Algonquin Harbinger Volume 29 Issue 3

Day for Change embraces individuality

Cultural, religious holidays within community

Unified Basketball celebrates season

page 4

pages 12-13

page 21

Harbinger The Algonquin

December 2016 vOL. 29 NO. 3

The Student Newspaper of Algonquin Regional High School 79 Bartlett street, Northborough MA 01532 | arhsharbinger.COM

Post-election tension encourages expression Sporting political expression Senior Stephen Dahlstrom “They were hiding in the shadows, the silent majority. Then after the election I saw a lot of people come out of their shells with Trump shirts and hats.”

Junior Sofie Hopkins “I believe in wearing whatever you want because this is America, but they should be sensitive to other people’s views.”

Cassidy Wang

News Editor Whether it takes on the form of sly, side comments made in class or a Donald Trump impression over morning announcements, one statement is undeniable: post-election political tension is very much present in school. Since the morning of November 9, reactions to the election results have been clearly expressed through political attire. In doing so, students are exercising their First Amendment right of freedom of expression. However, in a school setting, this right has its limitations.

Tension

Sophomore Carter Rawstron “It’s my constitutional right, freedom of expression... I support him so I should be able to wear and spread Trump’s message throughout the school.”

Junior Taylor Murphy “This is America.

That’s kind of the point: you have the right to follow what you please and that shouldn’t stop when you come to school.”

Photos Riya Pujari

On the morning after the Presidential Election, senior Tyler Blight made a Trump impersonation to start off the day’s morning announcements- which upsetted many students.

“I just did an impression of him,” Blight said. “I was trying to make light of the situation and I think the administration and the school overreacted.”

However, Blight later agreed to apologize for - as he put it - “mocking” Trump over announcements.

Due to the visibly-upset reactions of many students, junior Taylor Murphy believed Blight’s Trump impression added on to the post-election tension present throughout the school.

“The day after that Tues-

Photo Riya Pujari

Though differing in political views, junior Sofie Hopkins, sophomore Carter Rawstron, junior Taylor Murphy, and sophomore Nicole Clark band together to support their First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

day when we came to school, there was a heaviness in the air and when the announcements came on with the Trump impression, there was a physical reaction and people were really upset and angry,” Murphy said.

As a disruptive expression of political sentiments, the administration deemed this interjection to be inappropriate and made an announcement apologizing to the students who may have

been offended. According to principal Tom Mead, the administration must enact such limitations on the right of freedom of expression to uphold the school’s purpose of being a safe learning environment and to ensure that classrooms are not taken off task by such interruptions.

“I have to protect the learning environment from distractions and disruptions,” Mead said. “It might be something as mundane as asking

that no announcements be made over the loud speaker during class time.”

Mead acknowledged the tension the school community may have been experiencing after the election. To specifically “address the tumult of the election results,” Mead sent out an email to parents on November 16 to express his hopes for moving forward.

Post-Election Tension page 3

Caring custodians work to make Algonquin a better place Apple lin

Staff Writer Members of the facilities department work together behind the scenes to tackle all of Algonquin’s maintenance issues and events while helping students along the way.

While many students believe the custodians only clean, the facilities department is in charge of almost everything regarding the building, according to Director of Facilities Mike Gorman.

“Everything from as simple as lights to all the way out to setting up for school events, as the [facilities] department, we take care of that,” Gorman said.

According to Armando Bairos, who was recently promoted to Night Supervisor, the staff receives an order listing everything that needs to be arranged for a specific event.

“Whatever takes place, [administration] puts a request in and we just look at the request and get it done,” Bairos said.

Despite their great workload, the facilities staff consists of only eight members. They divide up the work so events such as the Pep Rally can be cleaned quickly and efficiently.

“It can be overwhelming at times,” Gorman said.

“For the Pep Rally, we immediately break it down, clean it up, and wash the floors, because an hour later we have the floor restoration company coming in, and they gotta strip that whole floor and recoat it.”

Maintenance Custodian Norberto Chaves is a new addition to the custodial staff.

“I like the way it works around here; our boss [Gorman] even helps too,” Chaves said.

However, the job of the facilities department is more than just preparing events.

Custodian Joao Souza recalls times where students have lost objects such as retainers, and he worked to help them.

“I know where the trash bag is for every lunch, so I go through the trash picking out everything until I find what they lost,” Souza said. “Just seeing the look that they give me when they find the thing they lost makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”

Sometimes students arrive when the trash has already been removed, but that doesn’t stop the facilities department.

“Some of the staff end up having to go to dumpster diving for the retainer,” Gorman said. “We have kids, we know how expensive they can be.”

Senior Zach Youssef believes custodians are not acknowledged enough.

“Most students wouldn’t interact with them directly unless they’re after school or at a weekend event,” Youssef said. “I don’t think students realize that they do more than just picking up trash.”

The facilities department is motivated by more than a salary to keep the building in mint condition.

“I like working hard,” Bairos said. “So say if someone comes to visit the school, if they tell me the school looks great, that to me is more important than my paycheck.”

Photo Rafaela Coelho

Joao Souza changes trash bags in the cafeteria.

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News

2

December 2016

New honor society forms for passionate English students

Instagram back on wifi

New wifi server allows use of social media platform

Anna he

StaffWriter Two passionate juniors are helping establish a charter of the National English Honor Society (NEHS), hoping the members will help promote English through community service.

Juniors Merry Qian and Libby McBride co-founded the new club, with English teachers Jane Betar, Deborah Saltzman, and Virginia Fitzgerald making up the required faculty council. Betar is also the adviser.

The club gained its official national charter a couple weeks ago and is accepting applications until December 12. According to Qian, around 50 people have taken applications so far. The induction is planned for after winter break.

Betar wants this club to truly mean something to its members.

“I don’t want this to just be something kids have to write on their resumes for college,” Betar said. “[Qian and McBride] want it to be a group of kids coming together because they like English.”

McBride and Qian believe that the concept of an honor society has lost meaningfulness over the years. “[An honor society] doesn’t mean as much as it used to,” McBride said.

They believe that honor societies aren’t as competitive now and nearly anyone can get in.

However, Qian and McBride hope to change that by only accepting those who show a true interest in English.

“We’re hoping to revive that core aspect of honor societies where it’s just students that are passionate about the subject,” Qian said.

However, just having a passion for English isn’t enough. Applicants must be sophomores or higher and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Each applicant submits a graded piece from an English class and a response to a prompt. The response is submitted anonymously with only a student ID number. Qian, McBride, and the faculty council read over the applications and decide if they meet their standards.

Junior Kayla Burns, who is applying to NEHS, is excited about the creation of this club.

“I really have a passion for English, and I think that helping the community and using the skills I’ve learned over the past few years will be valuable,” Burns said.

Originally, Qian and McBride wanted to create a book club, but Betar told them many had fizzled out in past.

“We were thinking, ‘What’s a kind of club we could create that includes service and English, but at the same time won’t just fade away?’” McBride said.

The club is hoping to get a lot of input and ideas from its members.

Betar hopes that members will be able to contribute to pre-existing school-sanctioned activities.

“I like the idea of the National English Honor Society members playing a part in some events as well, like perhaps Poetry Out Loud,” Betar said.

According to Qian, they also want to do activities outside of school like book clubs at the senior center and reading to kids at elementary schools.

“We really want to expand beyond our school and spread English in the community,” Qian said.

photo RAFAELA COELHO

Seniors Sierra Dyer, Natalie Nahabedian, and Anna Benatuil browse Instagram while using the new wifi server.

Natalie sadek

Social Media Editor The district recently implemented a new wifi server for the school that unblocked certain websites and apps, such as Instagram, on the school wifi.

“When we set [the new web filter] up, there’s a standard list that blocks out violence, pornography, all those things that maybe shouldn’t be allowed in a school setting,” system manager Susan Whalen said. “We just got a new web filter this year, so that’s why the list of unblocked sites may be different from last year.”

Select apps and websites, such as Netflix, are still blocked because administration specifically asked it to remain unaccessible on the school server.

“We were asked by administration at the district level to block [Netflix], because that’s meant for personal use only,” Whalen said. “So it is not legal for someone to show a movie on Netflix to a class, because then you would have to buy an educational subscription of some sort.”

The blocking of certain sites does not have to do with maintaining the speed of the network, but rather to keep the content that students view appropriate.

“As of this year we doubled our bandwidth [the network capacity which affects the speed of the internet], so blocking social media and other sites has not been an issue of network speed, but rather how appropriate some websites and apps may be not appropriate for school,” Whalen said.

According to principal Tom Mead, blocking certain websites is an effort to set the standard that school is meant for learning rather than using cell phones.

“There is a larger question above the block and not to block discussion, and that is the idea that there is a time to be accessing information through the internet and there is a time not to be doing that,” Mead said. “Deciding what to block and not falls under the umbrella of trying to deal with students receiving the appropriate amount of screen time.”

Some students feel that blocking the wifi is nothing more than tedious. “[Blocking certain websites is] pretty annoying sometimes,” sophomore Elaine Cho said. “I think Netflix is blocked now, and if teachers want to show movies in class they can’t use Netflix anymore which can be pretty inconvenient.”

Although other students understand why administration chooses to block certain websites, they still find it frustrating.

“Honestly, I feel that blocking sites in the wifi is pointless,” sophomore Sarah de Carvalho said. “People can easily connect on and off the wifi, so students still have access to the thing that the school is blocking. I understand what the administration is trying to achieve but I think it’s pointless.”

Freedom of expression or disruptive fashion statement?

Bramhill’s Confederate flag hat sparks controversy

Rebecca Poretsky

StaffWriter A sophomore’s Confederate flag hat left some students feeling uncomfortable, especially near the time of the Presidential election, and administration debating if further action is needed.

Sophomore Allan Bramhill has been wearing a hat with a Confederate flag patch on the front since the beginning of the school year. In recent weeks, he has faced several trips to administration regarding the hat after some students began complaining that they wanted it removed because they

view it as hateful.

Bramhill feels that his First Amendment right is being disregarded when his peers demand him to take off his hat.

Principal Tom Mead pointed out that the student handbook states “any style of dress that is considered disruptive to school activity is prohibited.”

“That simple little sentence is really where all the laws are focused on; it’s the disruption,” Mead said. “So the trick or the challenge to this is to prove it. If one person cares and one person finds it disruptive, that’s the trick.

You don’t need a whole bunch o f

f o m o d Free ? n o i s s e Expr

people, just one person.” he wears his hat to represent According to Bramhill, his southern pride. things offensive to him do not Many students have exget taken down, so even if oth- pressed that the hat makes ers disagree, he feels it is his them uncomfortable and symright to continue to wear the bolizes something other than hat. pride.

According to Mead, in “A lot of people think it’s terms of whether a real or heritage and not hate, but it hy p o t h e t i c a l stands for what form of exthe South wantpression is a “If one person ed, which was to disruption, it is cares and one allow slavery,” also about who junior Sofie is offended person finds Hopkins said. by the speech. it disruptive, Bramhill Mead further said the contropointed out that’s the trick.” versy around his that Title VI hat has cut into TOM MEAD his recent learnOf The Civil PRINCIPAL ing time because Rights Act of 1964 protects of the moments the rights of minorities. he has taken out of his day to “There are protections in discuss it. According to Hopthe Civil Rights Act for stu- kins, the same goes for other dents of color, for any minor- students who take time out of ity in our society,” Mead said. their day to talk about it to ad“If it’s a minority [being of- ministration, whether they are fended] then it would fall un- called down or go themselves. der The Civil Rights Act of “If the hat makes some1964 because that’s discrimi- one feel upset, angry, or unnation against an identified comfortable, it could distract minority.” them from their learning,” juBramhill was nior Maiya Ellis said. “Many born in Virginia students are noticing and and lived there enough people are talking for a portion of about it and are upset enough his childhood, to talk to the school about it.”

GRAphic and maintains that elissa gorman

tHE haRBINGER

News december 2016

3

Community gives back during holiday season

Drive provides toys, joy to kids lucas begnami

StaffWriter

staff, sports teams and clubs all come together and participate in backing up this worthy cause.”

Custodian John Souza fully supports the Toy Drive.

“I like when the tree is full of notes and the next second the notes are all gone,” Souza said.

Souza’s sentiments are shared by others in the Algonquin community.

“Being part of something like this, when you go to places like the Mustard Seed in Worcester, or Youville House in Worcester, and you see what their caseload is and the kids that they serve and the idea that most of us have all had a really good winter holiday with gifts in our life, but these kids have never had a winter holiday gift before,” Student Council adviser John Barry said. “I think that that is all the motivation you really need to want to be part of something like this.”

The toy drive will be collecting toys for children in need until December 23.

Photo Elissa Gorman

Multiple student clubs are organizing opportunities for students and faculty to donate gifts for children in need through various holiday toy drives in hopes of bringing the community together for a good cause.

National Honor Society, Kids Come First, and Student Council are involved with collecting donations for community organizations including Worcester County Department of Children and Families, Snowflake Toy Drive for Youville House in Worcester, and Children’s Hospital endof-the-year Toy Drive.

Faculty, staff, and students are excited about the drive.

“I am most excited to go shopping with the other NHS Officers and come out with a huge haul of presents!”

NHS President Senior Katelyn Li said.

“In the cafeteria, we set up the holiday tree with mittens hanging from it. Each mitten has a certain gift, like a “Teddy bear,” that students at Algonquin can purchase and donate. National Honor Society is also holding several bake sales to raise money for the toy drive.”

People who chose to donate will take a mitten from the tree and purchase the requested gift. They will then drop the gift off in NHS adviser Nicole Ruffo’s classroom, E108.

Ruffo believes that an event like this can help bring the community together.

“The Toy Drive’s goal is to bring all Algonquin community members together for a cause,” Ruffo said. “We are hopeful that with the Toy Drive, students, teachers,

Winter food drive feeds families ELISE GALLAGHER

StaffWriter The annual Thanksgiving Food Drive changed to a winter drive focused on collecting money to sponsor the Mustard Seed, a local food pantry.

According to Student Council President senior Gretchen Forbush, the council is primarily collecting money this year.

Social studies teacher and Student Council adviser John Barry believes Photo carey davis this plan will be successful.

The winter food drive raised about $1,000 for a “Food pantries are local food pantry, the Mustard Seed. worried about staples, things like soup, pasta, and including those in North- ing this drive will go to the bread,” Barry said. “The borough and Southbor- Mustard Seed, while some money is actually better ough, Boy Scouts’ recent donations will still be dobecause well-meaning, “Scouting for Food” drive nated to the Northborhelped fill the ough and Southborough charitable two commu- food pantries. kids buy “It’s easy to nity pantries.

“Their need is high,” the wrong “ W h e n Barry said. “Algonquin’s run a drive things.” we contacted relationship with the Mus“ W e when you have the North- tard Seed predates me, and thought borough and I got here in 1994.” generous peothat we SouthborBarry praised the traget too ple.” ough food dition of giving at Algonmuch of pantries, they quin. a certain JOHN BARRY told us they “I feel humble and food, like STUDENT COUNCIL were in good grateful that I work in a cereal,” ADVISER shape from building like this,” Barry Foley said.

Scouting for said. “It feels good to un“A food Food,” Barry said. “The leash the potential in this bank only needs so much cereal, so we thought that Student Council wasn’t building. It’s easy to run a drive when you have genif we collect money they needed that much.”

In the past, Algonerous people.” can choose what they quin has helped a third Student Council raised need.”

Although the drive food pantry, the Mustard about $1,000 through the traditionally contributes Seed in Worcester. Most combnined efforts of stufood to multiple pantries, of the money raised dur- dents and teachers.

Post-election tension from page 1

Students don variety of political attire during post-election period

“The few days after the election, there was a great deal of emotion in the building as a result of the culmination of a very difficult presidential campaign,” Mead said. “As I expressed in the call, it was my hope and my belief that we would get past that and that we would regain our bearing as a place of teaching and learning.”

Expression

The 2016 presidential election journey provoked a wide range of attire, from hats to safety pins. Students used their attire to express their reactions to the election results. Senior Stephen Dahlstrom, a supporter of president-elect Trump, noticed that more Trump supporters emerged after the election night, accessorized with political attire.

“Before the election, it was almost impossible to tell who was a Trump supporter,” Dahlstrom said. “They were hiding in the shadows, the silent majority.

Then after the election I saw a lot of people come out of their shells with Trump shirts and hats.”

To show his support for Trump, sophomore Carter Rawstron wears a “Make America Great Again” hat to school, which is not well-received by

some of his classmates. After the election, this political aggression heightened, where students were yelling at Rawstron to “burn the hat.” But this hostility and pressure fails to faze him from expressing what he believes in.

“Living in Massachusetts, a pretty liberal state, there’s going to be a lot of people telling me not to wear it, people hitting my hat off, but it doesn’t discourage me,” Rawstron said. “They can say that they don’t like it, and that’s their right, their freedom of expression, too.”

Rawstron firmly believes in his constitutional right to express his opinions through his attire.

“It’s my constitutional right, freedom of expression,” Rawstron said. “I support him so I should be able to wear and spread Trump’s message throughout the school.”

But similar to the assertion of political sentiments on morning announcements, freedom of expression also has some “specificity” in schools. The administration has to be sensitive to clothing that “distracts, disrupts, bothers, or interferes” with learning.

“It all has to do with the effect and perception of those that view it or who are in the

presence of such attire,” Mead out the campaign and now feel said. “The effect that would be threatened by his election. triggered for actions to be taken Sophomore Nicole Clark would be if it causes a disruption sports a safety pin to show her or distraction to the learning en- care and willingness to help vironment.” those who feel vulnerable after While expressing liberal Trump’s election. views, junior Sofie Hopkins, “As a citizen, I feel like it is along with Murphy, believes that my job to help people who are students like Rawstron are justi- struggling and to open people’s fied in wearing Trump attire to minds about it,” Clark said. school. “[Wearing safety pins] is an ef“I believe in wearing what- fective way to support the peoever you want because this is ple directly through a symbol of America, but they should be sen- hope. So for me, it’s just about sitive to other people’s views,” being an ally and showing the Hopkins said. world that I’m not going to let “Whoever they support- hate win.” ed, they’re allowed to support them,” Murphy said. “This is Conversations America. That’s kind of the School is intended to point: you have the right to folbe a place where all opinlow what you please and that ions are heard.

Ideally, the shouldn’t stop when you come to school.”

Some students are “I support him expressing political mes- so I should be sages by attaching safety pins to their clothing. able to wear Along with activists across and spread the country, they intend to show their solidarity with Trump’s message minority groups (which throughout the includes immigrants, women, and members of school.” the L.G.B.T. community) CARTER RAWSTRON who have been affected by SOPHOMORE Trump’s rhetoric through-

school community should strive to be a welcoming body that allows for discussion and readily accepts the expression of thoughts, while, at the same time, being mindful and considerate of others’ opinions. Mead believes that this goal requires a collective effort.

“It’s not something that is directed by anybody, but it is a collective effort where students and teachers and staff are courteous and civil with each other,” Mead said. “So I think it’s incumbent upon everybody that comes here to this school to take some responsibility for their conduct, their actions, their attire so that we really have this organization-wide atmosphere and environment where nobody is discriminated against and nobody is made to feel uncomfortable.”

With this goal in mind, Mead hopes that the school comes together, voices their opinions, and has discussion, but that they do so in a courteous and civil way. photo riya pujari

tHE haRBINGER

day for change

4

December 2016

Day for Change embraces all OPINION

Students encouraged to accept, support one another

showed me the true value of really being there for someone, and StaffWriter also being a shoulder to cry on.

Day for Change, a day desWhen I was asked to particiignated for building new bonds pate in Day for Change my senior with classmates, allows students year, I was thrilled. Like years to have a better understanding past, most students took advanof each other. Initially, Day for tage of this uplifting day. UnforChange was created to promote tunately, not all students underanti-bullying at Algonquin. In stood the seriousness of the day addition to or valued what that idea, it the day was all Day for Change has evolved about. into getting It’s underGrows in Number to know your standable that peers and commany freshSpring 2015 ing out of your men have yet comfort zone. to be exposed 67 freshmen The third to different annual Day challenges exSpring 2016 for Change, perienced by 121 freshmen the first to inothers. There volve the enis no proper tire freshman way to handle Fall 2016 class, was held or cope with 350 freshmen on November serious situa17. Unable to tions. But havfit the entire ing Day for class into one gymnasium, guid- Change allows ninth graders to ance decided to place two thirds learn about some of their peers’ of the class in A and B gyms and serious realities early on in a safe one third in C gym. environment.

While Day for Change startDay for Change can make a ed after my freshman year, I was huge impact on an entire class. lucky enough to be a peer leader Over the years, I have seen how my junior year. Not only was this meaningful it is when a grade can day life-changing for the partici- come together and support each pants involved, but it also had a other in difficult times. Havlarge impact on me. These fresh- ing a day designed for people to men saw me as their role model openly share their stories may be and put a lot of trust in me. It a liberating experience for some, Caroline Beek

Participants share their Day-for-Change experiences Jason Lessard

Photo Caroline Beek

Freshmen participants are greeted with high-fives by faculty volunteers in the A Gym at the beginning of the third annual Day for Change on November 17.

but perhaps not for everyone.

However, getting the opportunity to meet and learn about a new group of classmates and upperclassmen is beneficial for all. Coming from my own experience, most ninth graders are eventually going to be in classes with people they don’t know, so it is important to branch out and

Luke Farrell

Senior peer leader “...The day was not only to help the freshmen, but also the peer leaders and even the teachers. Day for Change was able to bring a major part of the Algonquin community together by allowing people to get a better understanding of their peers.”

Nicole Ruffo

Teacher volunteer

“Day for Change helps students and faculty see that we all have a story and some of us share a similar story and that there are people here at the school that are willing and able to help.” photos emily smith

son’s life, I feel as though I completed my role as a peer leader. I hope the freshmen participants learned that everyone deserves to share their story and be heard.

Day for Change has the power to change not only freshmen’s lives, but also the lives of teachers and peer leaders.

OPINION

Dear freshmen: It’s time for some of you to make a positive change

to me, and it seemed the freshmen involved felt the same. I was eager Managing Editor to participate again my senior year.

During the third annual Day I thought this year’s event was for Change, I noticed a negative well planned. Raising the number change in the participants’ motiva- of total participants from about tion. I was a peer mentor in Day 121 last year to 350 this year was for Change during my junior year a spectacular feat. Many freshmen when only a portion of the fresh- were helpful and kind during activiman class engaged in the program. ties, and several people had good This year as a mentor with the en- experiences with the program. tire freshman class involved, I no- However, in retrospect, the deciticed some differencsion to include the es in the event. Most “We know you whole freshman of these differences class may have weren’t good ones, feel sad somebeen unwise due leaving me rather dis- times, and the to the commotion appointed. during the event.

Day for Change point of Day Though the gym is designed to help more popufor Change is to was all parties involved. lated, I don’t think My sophomore year I help you realize that was the main wrote a piece for The problem with the Harbinger in which that this feeling event. guidance counselor is okay.”

What I felt and organizer Jason most wasn’t a powLessard summed up erful sense of emthe purpose of Day for Change pathy, like last year, but I sensed a nicely saying, “It doesn't mat- lack of emotion in the gymnasium. ter gender; it doesn’t matter age; If I had to pinpoint the source of it doesn’t matter religion. We are the problem I would say it was this: much more alike than we are differ- there was a mentality held by some ent.” The program is meant for us freshmen that Day for Change was to feel empathy toward each other stupid, pointless, and not worth enthrough a variety of activities and gaging in. Though there were many games. individuals who took the event seWhen I first participated last riously, I noticed some freshmen year, the program resonated with who didn’t, and the negativity of me. Day for Change brought an those individuals tainted the expeoverwhelming sense of empathy rience as a whole for many others.

Max Donahue

Facilitator “I think it goes without saying that the guidance department believes in this day, and we will always be working on ways to improve the experience. Ultimately, it is important the entire class experiences Day for Change, which we accomplished.”

meet new friends early on.

While I think it’s challenging to have so many students in one or two spaces, and breaking up the event into more areas could work better, I think this year’s Day for Change was a terrific learning experience. If I was fortunate enough to make a positive impact on at least one per-

To the freshmen who thought Day for Change was a joke: I hope you take time to re-evaluate your experience with the program. Why did you act so aloof ? Why did you laugh or snicker? It seemed to me that some of the participants acted as if they didn’t have deep emotions, that they never felt sad or alone. Stop it. Everyone’s screwed up! We know you feel sad sometimes, and the point of Day for Change is to help you realize that this feeling is okay.

I realize that some people may be uncomfortable talking about their feelings, and I presume that is the reason there was a lack of sharing. But there were definitely people in the gym who acted as if the event was pointless and didn’t pertain to them.

If you participated in Day for Change and did not take it seriously, I’m sorry that you did not value the lessons this experience taught.

I’m sorry that you didn’t gain all that you could have from what was meant to be a powerful day. Being able to understand others’ feelings is a difficult concept to grasp, and I’ve realized from this year’s Day for Change that not everyone is able to do this in a one-day event.

Despite flaws in participation, I’m still thankful for the efforts of those positively involved. I hope that more people are able to share this feeling next time the event is held.

tHE haRBINGER

COLLEGE

5

december 2016

Combatting college costs Applicants size up future fees with new perspectives Shannon youngberg

F

News Editor

inancial fluency proves essential when applying to college, yet some seniors find themselves completely lost on how to approach the process of paying for their education.

The realization that an acceptance isn’t just an objective or goal one hopes to reach, but something that precedes extensive preparation and a seemingly endless source of money, can be a startling wake up call for students.

LendEDU, a marketplace for student loans and student loan refinance, states that about 60 percent of college graduates contribute to the $1.35 trillion of outstanding student loan debt that has yet to be paid back to the U.S. government.

The first step to establish an adequate strategy to pay off student debt is to become informed. It is essential to be educated on the logistics of student loans, applying for financial aid, and establishing strategies to avoid a hefty sum of debt.

and guidance counselors] together, and then offer our best advice for their situation,” Connery said.

It’s natural for students to push off the discussion of payment methods because it introduces another burden into the already hectic application process.

“I think it’s sort of stressful already with college applications; that much pressure [from college applications and expenses] shouldn’t really put on students right now when they’re already applying to colleges,” senior class president Brendan Foley said.

Ways to Lower Cost

The unfortunate truth, however, is that it’s necessary for students to form a plan as early as possible. Establishing ways to reduce costs is extremely beneficial in the long run and can decrease the pressure of student debt that follows college graduation.

According to Connery, one way to decrease the cost of tuition is to keep an open mind and consider attending a state school.

Guidance’s Advice

The guidance department provides resources to students and parents to give them a sense of how much financial planning is necessary in order to be prepared for the substantial cost of college tuition.

The financial aid night held at Algonquin is one of the resources that aims to benefit students and parents. “[An expert from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority] comes in and presents about the FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] and the [CSS] profile, institutional funding, and loans versus grants,” director of guidance Lisa Connery said. “They break everything down and they share it with the parents.”

Despite the informational sessions and the constant reminders to be thinking of the best methods of payment, it is still very common for students to blindly approach this process.

According to Principal Tom Mead, there is an expectation that parents are active members in the decision making of which schools are affordable for their child.

“Ultimately the student is going to need some support from their parent in order to fund their education, but I think sometimes it’s very helpful if we can bring [students, parents

Class of 2016 graduate Paige Carney described what went into her decision to go to UMass Amherst, despite the acceptance into her top school, the University of New Hampshire.

“Even though I really saw myself at UNH, it made much more sense to to go to UMass because I wouldn’t have to take on a lot of student loans to afford going there,” Carney said. “I just had to think about where I want to be [financially] when the four years are up.”

In addition to considering attending a state school, programs such as The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) are viable options for students looking to train in order to serve in the military, while earning a college degree at a reduced cost.

Senior Kendall Scholl plans to join ROTC and serve in either the Air Force or the Army upon the completion of her education and training. She described the basic premise of the ROTC program.

“You go to college and you are training to be a cadet, and then once you’re out of college you go into the military,” Scholl said. “If you have a scholarship, you can even get free tuition.”

In addition to considering the commitment to serve, for some exceptional athletes, there is also the option to commit to a college for athletics. Senior Kate Hostage is committed to Syracuse University, and will be receiving reduced tuition for her athletic performance in soccer.

“Getting a scholarship has opened up a lot of doors for me that may not have been opened if it weren’t for soccer, so it does make one less thing to worry about and I’m very grateful for that,” Hostage said.

An Open Mind

No matter what a student’s plans are for the future, it is absolutely essential to maintain an open and informed mind of the options there are to prepare for a collegiate education and the debt that is so often tied to it.

According to Connery, making intelligent monetary decisions does not mean compromising a promising or successful future, but simply demonstrates impressive financial literacy.

“There are a lot of people who are going and getting great educations and going on to do great things in their lives without incurring incredible debt,” Connery said.

GRAPHIC RACHAEL SHEK

College applications carry excess stress for some seniors

already struggling with mental health issues, balancing the stress and work of the StaffWriter application with their personal lives has Seniors are struggling with the stress been a challenge. of completing the extensive college appli“I think it would be helpful for teachcation process, and although Algonquin ers [and all adults] to be more understandprovides support, some ing of how much it really students feel that more “It helps to sit takes to apply to college,” help from the adults in the senior girl said. their lives would make down with some“They’ll just say ‘Oh, the process easier to body to map [the it’s stressful,’ but you handle. can’t really understand, “I think it’s a very application probecause when you have stressful and anxiety- cess] out.” depression and anxiety, provoking process,” a sestress doesn’t just mean nior girl (who wished to DEB GUTERMAN stress. Just having one remain anonymous) said. ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR constant stressor in your “It’s just something that life automatically makes I definitely think about everything worse.” all the time and it’s an extra weight that I’ll She also suggested that English always have on my shoulders until I apply teachers make the essay an assignment, and get accepted.” so students will be motivated to get it For some students, especially those done and receive feedback. Many English sHERILYN HINCHEY

teachers do this, but she believes teachers who do not do this should consider it.

The guidance department provides a series of informative workshops for all students regarding the college application process, but for some students, more individualized attention would be helpful.

“My parents are very invasive in the way they check up on the way that I do my college stuff,” said a senior boy (who wished to remain anonymous). “More check-ups from guidance, making sure you’re getting done what you need to get done at a good pace, but not in a way that is really invasive [would be helpful].”

Despite the difficulties of applications, according to adjustment counselor Deb Guterman, there are ways to make it easier.

“It helps to sit down with somebody to map it out so you know you don’t have to do it all at once, but you know it’ll get done in the long run,” Guterman said.

“Also, I think it’s important to schedule in just some things that you like to do and that are relaxing for you because we tend to lose sight of that when we need to do those things the most.”

However, not all seniors seem to be all that stressed, and some definitely less than others.

“Some students obviously get very stressed out, but I think once they realize what there is actually to do with the application process and how we kind of break it down for them with our workshops, it seems a little more manageable than what they initially expected,” guidance counselor Kathryn Mulcahy said. “I hear a lot of the time after students submit their applications they feel like it’s not as bad as they thought it was going to be and they get more stressed out waiting to hear their decisions.”

tHE haRBINGER

News

6

December 2016

Behind-the-scenes at The Harbinger Strangle Bear, stress, ramp races, stress, elevator fun, stress... oh, and newspapers Lauren Speranzella

StaffWriter Just how did this newspaper get into readers’ hands? Was it produced magically?

Readers rarely realize that countless hours spent putting The Harbinger together for seven print issues and daily online updates each school year.

The Harbinger has a 20 person Editorial Board led by two Editors-in-Chief, seniors Jen Fox and Riya Pujari. Each board member has a specific position, such as Photo Editor, Managing Editor, or Assistant Sports Editor. The board as a whole collaborates on writing, editing, design, and production while guiding an additional student staff of about 40.

ers in the publications room making sure every last detail is right. Editing pieces, laying out the design of each page, and taking photographs that fit the corresponding articles are just a few aspects of what goes into each issue.

Team Effort

Before Press Week, the editors and staff spend about three weeks interviewing, writing, and editing articles while also taking photographs, creating graphics, and selling advertising. Putting the print edition of the paper together is a massive team effort.

“Although we have our struggles during Press Week we all do a good job of keeping each other on track and getting the paper out as soon as we can with the A Family of Friends best material possible,” Pujari said.

This paper is very important to the Hours of work go into each article. editors, and they are proud of all the work After a brainstorm session, staff writthey put into it. They are grateful for the ers spend weeks researching, interviewfriendships, laughs, and ing, and drafting. The the final products. feedback and editing “We love the paper, “Harbinger means process then begins, a second family at and it’s nice to know starting with section school and a second we made something editors, copy editors, community I can be and ultimately the Edia part of, where I can that people love.” tors-in-Chief who read work hard and be pasevery piece before it is RAFAELA COELHO published. sionate about somePHOTO EDITOR thing I’m good at, and The Editors-inall the other editors are Chief are responsible good at,” Fox said. “I for every aspect of the think we can be the messengers that the publication, from budget and production school needs.” to guiding new writers. They want to proEach Press Week, when the print edi- duce an accurate, insightful product that tion is designed and created, editors spend the public will enjoy and will go to almost late nights sitting in front of the comput- any extent to make this possible.

A look into the past...

1986-89: There were four

years when there was no student newspaper, because there was no adviser and no staff that existed. To fill the void, the guidance department put out a newsletter.

Photo Henna Dhingra

Editor-in-Chief Riya Pujari advises A&E editors on their pages. During Press Week, the Editorial Board works to design the print issue of The Harbinger.

“We really try our best to create a paper that informs readers, but also brings the community together,” News Editor senior Shannon Youngberg said.

Youngberg estimates she can spend up to twenty five hours working on The Harbinger during Press Week. The reward for her is working with friends she has grown close with to produce something that unites the community.

Struggles and Laughs

Sharing a common goal, the editors collaborate, giving feedback on each other’s pieces and page designs. Although there are many small obstacles with each issue, there always seems to be one recurring struggle.

“Deadlines are really challenging,” Managing Editor senior Max Donahue said. “Making sure all the articles are ed-

ited on time and all the pages are laid out, it’s all about deadlines and that is our biggest struggle.”

Although editors are faced with tight timelines and some stress, they enjoy being a part of The Harbinger.

“You become a family and even though it’s very stressful, everyone is there for each other,” Coelho said. “We love the paper, and it’s nice to know we made something that people love.”

“It’s nice to be surrounded by people who share the same interests as you do,” A&E Editor junior Paige Morse said.

The editors find ways to let go and have fun when they get caught up in long hours of their work.

“We have major breakdowns and sometimes we de-stress with our Strangle Bear, roll down the ramp in our rolly chairs, talk to janitors, and sometimes we play with the elevator,” Fox said.

1990: The paper returned

with a new name, The Harbinger. The staff no longer wanted to “Denigrate native people by participating in the disrespect implicit in the school mascot and the racist system of symbols that grew out of it, to wit, the name of the school paper,” Rettman said.

1986: “The first student

2015: Former Editor in Chief Dan Fishbein awarded first place in the Personality Profile category of national awards by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association

2011: Harbinger releases a special issue in memory of 9/11

2016: 1st place tie in

2008: Paper features color on front, back, and center for the first time

newspaper was originally called The Smoke Signal...so that it could extend and relate to ‘Native People,’” according to Bruce Rettman, former adviser and retired English Department Head.

large schools category for print and online newspaper from the New England Scholastic Press Association, "All New England" Award

GRAPHIC LAUREN SPERaNZELLA & ELISSA GORMAN

A brighter future: school considers energy efficient lights Julie Rogers

StaffWriter Head of Facilities Mike Gorman is researching greener ways to keep the building running as efficiently as possible with new LED lights, which could also benefit the budget.

Gorman has been doing his best to keep the building as efficient as possible since the 2008 renovation and addition to the building. In 2012, the school earned an Energy Star Rating, meaning the building runs at 94 percent efficiency.

Though not approved yet,

new interior LED lights are in the research process and set to possibly be installed over the summer of 2017, depending on the new guidelines set by National Grid in January.

“The technology now is called LED, light-emitting diodes, and we’ve already changed out our parking lot [lights],” Principal Tom Mead said. “They look different, but they also act differently. They’re brighter and much more long-lasting, so that’s been a very good experience.”

Even though the school’s population has grown, along with the hours it is used after the

school day, Gorman has kept the energy consumption and budget down.

According to Gorman, starting as early as 2008, he created a stricter maintenance program that ensures that lights, electronics, and equipment are all properly maintained and shut off at the end of the day.

“We went in first and looked at lighting and mechanical, and we basically got a handle on our energy,” Gorman said. “We repaired the things that needed to be repaired, we got things working in proper order… and once mechanically you’ve got your

equipment in working order, then it starts running more efficiently.”

Not only will this have a fiscal benefit, but an environmental one as well. “[The new LEDs are] going to decrease our energy usage, which would save us money, which is great financially,” AP Environmental teacher Christina Connolly said, “but also, if we’ll be using less energy, then less electricity needs to be produced, so then we aren’t burning as many fossil fuels.”

With the new lights, students can expect some changes in the

classroom.

“The lights will be brighter.

The LEDs produce more bright light at a lower efficiency too so you will notice that the classrooms will be more well lit, which will make learning easier,” senior and AP environmental student Deven Moroney said.

“Now that LED has come down in price, it looks like it’s getting ready to be [in the process for approval, and] that’s what I hope to do in the future.” Gorman said. “There’s no plans for it just yet, but I hope to do that in the future.”

tHE haRBINGER

News

7

december 2016

The reality of police brutality

Police force methods across country leave room for questioning Anita nyberg

StaffWriter Although many people believe that United States police officers do their best to protect citizens from harm, others distrust and even fear the police.

Recent accusations of police brutality in cases such as the fatal police shootings of unarmed citizens Alton Sterling and Terence Crutcher have prompted nationwide protests and inquiry of whether or not there is trust between law enforcement and the public.

Role of Police

School resource officer and Northborough police officer Michael Bisset thinks trust between the public and police comes from dialogue and communication.

“I’d like to think that we can still trust the police, I still trust the police,” Bisset said. “I’d like to see that we could just start to trust each other a little more, and I think part of that maybe has to do with a dialogue being there between police officers and the rest of the general public.”

Along with communication, freshman Sydney Cerro explained that it’s important to look at the overall good deeds of the police when formulating a general opinion of them, not on secluded issues. “[Police] help a lot and get a lot of crap for little mistakes of single policemen, and I think we should focus on the positive rather than the negative,” Cerro said.

However, according to Bisset, that doesn’t mean the mistakes and cases

of misconduct and abuse of power don’t matter. While some people think that these are simply isolated incidents, others look towards police law enforcement reform.

“If [police misconduct] happens once, it’s an issue,” Bisset said. “I mean, that’s not okay. Do I think it’s pervasive in that there needs to be a complete overhaul of the system? No, I don’t think that that’s the case, but I do think it shouldn’t be something that’s brushed aside as really not a problem.”

Reform

Although the Northborough police department has clear procedures, senior Alyssa Coyne thinks law enforcement reform or at least additional special training would be beneficial in other parts of the country that have issues with misconduct.

“I feel like sometimes since some officers do take things a little too far

that they should be taught to not overreact and to just react to the person and don’t do everything by the book and kind of take each situation and treat it differently,” Coyne said.

According to Bisset, it is difficult to put a law or policy in place that could really help to prevent these incidents.

“It’s tough, and it’s surely not an easy decision for anyone to make, but as far as something you could just implement across the board, I don’t think so because people are still people, and you’ll have some people that make the wrong decision,” Bisset said.

As far as holding the people that make the wrong decision responsible, there is a system in place.

Bisset explained that if an officer does something wrong, the system ensures that there are consequences. For example, there would be repercussions for any citizen shooting at someone else unjustly.

Many people believe that the use of body cameras could be beneficial and remove the confusion and conflict of an incident.

“I think [body cameras are] good,” Cerro said. “It is expensive so it might be a little bit of a problem, but I see why it can help because it shows what really happens and there is evidence so there aren’t disputes.”

Although Bisset stated that they could be beneficial, there are multiple obstacles and issues that come along with body cameras, such as expenses and malfunctioning equipment, which is why many police forces don’t use them, including the Northborough Police Department.

Protest

One of the prominent groups that have been focusing their efforts on speaking out against police misconduct and brutality in cases of racial profiling is the Black Lives Matter movement. According to the mission statement on their website, Black Lives Matter is an activist movement that stands up against violence and systemic racism toward black people.

“I think it’s a positive movement because I feel like it’s showing that black lives are overlooked upon in this country,” Coyne said.

Hopkins explained the importance of the movement at a time when there is oftentimes a subconscious bias towards people of color.

“It’s frustrating when people say ‘all lives matter’ in response to the Black Lives Matter

movement because of course all lives matter, but Black Lives Matter isn’t saying other lives don’t, it’s just emphasizing that there’s statistically more violence against black people and people of color from police,” Hopkins said.

According to senior Mark Howells, the message and idea of the movement is important and intended to be positive. However, Black Lives Matter gets a bad reputation from violent people that are associating themselves with the movement.

“With every group, there will always be extremists that take measures into their own hands and do something in the name of a cause that is completely peaceful,” Howells said.

The Local Level

According to Howells, there are not local issues surrounding police misconduct because of the transparency between the police and citizens here in Northborough.

“Living in Northborough, I’m thankful because they have a very strict department, and the department is pushed to a very high standard, which is good,” Howells said. “Everything the Northborough police does is documented, regardless of what it is.”

According to junior Ryan Strobel, although police misconduct is not a local issue, it is still important to be aware of what is going on throughout the country to establish a good relationship between the police and the public.

“I think that [the police and the public] working together is always a positive thing,” Strobel said. “I think if they could find a happy medium and agreement everyone would be better off.”

GRAPHIC CASSIDY WANG

Youssef impresses, becomes Senior of the Year 2017 JULIA LABICH

StaffWriter Senior Zach Youssef received the title Senior of the Year 2017 after running against six other contestants in the first Senior Pageant on November 10.

The Senior Pageant was broken up into three categories: formal wear, interview, and talent. The seven contestants were judged by Assistant Principal Paul DiDomenico, health teacher Melissa Arvanigian, and economics teacher Nicole Ruffo who ultimately crowned Youssef the winner. In addition to glory, Youssef won a free parking permit.

“For the formal wear I wore a T-hawk shirt, my arms were painted red and gold, my hair was sprayed, and I painted my legs,” Youssef said. “I was wearing shutter shades and a fake red mustache. For the interview, they asked really silly questions, and so I got into my debate habits and I came up with this really elaborate answer about why you should ride an elephant.

And then for the talent, I did some juggling.”

The judges came to their decision while enjoying the show.

“Zach earned the most points through the categories,” Ruffo said. “He had very good showmanship on stage and he was

able to engage everyone which was very tants and their acts. nice. Zach had a presence, and the audi“Honestly, I didn’t prepare for hostence was drawn to him.” ing as much as I should’ve,” Cozzolino “I feel that the Senior Pageant went said. “We went over details in Steering exceptionally well,” DiDomenico said. “It concerning what I would talk about and had a nice pace, it was well-attended, so it how I would introduce contestants, but went well on a number of accounts.” there was no specific script I had.”

“We have at Algonquin Regional High The Senior Steering committee hopes School the most talented students in Mas- that classes continue this event as a tradisachusetts,” Ruffo said tion in the future. and continued to joke, “The Senior Pag“And this was, out of the “The Senior Pageant was one of the 75 years that I judged most successful events Mr. and Mrs. ARHS, the eant was one of we have planned as a most talented group by the most successsteering committee,” far, hands down.” senior class president DiDomenico was ful events we have Brendan Foley said. “We pleased that the show planned as a steerwere able to start from was opened up to all scratch on a new idea, genders; in years past, an ing committee.” and get enough of the event similar to the SeBRENDAN FOLEY class on board to to go nior Pageant, called Mr. to the pageant.”

SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT ARHS, was available to “It is fun and it gets only male participants. kids out of their comfort “I played the recorder with my nose,” zones,” senior contestant Owen Lyons senior contestant Kayla Barletta said. said. “The audience loved when I looked “I was wicked nervous. I had never re- into the crowd and I brought up Chris ally gone in front of a crowd before so I Skinner on stage and sung Wrecking Ball wasn’t ready for it at all. But it was worth to him.” it because it was a lot of fun.”

“I thought it went well,” audience Senior Drew Cozzolino hosted the member senior Caroline McAndrews said. pageant, introducing individual contes- “The performances were interesting and

very different from one another, and funny. It was a good school event and a way to fundraise by bringing the community together.”

COURTESY BRENDAN FOLEY

Senior Zach Youssef poses after being named Senior of the Year 2017 at the first Senior Pageant on November 10.

tHE haRBINGER

Opinion

8

DECEMBER 2016

Twins are individuals, stop comparing When you and your twin are at the same stage in your different lives, people have the chance to examine the differences you have. Parents, peers, and teachers all do this.

Why can’t you be more like your brother?

Why can’t your brother be more like you? These are skull-crushing questions when it comes to being a twin.

I’ve noticed questions can come from anywhere and be about anything, and a lot of them have to do with who’s better.

Who’s taller? Who’s older? Who’s smarter?

Who’s the better athlete? These are small questions compared to the worst one of all: who is the better twin?

I’m sorry, but I’m not going to tell you that I’m better or worse than my brother.

There is no possible way of doing that. We are two different people, and like everyone else out there, we want our own identities.

A standard is held if one or the other Photo Rafaela Coelho is good at something or acts a certain way.

Sophomore twins Riley and Shea Garand wish to be recognized as two sepaIt doesn’t matter if people realize it or rate individuals trying to grow independently rather than being constantly not, being on the front line and seeing the compared to one another. treatment first hand, I can say that this is Riley garand entiate one from the other: school, sports, sibling rivalry at its finest. popularity, personality, strength and interPeople need to remember that twins StaffWriter ests are just the beginning of the many are two separate human beings who hapWhen I grew up I had the sudden re- factors people think about. pened to be womb mates. alization that I was not alone in this world.

In elementary and middle school, Being a fraternal twin does have its I had a brother that looked similar to me, when my brother and I gravitated towards perks when it comes to and we were forced to share everything similar activities, it was albeing your own person. with each other. It wasn’t just my room, ways a competition. I could There are rarely any We are two toys, and clothes; it was our room, our toys never just take a test or play times when someone different peoand our clothes. You name it, we shared it. sports without constantly calls out my brother’s Don’t get me wrong, being a twin feeling that there was always name when trying to get ple, and like does have its perks, but I feel as if there a winner or loser. It’s not a my attention. everyone else are challenges on every level. Like other great confidence booster This makes me wontwins out there, I have issues with the bag- when you always have the der how identical twins out there, we gage that comes with it: comparison and feeling of being in an ongodeal with being compared want our own competition. ing race to greatness. when they are physical I’m not talking about the little things I do agree that comcarbon copies of each identities. like sharing a room or frustrating each peting against one another other. Just because they other into oblivion. I’m talking about be- pushes us or any other pair look identical or similar ing compared to each other just because of twins to do better, but my confidence doesn’t mean they are the same person. you are the same age, look similar, and are level is always either catapulted up or In the end, I ask that people not look going through the same stages of life to- brought crashing down. In some cases as at twins as being better or worse than each gether. a twin it feels like I am competing against a other, but as individuals figuring out life, All throughout my life, my brother better version of myself. This competition not wanting to be judged by how their and I have been compared in almost ev- made us both draw ourselves away from closely related sibling is figuring things out erything under the sun in order to differ- taking on similar interests. for themselves.

Wishing for Winter Ball to reappear

Making memories is part of the fun for school dances Lauren Speranzella

StaffWriter Lights glisten all around and slowly the crowd of dressed up high schoolers walk into the ballroom surrounded by good music, dancing, and most importantly, holiday cheer.

Getting the chance to dress up is a treat. It’s not every day that you get to go out and find the perfect dress or tie to fit the event.

I looked forward to going out on a shopping trip with my mom every December to find the one dress for Winter Ball that puts a smile on my face. Not only do I miss our annual trip to the mall, but I also miss the day of the dance.

My mom loves getting involved in helping me get ready for the night. She always wanted to make sure my hair and makeup looked great. With me being the only girl of four children, she looks forward to events like these. Sadly there are very few events like Winter Ball left running at Algonquin.

Gathering with friends and family before the night began was special. Parents stare in awe of how beautiful or handsome their son or daughter looks. They make sure to take pictures of just about everything from every angle possible. Although this can be annoying in the moment, you thank them after for taking that picture of you and a good friend that wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t force it at the time.

Whole school events have decreased as my high school years have gone on. Events such as the Moon Dance under the stars and individual grades’ dances have stopped. Getting dressed up with friends and spending a night dancing, laughing, and celebrating just isn’t enough for some people. But for me and many others, this is a great way to hangout with friends in a different way than usual.

Whole school dances are fun. Unfortunately Winter Ball, a

courtesy lauren speranzella

Seniors Bridget Kiley and Lauren Speranzella pose for pictures while getting ready for Winter Ball sophomore year. Speranzella yearns for the experience of preparing for the holiday dance with family and friends.

tradition for many years, has been cancelled and I strongly believe it should be brought back. Students should have the opportunity to get dressed up and have a fun night spent with friends.

Maybe future Winter Balls shouldn’t be the same as they were before, but something similar can bring the school together in a fun way for everyone to celebrate the holidays.

Overseas trips let students learn from life Julia guay

StaffWriter Throughout the years, the number of overseas trips connected with or sponsored by Algonquin has declined rapidly, limiting students from gaining worldwide experiences.

Teachers in the language department in previous years have conducted field trips to France, Italy, Costa Rica, Spain, Ireland and more. They opened the trips up to students, and although not officially school-sponsored, they exposed students to languages, lives, and cultures around the world.

However, according to department head Angela Moll, the trips have been put on pause due to liability issues. As a result, overseas field trips have been discontinued for the past few years, limiting students’ active learning opportunities.

Field trips to faraway places are beneficial to students and their ability to learn and apply both academic and life skills. Overseas trips provide them with real life examples of what they have learned throughout high school. In previous field trips I have been on, such as to various historical and artistic museums and monuments, I have learned more during the experience of going to places than I ever did reading from a textbook or listening to teachers lecture.

Students are more likely to remember the criteria learned throughout the school year and apply them to their day to day lives when they experience the situations themselves I have versus reading about learned more people who during the have done those things. experience When of going to travelling to other places than parts of the I ever did world, students are reading from forced to be a textbook. outside their comfort zones and are tested to see how much they know.

For example, if a French class were to go to France, students would be forced to use the French they’ve learned in order to communicate with the locals and perform basic everyday actions, such as ordering food or asking for the bathroom.

The trips would also not take away from the students learning in other subjects, as most trips are taken during vacations.

School field trips grant students the ability to travel to places that they never thought that they would and gain experiences from other countries and cultures.

As some families cannot afford to send their child to such extravagant places around the world, schools are usually granted large group discounts due to the fact that they are travelling for educational purposes, thus providing students with the best educational opportunities possible.

I believe field trips should be brought back to Algonquin to allow for students to explore different parts of the world during their high school experience. Overseas field trips allow excited students to use their knowledge in the real world.

tHE haRBINGER

OPINION

9

DECEMBER 2016

THE DEBATE: VS. Alex martin

StaffWriter It seems that high school students live off of Netflix, binge watching shows whenever they have the time. “Friends” and “How I Met Your Mother” are two shows that grab many people’s attention.

Both shows feature ensemble casts in simple, amusing, twenty two minute-long episodes. As the shows are rather similar, I was surprised to find that most people have strong feelings towards one or the other.

“Friends” first premiered in 1994, and now all nine seasons are available on Netflix. Best friends and NYC neighbors Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Monica are entertaining to watch, drawing viewers into the show with their antics and relationships.

When giving their preference for this show, many students said that the connection between the characters was simply amazing.

“The characters have a special unbreakable bond which makes the show so amazing,” senior Julia La-

bich said.

Stinson is a promiscuThe characters of ous man who keeps the “Friends,” along with the show interesting by acceptcreative writing and story- ing outrageous challenges at telling aspect of the show, new extremes. have students hooked. “‘How I Met Your “‘Friends’ is a clas- Mother’ is my generation of sic show you can never go jokes,” senior Matt Hayes wrong with,” sophomore said.

Emma Fellenbaum said.

“It’s one of the only “How I Met Your shows that makes me laugh Mother” by myself,” first aired One [relates] to senior Shawn in 2005 and Sullivan said. entails the millennials while If these story of the other is a two shows how Ted are so simiMosby met simple classic. lar, how his wife could one through adventures with his simply choose a favorite? friends, Barney, Marshall, Many students struggled Lily and Robin. With a simi- choosing between the two lar plot to Friends, “How popular sitcoms.

I Met Your Mother” scru“It’s like picking a fatinizes early adulthood in vorite child, you just can’t New York City. do it,” junior Cristina Gua“‘How I Met Your rino said.

Mother’ has a very enjoyBoth shows explore the able plotline,” freshman Jor- challenges of early adultdan Manousos said. “Plus, hood, one relating to milBarney Stinson makes that lennials while the other is a show truly unique.” simple classic.

“How I Met Your “‘How I Met Your Mother” fans spoke more Mother’ takes the formula about the plot line, the co- ‘Friends’ started and made medic aspect of the show, it better and improved on it and everyone’s favorite entirely,” senior Jack Shaw character, Barney Stinson. said.

photo jen fox

At a post-election rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, protesters gather to express their continued support of Hillary Clinton after Trump’s win.

Protests prove ineffective: Change comes from political action

Oregon involved dumpster fires and smashed windows, to which the city poCopy Editor lice retaliated with pepper spray and stun “By this time tomorrow one of grenades. In Oakland, California, streets these candidates will be president, and were set on fire and cops used tear gas. the other will be threatening to sue realBut it’s not just violence that makes ity.” the protests wrong.

When Daily Show host Trevor Noah These protesters have no objective. was referring to the upcoming Election What point are they trying to prove?

Day and the Democratic and Republi- What do they plan to achieve? can candidates, he didn’t consider the No matter how many rallies there hundreds of thousands of anti-Trump are or how much property damage is invoters that would deflicted, it is essentially scend on city streets set in stone Trump Holding up signs and protest #NotMywill be the 45th presiPresident. of the United isn’t taking action; dent The rallies ocStates come January. curred all over the it’s being passive.

If the protesters country from Los Anare trying to change geles to New York to something, holding up Chicago just hours after the results were signs isn’t taking action; it’s being passive. revealed. And to some extent, I underFortunately, in this country, we don’t stand why people would want to protest. have to stand back and watch. If peoTrump is misogynistic. Trump can ple are truly unhappy with the results, be unprofessional. Trump is a hypocrite there are ways to participate in governfor saying that he wants for us to “come ment, such as working to pass legislatogether as one united people” when he ture through local government. And this plans on alienating half of the American doesn’t only apply to post-election propopulation by building a wall. testing. A change isn’t going to happen Plus, freedom of speech and free- unless you do something to act upon it. dom of expression in this country are As for our president-elect, the peonot just allowed, but encouraged, so ple have spoken, and now is not the time protesters had every right to speak their to try to fight against the results, but to minds. respect the country’s decision.

For the most part, the protests were peaceful. However, protests in Portland, clarissa wong

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tHE haRBINGER

Opinion

10

DECEMBER 2016

Flexibility in AP prerequisites will lead to more learning to take simply because my sophomore year Chemistry grade StaffWriter ended with a B+ rather than an Although I enjoy my fairly A? laid-back class schedule, in the This little slip of a Chemcompetitive atmosphere of ap- istry grade, which could be the plying to colleges, I regret not difference of a few points, does pushing myself harder academi- not define how I would have cally. done in the AP Biology class.

With course selections for That B+ could’ve been accrednon-seniors approaching, I look ited to something as small as one back and wish I was allowed to bad test, or a couple of sick days take AP Biology, a class revolv- that ended up holding me back. ing around a subject which I’m However, I was determined passionate about. Biology fasci- to get into the class. At the end nated me of last freshman year I tried year, and talking to There was no undersince I am a multianticipattude of standing of how desing gopeople, perately I wanted to ing into includthe health ing my take this class, along field, I guidance with how hard I was figured c o u n there’d be selor, my willing to work to do no better Chemistry well in it. class to teacher, take than and the AP Bio. departHowever, science AP class- ment head. es have required prerequisites, There was nothing that grades which the student must could be done. The final grade have earned in Biology, Chemis- was the only representation of try, and Physics. my academic ability they would This makes sense. The take into consideration. No class’s rigor should be met by begging or testimony from my exceptional grades in previous previous science teachers statscience classes. ing that I was qualified enough The prerequisite is a B in to excel in the AP class made a honors Biology, and an A in CP difference. I simply couldn’t take Chemistry. The grades have to the class, and I’m sure there are be met, with absolutely no ex- other students who have experiception. enced this same situation.

This inflexibility and lack of The reasoning behind the exception makes no sense. restriction is that there are many Why should I, a good stu- students competing to get into dent, be restricted from taking a advanced science classes. The class that I strongly feel the urge Dana Fishman

students with the required higher grades absolutely deserve to take the spots in the quickly filling up classes.

While I understand this reasoning, there’s no reason I shouldn't be allowed to go on a waitlist or a pending sort of deal. In the first weeks of school, many students drop classes on their schedule, and I would be surprised if I wouldn’t have been able to fill a free spot.

That’s what frustrated me the most. There was nothing I could do; all they said was no.

There was no understanding of how desperately I wanted to take this class, along with how hard I was willing to work to do well in it.

Next year, when I go into a nursing program at a university and sit down in my class, my last time having taken a Biology class will have been my freshman year of high school. I will be at a disadvantage.

AP Biology would have done great things for me. It would have disciplined me and prepared me for college. It would’ve allowed me to be inducted into Science National Honor Society. It would have toughened up my senior year schedule. It would have taught me vital info on a subject which I’ll need as a working professional in the health field.

While prerequisites are an important part of the picture, there should be more consideration into letting students take the classes they strongly feel the need to take. Sometimes an exception can lead to an exceptional change in a person’s life.

Support local businesses

Shopping small can have big impact owners of these small businesses are working to make a living for themselves while providing the Every town has small, community with great places to friendly shops, restaurants, and enjoy. Large corporation owncompanies which are owned and ers are just making money to get run by members of the commu- rich. Who would you rather give nity. your money to?

Unlike the larger chain The future of local small stores and restaurants that can businesses does not look bright. be found anywhere, these unique Northborough’s downtown looks places give each town a sense of dead, as very few local businesscommunity and something that es dare to open in an economy makes it different. Nowhere else where they know that they have in the world few customers. can you find Meanwhile, more a particular development to These unique small busibenefit rich corness except porations continplaces give a in its commulike Northsense of pride to ues, nity, and many borough Crossing members beand the future the community. lieve that their Apex Centre in town’s local Marlborough are business is the already destroybest in their industry anywhere. ing some of the most treasured Unfortunately, many of local businesses. For example, these businesses are suffering. beloved O’Brien’s 5 & 10 is gone.

The owners of the competing The proposed parlors and large corporations are typically bowling alley at Apex will probmaking more money, so they ably force Sawyer’s to close, and can afford to sell cheaper items. new shops and restaurants will Large stores can mark up their slow business at the local ones. products because they have mil- However, the loss of these places lions of customers every day, and can be easily be avoided if we millions of cents every day adds consider going to the smaller up to a lot of money. businesses on Main Street instead A small business might have of flocking to the bigger, newer, tens of customers every day, cash-mines of Wall Street. so they can rarely afford to sell products as inexpensively. The Carter Brannon

StaffWriter

graphic Diana Roy & tess herdman

Consumers who shop at community-based businesses are vital to helping them compete against larger corporations.

Protect yourself from the possibility of theft Tess herdman

Opinion Editor The bell rings. You grab your backpack and rush out of class in an attempt to beat the chicken nugget Wednesday crowds in the cafeteria. You realize later that in your speedy exit, you forgot something.

Hopefully it will be there when you go back for it, but unfortunately this is not always the case.

I left my Vineyard Vines sweatshirt in the Black Box theater, and that was the last I saw of my new cozy, pink friend. A search of every classroom in my schedule, each office, and all the overflowing cardboard lost and found boxes sprinkled around the school yielded no results.

I realized that many of my classmates have faced similar situations.

Sophomore Asma Ali’s shoes were stolen from her gym locker.

Senior Sophia Cappello experienced theft at school when her new iPhone 7+ was stolen after she left her phone in an art classroom on November 9.

“I went to the art room and I went to see where I had left it and it wasn’t there,” Cappello said.

Administrators attempt to investigate incidents of reported theft internally, generally without involving law enforcement.

“We can use cameras, we can use witness statements…” Assistant Principal

Michele Tontodonato said. “We try to find out what happened. If there is someone we feel did it, we will talk to them.”

There has been a recent attempt to improve security with the addition of eighteen cameras and changes to the system for entering the school.

“We do have access to more [security cameras] now, so that does help,” Tontodonato said. “But you have to remember the cameras are in specific locations, so they’re limited too.”

Although I feel confident in the school’s security from outside threats, I do not believe that these i m provements will combat theft from other students.

To my knowledge, there is not a camera in every classroom, and all it takes is for someone to slip the stolen item into a pocket or

bag and they have succeeded.

I do not blame the administration for this. There will never be perfect security even at the safest of schools. Added protection has to come from how students act.

When I spoke to other students, their level of trust surprised me, but I understood why they felt confident in the safety of their things here.

“In the locker room, sometimes I leave stuff unlocked because I know the room will be locked and I trust my teammates,” junior Bridget Brady said. “I feel really safe here.”

“I leave a lot of stuff in the auditorium and the band hallway,” sophomore Max Petrie said.

“I would not leave anything in the halls or caf-

eteria.”

For Capello and me, these incidents have highlighted the disparity between how we tend to view the Algonquin student body and what can happen if we aren’t careful with our things.

graphic cassidy wang

“As much as you want to have faith in people and believe people are better than that, they’re really not,” Cappello said.

Although I wish that these unfortunate thefts hadn’t happened, I know that I have learned my lesson. I hope that you will learn from us instead of learning the hard way by losing your own items.

Sometimes you may be able to recover your item, as Cappello’s phone was found in the art room several weeks after it had disappeared. However, this will not happen with all lost items.

Double check that you have everything before you leave a classroom. Take the extra minute to put things that you don’t need for class or activities in your locker. Go back for lost items immediately instead of waiting until the end of the day.

These minor extra steps can keep you from a lot of stress and losing hundreds of dollars.

If you see something that seems to be lost, help a fellow student out and give it to your teacher or the office to hold on to until the person who lost it can come back for it.

“If you’re someone who has morals, integrity and sees someone’s phone lying on the ground, bring it to the office,” Cappello said. “Do not just leave it there, because it will get stolen... Don’t let that be you.”

tHE haRBINGER

EDITORIAL

11

DECEMBER 2016

Generosity and appreciation should Harbinger be present every day of the year The Algonquin

With the cold of winter comes the warmth of family, friends, and even strangers. The holiday spirit always seems to heighten our generosity, our capacity to love, our gratitude. But what if we maintained this spirit throughout the year?

What if gift giving and charitable living lasted all year long and not solely during the holiday season?

Financially, people may not be able to give material gifts.

However, we have the ability to voice our sympathy, compassion, love, and other genuine feelings to all people throughout the year. Simply letting people

know that they are appreciated can make they spent on themselves had no impact on a world of difference in one person’s day. happiness.” Gifting all year long would inImagine the increase in positivity if the crease happiness for givers and receivers holiday spirit overflowed into the rest of alike. the months of the year.

Despite the happiness gift-giving Gift receivers aren’t the brings, generosity shines brightest during only ones who bentough times. When life efit from giving; the is the opposite of sungift giver also enjoys What if gift shine, and flowers and the effects of gen- giving and candy, a token of frienderosity. Princeton ship or appreciation has University scholar charitable livthe greatest impact.

Dr. Michael Nor- ing lasted all So as nice as the ton held a study holiday season is in its testing which made year long and ability to bring people humans happier: not solely durtogether and inspire spending money kindness, let’s keep on oneself or ing the holiday people together. Let’s on others. The season? continue to spark that results indikindness because not evcated that eryday can be a holiday. permission coffee “that those who reported spending more on others… also reported a The unsigned editorial reflects the views of greater level of happiness, while how much The Editorial Board.

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

Volume 29 Issue 3

Editorial Board Editors-in-chief Jen Fox & Riya Pujari

managing editors Kayla Morkert & Max Donahue

Photo Editor Rafaela Coelho

News Editor

Shannon Youngberg & Cassidy Wang

Sports Editor Emily Smith

A&E Editors

Retraction and apology to our readers In Volume 29, Issue 2, The Harbinger published an article titled “Sahlberg to play NYC tuba in hand at Macy’s Parade” by Lucas Begnami. After the fact, the Editorial Board learned the article contained fabricated quotes from junior Caitlyn Sahlberg and incorrect information regarding her participation in the parade. We formally retract this article, and would like to specify that Caitlyn did play the sousaphone in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

We apologize for the fabricated piece and only wish we had caught the falsehood before publication. There is a level of trust placed in our staff writers to be ethical and candid journalists, and for us as editors to enforce such ethics and maintain the trust of our readers.

Again, our sincerest apology to our readers and especially to Caitlyn Sahlberg. Her accomplishment was amazing, and we congradulate her on her performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Join

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

No excuses for early start Algonquin Regional High School is without excuse in the area of the school start time for students. We are behind schools like Biddeford High School which has already made the shift to 8:30 start time. This school system concluded that the early start time is in fact damaging the student’s mental, physical, and emotional health and is largely impacting their education.

Teenagers are biologically wired to need more sleep, it is a part of the way their bodies function. Students cannot be expected to perform to the best of their abilities when required to be alert for 7AM, a time scientists have proven is more difficult to learn, listen, concentrate, and solve problems.

Many argue this type of shift would cause hassle with the bus schedules and interrupt the timing of the day, but I believe this issue goes far beyond the inconvenience of after school pick ups and later

quin n o g l The A

H The Harbinger Editorial Policies The Harbinger is the official student-publication of Algonquin Regional High School. The Harbinger has been established as a designated public forum for student editors to inform and educate their 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 and not school officials or the

r e g n i arb

practice times. I praise the article “Later School Start Times Yield Teachable Moments” for even coming up with the logistics that could accommodate all sides.

One study found that only 15% of high school students get the required number hours of sleep.

Whether they be in a classroom, or on the road driving, the student’s safety, well-being, and health is on the line.

With over 200 schools nationwide shifting their start time over the past few years, (“Later School Start Times Yield Teachable Moments,” Portland Press Herald, 9 September 2016) Algonquin must take action on this issue. Schools have found that such changes have decreased tardiness and left the school environment more vibrant than ever. This change has the power to shape students learning.

-- Selena Safiol, senior

If you are interested in writing articles, taking photos, or designing pages, come to H217 on Tuesdays after school.

school itself, its student editorial board assumes complete legal liability for the content of the publication.

The expression of opinions by all readers is encouraged through letters to the editor. Letters may be submitted to arhsharbinger@gmail.com.

Letters to editor should not exceed 300 words, must be signed, and must include writer’s email address and phone number for verification.

Concerns about errors published in The Harbinger may be submitted though the Editors in Chief. Staff members will strive to correct errors prior to publication; however, if the editorial board determines a significant error is printed, the board will determine the manner and timeliness of a correction.

Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in advertising in The Harbinger should contact the editors at arhsharbinger@gmail.com for rates, policies, and deadlines. Advertising that appears in The Harbinger is not necessarily endorsed by The Harbinger or its staff members, editorial board or adviser.

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

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

Paige Morse & Maggie Del Re

Opinion editors Diana Roy & Tess Herdman

online editor Carey Davis

copy Editor Clarissa Wong

Assistant News Editor Elissa Gorman

Assistant Sports Editor Darby Kim

Assistant A&E Editor Anna Silver

Assistant Online

Asma Ali & Natalie Sadek

Assistant PHOTO Henna Dhingra

Adviser

Lindsay Coppens

Contributing Staff Riley Garand, Caroline Beek, Dana Fishman, Julia Guay, Brooke Suitum, Anita Nyberg, Rachael Shek, Kelly Slovin, Lauren Speranzella, Julia Labich, Anna He, Alex Martin, Jaiden Dallis, Drew Despres, Farah Djunaedi, Sherilyn Hinchey, Apple Lin, Katrina Liu, Owen Lyons, Rebecca Poretsky, Monique Radloff, Julie Rogers, Lindsey Stevenson, Elise Gallagher, Lucas Begnami, Carter Brannon

tHE haRBINGER

12

Feature december 2016

A [Polish] Roman Catholic Christmas Maddie Forde, senior

Describe the religion you celebrate. good luck in sports. Sometimes there’s I’m Roman Catholic. I regularly attend crying, because it gets very emotional. mass every weekend. I’ve been Roman It’s one of my favorite things to do, and you can even give it to your pets, Catholic my entire life. You can call too, it’s really funny. me a Cradle Catholic. Christmastime For what religious reasons do you is the most important holiday of the year because that’s when our savior Je- celebrate the winter holidays? sus Christ was born.

It’s the most imporIt’s basically one of tant time of the year the most important “[Christmas] is just for Catholics. Jesus holidays of the year too commercialized comes down and asfor my family, for form as a man; now, and you forget sumes my church, besides he just loves us so Easter, too. the religious part of much that he comes down and becomes it.”

Describe the reliman. It really symbolgious holidays you izes his love for us celebrate during the winter season. because he will eventually go on to We open presents, we have our Polish die on the cross for dinner. It’s a tradition we celebrate us, so it’s a very called Wigilia, pronounced “Veh-layimportant time of uh,” and it’s basically a Polish dinner the year. It celebrated at sundown. There’s Christ- basimas wafer, which is called oplatek, and cally basically you go around to everyone at the table and give a small piece to them, wishing them wellness for the year ahead of them, good health,

A Persian Christmas

Saba Saidi, senior Describe the religion you celebrate.

Both of my parents were raised Muslim. My dad still prays five times a day, and he used to fast for Ramadan. They never tried to force Islam onto me, so I never felt any pressure to believe in it. But I did try it. For a couple weeks, I prayed three times a day. I learned this long prayer. Eighth grade is when I started questioning everything. And then atheism happened.

Describe the holidays you celebrate during the winter season associated with your religion.

The prophet’s [Muhammad] birthday is December 12. In Iran they get the day off from school and some people go to the mosques to be together on the day, but we don’t do any-

thing.

We’re just like “Oh, happy birthday.” You’re supposed to donate to the poor, on that specific day.

Does your family have any special holiday traditions?

There are a lot of traditions associated with Iran in general that are rooted in Zoroastrianism. Not that many people practice it. They’re kind of more involved with the calendar itself, because the Persian calendar is based on the sun, so the New Year is the first day of spring. The Wednesday before the New Year is Chaharshanbeh Suri, which ‘Cha-

defines Christianity.

Has Christmas become less religious over the years?

Oh, absolutely. Unfortunately, secularization of the holidays has been taking over and I don’t think that’s necessarily right. I think we really need to recognize that on Christmas Jesus Christ was born, for our sake, because he loved us. It’s not about getting all these presents. It’s just too commercialized now, and you forget the religious part of it. But I think the holidays are a great time to get

together, even if you’re not religious at all.

Is it okay to say ‘Merry Christmas,’ or should people be more religiously objective?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with spreading the joy of Christmas. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

I think it’s great. Even if people might not celebrate that holiday, it’s about getting together and sharing the warmth and the love around this time of year.

Four w celebra one sh sentim

Do you feel as though many of harshanthe themes of Christmas have bebeh’ means ‘Wednesday’ come dissociated with Christianity? and ‘Suri’ comes from the word ‘red.’ You make That’s such a deep question. I’d say little fires, and then you yes. It’s kind of more about giving to jump over your friends and your them and say family and spending “Every year, me ‘Zardi-e to az time with your family man zard-e man as opposed to celebratand my friends az to’ which means ing-- is it the birth of do Secret Santa... Jesus? like, ‘I give my sicknesses to you, and even though in you give me health,’ Do you ever join our group we have friends for festivities because ‘zardi’ is ‘yellowness,’ and yellow is Hinduism, Sikhism, related to their own associated with being religions? atheism, agnosti- Every year, me and sick, and then red is like lively and alive, cism, questioning, my friends do Secret which is like the fire. and then we all Jewish, Christian. Santa, hang out on the halfDo you participate in It’s a good time.” day after school and any festivities associexchange gifts, even ated with religions though in our group other than your own? we have Hinduism, Sikhism, atheYes, I participate in Christmas… I feel ism, agnosticism, questioning, Jewish, like it has become an Christian. It’s a good time. We call it American thing; it’s fun Secret Holiday Regalo Ghost. to give gifts.

lking about? ta ’s e n o ry e v e ” a nza What is this “Kwa termination.

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Decem cal of the holiday pi ty pu po to ry d candle Contra The seven-tiere a za an Kw f, lie connects lar be holder similarly te na gi or t no menodid to the Hanukkah it is r no a, ric represents in Af rah, but instead cu se a s it’ ; us les, as well religio the seven princip ed at br le ce ay lid and liberalar ho African ancestry d as ite Un e th in ily A symbolic primar n movements. tio . s are reStates and various crop e modth at m to ng di on sp Re for self-actuof the American ective emblems m sp lis cia er m m co ern ro-American tion and for Af creator Maulana iza , al on as se as tm Chris r labor. or y and reward fo ith Kwanzaa in w st hi up e m ca a ng Kare e harvests and an sylvania Afric 1966 to celebrat rsity of Penn zaa Website Sources Unive human good: of s Official Kwan le & cip er in nt pr Ce n seve Studies ith, purpose, colive creativity, unity, fa at er op co , responsibility lective work and

‘Holiday Tree’ or ‘Giving Elissa Gorman

News Editor Administrators are currently debating a new title for the tree in the cafeteria to better encompass themes of giving across all religious platforms.

Although the rumored name ‘Holiday Tree’ from previous years remains a possibility, “Giving Tree” is a second label being considered.

“I think that hits the mark better than a ‘Holiday tree’ or a ‘Christmas tree,’ to call it a ‘Giving tree,’” Principal Tom Mead said. “It should be symbolic of that cooperative and collaborative effort that we go through on a regular basis.”

The tree, as in years past, will

have cards hanging from its varieties of gift items to prov derprivileged child.

The goal of renaming the tree is to emphasize “[ the season of selflessness regardless of reli- sy gious beliefs. er “Changing the name would uphold ef the feeling of generos- on ity that seems universal among all religions,” sophomore Sydney Rosenthal said.

Student clubs and organizations throughout th part in charity work year-round of year is when thanks is gi

tHE haRBINGER

Feature

13

december 2016

Describe the religion celebrated at home and how your beliefs correlate with it.

Our family is pretty reform. We’re not Orthodox, so we don’t go to [temple] every single holiday. We’re very lax about it. We just go once or twice a year, on the big holidays. And we celebrate Hanukkah, too.

part of it, because it’s nice to gather around as a family and it’s nice to get presents...

Hanukkah is not really a major holiday in the Jewish religion. It’s kind of just there because of Christmas.

How do you celebrate Hanukkah, as an atheist?

A big part of it, for me, is just the tradition, enjoying that rather than the actual religious

Have you felt any pressure from your parents to practice Judaism?

In the beginning, when I first kind of thought I was atheist, I was very antireligion, which is something I totally don’t agree with now, but at that point I thought all religion is bad, and at that point my parents were kind of not okay with it, just

winter ations, hared ment

Algonquin students share their holiday traditions

Describe the religion you celebrate around the holidays.

I celebrate Hanukkah. It goes on for eight nights. Every night you light a candle on the menorah, which is a- I mean, I hope people know what it is, but it has eight spots and then in the middle there is one center spot for the candle that you use every night. And then after that- you don’t have to do this, but it’s sort of a tradition- you give presents, and you do that every night for eight nights.

Do you feel personally involved in religious activities, or do you do it primarily because of your parents involvement?

I belong to a temple in Westborough.

I attend their school and I learn about Judaism and Hebrew and the Torah and then I also teach on Sundays. I’ve been there since kindergarten, so it’s

Jewish traditions, atheist beliefs

Max Weinberg, junior

because it was like spreading hate. But I think they’ve come to understand me, and we’ve come in agreement where at least I enjoy the tradition and the celebration.

good. It’s important. At least in a proper, academic setting, not just ad hominem attacks. But people just understanding that it is a viewpoint that I hold is important.

“The best part [of Hanukkah], for me, is just the tradition, enjoying that rather than the actual religious part of it.”

Can you describe what atheism means for you?

It’s that I hold the belief that I choose not to believe in a god, just because I don’t see a need for it. That’s kind of what it is, for me.

By recognizing, do you mean acknowledging it and not going against it?

No, going against it is

like a second school for me.

How have members of the Algonquin community responded to the religion you and inclupractice, if at all? Posision during the tively? Negatively? holiday season?

I don’t feel like I’m negatively shamed Honestly, not that much, or anything, but I also don’t feel because I really like Christmas so there’s a big presence of Judaism, and I’m all for everything that they do. I a big, like “Yeah! know that there’s a Go Judaism!”

“Being with your family Christmas tree up, But people and yeah, it would and being able to celare like “Yeah, be cool if they had Avery! Go Jew! ebrate the same tradia menorah, and That’s great!” candles, tion over and over again Kwanzaa and I’m like and for people to “Yeah! That’s [is the best thing about be more informed. me!”

Hanukkah].”

What would you Is there anysay is the best thing you wish Algonquin as a thing about your religion and corcommunity might do differently responding holidays? The worst? to show more religious acceptance I don’t mean to sound cheesy, but it’s

What would you say is the best thing about the holiday season, regardless of your beliefs?

Coming together…

At the core of it, it’s just bringing people together. And the worst? People who would try and say a religion is more important than another. Like “You can have this menorah here, but we’re going to put up our Christmas tree.” It would be okay if all religions were trivialized, including lack of religion, but when one is held on a higher pedestal that’s when I think it’s unfair.

“All Judaism, all the time!”

Avery Manousos, senior being with your family and being able to celebrate the same tradition over and over again. And the worst? I don’t know if there is a worst. After we make latkes, the whole house smells like potatoes and frying oil, which is not a bad smell, but you know.

What do you think of Algonquin’s annual holiday decorations and celebrations?

Whether it’s Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever holiday you celebrate, I think that they’re all bringing happiness and joy, and I think that’s great.

Tree,’ it stands for generosity of the season

branches with vide for an un-

contributions seem to be appreciated even more so.

“It really goes out that way as a gesture and beyond [The name] should be symbolism,” Mead ymbolic of that coopsaid. “It’s real help and support for rative and collaborative lot of organizaffort that we go through ations that are really calling for it now.” n a regular basis.”

According TOM MEAD to history teacher PRINCIPAL John Barry, the idea of the tree and the gift-giving that he school take comes along with it intends to reach out to d, but this time help children who are less fortunate in terms iven, and their of holiday celebration.

“It is the tree that says to every kid, every adult, ‘Hey! It is time to bring Christmas morning to a kid who isn’t going to get one unless we step up,’” Barry said. “[The significance] comes from what [the tree] allows us to do as a community, how we bring it to life for foster children in a very important season.”

“It makes a lot of kids happy, so that’s a beautiful thing,” Souza said.

Some support the sentiment behind avoiding a religious connotation with the purpose to be as politically correct as possible.

“I do think we should refrain from calling it a Christmas tree, because kids who don’t celebrate could feel left out or unimportant,” Rosenthal said.

Others, however, dissent from a Christmas reference coming across as exclusive.

“As a Jew myself, I don’t take offense to calling it a Christmas tree,” sophomore Emma Fellenbaum said. “Being politically correct is generally a good thing, but in this case it seems a little over the top.”

Mead’s primary concern is ensuring that the tree stands for a wide variety of students who are all united by the magnanimous spirit the holiday season brings.

“I like the idea of the tree as long as the tree is very ecumenical, it’s farreaching, it’s a tree for anything and everything that is worthy of our time and our effort and our generosity,” Mead said. photos rafaela coelho

tHE haRBINGER

Opinion

14

DECEMBER 2016

Allergies affect students Others must ask questions, stay informed anna silver

Assistant A&E Editor When I was three years old, my seven year old sister decided it would be fun to make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because I’d never had one before. It didn’t end well. I instantly had difficulty breathing and I spent the night in the hospital.

When I was three, one of my preschool teachers, who was fully aware of my food allergies, asked me if I could eat Nilla Wafers. I said yes. I should have said no.

It turns out that the Low-Fat Nilla Wafers I had at home were egg-free, but the regular Nilla Wafers at my preschool were not.

In kindergarten, we learned about life cycles by hatching chicks in the classroom. Simply having eggs in the classroom caused a serious rash on my neck.

Let’s just say the people in my class were not so happy with me after the eggs (and then chicks) had to be moved to another classroom. In fact, one boy in my kindergarten class would bring it up for years after, which obviously boosted my self-esteem.

In the first grade, I was building gingerbread houses in class with fluff, its main ingredient being egg. My teacher told us we could try some fluff at one point during the construction process. My dad had to inject me with my EpiPen and take me to the hospital.

I don’t blame my teachers because they were not wishing me ill; they simply didn’t understand the severity of my egg and nut allergies.

I was actually the reason sharing food got banned at Peaslee Elementary School. Sorry, Peaslee Pandas!

Whenever I tell people I am allergic to eggs, they do that sort of pitiful head-tilt and ask, “So you, like, can’t have any baked goods?”

I actually did something called “The Food Challenge” at Boston Children’s Hospital in fourth grade; the name isn’t as fun as it sounds. Basically some people with egg allergies are only allergic to egg in dishes such as omelets and quiches, but not in baked goods like cake.

So, my mom baked vanilla cupcakes with egg and we brought them to Boston Children’s Hospital so I could taste some, surrounded by some of the most talented doctors and nurses in the world, to see if I was allergic to eggs in baked goods. I wasn’t up to the challenge.

People always ask me about my EpiPen. Do I always bring it with me?

Yes. Have I ever had to use it? Yes, several times. It’s kind of impossible to live with severe food allergies for sixteen years and not have had to use an EpiPen at least a few times.

Is an EpiPen different from regular shots at the doctor? When people ask me this question, I recall a moment in my eighth grade health class, right after I had presented my PowerPoint on allergies.

Someone raised a hand and asked whether EpiPens hurt more or less than a normal shot. My health teacher said that an EpiPen does not hurt more than a regular shot. I was in shock!

Every time I’ve had to use my EpiPen which is always injected into the upper thigh, my leg has gone numb and I haven’t been able to walk on it for at least a couple of hours.

And, you have to go to the emergency room afterward. So no, an EpiPen is not like a regular shot.

As I’ve grown up, my allergies don’t make me as embarrassed as they used to-and they made me very embarrassed, because I always had to eat different foods than the other kids-but they aren’t something to joke about either.

So, my hope is that you will ask people questions about their allergies, inform yourself, and learn how to inject an EpiPen, because you never know when you might have to do it for someone to save their life.

How do your allergies impact your life?

“I’m allergic to dairy, nuts and shellfish. Growing up with allergies is tough... [but it] makes you more aware of what you’re putting in your body.”

Wylie Ith Senior

“I’m allergic to tree nuts. I can’t eat a lot of baked things, especially from bakeries because there’s always some sort of cross-contamination. But it’s made me a disciplined person, especially when it comes to food.”

Maddie Forde Senior

“I am allergic to fuzzy fruits, so like peaches and kiwis.

It’s good because at least I know I have an allergy, but it’s bad because I like kiwi.”

Abbey O’Brien Weiss Senior

Compiled by diana Roy, Tess herdman & Carey davis

Q&A with school nurse Justine Fishman What is an EpiPen, for people who do not know?

An EpiPen is the brand name for an automatic injector of epinephrine. Epinephrine is a drug that is the first line of treatment to treat an anaphylactic or life-threatening allergy by relaxing the smooth muscle.

It does not cure the underlying cause, it only treats the momentary symptoms, which are usually respiratory or cardiac.

They can inject themselves with this medication so they can buy some time to get treatment so they don’t die which is basically what it boils down to.

What do the nurses do to help students with allergies?

We require by state law, a doctor’s order, and parental permission to give any kind of medication necessary to help them.

Twice a year, we do an educational training for all the faculty and staff on food allergies and EpiPen administration. If there’s an emergency, [one of the nurses] brings our emergency bag with an EpiPen not designated for anyone, and if we think someone is having a life-threatening allergic reaction, we have the medication to treat it. We do compile a list of all the students in the school that have life-threatening allergies, and we share that list with teachers and other staff members.

Do the nurses work with the cafeteria workers to help students and staff with food allergies?

Yes, the cafeteria workers keep a list of all the ingredients of everything that we buy from vendors. We try very hard to encourage good signage in the cafeteria about ingredients for kids with allergies. If you’re on the list of students with allergies, you’re put into the system of what you’re allergic to, so if you were allergic to peanuts and you tried to buy something with peanuts in it, the cafeteria workers would be notified and they’d call me and sort it out which can be really helpful.

What is the most important thing that people should know about allergies?

That it’s real. And that giving the epinephrine when it’s not absolutely needed is a much smaller mistake than not giving the epinephrine when it really is needed.

And people agonize over that, like “How do I know? How do I know?” Well, no one knows anything for sure; you can just assess what’s going on. If you’re not sure, just do it. It’s going to be much less harmful than not giving the epinephrine when it really is needed. Awareness of this is extremely important.

Compiled by anna silver

tHE haRBINGER

15 review Flicks for a chill night in . . .

DECEMBER 2016

Love Actually: heartfelt holiday love the end, I think it makes the movie more authentic. Love A&E Editor Actually will send you on an The holiday season brings emotional rollercoaster, with joy, laughter, and the rebirth many ups and downs. You will of classic holiday movies. Step be laughing one minute, and aside It’s a Wonderful Life and crying the next.

Home Alone; Love Actually The opening credits feais the only movie you need to ture a statement: “Love actualwatch to get into the holiday ly is all around us.” The rest of spirit. the movie proves this hypothThe 2003 Richard Cur- esis, showing love in its purest tis romantic and rawest comedy folforms.

If lows several If you identify as you identify L o n d o n e r s a hopeless roman- as a hopeless as they atromantic, tempt to fall tic, Love Actually Love Actuin love dur- is the perfect late ally is the ing the holiperfect latedays. Woven night movie to cry night movie together are over with friends. to cry over overlapping with friends. tales of hapT h e piness and heartbreak, led by Christmas classic soundtrack an ensemble cast including ties the movie’s theme of love Hugh Grant, Emma Thomp- to the holiday season, along son, Liam Neeson, Keira with other aspects of ChristKnightley, Alan Rickman, mas like school pageants, gift Colin Firth, and Martin Free- shopping, and family gatherman. While some characters ings. If you are snowed in on find true love, others are left a Friday night with nothing to pick up the pieces of their but Netflix, Love Actually is a relationships. Although some movie you will remember long may find it depressing that after it is over. not every character is happy in Paige Morse

Courtesy Amazon.com

A yearly holiday favorite, Love Actually features an ensemble British cast and is available on Netflix streaming.

The Girl on the Train movie adaptation thrills, lives up to book’s reputation as the killer.

The acting is a big part of what made The Girl on the Train so good. Emily The Girl on the Train is a thrilling Blunt as Rachel Watson aced her part as an murder mystery filled with intense plot alcoholic, making Rachel’s struggles as she twists that will keep you on the edge of falls apart feel real. As well as Blunt, Reyour seat. becca Ferguson and Haley Bennett nailed The movie, which is based on the their roles as female leads. best-selling novel of the same title, folSince the movie is a book adaptation, lows the lives of three women living in the there were multiple challenges the direcNew York suburbs: Rachel Watson (Emily tor, Tate Taylor, had to face. One difficulty Blunt), Anna Watson (Rebecca Ferguson), was that the story has various rotating narand Megan Hipwell (Haley rators, so it seems like Bennett). They are all con- Emily Blunt as Rait would be difficult to nected in some way, more transform the novel than they might think as chel Watson aced into a movie. However, the movie goes on. In her part as an Taylor did an incredible short, Anna stole Rachel’s job with that aspect of ex-husband, Megan was alcoholic, making the film. The transithe nanny for Anna’s baby, Rachel’s struggles tions were smooth and and Megan is the girl that made sense. The book Rachel watches from the as she falls apart also had a lot of flashtrain as she commutes to feel real. backs. Each flashback Manhattan every day. gave a little bit more All three of the wominformation about the en face many personal issues and internal events leading up to the murder, so it was struggles. Some of their issues are more important that these were done well in the obvious, like Rachel’s heavy addiction to movie adaptation, which they were. It can alcohol. Other issues are more hidden. easily get confusing when showing flashMegan’s life looks perfect from the out- backs in films, but they were very clear and side, and Rachel wants nothing more than well done. to be in her shoes. However, Megan harOne drawback of the film is that a bors multiple secrets that she only shares few of the scenes, particularly the murder with her therapist, whom she’s having an scene, are gory and vivid, which could be affair with. All of their personal issues in- hard for some viewers to watch. However, tertwining lead up to the intense climax of the movie is rated R, so gore is to be exthe story involving a surprising character pected.

Anita Nyberg

StaffWriter

Courtesy DVDreleasedates.com

The Girl on the Train, based on the novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins, is in theaters now.

Overall, I would give the The Girl on the Train an A. If you like thrillers and suspenseful movies, then this would be a good movie for you. Although it would enhance your experience with the story if you read the book first, it isn’t necessary to enjoy the film, since it is a great movie on its own.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind questions relationships Kayla Morkert

Managing Editor Ethereal and passionate, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” captures viewer’s attention and continues to enthral throughout its storyline. With transient images and compelling chemistry between actors Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey, this psychedelic romance is a must-see.

The film tells the story of an erratic romance between lovers Clementine (Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey).

The pair experiences highs and lows so extreme that when they break up, they decide to erase one another from their memories. Upon finding out Clementine visited a specialist to erase him from her memory, Joel does the same.

From the perspective of Joel, viewers are able to see the inner-workings of his mind as memories of Clementine are wiped from it. As the doctor’s assistant (Mark Ruffalo) destroys all traces of Clementine from Joel’s mind, the memory of who Joel was with Clementine and the memory of Clementine within Joel’s mind attempt to hold onto any memories they can.

Director Michel Gondry makes use of short clips and “Eternal trippy images Sunshine of like faceless people and the Spota never endless Mind” ing segment of memory will leave to replicate viewers a dream.

These techquestioning niques create what conan alternareality stitutes true tive that give the love and the i m p r e s s i o n the act of existence of of remembering as viewsoulmates. ers follow the memory of Joel and the memory of Clementine through Joel’s mind.

During the process of Joel’s memory being erased, other minor love stories unfold. The doctor’s assistant (Mark Ruffalo) and the secretary at the doctor’s office (Kirsten Dunst) are involved in an affair, but the secretary has hidden feelings for another character that make viewers question whether soulmates exist, an intrigue which is perpetuated throughout the film.

The only down side of the film is the dialogue, which can occasionally sound scripted. However, the overall chemistry and comfort between all actors was genuine, despite delivering lines every now and then as if an actor was reading from a teleprompter.

Regardless of some of the awkward discourse, the quirky flick retains some major credit for chemistry, aesthetic appeal, and overall depth of theme. By the end of the movie, viewers realize that the plot had no beginning, middle, or end, but was instead a few points in a cycle of love. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” will leave viewers questioning what constitutes true love and the existence of soulmates.

tHE haRBINGER

Review

16

DECEMBER 2016

Bittersweet Company serves unique treats Darby Kim

Assistant Sports Editor Bring your camera and pull up your Instagram: a cute cafe called Bittersweet Company located at 28 Main Street in Hopkinton is definitely a place you are going to want to post about.

The exterior of the building may look old fashioned, but once you walk in, your opinion will immediately change.

The cafe is a large spacious room accessorized with simple, aesthetic photography and pleasant decor on white walls. It is illuminated by a massive window bringing in natural elements to the room.

Not only are the decorations astonishing and aesthetically pleasing, but there is also a variety of seating and tables from couches to metal stools to fit your comfort however you please.

The atmosphere all comes together to deliver a soothing, serene feel to the customers.

There are also many aspects that shape the image of the cafe to convey a unique ambiance. For example, they run a “Take a book, Leave a book” system to promote learning and connect the people in the community together.

This cafe brings a modern, high quality space into the community, perfect for anyone to hang out or work, with a delicious cup of coffee.

Aside from coffee, their menu is filled with a wide variety of foods: home-made cold-pressed juice, bakery foods, parfaits, frittatas, eggs, salads, grilled cheeses, gelatos, pastries, and more.

Everything is made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, which embodies the cleansing, peaceful atmosphere Bittersweet Co. offers.

Their reasonable prices are another factor that sets Bittersweet Co. apart. A coffee and food item will cost you $10 at most.

At this point, you must be wondering how this place could get any better. Well, it does. The staff makes the experience personal and homey.

In most places like Starbucks, you would get in line, order your food, grab it yourself, and clean it up. Here, the staff brings the food to you and cleans it all up when you are done. Less hassle makes a happy customer, which is exactly what the employees strive to achieve.

Everything this cafe presents to their customers through their foods, experience, and atmosphere reflects what they are all about.

The company conveys a simple, healthy lifestyle to its customers. Everything in this cafe is unembellished yet beautiful; the idea of it is that happiness can be brought through other ways than flashy, materialistic objects.

To promote their motto, they serve beverages and products in compostable, recyclable packaging to lower their carbon footprint.

This sustainable, environmentally conscious company even provides free wifi and accepts credit and Apple Pay. For all of you Instagrammers, this is everything you could ever dream of, so stop by 28 Main Street in Hopkinton.

Top Photo Darby Kim, bottom courtesy bittersweet co.squarespace.com

(Top) Bittersweet Co. in Hopkinton is anything but traditional. It has aesthetically pleasing decor and a friendly atmosphere, sure to make you want to return.

(Bottom) Customers can enjoy coffee, tea, baked goods and more in a welcoming community setting.

Stranger Things: strangely good Asma Ali

Assistant Online Editor I hadn’t watched an entire show, from start to finish, in three years. “Stranger Things,” a Netflix original series, however, changed that. With only one season (season two comes out next year), it was a quick watch filled with suspense, humor, and mystery that left me wanting more.

Set in the 1980s, the story sets out with middle schooler Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) getting kidnapped. His three friends, Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), as well as his mother, Joyce (Winona Ryder), are all determined to find the boy.

Soon, the kids come across a strange young girl with powers and a predilection for Eggos named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who may hold the The show had answers to their the perfect questions (as well as a couple of froquantities of zen waffle boxes). everything: The main characters are all it was scary, child actors; howbut not horever, the quality of acting is outstandrifying, and ing. The charachumorous, but ters themselves are funny and lovnot outright able, and are deficomedic, with nitely part of what gives the show its just a dash of positive attributes. romance.

Although “Stranger Things” is only eight episodes long, I didn’t mind. Often, shows get weighed down with fillers and unnecessary deviations from the plot line. However, “Stranger Things” had a clear plot, with just the right amount of foreshadowing, and the length was fitting.

The show had the perfect quantities of everything: it was scary, but not horrifying, and humorous, but not outright comedic, with just a dash of romance.

“Stranger Things” has attracted a lot of pop-

Grow ‘Younger,’ bond with mom over new hit show need some TV, but lack an abundance of time. The show focuses on putting in satirical new Pretty much every girl’s and old generation ideas such as dream is to live in New York constant obsessions with social City in her mid-20’s with a sus- media, new technology, and the tainable job, and the hit televi- struggles adults may have to resion series “Younger” embodies main younger. that fantasy… well, almost.

Cast members Sutton Fos“Younger” is about Liza ter, Hilary Duff, Peter HerMiller (Sutton Foster), a 40-year- mann, and Nico Tortorella old single mom whose teen- bring constant jokes, drama age daughter is away on a trip and a whole lot of fun to your to India. Feeling empty-nested, Wednesday night. she seeks a job at a publishO n e ing company night when in the heart My obsession with my mom of New York and I were City.

After the show has besearching getting shot come so large that I for a show, down numerwe came ous times for blabbed on and on a c r o s s being too old to my friends who “Younger” for the new having no p u b l i s h i n g have also gotten idea what it g e n e r a t i o n , themselves, and their was about.

Liza sulks to Once we a bar where moms, hooked. watched 26-year-old the first epJosh (Nico Tortorella) mistakes isode, we were hooked. I spent her for also being his age. Since an entire weekend binge-watchshe had been mistaken for a ing it in order to catch up to the young age by a young man, Liza fall premiere of season three. uses a false age to gain a job at The anticipation of what’s Empirical Publishing. going to arise next in Liza’s life, Liza takes viewers on a forces my mom and me onto journey with all of the problems the couch each week. My obsesand misfortunes that come with sion with the show has become faking an identity. Romances so large that I blabbed on and with younger men and new on to my friends who have also friendships with 26-year-old gotten themselves, and their work colleagues spark new light moms, hooked. into Liza’s life and allow her to Since “Younger” hasn’t rewrite the past. made it to Netflix yet, it hasn’t “Younger” is currently on received the attention it deits third season on TV Land ev- serves. Catch up on previous ery Wednesday night with only episodes On Demand and join 30 minute long episodes; it’s the me as I watch every Wednesday perfect show to watch when you night. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.

Caroline Beek

StaffWriter

Graphic RachaeL Shek

Stranger Things focuses on waffle-eating children attempting to uncover the truth behind a parallel universe. The science fiction program offers intrigue, oddity, and an eighties-inspired aesthetic.

ularity since this summer, when it first came out.

I only heard about it after Pete Wentz, bassist of the band Fall Out Boy, expressed his approval of the show. I, too, would highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys sci-fi, mystery, and adventure. Spoiler: things certainly do get stranger.

tHE haRBINGER

A&E

17

DECEMBER 2016

Macchi, DiMare set sail as leads in fall musical Macchi shows his talent onstage

DiMare shines as singer, actress, dancer

Lindsey stevenson

Farah Djunaedi

StaffWriter

StaffWriter

While some are terrified to stand under the spotlight in front of an audience, junior Connor Macchi feels pure joy when he is on stage.

Macchi has participated in Algonquin’s theater and music programs since his freshman year.

“Doing the show here last year, having a lead in it, was so much fun because all the people that you know went,” Macchi said. “It was just so great to see how your friends would react to it that maybe haven’t seen you in a show yet.”

Macchi was selected to play the role of Billy Crocker in the musical, “Anything Goes.”

After working with Macchi for the last few years, English teacher and director Tom Alera believes he has grown as a performer.

“He’s really just getting better and better every year, and his parts are getting bigger,” Alera said.

The cast of “Good News” won a TAMY award for the Best Featured Ensemble last spring.

“The award that we got nominated for last year was for the entire boys chorus and we actually won that,” Macchi said.

Macchi was also nominated for the Massachusetts Best Youth Actor award for his performance in “Brighton Beach Memoirs” a couple of years ago.

“It was just so cool having the opportunity to go to the award ceremony,” Macchi said.

Macchi plans on continuing to pursue musical theater throughout his college career, and is excited to see where it takes him.

For junior Christina DiMare, the theatre stage spotlight is where she shines.

A couple of years ago, DiMare spent time in New York City studying theatre at Broadway Artists Alliance. Knowing there was more to theatre than just acting, Christina started to sing and dance.

“I think there’s something special about [acting, singing, and dancing] all being together,” DiMare said. “I love each individual aspect but I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now if I were to only do one aspect of it.”

In addition to four dance classes a week and voice and piano lessons, this past summer DiMare reached a milestone: her first show at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly.

Theatre director and English teacher Tom Alera has worked with DiMare since her freshman year. Alera said DiMare was a pleasure to work with and she is always looking to improve herself.

“Christina understands the acting process and character development,” Alera said. “You give her direction and suggestions and she takes them and makes them a part of her.”

In last fall’s school musical, “Good News,” DiMare played the role of Babe O’Day. In the most recent school play, “Anything Goes,” DiMare played the lead female role, Reno Sweeney.

DiMare sees herself continuing with theatre as a career.

“I’d love to be doing theatre for a long time as long as it continues to make me happy and if that means Broadway then I would love that!” DiMare said.

Photo Rebecca Poretsky

In the school musical “Anything Goes,” Connor Macchi played Billy, a Wall Street businessman thrown onto a crazy cruise ship along with his long lost love. Christina DiMare acted as Reno, a singer on the cruise ship and an old friend of Billy’s.

Holidaze: hints to survive the stressful season Anna Silver

Assistant A&E Editor The holidays are hard; it's just a fact. Sometimes harmonizing with Michael Buble’s holiday songs at the table isn't always pleasing for your dinner guests. So, here are some tips to survive sticky holiday situations. Enjoy.

1. Family members...yeah, I know the struggle. Relatives make really awkward small talk.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. If your great-aunt who you only see during the holidays asks you why you’re still single, stuff a piece of pie in your mouth and say, “I’m not. I love pie and pie loves me. No reason to judge me, Aunt Lisa”. Walk away and enjoy that pie. You deserve it.

2. Buying presents. It’s always hard to find the perfect gifts for your friends and family, especially when you receive minimum wage at your Stop & Shop job. When you need to find a

last minute present for someone, you’re going to have to stealthily steal some necklace or shirt they haven’t worn in five years and regift it. To them. Trust me, this trick works. Sorry, Mom. 3. To eat until you’re sick or not to eat until you’re sick, that is the question. This is my advice: it’s the holidays and if you want, you should eat that last gingerbread cookie. But do avoid eye contact with your three-year old cousin while you do so. She wanted that cookie, too.

4. If the holiday stress really starts to get to you, do the only thing that is guaranteed to make you feel better: prank everyone.

Tell your liberal grandma you voted for Trump, put saran wrap on the toilet bowl, change your dad’s contacts in his phone to names of reality TV stars. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to survive. So, prank, and prank hard. Happy Holidays!

Junior Kara Hadden stresses about the fastapproaching holiday season. photo henna dhingra

“Anything Goes” earns crowd praise Fall musical has successful three night run Maggie Del Re

A&E Editor After weeks of hard work and preparation, the fall musical “Anything Goes” debuted to a receptive audience on Thursday, December 8.

The nearly full auditorium of people sat on the edge of their seats waiting for the musical to begin. The curtains were drawn to reveal the stage decorated as a cruise ship complete with white and red staircases along the right and left sides of the stage.

The plot revolved around multiple love stories taking place on one crazy cruise ship. Criminals such as Moonface MarA standout tin made for relief, scene took place comic while heartfelt just before inter- romance numbers melted the mission where hearts of audience members. the entire crew A standout broke out into scene centered around Reno an upbeat and (Christina Dientertaining tap Mare) and Billy (Connor Macroutine. chi) took place just before intermission where the entire crew broke out into an upbeat and entertaining tap routine.

Crowd favorites Bonnie, played by sophomore Lauren Earley, and Moonface Martin, played by sophomore Chris Martin, stole the show with their hilarious jokes and captivating personalities.

The dynamic duo took the faces of criminals trying to flee the country to escape punishment. With comical banter and lively musical numbers, they were very memorable cast members.

Photos Rebecca Poretsky

(Top) Senior Cole Hughes and junior Andy Robbins look on as sophomore Lauren Earley sings. (Bottom) Cast members, many dressed as sailors, dance on stage in their peformance of “Heaven Hop.”

It was clear that the whole cast and Director Tom Alera put a lot of work into the show. The audience kept high energy levels throughout the entire performance. It was clear that they enjoyed “Anything Goes,” and as the cast waved goodbye, the audience applauded with a standing ovation.

tHE haRBINGER

A&E

18

DECEMBER 2016

Want more theater?

Donahue debuts designs

Advanced Senior jumpstarts fashion career with T-shirts Drama Night StaffWriter takes the stage Katrina Liu

Riya Pujari

Editor-In-Chief Seniors in Maura Morrison’s sixth period Advanced Drama class are rehearsing for the comedic and improvised Advanced Drama Night show scheduled for the class’s double and after school on December 20.

The show is almost completely created and run by the Advanced Drama students but Morrison does provide guidance and advice regarding the show’s themes and scenes.

“Well first of all it’s [my responsibility] to create improv opportunities so we can come up with an idea for the show,” Morrison said. “I don’t pre-plan the show before class. We make the decision as a class, but of course someone has to make a final decision and that’s where I come in.”

Since the show is being performed right before winter vacation it is expected to have a winter and holiday theme.

“We have a general winter theme but it’s not [completely] focused on any holiday too much,” senior Elise Gallagher said.

“We are going to try to put in some Christmas-like scenes which is one of the main themes,” senior Charles Murray said. “We will [also] be putting up Christmas trees in the back.”

According to senior Carmen Riggieri, all the scenes will eventually connect in the end.

“We are going to make it a giant Harold, which is a game where you have different scenes and they all come together in the end and there is a connection [between all the characters],” Riggieri said.

The cast has been working on developing characters such as a janitor, a Hallmark card writer, and other out-ofthe-box characters who will appear in the various improv skits.

“We have been coming up with ideas for how every one [of the characters] could be related to each other and then we will do a lot of test runs and if it works really well then it would be a good idea [to include in the show],” Gallagher said.

Preparations for the show began on the first day of school.

“The first couple weeks of school we did some improv just to see what we could do and then after that we kind of just started to plan and think of ideas of what we should do [in the show],” Murray said.

According to Murray, rehearsing for the show has been difficult.

“It’s kind of hard to practice because it’s on-the-spot stuff, but it’s good to practice small things like being loud enough, not rushing, and other [speaking] skills,” Murray said.

“The two biggest things when doing improv is you need to know your location and your relationship with the people on the stage,” Gallagher said.

Both Gallagher and Riggieri agree that participating in the development of the show is enriching.

“It’s a good way to connect with people,” Gallagher said. “It’s a good bonding experience. I feel right at home.”

“You bond as a family and you make mistakes together and you put out this project [and] that in it of itself is rewarding and to have a bunch of friends like that is special,” Riggieri said.

Senior Max Donahue is designing, making, and selling artistic t-shirts that have touched on topics of vulgarity and expression while exploring his passion for fashion.

Donahue has a website, maxdonahue. com, where all of his shirts are for sale.

Donahue has been creating his own fashion designs for years. In spring 2016, Donahue designed a prom dress for his date, alumni Isabella Roy, and later in the year, took a course in fashion design at Parsons Paris.

“I wanted to find a way to explore the business side of fashion because I’ve only worked in the more art-centered side, and fashion is equally business and art,” Donahue said.

Submitted Max Donahue Donahue wanted to display his visual Junior Kevin Jacobson (left) and senior Grace Antino (right) model Donaartwork to the public in a different manhue’s artistic T-shirts.

Shirts are available at Maxdonahue.com. ner.

“The goal of [the shirts] is that I the “Word Search” shirt is one of Dona- leaving it under a light. As Donahue exwanted to find a way to put my artwork on hue’s most popular designs. plained, the image is then pressed on the something that people could wear,” Do“The shirt itself isn’t about the vul- shirt, and ink is wiped back and forth, imnahue said. garity in it,” Donahue said. “It’s about the printing the image.

Earlier this year, Donahue put up expression of something obscene and Art teacher and mentor George signs with his website on them around Al- how people react to it. The administration Hancin is very proud of how far Donahue gonquin, but because was very nice. They un- has come with his dedication for fashion. school policy does derstood that it was just “Max is very self motivated,” Hancin not allow students “I think primarily art artistic expression. They said. “He has a very mature outlook on art. to advertise outside should make people wanted to enforce that I’m very proud of [him]. It’s very rewardbusinesses inside the not everyone will under- ing to see.” school, he was asked think, and that’s stand it that way.”

Sophomore Nellie Zhang admires the by school adminis- what I aim to do Senior Grace An- shirts and how they showcase Donahue’s trators to take them tino said she was was style. with my artwork.” down. honored to be one of “I think the shirts are a really cool In addition, adthe models on Dona- concept,” Zhang said. “The design is so MAX DONAHUE hue’s website. ministrators expressed simplistic but each one means something SENIOR concern about “Word “I like that he’s and it shows its own meaning.”

Search,” one of Do[making shirts] and I Donahue hopes that the shirts benahue’s shirts that has respect that he’s trying come more than something cool to wear. a profanity embedded in the design, and to make a business out of something he “I think primarily art should make they have requested the shirt not be worn loves at such a young age,” Antino said. people think, and that’s what I aim to do on school property.

Donahue silkscreens the shirts by ex- with my artwork,” Donahue said. “I try to Sales have increased since then, and posing an image onto a screen and then make people see things in a different way.”

Wintery Watches: 8 non-Christmas movies to keep you warm this season Brooke Suitum

StaffWriter

1. Eight Crazy Nights

Adam Sandler, with his famous Hanukkah song, brings this raunchy comedy to life after his character finds himself in trouble with the law and has to complete community service. Prepare to laugh as this anything-but-a-kids’ cartoon brings holiday spirit to your television.

2. Snow Day

To make you wish for a snow day more than you already do, turn on this movie to give you all the feels of what it’s like to wake up and hear you have no school. Watch as a group of rascals hijack a snow plow in order to keep their school closed. I’ll be looking forward to watching this on our next snow day.

3. Frozen

How can you go wrong with a winter cartoon sing along about a Queen named Elsa turning her home into a frozen ice cube? All the kids I babysit are raving about it. Give it a watch and you’ll find yourself singing “Let it Go” for the next week in the shower.

4. New Year’s Eve

With about 50 famous actors and actresses, such as Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, and Lea Michele, starring in this multiple-story movie, it’s a must-watch this holiday season. Follow the lives of many different people played by some of the most popular actors and actresses of our time as they embark on journeys of love, friendship, and forgiveness on this widely celebrated night.

Graphic Maggie Del Re

5. The Day After Tomorrow

As the world becomes plagued by devastating weather conditions, snow, and windstorm Jake Gyllenhaal is forced to find shelter with friends as his dad, Dennis Quaid, desperately tries to save him from the cold. A thriller to watch with friends and family this season for sure. May make you scared of snow.

6. Serendipity

This one’s for the romantics.

Follow Sara and Jonathan as they meet by chance and rely on destiny to bring them back together. A good one to watch with your significant other and watch cuties kiss in the snow.

7. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Actor Steve Martin is trying to get home to his family for the holidays, but a snowstorm detours his route. He’s forced to bunk with an incredibly annoying John Candy at a motel who’s also trying to go home. Find out if they make it back to their families.

8. Happy Feet

This is the winter classic. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and prepare to smile at dancing, rapping, adorable penguins.

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Harry’s

19

DECEMBER 2016

RESTAURANT AND DAIRY BAR

Does winter wind chill have you feeling blue?

Come to Harry’s to warm up with some comfort food!

149 Turnpike Road (Route 9), Westborough (508) 366-8302 HOURS: MON-THU 7AM - 11PM FRI 7AM - 12AM SAT 11AM -12AM SUN 11AM - 11PM Cash Only ATM Available

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PROFILE

20

DECEMBER 2016

Uchida talent shines through social media Apple Lin

StaffWriter Sophomore Liliko Uchida never thought music would be a passion she could pursue, but now as a social media star with over ten thousand followers, she thinks otherwise.

Uchida would have never considered the hobby if it weren’t for a middle school project.

“I actually hated it until middle school,” Uchida said. “We had a sixth grade composition project, so I picked up a guitar and tried to write a song.”

Soon after, music struck a chord with Uchida.

“The feeling of singing is probably the best feeling because you really have complete control over it,” Uchida said.

Uchida tries not to restrict herself to one type of genre or audience.

“I look up to Billy Joel and Adele for two reasons,” Uchida said. “They’re timeless, and I think age wise, every group can listen to them.”

In her free time, Uchida participates as a member of the Algonquin Honors Music Society, performs in school coffee house events, and writes songs as a form of communication. ¨Most of the time it’s a lot easier to sing the same words you could never actually say out loud,” Uchida said. “It breaks that barrier.”

In 2014, Uchida decided to share her work on Instagram, ultimately gaining over ten thousand followers. ¨I try to do songs that people have suggested in the comments to make sure people watching them know that I read and appreciate their support,” Uchida said.

“But I also make sure to do songs that I just have fun playing or singing because I

Courtesy Liliko Uchida

Sophomore Liliko Uchida runs an instagram account called @liliko.music with over ten thousand followers. On her profile, she posts videos and pictures of her singing or playing various instruments. Her earliest video dates back to 2014, and the account has been active since then.

think that’s important.”

Uchida’s most viewed posts include Taylor Swift’s “Back to December,” Christina Grimmie’s “I Bet You Don’t Curse God,” and My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers.”

“My favorite Instagram cover would have to be an old one I did of ‘One Fine Day’ by the Chiffons because it has a lot of layers,” Uchida said.

Close friend and musical collaborator, freshman Karmyn Shreeve, was not

Beyond the classroom: Hancin in the world of art

on a New York field trip were sculptors Peter Fischli and David Weiss’s “How to Work Better.”

“That show at the Guggenheim was kind of crazy, with [Fischli and Weiss] who just take clay, and make them into different little comics,” Hancin said.

Hancin specializes in segmented landscape paintings, but he does not limit himself to just painting.

“I like to paint with oils, I like to do Photo Henna Dhingra water colors, I like to draw, I like pottery, Art Teacher George Hancin engages I like to do all those things,” Hancin said.

“I like to go out to different places, in artistic endeavors far beyond his around lakes and neighborhoods and classroom walls, from field trips to parks, pick a scene in that park or lake or presenting his work in galleries. something and select a certain little secJulie Rogers tion of it and then do a painting of it,” Hancin said.

StaffWriter Fellow art teacher Michelle Sheppard Art teacher George Hancin is not appreciates Hancin’s dedication to paintonly an avid painter who creates seg- ing and his unique style. mented landscapes in oil paints, but he “If I’m teaching [students] in Art 1, also takes his classes out of state on field and they’re really into painting or drawtrips to museums to influing, I love being like, ence students through the ‘Are you gonna take many exhibits. “[Hancin’s] brush Art 2? If you are, then Hancin, a graduate of you’re going to work Kent State University and strokes capture with Mr. Hancin, and the School of the Museum the essense of he’s a true painter,’” of Fine Arts in Boston, has Sheppard said. the scene...” taught in many places, rang“His brush ing from rural elementary MICHELLE SHEPPARD strokes capture the schools and high schools to PHOTOGRAPHY TEACHER essence of the scene the Boston Museum of Fine and the important Arts. He has also had work parts and I love seefeatured in the Bromfield ing, for example, a town common, what Art Gallery, as well as on his personal floats up to the top for him that he’s website. chosen to just place there carefully with One of the most memorable exhibi- those brush strokes,” Sheppard said. tions Hancin brought his students to see

shocked by Uchida’s success.

“I always knew she was talented,” Shreeve said. “I’m always asking her to teach me new riffs on the guitar.” “[The first time we met] she brought her guitar and we recorded ‘Everything Has Changed,’” Shreeve said. “It took like four hours to record because we kept laughing.”

Despite having a large following online, Uchida is still unsure whether to take music on full time.

“I’m a sophomore in high school. I don’t know what I want to do,” Uchida said. “As a career I’ve been iffy about it... music is really hard to break into unless you hit the jackpot and have connections.”

Uchida has realized that music is not always about “making it big.”

“I wouldn’t mind if I never actually became a singer,” Uchida said. “I just think as long as I can still do it that’s all that really matters.”

Steele’s Spanish roots inspire students

Photo Henna Dhingra

Señora Steele goes over homework with her Spanish 4 class.

Rebecca Poretsky

StaffWriter Algonquin has been a home for Spanish teacher Karla Steele for the past 17 years where she has taught every Spanish class available, with hopes of inspiring and helping her students the way teachers had done for her when she emigrated from Central America. “[Teachers] really went out of their way to get all kinds of materials to help me learn English, like my English teacher was getting the books on tape for me,” Steele said. “She didn’t have to do that. They were really going above and beyond.”

Steele immigrated to America at the age of nine, when her parents decided to flee from their home in Nicaragua. At the time, a war and revolution were occurring.

They relocated to America where Steele is

now able to use her Spanish roots to benefit her students.

“When I teach Spanish I think they’re getting the authentic accent,” Steele said.

“Not only do I teach the language, but I love throwing the culture in there whenever I can relate it. I tell them stories about different culture in Latin America that I lived through.”

The obstacles Steele faced as a child help her understand where her students are coming from and what she can do to make an effective learning environment.

“We all come from so many different places; we all have so many different stories,” Steele said. “I think as a teacher that’s huge to be diverse in that sense and be able to be empathetic of all the different things kids are going through.”

Not only does Steele impact and inspire her students, but she does the same for people close to her, such as history teacher Gina Johnston.

“She is humble, she is caring, she is funny… I’ve never had her in class, but when I walk by she’s so animated,” Johnston said.

Steele’s kindness has touched many lives, and she helps her students, such as junior Maiya Ellis who is taking her third class with Steele, develop the confidence to continue on with Spanish.

“As she’s teaching she’ll be able to share her personal experiences with culture; it makes Spanish more interesting,” Ellis said. “Not only is she a good teacher but she’s funny. She makes learning fun, and she’s a good all around person.”

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SPORTS

21

DECEMBER 2016

Unified Basketball shoots for smiles Team spreads message of inclusion, builds strong friendships Farah Djunaedi

StaffWriter The Unified Basketball team wrapped up their second successful season with a 2-2 record by bringing together players with various abilities to compete in a game they are all passionate about. The program involves students with and without intellectual disabilities. Together, the athletes with disabilities cooperate with student partners to practice for and compete in basketball games. “[The team] brings a group of kids to work together towards a common goal,” co-coach Zbigniewa Giegucz said. “This program provides a platform for these kids, who might not be able to play basketball otherwise, an opportunity to be out there and do what everyone else does.”

The Unified Basketball program, which started as a pilot program last year, has a total of 17 students this year, several of whom are on the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams.

“It means a lot because there is a lot of positivity for the kids and they have a great time,” cocoach Ken MacDonald said.

“It’s an activity for kids to form friendships and build confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship.”

Although the students practice to compete against other schools, for many participants there is more to the program than just basketball. According to teammates, Unified Basketball is close to the heart.

“I play because I have a brother with a disability so I feel it’s right to take part,” senior and boys’ varsity basketball captain

photo emily smith

Gina Ciaramella looks for her teammates Nick Casapulla, Stefani Giegucz, Kaleigh Barker, and Alexis Sokoloff as she prepares to pass the ball in their final home game against Marlboro on November 17.

Owen Lyons said. “The best part of Unified Basketball is seeing the excitement and emotions when any of the players make a shot.”

With practices twice a week, the athletes and coaches have plenty of time throughout the season to bond and interact with each other.

“The best part of practices are putting defense on special education aide, Mr. MacDonald,” post grad athlete Rachel Seymour said.

“I love scoring lots of points,” post grad teammate Alexis Sokoloff said. “The last game I scored almost 10 points.”

For the athletes, Unified Bas-

ketball is a rewarding and engaging activity they look forward to every day during the season. On game days, players get together for a pre-game snack and use that time to get pumped about the upcoming game.

“The day we have a game, the kids talk and play music,” Giegucz said. “They get really

excited and into it. Then we play the game and they get to meet students from other schools just like them.”

“My favorite part of Unified Basketball is the teamwork and team spirit,” post grad team member Will Corwin said. “It’s great hanging out together.”

Best Buddies scores invite to Bruins game Darby Kim

Assistant Sports Editor Best Buddies was recently invited to the Bruins game on November 25 by player Patrice Bergeron, where they enjoyed a night of fun sports entertainment and bonded with the famous NHL hockey player himself.

According to club adviser of Best Buddies, Kevin Hausmann, this last-minute surprise was truly a special treat for everyone.

“It was really amazing to experience the game from Patrice’s luxury suite, and I really enjoyed this once in a lifetime opportunity,” junior Ryan Strobel said.

According to the Best Buddies members, the highlight of the night was meeting Patrice Bergeron.

“He does this every home game: he donates a suite of tickets, so to him it’s probably no big deal,” Hausmann said.

“But he just played a whole hockey game, and he hadn’t even won, yet he walked in the room and was ready to engage us with a smile and some energy.”

According to Best Buddies president Kate Crimmings, during the interaction with Bergeron, he was extremely compassionate and caring towards them.

“A notable moment was when one of our Buddies Alexis Sokoloff asked Patrice to be her friend, and you could tell by the look on his face he was as excited as she was,” Strobel said.

Members of Best Buddies were truly able to get to know Bergeron, finding out his favorite foods, books, shows, and more.

“It’s just refreshing to see that there is someone who is a celebrity in the sports world of Boston, who is so giving and down to earth,” Hausmann said.

Not only did the students get the opportunity to bond with Bergeron, but they were also able to get to know each other even better.

“Best Buddies promotes building authentic friendships with students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and through such exciting events like this one we are able to do so in the best way possible,” Strobel said.

“We just had more time to relax, get to know each other, whether it be the students I’ve known for two or three years or some of the newer students,” Hausmann said.

Best Buddies was given this opportunity for winning the Massachusetts Chapter of the Year Award last year.

courtesy kevin hausmann

Best Buddies poses with Bruins player Patrice Bergeron after the Bruins game. Bergeron invited the group to the game against the Calgary Flames as a part of the Patrice’s Pals program on November 25.

“We all do what we do without looking for recognition, and we rarely search for confirmation that Best Buddies is an influential program,” Crimmings said.

“However, it truly was a heart-warming

experience to know that our message is positively impacting the lives of others,” Crimmings said.

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SPORTS

22

DECEMBER 2016

Thanksgiving football renews rivalry

COURTESY JEFF SLOVIN

The Tomahawks celebrate their 35-14 victory over the Westborough Rangers in their annual Thanksgiving Day game on November 24 by holding their trophy up together. The team ended the season with a 9-4 overall record.

Drew Despres

StaffWriter In the annual Thanksgiving football game, the Tomahawks soared past the Westborough Rangers in the final matchup of the season, marking the last time the 22 seniors on the team will represent T-

hawk football.

Every Thanksgiving the two schools renew their rivalry on the field as a part of this long standing tradition. Algonquin has won the last three turkey-day contests, taking the most recent victory by a score of 35-14 on November 24.

“This game with Westborough has

been played since the 1950s back when we were Northborough High School,” head coach Justin McKay said. “It’s a special game and I think that Thanksgiving represents an opportunity for this group [of players] to make their mark as to what football means here at Algonquin, but also to make their mark on an important rivalry

between the two schools.”

McKay believes the game is special because the seniors leave their hearts on the field, representing their school for the last time.

“For the seniors there’s usually a tremendous amount of anxiety because this is the last time that many of them will get the opportunity to play an organized game of football,” McKay said. “High school football is one of the few sports that you can’t replicate when you get older, so when it’s over it’s over, and for the kids the finality of it really begins to hit them on Thanksgiving morning.”

According to the players, the team loves having the opportunity to play on this American holiday where family, friends, fans, and alumni return to watch their home team.

“This game is very important,” senior quarterback Ryan Barry said. “We want to go out with people remembering us as a great football team that went through Algonquin.”

“My favorite part [about this game] is the fact that a lot of the alum who have played in the past years get to watch us play and see what we have done this year,” senior cornerback Brett Sherman said.

The Tomahawks ended their season with a devastating 21-14 loss against Shrewsbury in the CMass District final game on November 12. They ended with a successful 9-4 record overall.

According to McKay, the team’s success was majorly impacted by the senior players who have changed the culture of Algonquin football throughout their participation in the program.

“It’s been a great year and a great career for these seniors,” senior fan Michael Scorzelli said. “They’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

Powderpuff game creates positive impact TASC Club helps raise money, awareness for V-Day organization said. “Not only was it an awesome fundraiser, but it was also a blast to participate in and plan.”

The senior girls came out Varsity football head coach victorious in the annual powder- Justin McKay had a large role in puff football game on Novem- powderpuff as a referee. ber 17, which raised over $1,000 “We had a full officiating for the non-profit organization crew,” McKay said. “Really the V-Day, which supports the pre- biggest thing was to make sure vention of domestic abuse. everyone has a fair opportunity Due to an outstanding per- to enjoy the game of football.” formance from senior MVP Many agree that the event Kendall Scholl, was more than and a clutch injust a game terception from “I talked to girls between jusenior Sophia nior and seI’ve never talked “Pooderpuff ” nior females.

Cappello before to before, and it The game the half, the jubrought everyniors could not was just a great one together recover and bonding experito support an were defeated important orence.”

21-7. ganization, VPowderTALIA MARTIN day, as a compuff is an AmerSENIOR munity. ican high school “It protradition where motes the conjunior and senior girls play a cept of members of the school game of flag football. The funds uniting together for a common from tickets and concessions typ- cause by class to create a memically go to charity. ory,” McKay said. “It doesn’t Seniors Lexi Ufland and Jor- matter that it’s football, it could dan Yung came together to orga- be anything. I think it brings kids nize the event. together that normally wouldn’t “Organizing the event was be together, and they have a lot such a great way to give exposure of fun.” to TASC Club in addition to raisThe energy of the winning ing money for V-Day,” Ufland seniors could be felt from the jaiden dallis

StaffWriter

stands throughout the exciting game. Players and coaches shared McKay’s sentiment.

“I feel like it brought us all together,” senior Talia Martin said. “I talked to girls I’ve never talked to before, and it was just a great bonding experience.”

“Being a powderpuff coach was fun,” senior coach Ryan Barry said. “The girls were serious about it which made it more enjoyable.”

Even after a tough loss, the juniors remained positive, knowing it was more than simply a game.

“I will be participating next year and I had a good time,” junior Leah Lidsky said. “We got to bond with a lot of people in our grade and it was great to come together for a common cause.”

V-Day’s website states that the organization is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls through fundraising and promotional events.

“Powderpuff was a very successful event,” Yung said.

“It’s just one of the many events TASC has planned this year. We are committed to organizing events that bring the Algonquin community together while raising awareness.”

courtesy isabel herczeg

Top: Seniors Lizzi Narcisse, Caroline Beek, Isabel Herczeg, Krista Leach, Julianna Young, Morgan Cooley, and Brooke Goguen toss up ones. Bottom left: Beek laughs during the game. Bottom right: Herczeg calls for a hike during a play.

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SPORTS Volleyball digs deep

23

DECEMBER 2016

Team celebrates historic season Anna Silver & Anita Nyberg

Assistant A&E Editor & Staff Writer Girls’ volleyball ended a monumental season with a heartbreaking loss in the CMass finals against ActonBoxborough on November 12 after thirty-seven years of not qualifying for the district finals.

Although the Mid Wach A league champs suffered a tough defeat after building an 18-2 record, they managed to keep the momentum going throughout all three sets during the final match.

“All of the sets were so close, it was back and forth, back and forth, and I think they all played hard,” assistant varsity and freshman COURTESY james YUNG coach Lindsay Coppens said. “I think they just barely Senior captain Jordan Yung sets the ball to senior captain Nicole Winkler who prepares for a hit against Acton-Boxborough in the CMass finals. inched us out.” “[The finals] was very time, I was definitely proud Going into the finals, okay and we’d be able to at senior captain Jordan Yung least give Acton-Boxbor- hyped,” junior spectator of our team and how we ough a Rosa Daeipour said. “Ev- didn’t give up, even in the felt the good run eryone had a lot of confi- end,” senior captain Kristen pressure for their dence in the team, and even Cooley said. “I think it was a to win, “I was definitely m o n e y , ” when they were losing a bit, really good way to go out.” but was proud of our team Yung said. people were still keeping the “The season really reliant on T h e energy.” couldn’t have gone any betthe team’s and how we didn’t fan support “I think overall fans ter way: we finished League p r e v i o u s give up, even in throughout make a huge difference in Champs, we beat Westborsuccessthe sea- volleyball matches because ough for the first time in ful efforts the end.” to help KRISTEN COOLEY son moti- the players feed off the en- basically four years or so,” pull them SENIOR CAPTAIN vated the ergy of the fans,” Coppens Yung said. “I hope next year team dur- said. they can build on that and through. ing games, Despite their loss in the keep building on that until “ W e especially finals, the team holds a lot eventually maybe we do win knew that if we stuck to what we had in the CMass finals, with of pride in their rewarding states. This year was definitely a really big stepping done all season, working as packed stands and many season.

“It was a definitely a sad stone for the future.” a team and relying on each students holding up signs to moment, but at the same other for support, we’d be cheer their team on.

OPINION

Spirited Pep Rally excites students Lindsey Stevenson

StaffWriter Spirit filled the gym as riled up students cheered at the annual pre-Thanksgiving Day football game pep rally on November 23.

Each class decorated their seating section with their class color, using anything from balloons and streamers to banners and signs.

As one of the event coordinators, athletic director Karrah Ellis was thrilled with the rally.

“I thought it was great,” Ellis said. “There was so much spirit.”

The Algonquin legend, former teacher, coach, and administrator Dick Walsh chose the seniors as the class with the best spirit.

“It was great, the seniors never sat down,” Walsh said.

Senior class president Brendan Foley was happy to have gotten Walsh’s vote for most spirited for the second year in a row.

“It was such an amazing atmosphere,” Foley said. “I’m so glad we won best decorations and spirit again.”

Seniors Owen Lyons and Andrew Tache hosted the pep rally, keeping students and faculty laughing and entertained.

The cheerleaders, pep band, Unified Basketball team, and Senior of the Year 2017 Zach Youseff all showed off their talents at the rally.

“It was nerve wracking but fun,” Lyons said. “The spirit was unreal.”

Ellis was impressed with how well Lyons, Tache, and all the performers did.

“Andrew Tache and Owen Lyons were outstanding MCs [masters of ceremonies],” Ellis said. “Every group that went out was outstanding.”

The pep rally got the football players excited for their last game of the season and for some seniors, their last game ever.

“It means a lot to our team and especially our seniors,” senior Nate Cooley said. “For a lot of the guys it’s their last time playing football.

Having everyone there supporting us is a really special thing.”

According to some seniors, this was their favorite of the four pep rallies during their time at Algonquin.

“It’s definitely more fun as a senior; there’s much more spirit,” senior Kendall Scholl said.

Senior sports seasons: the glory days Emily Smith

Sports Editor Calling all senior athletes: we are about halfway through our senior year, and some of us may have already played in our last Algonquin sports game. And for those of you who still have time left, my only advice is don’t take a second for granted.

Although I may hold some bias, I do believe that Algonquin has pretty above average sports teams and fan support. We don’t call it “T-hawk nation” for nothing.

Imagine coming from a different school where their team has never competed in a playoff match, or the only fans at the big games are the parents. (Disclaimer: nothing against parents, you guys are dedicated and wonderful!) We are lucky to go to a school like Algonquin, where we have exciting memories of playoff games and CMass Finals.

Now seniors, listen up. The feeling of playing in your last game will be unfortunately more bitter than sweet. The memories made throughout the season will stay with you forever, but the ending will be too abrupt, too soon. So when you look back, just remember the good times.

Some of you have been playing your sport since you could walk, and for those of you who won’t be continuing to play competitively in college, this is it. So take in every moment. Remember how it feels to play under the lights, hear your name on the loudspeaker, and remember that

COURTESY JEFF SLOVIN

The 2015 girls’ soccer team celebrates their CMass District Championship win against Wachusett with a pig pile.

moment when you won that game that nobody thought you could win. Nobody remembers the blowout games; they remember the games where you were down and scored the game winner in the last minute.

High school sports are about more than just playing the actual sport. The atmosphere of the team is a special experience, whether your sport is individual or

group-oriented. You spend hours every day with these people at practice, you see them around school, and you compete together as a team. You go to pasta parties and endure endless workouts together, and somewhere along the way you meet your closest friends.

High school sports are different from club sports. You practice and work hard all week, and on game day you don’t just

show up for your team, you show up for Algonquin.

So in these final months, take it in. Go to that big game, even though you have more homework than you can manage and you are running from activity to activity.

Never stop running. Because one day, it will all be over.

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SPORTS

24

december 2016

Winter Sports Preview

Coaches share pre-season predictions, hopes for season Wrestling:

Coach Brian Kramer Captains: Bryce Finnegan, Drew Cozzolino Rival: Nashoba Outstanding Athletes: Jack Golden, Drew Cozzolino, Bryce Finnegan, Colin Robinson, Joe Vencile What is your overall feeling going into this season?

“We as coaches have a strong feeling that we can win the state tournament. This would be an incredible feat if we could pull it off. On top of that, States will be hosted at ARHS on Feb. 17 and 18 this year which gives us a chance to do it at home. We have a great group of veterans in the room that have taken to helping out younger athletes during practice.”

Girls’ Hockey:

Coach Jay Monfreda Captains: Angela Ferro (ARHS), Julia Lane (Nashoba) Rivals: Shrewsbury, Leominster, Long Meadow Outstanding Athletes: Angela Ferro, Kayla Currin (Hudson), Julianne Sacco (ARHS), Julia Lane What is your overall feeling going into this season? “[We’re] very optimistic on a solid playoff run. We have quite a bit of young talent coming to the team this year to support our talented core of returning players. The returning girls seem to be energetic about the talented new faces so far and they seem to be clicking very early on. They seem to be getting to know each other and genuinely like each other which is important on a co-op team with multiple schools in the mix.”

Coach Brian Doherty Captains: Nick Casapulla,

Swimming:

Coach Jean Fedak Captains: Julia Labich, Nick Pierce, Nate Scaringi Rivals: Westborough, Tyngsborough, Bromfield What is your overall feeling going into this season?

“Swimmers and divers will be setting team goals as well as personal goals as we head into our first competition on December 13. However, first we will [have] participated in the Midland-Wachusett Swim League’s 14th annual Swim-a-thon Against Hunger to benefit Oxfam America and the Worcester County Food Bank on December 3. This is our team’s way to give back to the community.”

Boys’ Hockey:

Coach Greg Cappello

Captains: John Paterson, Kevin Reale, Nathan Anderson Rival: Shrewsbury What is your overall feeling going into this season?

“How they all develop individually as players and incorporate a talented group of newcomers to the team will determine our ultimate success. As my introduction to ARHS Hockey, it couldn’t have made me more proud to be a part of the T-Hawk family.”

photo harbinger archive

Boys’ Basketball:

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“I am extremely excited about this year’s team, especially how hard they worked together in the off season. We are going to surprise a lot of teams this year and make a serious run for the league title. We are going to be a fun team to watch....If every player commits to doing their job and comes to play all-out every practice and game it doesn’t matter who we play.”

Sophomore Tess McAndrews competes in the 20152016 season.

Owen Lyons, Brett Sherman Outstanding Atheletes: Brett Casellini, Nick Casapulla, Owen Lyons, Brett Sherman What is your overall feeling going into this sea-

have a lot of work to do but the players are very receptive to what we want to do and are working hard to make themselves better and the team better.

We focus on the team aspect and all players will contribute to the success of the team.”

Girls’ Indoor Track: Coach Ken Morin

Captains: Kelley Morin, Christina Thebado, Abbey O’Brien Weiss Rivals: Wachusett, Shrewsbury Outstanding Athletes: Christina Thebado, Tess Reyes, Olivia Giles, Sydney Carney, Kelley Morin What is your overall feeling going into this season?

“Well, we always feel like we can compete with the best teams in the league...I’ve seen some results, and it looks like we can run with everybody, so that’s good. Hopefully we’ll have a shot at some point to at least challenege for the league.”

Boy’s Indoor Track: Coach Andrew Boschetto

Captains: Jimmy Grimaldi, Erik Coupe, Everett Pirtle Rivals: Washusett, Shrewsbury Outstanding Athletes: Everett Pirtle, Noah Brazer, Cole Maslanka, Matt Madamba, Dylan Logan What is your overall feeling going into this season?

“We’re young. It’s going to be more of a rebuilding type season. We lost a lot of really good athletes last year...so we’re counting on some of the younger athletes to come up and help out.”

Alpine Ski:

Coach Wayne Hey Captains: Drew Cammarano and Shelby Morrison Rival: Westborough Outstanding Athletes: Drew Cammarano, Shelby Morrison, Jessie Delouis, Kaleigh Reynolds, Meghan Nelligan, Rob Lazo

Gymnastics:

Girls’ Basketball:

Coach Jenn Crook

Coach Melissa Fustino

Captains: Elyssa Nicholas, Maddie Forde, Heather Chan Rivals: Wachusett What is your overall feeling going into this season?

“I’m feeling fairly optimistic about the season. We

Captains: Sam Brazeau, Julia Callaghan, Erin O’Reilly Rival: Shrewsbury Outstanding Athletes: Demetra Safiol, Julia Callaghan, Elizabeth Shaw, Sequoia Truong compiled by emily smith, Tess Herdman, & Diana Roy

Senior athletes commit to college

SAM DANBERG Nichols College

Lacrosse “As a kid I always dreamed of playing a college sport, so it is a dream come true to get the opportunity to play lacrosse at Nichols.”

CHARLOTTE COOPERMAN Yale University

Gymnastics “I’m super excited to be able to go to an incredible school like Yale and have the opportunity to compete in division I gymnastics!”

NATE COOLEY Hobart College

Football “It feels great to know that I get to continue my football career in college, and I’m really thankful for this opportunity.”

EVERETT PIRTLE Assumption College

Indoor & Outdoor Track “I’m excited to run indoor and outdoor track with my old teammate Max Michaud at Assumption.”

Compiled by emily smith photos henna dhingra