South Hadley High School
Spotlight
Issue 4
June 2016
Volume 96
CAPS OFF: Class of 2016 graduation p. 3
Spotlight
Spotlight, currently in its 96th year, is South Hadley High School’s student-run, open forum publication. Students create all content and make all editorial decisions.
Inside this issue
Features 4&5
News 3
Our staff
Maritza Roman, Editor in Chief mcrspotlight@gmail.com Brianna Ingham, Managing Editor brispotlight@gmail.com Andrei Danilchenko, News Editor amdspotlight@gmail.com Samantha Carey, Sports Editor srcspotlight@gmail.com Jailene Rodriguez, Student Profiles Editor jgrspotlight@gmail.com Lexi Bogalhas, Features Editor lrbspotlight@gmail.com Renee Stoltz, Photo Editor rmstspotlight@gmail.com William Schenker, Spotlight Intern wschenker117@gmail.com William Ortyl, Contributing Writer wnortyl@gmail.com Ethan Ortyl, Contributing Writer erortyl@gmail.com Mr. B-G, Adviser pbillmang@shschools.com CONTACT US
Facebook: SHHS Spotlight Twitter: @SHHS_Spotlight YouTube: SHHS Spotlight Web: shspotlight.com Phone: (413) 538-5063 Ext. 3505
2 ABOUT | Spotlight | June 2016
Senior Send-off 6&7
Opinions 10
Reviews 9
Editorials 11
2016 Prom 12
A note from the staff
We are pleased to bring you the forth Spotlight of the 2015-2016 school year, and excited about the change to a news magazine. In an effort to better serve readers and establish a link between our print and online products, we will be posting news and other timely stories to shspotlight.com, while making features, reviews,
opinions, and photo collages the focus of the news magazine. Spotlight welcomes your feedback as we work to improve our offerings. Students interested in joining Spotlight may contact any staff member or Mr. B-G. Thanks to our advertisers and Easthampton Savings Bank for their ongoing support.
Class of 2016 says goodbye By Samantha Carey
Stephanie Craven ‘spits fire’ during her graduation speech
As people walked inside Chapin Hall at Mount Holyoke College mid June 5, they were eager to see the soon to be graduates walk down the aisles. The graduation took place inside because of the forecasted rain. After Vocal Roar performed the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ millionaire real estate company owner Don Abbey spoke for a half-hour about students making goals in their lives and how they should always keep pushing themselves and how it’s okay to not know what you want to do at this point in your life. Tom Shea, valedictorian, spoke about his memories of his class, followed by the three salutatorians: Justin Garon, Austin Ablicki, and Ben Provost. Laughs occurred as the salutatorians mentioned their favorite and most memorable parts of the school years with their classmates. Stephanie Craven rapped a poem for her class as her graduation speech. Awards were then given out to students and then they finally accepted their diplomas after many years of waiting. The graduation ended in a bang when the fire alarm went off as the students and guests were leaving the building.
Staff photo by Samantha Carey GRADUATION TIME: Best friends Erin Murphy and Taylor Newman stand side by side as they wait for their diplomas.
High school gets a new turf field
By Maritza Roman and Renee Stoltz
High school athletes dedicate a lot of their time to become active and contributing team members in sports. To do this, athletes require dedication, equipment, and of course, a good field. The high school is in the process of making a new addition to the football field that was once surrounded by a dirt track. The school is adding artificial turf on the field, which is replacing the natural grass. Artificial turf is a surface of synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. “I know that they have been discussing redoing the fields for years,” said high school principal Diana Bonneville. “Sports officials have told us that [the old field] is dangerous because it is uneven and should be done soon.” The physical education classes have been the main group impacted by the turf construction. Shane Harrington, a physical education teacher at the high school, explained the positive and negative impacts that the turf field has caused thus far. “The current construction creates some difficulty, since we no longer have easy access to the ‘bowl’ which is used for various PE activities,” Harrington said. “Luckily, we have additional fields which can be used as an alternative.” Harrington added that, “occasionally a stray piece of equipment, like a frisbee or ball, will find its way into the construction area. Thankfully the work crews are willing to toss them back over the fence so that they are not lost for good.” With the new turf field, students won’t have to worry about getting wet or muddy. Typically, the wet grass greatly lessens students desire to participate. The new field should help in keeping students safe. Students have fallen due to wet grass from the uneven natural playing surfaces. The field should benefit PE classes by increasing the opportunities for new game units, and should increase overall participation when outside. “Any student who has ever had PE in the morning knows that the grass is wet with morning dew,” Harrington said. “This creates discomfort from wet socks and shoes, and makes the equipment wet and dirty, such as a softball rolling through the wet grass. Then it goes on through dirt turning it into a ‘mud ball.’ ” The turf field, finishing up right as school ends, is expected to be ready for the first football game on September 9th.
Staff photos by Maritza Roman and Renee Stoltz June 2016 | Spotlight | NEWS 3
STUDENTS BUILD VEGETABLE GARDEN Food is grown for the food pantry and bistro
By Samantha Carey
On warm sunny days during school hours, many students like to walk through the courtyard to get to and from classes. Benches are outside so students can sit on them and enjoy the fresh air. It is a time where people can relax for 5 minutes before going to their next class. Some people may even eat lunch outside. A new feature is being added into the courtyard, not by the school, but by the students themselves. Students are adding in a garden to our high school called the Cross Curricular Educational Center (CCEG). They are participating in growing crops during the school day, patiently waiting for their crops to sprout. “It’s a good way for the students to get involved with the community,” said librarian Sue Brouillette. Brouillette supplies the seeds and soil for the garden. Science teacher Jacob Masenoir is involved in the project and so are his students. He supplies the wood for the raised soil beds. Joshua Finkel, mathematics teacher, is also contributing along with his students. Special education teacher Scott Dion also gets his students involved with the garden. “It’s a lot of fun. Come and help!” said Tessa Bernard. In the garden they are growing cucumbers, basil, peppers, peas, tomatoes, lettuce, and many more items such as other herbs. This project is being funded by a Farm to School Grant. In the summer, there is a group that will be taking care of the plants that are being grown until Masenoir comes back in
‘It’s a lot of fun! Come and help!’ - Tessa Bernard
September. The plan is to move some of the plants in the summer to the pantry garden at Town Farms where the South Hadley food pantry can use some of the food that is grown. Starting next year, the people involved in this project are hoping that the rest of the food being grown can be used in the school bistro that is going to be added into the school as a vocational program. It all started off in January when the students and faculty got involved with the can drive that was known as “The Clash of Cans,” Many of the students enjoyed getting involved with the community
Staff Photos by Samantha Carey
FUN FANATICS: Tessa Bernard poses before helping build the raised soil beds in the courtyard during school hours. and helping others around them: “It was the students’ idea to start the garden. They really liked helping others, and wanted to find a way to fit science and math into a community project,” Masenoir said. The students started off by sharing maple syrup that they tapped themselves. They then evolved their project into starting the garden, and plan to have it grow and to be shared with the rest of the students as well. Many days you can see students go outside with a shovel or a watering can taking part in the community service. The students are encouraging others to get involved with the garden.
Contributed Photo by Scott Dion 4 FEATURES | Spotlight | June 2016
Students experience Nicaraguan lifestyle By: Lexi Bogalhas & Jailene Rodriguez
“The Nicaragua trip was a fantastic experience and I learned so much. The trip was incredibly rewarding both because of the knowledge that I gained and because we were able to help so many people.” - Evan Petrosky 11 “My favorite part about going to Nicaragua was learning about a new culture. It was incredible to see them so happy to see you and bond with the people you travel with.” - Rachael Moses 11 “Not only is it beautiful but you’re able to immerse yourself in the culture. You see how they live everyday and it makes you realize how fortunate we are. Plus you also develop a bond with the people you go with.” - Ally LeBarre 11 Students from South Hadley High School took a mission trip to Nicaragua during 2016’s April vacation. They delivered school supplies to the students of Nicaragua and were given the opportunity to volunteer in schools and take on projects. It offered the students a way to elaborate on their Spanish skills as they found themselves needing the language to communicate with the Nicaraguan kids. The high school students also participated in a reserve by watering plants and crops, they moved bags filled with dirt from one area to another. Their participation helped grow gardens throughout Nicaragua. Contributed photos by Shannon Mitchell
Shakespeare and Company perform ‘Macbeth’ live on the high school stage By Maritza Roman
Staff Photo by Maritza Roman
On April 11, 2016, Shakespeare & Co. of Lenox, MA performed Macbeth for approximately 400 students in grades 10-12. South Hadley Cultural Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as the National Endowment for the Arts significantly reduced the cost to bring Macbeth to the high school. With support from Diana Bonneville, the high school’s principal, enabled us to cover the remaining cost of the program which included the performance and actors workshop for students involved in the drama program. All
students who attended the play previously had the experience of reading Macbeth in their English class. Kristen Hamilton, English teacher, is the teacher who had the idea of bringing the performance to the high school.
‘I believe all students should see the live performance of a play and get the experience of being part of an audience. It brings what they’ve read to life.’ -Kristen Hamilton
Each year, students have to read Macbeth as a part of the mandatory English curriculum. Joseph Dragon, English teacher, said, “The show was awesome, just awesome. Watching professional Shakespearean actors play their trade was truly a wonderful experience and watching the sparseness of the stage and the movement of the play from scene to scene provided one with real insight into what the play might have looked like back in 1620 or so.” Dragon added, “It exceeded them tenfold. Being able to see these professionals and watching them control the nuances of the play was just so much fun. Watching that play was a blast” June 2016 | Spotlight | FEATURES 5
Senior Send Off Meghan Senecal
Jess Bridges
-Taking sociology with Ms. Goelz because it helped me discover so much about myself and grow as a person. -Not being as outgoing in my first two years of high school because the more outgoing I became the better high school was. -Read books, they’re good for you!
As the class of 2016 comes down to the final stretch of the year, many seniors have started to look back upon their time in the high school, and the memories that they made. These seniors were asked: What is your favorite memory? Do you have any regrets? What advice do you have for the underclassmen?
Vice Principal Patrick Lemieux
-Getting arrested -Getting arrested -Don’t get arrested
Dominic Florence
You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.
Principal Diana Bonneville:
The Class of 2016 has a lot of spirit, camaraderie, and fun together. It was great to see them band together for the Halloween parade, Spirit Week, and water balloon fight. My advice to the seniors? Money doesn’t define success - happiness and passion do. Find something that you love to do, and you will want to do it well and give it your all. If you aren’t passionate about your career, you’ll view your job as a paycheck and you’ll simply muddle through your days.
Libby Mercier
-The trip that I took with the music department last year. -Not trying harder throughout my whole high school experience, and not participating in more activities throughout the community. -Homework does help, but it is not everything. It’s the whole aspect of the class that you need to try in.
6 SENIOR PROFILES 6 FEATURES | Spotlight | June 2016| Spotlight
| June 2016
-The cruise I went on with the music department this past April because it was a lot of fun and we got to go away from our parents and just hang out with each other. -Not trying hard enough. Freshman year I went to high school and was like “yeah, whatever. Who cares?” Now I regret it. -Do your homework. It sucks, but you have to do it.
James Foley
-Winning the powderpuff volleyball tournament -Not trying harder -Work harder to get into good colleges
Maddison Quinn
Sage Callahan
-When I was asked to Prom with a puppy. - Not trying harder freshman and sophomore year. I could have gotten into better colleges than I did. -Make the most of high school. Everyone says it goes by fast, and it does.
Sam Schwantner
-Taking the creative writing class with Ms. Ellis. That was a totally fantastic class! -Not taking a study in my junior year -Take a study! Take as many as you can, they’re so helpful.
-Creating a book club during lunch with my friends during my senior year. -Not working harder my freshmen year because I had to work my butt off my last three years to get where I am today. -Enjoy your high school experience while you have it. I know it sucks and feels like it’s taking forever, but you really need to live in the moment.
June 2016 | SpotlightJune | SENIOR PROFILES 7 2016 | Spotlight | FEATURES 7
8 | Spotlight | June 2016
By Maritza Roman
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lither.io is a multi player, browser game that was developed and released in 2016 by Steve Howse. Slither.io is a sequel to Agar.io, and both games have the same objective. However, unlike Agar.io, this game is derived from the game Snake from the 70’s. The catch to this game is that you can cross your own boundaries, but not boundaries of anyone else. I find this game very addicting, like Agar.io. As a beginner, it was difficult to figure out how to play, as their are no instructions and the player just jumps into a game. Once I figured out how to play this game, it was
map. By consuming these dots, your snake very difficult to find myself not playing. Each avatar will grow in length. However, if you time the game ends, you get a total count for were to run into anyour length, which other person’s avatar, tempts you to beyou will die, ending come even longer the game. The same the next time you goes for if someone play. Also, during were to run into you, game play there their snake will die. is a leader board I would recomin the top right mend this game to corner, as well as anyone interested. Ala record length for though a bit stressful, the day in the top I find this game very ‘Slither.io’ screenshots from Slither.io left corner. Seeing amusing and time consuming. If you have those two boards tempts players, as myself, to played Agar.io in the past, Slither.io seems to keep playing in order to get my name as the daily high score, and to make it into the top 10 be a more tactical and addicting game. 4 out of 5 paws; pounce on it ! on the leader board. For deeper analysis on “Slither.io” visit Players control an avatar that looks like a shspotlight.com snake. The objective of the game is to consume the multi-colored dots throughout game
Captain America: Civil War By Renee Stoltz
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Before seeing this film, I had mediocre exnother epic marvel film hits the pectations. It is the third movie in a sequence theaters this May with large audiof movies about one specific superhero, so ences eager to watch. The third how badass could it really be? My expectaCaptain America movie meticulously delivtions were exceeded when the credits rolled ers a battle between the inner morals of the at the end. I thought this movie was avengers. Conflict arises between the brilliant and better than I ever avengers when political and govexpected. I liked this movie ernment leaders want to add equally, or even slightly a system of restriction and more, than the actual ownership among them. avengers movies. In the past avengers The scenes were movies, the superconstantly changheroes have caused ing with fresh new tons of damage to dialogue and action. civilization when There were new they get into battles. avengers in the The destruction is film, such as black hard to avoid when panther, ant man, and you’re trying to save ‘Captain America and Iron Man’ photo from Spider-Man. There were the planet. However, Marvel’s Facebook comedic parts throughout the government is not the whole movie and explain favor with this reoccurnations of the plot were clear ring outcome. Major conflict the entire time. The appearance and is created due to the disagreement hysterical one-liner from comic book writer, between Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and Stan Lee, makes the whole movie at the end. Captain America (Chris Evans). One believes I was very impressed with Captain America in the freedom to protect the people without Civil War, despite Iron Man being my favorgovernment involvement, whilst the other ite superhero. I am super excited for future believes that government order will keep them marvel films. I cannot wait for every hero and in check. While the government involvement villains stories to all combine at the end. The decision is slowly tearing the avengers apart, movie was very enjoyable and I personally someone else is mysteriously trying to do the suggest watching this. same.
Cindy’s Drive-in
Lexi Bogalhas
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indy’s Drive In is located in Granby Massachusetts. This drive in has been “ The hangout spot” for my friends and I for most of our high school experience. They serve over 100 different flavors of ice cream soft serve and hard serve. The ice cream never fails to send your taste buds wild. The ice cream flavor that I enjoy for soft serve the most is nutella. Nutella ice cream is made with real nutella and vanilla ice cream. It’s blended together to perfection into your favorite type of cone or bowl that is priced at $3.75. My favorite hard ice cream is actually frozen yogurt. It’s the black raspberry chip froyo that varies depending on the size you desire. Cindy’s drive in by far has the best ice cream I have ever tasted. Not only does Cindy’s serve ice cream but they have the famous long dogs and hamburgers. A personal favorite is the long dog special. It’s served with a drink, fries and a delicious bun toasted to perfection with a butter coating on the outside that makes customers come back for more each day. The special is $5.95 which is. On top of all the amazing food Cindy’s has to offer they have an amazing atmosphere that makes every guest feel well taken care of. 5 out of 5 paws. Devour it! For more on “Cindy’s Drive-In” visit shspotlight.com.
June 2016 | Spotlight | REVIEWS 9
Teams should be involved in a player’s actions, but to what extent? ‘School sports are a privilege, and that privilege can be taken away from you.’ -Vice principal Pat Lemieux
are rules set out for both the players and the team as a whole. According to the MIAA By Samantha Carey rules for high school sports, a student must Many people love watching sports, whether it’s have a passing grade and full credit in the high school sports or college level sports or even equivalent of four year-long English classes professional sports. Seventy-two percent of 18-29 year olds say they are sports fans, so shouldn’t there for that term. A student must also not deal, sell, use, or be in contact with alcohol or be greater concern for the actions of the players themselves and how the administration reacts to the drugs. These rules are in place so students can still succeed academically while being conduct of these players? an athlete at the same time. The high school People make mistakes. That’s a given. However, repeated mistakes can be avoided, which is why there has set out to make sure that the students on Creative Commons image by Brandon Giesbrecht
the sports teams are respectable and follow the rules of the school and MIAA. I believe that both players and the team have responsibility over the actions of a player. A player should take responsibility for his or her actions; however, a sports team should also acknowledge and take action regarding the choices made by said student.
For more on “Teams should be involved in a players actions, but to what extent?” Visit shspotlight.com
Openmindness can improve your inner soul
By Renee Stoltz Humans are naturally prone to having beliefs and become, most often, pessimistic personal perspectives on everything and about the situation. anything in the world. Each of us have This is America, and freedom is the ideal our own unique and individual personal- goal here, so people have right to be this way. ity that connects with different interests, However, there are many benefits of being hobbies, and opinions. Obviously, not ev- open minded. In my opinion, people that are eryone is going to have the same opinion close minded and unacceptable of new ideas, considering there are billions of human beliefs, or opinions are missing out. beings in the world. Being open minded and understanding can There are many types of people in potentially change your life. This is an exthe world, which include those who are treme statement, but hear me out. Being open close minded. Best defined on google, minded can lead to human growth. You can close minded is described as “having be introduced to something you never knew or showing rigid opinions or a narrow about before, and that “thing” or “idea” could outlook.” These people are typically not become a big part of your life. For instance, understanding of foreign opinions of you may know a “rebellious kid” and they their own. When close minded individu- hate everything about school. They refuse to als hear or read opinions of others they put in any effort because they simply do not disagree with, some may get angry, of- care. However, in their free time they pick up fended, or argumental. Their immediate a pencil and lined paper. They find that writrelation is to insult them or make them ing comes easy to them, and they enjoy creatfeel wrong for the way that they think. ing stories. This rebellious student is a future They do not take the time to listen and author in the making. This is an example of understand where the other person is open mindedness. coming from. They tend to stick to their Being open minded can help improve 10 OPINIONS | Spotlight | June 2016
yourself as a person in many areas. It helps people let go of control. Not everything in life is permanent or straight by the books. Going with the flow of things, instead of having things always go your way, can reduce stress and help you adapt easier to your surroundings. Open mindedness can help a person gain confidence by allowing them to be comfortable with trying something new. You can learn more about yourself and the things that you enjoy and the things you cannot grasp. Open mindedness allows humans to make mistakes and learn. People can learn to experience change and learn to handle whatever life throws their way. Some of this information may be obvious, yes. However, the point I am trying to make, is that being open minded and understanding will benefit yourself as a person, and improve your inner soul.
Credit for life Spotlight should be mandatory Shines On The following articles for represent the opinion of the Spotlight staff as a Seniors whole.
By Bri Igham
Need help with managing money? Do you know if your career will match your financial needs? These are the questions students need to ask themselves before transitioning into adulthood. Making smart financial decisions is a huge part of being successful in life. Credit For Life is an award-winning program designed to help high school students understand how to handle these decisions. According to BusinessWest.com, only 51% of high school students know how to write a check, fewer than 29% know how credit-card fees work, and fewer than 34% can balance a checkbook. We, as young adults, need to learn how to grasp these concepts before setting off into the unknown world of adulthood. When introduced to the Credit For Life field trip, I thought it
would be a good way to get a get-out-of-school free card, but I ended up leaving HCC with a good amount of information that will definitely help me in the years to come. When arriving at the fair, students were told to pretend that they are 25 years old and are involved with the career that they want. The students then received a folder with papers regarding their specific career path with information including their monthly salary and student loan fee. We then went to a booth and got a randomly chosen fake credit score. My credit score happened to be 700, which is very good. For the following hour or so, we traveled to many different booths spending our money on necessities like housing, furniture, transportation, and even gambling. At the end of the program, everyone would be able to see how much money they had left after spending their monthly salary. This program showed me how to properly manage my money according to the career I one day hope to have. It was very helpful regarding my future, and I am so grateful that I decided to go. I suggest that the school provide a mandatory class all about how to manage expenses and necessary costs for living. We learn a lot in school, but that is one very important thing that we do not learn. I believe a class about finances would benefit the student body immensely. The Spotlight Editorial Board agrees 7:0
Creative commons flickr image by GotCredit
Virtual reality can help students learn By Maritza Roman
If you had the opportunity to be part of a whole new reality, would you? A recent industry that has caught people’s attention is virtual reality. Virtual reality is a simulation of different worlds or experiences through the use of specific hardware and software. Virtual reality is used to create sensory experiences including sight, touch, hearing, smell, or even taste, and can mimic environments in video games, or environments in reality. I think that it would be a good idea to introduce virtual reality into the high
school. Being introduced into the classroom, students could experience past events in a new way. For example, in history, students could relive battles, or in science students could do a virtual dissection, or breeding simulations among plants. This could help students have better experiences in the classroom and could help them pay attention and retain more information. The Oculus Rift costs around $600 for the headset and features. Although costly, I do believe that the cost is worth it in the long run. The Spotlight Editorial Board agrees 6:1
Creative Commons Flickr Image by Knight center for Journalism June 2016 | Spotlight | EDITORIALS 11
Prom 2016
Photos from South Hadley Student Body 12 PROM | Spotlight | June 2016