Da summer 2017

Summer 2017

Sewage leak causes irritation

By Marwan Sherakeldin, Matt Hanlon, Anthony Kanyike & Jake Sarver On April 28th, a sewage pipe at the BHS gym burst and flooded everything inside. The sewage leak prevented students and staff from getting into the locker rooms.

Gym equipment was ruined, and students were unable to do anything in the gym during their gym periods while the clean up commenced.

When asked how the sewage spill was affecting her gym class, Physical Education Teacher Katey Sullivan said, “It's difficult to conduct [activities] due to this problem, and the equipment was ruined.”

The gym post cleanup The lack of access to the gym also affacted physical affected sports teams. Stu- practice, and it gets messed education assignments. dents didn’t have a place to up,” freshman Douglass “We are focusing more change after the school day. Bibbo said when asked on cardiovascular exercis “I don't like that we how the incident affected es,” Sullivan said. don't have the locker room his spring sport.

The sewage in the lockbecause I have to bring my Personal equipment er rooms didn't affect only school stuff out to track stored in the lockers was gym classes, though; it also

Photo taken by Kyle Barry

ruined too, and many were outraged. People who had their equipment at the gym could not use it.

Students also could not stay after school anymore to play basketball in the

gym.

Coaches likewise found the leak to be a nuisance.

“It makes it very inconvenient, and the kids don't have a place to keep equipment and change conveniently. They found a way to make it work though. If it was winter it would make it a lot more inconvenient,” Girls Track Coach Pamela Mackay said.

The football team and people who workout at the fitness center were also affected by this problem because the closed gym meant that the nearest bathroom was by the cafeteria.

Impacting classes and sports, the sewage pipe issue has been one of the biggest problems that has happened at BHS this year.

Fortunately the problem was fixed Tuesday, May 9th. All of the students are very relieved to finally have their gym back.

Special Olympians engage in friendly competition

By Alyssa Porter & Lily Algeri An event that encompasses the spirit of inclusion and acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics organization has made it their mission to empower people across the country through athletic activity.

Recently, students at Burlington High School were granted the amazing opportunity of participating in these activities.

“The transformative power of sports to instill confidence, improve health, and inspire a sense of competition is at the core of what Special Olympics does,” stated the official Special Olympics Organization. Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics has sought to spread acceptance and inclusion of those with disabilities through the power of sports. Creating opportunities where people with disabilities can compete just like everyone else is a major goal of the organization.

BHS’s LABBB students attended the Special Olympics held at Lexington High on Wednesday, May 5th.

Students participated in a wide variety of athletic activities such as running and walking events, a softball

and tennis ball throw, and a long jump competition.

This year’s Special Olympics was certainly very successful, as every participant brought home at least one medal to commemorate their experience.

“My favorite part was running the 400 meter dash and winning gold,” participant Mike Bono explained, who returned to the games for his second year.

As well as being fun for participants, students who came to help out also enjoyed their time.

“I had a blast at the Olympics!” said freshman Lindsay Baxter. “Watching the kids made my day because they all had such a great time catching up with friends from other towns and competing against each other.”

Participant Andrew McInerney recalled that the part he enjoyed most was in fact catching up with friends and teachers.

“Seeing my favorite teachers and friends who I love was my favorite part!”

McInerney exclaimed.

McInerney has attended the Special Olympics four times now and openly shows enthusiasm towards the experience.

Branching off from their sporting campaigns, the Special Olympics organization also focuses on providing health services worldwide for those with intellectual disabilities.

According to the organization’s website, more than 1.7 million free health examinations have been conducted in more than 130 countries.

Subsequently,

The competitors in the Special Olympics

Photo courtesy of Sydney Baxter

Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.

Whether they are organizing sporting activities or providing health care, the goal of the Special Olympics remains paramount.

Baxter interpreted this goal to be “providing a variety of athletic sports to keep the kids active and to encourage them to go outside their comfort zone, trying new events or meeting new people.”

Echoing Baxter’s sentiments, Best Buddies club leader, junior Caitlin Martinage explained what she believed the objective of the Special Olympics to be: “The goal is to make kids forget about their disabilities, and see that they can do whatever they set their minds to,” Martinage stated. “Also, it's just a day where the students can interact with one another and make many new friends.”

It is clear to see that the Special Olympics not only offers athletic activity, but also enables participants to make new friends and reunite with old ones. Congratulations to all the students who won medals and had a great time!

Slam Jam

Page 2

Earth Day

Page 3

Senior Retros

Pages 6

Senior Plan

Page 7

Faculty Prom Pics

Page 8

Boys Track = D3 Champs Page 10

News

The Devil’s Advocate

Summer 2017 page 2

Students snap for second annual Slam Jam

By Julia Papasodoro & Alyssa Porter A night of passionate and powerful performances, the 2017 Slam Jam was filled with music and poetry that could only be described as emotional, innovative, and all around amazing.

The Slam Jam is an open mic event hosted by the Poetic Ramblings Club and the Devil’s Playlist in which students are encouraged to perform poetry, music, or any literary creation. With M.C. Anusha Datar, the second annual production featured performances ranging from impromptu recorder sessions to exceptionally powerful and original poetry from a

variety of students at Burlington High School.

Recently coming off of a first place victory at this year’s Louder Than A Bomb (LTAB) preliminary competition, a youth slam poetry festival, the Poetic Ramblings Club got the inspiration for the Slam Jam from last year’s LTAB. Club co-advisor Shannon Janovitz commented that she and colleague Callie Graham were galvanized

by Poetic Ramblings involvement in the event.

“We were so inspired by [LTAB], and hearing all the voices from kids all over Massachusetts, and just seeing what an impact it had. We wanted to bring it to Burlington High School

Photo courtesy of Callie Graham

Senior Will Wen performs on the recorder

Photo courtesy of Callie Graham

LTAB Slam Team Piece so could people could have that experience” Janovitz said.

The night began with an energetic performance from sophomore Jessie Goober, who recited her own poem, “The Seamstress.” Goober, a member of the Poetic Rambling Club, described how poetry affects her personally.

“It’s such a great way to express your emotions, and it was such a good healing experience….It’s really nice to get up there, and just lay it all out on the line” Goober said.

The crowd’s energy continued as sophomore Sasha Festi sang “Maybe This Time,” a tune of mellow sorrow with sarcastic undertones.

A major highlight of

the night was senior Sidra Afzal’s compelling performance depicting the inequalities that Muslim women face living in society today. As well as being flawlessly and passionately performed, Afzal’s powerful poem caused students and teachers to ponder the prejudice that exists within America and the world.

The Slam Jam also featured a variety of musical performances, each distinct and unique. The line up of vocal performers included Laura Frustaci, Mia Campbell, Ivy Saltsman, Christian Weiss, Rylee Barucci, Ashley Koman, Goober, Sarah Plummer, and Laura Harder.

The audience was treated with a winning performance from the Po-

etic Ramblings Club that stressed a call to action to end gun violence in America. Performed by Frustaci, Goober, Festi, and Aysha Afzal, the poem included alarming statistics, powerful phrases, and profound emotion, all of which contributed to emphasis of ending gun violence.

Other students also wrote and performed their own powerful pieces of poetry at the event. Senior Yaju Tuladhar shared an especially moving and personal poem titled “Touch” which she wrote only a few hours before the show. Laura Frustaci also performed her own slam poem titled “The Only Way to Stay Safe” which dealt with the issue of sexual violence to-

wards girls.

The Slam Jam is definitely a fantastic opportunity for students to share their work and talent, and it is also great to see a different side of students that you probably never knew about.

As for the purpose of the Slam Jam, Janovitz puts it best saying, “It’s definitely to build community. That is something at the heart of it the idea of sharing your voice, being heard, and allowing people to hear others’ voices, others’ perspectives and really understanding someone and getting behind them. I feel like the energy [at the Slam Jam] shows that level of community.”

Photo courtesy of Callie Graham

Senior Yaju Tuladhar performs her poem “Touch”

BHS undergoes lockout Reasons why parents are completely

By Olivia Celeste & Riya Kamani On Monday, May 5, BHS students and staff experienced a lockout. According to an announcement by Principal Mark Sullivan, danger was nearby. The school remained on lockout until the situation was resolved.

At first, students and staff thought it was a drill.

“I was shocked and, at first, [I] did not think it was real,” said sophomore Nimisha Thakkar, who was in her fifth period Algebra II class when the lockout occurred.

As time passed, students and staff discovered, through social media, that it was not a drill.

“Threats made to shoot a random person,” read a BPD post. “If you see a gray Jeep Cherokee bearing Ma. Reg. 491VE1 being operated by Sarah Curran please call 911.”

Sarah Curran of North Reading, had allegedly threatened to “shoot a random person.” When police pinged Curran’s phone nearby, they shut down the school.

Junior Sara Cannalonga was in the history hall when the lockout occurred. After hearing about Curran, Cannalonga became nervous.

Photo courtesy of Burlington High School’s Website

Burlington High School “I was scared, because I knew [that] my family was in Burlington…and I did not want anything to happen to them,” Cannalonga said.

Despite student concerns, classes continued as usual. Officials decided dismissal would be held until police could ensure everybody’s safety.

“I was in Mrs. McKee’s English class, and we were all mad, at first, because we were going to have a late dismissal,” sophomore Madison Lebaron said.

At 1:55pm, further phone pings concluded that Curran was never in Burlington. She was arrested in Bedford and transferred to Lahey Clinic for evaluation.

BHS was reopened and students were dismissed at the regular time. Overall, students and staff remained calm, throughout, which helped ensure school safety.

freaking out about 13 Reasons Why

By Hannah Pais & Julia Papasodoro The Netflix show “13 Reasons Why,” based off the book of the same name

by Jay Asher, has become the most tweeted about show of 2017. With over 11 million tweets so far, the show is also first on everyone’s binge-watch list.

However, the show revolving around a teen’s suicide and how it could have possibly been stopped, has become a controversial subject for worried parents about the show’s psychological link to suicide in youth.

With suicide being the second leading cause of death in people ages 10-24 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), controversy has broken out regarding the topic of the show “13 Reasons Why.” People, especially parents, are concerned about the show and it’s connections to suicidal thoughts and actions.

Teachers of Burlington High School were recently emailed about the show’s dangers regarding students watching the show on Wednesday, April 26.

It led them to nasponline. org, a website of the National Association of School Psychologists, where they

could find information on how to deal with sensitive topics.

“What the series does accurately convey is that there is no single cause of suicide.

Indeed, there are likely as many different pathways to suicide as there are suicide deaths,” says the website.

“However, the series does not emphasize that common among most suicide deaths is the presence of treatable mental illnesses.”

Some teachers at Burlington High, such as Math teacher Thomas Regan, have teenage children who watch the buzzing show.

“As a parent, I don’t really know directly what the show is about,” Regan said. “I’ve heard about the mild depiction of suicide of

a young girl, but I don’t really know the other stuff.”

Being a father of three girls, Regan has one daughter in tenth grade who does watch “13 Reasons Why.” He explained his concerns as a parent regarding her watching the show.

“I’m not extremely happy with my daughter watching it,” Regan said.

“Depending on the age, I think it’s more appropriate, but as a parent I’d feel a lot more comfortable if she watched it under my supervision.”

It is quite obvious that the Netflix series has raised concerns for several parents and guardians. However, to many teenagers who have, or are currently watching the show, it’s simply an insight to how a teenager’s suicide could have been prevented had people treated her differently.

“I feel like adults and parents in general are freaking out a bit about the show,” sophomore Gwen Fillmore said. “I just think they’re getting the wrong message from it. They’re not trying to glorify suicide,

but they’re saying how what you say affects people more than you think.”

Singer, actress, and producer of the show Selena Gomez commented about the controversy regarding the series. “We wanted to do it justice and, yeah, [the backlash is] going to come no matter what,” Gomez said to the Associated Press.

“It’s not an easy subject to talk about.”

In his interview with Vanity Fair, producer Tom McCarthy made the statement that he was “proud to be a part of a television series that is forcing us to have these conversations, because silence really does equal death.”

McCarthy went into greater detail about exploring the topic of the connection between the show and teen suicide.

“We need to keep talking, keep sharing, and keep showing the realities of what teens in our society are dealing with every day.

To do anything else would be not only irresponsible, but dangerous,” McCarthy said.

Many viewers believe that “13 Reasons Why” is an insight into how being kinder to other people can truly save a life.

Features

The Devil’s Advocate

Summer 2017 page 3

Earth Day: a planetwide movement

By Alyssa Porter & Lily Algeri Forty-seven years ago, America came together as a unified nation to fight for environmental change, thus establishing the holiday known as Earth Day. Throughout the years, the events of Earth Day have focused on a variety of environmental issues, ranging from anti-war efforts in 1970 to the oil spill in 2010.

In a constantly changing political and environmental climate, the Earth Day campaign is determined to save the Earth by uniting the people that live on it.

Gaylord Nelson was a U.S. Senator of Wisconsin with a drive for environmental awareness and action. After the tragic events of the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969, Nelson was inspired by student anti-war movements and decided to try and channel that energy into a new, pressing direction: the environment.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans got on their feet and rallied for a healthier and sustainable environment.

Organizations that were fighting against oil spills, pesticides, and the loss of wilderness alike opened their eyes to their shared values and began to collaborate collectively.

By the end of that same year, this one Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and inspired the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

Although Earth Day does not have the popularity of Christmas or Halloween, it does serve an essential purpose as a symbol for a greener tomorrow.

“To me Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on the natural world around us and what it provides (food, water, air to breathe, etc.) and our responsibility to take care of it,” English teacher Brenna Rose said.

Taking care of the earth has been the goal of Earth Day since 1970, and it will continue to be as each year passes.

Over the course of their existence, the Earth Day Network (EDN) has accomplished many goals that they hope will ultimately lead to a more “green” tomorrow. According to the EDN, “it’s a movement defined by environmental activism, community engagement,

civic involvement, and green mobilization.” The organization has already recorded 2 billion Acts of Green since 2010 and plans on reaching 3 billion soon.

The EDN has also planted hundreds of millions of trees in 32 countries, a reforestation effort that is part of The Canopy Project campaign.

The EDN has over twenty-two campaigns and counting, according to their website. Some of these campaigns include Athletes for the Earth, the 2020 Global Environmental and Climate Literacy Campaign, The Importance of Green Schools, and Protect the Asian Elephant.

The Athletes for Earth program invites professional, college, Olympic, and everyday recreational athletes to serve as representatives in the fight against climate change.

The Importance of Green Schools program is working to improve student and teacher health, lower greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs, and increase student motivation.

The five pillars of their movement include enhancing facilities, food, schoolyard and outdoor environments, transportation, and environmental education.

The theme of the 2017 Earth Day primarily focused on education and climate literacy. According to Earth Day’s official website,” “education is the foundation for progress.

We need to build a global citizenry fluent in the concepts of climate change and aware of its unprecedented threat to our planet. We need to empower everyone with the knowledge to inspire action in defense of environmental protection.”

Spreading the knowledge of our environment and climate would increase the number of green voters, advance green technologies and jobs, and withhold laws and policies that negatively affect the environment.

Along with educating others about the climate, Earth Day 2017 participants took to the streets to protest political ignorance towards environmental change in the Washington D.C. March for Science.

Participants showed opposition towards lawmakers and government officials who have suppressed science and ignored climate change. Specifically, many protests were aimed towards President Trump, whose budget plan intends to cut $12.6 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services.

“I believe environmental cuts will unfortunately have a negative impact on the world, more because of the message it sends than the financial implications,” Rose explained. “The US is clearly a very visible nation and one of the major contributors to pollution and our influence has an impact. If the US decides that environmental causes are no longer a priority, what message does that send?”

Freshman Lindsay Baxter agreed with Rose’s statements.

“Cutting the environmental budget is extremely unfair to the earth,” Baxter said. “It is a selfish decision and that money is necessary to keep up the earth.”

Despite the possibility of future budget cuts, the EDN is determined to establish environmental education in schools of numerous countries by Earth Day 2020, ensuring that students from all over the world will graduate as climate literate citizens.

This education would send graduating students into the world with a better awareness of climate change, and a more advanced knowledge of how to create a sustainable future. The EDN believes that education is the first step to creating a global community advocating for change. The EDN states that its mission “... is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide.”

Although humans have caused many environmental issues, we have also become more educated and dedicated to creating solutions for a healthier earth and a greener society. Consider being the change your community needs in order to be more environmentally responsible.

Summer Jobs: Do they pay off?

By Rachel Gavin & Bridget Conceison Getting a summer jobs can bring about some challenges. However, if you are in need of some money, a summer job is the perfect way to go because you don’t have to worry about schoolwork getting in the way of your job.

Being a freshman, it can be difficult to take on the responsibility of work without a driver’s license.

“I would get a summer job, but getting a ride would be tricky,” freshman Nicole Benjamin said.

For those who can find a reliable ride, grocery stores, restaurants, clothing stores, and a variety of different businesses are hiring teens this summer for extra help.

We sat down with some freshmen who plan on starting jobs for the very first time this summer.

Katelyn Conley got a job and is excited to “make money to save for a car, and other things I may need.”

Aaron Rippin mentioned how he wanted to work for the summer so he could have some spending money.

“I’m thinking about working at a hospital, but

most of the work at hospitals is volunteer work, and I would prefer to get paid because I need the spending money,” Rippin said.

While some students plan on getting jobs so they can spend their money on the latest trends and new favorites, like bathing suits for the summer, others plan to save up their money for the future.

“I am really excited to get a summer job this year because I will be able to save up enough money for when bigger things come up in the future,” Conley said.

For students who are less concerned about spending cash, volunteering is a great option. There are many different locations in Burlington that need the help of volunteers.

Jackie Damato plans on volunteering at the Burlington Swim and Tennis Club, where she will be giving swim lessons.

“I want volunteer hours so I can have them for [the] National Honor Society, but I also really enjoy volunteering,” Damato said.

Although having a summer job is a good way to make some cash easily and volunteering can be mean-

ingful, working can get in the way of summer plans.

“Instead of working this summer, I want to enjoy my summer and spend time with my friends,” Fran Rubino said. Since working would interfere with her plans, she has decided next summer would be a more convenient time to get a job.

Going on vacation may also be very difficult for those looking for a job because of the scheduling conflict.

Emma McCann is going to Florida for almost a month instead of getting a job. She is doing this because she wants to “enjoy her summer,” and said, “I want to live summer to the fullest.”

Some fortunate freshmen have found the best of both worlds by making money while still doing something they love.

“I am planning to get a summer job in the town where I have a beach house because I spend most of my time there. It will not interfere with my plans and time spent having fun,” said Piper Ladd who wants to still be able to have fun and go to the beach. She will also be able to save up her money for any future plans.

Pixabay

Study smart for finals

By Ranya Paul & Dylan Lechner With finals fast ap- 3. Try to ask your teacher what subjects will be proaching, studying is a on the test, so you have top priority for students. a general idea of what However, developing good to study for. study habits is an issue for many. Essential to being 4. Study old tests/quizzes, notes, slideshows, both effective and effitextbooks, etc. cient when studying large amounts of material, here is 5. Make mnemonic devices to help you with a list of twelve helpful tips memorization. to keep in mind this June: 1. Create an organized 6. Practice quizzes online. schedule of what topics you need to study 7. Take short, intervaled breaks. for and for how long.

2. Do not procrastinate, 8. Use all possible resources, whether it is even if you’re not in the textbook, a teachthe mood to study. Doer’s website, or old ing so results in cramhomeworks. ming, which amounts to more stress and in- 9. Organize study groups with fellow peers. efficient studying.

3

10. Get enough sleep: Do 10 not go to sleep late, as

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11

5

1 2

6 7 8 9

sleep deprivation majorly impacts the way you think.

11. If you need additional help, tutors are available and study sessions will be offered.

12. Take the advice of senior and veteran test-taker Yaju Tuladhar: “Make studying enjoyable. Buy multicolored pens. Train yourself with rewards.

Take dance or phone breaks. Finally, do your best. If you put in your 100%, and your real 100%, trust me— it’ll pay off.

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Opinion

The Devil’s Advocate

Summer 2017 page 4

Should you take a gap year?

By Rachel Gavin & Hannah Pais Gap years can allow students to take a break from stress and schoolwork to focus on the things that they enjoy most.

For some people, a gap year might be about finding themselves and what they want to do, while for others it might be taking one just to relax and take some time off. In both situations, time off can help the students to make plans for the future, English teacher Brenna and possibly change the Rose said. “It gives people an opportunity when you’re plans they originally had.

According to Time young and just starting out Magazine, many educators to experience life.” have been promoting gap Many colleges and years because kids who schools are welcome to take a break after the hard the idea of gap years, and work of high school are bet- some even give benefits to ter able to explore other in- the students who engage in terests. Consequently, they one. There are several colbecome more mature and leges, including Princeton engaged in their education and the University of North when they arrive at college. Carolina, who offer schol “I definitely think that arships to freshman who gap years are beneficial,” take a gap year. While some

offer scholarships, others have many programs that involve gap years, and several others at least encourage students to take a gap year.

Rose explained how she’d like gap years to be utilized more in the U.S. “In this country, gap years aren’t as popular; whereas in places like England, they’re extremely common. It gives young people a taste into the real world.”

Gap years can be extremely beneficial to students if they take the time to make a structured plan and use their time wisely. Often students get jobs during this time to be able to pay for college, as well as their year off.

Many new hobbies, sports, or other activities may even be discovered when students take a gap year, by traveling to new places and getting jobs. In doing so, they may realize a new occupation that they are interested in, or even something completely new that they want to do with their life.

Gap years can really give students the time they need off from worrying about college applications as well as many college finances, and it can give them the time to do things simply because they love doing them.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Post-dance driving: Make safe choices

By Alec Rollins & Frankie Bonanno Dances are a great time where friends can make outstanding high school memories. But, if you want to maintain those happy memories, you need to make it home safe.

Students should not be drinking after dances, as it is illegal and irresponsible. According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), “Teen alcohol use kills 4300 people each year. - That’s more than all illegal drugs combined.”

If you do find yourself in an impaired situation, though, don’t compound the dangers of drinking by driving. Driving under the influence does not make you cool, and it certainly won’t keep you and others safe.

“Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of those crashes involved an underage drinker” MADD’s website insists.

Too many students lose their lives because of a stupid decision that could have been avoided by contacting a trusted friend.

“Drinking and driving is a singular decision that can directly impact the lives of many people. I would further add not to drink and drive,” Health Teacher Amy Doughty said.

“Drinking and driving is a singular decision that can directly impact the lives of many” - Amy Doughty, Health Teacher Students always have options for a ride after prom. Anyone with a driver’s license that you know can get you home safely. Parents would much rather see you get home safe than a horrific accident happen.

“It is better to call because your parents will obviously ask questions, but they would rather see their children at home the next day then either be injured or in serious trouble,” one BHS parent said.

Similarly, older cousins or siblings have lived through high school and know what is going on. They will definitely be there for you if you need it. Family members are the YouTube closest people in your life.

Another option you always have is Uber. The first ride of Uber is a free ride when you sign up.

Alcohol is a dangerous product, and students should not get in the car with someone who has been drinking. Do not let your friends drive even if they tell you “I’ll be fine.” dollar giant mess up so bad- Letting them do it or doing it yourself could result in losing ly? Everything points to the a friend or your own life. fact that it was an in-house Stay safe after dances by being smart with the choices production. The work was you make. probably filtered through the corporate mindset of promoting Pepsi. It was clearly produced by a group not as skilled as professional producers--and thus not in touch with the reality of advertising.

“An outside agency may have provided not only dissenting opinions but the capability to test the ad conmake them my own. cept with a wider network,” By Lindsay Corbett said Matt Britton in an in- Without the literature The first piece of literaterview with USA Today. I’ve read in high school, ture I read in my freshman As the CEO of Crowdtap, a I wouldn’t be the person year was Shakespeare’s Romarketing technology firm, I am now. Through what meo and Juliet. As Romeo he is well aware of the sche- feels like endless years, and Juliet were around my one constant has never age, I turned to them for matics behind advertising.

With all of the contro- changed. I embraced the life lessons. The play isn’t a versial events occurring idea that books can actually happy love story. After just worldwide, this blunder have meaning for me and a glimpse, they fall instantis just one of many under not all of them are boring. ly in love with each other public scrutiny for failing Holding onto that philos- and end up dying a day latto respect important social ophy allowed me to take er. Bummer. lessons from the books and CONT PG 11 issues.

Pepsi ad falls flat on social media

By Ranya Paul & Dylan Lechner An attempt to send a message of unity, Pepsi’s tone-deaf advertisement depicting a “protest” did manage to unify social media--against it. The ad, featuring model and reality star Kendall Jenner, received so much due backlash that it took a mere 24 hours for Pepsi to release a statement of apology and take it down before it ever hit TV. The ad, titled “Jump In!”, borrows, trivializes, and appropriates imagery from the Black Lives Matter Movement. Posted on YouTube, it shows an attractive crowd of young millennials holding vague signs with the symbol of peace and an occasional, “Join the Conversation!”.

The protesters are, uncharacteristic of a real protest, laughing, smiling, and

clapping.

At its climax, Jenner, a white woman with white privilege in the scene, walks up to a police officer and hands him a can of Pepsi, from which she gets loud approval from the crowd.

Many activists felt the ad was the polar opposite to their actual experiences of speaking up against police brutality. The culturally insensitive commercial, whose goal was to simply sell a product, minimalized the frustration protestors feel by painting a happy scene where all issues are resolved by simply having a Pepsi.

Pepsi apologized, saying they were, “trying to project a global message of unity, peace, and understanding,” and conceded that it “clearly . . . missed the mark,’’ and, “did not intend to make light of any

serious issue”.

Freshman Saarim Shakaib agrees, saying, “I believe the ad is trying to send a message of unity…

Although, Pepsi should create a new ad with a similar meaning in a different way to change how people think about it.”

Critics have noted that Kendall’s act of handing a can of Pepsi to an officer is disturbingly similar to an image of Iesha Evans in 2016, facing a line of police during a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Comparisons of the two images have drawn a lot of controversy online. Many have taken to social media to speak up about the ad.

Bernice King, daughter of late Martin Luther King Jr., sarcastically tweeted, “If only Daddy would have known about the power of #Pepsi.”

So how did a billion

Without lit, I’d be stuck.

The Devil’s Advocate

Arts & Entertainment

Summer 2017 page 5

Talent takes stage

An unconventional murder mystery: ‘Big Little Lies’ sets new expectations

Promotional poster

By Olivia Celeste Big Little Lies, an HBO miniseries, depicts three women living in Monterey, California. As the first episode opens, the audience learns that a murder has taken place. The identities of the victim and killer are unknown.

Throughout the series, the characters are revealed and their motivations explored. This unveiling prompts the audience to imagine the role that each character potentially played in the murder.

Madeline Martha Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon) is a wealthy mother who donates her time to community theater. She is remarried to a devoted man, Ed (Adam Scott). However, Madeline obsesses about her ex-hus-

band, Nathan (James Tupper), who lives nearby with his new wife, Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz).

Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman) is Madeline’s best friend. She is a former lawyer, loving mother, and victim of domestic violence.

After a traumatic experience, Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley), a young single mother, relocates to Monterey. In search of a new life for herself and her son, Ziggy (Iain Armitage), Jane is an outsider who befriends Madeline and Celeste.

All of the main characters are dishonest and not who they appear to be. As the miniseries progresses, their true motives are revealed.

Madeline presents her-

self as confident and assertive. In reality, she is insecure, afraid, and still grieving her divorce from Nathan.

Despite her close friendship with Madeline, Celeste cannot be honest about the true nature of her marriage and its violent undercurrent.

She lies by omission.

Jane lies to Ziggy about the identity of his father. She lies to protect her child and feel freedom in her new life.

“Big Little Lies” is not sequential. The murder has already taken place. Effective flashbacks shed light on the main characters and provide clues.

The ocean is a reappearing metaphor in the miniseries. At the beginning of each episode, images of the ocean are shown. Just

like footprints in the sand are washed away, evidence of the crime may also have been washed away.

Both the flashbacks and the ocean create tension that culminates in the last episode. The seven episode miniseries could have easily accommodated more episodes. The last two episodes are different from the previous five in intensity and action. Additional episodes would have allowed the storyline to be further developed.

Unlike a conventional murder mystery, Big Little Lies puts a spotlight on violence towards women and its severe impact on its victims. It also illustrates the power of women, joining together to overcome the ultimate evil.

By Bridget Conceison & Julia Papasodoro While everybody gets excited for summer, we often find ourselves bored or with no ideas on what to do.

However, if you’re a fan of music, a variety of amazing concerts will be coming to the Boston.

Justin Bieber returns to Gillette Stadium with his Purpose World Tour on Aug. 29. This concert is supposed to be fantastic for all fans, and you will get to experience Bieber singing many of his popular songs and dancing. Right now, tickets range from about $65 to around $400, if you want the best seats for this great show. For more information, check out Ticketmaster.com.

Another famous face coming to Boston is Ed Sheeran. After taking a year long break from music in 2016, he recently released his third major album, Divide, which will be featured in his world tour. This Brit-

ish star will be performing two shows at TD Garden in September on the 22nd and 23rd at 7:30. If you want more information for tickets and if you want to listen to the pre-show playlist, visit edsheeran.com.

If you are especially into pop music, we recommend that you check out Lady Gaga at Fenway Park.

After recently releasing her album Joanne, Gaga announced a world tour that is sure to feature some of her old music, as well as her more recently released work. Two shows will be held on the 1st and 2nd of Sept., and ticket prices start at around $75 for the cheapest seats. If you are looking for something to do on your weekend, then Gaga’s show is great for you. To learn more, check out ladygaga. com/tourdates.

Another upcoming Fenway performance includes the legendary artist Billy Joel. Joel has one show on Aug. 30, which would be an

amazing way to top off the summer. With many fantastically iconic songs, Joel is sure to please audiences of all ages. This is Joel’s 4th consecutive year at Fenway with his past shows proving to be quite popular, and according to Joel’s website, tickets are now sold out.

However, if you are really looking to score some tickets, check out Ticketmaster’s partner site to find more resale ticket details.

Is country music your favorite? If so, then make sure to see Countryfest 2017 at Gillette Stadium.

This year, the show features artists Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, and Old Dominion. Starting at 5:00, country fans are sure to be pleased with this famous lineup of country artists who will deliver wonderful performances with their popular songs. With two dates on Aug. 25 and 26, tickets for this show start at around $60. Once again, check out ticketmaster.com

for more details.

Are you looking for an all day festival or want to find new bands and artists?

Then the Vans Warped Tour may be perfect for you!

Featuring over 80 alternative or undiscovered artists overall, including Plain White T’s, Bowling for Soup, Andy Biersack, and so many more, this huge festival at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield will be an unforgettable experience.

This blend of various artists has been filling summers with fun for 22 years now, and every lineup has a variety of performers full of energy and music. Tickets are only $45 for this event on July 12, so get yours today!

Check out Vans Warped Tour’s official website for a ton of information about the show.

It would be a shame to spend this summer inside on the couch. Get out and enjoy music with your friends for an unforgettable summer night.

By Riya Kamani The Battle of the Bands showcased the musical talent of Soulstice, Murphy’s Law, and Lycanthropy on April 28.

The event was a great opportunity to support your friends and the class of 2018. As frehmen, the class of 2018 decided to bring back the traditional competition after it had been on hiatus and have been running it ever since.

“Although it requires a lot of work, we felt could handle it, and put on a great show,” student council president Neil Bhammar said. “We try to create an informal vibe to the event, which is why we typically hold it in the wooden gym. It creates an atmosphere that’s like a rock concert where people can move around. This year, however, because of the last minute sewage leak in the gym, we had to move the event to the auditorium, but still tried to keep the personal feeling of the event.”

Luckily, they had the auditorium. The event may have been canceled if they didn’t have any other proper stage because the cafeteria does not have good acoustics.

Each band mainly played covers, but put their own spin on the songs. Junior Jenny L’Heureux, the lead singer of the band Lycanthropy explained, “Most songs we are doing are originally male songs, but we are using female voices, which gives it a different sound altogether.”

Lycanthropy performed “Secrets” by Mary Lambert, “Sun” by Maroon 5, and “Only the Good Die young”

by Billy Joel. A crowd favorite was “Only the Good Die Young” because it really seemed like the band brought everything they had and left it on the stage. The band members’ voices and instruments carried the performance.

The group itself has only been together since the fall, but they were practicing for the Battle of the Bands for at least two months. Interestingly, their bass member only joined 20 minutes before the show started. Apparently that happens from time to time. Bands split up and new people join; it is all about learning to work together. Nevertheless, the band rocked their performance.

Next, Murphy’s Law got the students rocking and moving. The dim lights on stage meant darkness surrounded the audience, making it feel like you were at a live concert. The band also joked around with the crowd

Concerts come to Boston

Photo Courtesy of Jessie James

Lycanthropy plays a set and themselves which created a very personal feel.

Lastly, Soulstice gave a wonderful performance. All of there songs were very powerful and you could tell that they were very confident in themselves. Jenny, the lead singer, moved to the beat, and her voice carried through the auditorium. My favorite song was “You gonna be my girl” by Jet because it really brought the band to life.

There was also an inbetween performance. Juniors Josh Meroth and Zyann Sharkah, performed “Jesus Christ” by Brand New. Juniors Chris Costello and Charlie Paras performed a song in Hamilton. Charlie and Josh were also part of Lycanthropy.

The audience judged the competition. Everyone wearing their glow sticks would put their glow stick in the bucket that had the name of the band they wanted to vote for on it. This was important because it made the people in the audience feel like they were a part of something. Also, if the class of 2018 judged the competition, it would have been biased because most of the competitors were juniors.

In the end, Soulstice won 1st place ($125), Lycanthropy took 2nd ($75), and Murphy’s Law 3rd ($50). The audience also participated in a raffle and got prizes from local businesses.

The Devil’s Advocate

DA Senior Retros

Who I am is not who I was

By Lindsay Corbett Hi, I’m Lindsay Corbett, and my four years of high school was basically me getting my stuff together. Looking at me now, you can say that I’m a pretty calm and confident person who can also turn the sass on at any moment.

But that wasn’t who I was four years ago. Let me take you on the journey of my high school experience and the mentality that has made me who I am today.

My first year of high school was probably the second worst year of my life. Transitions are hard; life is hard. Being able to find the light in situations wasn’t my forte, either, so my life was kind of a big question mark.

I remember trying to be like everyone else, but it legit felt like I was a gazelle surrounded Lindasy Corbett by a herd of lions. There was no fitting in there.

Don’t think that I didn’t have any friends, though, because I did; I wasn’t 100% a “lost cause.”

I do believe, however, that if there was an award for walking out of classrooms in a rage, I would win. Socially, I wasn’t the most approachable kid, complained about everything, and could never take a joke. But hey! We evolve and believe me, I have evolved since then. Without those walking out moments, I wouldn’t have met the lovely Ms. Deacon.

Remember when I said that freshmen year was the second worst year of my life?

Sophomore year was my worst. That year was the one that I don’t think I’ll ever forget because of how academically and socially challenging it was.

Carrying my attitude from freshmen year, I set myself up to fail. I also decided to try honors English. I ended up almost failing out of that and got switched into a CP1 class and into a program called Bridge. Not a lot of people know about this program and/or know that I’m in it because it’s something I’ve kept private. To summarize, the Bridge program is a class in school where there is extra support for students who have a hard time with academics or dealing with their emotions.

Now before anyone make assumptions, I would like to say I wasn’t there for the academic portion. I had a hard time controling how I felt and was very impulsive in my actions. Also, I can’t continue this personal reflection without saying thank you to the former and current Bridge staff. Personally, I believe everything happens for a reason, and I was meant to be helped out by you amazing people.

Junior year rolled around, and I was #newyearnewme. Bumps in the road included friend groups being swapped, Mr. Leonard’s difficult tests, and as always, math class.

That year was the start of something great and new. I was prepared to take on any challenge and deal with it as best as I could. Okay, I walked out of a classroom once, but that should be my hall pass of the year. Starting to gain confidence, I put myself out there more and found out that maybe trying hard wasn’t that bad?

Academically, junior year had to be my easiest but also my scariest. I’m going to blame colleges for this one. This year for me was when all the college letters flooded in like crazy, which was partly my cause of stress but also led me to my best year.

Senior year. Or as my brother Chris would call it “SENYAAAAAH YEAR.” This year has been nothing but ups for me. I’m finishing my last year as the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the wonderful Devil’s Advocate. I get to do what I love, which is write. I finally have a direction in life (Westfield Class of 2021!!!). I’m as happy as I’ve ever been. This is all I could’ve wished for in my past four years.

If I could give advice to anyone at BHS, it would be to be a good person. Hold the door for someone. Smile and say “Hi” to someone you might have never talked to before.

Good karma comes back to you.

Summer 2017 page 6

My benediction for Burlington High

By Emmet Funchion We all know what it’s like on a basic day of school. You go to homeroom, if you’re not late due to some “personal” reason. Go to first period and try to weave through the hundreds of zombies walking through the hallways. If you have walked through “A” street here at BHS, you know what I mean. But despite our mindeless roaming, what we have learned through these years of high school is a stepping stone for our future.

Some of us may have learned what our college career will be, others have no clue, Emmet Funchion and a few want to go straight into the workforce because another four years of school would be straight up hell. Wherever you’re at in life, live your life with purpose and a drive that others will want to emulate. Stay optimistic, and no matter what life was like before this, this is a new chapter in your life. We all have our shortcomings, but one thing that has never changed is our consistent faith, and knowing that for most, our plans were already made for us. If I can give you any advice, it would be to know that you are where you are not by coincidence.

Always remmeber, you leave a footprint no matter where life takes you. The innovation of technology may scare and frighten a lot of you. Without you even knowing, the government watches your phones depending on what you post, comment, tweet, hashtag or pin. The things you post could affect you for the rest of your life, and I urge you to be cautious of what people will see. You will be the one who makes those decisions outside of these walls. Whether good or bad, they will affect your life for the better or worse.

Throughout our early years, we witnessed the terror this world has to offer. We learned young, that bad things happen and scary people are out there. The world is not an innocent place. Just before freshman year started, an attack on our home soil during the Boston Marathon made us shake and tremble. Life comes with many obstacles and barriers, but we have to be strong and courageous and carry on. There will be a lot of late, stressful nights when you embark on your journey, wherever you’re at--a dorm, cubicle, construction site, your friends basement, or wherever life leads you. Through these experiences you will find a sense of hope and power. Even through those busy days, be confident and remember your morals and values.

We all are going to walk to the podium on June 4th, but even with this big accomplishment, the hard work is yet to come. After this achievement, those of you going to college will understand that high school was nothing. What will lead you through college are the memories of the people who inspired you. Remember these people, and continue to be inspired more and more. My Special Education teacher Mr. Kip gave me the best advice that I could ever have at a time of my life where hurt and sorrow was overwhelming. “Be strong Emmet, Don’t let em’ win, be the bigger man and show them that you are who you are, and that’s the way you will always be”. With that I say congrats class of 2017, and good luck on the rest of your future.

Let’s get nostalgic: Don’t waste time being upset ed as the editor-in-chief.

It’s been two years since he left and I took over, and I can’t believe my time as EIC is coming to Kyle Barry, Editor-in-Chief a close. It’s finally hitting

By Kyle Barry At the moment, I am me that my class is going to reading the farewell piece be done with school, and I written by my former edi- can’t help but get that nostor-in-chief TJ Horgan, and talgic feeling when looking I can’t help but get emo- back.

What TJ did in his faretional reading it.

The paper with his fare- well address was share five well address was also the lessons that BHS taught first one with my name list- him that were not related to

the curriculum. Inspired by him, I’m going to just share one of my favorite stories from high school that taught me life is too short to waste time being upset.

Alright, who remembers when I was on crutches last year? Here’s how that happened.

I was golfing with Sean Hurley, and I was jogging off of a tee box when I stepped into really deep mud. My foot rolled over and pressed into the puddle.

It instantly swelled up to the size of a baseball.

Hurley, being himself, told me that I needed to keep playing. But that was

Photo courtesy of Callie Graham

The 2016-2017 Devil’s Advocate Staff Photo

not going to happen because my shoe could not even fit back on over the swelling. I walked barefoot all the way off of the course.

Before dropping him off and heading to the hospital, Hurley, who still thought I was embellishing, talked me into taking him to McDonald’s. I was still on my Junior Operator License

too. As a result, I could not call my mom and tell her that I had probably broken my ankle until after I dropped him off.

I hobbled through McDonald’s, waited until Hurley finished eating, and dropped him off, before going to the hospital.

When I finally got there, the doctors informed me that I had an ankle injury.

It would not have been that bad, but all of the walking I did on it had made it worse.

I needed crutches and that sums up my luck.

I leave you with this: Enjoy life. Enjoy every second of it. Don’t waste time being upset. Find the humor in it all. Do what will make you happy. It’s all success if it’s what you need. Do what you love and do it honestly.

Seniors!

The Devil’s Advocate

Summer 2017 page 7

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

A Abrevaya, Elizabeth: Attending Keene State College Anajarian, Hakeem: Attending Dean College Anthony, Molly: Serving with Americorps Arsenault, Kenzie: Joining the U.S. Air Force Asamoah, Ama: Attending Bates College

B

Barry, Kyle: Attending Boston University Benhida, Souleiman: Attending Cornell University Biundo, Jason: Attending UMass Amherst Boeri, Lauren: Attending Westfield State University Bonanno, Vanessa: Attending Hobart & William Smith Colleges Bonaventura, Andrew: Attending Worchester Polytech. Institute Boodakian, Ginger: Attending Mount Ida College

C

Carlino, Rachel: Attending Lasell College Carlson, Lauren: Attending University of Rhode Island Celik, Mia: Attending UMass Amherst Collina, Lauren: Attending Hofstra University Corbett, Lindsay: Attending Westfield State University Corrigan, William: Attending Catholic University of America Curtin, Kerry: Attending American University

D-F

Dalla Santa, Jordan: Attending UMass Amherst DeFrancesco, Ashley: Attending Wentworth DeSousa, Angela: Attending University of Vermont Desrochers, Gabrielle: Attending University of New England Elkins, Sara: Attending UMass Amherst Foley, Jack: Attending Wenworth Institute of Technology Frustaci, Laura: Attending Harvard University

G

Giusti, Olivia: Attending UMass Amherst Grace, Ashlee: Attending Fitchburg State

H

Hoac, Sarah: Attending WPI Hoyt, Madison: Attending UMass Amherst Hurley, Justin: Attending Nichols College Huynh, Dalena: Attending Northeastern University

Note: Some students opted out of the survey, and as such, are not listed here.

Class of 2017 I-J Irvine, Dakota: Joining the Army Islam, Aadil: Attending Dartmouth College Joyce, Sheila: Attending UMass Lowell

K-L Kapadia, Mehroz: Attending University of Amherst Krupp, Adam: Attending Westfield State University Lamb, Gregory: Attending UMass Dartmouth Lubanski, Matthew: Attending Worchester State University Lynch, Kevin: Attending a 4 Year College

M Mastracci, Katrina: Attending MCC Mattson, MiKenna: Attending Northeastern University Maxwell, Fiona: Attending Sacred Heart University McNeil, Rachel: Attending Mount Holyoke College Minassian, Garine: Attending Regis College Miniutti, Griffin: Attending College to study Computer Science Moreira, Emily: Attending University of Tampa Mungillo, Kyle: Attending Roger Williams University Murphy, Emily: Attending Quinnipiac University Murray, Meghan: Attending Connecticut College Mutuswa, Mufaro: Attending Newbury College

Class photos courtesy of Keith Mistler

N-O O’Connell, Julie: Attending Endicott College O’Connor, Ryan: Attending Plymouth State University

P

Papasodoro, Nick: Attending University of New Hampshire Parekh, Kalpit: Attending Suffolk University Patel, Parth: Attending MCPHS Patel, Shiv: Attending Suffolk University Piotti, Benjamin: Attending Purdue University Plummer, Sarah: Attending University of New Hampshire Porcello, Sam: Attending Bentley University Purvis, Christina: Attending UMass Amherst

R

Ralston, Coulter: Attending WPI Ramirez, Cassie: Attending Eckerd College Rana, Zoha: Attending Northeastern University Rigoli, Rebecca: Attending Worcester State University Roberto, Nick: Attending Bentley University Rodriguez, Malika: Attending Worcester State University

S Samarjian, Jo: Attending Unity College Sarver, Jessica: Attending University of Maine Orono Schissler, Laura: Attending University of Miami Shaikh, Mohammed Seif: Attending Northeastern University Shaikh, Rameez: Attending UCLA Shannon, Kevin: Attending Westfield State University Siguenza, Kayla: Attending Salem State University Stanton, Edward: Attending UMass Amherst

T-V Tamura, Anna: Attending Hofstra University Trabucco, Luciana: Attending University of Rhode Island Trofimow, Noah: Attending Suffolk University Turri, Leah: Attending North Shore Community College Twohig, Kevin: Attending George Washington University

W-Z Walzer, Nathan: Attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wen, William: Attending Boston University Wilson, Rebecca: Attending University at Albany SUNY Wu, Tiffany: Attending Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Faculty @ Prom

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BHS teachers and staff celebrating their high school proms 1. Keith Mistler, Art: “I went to four different proms so the nights are all pretty jumbled together, but I remember dancing a lot! And for my senior prom I wore a glitter tux and won prom court!”

2. Chrissy Conceison, Health: “The best part about prom was having a night with friends where we stayed together until the teachers and administration forced us to actually leave. Every prom was the event we all looked forward to all year!”

3. Rachel Gould, History: “Prom theme the year before this was ‘boot scootin’ boogie.’ I wish my date’s

mullet showed up better.

Tradition was to arrive at school and ‘promenade’ in to the decorated cafe, most of town was sitting out there on lawn chairs cheering. #Tennesseepride” 4. Faydeen Sateriale, Administrative Assistant: “My senior prom in 1983!!

Best night! So fun! Looking back it was the stepping off point for the rest of my life which ultimately took me back to high school.

Wouldn’t change a thing except maybe not so many ruffles next time?!?! LOL!!!”

5. Stephanie Fishel, History: “Memory about prom? Dancing!”

6. Kade Hill, English:

“In my junior year, friends in a neighboring school set me up with someone who did not have a date for their prom. Though I had met her briefly before, it did not occur to me who she was until I rang the doorbell and my vice principal answered the door. I almost dropped the corsage.”

7. Jennifer Brumby, History: “What I remember most about my prom is dancing like a maniac to every single song and my date just sitting at our table and not dancing to anything; he wasn’t much fun!”

8. Lauren McAuliffe, Math: “The best part about prom was seeing my class-

mates and friends dressed up and looking so handsome and beautiful. We were a class of about 125 students and had lost a couple of classmates our junior year, so we became very close. Feeling like it was a special event and sharing it with so many people that you cared about and didn’t know where they would fit into your lives after graduation made it an emotional but very fun night!”

9. Rebecca Bernard, English: “I brought my best friend, Mikey, to prom.

We had a blast and are still friends today!”

10. Stephanie Diozzi, Guidance: “Here is a pic-

ture of me as a sophomore on my way to the Junior Prom in May 1981, and next to the picture is Ivy Saltzman wearing that same dress (which I donated to the costumer) in the BHS production of The Music Man in 2015.”

11. Wesley Johnson, Science: “My prom was on a boat. Don’t have a prom on a boat.”

12. Wendy Czerwinski, Science: “I have a bad memory and do not remember prom, [but] I do remember being excited about the night.

13. Callie Graham, English: “I met the love of my life in high school. We

are now married with two amazing kids.”

14. Shannon Janovitz, English: “My prom theme was Dark Side of the Moon, which is amazing. I was really into Pink Floyd at the time.”

15. Bonnie Nichols, Special Education: “Always cherish old friendships and great memories.”

16. Jaclyn Vigneau, Special Education: “Advice to prom attendants: Take photos and have them printed so you can look back at them! Don’t just save them on your phone and social media. You never know what changes will happen over the years.”

The Devil’s Advocate

Prom 2017 Candids

Summer 2017 page 9

Photos courtesy of Lifetouch: National School Studios

Prom 2k17 Quotes “It was the night I always dreamed of. It was special and unlike any other dance I’d ever been to. Everyone was up and dancing, and it was great to have all my friends together.”

- Jenny L’Heureux (Junior) “Prom was cool because I got to talk to people who I don’t normally talk to. Plus, we all got to ride in a nice limo, and the food was extraordinary.”

- Alex Young (Senior) “A couple months ago, I didn’t want to go to Prom at all, but my friend convinced me to go, and I am so glad I went! The music, the atmosphere and dancing with my friends were the best part of the whole experience!”

- Christian Weisse (Junior)

“Prom was a very fun time, I spent most of the night dancing and enjoying the night.”

- Ben Maraglit (Senior) “Prom was all around an amazing night. The food was great, the DJ was unreal, and it was just a lot of fun. It’s a memory that will last me my whole life” - Nick Dallasanta (Junior) “I really liked taking pictures at the common with all my friends.”

- Rohit Pathak (Senior) “My favorite part about prom was walking down the carpet all dressed up with everyone taking pictures.”

- Sarah Cameron (Junior)

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Sports

The Devil’s Advocate

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch: National School Studios

Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team

Summer 2017 page 10

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch: National School Studios

Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team

Lacrosse teams on a roll, securing playoff spots

By Joe Barbieri, Paul Barbieri, & Jack Frieden The Boys Varsity Lacrosse team has finished its regular season with a 12-6 record with no signs of slowing down. They will play Melrose on June 3 in the playoffs.

Head coach Dan O’Brien and team have had key wins including North Andover by a score 1514 with the game winning goal coming off the stick of Junior Zach Cyr with one second left, Lexington with a score of 12-9, and a

lopsided win against Watertown by a score 19-2.

BHS Sophomore and Offensive middie Patrick Hayes thinks the season is going extremely well.

After their ninth win in a row, Hayes noted, “We’ve won nine straight and the boys are cooking. The boys never miss a meal.”

With that much enthusiasm, it’s no wonder why the team has been working extremely well together and are running amok in the Middlesex League.

The Devils routed

Tewksbury 17-0, with senior goalies Michael Davison and Ryan O’Connor pitching in for the shutout and seven different players scoring.

BHS Junior and Long pole defensemen Timmy Bridges believes the coaching staff is doing an exceptional job and that the team will make it far in the playoffs.

“All of my coaches are very helpful and are very helpful to everyone. I’m impressed with this group of guys, as having qualified

for the playoffs this early is a huge accomplishment.

I feel as though we will make it to the Division 2 North final at least.”

With a heartbreaking playoff loss last year to Beverly with a score of 14-9, the Devils are looking for redemption and of course, looking for that state title.

For the Devils to go far in the playoffs, BHS Senior and captain Nevin Kriger believes they will need to come closer to win out.

“What needs to happen

is we need to come together and play as a family.

When we play like that, we play the best we can,” Kriger said.

The Devils will be on the hunt for a victory in the Division 2 state tournament.

The Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team has had impressive season with a record of 12-6.

The girls racked up big goals in their late season games. Memorable face offs included their thrilling win against Wakefield with

a score of 18-11 and their double victories against Medford. Their stellar work earned them a spot in the playoffs.

On Wednesday, May 31, they battled Manchester Essex in an intense playoff match up, and though they did not win the game, they fought hard.

Coach Katey Sullivan tweeted after the game, “Unforgettable season!

Proud to coach such an amazing group of young ladies!”

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch: National School Studios

Red Devils Football huddles up.

Spotlight: Football Track teams perform well at D3 State Coach Dan Mackay Boys Track wins 2017 D3 State Meet

Championship; Boys clinch 2nd title

On Sunday, May 28, BHS held the D3 Track and Field State Championship Meet.

For the girls team, sophomore Julia Hovasse beat the 800m school record (2:20.5), which has stood since 1990, by almost two full seconds. Her 2:18.71 is a four second personal best and caps off a season where she has taken 11 seconds off her time. She placed 6th and has qualified for the All-State Championship Meet on Saturday at Bridgewater State University where she is ranked

18th.

Other notable accomplishments for the team included Sophomore Sydney Matai jumping a personal best 15’8.25” in long jump, sophomore Makayla Houniet running a personal best 62.90 in the 400m, and the 4x400 relay team of Matai, senior Carolyn Bonetti, Houniet and Hovasse running a season best 4:14.36 and placing 7th.

In addition to the five medalists in pentathlon on Day 1 of the State Meet (senior Edmund Reis-1st, senior Dylan Bonfilio-2nd,

senior Gianni Newman-5th, junior Jack Hirsch-7th, and sophomore Brandon Cascio-8th), the boys team had more medalists on Sunday to win the overall title 9081 over Wakefield, securing the state championship for the second year in a row.

In the pole vault, all four of the vaulters medaled: junior Cody Davison was 2nd at 11’ and has qualified for All States. Newman was 7th at 9’ 6”, and junior Quentin Inglis and senior Hakeem Anajarian tied for 8th at 9’. For all four it was

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch: National School Studios

Members of the Girls Track Team

their highest clearance ever.

In the 400 meters, senior Ben Piotti was 2nd in 49.76 and has qualified for All States.

In the 110m hurdles, senior Fernando Lamin (15.59) and Reis (15.62) finished 3-4 and both have qualified for All States.

Lamin was also a repeat State Champion from 2016 in both the high jump (6’ 8”) and triple jump (44’ 7”).

The 4 x 800m relay team of sophomore Steven Humphreys, senior Greg Lamb, senior Matt Tierney and sophomore Rishabh Prakash finished 6th in 8:22.92.

The 4 x 400m relay team of Hirsch, senior Matthias Gloor, senior Ben Margalit, and Piotti finished third in 3:30.60 and qualified for All States.

Nathan Walzer, coming in as the 15th seed in the discus, finished third with a throw of 121’ 2” to qualify for All States.

By Joe Viscione As of January 2017, the Burlington High School Red Devils found a new head coach for their football team in History Teacher Dan Mackay.

Mackay, who lacks no experience, has been coaching for 11 years, 8 of which came with his first coaching opportunity with the Billerica Indians. Then, he volunteered as a defensive backs coach for the Red Devils during the 2013-2014 season, only to depart to Lexington for the next two years as a defensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.

During last season, Coach Mackay led the Minutemen to an impressive record of 9-2 where his offense put up impressive numbers, averaging 41.3 points per game.

When asked how his past might affect the upcoming season, Mackay knew that despite his experience with other teams, the same kind of information might not carry over. While building in the off season, Devils will also search to rebuild their culture and program, something Mackay puts a premium on.

"Success is built on having a good and healthy football culture," Mackay stated. "It starts with the four pillars, including committment, accountability, leadership, and the power of the unit"--all of which lead to a successful football program.

While changing up the culture is important, Mackayalso advocated for the importance of off season workouts, and how they are the cornerstone in how the team will preform when the season rolls around.

After a disappointing 4-7 season, the Devils hope to rebound under the guidance of Mackay, who plans on bringing the them to multiple playoff appearances and Freedom Division titles in the years to come.

As for now, Mackay stands as a beacon of hope for the football program to reach what it once was years ago.

Sports

The Devil’s Advocate

Summer 2017 page 11

Should playing time be limited for high impact sports?

By Joe Viscione According to the grassroots organization Head Case, 1 in 5 high school athletes will sustain a sports concussion during the season. The question is: is the risk really worth it? Should high school athletes be limited on the amount of games they play per season?

It's actually a fairly complex answer, as limiting one’s activity in a sport can be a dramatic change, no matter the sport. Take even the most notable dangerous sport in football. Should we limit minutes or games all together? Burlington Athletic director Shawn Hart explained.

“Football is a very fun game to play but comes with certain risks of injury and given the amount of games a high school foot-

ball player plays per season it should be limited,” Hart said.

The former Andover Football Head Coach feels that a high school football team shouldn't be playing eleven games per season.

“Just look if you are a team who goes 2-5, you qualify for an extra playoff series for losing. This stuff needs to be rechecked,” Hart said.

The argument can be made from a player's perspective that they are limited on the games they have to play in their career and want to play as much as possible.

However, Hart believes with the injury risk of high contact sports, the games should be limited. After all, this isn't the professionals where people are getting

paid left and right.

Hart has had thoughts about implementing this philosophy into the games, not only on football, but on all sports that involve an injury risk.

“Lacrosse, for instance, just cut their college schedule by four games to lessen the wear and tear, and they are the pros,” the former coach stated.

However nothing is yet to be decided. Hart noted there could be a change, but there is no real timeline in the works.

If you're an athlete, what do you think about possibly getting your games cut in half to prevent injury? Would it be worth it?

Or would you rather risk it and play every game? Send your thoughts to journalism@bpsk12.org

Devil’s Advocate Staff Editors-in-Chief: Kyle Barry & Meenal Khandaker News Editors: Kyle Barry & Alyssa Porter Features Editors: Olivia Celeste & Ranya Paul A&E Editors: Riya Kamani & Lindsay Corbett Opinion Editors: Joseph Barbieri & Hannah Pais Sports Editors: Dylan Lechner, Paul Barbieri & Joe Viscione Puzzle Editors: Bridget Conceison & Jack Frieden Copy Editors: Benny Grubner & Meenal Khandaker Staff: Lily Algeri, Joe Bertolami, Frankie Bonanno, Emmet Funchion, Rachel Gavin, Matt Hanlon, Anthony Kanyike, Zahra Mohamed, Julia Papasodoro, Alec Rollins, Jake Sarver, & Taylor Tabor Advisor: Callie Graham

We welcome letters to the editor!

Email us: journalism@bpsk12.org

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch: National School Studios

Boys Lacrosse players scramble for the ball on senior night.

Lit; CONT FROM PG 4 Their tragedy, though, helped me realize that it’s not a great idea to date someone for looks. Find substance in their personality. Also, don’t involve yourself in a serious relationship until you sort your own problems out and are old enough to be emotionally intact.

Sophomore year rolled around, and I finally got to read real emotional stories. The play Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, was a game changer. Willy Loman, the main character, faces challenges of his worth and his idea of the American dream. Through his mistakes, Loman taught me to be realistic and make the best of what you have. He also, foolishly, lies to his sons about how successful he is.

Reflecting on his failures, I decided to make achievable goals rather than lie and set myself up for the heartbreak of failure. A few of my goals were to be able to put myself out there and be comfortable in my own skin.

In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, I learned that you can never relive the past. Jay Gatsby tells Nick that it is possible, but Nick tells him it is not. Nevertheless, Gatsby tries to revive his love with a married Daisy because at one point, they were in love with each other.

Nick’s realization about the past made me think about how I leave a footprint everywhere I go, whether it is ecological, physical, or online. If I make a false, biased, or negative statement or action, I cannot take it back. I cannot go back to the past and change it. That changed me because I now have to be more cautious of what I say or post online because it stays out there forever. Plus, those ‘mistakes’ show up in my Facebook memories.

As it’s my last year, how could I forget the classic epic poem Beowulf. Beowulf showed me that I need to keep up my reputation and be proud of my accomplishments.

Throughout the poem, characters, including Beowulf, introduce themselves with their accomplishments.

Now, I’m not saying I’m going to go up to people and say, “Hello. I am Lindsay Corbett. Track person. Baker. Most spirited in the eighth grade.” But I do think it’s important to be proud of accomplishments and not be shy to say what you’ve done. If I get an A on a math test (I’m hoping at some point), I will be telling people when they ask me. To me, I feel that pride in work and achieving goals is important. I have learned that to be strong willed and confident, you have to be proud of yourself.

In all of the books, there is always lesson to be learned. As high school is coming to an end for me, look upon yourself to find the greater meanings in text. For then, you will truly find an adventure and a new look on life. :-)

Puzzles

The Devil’s Advocate

Moving On...

By Olivia Celeste

Summer 2017 page 12

Graduation Logic

By Ranya Paul

Clues

1. Kate graduated sometime after Jack.

2. Mark graduated from Tinto High School.

3. Tinto’s graduation was 10 days after Haldane’s.

4. Graduation at Peebles was 5 days after Sarah’s graduation.

5. Mark graduated on May 21.

Use these clues to figure out who graduated when and which school they attended.

Kate graduated from Grant High on May 16 Mark graduated from Tinto High School on May 21 Jack graduated from Peebles High on May 6 Sarah graduated from Haldane High on May 11

Banquet Car College Exam

Graduation Prom Spirit Week Senior

Dr. Derek Feifke, O.D.

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