Her 18 Year Dedication
News
June 2012
Page 3
Obama for Gay Marriage austin Boger ’12
After being transferred to Norwalk High eighteen years ago, Ms.Verel is more than excited to cross a new path as she enters her retirement. Not only is this D House Counselor a dedicated worker, she is an active member within the community. Her latest project that she is proud to take part in Norwalk Grows, which is a program that is encouraging to put organic vegetable gardens in all nineteen of the schools within the district. “I’m more than excited for these gardens because obesity is a huge problem within the country and being able to be a part of something that will steer children into a different direction is amazing,” stated Ms.Verel, who added, “To see the gardens come into full circle is wonderful.” Aside from her volunteer work, this grandmother of a beautiful baby girl plans on spending as much time as possible with her family as well as traveling. Throughout the years, Ms.Verel has come across numerous situations, but at the end of the day she enjoys the lessons she learns from her students. “The best thing is being able to watch students grow and develop over the four year course at Norwalk High. Watching kids overcome difficult situations and become successful is so rewarding and
On a May 9 interview with ABC News, President Barrack Obama announced his support for the legalization of samesex marriage, becoming the first sitting president to hold this view. He told ABC’s Robin Roberts, “At a certain point I’ve just concluded that, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that same-sex couple should be able to get married.” The announcement came after Vice President Joe Biden revealed his support for the issue a few days earlier on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men marrying women are entitled the same exact rights.” According to White House officials, Obama had planned to make this announcement on May 15th episode of ABC’s The View, but was rushed by pressure following Biden’s comments. After the President’s announcement, the Vice President apologized to the President for putting him into an uncomfortable position. The President elaborated on his comments at a New York City fundraiser. “I want everybody to be treated fairly in this country.” He concluded that marriage equality “strengthens families,” which counters the opposing belief that the
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
worth my time,” Verel commented. One student who intends to make Ms.Verel proud is Farrah Marin (’12) who wrote her college essay on her. “I am really happy for Ms.Verel. She is like a second mother to me and I am excited for her new start. She deserves to play in her garden everyday and I will miss her so much,” said Marin (’12). As the warm-hearted counselor is set to say her goodbyes, it has become a bittersweet subject for her as she ends her career on a positive note. “Being transferred to Norwalk High is the best thing that has happened in my career because it has been a pleasure working with the dedicating staff within the building.”
Photo Credit: Stephanie Gonzalez
homosexual community is a n t i - f a m i l y. T h e P r e s i d e n t ’s view on samesex marriage has changed over the years. During his presidential campaign four years ago, his position was, “marriage is a union between a man and woman.” Throughout his presidency, he has been a supporter of civil unions for same-sex couples. In recent years, he has constantly said that his views were “evolving.” However, in a 1996 interview, when Obama was running for Illinois State Senate, he stated, “I favor legalizing samesex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.” This was eight years before same-sex marriage was legalized for the first time in Massachusetts. “It’s politics,” says Zach Stack (’12) “Obama thinks it will help him win the election.” With the 2012 Presidential Election nearing it is still unclear whether or not this position will be beneficial to his reelection. Recent polls regarding same-sex marriage show that a slight majority favors same-sex marriage. The stance will most likely be favorable to most of his base, but there is no doubt that it will alienate some independent voters.
grade, and we had the same musical style,” stated Szwec, who added “When I met Graham Jackson last year it seemed stupid not to start the band.” With all these bands in the school, it gets harder to write original songs. Some musicians look hard get ideas for songs. “The one thing that I really look for in music is melodies and lyrics,” stated Kyle Capone (’12), bassist and vocalist for the band Until Euphoria. “Lyrics are one of the most important things in music, and melodies provide value and really give the song some meaning,” he continued. No matter if someone likes death metal or ska, chances are that if they have the drive, they will find the people and the motivation to start a great band. These people have gone through the hardest part already, and they all plan to stick with it until the end.
Clockwise from left: Forgetting Fame (Alex Figueiras, Justin Ramirez, Luis McElaney, Juan Velasquez);Until Euphoria (Kyle Capone, Tyler Telesco, David Ely); Vienna (Graham Jackson, Will Szwec, James Luchessi)
Photo Credit: Vienna
If there is one thing Norwalk High School is known for, it is its music program. Teachers in the department have made a name for themselves in the city, if not the state. However, many students have found musical success outside of the classroom. Teen bands are a very common theme throughout the school. Many NHS students have gotten together to form their own bands, ranging from grunge-funk to post-hardcore. “I just love how it feels, the whole atmosphere,” stated Justin Ramirez, NHS senior and guitarist for band Forgetting Fame. “Rocking out is mad fun,” he continued. These bands but extreme amounts of work and effort into their music, and it shows as well. Most of the bands at the school perform almost all original songs written by them. “Every song we have is original. We write all of our work,” stated Will Szwec (’13), who is the drummer for Vienna, another band at NHS. These students also look at other bands for direction and influence. Almost all of them have written music through inspiration of other bands, such as The Beatles, Nirvana, or even Four Year Strong. These motivating bands all started the same way, with a group of friends starting from the bottom to make it big. “It all started when I met James Luchessi in eigth
Photo Credit: Forgetting Fame
Lucas Keogh ’13
News Editor
Photo Credit: Until Euphoria
Teen Bands Rock Out at NHS
Photo Credit: http://obeygian
Stephanie Gonzalez ’12
t.com/headlines/obama
THE PAW PRINT
Bears Shave Hair to be Cancer-Aware (continued from page 1) to have as many people as they can donate money, and the volunteer will then get his/her head shaved. Some of the volunteers include NHS’ very own, Mr. Anastasia, Mr. Harbolis, Mr. Foldeak, Mr. O’Shaughnessy, Mr. Karl, and Mr. Seaburg. “The BBC organizing the St Baldrick’s event is just another example of how awesome and involved the NHS community is,” said advisor, Mr. Anastasia. Whether a person wants to volunteer, donate, or just come and support, be there on June 9 to help BBC raise money for such an important and wonderful cause. See Mr. Anastasia for more information on how to get involved. BBC along with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is shaving the way to conquer kids cancer.
Photo Credit: Bill Martin
BBC’s newest project is to raise money for the St. Baldricks’s Foundation. The foundation is a ‘volunteerdriven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.’ The foundation raised over $136 million since it started in 2000. The official St. Baldrick’s website states “With these proceeds a new cure for Neuroblastoma (the most common kind of children’s cancer) was found, the cure rate for the most common type of childhood cancer was improved, the cure rate was raised from 20% to 70% for rare type of childhood leukemia”, and they have accomplished much more. Now the BBC club is taking on the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and holding a volunteer event on June 9, 2012 at NHS from 12 PM to 3 PM. The job of the volunteer is