The Whale

The Whale Pierson’s Middle School Magazine December 2021

Helping Hands in the Hamptons

By Andrew Dehler When people think of the Hamptons, they think of big homes and fancy restaurants but in reality there are many people who are in need.

Hamptons Community Outreach is a nonprofit organization that serves individuals and families in Southampton, Easthampton, West hampton, and right here in Sag Harbor. Their mission is to provide food, housing, and counseling to children, families and senior citizens.

I interviewed social worker and founder of Hamptons Community Outreach (HCO), Mrs. Marit Molin.

Can you tell us what holiday initiatives HCO is working on?

“Adopt a Santa Letter” gives kids a chance to say what they want for the holiday season. Two of the most popular things kids ask for are toys and sneakers.

Another way the organization helps people through the holidays is to allow them to create an Amazon Wish List. The wish list is for teens who don’t believe in Santa. Teens mostly wish for sneakers, clothes and technology such as cell phones, tablets, and computer game systems. Teens need more clothes as they grow and gifts of technology just make them smile and have a great Christmas.

Helping Hands in the Hamptons, con’t What kinds of services do you provide for senior citizens?

Our volunteers deliver meals and bags filled with necessities such as food, soap, socks, and toiletries.

How does your organization help with housing?

We help repair and fix homes and apartments. One family needed carpeting removed because their children had allergies.

HCO replaced this with new flooring.

What kinds of volunteers are needed?

People are needed to load trucks with supplies. We also need drivers. We need volunteers who can help loading the trucks.

Of course, all donations would be greatly appreciated!

What should you do if you want to volunteer or donate?

You can check out our volunteer or donation opportunities on HCO”s website: https://www.hamptonscommunityoutreach,org Also you can follow us on: Instagram@hamptoncommunityoutreach

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was inspired to create this piece while I was eating breakfast and noticed the sun shining through an empty vase. While painting this I wanted to make sure that all of the flowers were flowers you wouldn’t expect to blend or work well together; kind of like unexpected friendships!

By Artist Zeza Leitao

Getting to Know You

By Jack Grzan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mr Buscemi is our middle school teacher. This year he is teaching several classes including PLANT II, 7th grade Band, Music 6, and high school Production & Manufacturing Systems.

What do you like doing the most?

If I had to pick one example, it would have to be working out. I love taking part in challenging tasks that require me to better myself.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I knew I would become a teacher ever since I was in middle school. I really made a close connection with my music teacher after I began playing my instrument, the bass.

It really sounds like you decided to become a teacher from the very start!

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like to play video games but more than that, I love to learn.

Yes, learning is how we grow!

What is your favorite subject to teach?

I love teaching everything; music, shop, and PLANT. But my favorite class, and it would be a close one, would be PLANT. What do you think middle school students would like to know about you?

I am very much an open book but I would really like students to know how much I care and how much time and effort I put into planning what I teach.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview!

Then in 1970, Dimitrije Milovich began creating snowboards based on the newest evolution of surfboards, short boards. His model included laminated fiberglass, nylon straps, steel edges, and gravel on the top for traction. Dimitrije’s company was called Winterstick, the first snowboarding company. A few years later the company went broke. Thankfully, even though Winterstick went broke, snowboarding still stayed around.

In 1998 snowboarding was first introduced into the Olympics. At first Olympic skiers did not accept snowboarding as a sport because they didn’t understand it and also there was competition on the slopes. But did you know that surfing was also not recognized as an international competition sport until 1953?

FAQ’s for First Time Snowboarders:

SNURFING……WHAA?

By Ben Ezeir

Despite all of the years and experience I had skiing, learning how to snowboard was much easier!

Snowboarding is a relatively new sport. In the mid 1960’s a surfer named Sherman Poppen decided to design a surfboard to ride on the snow. He named it the snurfer!

It all started on a snowy Christmas day in 1965. Poppens put together two of his daughter's skis to make one solid board.

Soon his girls were sliding down the snowy hill. Poppens was tinkering with his invention trying to come up with a singular board that was shorter than your traditional ski but still having a rope steering system.

1. What is the hardest thing to learn in snowboarding?

The hardest thing to learn is standing up on your snowboard while on a steep slope.To practice you should turn right to left in order to slow down and also learn how to stop by turning both feet sideways.

2. Should you rent or buy you equipment?

It's a good idea to rent first especially if you only plan to head out to the mountains once or twice.

3. Should you take lessons?

As an experienced snowboarder, I would say yes because you can learn How to use your equipment properly.

It is also hard to put your equipment by yourself and learn techniques for stopping and turning are hard.

4. What is the best way to fall?

The best way to fall is to fall on your butt but don’t try to catch yourself with your arms behind your back.

5. While turning, don’t lean back too much On your heels. This prevents potential injuries.

Have a Safe & Happy H oliday!

Isabelle Caplin: Senior Editor Kira McLaughlin: Advisor