Algonquin harbinger Volume 26 Special Issue

Harbinger The Algonquin

September 17, 2013 vOL. 26 Special Issue

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

Varsity Sports Preview Football

Coach: Justin McKay captains: Seniors Michael Baker, Tim Keville, and

Jake Turner

2012 record: 3-8 Returning starters/standouts:

Keville, Baker ONE GAME TO WATCH: November 28 (Thanksgiving Day), 10:15 a.m vs. Westborough Boys’ Cross Country coaches: Nathaniel Uttaro and Connor Brosnan captains: Seniors Robert Kerstens, Declan Healey,

Glen Harlan, and Sam Wheeler 2012 record: 4-3

Returning starters/standouts: Kerstens,

Healey, Harlan, Wheeler, and Sam Brazer (seniors) ONE MEET TO WATCH: October 1, 3.30 p.m. vs.

North Middlesex Girls’ Soccer coaches: Scott Taggart and Renee Moulton captains: Seniors Emily Dahlstrom, Annie Sullivan,

and Sarah Jackson 2012 record: 15-3-3, lost in district finals returning starters/standouts: Dahlstrom, Sullivan, Jackson, Lucy LeBlond, Alisha Faherty, Lindsay Brown, Abbie McCann, Amanda Murphy, Julianne O’Connell and Alex Moy (seniors) ONE GAME TO WATCH: October 15, 7:00 p.m. vs. Nashoba Golf coach: Bob Cullen captains: Senior Jack Bertonazzi and Junior Tyler

Hatton

2012 reSULTS: 10-6, district tournament returning starters/standouts: Bertonaz-

zi; Hatton, Trevor Ryan & Matt O’Donnell (juniors); Connor Henderson & Mike Nicolo (sophomores) ONE MATCH TO WATCH: October 3, 3:30 p.m. vs. Wachusett (Juniper Hills Golf Course)

Photo Jes Sheldon

Varsity football fought hard last year earning a 3-8 record, an improvement from recent years.

Cheerleading

Girls’ Volleyball

coach: Bonnie Ford captains: Seniors Katelyn Norsworthy and Jennie

coach: Janice Henningson captains: Seniors Catherine Coad, Sarah Leonard,

Kush

returning starters/standouts: Norswor-

thy, Kush ONE GAME TO WATCH: November 28 (Thanksgiving Day), 10:15 a.m. vs. Westborough Boys’ Soccer coach: Ken Morin captains: Seniors Liam McCarthy, Danny Keller,

Caroline Gerulskis 2012 reSULTS: 15-6, league quarterfinals

starters/standouts: Coad, Leonard, Gerulskis, Hirakawa, Tina Daigneault, Kylie Suitum (seniors); Emily Carens (junior) ONE MATCH TO WATCH: September 17, 5:00 p.m. vs. Westborough returning

and Connor Henry 2012 reSULTS: 13-4-2, lost in district semifinals returning starters/standouts: McCarthy, Keller, Henry; Tyler Morin (junior); Sam Hatem (freshman) ONE GAME TO WATCH: October 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Westborough Girls’ Field Hockey coach: Dan Welty captains: Seniors Molly Dore and Maggie Wraight 2012 record: 12-5-2 returning standouts: Dore, Wraight, Tori

O’Keefe, Jordan Howorth (seniors); Clare Strickland, Caty Lazo (juniors); Taylor Long (sophomore) ONE GAME TO WATCH: October 9, 4:00 p.m. vs.

Wachusett Girls’ Cross Country

Junior Nicole Federici spikes against Marlborough contributing towards a 3-0 win at home on September 9.

starters/standouts: Walsh, Shreeve, Partiridge, Fox; Sam Mauro (junior), Amanda Pageau (sophomore), and Alex Madamba (freshman) ONE MEET TO WATCH: October 15th, 3:30 p.m. vs. Westborough

Stay tuned for JV and Freshman sports information in Issue 2!

and Steph Fox; Junior Megan Walsh 2012 record: 2-5 returning

Photo Tori Finn

Seniors Brian Doherty and Jack Bertonazzi visualize their next shot during a match.

What’s INSIDE:

T-hawks in da clubz!

pages 2-3

Photo Tori Finn

coach: Brian Kellett captains: Seniors Kyra Shreeve, Maddie Partridge

Reactions to Master Pon and Sayon Souen’s visit.

page 4

tHE haRBINGER

news

Page 2

October 16, 2013

n

Meet the Freshman Class President Brendan Foley Awards & Achievements

Congratulations to...

Josh Ufland

simran mahanta

StaffWriter Freshman Brendan Foley won the recent elections for class president, delivering a speech in which he promised to “get the job done”. Foley’s goal in running for office was to embrace a new experience, and he’s ready for the challenges that await him as president.

How does it feel to be the freshman class president and have so much public support?

“I’m pretty grateful for winning because I had a lot of tough competitors. They all did a really good job with their speeches and their campaign. I’m glad the public agrees with my views and ideas.”

Why do you think people voted for you?

“It’s like I said in my speech, I’m responsible and I’ll get the job done.”

What work are you planning to do?

“We have to do a lot of fundraising. In steering committee, which I have to lead, they said last year’s prom was 30,000 dollars. I know, that’s a lot.”

What was your motivation for running?

Photo submitted by josh ufland

After getting a perfect score of 2400 on his PSATs, senior Josh Ufland was named a National Merit Scholars Semi-Finalist, one of only 16,000 across the country with hopes of qualifying to be a finalist competing for scholarships.

Dan Fishbein

Photo tori finn

Junior Dan Fishbein for earning a Certificate of Merit (4th place in this national competition) for Personal Opinion Writing from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for his piece “Cheating to Stay on Top Must Stop.”

Information collected by Lindsay Coppens

“I’d like to be a bigger part of Algonquin. I thought it’d be kind of fun. I like public speaking, well, I force myself to do public speaking. And it will be a new experience.”

Brendan Foley, the newly elected class president, plans to bring hard work and leadership to his role as the head of the steering committee.

Is your role as freshman class president the start of some sort of political career?

when I grow up. Being president is one experience where I can explore, learn, and grow. Who knows though, maybe this interest will lead me into politics again later on.”

“As of now, I’m not exactly sure what I want to be

Photo simran mahanta

tHE haRBINGER

NEWS

Page 3

October 16, 2013

Going back to homecoming’s beginning A look at a T-Hawk tradition, then and now

also offers students something to look forward to at the beginning of each school year.

Editorial Board and StaffWriter “Kids get to go crazy and all out, and its kind of Every year, homecoming unifies the community a week where you don’t get judged on what you wear. through football, dancing and socialization and truly Homecoming is the first spirit week of the year, the intensifies the T-hawk spirit. The cheering crowds, mu- first color war, the first T-hawk pride, and really the first sic, and reunions have long since been a tradition. whole school event. It brings Algonquin and each class Modeling off of other schools, Brian Faldetta, together as a community,” said Superfan club president student council president, and student council created Patrick Kane.

Algonquin’s first homecoming in 1990.

The dance has developed into an informal gathering “I attended a homecoming the previous year at that students use as a chance to just have a good time. one of the local colleges,” Faldetta con“I think homecoming is tinued, “during our first meeting, one just a fun way to hang out with of the agenda items was fundraising. We friends and have a good time!” “[Homecoming] usually had a fall dance but I thought we said junior Frances Palmer. could get more people involved, spice is really the first Although homecoming is a up the dance, and start a tradition for whole school tradition, it has changed, leaving Photo Brian Faldettta the Reg.” students wondering whether the The first homecoming exceeded ev- event. It brings old way or the new way is better A float from one of the classes at Algonquin goes eryone’s expectations with a parade, foot- Algonquin and each for the event. ar0und the track during the homecoming football game, and a semi formal dance; it “Increasing the formality of ball game. brought in more money than previous class together as the dance could be fun since a games or dances. a community.” lot of kids at our school enjoy “Given it was the first year, the bar dressing up for big events,” said for success was fairly low. But the fact Patrick kane Lowe. that the tradition continues... We must Some students support the superfan idea of upping the formality, have done something right. I think then, and I’m guessing now, it really pulled President taking homecoming back to its both the school and local community traditional roots. together. It was a unity of the classes,” “I like the old way better besaid Faldetta. cause it is more of a traditional To this day, the planning that goes into making a homecoming. Plus I like dressing up. Got to keep it good homecoming still lies in the hands of the student classy,” said senior Andrew Shatz. council.

Homecoming brings the community together once “To me personally, homecoming is just a great op- a year, every year, and the tradition continues to run portunity to showcase what Algonquin is really about. strong.

Our school has so many positive attributes and home“To students at Algonquin, homecoming is a great Photo Brian Faldettta coming is an easy way to bring them all together,” said place to hang out with other students and have fun.

Algonquin cheerleaders do a routine with alumni at junior class president Emily Lowe.

Homecoming also promotes school spirit and support the first homecoming.

Homecoming is not only a mark of tradition, but it for athletics,” said Lowe.

Mairathe Casey & Zoe Michas

News in Brief: What’s cool around the school? ¿Vamos a Europa?

Spanish students bound for Spain, Italy

Gonk has mcas class

T-Hawks score well above average on standardized test

More than just a game Marketing students invest in stock market

Joe Lafreniere

Jen Fox

Bridget Kiley

StaffWriter

StaffWriter

StaffWriter

Eighteen Spanish students will be departing for a ten day excursion across Spain and Italy this March.

Karla Steele, Spanish teacher and coordinator of the trip, said students can expect to be immersed in the local cultures.

“We will see a real flamenco show, and eat at a Tapas restaurant,” Steele said.

Students can also expect to put their Spanish skills to the test.

“Kids will learn more of the language and be able to communicate by buying things and talking to the locals,” Steele said.

The ten day trip starts in Madrid, then heads to Barcelona, and finally goes to Rome after spending three days in each country. Students will experience such sights as the Prado Museum, the Guell Palace, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, and the Vatican in Rome, allowing Spanish students to delve into local cultures.

Last year’s MCAS scores, released by the Department of Secondary Education (DESE) two weeks ago, affirm that the majority of ARHS students continue to rank high above the consistent state average.

“Most of our kids score in the Proficient/Advanced range… that’s about four times the state level,” said Assistant Principal Paul Didomenico. “These kind of things are a snapshot to student learning.”

95 percent of students in Math, 99 percent of students in ELA, and 96 percent of students in Science and Technology placed in Proficient or higher ranking.

These scores can be viewed on the DESE website or on the Boston Globe website.

The school’s best score for 2013 was in the ELA category, in which 79 percent of students ranked in the Advanced category, compared to the state average of 45 students.

The Stock Market game has begun and will continue until December allowing DECA students to virtually invest $100,000 in the real time stock market.

“Students use all the facts and figures and values of the real stock market,” said DECA advisor, and applied arts and technology teacher, Michele Tontodonato.

The object of the game is to make the most money by buying at least three different stocks. At the end of the game the top 25 teams with the most money in the North Atlantic region are eligible to go to the DECA international conference in Atlanta, Georgia and present their portfolios.

“It’s a great learning tool. They do learn about the stock market and how to invest, so it’s a great real life skill,” said Tontodonato.

tHE haRBINGER

Page 4

NEVER FALL DOWN september 17, 2013

One School, One Book Activities Capture Hearts of Algonquin Algonquin celebrated its One School, One Book on September 6, through preformances from two Cambodian Genocide survivors for the senior and junior classes. Research projects were also presented to the freshmen and sophomore classes about present day global issues.

“I thought the speaker was able to tell his own personal story in a way that brought in humor and related to high school kids.”

George Hancin Art Teacher “Words are just words, but visuals describe themselves.

The video was moving and made you understood the situation more.”

Photo by abbey toomey-fisk Travis Mann Souen shared his experiences as a victim of the Cambodian genocide with the freshman junior and senior class in the JFK Auditorium.

“It was a privi“The lege to listen to an presentation authentic speaker with a was powerful and genuine story to tell. It was was a great way to reflect a pleasure to listen to him, “I on our One School One hear what he had to say.” think that seeBook summer reading.”

Bradley Brownell ing the documentary Kevin Hausmann Senior on Arn was really good!

Science Teacher I think sseing him make the best out of his life was really inspiring. It was interesting!”

Krista Leach Freshman “The “I speech was thought they very moving, but he were great. It was a was great at lightengreat way to try to bring ing the mood. I’’m glad a school together... It was a his story had a happy great way to take students’ unending.”

Photo by Nicole Roody derstanding of their summer Casey Cabral 78 year old Master Pon played the two reading to another level.”

Senior string fiddle before and after Sayon Nathaniel Uttaro Souen’s address to the junior and senior class.

History Teacher “The difference between American culture and the culture he described was enormous. I can’t imagine not knowing any life other than war.”

“It Becca Handford was pretty Senior moving to see all the people and all the ways we can help them. It was moving to know people actually know about it. It brings the world together.”

Photo by Nicole Roody Andrew travins Freshmen and sophomores attended the global awareness fair Sophomore learning about present day world issues.

Photo by abbey toomey-fisk

Freshmen and sophomore classes circulated through the C gym obseving the modern day global struggles

“The number of people affected by the genocide was shocking.”

Ben Macchi Sophomore

Harbinger The Algonquin

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

Volume 26 sPECIAL ISSUE

Editorial Board Editors-in-chief Kaitlyn Callahan & Julia Lief

Advisers Lindsay Coppens & Virginia Fitzgerald

Contributing Staff

Joey Basteri, Maggie Bourdon, Baylee Burns, Mairathe Casey, Kate Foster, Jen Fox, Rebecca Handford, Colleen Kasprzak, Bridget Kiley, Joe Lafreniere, Danny St. Germain, Patrick Harvey, Riya Pujari, Alexandra Martin, Eileen Moynihan, Madeleine Rawstron, Sebastian Royo, Julia Welch, Brooks Bellefeuille, Rafaela Coelho, Emily Coffman, Julia Crowley, Kayla Morkert, Thomas Murray, Christopher Cotillo, Malik Daley, Olivia Giorlandino, Mark Hatem, Daniel Keller, Erin O’Brien, Julia Petrillo, Taylor Reynolds, Sam Piotrowski, Brian Barr, Dan Fishbein, Clare Strickland, Tori Finn, Abbey Toomey-Fisk, Jordi McStay

Join

n qui n o Alg The

r e g rbin

HforaIssue Two!

If you are interested in writing articles, taking photos, or designing pages, come to D219Wednesdays after school.