The Harbinger Volume 31 Issue 2

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Cafeteria changes: price increase, new milk brand, more

Mac Miller’s death sparks a look back onto his music

Where does all the money go? How the school spends fees

Chicago the Musical prepares to take the stage in December

Seniors show T-Hawk pride at homecoming

News

Opinion

The Student Newspaper of Algonquin Regional High School

the

A&E

Feature

Sports

79 Bartlett Street, Northborough, MA 01532

arhsharbinger.com

HARBINGER October 2018. VOL. 31 NO. 2

The Price of Being a T-Hawk

Expenditure per student

$14,890

2019 Budget Breakdown by Department MAGGIE DEL RE & ELISSA GORMAN

Science:

$47,220

Editors-in-Chief

Between activity fees and class dues, every Algonquin student of the class of 2019 will pay $365 by the time of graduation. Add in an optional parking permit junior and senior year, and that cost goes up to $765; if a student plays one season of a sport for four years, the price spikes to $1,565. And if a student is a three-sport athlete for four years? Fees add up to $3,165.

$3

Technology:

$14,000

,16

5 Fine & Performing Arts:

$10,687

‘FEES’ CONTINUED P. 10 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION CONNOR LAWLESS

Senior John Bai will pay $3,165 to Algonquin by the time he graduates, between activity fees, class dues, parking permits and athletic fees as a 12 season athlete. Bai was surprised by how expensive his total was. “I think it would be important for people to calculate what they’re paying, because I definitely should have been doing that all along,” Bai said.

With $14,890 to spend per student...

School committee allocates budget based off department needs, wish lists MAGGIE DEL RE & ELISSA GORMAN

enrollments and student support needs. We compile all the different department needs together and Editors-in-Chief then we do what’s called a ‘wish list.’”

Budget allocations impact stuThe “wish list” is a supply list dents, but many don’t know how of expensive equipment that a dethese complex decisions are made. partment wants or needs, accordThe budget changes every ing to Walsh. year. Many factors and people are “Like the kiln in Ceramics involved in making these decisions. needed to be [replaced]; that’s a lot Budgeting “We compile of money,” Process all the different Walsh said.

The budget “That’s a wish needs together is determined a list item, so we fiscal year in adand then we do have to kind vance by the Cenof take a little what’s called a tral Office and money from Superintendent ‘wish list.’” each departChristine Johnment to cover son, according to DR. SARA PRAGLUSKI a big service Principal Dr. Sara item like that WALSH Pragluski Walsh. because if we PRINCIPAL “ [ Jo h n s o n ] had [fine and has an amazperforming ing background arts departin finances, and what we do as a ment head Amy] Collins cover all school is look at each department of it she wouldn’t have any financhead and their needs,” Walsh said. es for the rest of the stuff.”

“There will be options of new The District School Commitcourses, old courses, changing tee also needs to take into account

non-academic costs including heat, electricity, water and other utilities.

According to Walsh, Johnson is the one who reviews the budget and makes sure enough is allocated to utilities.

“She brings in that awesome lens,” Walsh said. “She reviews our budget, we cut back where we need to and grow where we need to. Like if electricity is going up, [Director of Facilities Mike] Gorman tries to set his budget to accommodate for that because that has to come from somewhere; there’s only one pot of money.”

Sports Budgeting This year, the sports equipment budget was $30,000, a 93.40 percent increase from last year. According to Walsh, drastic increases like that are results of wish-list items and only last for one fiscal year. “[The increase] is not permanent,” Athletic Director Mike Mocerino said. “It rotates every single year for people’s needs and wants.

Luckily enough, this year we were able to purchase four brand-new treadmills for the weight room

through that money-line. We’re always looking to constantly improve.”

Each sport gets a different amount of money for game management, which Mocerino explains is everything that is needed to have a competition. According to Mocerino, the difference in game management is responsible for the disparity between the lowest-funded team, cross-country, at $321, and the highest-funded team, football, at $14,568.

“It depends upon the need,” Mocerino said. “This all comes back to need versus want versus what can be processed, but you know, what’s allocated for every sport is determined by the needs for uniforms, equipment, numbers of contests, how many levels.

We’re always trying to provide a safe environment and a positive learning experience for all.”

Some sports, such as golf and tennis, have no game management budget at all because it does not cost extra to run a contest, according to Mocerino.

‘BUDGET’ CONTINUED P. 3

Art:

$10,500 Health and Physical Education:

$8,285 Business:

$8,115

Foreign Language:

$6,950

Social Studies:

$3,250 English:

$3,063 Mathematics:

$1,450 According to the Northborough Southborough Regional School District School Committee Approved FY 2019 Budget and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

2 NEWS The Harbinger - October 2018

BYOD delayed until second term NATALIE SADEK

but they don’t have internet at home, so if we go 100 percent to Bring Your Own Device without clearly defining the needs of the The Bring Your Own Device [BYOD] program is children, how to meet those needs and other tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of term one af- parameters, then we haven’t done the preter being pushed back from its intended start time at the work so that the program will successful.”

Currently, different groups such as the beginning of 2018-2019 school year.

According to Instructional Technology Specialist school-based leadership team, department Brian Calnan, the decision was made by the district to chairs, administration, the technology deensure the transition to the new program was as seamless partment and the central office are doing research as to how other districts have impleas possible.

“A lot of teachers and students are already bringing mented their own BYOD program.

“There are a couple of different groups that wanted devices to use in the classroom, but as of right now we to investigate different aspects of don’t have [BYOD] officially in [the program] and do even more place,” Calnan said. “The main “The purpose of [BYOD] is research on surrounding towns reason [the date was pushed] and districts and see how they was that we just want to make to allow teachers flexibilhandled certain aspects of it, just sure that it is as productive and ity...and make the lessons to be proactive so we don’t have as smooth of a transition into as many difficulties when we’ve the official implementation of it more engaging and make started,” Calnan said. as possible. That means making the learning deeper.”

In addition, the district had sure parents are clear on what the expectations are, students are BRIAN CALNAN ensured that the school has acclear, teachers are clear, and that INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST cess to a sufficient amount of equipment in order to implement everyone knows what support is the program. available.”

“We ordered extra devices,” According to principal Dr. Sara Pragluski Walsh, the delayed start was also due to to Walsh said. “[Technology systems administrator Susan] determining the details of how students will be able to Whalen was able to order extra chromebooks and make access a device if they are not able to bring one to school sure that when we do the MCAS online we had all of those, and we had infrastructure upgrades. We’ve made daily.

“We need to be really sensitive to all of the different sure that we have the equipment based on what we think needs of our students,” Walsh said. “Some of them don’t are the student needs for a loaner program.”

Over the summer, the technology department have access to a device, or some of them have a device Online Editor

GRAPHIC FIONA SCHRAFT

worked on making sure the school was equipped to handle the influx of devices.

“We did have an infrastructure upgrade over the summer,” Whalen said. “We also doubled our bandwidth from FIOS that we are getting. Bandwidth is how much internet you can get. It’s like a a water through a pipe, and our pipe doubled in size, so that we could get more traffic at the same time.”

Once the plan is officially implemented, students will be required to bring their own devices, as discussed at the end of last year.

“The purpose of [BYOD] is to allow teachers flexibility, knowing that they are going to have students with devices and design lessons and curriculum that will utilize [technology] and make the lessons more engaging and make the learning deeper,” Calnan said. “In terms of what the plan looks like for [the technology department], it’s making sure that students have access to devices, primarily their own, and supporting teachers and to train them on how to help build that curriculum into their lessons.”

NEWS

3

The Harbinger - October 2018

Cafeteria changes for a purpose MAGGIE DEL RE

of the [regulations] it has to be within to change things up. According to a half an hour of either the start of Cofer, Wednesdays will be spaghetti Editor-in-Chief school or the end of school and we’re day this year because of an ad from This year the price of a school not within that 30 minutes either, so “Prince” pasta company.

“Wednesdays always used to be lunch has increased, iced coffee is no we can’t sell [iced coffee].”

Cofer guesses that the lack of considered ‘Prince Spaghetti Day’ longer being served in the mornings, the milk is coming from a different coffee sales is “probably the change back in the day,” Cofer said. “So I manufacturer, chicken nuggets are you hear the most grumble about” thought, ‘let’s try Wednesday as spaghetti day.’” now served on Mondays, and staff from students.

Swallow misses the coffee sales Cafeteria staff are hoping to are looking to try out new recipes. bring new ideas and These changes were brought on as well.

“I was the one recipes to the school by the combination of a need to stay throughout the upwithin government regulations and a who made seven “With the USDA coming year. desire to maintain student happiness, gallons of iced cof- regulations we’re “We’re actuaccording to cafeteria manager Diane fee every morning,” Swallow said. “I miss not supposed to ally having someone Cofer.

“We’re trying to incorporate it; I miss the morn- sell anything with from the John Stalker Institute coming [new meals] within the constraints of ing interactions with out,” Cofer said. “I products and costs, because we do the kids that I don’t caffeine in it.” only charge $3.35 for a lunch, which have anymore, but DIANE COFER set them up to do Latin American cuiincludes everything: labor, the cost of I think the students CAFETERIA MANAGER sine, so they’re going the food, the whole day and cleanup,” miss it most.”

Last year the to come and hopeCofer said. “You’re trying to do a lot school milk supfully share some reciwith very little resources.”

The price of a school lunch in- plier was Guerelic Farms, however pes with us. It might not be necessarcreased from $3.00 to $3.35. Prior to this year the school shifted to Byrne ily different foods, but we might do a better job making them, or we’ll have this year’s increase, lunches had cost Dairy.

“It’s the same; it’s just a differ- more spices or better flavoring.” $3.00 for about seven years according ent brand,” Cofer said. “The pink However, trying new recipes can to cafeteria cook Betsy Swallow.

“The price of all food has in- cartons are really one percent, but be challenging because of limited I think a lot of resources and the large number of creased, and students think it’s people who purchase school lunches. the price of la- “[The new recipes] strawberry.”

“We’re always looking around bor too,” Cofer Byrne Dairy on recipe sites, but it’s hard to find said. “And then might not be necessarwas chosen as the something that you can adapt from a a lot of the ily different foods, but supplier this year normal family recipe to feeding hunproducts that because it of- dreds of people,” Swallow said. we used to get we might do a better fered the school Despite some constraints, Cofer from the gov- job making them, or the lowest milk urges students to bring ideas for new ernment have prices during a meals to cafeteria staff. been elimi- we’ll have more spices bid, according to “If anybody has ideas of somenated, so now or better flavoring.”

Cofer. thing that they would like us to try, we’re purchas“We’re part we’re open to ideas,” Cofer said. “If ing those at the DIANE COFER of a collabora- you’re not sure you’re going to like retail price too.

CAFETERIA MANAGER tive, and there are something, we’ll give you a little forkThe combinatons of schools ful to make sure before you buy it.” tion has been that are part of this collaborative,” She also hopes that students will hard to keep up with.”

Iced coffee will not be served Cofer said. “We go out to the ven- bring their honest feedback on new because of USDA regulations and dors [together to get bulk pricing]. recipes.

“Let us know because we want the school’s wellness policy, accord- We get better pricing because there’s so many of us that go together. We to know and we want to make it beting to Cofer.

“With the USDA regulations don’t individually pick [the manufac- ter,” Cofer said. “We want to feed the students and them to like what we’re we’re not supposed to sell anything turer] that we’re going to use.”

Chicken nugget day was shifted serving.” with caffeine in it,” Cofer said. “If you’re going to sell anything outside from Wednesday to Monday simply

Budget examination ‘Budget’ continued from p. 2

“It’s because of the nature of the sport: no officials, no police, no tickets, nothing,” Mocerino said.

“It’s a different situation than some of our other sports.”

There are some disparities between girls’ teams and boys’ teams, but that is also based on different needs, according to Mocerino. For example, the budget for baseball is almost double that of softball, at $4,539 and $2,680 respectively.

“Baseball has three teams and the officials are more expensive; softball only has one varsity team at the moment, so the officials are not as expensive,” Mocerino said. “Girls’ volleyball has three teams and boys’ volleyball has two teams.”

The biggest disparity between a girls’ sport and boys’ sport is ice hockey. Boys’ ice hockey receives $8,331, while the girls’ team lags behind at $2,449.

“The boys’ ice hockey has two teams and the girls’ ice hockey has a cooperative team with Nashoba, Marlborough, and Hudson,” Mocerino said. “When you have a cooperative team like that they all share the cost of game management, so it’s all depending on the type of situation.”

Football has the most money for game management with $14,568 this fiscal year.

“Football is three teams and requires four to five officials per game,” Mocerino said. “The official’s rates are a little bit higher. They require an ambulance, an EMT, an announcer and a ticket taker, so there’s more of a bottom-line to running a football program than there would be to any other sport at this time.”

What do you think of the cafeteria changes?

Shana Pelham Senior

“Besides the chicken nuggets, I think the new changes are fine. The new nuggets aren’t good. Last year, they would be in the middle and it would kinda be like a reward for getting through half the week. But now, it’s on Monday, so there’s no work for it.”

Matt Madamba Senior

“I think the new nuggets are fine they taste identical to the previous ones just in a smaller form.”

Marina Khan Junior

“I am not a fan of upping the price, but I don’t care for the milk or the chicken nuggets because I’m vegetarian.”

Elena Neilson Sophomore

“The chicken nuggets changing to popcorn chicken is annoying because the chicken nuggets were a lot better...

Also, I don’t like that they are on Mondays now because we don’t have school on a lot of Mondays.”

Integrated classes more mobile

GRAPHIC CLAIRE DEANS-ROWE

CATHERINE HAYDEN News Editor

The integrated math program is no longer being taught with blended concept learning and is categorized as College Prep (CP) courses, and the courses formerly categorized as CP are now labeled as Advanced College Prep (ACP).

In previous years integrated math courses were taught using blended concept learning, meaning that over a three year span, students would learn algebra 1 and geometry, each year learning concepts from both.

“Now instead of blending concepts, students are doing the traditional algebra [1], geometry, algebra 2,” Director of Guidance Lisa Connery said.

According to math teacher Mary Rose Steele, this also reduces the time it takes for students to complete algebra 1 and geometry requirements.

“Integrated I, II and III have been broken down to algebra 1 CP and geometry CP, so they’ve been moved back from three years to two,” Steele said.

This year’s change means that freshmen in CP math will learn algebra 1 and sophomore year they will learn geometry, each at a basic level, instead of taking three years to learn them.

The reason behind this change stems from wanting to give students greater mobility in moving into more challenging classes.

“A student [can now] go up to an ACP course if they wanted to, whereas when they were in an integrated program, it was hard for them to progress out into a different course just because of how the concepts were blended,” Connery said.

The blended concept courses added difficulty to transition to CP courses because the concepts being taught in integrated classes each year did not line up with what students in CP and Honors were learning.

The only difference between this year’s ACP course and last year’s CP course is a letter, Connery says.

“It’s just how we’re classifying the classes but [this level has] been the same all along,” Connery said.

Steele believes the switch from the old integrated courses to the new CP courses is beneficial to students.

“I think it will make stronger students,” Steele said.

“Now we’re really digging in and seeing across the different years with what students are learning and making sure they are getting the topics that they need and upping the difficulty of it.”

4 NEWS The Harbinger - October 2018

Garden gives opportunities to grow

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

The garden provides a variety of benefits to the student body, among them a better understanding of nutrition. “When [students] actually work in the garden, they come back and they have more appreciation for their food,” applied arts and technology teacher Zbigniewa Giegucz said.

GABRIELA PAZ-SOLDAN Online Editor

The school garden, with its entrance tucked away in the D100 hallway, has much to offer students and faculty, including a unique, versatile learning environment and hands-on nutritional education, but only a certain few students and teachers are taking advantage of it.

Applied arts and technology teacher Zbigniewa Giegucz, who oversees the garden’s upkeep, believes students do not have enough exposure to the resource. “[The garden] is a great outdoor classroom,” Giegucz said. “It’s underutilized. I would love to see more teachers out there.”

In her Nutrition and Culinary Arts classes, students cook with food grown in the garden, such as kale, zucchini, herbs, pumpkins, and carrots, making it an inte-

gral component of the course.

“It’s important for kids to be able to go out there and see how things are planted and where the food comes from and when they see that...they have more appreciation for their food and...are apt to eat healthier,” Giegucz said.

The food prepared by Giegucz’s students ranges from pumpkin pancakes and zucchini carrot chocolate chip cookies to kale chips and pesto.

“There is a big push now from field to fork so that you buy food that’s locally grown and organic and you bring it in and you cook with it,” Giegucz said. “That’s what we do.”

During the summer months, the garden continues to be an asset. Giegucz runs a program where special needs students learn about horticulture and nutrition.

“They gain a better understanding of

what they’re eating and why they’re eating,” Giegucz said.

Giegucz is not alone among the faculty in recognizing the value of the garden.

Fine and performing arts teacher Michelle Sheppard has incorporated it into the curricula of her Photography I, Art I and Digital Art classes. “[The garden] helps our students feel good about our school when they see a beautiful space... and they have a sense of pride that this is a nice, well-taken care of space,” Sheppard said. “I think that puts people in a good mindset for learning.”

The garden is also utilized by applied arts and technology teacher George Clarke’s Video Production students, who use the environment to practice taking good quality camera shots and audio.

Clarke is also appreciative of the space and believes its curricular benefits are endless.

“Just about any subject that you can think of can look at a garden,” Clarke said.

Beyond the school, the garden has developed a strong relationship with the community. It has received grants from Lowe’s Garden Center, the Northboro Junior Woman’s Club, Marlborough Garden Club, Southborough Woman’s Garden Club and the Murphy Sisters Foundation.

“We’re lucky to have community support,” Giegucz said. “We also give back to the community. We brought food over to the Southborough Senior Center and flowers to the Northborough Senior Center.”

While it receives praise from beyond Algonquin, the garden’s main focus is in how it can benefit the student body.

“It’s important for the kids to know where their food comes from,” Giegucz said. “It makes big difference in how they eat.”

Not so new rules: hallway signs reinforce old policies CATHERINE HAYDEN News Editor

The administration posted signs around the building on Friday, September 7 stating that students must be have a written pass or be accompanied by a faculty member when in the hallways after 2:00 p.m.

According to assistant principal Andrew McGowan, the signs are to remind students of a rule that was already in place. “[The after school hallway rules] are not really a new practice; it’s just something that we started last year which had been done in the past even before, that students are expected to be with a teacher, team, or whatever adult in the building is supposed to be with them,” McGowan said. “We had the bell last year; the signs are up this year. They’re just additional reminders to get where you’re supposed to go.”

The administration will do rounds after school to make sure students are heading where they need to be in order to keep them accounted for and safe.

“That’s something that administration have always done,” McGowan said. “Being around the school, checking in with kids who are just in the hall, that kind of thing, just moving them along.”

Though students who are habitually lingering in the hallways will be handled individually, there currently is not a set punishment for being in the hallways without the proper requirements.

“At this time, [the consequence] is a conversation,” McGowan said. “Every student who’s outside in a resource area or wherever they may be, it’s a check in at this point in time. Really, it’s a reminder that students are supposed to be moving.”

McGowan believes students should be in their regular classes on time and this principal carries into the after school realm.

“After school activities are an extension of the classroom, and that’s the expectation,” McGowan said.

PHOTO BEN WEBER

The signs posted on the doors inform students about the after school hallway rules that were already in effect, according to assistant principal Andrew McGowan.

OPINION 5 The Harbinger - October 2018

As an American minority, I can finally relate:

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ authentically highlights Asian American struggles

COURTESY WARNER BROS.

MARIAM IBRAHIMI

who raised her daughter alone. The traditionally conser- quite different from the life I live in America. vative Chinese society in Singapore disapproves of this.

This movie was so important for Asians or people Assistant Online Editor “Does your mother host company? Oh wait, she’s sin- who have immigrant parents. Our heritage traces back to As an Asian American, I have been praying for a mov- gle…” The disapproving murmurs of the aunties at the a culture that we know and embrace at home, however, ie like “Crazy Rich Asians” for longer than I can remem- party were something that most Asian Americans have we were raised in America, so we are seen as “different” ber. With an all Asian cast and compelling storyline, every experienced. This was so crucial to the plot because it just by relatives from other parts of the world. was another example of how this movie Growing up I’ve always known that I was Pakistani element of this movie made it a brought the two worlds of their modern American. That is my identity. It is a large part of how I perfect romantic comedy. and traditional culture together. present myself. But as I grow older, a sense of “different” “Crazy Rich Asians” was Each character is so Having been characterized as “dif- grew in me: not being American enough or Asian enough. everything that I had hoped for well developed that ferent” and the “Chinese- American” Rachel Chu’s long lost college roommate, Peik Lin, and more from the witty and by their traditional and said it best. “You’re yellow on relatable dialogue, to the characwithout one, the conservative society, the outside, white on the inside. terization of each person in the movie wouldn’t be Rachel was made to You’re a banana.” This was such movie, to the stellar acting, to I hope that feel separated from a memorable statement to me the hilarious lines, and of course the same.

Hollywood continues her own culture. Rabecause it perfectly described the representation of Asians in chel was constantly behow I feel about my identity. I American media. This movie to carry on in this ing hit with remarks or may look Asian on the outside was as successful as it is because positive direction and I may feel closely conof the dynamic array of characters. Each character is so comments about her not being a part nected to my culture, but I am well developed that without one, the movie wouldn’t be of them. Her strength and resilience is of representing what shows that she did not need their American and will always be the same. minorities who have a mix of both. Having lived Through actress Constance Wu’s character, Rachel approval, however, to know who she in America all of my life, I’ve Chu, I could see so much of myself, and I think millions was. been missing from Just like Rachel, speaking minimal adapted so many parts of it, but of other Asian Americans who watched the movie felt movies for hundreds Mandarin whilst understanding all of it I will never let myself lose my just the same. I can’t say I know what it feels like to go Asian heritage. to Singapore to meet your boyfriend’s (crazy) rich Asian is something I can relate to in my own of years.

Pakistani American is my family, but I can say that I resonated with a lot of how she way. I’ve known how to speak Urdu, the language my family speaks, since I was identity. No one, not the aunfelt throughout the experience. ties, not society, not anyone, Each character in the movie is so special because a baby. But somehow, my relatives back they represent different personalities. Peik Lin, played in Pakistan still manage to tell me that I’ve been “Ameri- can tell me who I am. As tv host and Twitter personality Chrissy Teigen put it, this movie was powerful for her

by Awkwafina, is the failed business major who moved canized” and that I have lost parts of my culture.

I belong to a culture that adapted its own sense of because her two year old daughter was able to watch a back home to live with her parents. Her mother, played by Tan Kheng Hua, is the overly friendly auntie who wants Hollywood to showcase their own culture: Bollywood. mainstream Hollywood movie and be able to recognize to show off her house and make lots of food for her I am privileged to say that if I go to the movies at any someone who looked like her race. I hope that Hollywood daughter’s friend. And who could forget Peik Lin’s father, given time, there is a movie playing in my native language. continues to carry on in this positive direction of repreplayed by Ken Jeong, as the dad who tries to “relate to the But this goes far beyond just seeing a Bollywood movie. I senting minorities who have been missing from movies youth” with his hip phrases and trying to inject himself could never relate to them as much as my parents would for hundreds of years. or as much as my relatives who grew up in India and Pakiinto every conversation.

Rachel Chu’s mother is a hardworking single mom stan. Their day to day activities and life experiences are

6

OPINION

The Harbinger - October 2018

Encourage earlier start in college application process to reduce stress

KATRINA LIU Opinion Editor

When my friends told me the first semester of senior year was going to be the most stressful months of high school, I laughed them off. However, now experiencing it myself, I realize I shouldn’t have.

As I attend these guidance workshops, finally understanding how to fully navigate Naviance and getting acquainted with the Common Application, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed. It seems as if all everyone

structed to learn more about senior year having two workshops within themselves by taking quizzes. the first three weeks of school, I felt like I However, Naviance doesn’t was already behind. play a huge role again until On the other hand, you could argue senior year, and by then, it that this stress is self-induced. I want to seems rushed. Even though apply early action and that’s my choice. I students are strongly encour- regret not starting the process sooner, and aged to start looking into their that is all on me. I should’ve managed my Naviance accounts regarding free time more wisely when I had more of the college tabs at the end of it and completely finished the steps that junior year, I think it should those junior year workshops had given me. be emphasized more and ear- However, if students had been given more lier in the year so the to-do list thorough and clear instructions, I would doesn’t pile up. have had more of an idea of all of the Although there are work- many things that needed to get done evenshops held at the end of ju- tually, thus reducing stress in the upcomnior year that inform ing fall. students where they Junior year should begin and what should remain a Seniors are forms they should fill time for academcurrently at a out over the sumics to be the main mer, I feel as if we are focus and to take point where given the keys to a car standardized tests. the river is we don’t know how That shouldn’t to drive. In addition, change, because reaching the I understand some that in itself is a waterfall, and aspects do not open stressful time. all the water is GRAPHIC LYDIA GRIST up until after juniors To underclassleave for the summer, men: I strongly adcan talk about now is college, which is unfalling at once. vise you to initiate derstandable, since the day we graduate is like the Common Application, so the college applicapractically within reach. However, seniors it is hard to introduce something tion process earlier are currently at a point where the river is that isn’t existent yet. However, I on your own. Even reaching the waterfall, and all the water is think it would’ve been extremely falling at once. Applying to college itself helpful if more explicit directions were though it is the summer vacation after a rigorous year, I advise you to get a jumpis an overwhelming process, so perhaps given before we left for the summer.

Although, some might suggest sumstart on this process. No one wants to be some of the worries could be reduced if the complicated process was introduced mer should be reserved for unwinding and ripping their hair out for the entire first seto us earlier in a more formal and explicit having fun, I can’t help but wonder how mester of senior year. my stress levels would be different if the manner.

Students are briefly introduced to Na- application process was formally introviance their sophomore year and are in- duced to me earlier, because as I came into

Allow more flexibility with schedules

Freedom of elective choice is beneficial for future college requirements. However, there are still ways the administration could allow students more freedom when choosing their schedules.

A&E Editor Yes, there will be resistance and difficulty working Going into senior year I was surprisingly excited for with the complex schedules of over a thousand students, the majority of my classes. With the power to choose al- but I beg for your perseverance. It is paramount for stumost my entire schedule, I was sure to take advantage of dents to be given ample opportunity to find their pasthis freedom and tailor this year to my desires and inter- sion, and without more elective space they won’t have the chance. ests.

I ask if there is a possibility of dropping certain Of course I wanted to load up on studies and fully course requirements, such as computer essentials, so utilize my senior privileges, but I still need to look like a pretty racehorse for the colleges I apply to. As a senior, freshmen can explore more of their unique interests durI was privileged enough to be able to choose what Eng- ing their first year.

Furthermore, I request that lish, science and social studies instead of freshman, sophomore courses I took, as well as any and junior english, students are other courses I could fit into Try to find your passion able to take English electives of my schedule. With the abunwith fearless persistance their choosing, as long as they dance of options, I was able have at least one reading and one to fit in Advanced Drama, because by the time you’re writing course, allowing all grades Journalism, and Sociology; all the same freedom seniors have. a senior, you’re going to courses I’ve been interested in Finally, and most boldly, is since I found out about them. wish you knew what you there any chance of including an Sadly, this luxury was not eighth period during the school wanted to major in. granted to me until this year. day? I can’t say whether or not I hadn’t fully grasped the rethis is possible, but I beg you to strictions Algonquin places take a look and consider it. on its students regarding schedule choices until they were In addition to administrative action, I implore the finally lifted.

While I believe students deserve more independence students of Algonquin to seize the opportunities they when determining what they want to learn, I am aware have when selecting electives next year. We are fortunate that many of these constraints are placed across many enough to be offered a diverse variety of additional coursstudents outside of Algonquin because of state laws and es, but with bittersweet irony we are unable to take a vast

SEAN NEUSCH

GRAPHIC FIONA SCHRAFT

majority of them. So take advantage and sign up for the classes that pique your interest.

If you want to express your creativity look to the arts, music theory and anything between. If you want to imagine and create something, look to the technology classes like wood technology, robotics technology and video production. If you like to read and write, delve into the plethora of English classes such as journalism, creative writing and silenced voices. I could go on forever about the range of classes provided, but I believe I’ve belabored my point six feet under by now.

Try to find your passion with fearless persistence because by the time you’re a senior, you’re going to wish you knew what you wanted to major in.

OPINION 7 The Harbinger - October 2018

Mac Miller’s legacy: Remember artists for their impact rather than pinning blame

STEVEN MOFFA

rificed her own time and happiness to “fix” him is preposterous. While some Miller fans may point out that his Staff Writer 2016 studio album, “The Divine Feminine,” was about I was first introduced to Mac Miller’s music through her, Grande gave far more to him in their relationship.

For two years she did more than was ever expected “Best Day Ever” and “Blue Slide Park.” Miller’s early work was far from his best and 11 year-old me didn’t of her by helping him achieve sobriety, and to put the understand a good amount of the lyrics, but his sound weight of someone’s death on the shoulders of anyone, whether a public figure or not, is emotionally damaging was infectious.

Throughout the years, Miller became extremely and uncalled for in a time of grieving. The idea that a talented both lyrically and musically and introduced woman is responsible for the actions of a grown man is me to other artists like Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, the a sexist ideology ill-suited for our increasingly progresCreator. He could make uptempo party music and som- sive society.

Instead of pointing fingers, we should celebrate ber, introspective songs with lyrics that could make you Mac Miller. He was a talented, self-taught musician, a contemplate your entire life, truly brilliant lyricist, and outspoken showcasing his versatility. When politically. His music inspired it came to music, whether it was The idea that a woman others as it inspired me, prowriting or producing, Mac Miller viding the soundtrack to my is responsible for the was a genius. However, just like time in middle school and high any creative genius, he had his own actions of a grown man school. personal conflicts.

After news of his passis a sexist ideology While on his 2012 Macadelic ing, countless respected memtour, Miller first began to sip ‘lean,’ ill-suited for our bers of the industry sent their a cough syrup mixture, in an effort condolences, from Kendrick increasingly progressive to combat the stress of tour life.

Lamar to Earl Sweatshirt. InHe soon developed an addiction society. stead of letting him fade from and lost control. He kicked his our memories, we should enact habit before his show, “Mac Miller change in his name. As family, and the Most Dope Family,” beclassmates and teammates, we gan filming. Friends later said that it was impressive that he was able to quit on his own, but all owe it to each other to be supportive and understanding. ultimately it wouldn’t last long.

Mental illness and substance abuse go hand in hand.

His substance abuse issues persisted up until meeting Ariana Grande, who was said to be a huge part of If someone you know struggles with either, take an achim maintaining his sobriety. Earlier this year, however, tive role to help them, and we can progress as a society their relationship became toxic and they announced so that no one has to feel alone in their struggles.

On September 7, we lost a generational talent. He their split in May. After Miller was involved in a hit and run/DUI, his fans blamed it on Grande for leaving him was someone I could relate to, and I only wish that his at a vulnerable time. After his death, though, the criti- music could have helped him the way it helped me.

Farewell, Larry Fisherman, you will be missed. cism only multiplied, with fans blaming her for Miller’s alleged overdose.

The premise that Ariana Grande should have sac-

GRAPHIC FAITH COSENTINO

Stop standardizing, show the student PRANITHA POLAVARAPU

are led to believe that the higher you score on the SAT can determine the type of college you go to. However, Assistant Opinion Editor reading math problems cannot tell a college who you are Grimacing at the PSAT preparation guide, my stress and how “smart” you are. Instead these test scores delevels reached a new maximum as reality hit me hard that pend on how much time you have to study and whether you’re making the best of that time.

PSATs were coming up fast. Although it wasn’t going They also depend on whether you to be counted as seriously can afford private tutors and books, as the actual SATs, it still and if your schools can afford proHopefully more and evoked the initial worry grams as well. regarding the upcommore colleges and UCLA Emeritus ing years of standardized Professor James Popham schools will stop testing. says in an article for “EdFor starters, the prosrequiring standardized ucational Leadership” pect of sitting down and journal, “If children testing and stop this studying for yet another come from advantaged test is infuriating when we prodigious stress on our families and stimulusalready have a lot on our rich environments, then plate. As high school stuacademic lives. they are more apt to dents, we have no shortage succeed on items in of responsibilities, includstandardized achieveing but not limited to homework, sports, having a part-time job and volunteer- ment test items than will other children whose environments don’t mesh as well ing. The overflowing list leaves little room for studying with what the tests measure.” Therefore, for a test that tells little about the people we are. these factors don’t say anything about a Indeed, standardized testing does not measure person. It’s quite unfair, therefore, that we’re the quality of education at a school fairly. If a ninth told colleges look at these scores when they grader has advanced a lot through the year, managing to can’t really say anything about us. progress from sixth grade reading skills to eighth grade Not only are standardized tests showcasing little reading skills, they’ve gone through a two year jump. about the students, but they are also testing on very However, the test does not give credit for this tremensmall portions. Most of these standardized tests focus dous advancement. The school is not given credit for mainly on math, literature, and science. But what about the advancement either. Even if the progress is shown social studies, art, physical education, and other subjects through transcripts, these tests don’t provide the district that are given much less attention? We are told to focus or the school with this significant information. more on only those three subjects. For those who want Standardized testing also doesn’t determine what to be ambitious in fields not related to math, English, or kind of person you are. These tests are given the enormous power to choose your future. High school students science, this is considerably less favorable.

The opposing side may argue that colleges don’t base whole assumptions on a single test score. This is true, but it makes the stronger argument that tests are not needed. There are other application materials such as transcripts, resumes, essays, and extracurriculars that colleges examine. If the test score can sway a college only little, it should be obvious that is not necessary to have it at all. In fact, according to ABC News, 27 of highly ranked colleges nationwide do not require the SAT. Although these scores can determine whether a student can receive a scholarship from the college and placement of college classes, these reasons can be invalidated because if you need a scholarship, the test can be an option instead of a requirement. Also, the placement can be based off your transcript where colleges can see clearly how your reading and math levels are at.

In the end, I do still have to get back to my PSAT preparation book, but hopefully more and more colleges and schools will stop requiring standardized testing and stop this prodigious stress on our academic

lives.

GRAPHIC SOPHIA WALKER

8

REVIEW

The Harbinger - October 2018

Students share thoughts about summer reading with critical minds Despite typical topic ‘The Crossover’ provides twists JACK BUTLER Staff Writer

“The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander may come off as a simple plot at first, but readers will see it is far deeper. In addition to a fascinating story, “The Crossover” weaves in a writing style that will keep its readers glued.

At first, The Crossover seems like a generic basketball novel, with brothers Josh and Jordan introduced as talented players with a complicated family. However, things quickly change. Following a bet with his brother, Josh makes a discovery that will change his family life forever.

Also, his relationship with his brother becomes strained following changes in social situations at school.

Alexander made the decision to write The Crossover in verse. While initially I found it strange, I began to think the lyrical feel of the text suited the book well. At times, it felt like the author tried to make the book similar to a rap song, which was Josh’s favorite type of music, so it was interesting to see how much it was implemented, and I thought it benefited the novel.

However, I do not think this is the type of book that everyone can pick up and enjoy. While I appreciate the distinctive style of the novel, there are aspects I thought were not for everyone, like the verse style. However, anyone who enjoys basketball books will be a fan of The Crossover.

While I appreciate the distinctive style of the novel, there are aspects I thought were not for everyone, like the verse style.

COURTESY KWAME ALEXANDER

‘The Burning Girl’ provides relatable coming-of-age story JENNY LAMBERT Staff Writer

Imagine spending your entire childhood with your best friend, only to learn that one day, you may never see her again.

Popularity, jealousy and family issues are what typically drive friendships apart.

“The Burning Girl” by Claire Messud tells the story of a lost childhood friendship that was torn apart from these relatable issues often faced by teenagers.

Julia and Cassie were two inseparable friends. That is, until middle school came along and the girls decided to follow different paths: Julia gravitated towards the studious crowd, while Cassie found herself hanging out with the popular kids. As they got older, Cassie started to drift away from Julia. The rest of the novel is told as Julia tries to save their friendship from vanishing.

Messud describes Julia’s feelings in a one-sided, unraveling friendship in an outstanding way. It is extremely compelling.

She did an impeccable job describing life as a teenage girl and had some interesting details throughout the story. Such as the girls’ childhood adventures at the quarry.

However, the novel would be even more

convincing and realistic if it were told as Julia was looking back at her life as a wise adult, rather than a senior in high school.

If you are in the mood to read an emotional and relatable coming of age story, this novel is for you.

COURTESY BOOK TALK

Get ready for disappointment with ‘Ready Player One’ MARISSA HELMS

Staff Writer Ever wish to escape reality for a minute and become a different person, and possibly even win a huge prize?

Well, in 2045, the people can. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, with its intertwining themes of persistence, friendship, and identity is an amazing read, but a relatively expected ending.

Teenager Wade Watts is living an unhappy life but like most people he lives much of his time in a game called OASIS, and he is determined to find the Easter egg, or loophole, within it to win fame and fortune. While playing the game he creates friends, a life long time of ease, and even falls for a beautiful girl.

This action-filled story is filled with flicks of sorrow. By having Cline incorporate the use of gates to unlock another journey to the Easter egg, it also opens another gate to Wade’s seclusion and introverted personality.

Cline has a lengthy writing style that tends to over explain things and almost give away the plot. Overall, the plot could have been explained more concisely by decreasing the amount of

foreseeable issues that occur.

This gaming-based story and action-filled adventure is recommended for anyone who enjoys such books.

Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan because of my lack of knowledge of gaming, especially old school games and the culture from that time period.

COURTESY BEHANCE

EDITORIAL 9 The Harbinger - October 2018

Find balance between a safe, comfortable after school environment

Harbinger The Algonquin

The student newspaper of Algonquin Regional High School 79 Bartlett St, Northborough, MA 01532 508-351-7010 arhsharbinger@gmail.com www.arhsharbinger.com

Volume 31 Issue 2

Editorial Board Editors-in-chief

Maggie Del Re & Elissa Gorman

Online Editors

Natalie Sadek & Gabriela Paz-Soldan

Photo Editor Connor Lawless

News Editors

Ben Weber & Catherine Hayden

Sports Editors

Darby Kim & Liza Armstrong

A&E Editors

Sean Neusch & Maria Tand

Opinion Editor Katrina Liu

Assistant A&E Editor Caroline Warren

Assistant Opinion Editors

Pranitha Polavarapu & Sharada Vishwanath

Assistant Online Editors Mariam Ibrahimi & Asma Ali

Assistant Photo Editors

Olivia Battles & Annemarie Wood GRAPHIC LEAH GRINBLATAS

Entering freshman year, one of the most significant and exciting differences between middle school and high school was the increased sense of freedom.

It felt as if the high school community was run by students and adults collaborating, rather than adults simply telling students how to behave constantly.

But now, with enforcement of policies like requiring a pass to be in the hallways after 2 p.m., it seems as though that sense of a healthy school community and mutual trust is diminished.

Within the first two weeks of school, there were signs on doorways stating that students must have a pass written by school staff or be accompanied by a member of the school staff to go through specific hallways after 2 p.m. It is understand-

able that this policy was put into effect to ensure the safety of students and to monitor who comes in and out. The fact that more doors are closed can bring a sense of security. There is less of a chance of an unsafe situation occurring.

However, the after school student-run community is no longer present. The happy chatter of students hanging out after classes in the hallways is gone.

The comforting sight of students socializing in the hallways and the easy sounds of laughter are now pushed to specific areas in the school instead of being present all around the building.

Students used to be able to sit in their favorite spot and do their homework with friends before sports practices. Student-led clubs produced amazing work without advisers present every minute.

Students chose to stay afterschool for fun. They felt so safe

and comfortable at Algonquin that they didn’t want to leave.

It was a clear sign of a healthy school community. Now, with this policy strongly enforced, it feels as if that comforting and familiar aura is nowhere to be found. It is now replaced with tension and frustration. There is only silence in the halls.

Has there been an unsafe situation after school that caused the birth of this policy? With this blanket of a comforting environment now replaced with quiet eeriness and fear of getting in trouble, is the loss really worth it? Is there a way to compromise? Can there be a way to ensure safety while letting a lively vibe of student life also exist?

There should be, and we need to find that balance.

The unsigned editorial reflects the views of The Harbinger Editorial Board.

Mission Statement

The Harbinger is a student run publication which strives to: • Report in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner • Entertain and start conversation • Be fair and impartial in its coverage

• Accurately portray the culture of the student body • Give voice to the students of Algonquin • Maintain professional standards

Adviser

Lindsay Coppens

Photo Adviser Michelle Sheppard

Contributing Staff Steven Moffa, Jenny Lambert, Marissa Helms, Ray Cerro, Daniel Goldstein, Jack Butler, Aaliyah Yan, Leah Grinblatas, Sophia Walker, Lydia Grist, Faith Cosentino, Claire Deans-Rowe, Tyler Potter, Shana Pelham, Fiona Schraft

Editorial Policies

The Harbinger is the official news publication produced by Algonquin Regional High School students. The Harbinger has been established as a designated public forum to inform readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. The Harbinger is not reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution.

Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of The Harbinger is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff, its editorial board assumes complete legal liability for the content of the publication.

The expression of opinions by readers is encouraged through letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 300 words, must be signed, and must include the writer’s phone number for verification. Letters may be submitted to arhsharbinger@gmail.com.

Organizations interested in advertising in The Harbinger should contact editors for rates and policies. Advertising that appears in the publication is not necessarily endorsed by The Harbinger or its staff members.

Concerns about published errors published may be submitted to arhsharbinger@gmail.com. Staff members strive to correct errors prior to publication; however, if a significant error is printed, editors will determine the manner of a correction.

Typography and layout are done entirely by the staff which distributes approximately 1500 copies to the school community and paid subscribers six to eight times a year. The Harbinger is printed by School Paper Express.

The Harbinger is affiliated with The New England Scholastic Press Association, The Columbia Scholastic Press Association and The National Scholastic Press Association.

10 FEATURE The Harbinger - October 2018

The cost of public educ

Between activity fees and class dues, every member of the class of 2019 will $285 by the time of graduation. With sports and parking some will pay $3,0

So, where does all the money go?

‘Fees’ continued from p. 1

the school to ask the government for more tax money without having some form of conversaBetween activity fees and class dues, every tion with the community.

Algonquin student of the class of 2019 will pay “If we’re not fee based, that really does $285 by the time of graduation. Add in an op- directly hit the tax and funding of the school, tional parking permit junior and senior year, and and it has to be be a community conversation,” that cost goes up to $685; if a student plays one Walsh said. “This can’t come from the school.” season of a sport Without these fees or infor four years, the creasing local taxes, Algonquin price spikes to would not have the necessary “I would prefer to not $1,485. And if a budget to support all of the student is a threehave to be fee-based extra opportunities it currentsport athlete for ly provides students, such as at all. But I’m willing four years? Fees clubs, according to Walsh. add up to $3,085. to do it if it makes sure Still, Walsh acknowledges All of these that there are drawbacks to rethe kids get everything mandatory fees quiring public school students lead to frustrato pay extra fees as it can be they need.” tion for many stufrustrating for students and dents and parents, DR. SARA PRAGLUSKI WALSH parents. but according to PRINCIPAL “I think it’s really hard to principal Dr. Sara be a fee-based school, but I rePragluski Walsh, spect and understand the why,” Algonquin is a Walsh said. “I would prefer to “fee-based” school not have to be fee-based at all. which relies on these funds in order to provide But I’m willing to do it if it makes sure the kids all of the extra-curricular and athletic opportu- get everything they need.” nities that it currently does.

Still, the student body and their families are left wondering where their money actually goes.

Activity Fees Each year, students are required to pay a $50 activity fee. Activity fees are used to pay “Fee-Based School” club advisers, according to Walsh.

According to Walsh, being a “fee-based” “[Activity fees are in] a separate account school means that a significant portion of the that I can not touch: it’s considered a stuschool’s funding comes from mandatory and dent-based account and that’s intentionoptional fees, rather than local taxes. Accord- al,” Walsh said. ing to the Massachusetts Department of ElThe Principal’s administrative asementary and Secondary Education website, the sistant Michele Capalbo handles activin-district expenditures per pupil in 2016 were ity fee money instead of Walsh. $14,890. Walsh feels that it would be wrong for The money is distributed

between clubs by on need based on club attendance and the number of meetings, according to Walsh.

“We have new clubs each year, we have clubs that change, we have growing clubs, and if you look at the contract there’s different types of clubs,” Walsh said. “That depends on how often they meet [and] how many kids they see... but our goal is to spend all of that money each year to that amount. Any money that rolls over, it helps us to just fund the next club.”

Class Dues

According to Class Representative, former class President and senior Andy Zhao, class dues are a fee set by each grade’s steering committee.

This money directly benefits the grade and goes towards funding activities. For the senior class, the price is $85 over the course of four years.

“I think class dues are one of the least mysterious fees,” Zhao said. “[The money goes to] events that we hold, free food-especially during senior year we have a lot of free food-free events, free t-shirts... All of that money is going straight to your grade, straight to events for you.”

However, Student Council President and Chairperson for the Student Advisory Committee, senior Nellie Zhang acknowledges that while the fee is mandatory for everyone, not everyone attends the events the fee helps fund.

“It does kind of suck that some people don’t go to the events, and we do try to make it so that everyone can come to these events,” Zhang said. “But at the same time, we can use this money that we get to do bigger and better [events], which will hopefully incentivize more kids to come.”

Students can have a say in how the

money is sent by attending Steerin meetings, and Zhao encourages a ested to share their input.

“If you ever want to play a pa make your voice heard, you can Steering,” Zhao said. “You can lit the money that you pay if you go t

Parking Permi

The cost of a parking permi semester, totaling $200 if a studen park for the whole year. Accordi the parking lot and driveway lead school are not financed by the town, which is “If you e why they must a part in be subsidized by fees. your voi Therefore, can alwa the funds are required to cover steering the cost of parkliterally ing lot maintenance, which money y includes plowing, sanding, to steeri de-icing, filling potholes, fixing CLASS curbs, painting lines, maintaining the lights and removing fallen trees. They also pay for the speed bumps and park age.

Walsh explains that she has f tion from students and parents al the fee, but students have the optio chase a parking permit due to the

What they pay...

PHOTOS OLIVIA BATTLES

Jasmine Little

Pedro Antunes

Junior. Brazilian exchange student

Freshman

Pays to play volleyball and has to cover her first ever activity fee.

This year, she will pay

$250

Nick Haugen Sophomore

will pay

$650 this year

Including athletic fees for soccer, indoor and outdoor track

Will pay

$400 throughout his year at Algonquin

In athletic fees for soccer and basketball.

$17

the a hous in So

$63

the 2 cost Sout

$16

per valu prop in S

FEATURE 11 The Harbinger - October 2018

cation

How should the money be spent?

spend at least 085...

Will Goss - Senior

ng Committee anyone inter-

busing provided for by the towns’ taxes.

“We could change our structure and increase significantly what we ask the town for in art in that and finances so that we weren’t a fee-based school, always go to but not all of our town individuals necessarterally control ily would support that because they’re already to Steering.” paying for regional busing,” Walsh said. “[Algonquin students] don’t have to pay $600-700 dollars [for bussing] like they do in local districts its [whose local taxes do not cover busses].” it is $100 per However, senior Jack Butler opted not to nt chooses to buy a parking permit last year, and he feels that ing to Walsh, it is difficult to rely on busing when trying to ding into the work around after school activities.

“I normally had to take the bus or get a ride from a friend, but it made staying late a lot ever want to play more difficult,” Butler said. “I n that and make think it definitely made me feel like I had to buy one for this ice heard, you year, as I did not want to go ays go to through all of the same issues I faced last year regarding transg. You can portation.”

control the you pay if you go ing.”

Athletic Fees

According to Athletic Director Michael Mocerino, the ANDY ZHAO $200 per season athletic fee S REPRESENTATIVE, FORMER goes towards the overall athCLASS PRESIDENT, SENIOR letic budget to pay for coaches’ salaries, equipment and game management, which refers to everything required for a competition. This inking lot drain- cludes referees, possible police presence, tickettakers, announcers and timers. faced frustraThere is a $900 family cap on athletic fees like regarding for families with multiple athletes. on not to purMocerino facilitates conversations with e free regional

79,123

average sehold income outhborough

32,500

2018 average of a home in thborough

6.14

$1,000 of ue is the perty tax rate Southborough

$107,111

the average household income in Northborough

$427,100

the 2018 average cost of a home in Northborough

$17.39

per $1,000 of value is the property tax rate in Northborough

According to Bestplaces.net, point2homes.com, zillow.com, Southboroughtown.com, town.northborough.ma.us

“They should spend money redoing the track.”

“I think the money should go back to the students. It’s such a large amount and I don’t know where it goes. I feel like that should be addressed.”

Sara Prendergast

coaches to finalize year-to-year budgets per sport, and he addresses these needs on a basis of importance and safety.

“What’s allocated for every sport is determined by the needs for uniforms, equipment, numbers of contests, how many levels,” Mocerino said. “We’re always trying to provide a safe environment and a positive learning experience for all.”

Junior Lucy Gauvin has played seven seasons during her time at Algonquin, paying a total of $1,400 thus far to the Athletics Department.

“For someone who plays three sports a year, it does all add up, plus participating in fundraisers,” Gauvin said. “But the teams have to get the money for nice banquets, senior gifts, senior night and new equipment somehow.”

Fee Waivers

Families who demonstrate financial need have the option to waive mandatory fees, according to Walsh. The process involves working closely with Walsh and the guidance department.

“It’s a very private thing actually,” Walsh said. “It’s probably myself and the guidance counselor and maybe the individual that’s a part of the dues knows about that and nobody else.

And that’s on purpose. We want to respect the family’s privacy.”

Some optional fees, such as athletic fees, also have a waiver process, according to Mocerino.

“The last thing you want to do is not give an opportunity for any student to participate, so we have to do our best to provide our athletes with every possibility and the best opportunities to participate and allow all of these athletes an opportunity to play,” Mocerino said.

- Junior

What’s the most annoying fee?

“The most annoying fee is $200 athletic fee.

It should go to pay the referees instead of going to the varsity’s jerseys.”

Connor Lee

- Freshman

“The activity fee on top of the athletic fee is annoying and seems pointless.”

Kyla Pelham

- Sophomore

PHOTOS AALIYAH YAN AND MAGGIE DEL RE

What all students pay...

$285

in mandatory fees for the class of 2019

The class of 2019 will pay

$85

in class dues over four years

$200 athletic fees per season of a sport

$200 parking permit

$603 to buy school lunch every day for a year

(not mandatory)

$94 per AP exam

$50 activity fee Grade 9

Optional Costs

$47.50 per SAT (no writing)

Grade 10 Grade 11

Grade 12

According to Northborough Southborough Regional School Distrcit School Committee Approved FY2019 Budget

$46.00 per ACT (no writing)

12 A&E The Harbinger - October 2018

Five fantastic apps (and how to use them) BEN WEBER News Editor

Although there are so many different apps on the App Store to choose from, these five have helped me countless times in organizing myself, obtaining better habits and feeling less inconvenienced daily.

Myki Password Manager In an increasingly digital world, passwords are vital to everybody’s safety and privacy.

Many of my friends use one to three passwords for all of their accounts, making them very vulnerable if somebody ever found out one of their passwords.

While making different passwords for every account is the right thing to do, it can be nearly impossible to remember several passwords across multiple web-

sites and accounts, so “Myki” can do it for you.

Along with convenient password storing and protection, you can pair “Myki” with your laptop or desktop computer to let “Myki” autofill passwords on certain sites you visit. The app also has a password creator function, which creates a long string of random characters to use as a very secure passwords and will be remembered by the “Myki” app.

Desmos “Desmos” is a helpful math tool that graphs equations on a coordinate plane. I am currently taking Pre-Calculus, and this app has helped me understand certain equations and graphs that I didn’t get before.

The user interface is straightforward and easy to use. You can enter a complex equation in a matter of seconds. “Desmos” also provides many different example graphs that can be helpful for understanding difficult concepts.

Q&A with

Musical Artist

Liliko Uchida BEN WEBER News Editor

Senior Liliko Uchida is an avid singer-songwriter who recently released an 11-track album titled “Band of Solitude”. You can listen to it through Spotify or YouTube, and follow Uchida’s music Instagram account @liliko.music.

Why should people listen to “Band of Solitude”?

“I think people should listen to ‘Band of Solitude’ because I worked very hard on it and I hope it’s enjoyable for people to listen to. I like constructive criticism and I want to improve more in the future.”

What is your favorite song on the album?

“I like the song ‘Personal’ because it’s not a slow song and pushed me out of comfort zone. It is more pop-like with relatable lyrics and broad sound.”

Is there any deeper meaning to “Band of Solitude”?

“I think of [my music] as the sound itself, instead of trying to layer in a deeper meaning. I put it in an order that makes it sound the best and not in terms of lyrical significance. I tend to have more upbeat songs in the beginning and slower tunes near the end.”

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock As a high school student, getting a good night’s sleep can be difficult sometimes, but this app has helped me feel more rested when I wake up.

“Sleep Cycle” is not a normal alarm clock; it tracks your sleep patterns to wake you up at an optimal time. “Sleep Cycle” wakes you within a 20-30 minute gap depending on what type of

sleep you are in. The app wakes you during light sleep, so you feel more rested than you would inf woken up during deep sleep.

When you wake up, the app creates detailed graphs about your sleep which gives insights into your sleep patterns and when you were in deep sleep versus light sleep.

Waze There are many different GPS apps out there, but none of them seems to come close to “Waze” in terms of efficiency and versatility. While “Google Maps” and “Apple Maps” are very popular navigation services, neither of them relies on community contributions to provide route guidance, making them less effective.

Waze is user-driven and people can indicate where accidents or speed traps are to help inform other drivers about possible hazards on the road. There are many other features including the ability to report gas prices, connect with friends and even edit the map itself.

“Waze” is a must for any driver looking to arrive at their destination without any trouble.

Google Photos As somebody who only has 16GB of storage on my phone, I find myself having to delete apps and photos to make room all the time. While iCloud is always a viable option, the free 5GB provided fill up quickly, and I don’t want to pay a monthly fee for extra storage.

“Google Photos” is a great solution to this problem, as it provides more storage for free while being quick and convenient to use. This app is a must for anyone with low storage and a lot of photos sitting in their camera roll.

Permission Liliko Uchida

What instruments do you play in your songs?

“Most of the instruments in my songs are live, but I do use some virtual instruments. I play the piano, keyboard and guitar live, but I play the drums through Garageband and make the beat after I play the live instruments.”

Are you planning on releasing any more music after this?

“I’m hoping to release another album, but I still need to work on it, and I’m trying to have it done by sometime next year.”

Do you plan to continue making music after high school?

“I definitely want to continue making music, but I don’t want it to become a career. I like it as a hobby, but I don’t want to preform as my job.”

A&E

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The Harbinger - October 2018

Art on the Trails connects community Director Catherine Weber invites creative minds to join her in creating a complete artistic exhibit KATRINA LIU Opinion Editor

Walking through the Beals Nature Preserve in Southborough, a 56 acre land with a diverse ecosystem, Art On The Trails, a summer-long art exhibition inspires many with its effective way of showcasing the power of nature to the community.

Art on The Trails was run by artist Catherine Weber and the Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF), the organization that owns Beals Nature Preserve. This exhibit included many different showcases that display unique works from artists in the local community that fall under the year’s theme, Unexpected Gestures. Other events included a poetry program that results in the creation of a poetry book at the end of the season.

Weber’s favorite part of this project was giving artists an opportunity to show their talent.

“I love the whole process of founding and directing the event, including coming up with a theme, finding a juror to chose the art, seeing the amazing ideas that artists have, and helping them install the work,” Weber said. “The very best part is working with all of the talented and creative people who help make this program happen.”

President of SOLF Whitney Beals immediately supported the project after seeing last year’s exhibit.

“I am a frequent visitor to the property and am active in maintaining trails and in controlling invasive shrubs,” Beals said.

“Having seen last year’s [exhibit], I was very interested in helping with the current publications, including Art New England and Art Scope magazines, mysouthinstallations.”

Senior Leah Grinblatas is constantly borough.com and the Metrowest Daily trying to find ways to be involved with News,” Weber said. “I also use Facebook, art around the town, especially being a Instagram and an email list to invite artists part of the National Art Honor Society, to submit work.” . Although the exhibit is closed for and is thrilled to the season, Grinblatas be involved in this and Weber have high project.

“The very best part hopes and goals for “When I next season. is working with all heard about Art “I want to beOn The Trails I of the talented and come even more incontacted [Weber] volved with art events creative people to find out if she like [Art On The Trails] needed any help,” who help make this and get a more in depth Grinblatas said. look into the life as an program happen.”

“She then asked if artist so to gain a better I would be interCATHERINE WEBER appreciation for what ested in being an DIRECTOR they do and for art itintern and assisself,” Grinblatas said. tant for the event “My goals for next and I of course year is to continue to raise the quality of said yes. I love being involved with art and I had attended it the year before and loved art and increase visitation to the Preserve to get exposure for the artists and the art, it.”

Weber finds artists she wants to show- and to expose the community to something they might never have seen before,” case through multiple mediums.

“I call for art in local and regional Weber said.

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

PHOTOS CHELSEA BRADWAY

Top: “Entelodont” by Robert Shannahan won best in show. His piece was based on the Entelodont: an extinct warthog-like animal with large teeth and a powerful bite.

Above: “Vessel and Pods”

by Jen Boisvert was created using locally found resources and wire. The piece was meant to ease the viewer in to its natural setting with ananlogies to human body parts.

Bottom Left: “My Heart Hurts” by Nick O’Hara was made with only stones, wire and paint. The hearts were chiseled by hand.

Bottom Right: Senior Ben Vroman played his guitar as people gathered for this year’s closing ceremonies.

A&E

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The Harbinger - October 2018

An American classic reimagined ‘Chicago’ aims to shine and dazzle on stage PRANITHA POLAVARAPU & SHARADA VISHWANATH Assistant Opinion Editors

This year’s fall production “Chicago the Musical,” directed by fine and performing arts teacher Maura Morrison, will debut on December 6, telling a story about the effects of jealousy and fame.

Set in the Jazz era of the 1920s, the show explores corruption and crime through the lives of the main characters Velma and Roxy.

“There’s a comical element to it, so it’s very different from any other show I’ve directed,” Morrison said.

Senior Chris Martin agrees that this will be an unique experience because of the fascinating plot.

“Chicago seems like an interesting one to me.” Martin said. “It’s a lot about duplicity and double crossing and very rascally people interacting with one another. That can be fun and interesting.”

According to vocal coach and fine and performing arts teacher Katherine Waters, there are complications with putting on a production of this size.

“The hardest part is making sure that everybody knows their vocals well enough to dance and look like a character,” Waters said. “They’re singing harmonies and conveying a mood or an attitude. A lot of it is a little bit sarcastic.”

The size of the production also makes costume creation more difficult, according to science teacher and costume designer Brian Kelly.

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS “One of the hardest parts is that there are so many students that’ll be in the show and it’s difficult trying to Junior Michael McWilliams, senior Maxwell Petrie and junior Preston Green lift sophomore Miranda Slingluff while make sure that your costumes are consistent from one choreographer Denise Day instructs during rehearsal for “Chicago the Musical,” which will debut December 6. student to the next,” Kelly said.

Auditions for the show took place on September 12 The fact that there are many students in the show do. We have to hook up monitors and cameras.”

Although there’s a lot of work to be done, much of and 13. raises a concern for Martin as well.

“We’re really excited about the show because 55 stu“I think we have a pretty big cast and it can be dif- the student body is thrilled for the fall musical.

“I’ve been in every fall and every spring show,” Mar- dents auditioned, so there’s enthusiasm for that and we ficult to keep control of people,” Martin said. “[We tin said. “[“Chicago the Musical”] would have a lot of really exciting talent coming up,” Waters said. have to] make sure we stay on be a good opportunity for me to explore In order to get more of the school community intrack because it’s very easy for a “There’s a comical something that has been proclaimed as volved, students and faculty will be helping to make the large number of people to hang being really great for a long time.” sets, props and performing the instrumental music for the around on the scene and not reelement to it, so it’s Senior Annalise Loizeaux is looking production. Kelly is in charge of costume design. ally participate in the rehearsal.” very different from forward to introducing the world of the“The costumes will be the best we can make them In addition to problems reater to the underclassmen of Algonquin. out to be,” Kelly said. “[There will be] 20th century style sulting from the size of the proany other show I’ve “There’s so many kids that are below costumes: low waists on the dresses, skirts, and high duction, the musical staff needs us, and I’m so excited to meet them and waisted pants for the men. It’ll also take a few liberties, directed.” to sort out some technical diffitake them under my wing.” Loizeaux said. so there’ll be a lot more sparkly and flashy things from culties, according to applied arts MAURA MORRSION “I hope to get to know all the younger the [Jazz] era.” and technology teacher and asMUSICAL DIRECTOR kids and build them up so that when we In order for the show to be a success, every piece of sistant set designer Daniel Strickleave they can take over the theater de- the musical needs to come together. land. partment.”

“Everything works together,” Kelly said. “The cos“This year they’re talking Freshman Shrutika Kumar is excited to be in the mu- tumes and make-up and props and the set and all of the about putting the pit orchestra on stage, so we are trying things that go into the musical really pull it all together.” to figure out a way to fit all the students who are playing sical for the first time.

“I am pumped,” Freshman Shrutika Kumar said. “It’s along with the conductors,” Strickland said. “[Another] hard part is that the actors and the musicians have to see a fun way to get involved with your friends and sing and [band teacher Eric Vincent] when he tells them what to dance.”

5 things to know about ‘Chicago the Musical’ MARIA TAND A&E Editor

1

The basic plot and history

The plot was originally based on the murderesses and celebrities of 1920s Chicago who turned their crimes into media fodder, becoming instant personalities due to public intrigue of women killing their husbands. The musical started as a play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins in 1962. Dallas reported on the actual criminals and the crimes they commited in 1920s Chicago and used her first-hand knowledge to craft the play. In 1975 the show made its original debut on Broadway with critics giving it mixed reviews. The 1996 revival was considered to be much more of a success with critics calling it “much better than the original.”

2

The main characters

Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart are the main characters. They’re both modeled after real life criminals Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, who were accused of committing homicides against their lovers.

This was a pattern going around all of Chicago. Roxie, an aspiring dancer, idolizes Velma who is a cabaret singer famous throughout all of Chicago.

3

The style and music

The women meet in jail where a rivalry begins as they both compete for lawyer Billy Flynn’s attention. The musical goes in and out of Roxie’s imagination adding dance numbers into the mix with songs such as “All that Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango.” While detailing the rivalry between these two it bears resemblance to the rivalries between modern pop-stars where attention is the prize.

4

The movie version

The 2002 film adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall, went on to win 6 academy awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma.

Other nominations included Renée Zellweger for Best Actress as Roxie. It’s currently the longest running American musical on Broadway and claims the title for the longest running musical revival, surpassing “Cats” in 2013.

5

The creators

The musical produced by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, was originally thought of

by Fosse’s wife, Gwen Verdon in the 1960s who asked if there was any way to transform the story into a musical after she had read the play by Watkins. After a few years it was turned into the musical of jealousy, murder and jail that is now known as “Chicago: The Musical.”

REVIEW 15 The Harbinger - October 2018

‘Kamikaze’ hits at critics, surprises and thrills fans NATALIE SADEK Online Editor

COURTESY EMI MUSIC AUSTRAILIA

Delicate yet powerful, ‘Bloom’ explores gay love ASMA ALI Assistant Online Editor

Troye Sivan’s highly anticipated sophomore album, “Bloom”, has topped charts worldwide since its August 31st release. A collection of dance-pop tracks, Sivan’s new record leaves both old fans and new listeners with more than we could ask for.

The 23-year-old Australian already had a dedicated fanbase even before the album’s release, with the debut single “My My My!” going Platinum in Australia and Gold in Canada. Sivan’s first full album released in late 2015, “Blue Neighbourhood,” attracted much of his initial crowd, including me. I found that “Bloom” doesn’t let fans down, destroying any notions of a “sophomore slump.” The tracks feel more danceable and confident than ever, and Sivan manages to create a group of songs that fit well together.

Sivan exudes a quiet confidence throughout the record as he details his love life as a young gay man. He is bold and unapologetic. His hit single “Bloom” is full of gay innuendos, a change from similar heterosexual songs that we’re used to hearing on the radio. Sivan describes it as “a gay anthem.”

This “gay anthem” feel follows for the rest of the album. His love is spirited, singing “an ode to the boy I love / boy, I’ll die to care for you” on the album’s ‘80s-esque closing track, “Animal.”

Sivan’s beautiful lyrics and delicate yet powerful vocals complete this album. He is joined by Ariana Grande for part of the record, together creating the single “Dance To This,” a relaxed dance track. On the flip side, his song “The Good Side” delivers a heartbreaking breakup song; it’s an acoustic track described by Sivan as an open letter to his ex. On top of this, “Bloom” also offers major bops, “Lucky Strike” being one of my favorites: an upbeat, sweet song directed towards Sivan’s current boyfriend.

Sivan’s experiences of being a young gay teenager not too long ago make it onto his new album as well. On “Seventeen,” Sivan is honest about his experiences about lying about his age on Grindr at age 17. The track brings home a powerful and truthful voice: “got something here to lose that I know you wanna take / and he said age is just a number, just like any other / we can do whatever, do whatever you want.” Personally, as a young, gay 17-year-old, listening to the track for the first time hit hard because of how candid it felt.

Troye Sivan’s “Bloom” can be encapsulated by its tender sort of openness, an unfiltered rawness that flows throughout its veins. A much-needed diversifying addition to mainstream pop, “Bloom” manages to deliver a beautiful collection of songs that deserve a listen.

Eminem has been one of the most influential rappers in hip-hop history. As a consistent name on the charts since 1997, much of our generation hasn’t even been alive during a time when Eminem wasn’t relevant.

In 2017, Eminem released his first album in four years, which he appropriately named “Revival”. However, music critics were disappointed to say the least. Some, such as Matthew Ruiz of the Pitchfork, went as far to describe some of the new songs as “unlistenable”.

On August 31, Eminem surprise released “Kamikaze” without any promotion on his social media and no announcement of a new album. The music industry was taken by surprise when they woke up on Friday morning to 13 new songs.

Through the album Eminem expresses his anger with critics, today’s expectations of rap and the music industry as a whole. He claims that rap has become a genre in which people don’t care about the meaning of the words. In the song “Not Alike” he references songs such as the Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” by singing the tune with nonsensical words to mock what he believes rap has become.

He explains that he was tired of being told he was dying out; he believes he still is one of the most influential rappers of our time, and to be blunt I agree with him. Eminem is the only rapper to have consistently produced hits since Listeners are he began his music career.

No matter the genre, to stay able to hear relevant that long and proEminem’s duce music of that quality, takes enormous talent. genuine Social media was floodfrustration, not ed with talk of the new album as he directly calls just through out artists such as Tyler the Creator and Lil Yachty his words, but in the songs “The Ringer” through his and “Fall”. Eminem took to his music to combat their voice. comments. He called several artist for lacking what he believes to be true genuine talent. Very few times has the music industry seen such a candid view of an artist’s anger.

Listener’s are able to hear Eminem’s genuine anger and frustration, not just through his words, but through his voice. He has long been known for his passionate voice and

COURTESY EFFIGY STUDIOS

this album is no exception.

Whether it be because of the drama or because of the shock, people around the world were obsessed with “Kamikaze,” and the album became Eminem’s ninth to reach number one on the Billboard charts.

Listening to the album, I was shocked along the rest of the world. Being an old school Eminem fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the music, but once I focused on the words and realized what he was saying, I was completely hooked.

I believe that his choice to face his anger and speak what he thought to be the truth was the smartest decision he could have made. He felt as though he could not succumb to what the industry has become, and I don’t believe he was ready to become a musician of the past.

Many professional critics, such as Forbes writer Bryan Rolli, believe that Eminem was unnecessarily angry. They argued that the music industry is continuous and almost all artists eventually die out. However, as of September 10, 2018, Eminem’s album has held the number one spot on the iTunes charts since it’s release. So whether or not he was unnecessarily angry, he made his voice heard and ultimately got what he wanted: people are talking about Eminem again.

By being direct with his audience, Eminem has been able to stay a top charts musician for over 17 years, and I am incredibly excited to see what he produces in the future.

‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ The newest contender in classic romcoms KATRINA LIU Opinion Editor

Ever since classic teen movies like “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Mean Girls” were released in 1999 and 2004 respectively, and loved by many, the gap has been wide open for the next iconic teen comedy. Netflix’s “To All

COURTESY NETFLIX

the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a strong contender for being this generation’s go to feel good movie.

The film stars Lana Condor as Lara Jean Covey, a half-Korean high schooler who prides herself as a hopeless romantic but is scared of actually finding love herself. Noah Centineo plays Peter Kavinsky, a nice jock who is trying to figure out how to be in a relationship. A notable mention goes to Anna Cathcart who plays Kitty Covey, Lara Jean’s younger sister. Though she has little screen time, you can’t help but fall in love with her good intentions and snarky remarks.

The plot sets itself up when Lara Jean’s love letters to her former crushes, which were never meant to be sent, inadvertently reach the crushes themselves. One of the recipients is her sister’s ex-boyfriend, and to try and convince him that it wasn’t real, Lara Jean drags her friend Peter into a fake dating plan that almost goes too far.

The setting itself is ordinary, making it extremely relatable and realistic.

The story takes place in a small suburban town with a high school much like our own, with the different groups of people that are always in a high school.

But, contrary to many other movies, the high school stereotypes are only touched upon instead of being a main

focus of the film. They present themselves in a way where it feels just right, not over the top.

However, of course, like many romantic comedies, there are specific lines and scenes that make my second hand embarrassment soar and my stomach turn, just because they are a bit too cliché for my tastes. But what else can you expect from a film about fake dating in high school?

For the genre it’s in, this film is not considered predictable. And even the parts that may be are still watchable, since there are little splashes of originality that keep the audience interested.

It was refreshing to see a movie with no major twist, because sometimes that’s what we need: a movie that makes life seem good for a couple hours.

So yes, if you love a good, easy romantic comedy to sit down and watch on a Friday night, you should give “All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” a try. It might not be for everyone, but it definitely ranks higher on the list of young adult movies from the last decade. Also, Peter Kavinsky may find his way into your heart due to his good natured personality and his good looks, and Lara Jean Covey may become your next girl crush, just from how relatable she really is.

16

HARRY’S

The Harbinger - October 2018

RESTAURANT AND DAIRY BAR

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SPORTS

17

The Harbinger - October 2018

Set, swing, strike Fall team captains share goals, hopes for season Football 1-3 Coach: Taylor Allen Captains: seniors Chris Santana, Brendan Hermanspan, Burke Dion, Sam Crain “So far our team has shown that we can compete and win and we hope to continue that throughout the season,” Crain said.

Boys’ Soccer 4-3-1 Coach: Ken Morin Captains: seniors Sean Cullen, Callen Willwerth “First [our goal is] to clinch playoffs, then clinch league champs, then win districts, and finally become state champs,” Cullen said. “The whole season is a journey and we’ll continue to grow as a team throughout the year.”

Girls’ Soccer 3-1-2 Coach: Scott Taggart Captains: seniors Laura Dunderdale, Jacqueline Moy “I think we really want to get better with our technicality and decision making,” Dunderdale said. “If we continue to work hard and give it our all, winning Central Mass is a really attainable goal for us. The league is wide open so we’re excited and driven to win.”

Volleyball 5-2 Coach: Janice Henningson Captains: seniors Elaine Cho, Gabriella Alberghini “[Our goal is] definitely to make playoffs,” Cho said. “It’d also be great to win against one of our rivals [Westboro, Shrewsbury] because they’re really great teams.”

Girls’ Cross Country 1-1 Coach: Patrick Galvin Captains: seniors Tess Reyes, Annemarie Wood, Abby Hurley, Liliko Uchida “For physical goals, I hope that as a team, everyone will be able to PR [personal record] and feel good about their achievements this year,” Uchida said.

“For non-physical goals, I really hope that by the end of the season, as a team, we can grow stronger bonds and learn to appreciate the great benefits cross country brings.”

Boys’ Cross Country 0-2 Coach: Nate Uttaro Captains: seniors John Bai, Jonny Symons, Connor Lawless, Alexander Forrest, Anthony Zalev “We have high expectations, not super high,” Symons said. “We have a lot of young talent, the sophomore class is very good this year…..I think we have a really good core, and I think we could be really good this year.”

Cheer Coach: Katelyn Norsworthy Captains: seniors Julia Hostage, Hayley LeBeau “This season we have a lot of potential new talent and potential from our incoming freshman,” Hostage said. “I could definitely see states as a reachable goal for this season, but overall I just want the team to be proud of every performance we put out.”

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

Senior Tess Reyes finished 3rd at the Amherst invitational on Saturday, September 22.

Boys’ Golf 6-2-0 Coach: Bob Cullen Captains: seniors Jack Tobin, Nick Hatton, Matt Umphrey “Our goal this year is the to make the star championship,” Tobin said. “Only three teams from Central Mass can make it, so we will have to work hard to be one of the three.”

Field Hockey 6-0-1 Coach: Daniel Welty Captains: seniors Erin Blake, Sophie Scearbo “We really want to put in 100 percent into practice and games 100 percent of the time, support, motivate, and empower everybody, and a create strong team bond,” Blake said.

*Records as of October 1, 2018 COMPILED LIZA ARMSTRONG & DARBY KIM

MIAA changes uniform regulations

PHOTO OLIVIA BATTLES

Sophomore Nick Haugen runs for the ball against Wachusett on September 27 in the new home uniforms.

LIZA ARMSTRONG Sports Editor

For the 2018 season, all soccer teams in the MIAA will be wearing white at away games and their darker colored uniform at home. Prior to this season, white

was worn at home and maroon away.

According to an MIAA press release, the change is meant to foster school spirit.

“This change allows home teams to wear their school-color jerseys at home,” National Federation of State High Schools Association director of sports and officials Theresia Wynns said in the press release. “It also could provide the opportunity to use an alternative color uniform for special events.”

Some on the soccer team feel that the change does not fit with the idea of promoting school spirit.

“My whole life, even in town and club soccer white, the lighter color, has always been home,” junior Lucy Gauvin said. “The reason that I heard as to why it was changed was to promote your school colors, but I’d rather be promoting my school colors when I’m away.

Plus white looks nice and classy for home games, and I don’t know why they just did it for soccer.”

Others acknowledge that the color of the jersey will not have an effect on the game itself..

“Personally, I don’t mind,” senior captain Laura Dunderdale said. “I definitely like the white jerseys better than the maroon, but it really doesn’t make a difference in how we play, so I don’t mind. Others do, but it’s nothing major.”

18

SPORTS

The Harbinger - October 2018

FALL SPORTS Teams throw in all their hard work for future success PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

Senior Nick Caracciolo watches runners go by at a cross country meet in Amherst on Saturday, September 22. The boys placed 13th and the girls placed 6th place overall.

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

Senior Will Johnston returns ball in the first half of the game against Worcester North on Friday, September 7. Algonquin won 32-0.

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

Senior Mia McAuliffe serves the ball against Shepherd Hill on Friday, September 14.

Algonquin won 3-2.

Mocerino settles into new position as athletic director

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

New athletic director Michael Mocerino is carving his role during his first season.

DANIEL GOLDSTEIN Staff Writer

After thirteen years as a special education teacher, Michael Mocerino is now the new athletic director at Algonquin.

Mocerino, an Algonquin alum and former University of Connecticut baseball player, has bounced around since graduating college.

“When I left UConn, I was lucky enough to get about a year and a half to two years of college baseball coaching

experience at Assumption and a brief stint at Bryant,” Mocerino said. “After I left there, I was lucky enough to come back and coach the Northborough American Legion team when I accepted a job in the special education department in 2006.”

As the varsity baseball coach and assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach, Mocerino always had the athletic director job in mind.

“I love athletics, coaching, teaching, mentoring, and being involved, so at some point in time, I knew that

with coaching being my passion, I always knew that being the director of athletics always had a place where I would strive to be at,” Mocerino said.

As the new athletic director, Mocerino is in charge of overseeing all the sports teams at Algonquin.

“Although I cannot coach a specific sport like basketball or baseball, I get to be involved with fifty other sports and get to watch every single kid continue to grow from their freshman year on up,” Mocerino said. “I want to be an outlet or a resource for any of these athletes that are gonna look to me if they need guidance, any transition or be a positive influence for every athlete that’s here at Algonquin.”

So far, Mocerino believes the year has started off strong due to the support from students and staff.

“It’s been a great start to the year,” Mocerino said.

“I think the student athletes, coaching staff, administration and community have all been wonderful to work with and have been very supportive. We are working extremely

hard to ensure the students have every opportunity to succeed and we will continue that.”

Athletic administrative assistant Susan Baburins believes Mocerino is thriving in his new role.

“Working with Mr. Mocerino has been great,” Baburins said. “Having been in the school for such a long time… he fit right in. I do my job and he does his, so we work well together.”

Mocerino feels the athletic department is in good shape, but he has long term goals to boost the success of the program even more.

“We are going to continue to promote leadership through athletic council, collaborate on community service and fundraising with athletes in motion and work with the booster club organization who shows tremendous support for all of our athletes,” Mocerino said. “I want to continue working with administration and always spread awareness about the importance of health and safety.”

“I want to be an outlet or a resource for any of these athletes that are going to look to me if they need guidance.”

MICHAEL MOCERINO ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

SPORTS

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The Harbinger - October 2018

opinion

Hey T-Hawks, support more teams LIZA ARMSTRONG Sports Editor

The stands are loaded; the crowd is cheering. It’s Friday night, and all of T-hawk nation is supporting their football team.

Now it’s a Monday afternoon and there’s a field hockey game. A few fans are scattered along the sidelines, faint cheers are shouted every few plays. The team wins, but few know or care.

While football serves as a social event for many, it is crucial that other sports feel the same support, and not just during playoffs.

The players on less watched teams would benefit from seeing more of their community out supporting them.

Let’s face it: who doesn’t want to feel that their work matters to other people?

Yes, obviously anyone that plays is contributing to T-Hawk nation, but seeing that other students care so much about their games that they will come to regular season games can boost morale.

Yes, there are some setbacks that make certain games harder for viewers than a Friday night football game. Lim-

ited seating, weekday games and other obligations all make attendance more difficult. But it’s worth making the time to show support for the teams.

While it seems like a cross country race is not the most interesting event (as there are only certain times runners can be seen), just going to one meet can’t hurt. If you bring a group of friends, you may find that the few intense minutes of seeing who will beat whom in a literal footrace are worth it (plus the meets are usually on the shorter side so you will still have the majority of your evening).

Going to a new sporting event is fun for the spectator, and it motivates the team. Most sports that are not frequented by many, including field hockey, volleyball and soccer, are just as intense or entertaining to watch as more popular sports. Going with a group of friends to one of these games can bring about the social experience of a football game and they’re usually free. So why not try to go to at least one game of a team you’ve never watched? And you never know, maybe you and your friends will find a new favorite way to spend your afternoons.

PHOTO CONNOR LAWLESS

Seniors Jayne Antino, Sean Cullen, Nick Hatton, Jonny Symons, Nick Redden, Callen Willwerth and Matteo Calvanese watch the football team beat Worcester North 32-0 on September 7.

Kaepernick’s Nike ad ignites major controversy: Media creates conflict over a mediocre, unimportant player

COURTESY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kapernick sparked attention for kneeling during the anthem in the 2016 season. A new ad by Nike uses his “sacrifice,” creating conversation over the true nobility of his actions.

RAY CERRO Staff Writer

On September 3, the company that makes America’s most popular shoes joined Starbucks and other companies in the fight for social justice with a new ad campaign. As expected, the campaign resulted in an eruption of controversy between the right and the left, and many celebrities pounced on the opportunity to criticize each other over their opposing opinions on the subject.

It all began when former football player Colin Kaepernick, who is currently a free agent, posted a striking black and white picture on twitter with the quote, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything,” in the foreground. At the bottom of the picture below his well groomed beard was a small Nike swoosh and the company’s famous slogan, “Just Do It.” Kaepernick was met with immediate support from left leaning news sources like CNN, while right leaning sources like FOX questioned whether he was deserving of the accolades he had received.

The full advertisement was released hours later featuring a list of unique athletes who had each overcome tremendous challenges or reached new heights in their sports. Among them were one armed football player Shaquem Griffin and tennis legend Serena Williams. Out of all of the incredible athletes, Kaepernick was depicted as the most prestigious for “sacrificing” his career to start the kneeling movement in the NFL two years ago.

The problem is, Kaepernick didn’t sacrifice anything

when he chose to kneel. The young quarterback performed well early in his career, and helped bring San francisco to Super Bowl 47, but he quickly fell off the map after losing to the Ravens. In his 2016 season he was ranked 23rd out of 30 quarterbacks, and lead the San Francisco 49ers to a pitiful record of 2 wins and 14 losses. In other words, he was no longer a valuable asset to his team, and was unable to secure a new deal after leaving the 49ers at the end of the season.

Because of the suspicious connection between his activism and unemployment, many people believe that the NFL has conspired against him to save their pro American image and conservative fanbase. Kaepernick even filed a lawsuit against the NFL claiming just that.

Several media sources, including The New York Times, have embraced this theory and portrayed Kaepernick as a hero who put aside his sports career in pursuit of social justice.

Colin Kaepernick unfortunately does not have any superpowers, or an outfit to complement them, but not all heroes wear capes... some do indeed wear football jerseys. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh donated $2.6 million to the University of Nebraska and created a $600,000 engineering scholarship fund. He also created the Ndamukong Suh Family Foundation, which helps support schools and education. Kaepernick also made an effort to give back by pledging $1 million to charities that benefit struggling communities. Both players made significant donations, but you’ll probably never hear about Suh because the motivation behind his philanthropy is

pure generosity. Kaepernick on the other hand, made sure that his entire following on social media was aware of his donations. Most people agree that heroic actions are done without expecting anything in return, so how could Colin Kaepernick be a hero?

Kaepernick continues to make millions of dollars off the field from his sponsorship with Nike. He has received praise from the press worldwide and even achieved the title “citizen of the year” by GQ magazine. His message has echoed across the country and resurrected an unfinished debate over the actions of America’s police force.

Whether his decisions were driven by fame or generosity, he succeeded in shaking things up. Because of his charitable efforts and good intentions it is hard to criticize his decisions, but Nike’s new ad has placed him on a pedestal that he does not deserve and made him into something that he isn’t.

In response to the ad, angry conservatives posted videos burning their Nike shoes, and advocating to boycott Nike products. A couple of rednecks decided to withdraw their investments, causing Nike’s stock price to fall a measly three percent, but in the end the company got nearly $165 million in media exposure and continued to dominate the sneaker market.

From an outsider’s perspective it would seem that the public overreacted to the ad, but because of Kaepernick’s actions in the past, Nike’s decision to endorse him was highly controversial. In 2016, Kaepernick took a knee during the routine playing of the national anthem before a Monday night football game. Many people watching the game felt that the gesture was disrespectful to our American flag and everything it represents. Some fans even left the stadium and went home.

In a press conference after the game, Kaepernick said that the purpose of his protest was to bring light to police brutality and other forms of oppression that affect people of color in our country. As his story gained attention, images of him on the football field wearing socks depicting cops as pigs surfaced, verifying his disapproval of America’s law enforcement and fueling conservative criticism.

Shortly after his 2016 season, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers. He was then offered a contract with the Denver Broncos for a smaller paycheck, but he declined. He has not received any offers since then, and remains a free agent.

There’s just one problem with that suggestion; Kaepernick didn’t sacrifice anything when he chose to kneel.

During his 2016 season he was ranked 23rd out of 30 quarterbacks and lead the San Francisco 49ers to a pitiful record of 2 wins and 14 losses. In other words, it would be silly to suggest that he was a valuable asset to his team.

SPORTS

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The Harbinger - October 2018

HOMECOMING Ready...

Set...

GOLD

Seniors rush into the new school year with excitement and spirit. T-Hawk nation came together Friday, September 21 for homecoming to celebrate the beginning of football games and the fall season.

For more photos, visit arhsharbinger.com Top: Seniors Laura Dunderdale and Jonny Symons lead the rollercoaster.

Middle left: Sophomore Hayley Roy, freshman Kristin Callahan, sophomore Kendal Fernald, and junior Haley Clark cheer for the football team.

Middle right: Senior Katrina Liu gets on senior Alex Rybarczyk’s shoulders to cheer on the team.

Bottom: Seniors Laura Dunderdale, Grace Austvold, Grace Rousseau, Evan Scott, James Jessup, Callen Willwerth, Taylor Fenerty, Sean Cullen, Garrett Hodgkins, and Jonny Symons show their spirit.

PHOTOS CONNOR LAWLESS