colleges. Lacrosse player Matt McNamara, a four-year vet of the varsity lacrosse team signed a letter of intent with the Binghamton Bearcats, a strong Division I lacrosse school. Basketball player Ashley Wallace, also a four-year OHS starter and an Empire State Games key player, signed a letter of intent to Pace University, a Division II school. Golfer Maggie Lester, a fiveyear varsity player signed a letter of intent to play on the Penn State golf team, a Division I school. Representing girls’ lacrosse was Lindsay Saternow, an allleague player who signed with St. Bonaventure.
Senior Emily Kaier signs her letter-of-intent to Syracuse University with her parents Geri and Bob looking on.
Junior Year 2003-2004 The girls’ varsity soccer team won a sectional final overtime marathon against rival Liverpool to become Section III champions. Led by Goalie Ali Canale, the Bucs beat Liverpool in a thrilling shootout after 80 minutes of regulation play and four overtimes. When the game went down to penalty kicks, Tricia Reed, Erin Baker, Courtney Hocking, Brooke Sherman, and Shannon Farden represented the Bucs, and pulled out a victory, advancing their team to Regional play, where they lost 1-0 to Shenendehowa.
Senior Anthony Lazzaro is joined by parents Mark and Karen on Senior Night for the Buccaneer hockey team in February.
The girls’ volleyball team of coach Ron Ahart continued to earn a reputation as one of the strongest programs in Section III.
Senior Year 2004-2005 The Oswego Buccaneer hockey team had a spectacular season this year, finishing the season in the NYS Division I Quarterfinals with a record of 19-2-4. Seniors on the team included Nate Brady, Josh Flett, Mike Friel, Brian Johnson, Sean Joyce, Anthony Lazarro, Tim Lloyd, Brian McCrobie, Nick Miles, Ryan Pratt, Pat Ryan, Eric Smith, Frank Soranno, Doug Parkhurstand Mark Talamo. Another highlight from the 200405 winter season was the acceptance of a full volleyball scholarship to Syracuse University by senior-three sport standout Emily Kaier. The boys’ swim team won its league while breaking Liverpool’s win streak of consecutive meets.