MOT Times - April

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Table of Contents Letter From the Editor....................................4 A Message From We All................................6-7 We All Update...................................................9 Shrek the Musical..........................................10 MOT Says B+......................................... ..........11 Cardi vs. Nicki...................................... ..........12 Spring Video Games.............................. ..........13 Black History Month........................... ..........15 2019 Mock Trial Competition.............. ..........17 Staff and Student Spotlight.............. ....19-27 Day of Service...................................... ..........29 Student Government Update............... ..........30 Science Olympiad............................................31 How to Prep For the SATS................... ..........32 AP Test Preparation............................ ..........33 College Prep........................................ ..........34 Construction of Walt Disney World................................................... ....36-39 Sarah Harbeson’s Book....................... ..........40 Freshman vs. Senior MOT Experience...........41 Contributors..................................................43

Letter From the Editor Carley Williamson

Dear MOT Charter High School Students and Faculty,

Welcome back to another edition of MOT Times! As the year winds down, we’ve been working to bring you a summary of events both past and future, as well as tips from our journalists for the end of the year.

Be sure to check out the selected We All prompt and short story from the last publication.

Respond to the second prompt listed and have the chance to be featured in the next edition of the Newspaper! If interested, see the link in the description for more information.

In this issue, teachers and students are spotlighted based upon their personality and/or achievements.If you would like to nominate someone to be spotlighted in the future, please send me an email at carleywilliamson@motcharter.com.

We are always looking for more journalists for MOT TIMES, if you are interested please do not hesitate to talk to Mr. Herbert or myself. We would love to have you.

And, without further delay, welcome to the latest edition of MOT TIMES.

Carley Williamson Editor in Chief

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Previous Prompt:

You live an average life with a boring job, boring friends, and boring hobbies. Then, after coming home from another uneventful day at work, you are suddenly detained by the police without knowing what you are being arrested for. Believing you have committed no crime, you fight back, trying to free yourself from the hands of the law.

We All Prompt - Gabe Morales

Adam woke up in his bed, just as he always did. He got out of bed… just like he always did.

He got dressed, went downstairs, ate breakfast, and walked groggily to his car, just like everyone else in his neighborhood. It was… well, just like he always did.

Adam wasn’t anything special. His friends were average, he wasn’t really good at anything, and he worked at an accounting office fifteen minutes from his home. His house was plain; two stories, complete with the same layout as everyone else in his neighborhood.

He got in his Honda Accord and started the short drive to his job. He pulled out of his driveway, out of the neighborhood, and onto the highway.

That’s when the lights came.

Red and blue sirens, accompanied with the screech of the pitch black vans, accompanied by a bright yellow “SWAT” painted on the side. Helicopters circled above. The choppers’ blades whirred overhead, blowing any street-destined trash to the side of the road. The van swerved in front of Adam’s vehicle, preventing him from his average commute to work.

“I’m gonna be late.” He thought. Now, a new sound accompanied those around him; the sound of a gruff and commanding voice over a megaphone. “Adam Smith, step out of the vehicle with your hands behind your head!” Adam did as he was told, absently wondering who was going to cover his shift that day. “I hope Michael doesn’t get my shift, last time he didn’t even fax my files.”

As soon as he got out of the car, his arms were gripped tightly by some men bearing large helmets and batons. They walked him towards one of the black trucks and shoved him inside.

His head hit the floor with a large crash, splitting a huge gash across his forehead. His face was immediately covered with a leather bag. Adam thought the bag smelled funny, like the pencil shavings he’d forgotten to clean up on his desk. “I’ll have to get those later...”

They drove in utter silence. Adam didn’t mind the lack of noise; it was often quiet at work. ...After all, they were there to work, so work they did. Talking was unnecessary when you worked with numbers.

The car screeched to a halt, and the men hoisted him up by his arms. They shoved him out of the car. He laid there while he heard the clacking of boots around him. They lifted him a second time. He heard the sound of doors opening. Through the hole of the bag he could see signs like Maintenance and Repair and Prototype Defects. He felt them make a lot of turns and thought that

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it felt a lot like his job.

It was peculiar; how badly he yearned for his work.

That reminded him, he was supposed to be at work! He reached up to take the bag off his head. Rough hands pulled the leather back down. “Stay still,” a voice commanded.. “But I have to ge-” A hand urged him to silence himself with a swift, stern tap against the forehead.

Adam winced, as the man brushed against the small injury he had acquired.

Adam stopped struggling. He’d never missed a day before, but people missed days all the time.

He’ll just tell his boss that he had gotten held up. It was just as he reached this thought that they arrived at a door labeled “PROJECT X”. They pushed him inside and closed the door.

Adam looked around, signed in, walked to his desk, and sat down. He wiped the shavings into his hand and turned on his computer, idly noticing the wires in his forehead closing themselves back up. What a nice dri dri dri drive that was, he thought.

Fin.

April Prompt: You wake up from a strange dream that you had. But the strangest thing about that dream is that it mentions the situation that you are currently in; trapped in a room that looks like there is no way out. All you have is a stranger across from you and your scrambled memories.

See the Google Form link in the description to submit your prompt.

The We All Club is also hosting a seasonal display case and are looking for student contributions! If you would like more information, contact Grace Bentley.

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We All Update Neessam Moustafaa

In our previous issue of The MOT Times, an article about the new We All club and the

student leader, Grace Bentley, was featured. Since the previous issue, the club has made a great amount of progress. With about fifteen new members including theatre and music students and their first magazine issue out, the We All club lead by the tenth grade English teacher, Ms. Jurewicz, is bringing together all the students that have a passion for the arts and they are making a great amount of progress with that. The club’s first magazine issue came out in late December. We All is currently working on creating a website that will showcase the students’ art, poetry, and other pieces. For the new theatre students that joined, they are planning on starting to do theatre scripts. Another big thing that they are planning on doing is collaborating with another MOT club, Ted-Ed, led by sophomore Nadia Sheikh and Spanish 1 teacher Sr. Hyman.

We All is currently working on a one-pager for their newspaper that is a collection of valentines day art, poetry, and other pieces. They are even including a section of work so that singles will not be left out. The We All club is welcoming members interested in the arts, so if you are interested contact Ms. Jurewicz or Grace.

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Shrek: The Musical

Neessam Moustafa and Reann Jubran

In the previous issue of The MOT Times, an article about auditions for Shrek: The Musical was featured as our fellow Mustangs were preparing for the chance to be a part of this comedic masterpiece about the adventures of the green ogre that we all know and love: Shrek. After all roles had been cast, the students participating rehearsed and prepared tirelessly to ensure that the musical could premiere smoothly on March 1st. Timothy Hurtt took on the role of Shrek, Kaianna Tyson-Allen brought Donkey to life, while Sydney White dazzled as Princess Fiona. Leading the way was Ms. Friswell as director, Ms. Miller took charge of choreography, Ms. Andreavich developed sets, and a few other teachers lent a hand. Student Lily McIntosh, of the 10th grade, played the White Rabbit and said, “Rehearsals are fun and I enjoy them. They are a good learning opportunity and a good way to interact with students that aren’t in your grade. It is important because if it is your first year in a school musical, it is a good way to get to know the environment for future roles and also show your potential so you can maybe get a bigger role next time.”

As a transfer student, this was Lily’s first year participating in the musical, and she enjoyed her experience. Students worked hard to make sure the musical was a success, and it was a show that you didn’t want to miss. The show debuted Friday, March 1st, continued on Saturday, March 2nd, and after a pair of snowy interruptions, closed on Friday, March 15th to a full house audience.

Everyone who performed and participated in the production put together an incredible production that wowed their audiences each night.

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MOT Says, “B+!”

Karli George

On January 29, 2007, 14 year-old Andrew McDonough was diagnosed with leukemia just two days after helping his team win a championship soccer tournament in Pennsylvania.

At first, Andrew’s doctors did not expect him to survive through the night. However, Andrew bravely fought his illness and lived until July 14, 2007 when he died in his older sister’s arms. Andrew’s battle with cancer led his family to create the B+ Foundation, the name of which is a homage to Andrew’s blood type and his positive outlook on life. This organization’s main goal is to research more effective treatment methods and, hopefully, discover a cure for childhood cancer. It also helps affected families cover the many costs that come with fighting cancer.

MOT Charter High School held its second B+ Foundation Assembly on January 30, 2019, which featured Andrew’s father and co-founder of the B+ Foundation Mr. Joe McDonough as a guest speaker and the members of MOT Charter’s very own B+ Committee: Praise Ighodaro, Kayla Bright, and Olivia DeLillio. “After hearing about Joe McDonough’s story with his son, I knew that I wanted to help with such a great cause” says DeLillio. “It inspired me to become apart of something that would give back to those who are in need, such as families with children suffering from cancer.” The conception of this school committee last year successfully brought about awareness of childhood cancer, as well as raising funds for research and treatments. In the 2017-2018 school year alone, MOT Charter’s B+ Committee reached its goal of $10,000! Bright adds, “B+ is a great organization that helps those in need and I would like MOT students to try and raise funds online!”

During the month of February, the B+ Committee sold T-Shirts during all lunches to further benefit the cause. There will also be the MOT Charter B+ Fair, which will be held on Saturday April 13, 2019 from 11 - 2 p.m! For anyone interested in assisting the B+ Committee, please contact Praise, Kayla, or Olivia for further details. With these charitable efforts to help raise awareness and funds, MOT is showing us all how to B+ and keep Andrew’s legacy alive for many years to come.

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Cardi vs Nicki:Which Rap Queen is the Best Rap Queen?

Isabella Pastore and Ahlaireah Lewis

Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are two of the most notable female rappers of their time. Since their feud at the beginning of Cardi’s breakout, between the public, there has been the ongoing question of who is the better Queen of Rap? The world seems to be split 50-50 for them, but the journalists at MOT

Charter wanted to know the answer to that question.

A survey was conducted that asked what the Mighty Mustangs thought about each rapper and who they thought was the better pick for Queen of Rap. In a poll on Instagram confined to the students of MOT Charter that asked “Nicki or Cardi?”, Nicki and Cardi tied for the title. But something different happened when they were asked to select a rapper and explain their choice.

“I’ve always liked Nicki more. She’s fiercer. Cardi’s alright, but she can get annoying sometimes” said Grace Housler, an visual art major and junior at MOT. Carleigh Strange explains that Nicki’s “lyrical flow is better”. More controversially, Ore Osindina supports her firm opinion on Nicki Minaj against Cardi B by saying that “I refuse to stan someone (Cardi) who doesn’t write their own music. On top of that, whenever Nicki is [in trouble] she has receipts to back her up. Cardi on the other hand does not”. Harriet Gaye, a senior, voices her vote for Nicki by saying “I like her music more, to be honest. Also I’m not the biggest fan of Cardi’s personality”. There is still some support out there for Cardi though. Jalyn Horhn, a junior, says that “I like to bop to her music more, but Nicki has more longevity than Cardi”.

It seems that Nicki Minaj is the better liked out of both of these iconic Queens. Both artists have gone mainstream on multiple occasions and are extremely popular with most crowds.

These are only a few opinions from the student body of MOT. Who do you think is the queen of rap?

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Spring Video Games Michael Arocho

In the wake of the Christmas season and with both indie and AAA games gearing up for conventions galore throughout 2019, there have been many new video game releases and further announcements. Some have met and exceeded expectation, while others have fallen flat in terms of popularity. Even companies known more for internet services have been entering the gaming industry, with Google’s announcement of Project Stadia. In a year that promises to be great for gaming, here are the Top 5 Mustang Picks for video games to play in the 2019 season thus far. #1: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The 2018 released Super Smash Bros. game is one of the top-played game among MOT students, no matter their major or social following. This Switch game has prompted individual matches and tournament brackets among every grade, and helps to bring many students together in friendly rivalry to this day. With DLC still planned for arrival and its top sales, it should be no wonder than Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tops our list. #2: Apex Legends

The surprise Titanfall successor seemed to have gained sudden fame in a matter or months. Despite having no advertisement, the Battle Royale has developed a large following and is set to be a top competitor to Fortnite, implementing Fortnite features like the Battle Pass and the sky jump. While the battle royale has yet to take the top spot, its alternative to Fortnite makes it a top spot contender. #3: Fortnite

While the cross-platform battle royale may be a subject of ridicule and memeing, there is no denying that it still has a large player base in MOT. The game has set a precedent for Battle Royales, inspiring updates to game franchises like Tetris and Call of Duty, and even giving direct inspiration to the new Titanfall successor: Apex Legends. Right now, it seems to be a 1v1 between the battle royale titans, and only time will tell to see which game will come out on top. #4: PokĂŠmon Sword and Shield

With the recent Nintendo Direct, the new Pokemon Switch games have held longtime

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fans in rapture. Set in the Britain-based Galar Region, the new release is set for a November 2019 release, but already the hype is swelling with speculations and memes alike. After the flop that was Pokémon Let’s Go!, Sword and Shield could provide the Pokémon games with their retribution or ruin. #5: Minecraft

Mojang’s 2009 release has been making a major return recently. Many people have been seen talking about it, the game still holding a grip on the gaming community over a decade later. With the advancement of mods and the cross-platform update, the game has been even more popular and easier for all kinds of people to play together, regardless of system and preference.While it is nowhere near claiming the top spot, Minecraft should be included in this list.

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Black History Month Preparation Seun Ogundimu

Black History Month is a memorable month where African Americans can look back at all the things the race has done and accomplished to make an immeasurable change in the society and environment that they live in. It highlights the importance of the African American race and, at least for me, it gives a sense of hope for the future regarding our race’s development. MOT Charter High School understands this and for this reason, they have begun a Black History Month event taking place in an advisory period, late February.

The leaders of this event are two intelligent African American ladies, Faith O., Praise I., and Mr. Ross (History teacher). The event will go through a timeline of all the developments of African American history from starting in Africa, to slavery and gaining rights and freedom in America. The goal is to make people aware of black history and get them to be motivated to share this information and empower the growth of the African American race no matter where they are located. The goal of the advisory is not to divide the students but rather unite them in a census of the history of African Americans and use that consensus to bring integration and peace.

The Black History Month preparation is going all in order.

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Faith is quoted to have said, “We split up so that each group is assigned a certain part.” The leaders are trying to make everyone responsible for their own part. The predicted date of the event is sometime in early March.

It could not be in the Black History Month date due to the constant flow of work and events going on. Nonetheless, the event should still hold the same amount of weight no matter when it is presented. Faith and Praise hope everything goes well and all they will have to do is “put the pieces together,” (Faith O.). Some major events displayed in the Black History Month display are traditional African dancing and singing to some empowering music especially to African Americans like “Strange Fruit” and “Wade in the Water”. The theater group in MOT will be acting out memorable scenes in black history and this will all be tied together by a narrator describing everything that is happening within the display. The leaders of this display do not want to give out too much information to take away from the surprise of the event but overall, the leaders describe the event to be something unique, creative, and beautiful! We all can’t wait to see the astonishing creation MOT Charter will make for the Black History Month display!

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2019 Mock Trial Competition Danna Morales-Negron

Mock Trial is a team that allows students to study law and imitate a realistic case that uses those skills. Students study objections, opening and closing statements as well as the importance of the verdict sheet and jury instructions. The competition itself allows students to practice these skills as well as practicing their acting and memorization skills as a witness. The team is usually made up of 12, six people in defense and six people in prosecution (3 witnesses, and 3 attornies per team).

This years case was on business law, focusing on the terms fiduciary duty and how foreign companies affect national security. In the case, there were two companies, one is Delaware based and one is foreign. The foreign company tries to buy shares and take control of the Delaware company, DAM, but is stopped by the company. The reasoning for this is DAM’s belief of the foreign company, MESS’s, connection to terrorism as well as a low selling price. The Defense was in place to prove that DAM did not break their fiduciary duty, the duty to be loyal and look in the best interest to shareholders and the company, as well as the MESS as material ties to terrorism and that they pose a threat to national security. The plaintiff and to prove that DAM did break their fiduciary duty, and that the defense did not mean their burden of proof.

During the competition, both teams went twice. During these rounds the teams expressed an understanding of the law and objectionable questions. This even lead to the ‘impeaching’ of one of the plaintiff witnesses after Francis Alvarez’s line of questioning. During the competition gavels were won by Angel Chaudhary, Vivian Muhumuza, Kyla Still and Vincenzia Johns. Angel, a defense attorney, won a best attorney gavel, while Vivian, Vincenzia, and Kyla won best witness gavels for their defense and plaintiff witnesses.

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Freshman Spotlight Matthew Winward

Eight months into his 9th grade tenure, it is quite easy to say that Timothy Winward has

left his mark at MOT High. As his older brother, I have the unique privilege of not only being his peer at school, but we have shared these past 15 years together living under the same roof.

I have known Timmy his entire life, and have seen his ups and his downs. However, it is my pleasure to share some insight with you as I have seen him grow up this past school year.

As a student, Timmy demonstrates the characteristics of a well-rounded high schooler by doing his best to succeed. He maintains A’s and B’s in all his classes, something of which he is proud. When asked if this was one of his greatest achievements, Timmy had three answers.

First, he was quite excited about his recent mastery of the Australian accent. He said, “Woah, it’s an interview ay mate.” After that, he brought up how he made varsity soccer, which is not a simple thing to do as a freshman. He finished mentioning when he won homecoming court.

For me, I find that these three instances adequately summarize the Timmy I have grown up with. He has this charismatic air about him, which is easy to see given that he is a natural-born leader. While all of these things may be true about him, Timmy is still only 15 years old. He loves Fortnite and gaming with his friends. It will be interesting to see how this young Mustang grows.

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Sophomore Spotlight

Reann Jubran and Neessam Moustafa

The sophomore spotlight for this issue is about someone whose name always seems to

ring throughout MOT´s hallway. Her name is Divita Taduvayi, and she represents the class of 2021 and MOT Charter with her diligence and many achievements. Her biggest accomplishment this year is becoming State Treasurer for the Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA), which Divita has been a part of since the sixth grade. Helping her community is a top priority, which is where her decision to run for State Treasurer first came to mind. Even though she has an imperative responsibility concerning this job, she still manages to be actively involved in Math League, Science Olympiad, and the swim team. We must mention that juggling all these extracurricular activities does not affect Divita, as she still manages her time well and excels in school. Aside from school achievements, Divita enjoys bullet journaling – which happens to be one of her favorite activities. When the question of, “What do you hope to become in the future?” arose, she stated, “I don’t know exactly what I want to do in the future, but I think it will be business and computer science related. I want to make a positive change in my community regardless of what I choose.” Divita’s authenticity and perseverance will lead her down a successful road, making her a model MOT student.

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Junior Spotlight Mallory Whalley

Junior Jax Myers has been at MOT since the seventh grade. At the high school level,

Jax has filled her schedule with sports, school, and volunteering opportunities. In the fall, Jax coached soccer for children in Kindergarten through second grade. She plays basketball and soccer for the school as well. Outside of school, Jax plays travel soccer. In order to accomplish all of this, she has to be very organized. Jax told me, “I have always been a little busy bee, so utilizing my time management skills helps me to stay on top of my work.” As you can tell, Jax may be a little sarcastic, but she likes to laugh. Every time someone talks to Jax, she is able to make them crack up from a comment she makes.

As a high school junior, Jax is someone that everyone can learn from. She is always

doing schoolwork or playing sports, but when she has free time, she spends it making others laugh. Jax is motivated because she has high hopes for the future. They require her to be focused, hard-working, and maintain a determined attitude to get her there. She says that when she grows up, she wants to be an environmental engineer and help out with the problem of climate change. When asked about her future plans, Jax said, “I want to peace out of Delaware and go somewhere where it is nice and cold.”

While Jax has all these grand plans and dreams, I have to mention one distinguishing

quality. You cannot talk about Jax with mentioning her humbleness. When I asked her about her accomplishments she said to me, “Don’t put that in there, I don’t want to look like I am bragging,” but I am going to include it anyways. Last summer, Jax attended the Governor’s School for Excellence at UD for Engineering. For sports, Jax was named to the All-Conference Second Team for Girls’ Soccer last season. She has also made some accomplishments personally and stated, “I opened up my heart to many people. This year I have become very open minded and I have grown as a person.” I can’t wait to see what the rest of junior year has in store for Jax because with her personality, she can go anywhere.

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Senior Spotlight Cameron James

“You don’t have to have all AP classes on your transcript to get noticed by colleges. Choose classes that you know you’ll be interested in and don’t be afraid to ask for help with

Karli first joined MOT in 10th grade and difficult assignments. Again, be sure to start on assignments early and take notes to remain currently majors in Theater. Ever since she became part of this school, she has participated consistent with the course. This is especially in many big activities. She portrayed the role of helpful in courses with a lot of information, such Tracy from “Hairspray” in her Sophomore year. as AP Bio and AP Lang; these are classes I’m taking right now.”

In her Junior year, she portrayed the role of Paulette Bonafonte in the “Legally Blonde” play.

After she answered, I was then desperate to This year (her last year at this school) she will be part of the upcoming musical “Shrek.” Karli is hear the advice she would give to struggling also part of a lot of big clubs at this school. She students. With the following comment, she said, “Get started on work as soon as possible and is a member of the National Honors Society, don’t take advisory time for granted. It’ll leave Newspaper, Drama Club and much more! far less assignments to complete at the end of the day and prevent you from staying up until

The first question that Karli was asked midnight to finish. I know from experience that’s was about how her Senior year is going. She explained to us that it has been going excellent not a very fun thing to do.” with this response: “Senior year has been great I then asked her two more questions in regards so far, but so surreal. It feels as if yesterday I was starting the 1st grade and now I’m about to of college and graduation. I asked her how many acceptances she got and what is the graduate from high school. The workload and biggest accomplishment she wants to make the college application process were daunting at first, but I learned to adapt and conquer these at MOT before graduation: She says, “Being the president of MOT Charter’s new Marketing worries. Now, I’m just having as much fun as Club, one accomplishment I hope to achieve is possible before going off to college!” to further develop the club so that it’s more wellknown among the student body and to pass

Karli is taking two AP classes this it on to someone I trust to continue its legacy. year: “AP Biology” and “AP Language and Advertising our arts amenities will further Composition” I asked her how she handles advertise our school that I’ve come to love so her AP classes at school and she was honest much.” and “I’ve been accepted to Rutgers enough to give her opinion and explains with University at New Brunswick, University of this answer: Delaware, West Chester University, and Towson University.

Here is the second SEN19R Spotlight Article for this school year. This one goes to KARLI GEORGE!

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I also applied to Syracuse University and I’m currently anticipating a response. I’m so excited to hear what they have to say!”

To conclude the interview, Karli was asked two final questions. I asked her what are some fun things about being a 12 grader and she states that the best part is that you are more respected: “I enjoy the gradual increase in freedom from last year. Teachers start to recognize you as a young adult rather than an older teenager and you start to get a feel for how people will treat you in the real world. In addition to this, I also like to hang out with my friends over the weekend and have a slightly later curfew.” Last but not least, the final question that Karli was questioned was why she thinks that it is important to do work and she said, “It’s crucial to get all of your work done, especially when you’re a senior in high school.

Colleges that have already accepted you can cancel their offers if they notice a dramatic slip in grades or behavior, even after you’ve earned your diploma. Senioritis is difficult to fend off, but it’s certainly not impossible. Putting it into perspective, working hard in high school will train you for working hard in the real world.”

All in All, Karli George is a very smart and bright student who does the best she can do. She is a very responsible and wellbehaved person and will keep working hard and improving on work. YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF KARLI!!

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Staff Spotlight Mallory Whalley

I had Mrs. Riggin for two years as my math teacher, and she is one of the best people in

my life. Mrs. Riggin has the biggest heart and cares so much about her students, her friends and family, and her fellow teachers. Personally, Mrs. Riggin has coached me through many tough situations. Anytime I needed help with anything, including both academically and socially, Mrs. Riggin offered me advice or told me what I could do to make it better. When I asked her what a ‘good day’ at school meant to her, she responded by saying “students feeling engaged and valued in my classroom and connecting with colleagues. I hate living in a bubble.” This response shows that she focuses her life on those around her.

Her big heart isn’t the only notable thing about Mrs. Riggin. She is very routine based as

well. Her morning routine starts with getting up and walking her dog with her husband. After that, they each do morning meditation and read a morning devotional. They eat a healthy breakfast together, and then she listens to her “jams” on the way to school. This organized and driven personality that she has allowed her to accomplish a lot this past school year. Recently, MOT hosted the first prom and graduation expo. Mrs. Riggin was one of the masterminds behind this idea and called it one of her accomplishments she is most proud of. She also said that she is proud to “see my freshman almost to graduation already.” When I asked her what she wants her students to think when they hear ‘Mrs. Riggin’, she said “encouraging students to be the best version of themselves.” Mrs. Riggin is very inspiring to me, and she is a big help at MOT.

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Day of Service Karli George

MOT Charter High School Mustangs are ready to give back to the community! April 12th

marked the school’s annual Day of Service. Taking the place of a regular academic school day, this Friday in April allowed the students of the MOT Charter community to complete service activities for the betterment of the school, surrounding area, and more! The event took place all day and students had their choice of what cause to advocate for. Members of the school’s National Honor Society had the opportunity to earn service hours for this day. If the service activity directly benefits the school, the hours are doubled! This could certainly come in handy before hour logs for the year are due.

Activities for the event will be announced soon. Last year, activities included cleaning up

school grounds, going to daycare centers to mentor small children, and knitting hats for babies in the NICU. Arts students also had the opportunity to rehearse during the Day of Service to benefit the Spring Arts Expo transpring later that evening. Here’s to another successful Day of Service!

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Student Government Update Danna Morales-Negron

Student Government has many roles in the school events that take place throughout the year. These events range from helping arrange the half days to creating themes for the dress down days. The group is currently working on many different upcoming events, like the Freshman Orientation and trying to organize new end of year events.

The current focus is getting all of the necessary work done for the Day of Service. There are many different necessary parts to setting up the Day of Service, this including making sure that there are teacher advisors prepared for all of the services as well as calling the off-campus events to make sure details, like the limit of students and the time, are sorted. After getting this information, bus routes must be established to best minimize the travel time and expenses. Field trip forms must also be made to ensure that all students are accounted for at all times.

Creating appropriate Dress Down Day themes has also been an important task given to Student Gov. Some of the different themes that have been thought of include a Shrek/Green Day, to celebrate this year’s Musical, as well as a Tie Dye Day.

This year, Student Government has been focusing on improving previous school events, as well as adding new events and themes that the entire school will enjoy. Creating a better atmosphere for students by having these events has been the main goal and continues to be one as new ideas are being thought up and planned.

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Science Olympiad Natalie Schmidt

The arrival of spring can mean many things to different people. Some anticipate the first

glimpses of warm weather as winter begins to dissolve into summer. Others (specifically the seniors) view springtime as a beacon that highlights the few remaining months spent in school.

To the MOT Science Olympiad team, the arrival of spring means one thing: crunch time. All around the school, team members are hard at work. Whether they are compiling research for the last fossils on their list or putting the final touches on a handmade, completely functional musical instrument, it is undeniable that these students are hard at work.

So what exactly is Science Olympiad? Essentially, a small group (or individual) can

choose up to five events to compete in. These events are sorted into various categories that indicate what action a participant must carry out (ex: build, research, complete lab work, etc.).

The competition is a full day affair, and when participants aren’t competing in a specific time slot, they’re cheering on their teammates. Awards are distributed after the events are scored, with the top three slots being the most revered.

For longtime SciOly veteran Grace Hammond, winning is something she looks forward

to with confidence. “On competition day, I anticipate that we [the team] will do our best in each event,” she says. “Hopefully, nothing will go wrong, and we will place in the top ten.” Grace, a junior, is participating in three events: Boomilever, Herpetology, and Sounds of Music. “I feel like I’m behind in Boomilever, but going to catch up soon,” she assures. Good luck, Grace!

Apu Mutyala is also a longtime Science Olympiad participant. This year, he has taken

three events which are going “pretty great!”. “I’ve made significant progress for each of my events. For example, in Circuit Lab, we’ve been studying how circuits work and the nature of electricity,” he adds. With a little more preparation, Apu expects to do well in his events on competition day. We definitely hope so! To all the MOT Science Olympiad participants: best of luck to you (and remember to place above DuPont)!

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How to Prep for the SATs Harriet Gaye

SATs are right around the corner for any hardworking MOT juniors and seniors. Preparation

for the SATs has the tendency to come with loads of stress which influence your study methods in the long haul. Lucky for you, there are several ways to study and unwind before you bring out the only three #2 pencils you save for standardized test. Whether you prefer isolating yourself in absolute quiet or engaging in a interactive group study session, here are some SAT Prep tips that will calm your nerves:

1. Use Khan Academy / Naviance SAT Prep Questions online 2. Purchase the 2019 College Board SAT Prep Book (can be found on Amazon or in Barnes & Nobles) 3. Listen to nature sounds such as forest / ocean noises 4. Create milestones that motivate you to keep going 5. Focus on the skills that you don’t understand after taking a practice test 6. Set a time for yourself during the day in order to prevent under/overworking 7. Briefly read the reading questions before reading passage 8. Time yourself for each math question 9. Analyze before writing essay 10. Keep yourself hydrated

With these steps along with a healthy breakfast, you will be as prepared as you can be for

the SATs. There will be moments when you psych yourself out, but that is a natural reaction in response to taking a standardized test. With these short weeks leading up to the big day, these steps will leave you feeling both motivated and relaxed!

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AP Test Preparation

Advanced Placement®️ (AP®️) Tests are coming up in May! It is critical to study for these

tests, as high scores can earn college credit. To do your best when it’s time to test, consider the following tips: 1. Take a practice test! There are many from previous years on the College Board®️ website.

These can be helpful in understanding the formatting of the test, and in what types of questions to expect.

2. Review past concepts, especially those you found difficult. It is important to clarify concepts early on, so you don’t have to cram later.

3. Get a prep book, and work through it. Ensure that the prep book you use goes into enough depth, so that you will know the material well.

4. Create outline notes. It is much easier to study from an outline rather than the whole textbook, as the information is condensed. There are also many outlines available online for you to study from.

5. Create a study schedule. Even if you study for 30 minutes every day until the test, you will be well prepared.

6. Be efficient with your time. As AP®️ tests are coming quickly, do not spend time reviewing concepts that you are comfortable with. Instead, work on what you need to improve.

Good luck to all students taking AP®️ Tests this Spring!

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Preparing for College Harriet Gaye

At the end of this year, the seniors of MOT are going to find themselves on campus

navigating a new lifestyle in college. While many seniors are focusing on the academics of their last two months at MOT, their are a few tasks to consider before heading on campus. MOT’s curriculum is different than college, therefore note taking needs to be advised. It is important to start practicing taking notes, either on a computer or with a pen and paper. You need to be able to notice the important components and concepts of the lecture, or lesson, rather than attempting to collect every word.

Right now, Schoology constantly reminds us of all the assignments we need to take care

of, but there is most likely not going to be an automatic daily reminder for your assignments in college. Investing in using a planner before going to college will help you get comfortable with your academic independence. Aside from study prep, here is a list of essentials you are going to need for college: 1. Year round clothes (or seasonal, depending on the location of your school) and hangers 2. Snacks, microwaveable meals, dishes, paper towels, plastic utensils, etc.

3. Plastic storage for closets / underneath bed 4. Extra chargers and headphones / earbuds 5. Lamps, blankets, pillows, mattress covers, etc.

6. Fan (some dorms do not have air conditioning) 7. Toiletries (shower shoes for communal bathrooms, shampoo, soap, robes, medicine, first aid kit,etc.)

8. Laptop and everyday class supplies (pencils/pens, notebooks, planner, dictionary, folders, etc.)

There is an endless list of more essentials that are needed for college, but this is the basis

of what you are going to need. Throughout college, you are going to find yourself facing new challenges with your independence. It is a sensible choice to start with making sure you have everything you would need and/or want if you were at home. These necessities are going to help you navigate your way through a fantastic freshman year of college!

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5 Obstacles the Walt Disney Company Faced on the Road to Walt Disney World Carley Williamson

At the end of January, I visited Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. While there, I had the opportunity to 1) dine with a Disney Imagineer and 2) take a guided backstage tour of the Magic Kingdom. Both were wonderful experiences that I would recommend to anyone interested in the engineering (also known as imagineering) or history of the theme parks.

While I did escape school for a week, I ended up learning a lot on my vacation that I will value in college as well as in my career. To me, the obstacles that Walt Disney, his brother Roy, and the company encountered in the creation of animated films and theme parks is particularly interesting. This is because the company is very successful today, and Walt Disney is even a household name. You wouldn’t really think of everything they struggled with when you see the company brings in over $65 billion a year. Here are my top five “favorite” Disney challenges I learned about from both my dining experience and backstage tour.

1. The Death of Walt Disney

Obviously, the passing of Walt Disney isn’t one of my “favorite” Disney memories. But, I find this to be the most challenging obstacle the company encountered. Walt Disney was an entrepreneur, and a good one too. He was the creative one, and brainstormed many of the ride and attraction ideas for the opening of Disneyland and the Florida Project, now know as Walt Disney World. Disney thought of the movies and cartoons, and investigated animating in color. When Walt died, the Florida Project had already been announced and ideas for attractions had been recorded. However, the construction team had not even broken ground

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on the project. This put a lot of pressure on the Walt Disney Company to determine if they could even continue the project. Many local newspapers were convinced the theme park would never reach completion. Luckly, Roy Disney came out of semi-retirement to lead the project with his business expertise. While he wasn’t Walt, he believed in his brother’s dreams and visions and followed everything he had left behind. 2. Young Bankruptcy

Walt Disney spent a lot of time and money creating and selling short cartoons to provide for himself. By the age of 22, Walt Disney was completely broke after multiple animation failures.

He decided to move to Los Angeles with $40 in cash, a fake-leather suitcase with two changes of clothes, and some drawing materials. Luckily, Walt and Roy realized there was not an animation business in the city and set out to create the

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Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio.Walt invested his $40, Roy became the businessman, and the rest is history. Despite this rough start, the brothers turned out to be the most successful team in Hollywood.

3. The Lack of Belief in Disney’s Ideas

Walt was very ahead of his time. He had so many ideas that were abstract at the time but are in use today. Some of his ideas were underdeveloped due to the technology in the mid-1900s but entrepreneurs in the future were able to build on them. For example, when the Walt Disney Company released the animated feature ‘Fantasia’ in 1940, Walt wanted the movie theaters to hire ushers to walk through the aisles and spray water and perfume during specific times of the film for viewers to enjoy an immersive experience. Obviously, this received some negative feedback from theaters, they did not want to hire more workers for this one movie. People thought he was crazy and brushed off his idea. And, think about it, would you really want to see a movie where a stranger sprayed you in the face with a spray bottle?

Clearly, this is not exactly what Walt meant but 4D effects are present in many attractions across the world today. Walt continued to refine his idea and more people took up the effort to create this new experience and is a huge success, despite people not having faith in the idea originally.

4. The Fall of the Liberty Tree

The original plans for the Magic Kingdom in Orlando included Liberty Square, a tribute to early 18th century America. The Walt Disney Company created their own Liberty Bell using the original mold to display in the center of the themed area. While Walt was surveying the land shortly before his death, he picked out a tree and declared it as the Liberty Tree for the Magic Kingdom.

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This tree was at the very southern end of the property, so the construction company recorded its location and continued to build the Florida Project before retrieving and transporting the tree. A few years later, the location of the tree was prepared and the construction was cleared enough to bring the tree in (since it is rather large). So, a team of workers traveled from the site of the Magic Kingdom, at the very northern tip of the property, all the way down to the location of this tree that Walt Disney hand selected. They uprooted the tree, strapped it to the back of a flatbed truck, and drove it up highways to bring it to the Magic Kingdom. The truck entered the construction of the Magic Kingdom and made its way to Liberty Square, located in the center of the park. As the tree was being brought through the center of the castle, it slipped from the straps and fell straight down into the castle moat. The trunk of the tree split, about a quarter of the way up. At this time, Walt had passed away and this was the last thing he single-handedly picked for the park.

You could imagine the chaos that occurred between the workers that day, because this tree was really important to Walt and had even more significance after his passing.

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The workers called the Disney Horticulture Team, and they essentially performed emergency surgery on the Liberty Tree. After several hours, they were able to add roots from a different tree and patch up the split.

The Liberty Tree survived the fall, and is alive and healthy today. The logo of the Walt Disney World Horticulture team is of the Liberty Tree today.

5. Losing the Rights to Oswald

Walt Disney’s first big break was the creation of an animated rabbit, Oswald.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was a collaboration between Walt and Universal Studios. Walt even brought some of his artists to work at the studios on the animations of Oswald. One day, Walt proposed an idea that would make Oswald even more famous, a longer animated film with intense promotion. Universal Studios informed Walt that he actually had no rights to Oswald and they were kicking him out of the project (ALWAYS read every piece of a contract you sign). Universal Studios hired his animators, continued to produce shorts of Oswald, and sent Walt Disney on his way. Walt was devastated. On the long train ride from New York to Los Angeles, Walt had a lot to think about. It was on this very train ride that Disney sketched the first picture of Mickey Mouse. The rest was history. But just imagine what would have happened if Walt gave up, left to go find a job somewhere else, his dream would have never come true.

Now, this is quite possibly my favorite Disney history story. Flash forward many years (2006, that is), and the Walt Disney Company is thriving. Mickey Mouse was a huge hit. The company now had a television channel, ABC and had rights to Monday Night Football. Their star broadcaster was Al Michaels, and he was a huge hit as well. But his long term partner had

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signed to Sunday Night Football with Universal Studios. Michaels and Universal wanted a switch. Universal Studios approached the Walt Disney Company and asked them what it would take to release Michaels from his contract. The lower level employee said they would have to think about it and ran to his superior. He burst through the doors of the Walt Disney Company President, Robert Iger, who had promised himself one day he would get Oswald back. The first thing the employee said was “We can get Oswald back”, and the President scrambled to draft a proposal. The deal was complicated but the main proposal was a trade of Al Michaels for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Universal responded with “Who’s Oswald?”, because he was created in 1927 and no one had heard from him since the late 1950s. The Walt Disney Company was firm, and insisted they have him or else the deal was off. From Universal’s confused point of view, they agreed. They would happily receive one of the most famous football broadcasters and Disney could have a cartoon rabbit that no one had heard of in fifty years. The deal worked out for everyone. And the Walt Disney Company now has rights to Walt Disney’s first commercial success. However, I wouldn’t suggest trading all

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of your friends for cartoon animals.

Obstacles and failures are integral to engineering, learning, and life. When we refuse to allow failure, cushion its blow, or pretend it didn’t happen, we not only harm the person who failed but society as well by denying ourselves a method of learning and improving.

If we erase failure, prohibit it, there’s no improved human lifestyle or economic growth.

Failure is what drives change. Walt Disney failed countless more times than described here. And if failure is made out to be this awful thing, soon an obstacle will feel like failure.

When society hits an obstacle, they will give up because they might as well since they think they’ll eventually reach failure. Walt Disney never gave up, no matter how large or small the challenge. His brother, Roy, and the Walt Disney Company followed in his footsteps.

Minutes before Roy Disney dedicated the Magic Kingdom on October 1st of 1971, he told someone to go find Mickey Mouse.

Everyone was confused, Roy was supposed to dedicate the park by himself, but he seemed persistent and no one was going to mess with the man in charge on the opening day.

Just in time, Mickey and Roy walked to the pavilion in Main Street USA to dedicate the park. It was then that Roy officially announced the changing of the name of Disney World. It would forever be known as Walt Disney World, in honor of his brother and his dream. It was a great speech, one of the last things Roy is remembered for. He died two months after the opening. Before he passed, he was asked about why he requested Mickey Mouse on that day. He explained that he always imagined his brother opening the park but since Walt couldn’t, he found the next best thing. Mickey Mouse really is a symbol for Walt Disney, he encompasses all of Walt’s visions and dreams.

Someone also asked Roy why he chose to come out of semi-retirement to take over the project. Honestly, but comically, he said that the next time he saw his brother, it would be the first thing he asked about. And Roy didn’t want to have to be the one to tell him his dream never came true. Let Walt Disney, Roy Disney, the Walt Disney Company, and Mickey Mouse always be an inspiration that you should never give up on your dreams, and never let failure get in your way.

Sarah Harbeson’s New Book Illustrations Natalie Schmidt

Talk about community outreach! Congratulations to Sarah Harbeson, whose illustrations were recently published in a children’s book!

As a creative individual, MOT Junior Sarah Harbeson is almost always at work on a new artistic project. However, her most recent one has proven to be especially meaningful. Mr. Hart, the author of the children’s book and a father of three, had been pursuing the idea of writing for quite a while. As an aircraft mechanic for the Air Force Reserve, Hart has a love for all things aeronautical, making Big Plane Small Plane a passion project. “I’m glad that I got to help him finalize something that he’d been trying to do for years,” Sarah says. “It meant a lot to his family, and the kindergarten classes I visited seemed to enjoy the book.”

When asked about the process behind her illustrations, Sarah responded, “In total, I worked about two months for the finalized drawings. This included coloring, shading, and lining.” This was certainly a labor of love, and the amount of pre orders for the book shows that her hard work has paid off. According to Sarah, however, the biggest payoff is the fact that her illustrations have brought happiness to Mr. Hart and readers alike.

Be sure to check out Sarah’s illustrations for Big Plane Small Plane at the following link! : http:// www.blurb.com/b/9316848-big-plane-small-plane

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Freshman V. Senior - The MOT Experience Danna Morales-Negron

Freshmen and Seniors have very different views on school life and with the fourth marking period coming up, it is important to reflect on those views. The fourth marking period symbolises the end of the school year for both the new students, the Freshmen, and the graduating students, the Seniors. The two groups have had different time periods to get the MOT experience as well as different classes and social standings. Because the end of the year is fast approaching, it is important to understand the differences and similarities of the two experiences.

Lexi Lafferty, a Senior, is a Digital Media major who has taken part in soccer, Student Government, Envirothon, Newspaper and Yearbook. James Faucett, a Freshman, is also a Digital Media major and has taken part in Basketball. The two have differing opinions on favorite subjects, and hobbies. While James prefers Civics class, Lexi likes math. James focuses his extra time on his YouTube channel, Jayz LittyTV, while Lexi likes to exercise and listen to music during hers. James also seems to feel more stressed and overworked than Lexi, who does not typically feel this way. Lexi says that stress seems to only overtake her when “I let my work get ahead of me and do not stay on top of the tasks that are assigned.”

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The two also have similar opinions on their grades and how prepared they feel for the upcoming year. James “feels good about his grades,” and Lexi seems to share that sentiment saying she is happy with her grades.

James and Lexi are also feeling prepared for their next year of education. James seems to be prepared for the next school year, still getting used to the ways of the school and for his Sophomore year. Lexi also feels prepared for her college experience she says that, “MOT does a good job of preparing students to go to college since a majority of the work is individual and you are responsible for all your failures and success.”

While both students are in different parts of their high school careers and MOT experience, they have similar ideas on many important aspects of school. The two feel comfortable with their grades as well as how prepared they are for their upcoming year. The main difference between their experience is their level of stress, which seems to be due to the amount of time they have been exposed to the MOT environment. Either way, they seem to be enjoying their high school experience thus far and looking forward to what’s to come.

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Contributors Articles

Neessam Moustafa Reann Jubran Karli George Seun Ogundimu Matthew Winward Mallory Whalley Cameron James Danna Morales-Negron Natalie Schmidt Harriet Gaye Carley Williamson Isabella Pastore Ahlaireah Lewis Michael arocho

Photos

Neessam Moustafa Reann Jubran Getty Images Walt Disney Company

Editor in Chief Carley Williamson

Design

Carley Williamson

Advisor

Mr. Herbert