Spartan Torch: October 2022 Issue 6

By Katarina Valdivia

The tornado that hit Andover on April 29, 2022, caused a lot of devasta tion and fear. One Collegiate family in particular was affected by this disaster: the Esterlines.

Brothers Lunden (8th) and Houst en (5th) had a harrowing experience that day. To sum it up, their house was destroyed.

Housten, his mom, and friend Cruz Nelson (5th) were in the house at the time the tornado hit.

“I had a friend over and it was a nice day, so Cruz and I were playing bas ketball when my mom said, ‘Go down stairs! There is a tornado outside!’”

They grabbed their iPads and went downstairs.

“I was thinking, ‘I had a good run, am I going to die?’ It was hard to get out of the house because of the smoke and damage. The house was filled with smoke and we were trying to get out through the garage, but since the elec tricity went out it did not work so we got out through the front.”

Their house was no longer there.

“I thought it was a one-in-a-thousand chance of our house having a fire right after,” he said.

When he was out of the house, he could see what actually happened to the place he called home for a long time.

“Half of my house was on fire and I could see the tornado and a lot of lightning.”

Since there was an electrical fire, the firefighters came.

“They had fallen through the first floor because the support beams were damaged.”

Since they have not bulldozed the house yet, it is still sinking to this day. Along with the damage, all of his pic tures and frames were destroyed. Luck ily his mom had most of the pictures downloaded on her phone, so they can get the pictures back.

Lunden was not home when the tornado, but he was very worried about his family and his house. He said that at first when his house was destroyed, he could not get many of their things.

”We really didn’t get much until about a week ago because it had to be cleaned because of all of the smoke that was bad for us to breathe in.”

Since they lost their house, they had to find a new one. They moved about two weeks ago.

There were many other buildings de

stroyed, including the Andover YMCA. Amazingly, there were only three inju ries and zero deaths due to the tornado.

If you were in the 5th and 6th grade play that day, you might remember going to the Lair. All of the performers and spectators had to be evacuated to the middle school.

Sixth grader Whitney Teal was in the play.

”It was near the end of the play, so when the all of the parent’ phones went off I was confused,” Teal said. “Then Mrs. Winters said ‘There is a tornado outside,’ so we all went across campus to the Lair.”

For Teal and many others, this was their first time seeing a tornado, so it was scary.

Luckily, for the Esterlines, things have turned out okay. For one thing, they have a great new house!

“I really like my new house,” Housten said. “It is big and nice. We still have all of our animals and our horse only got injured.”

They have been continuing their activities like normal.

For Lunden and Housten, life is ba sically back to normal- but with a new house.

“The house was filled with smoke, and we were trying to get out through the garage...”

Not a Drill: A large tornado in Andover last spring hit a little too close to home for many Collegiate students.

Left: The Esterline’s house was not safe to visit even months after the tornado.

Above: The tornado broke windows and started an electrical fire.

The Esterline brothers are happy now in their new home. “I really like my new house!” said Housten Esterline.

Girls’ Sports Deserve Respect, Recognition

By Eden Lacey

Think back: When have you heard girls’ sports getting any recogni tion? When? Barely? That’s what I thought. But when have you heard about boys’ sports? All the time, right? It’s always “Go see the football game tonight!”

Or at least that’s how it feels. It seems like girls' sports have to scrounge for attention when boys’ sports are always the main focus of most seasons.

There are so many girls’ sports teams when girls do their best and work hard every day just to be overshadowed by boys' sports teams.

This problem isn’t just limited to WCS, and isn’t just with recognition, but salary too.The average WNBA salary is $128,369, but the average NBA player gets paid a salary of around $7.5 million.

In the fall there’s cross country, football, volleyball, and cheer. In the winter there’s girls and boys basket ball, and in the spring there’s track for girls and boys as well. We all deserve the same amount of recog nition.

People don't talk about girls’ sports as much because of the lack of interest in watching them. I don’t get it either, but apparently girls’ sports are deemed less interesting.

And this begs the question: Is it because of football? Because there isn’t a women’s football team? That is starting to sound ridiculous, isn’t it? Some of this may come from the stereotype that women are weak, or not as capable as men. So therefore obviously women can’t be as good at sports–Give me an honest answer; what difference does it make when women play a sport rather than men?

This inequality has been going on for centuries. I mean, come on people. Grow up already. Girls aren't just makeup and expensive clothes. They are active, strong, and beau tiful. And you know what? Liking

makeup or expensive clothes doesn’t make anyone less adept when it comes to sports.

At the end of the day, every one can play sports. And everyone deserves the same amount of respect and recognition. Most of us play sports or some sort of activity, so let’s try to end this sexist cycle. So go out and support everyone, we can do this.

Talent Show Should Be Required, At Least Once

By Josh Lee

The talent show is a time for kids to show off their skills and talents to others. Some people are brave enough to show their talents, while others are too scared or nervous. There are many interesting and cool acts that kids perform. Sadly, stage fright takes a lot of them down and their acts do not seem as awesome as what they had planned. The other kids do not say anything bad about their talents, but nobody except our

selves knows what happens in our mind. An easy and simple solution is to require everyone to do the talent show at least once in middle school.

Doing the talent show once will probably help people learn of how frightening going on stage is. Then, there will probably be less judgmen tal thoughts on others, and more judgmental thoughts on ourselves.

The only reason other people don’t join the talent show now is because they either haven’t thought up an act, or they are too scared. Most

By Julianna Johnson

people who perform are scared, but they do it anyway.

For example, I am absolutely ter rified of performing onstage. I still do it anyway, mainly because other people pester me to do it. When I get on the stage, I experience fear in the most extreme levels, yet, I keep pushing on.

When people talk about stage fright, they make it worse than what it is. The fear actually begins before you perform. When you start per

your fears are gone.

As long as you have practiced your act a lot, you should do all right. The anticipation for the show pricks every single nerve and makes you very nervous. The worst part about performing is the minute right before your act. After you have performed a couple of times, the feelings become routine and you pay attention to them less and less.

The more you work on it, the better it gets!

Editorial Cartoon by Lucas Alvaez, 5th Grade

SPARTAN TORCH STAFF

ADVISOR: MRS. BOWERS EDITORS: ANNIE SHARP ADAIN SMITH

REPORTERS:

LEE

TIMSAH

MITCHELL

LACEY

Movie Review: Hocus Pocus 2

By Keira Marquadt

Spoiler Alert! Have you ever met a witch in the woods on your birthday? No? Yeah, I didn’t think so, but that’s how Hocus Pocus 2 starts, so it’s got to be legit, right?

Our story begins in 1653, on Winifred Sanderson’s 16th birthday. 1600s being the 1600s, she had to get engaged soon or suffer the social consequences. Long story short, she refuses to marry what shisface because he’s “weird” and she’d rather marry some guy she kissed at a graveyard. This results in the townsfolk trying to take her sisters away from her because she’s such a bad influence. Thankfully, she and her sisters escape and flee into the Forbidden Forest. They stumble on a witch who tells them they’re “different from the other children” and gives them their iconic

spellbook. Fast forward to 2022 as two highschool girls, Becca and Izzy, arrive at school. You can tell there’s tension be tween them and one of their classmates, Cassie. They get made fun of for liking

The ORACLE

witchcraft and being cool in general by a guy in their grade, who we later learn to be Cassie’s boyfriend.

The second act feels a bit rushed, but that’s just me. Anyway, we learn that Cassie’s family tree has apparently never left Salem, like ever, because she’s related to some guy who was mean to Winifred like 400 years ago. Also, her dad’s the mayor, and he’s obsessed with caramel apples.

That’s enough of the plot so let’s get to the reviewing. I think that they should have added some of the original cast to the movie. Yes, I’m aware they added the original Sanderson sisters in the cast, but they should have added actors like Omari Katz (Max), Vinessia Shaw (Allison), and Thora Birch (Dani).That being said, I did love the whimsical hu mor in the film that so closely resembles that of the original.

But I believe that the end credits left some unanswered questions: Will the witches return for a third movie? What was the purpose of the spell that killed them “for good” if they are coming back? Is the witch in the beginning of the movie going to be reincarnated instead of the Sanderson sisters? Maybe the third movie will focus on the other three girls: Becca, Izzy, and Cassie.

Maybe we’ll never find out; maybe Hollywood will just give up and we’ll never have to deal with the third movie. However, I think they could make an interesting animated series starring the new three witches, but that’s just me. I guess we’ll never know. Overall, I rate this movie a trying 7, but the original is a solid 10.

What does your future hold?

By Sammy Mitchell

Aries (March 21-Apr 19) -

Beware you will burn your favorite pinky on a tray your mom just cooked brussel sprouts on, causing you to miss a trip to gran-grans house. You will make a new toxic friend who will be hospitalized by tripping on a porcupine 2 weeks after you met….I suggest you unfriend them.

Taurus (April 20-May 20 - I have a feeling you are going to go on a walk and get yelled at by your neighbors because

you missed a spot when mowing their lawn. Watch out for the tomatoes they throw! Also, don’t go on a swing set.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Quarters are your enemy this month. They will never work in vending ma chines for you, and when you try, you won’t get them back. Be careful when you step on a crack, because your mom might break her toe.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -

A bouncy house will appear in your backyard, ruining your grass. Your friend will give you $500 and they will not show up at school for a week. You might get blamed for eating half the cake at a birthday party.

Leo (July 23 -Aug 22)

I think you might want to watch out for stools, the legs on them sometimes break. Eat some apples, they’re good for you. I have a feeling you will get an 89 on your next test. Your advisor might bring cookies for your advising.

Virgo (Aug 23 -Sept 22)Your mother will come back from a tr

ip with a present for you, don’t open it until halloween or else you might be cursed forever. Eat lots of carrots this month, they are good for your eyes.

Libra (Sept 23 -Oct 22)

Don’t sit on any benches this month, unless you want to be burned. You might want to go to your favorite store because I heard it is going to close down. Screens can sometimes be de ceiving, beware of this this month.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov. 21)

You will find a random box of choco lates on your bed this month, don’t eat it all at once. Don’t wear any hats this month, some people like to flick them off. Also, watch out for the birds.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Don’t let your picture be taken this month, they can sometimes turn out bad. Drink lots of water, it’s important to stay hydrated. Babies can sometimes be annoying, don’t let them barf all over you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 -Jan 19)

Your favorite sports team will lose their next match by one point. Your pet will jump down the stairs to land on your father’s head. Don’t open any fortune cookies this month, these are better to read.

Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)

Don’t eat any apples this month, you NEED to go to a doctor. Read a new book,they can sometimes tell the future. Stay away from trees, they sometimes fall over. A bird will fall out of the sky and land in front of you.

Pisces (Feb 19-March 20)

Watch out for the glass. Don’t let any creatures find their way into your snacks. A plastic water bottle will come out of nowhere and hit you in the head. Your worst nightmare will keep pop ping into your head every day.

By Julianna Johnson

By Annie Sharp

By Adain Smith

TEACHERS ARE

By Whitney Teal and Ava Monahan Design by Annie Sharp and Katarina Valdivia

Mrs. Ryan is Black Widow because her tenac ity and adaptable nature are amazing. She is a team player and is naturally gifted at every thing she does!

I am Groot! Groot prefers peace and happiness to conflict and disorder, and so does Mrs. Dok ken. They can find peace even in the middle of chaos.

Mrs. Ashley is Captain Marvel because her bravery, kindness, coolness, and awesomeness are the same as Captain Marvel, if not more!

Mrs. Taylor is Jean Gray from X-Men because she has extreme feeling of compassion and empathy; she’s good at reading people and knows when they’re upset.

Mr. Finan’s smarts and ability to learn makes him like Dr. Strange. He’s patient and kind, and their marvelous hair is almost the same! Magic and science are very similar.

Iron Man and Mr. Gehrer are almost the same. Their love for inventing new gadgets and inspiring young individuals resembles each other’s greatly.

Mr. Walker is Captain America because he said, “I will rip your heads off if I’m not Captain America.”

the

Bay Q STUDENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT ETHAN EYSTER A

AQ QGoofy, Caring, Loving

What is your favorite sport and team?

My favorite sport is swim ming because I started swimming when I was in kindergarten and swam my entire life. My favorite college swim team was always Stan ford.

QDo you have pets?

AI DO! I have a dog named Weeden. He is cute, fluffy, and loves to go on walks with me. We also love to snuggle.

QHow would you describe yourself in three words

What is one interesting fact about you?

AI was attacked by a gorilla while I was volunteering in Uganda.

AWhat is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is reading and being outside. I like to read memoirs and mystery thrillers.

What is your favorite thing about being a teacher at Collegiate?

I like that the students care about the curriculum

and work hard every day. I also love how the teachers care for each other and build each other up.

By Max Timsah

By Camden Salyers

Q. If you were an animal in a band, what animal would you be and what instrument would you play?

A. If I were to be an animal in a band I would be a giraffe playing trombone.

Q. What is your favorite TV show/ movie?

A. My favorite TV show is Sponge Bob.

Q. If you had three wishes, what would they be?

A. Win the lottery and have my fam ily retire.

I would like to make it in profes sional sports.

Bring back my family that has passed away.

Q. What is the most beautiful place you have ever seen before?

A. The most beautiful place I have ever seen is probably Jamaica's clear water beaches and their resorts.

Q. If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

A. If I were a superhero, I would like to have invisibility as my power

Q. What is your dream job?

A. My dream job is to be in the NFL.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. My biggest fear is drowning and nobody saving me.