by: Emily Clark '13
Seniors are practically done with school. All they need now is their diplomas. They made it through their fourth and final year here at Paramus Catholic. They took their midterms and are now preparing for the annual class trip, which will be at Six Flags Great Adventure.
They have many other exciting events to look forward to as well. On June 1, 2012, they will be having graduation practice at the IZOD Center .They will graduate there on June 4, 2012, at 6:30pm. Another event that will be occurring soon is the Baccalaureate Mass on June 3, 2012. Following the mass the Class of 2012 will have a luncheon and receive awards that they have earned during the school year. The final planned event at PC will be the Luau. It is there that they will get once last time to spend time with friends and teachers whom they have bonded with over the course of their time at Paramus Catholic.
These are some of the last opportunities for seniors to spend time together before they graduate and head off to college. We are all extremely proud of each and everyone of them the best.
Congrats to the Class of 2012.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Welcoming the Class of 2016
by Janessa Andiorio '13
The school year is coming to a close for current P.C. students, but it is just beginning to welcome future freshmen. On June 23, 2012, the traditional Freshman Picnic will be taking place at P.C. from 12:30pm to 3pm. Moving into high school is a huge step up from grammar school and no one knows that better than P.C. The Freshmen Picnic helps the students and their parents transition by sponsoring a barbecue for incoming freshmen. It is there way the class of 2016 will begin to meet each other and begin to create what may very well be lifelong bonds. P.C. welcomes its new family for a fun day of free food, the chance to make new friends, listen to current student experiences, and learn what P.C. has to offer you.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Farm to School Garden!
by: Samantha Gartner
Mr. Mulligan and a few of his students have completed the New Jersey Farm to School Garden.
There are over three hundred various plants and herbs which have been planted. A fence and sprinkling system have been installed. Mr. Mulligan stated that a maintanence schedule is being planned. The sprinkler is usually on for an hour, so the water can reach the roots of the plants.
With the arrival of summer, the garden should yield various types of tomatoes, eggplants, hot peppers, cucumbers, red onions, cabbage, and summer squash. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out this past Saturday, May 26. The garden has been planted with a lot of time and effort, PC hopes to have a healthy harvest.
Any and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. Please, contact Mr. Mulligan for details at jmulligan@paramus-catholic.org or stop by classroom #136.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
PC's Published Paladin
by: Emily Clark '13 and Samantha Gartner '13
Graduating Senior Matthew Orso was in Paramus Catholic's library today signing his recently
published book Bonded at the Seams: Baseball in our Lives. Mathew's new book discusses the sport of baseball through the eyes of a fan.
When asked what he enjoys about writing Matthew responded, "It is a way of relaxing yourself and
let's you express your emotions." We also inquired if he plans on writing more he said,
"I wrote another book already and one was accepted by the publishing company." The Paramus Catholic is very proud of Mathew's accomplishment. We anxiously await his next book.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Last All School Mass for The Class of 2012
by Yetunde Adebambo '13
Paramus Catholic's student body, joined together outside in the beautiful May weather to hold a phenomenal Mass that would be the last one our senior class of 2012 would be celebrating with us. Guest speaker
Paramus Catholic's student body, joined together outside in the beautiful May weather to hold a phenomenal Mass that would be the last one our senior class of 2012 would be celebrating with us. Guest speaker
Monsignor Michael Andreano shared many words of wisdom for the departing class to take with them, as well as for the rest of the PC family. For all of us, under many varying circumstances, we were soon to be ending a chapter of our lives only for another to begin, he proclaimed. Words to the wise. Mass was marvelous and students left inspired. We would love to have Monsignor Andreano return to us for another inspiring Mass ceremony.
Hunger Games
To believe the hype or not to that is the question? “The Hunger Games” movie is one of the highest grossing first releases, easily over shadowing the Twilight franchise. “The Hunger Games”, the first book in the trilogy written by Susanne Collins, tells the story of Katniss Everdeen a 16 year old hunter from district twelve living in what used to be North America but is now known as Panem, that fights to the death in an epic battle against 23 other teens all in search of the fortune that’s comes with victory.
The books are usually better than the movies and there is no exception here. The movie leaves out many scenes from the book cutting out the romance between Katniss and Peeta. In this aspect the movie falls short. Another compliant about the movie is that the soundtrack wasn’t present. The songs “Eyes Open” and “Safe and Sound” performed by Taylor Swift are the anthems to the movie and should have been included somewhere. But those are its only short comings. The setting, actors, costumes, and graphics mirror Collin’s vision perfectly. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are the perfect Katniss and Peeta despite the criticism received so far. Although Lawrence has been called too “sexy” to play the 16 year old Katniss, the strength that she brings to the character could not be reciprocated by any other young Hollywood actress.
This movie is not just for those teens who have read the book or have crushes on the actors. The message is a great one and one that can be appreciated by a variety of people young and old. The message makes the viewer think and any movie that accomplishes that is a great one. The message is timeless in the sense that it is unbelievably current. “The Hunger Games” is a story about sacrifice, love, humanity, and strength. With the way the world is now, any country could at anytime become like Panem, districts living in fear under its government. In comparison to Twilight it is not just for girls, it has enough action to hold a male's attention.
This movie rates 7 out of 10 stars. As a warning the violence and graphics are best suitable for an older audience and parents should take caution when taking children. The story its self makes the movie and it is a fortunate thing that the author maintained influence over the writers. Go see the movie, “the odds are in your favor”.
Melanoma Awareness Month
by Emily Clark '13
It is May, Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma is the most serious type of cancer. It can occur on any part of skin, for men it typically appears on the chest and back , for women, it is found mostly on the legs.
This cancer can form in two distinct ways. One way is due to exposure to the sun for too long, another way is through artificial tanning which can lead to an excessive amount of ultraviolet(UV) light. Although this cancer can be deadly, if it is discovered early enough, it could mean the chances of recovery are very good.
This disease affects the lives of many. According to the Huffington Post, many celebrities have been affected by Melanoma or have shown signs of having Melanoma symptoms such as: Ewan McGregor and Anderson Cooper. Due to their notoriety, celebrities raise awareness of the fatal disease. Given that May is the month to bring awareness to this diease many retail stores are helping to raise money, stores such as Claires' for example has joined the fight. Over 5200 people are will die from this disease. If you are interested in finding out more about this deadly disease, visit the following websites.
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/DetailedGuide/melanoma-skin-cancer-what-is-melanoma
http://www.melanoma.com/whatis.html
It is May, Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma is the most serious type of cancer. It can occur on any part of skin, for men it typically appears on the chest and back , for women, it is found mostly on the legs.
This cancer can form in two distinct ways. One way is due to exposure to the sun for too long, another way is through artificial tanning which can lead to an excessive amount of ultraviolet(UV) light. Although this cancer can be deadly, if it is discovered early enough, it could mean the chances of recovery are very good.
This disease affects the lives of many. According to the Huffington Post, many celebrities have been affected by Melanoma or have shown signs of having Melanoma symptoms such as: Ewan McGregor and Anderson Cooper. Due to their notoriety, celebrities raise awareness of the fatal disease. Given that May is the month to bring awareness to this diease many retail stores are helping to raise money, stores such as Claires' for example has joined the fight. Over 5200 people are will die from this disease. If you are interested in finding out more about this deadly disease, visit the following websites.
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/DetailedGuide/melanoma-skin-cancer-what-is-melanoma
http://www.melanoma.com/whatis.html
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Author's nephew visits PC's Senior English Class
A lot of interesting
things have been happing around PC this month! One of which was meeting Lyle
Brooks, the nephew of Allen Ginsberg. Allen Ginsberg a literary pioneer, and
Columbia grad is most widely known for his book Howl, as well as his
role in the 60s Beat movement, although he had been most influential during the
1970s. The Beat generation is defined by the writers who battled against social
conformity and government censorship. Lyle Brooks, his nephew, came
in on Thursday May 3, to talk to Ms. Johnston’s and Mr. Schmidig’s senior
honors English classes. We had the privilege of being the
first people outside of the Ginsberg/Brooks family to see the family photos and
home movies. Ms. Johnston and Mr. Brooks first came in contact through
Ms. Johnston's blog, Channeling Jackie O,
which chronicles her battle with Carcinod cancer. Mr. Brooks wrote to Ms. Johnston to help his
close friend Ashli McCall who was also suffering with the disease.
As senior's we study Ken Kesey's novel One Flew over the
Cuckoo’s Nest. Having Mr. Brooks come in and speak to us was a great
resource because it really brought what we were learning about the
"Beat Movement" and its pioneers like his uncle, Allen
Ginsberg, full circle. The Ginsberg family emigrated from
Russia to the United States and settled in Paterson, NJ. They come from a
family of teachers, and poets. Lyle's father Eugene was actually an
established poet in his own right. Their family grew up with conflicting family
backgrounds. Ginsberg's nephew Lyle notes," with my father being an agnostic/atheist raised by
Communists and socialists, and my mother being the daughter of a long
line of deeply religious Christian ministers, In some ways, it parallels my
uncle's clash with America in the era that he came to fame with
"Howl."
Mr.
Brooks took the interview opportunity to clarify some
misconceptions about his uncle. In reference to a comment about the term
"Hippie", Mr. Brooks says," He wasn't a lazy, empty-headed,
stoned, burnt-out flower child, but was highly educated, erudite and motivated.
People who have only a passing familiarity with him are often surprised
at how coherent he is in interviews." Mr. Brooks is a lawyer who has had a
long career in the New York legal system. He also taught legal
writing and process at Hofstra Law School and New York Law School. Outside of the
law, his real passion has been working with women suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum,
a pregnancy-related disease which causes extreme nausea and vomiting,
dehydration, and weight loss and can be life-threatening to both the mother and
baby if not properly treated. He became involved because his friend Ashli McCall also suffered from
hyperemesis and wrote a comprehensive treatment book about it, as well as a
children's book. Through Ashli, Mr. Brooks became involved in other
pro-life activities as well.
Having
an uncle who was so popular influenced Lyle in conflicting ways." On
the one hand, I was very sensitized to the problem of governmental censorship,
the value of free speech, and these concerns liberalized my views in certain
areas. On the other hand, I never approved of my uncle's promotion of
illegal drug use, and this influenced me to view much of his political
philosophy with skepticism.” When asked about what piece of advice
his uncle gave that stood out the most, Brooks say's “He never really gave me
direct "advice" about anything. However, I do remember one
observation that he made in the course of a conversation that made a lasting
impression on me. I don't recall the exact topic, but at one point I opined
that somebody had done something "just to satisfy his own ego."
He immediately exclaimed something to the effect of “Of course he did!
That's the only reason anybody does anything, including me, including
you!”Mr. Brooks said it made
him examine people's motives more closely, and wonder whether even charitable
impulses could be rooted in or corrupted by egotism.
It is this thought process that exemplifies Allen Ginsberg’s real effect
on society. He got people thinking he taught people to speak up and question
the world around them and their government. The issues present in the 60’s and
70’s are still very much present today. Having Mr. Brooks come in and having
the opportunity to interview him for the Paladin Press Newspaper Blog, was a
great. Hopefully he will return next year!
The seniors at Paramus Catholic High SChool welcomed Mr. Brooks and are grateful for the educational opportunity awarded them. A Paladin "thank you" to Mr. Brooks for taking time out of his schedule to enlighten more fully the English classroom at PC.
(Pictured above from let o right: Mr. Schmidig, Mr. Brooks, Ms. Johnston)
Praise for MTV's Awkward
by Ashley Spencer '12
Last summer MTV launched a new show called AWKWARD. AWKWARD is a scripted comedy that takes a look at the lives of teenagers. The story is told through the eyes of Jenna Hamilton, a 16 girl who has an accident that is mistakenly viewed as a suicide attempt. Season one has been over for nearly a year, and on June 28, AWKWARD is back premiering season two.
The show does a lot more than just provide good looking guys and funny punch lines. It actually has a great message. Jenna has a blog, called "that girl daily" in which she writes everything that has happened over the course of her week. The show encourages teens to express themselves in a positive fashion, example, Jenna's blog. Jenna tries to talk to the people in her life as well as her school guidance counselor about her troubles (school, boys, friends, etc ) but sometimes friends, teachers, and parents, just cannot relate. The show also puts a great spin on high school. A lot of incoming students look at shows and base their expectations from the media's interpretation. The show has it all; the typical mean girl who preys on others because she's insecure, the athlete with a heart of gold, and the protagonist Jenna an average girl trying to figure out who she is and just keep up.
Further more the show is refreshing because it is a break from the usual trashy reality TV shows MTV spits out. It balances perfectly because it is real with out being overly personal. The show has provided blogging as an outlet in a safe way. Tumbler has a page dedicated to the show. So way to go MTV! I encourage you all to take a break this summer and check out AWKWARD, Thursday, June 28. You must just might love it!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
It is THE LAST!
by Casey Furman '12
Paramus Catholic Drama Club just put on its last play of the year, Sweet Charity. There was an impressive turn out. The PC actors and actresses were well-prepared and obviously enjoying their time on the stage. The PC drama club is one of the largest clubs at Paramus Catholic Hgh School. Year after year, dedicated students and teachers put hundreds of hours into practice. The dedication and commitment is commendable. Seniors are sad to leave, but are doing so with memories of positive experiences and with a deeper understanding of the art of drama.
Way to Go Drama Club!
Paramus Catholic Drama Club just put on its last play of the year, Sweet Charity. There was an impressive turn out. The PC actors and actresses were well-prepared and obviously enjoying their time on the stage. The PC drama club is one of the largest clubs at Paramus Catholic Hgh School. Year after year, dedicated students and teachers put hundreds of hours into practice. The dedication and commitment is commendable. Seniors are sad to leave, but are doing so with memories of positive experiences and with a deeper understanding of the art of drama.
Way to Go Drama Club!
Top Five Box Office Hits
This has been, so far, a great year for movies.
Movies have always been looked to as an escape from reality. According to movies.com, the top five biggest movies that are currently in theaters, have earned an income of over
two million dollars in the box office.
5. The Lucky One ($5.3 million at the box office)
The movie is about a Marine returning from Iraq with a picture of a woman that he never met,
that kept him alive in battle. He makes it his mission to find the woman that saved his life. The movie
is based on the book The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks.
Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling are co-starring in it.
4. The Pirates! Band of Misfits ($5.5 million at the box office)
This movie is a cartoon comedy of pirates on adventures. This movie has the vocal talents of
Hugh Grant and many others.
3. The Hunger Games ($5.5 million at the box office)
The Hunger Games is based of the series of books written by Suzanne Collins. The movie is about an
unknown apocalyptic disaster. Citizens need to fight to stay alive.
2. Think Like A Man ($8.1 million at the box office)
The movie is about a group of friends who get together to play basketball and talk about female
problems. They all share the problem of committing to a long term relationship.
The moie stars Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco, Michael Ealy, and Gary Owen.
1. Marvel's The Avengers ($207.4 million at the box office)
The world's greatest superheroes, from the Marvel comic books, have come together to
avenge the Earth. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson,
and Samuel L. Jackson.
Movies have always been looked to as an escape from reality. According to movies.com, the top five biggest movies that are currently in theaters, have earned an income of over
two million dollars in the box office.
5. The Lucky One ($5.3 million at the box office)
The movie is about a Marine returning from Iraq with a picture of a woman that he never met,
that kept him alive in battle. He makes it his mission to find the woman that saved his life. The movie
is based on the book The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks.
Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling are co-starring in it.
4. The Pirates! Band of Misfits ($5.5 million at the box office)
This movie is a cartoon comedy of pirates on adventures. This movie has the vocal talents of
Hugh Grant and many others.
3. The Hunger Games ($5.5 million at the box office)
The Hunger Games is based of the series of books written by Suzanne Collins. The movie is about an
unknown apocalyptic disaster. Citizens need to fight to stay alive.
2. Think Like A Man ($8.1 million at the box office)
The movie is about a group of friends who get together to play basketball and talk about female
problems. They all share the problem of committing to a long term relationship.
The moie stars Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco, Michael Ealy, and Gary Owen.
1. Marvel's The Avengers ($207.4 million at the box office)
The world's greatest superheroes, from the Marvel comic books, have come together to
avenge the Earth. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson,
and Samuel L. Jackson.
Class of 2012: Adieu!
By Yetunde Adebambo '13
The date of graduation has been announced for Paramus Catholic High School. On June 4th, the class of 2012 will be officially departing. Monday, invitations for the ceremony were handed out to the seniors. Family and friends will be gathering at the Izod center to watch them on their special day, their last day as high school students.
The date of graduation has been announced for Paramus Catholic High School. On June 4th, the class of 2012 will be officially departing. Monday, invitations for the ceremony were handed out to the seniors. Family and friends will be gathering at the Izod center to watch them on their special day, their last day as high school students.
Just a week ago, seniors were stressing. There was a question as to whether or not the Izod center would be able to keep its commitment to PC's graduation date. Plane flights were canceled by relatives. Tuxedo rentals were put on hold by the gentleman, and a few seniors were just simply stressing because of the uncertainty. The date has not changed, and it is set. On June 4th, the Izod Center will be hosting PC's class of 2012 graduation ceremony.
Plans can finally be put back in motion. Knowing is a great feeling, isn't it, 2012?
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
52-Year Old Janitor to Graduate from Columbia University
52-Year Old Janitor to Graduate from Columbia University
by Tom Cadmus ‘12
Gac Filipaj, 52, moved from Yugoslavia to New York without knowing a word of English. He will graduate from Columbia University with an honors degree.
He first moved to the United States in 1992 when his country was in a civil war. He started learning English while working full-time as a custodian for Columbia University. Columbia’s policy allows employees to take a certain number of courses per semester. Tuition for full-time commuting students is $43,088 annually.
Aside from the major cost break, Columbia grants no other special privileges for employees.
It took Mr. Filipaj nineteen years to get his degree, taking one or two classes per semester. He also plans to pursue his Master’s and maybe even his Ph.D. He told ABC, “I would say that I have fulfilled half of my dream—going to graduate school would complete it.”
College dean Peter Awn said, “He's one of those people that believe that if you work hard at anything, be that his custodial responsibilities or his academic responsibilities, you can create that sense of accomplishment and value.”
Unfortunately, his father, who died just three weeks ago, will not be able to see his son walk at graduation.
Mr. Filipaj’s story shows that hard work, and perseverance really pay off. That a man came to this country knowing no English, worked as a custodian for nineteen years, and took one or two classes a semester is now graduating from one of the best Ivy League schools in the nation, is truly remarkable.
Gingrich Concedes; Obama/Romney Likely to Meet in November
Gingrich Concedes; Obama/Romney Likely to Meet in November
by Tom Cadmus ‘12
After continuously refusing to give up, Newt Gingrich has finally given up hopes for the White House. In what was a losing battle to Mitt Romney, Mr. Gingrich thought it would be best to throw his support behind Mr. Romney, figuring Romney has the best chance to beat Obama for his seat in the White House. In a speech after Romney took 5 states, Gingrich said, “It’s pretty clear Governor Romney is going to be the nominee.”
"I think you have to at some point be honest with what's happening in the real world, as opposed to what you'd like to have happened," Gingrich said. "Governor Romney had a very good day yesterday. He got 67 [percent] in one state, and he got 63 in other, 62 in another. Now you have to give him some credit. I mean this guy's worked six years, put together a big machine, and has put together a serious campaign.”
Just because Mr. Gingrich conceded does not mean he still does not think he is the better candidate. He feels it is very important that the party remain unified. In the coming weeks, Newt plans to deliver speeches in support of Mitt Romney.
Ron Paul is the only other Republican candidate left, and as David Letterman put it,
"Ron Paul looks like one of your old relatives. The guy that keeps sending you the blank emails."
SKYPE
By Jake Candelaria '12
Wednesday, May 9, 2012, Mr. Wilson's classroom was the site of a real time interactive Skype session between Paramus Catholic students and the Archbishop of Newark, His Excellency John J. Myers. The Archbishop was excited to be able to interact with the students about topics ranging from "When did you realize that God was calling you to become a priest?" to "What is your favorite junk food?" Four years ago, PC was the first school to Skype with the Archbishop in an attempt for him to reach out to young people across the state. The video call lasted an hour, and the Archbishop answered every question with a smile on his face. Archbishop Myers ended the call with a blessing and wished the PC students and faculty a great remainder of the school year.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012, Mr. Wilson's classroom was the site of a real time interactive Skype session between Paramus Catholic students and the Archbishop of Newark, His Excellency John J. Myers. The Archbishop was excited to be able to interact with the students about topics ranging from "When did you realize that God was calling you to become a priest?" to "What is your favorite junk food?" Four years ago, PC was the first school to Skype with the Archbishop in an attempt for him to reach out to young people across the state. The video call lasted an hour, and the Archbishop answered every question with a smile on his face. Archbishop Myers ended the call with a blessing and wished the PC students and faculty a great remainder of the school year.
Spring Concert
by Brenna Holland '12
Our choirs sang, our dancers danced and our band played until every parent, teacher and friend in the audience went home in awe of the talent we have here at PC. All in all, the spring concert was a complete success and wonderfully put together by our esteemed music director Mr. Sabak. The night culminated in a special honor to the class of 2012, with the distribution of a single, red rose to each senior member of the music program. This bittersweet goodbye did not leave a dry eye in the house. At the end of the night, every attendee went home satisfied and impressed by our dedicated and gifted music students
Quiz Bowl Update
by: Janessa Andiorio '13
ALERT:
Paramus Catholic students have done it again! Warning, the following
article contains content that is not suitable for those who cannot
handle an overload of victory! Once again, Mr.
Fidemi was able to prepare and conquer this year’s MSG Varsity TV
competition, “The Challenge.” With his ready army of Paladins, the
Quiz Bowl team placed sixth in The Challenge after facing forty-eight
other teams from all over New Jersey. Whether it was the whole team
or just the varsity members, each student helped lead the Quiz Bowl
team to victory this year and brought their A-game; naturally doing
what Paladins do best.
Mr.
Fidemi has been running the Quiz Bowl for about twelve years now, and
each year he looks forward to versing the competition and seeing how
far the team can go. In an interview he informed the Paladin
Press
that, “The Quiz Bowl team participates in several academic
competitions during the school year. Our primary focus the past few
years has been the MSG Varsity TV competition, The Challenge. We've
also competed in tournaments at Leonia High School, Millburn H.S.,
Chatham H.S., and many other high schools over the past several
years.” The great part about Quiz Bowl is that whether the team
wins or loses, they go into every competition with a competitive and
positive mind frame and regardless of the outcome leave with the same
attitude. On the subject of this year’s toughest competitor, Mr.
Fidemi informed the Paladin
Press
that, “The best competitor in the last few years has been my alma
mater, St. Joseph High School of Metuchen. This year Mountain Lakes
proved to be a formidable opponent.” One of the Quiz Bowls
highlighted moment this year was during this year's
The Challenge. It was Paramus Catholic verses Ridgewood High School, in the third round match of The Challenge where winning came down to the last question of the contest. The team who answered the question correctly would win the match; suspense filled the air and as soon as the question was asked PC jumped on it and won the match!
The Challenge. It was Paramus Catholic verses Ridgewood High School, in the third round match of The Challenge where winning came down to the last question of the contest. The team who answered the question correctly would win the match; suspense filled the air and as soon as the question was asked PC jumped on it and won the match!
When
the Paladin
Press
got a chance to interview Samantha Lehmbeck, a varsity team member
who participated in this year's The Challenge, she clarified what
Quiz Bowl was, “Quiz Bowl is like team jeopardy for high school. We
have two sections: everyone and our varsity team. Our varsity team
participates in MSG Varsity's The Challenge. Everyone in Quiz Bowl
can participate in local competitions.” Even though Miss Lehmbeck
is on the varsity team, she is not a senior; she is actually a
sophomore who joined the Quiz Bowl team this year. Mr. Fidemi
welcomes students from all grades to join the club and realizes that
it can be a lot of fun. Samantha Lehmbeck remarked, “It [Quiz Bowl]
was a lot of fun and had a friendly vibe to it when I first walked
in. I honestly thought it would be a lot more formal and rigid in
terms of the atmosphere.” When asked what the highlight of Quiz
Bowl is, she answered , “The highlight of Quiz Bowl for me is
being able to see how much I actually know. Plus you get to actually
use those subjects that you NEVER thought that you would use.” Quiz
Bowl is done for this year, but anyone who is interested in joining
next year should ask Mr. Fidemi for additional information. This
year's Quiz Bowl Team did an awesome job in all their competitions
and the Paladin
Press
would just like to say Congratulations and good luck for next year.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Baseball Update
By Jake Candelaria '12
Adversity is no stranger to the PC varsity baseball team. Starting off the season with an 0-7 record through one of the toughest schedules in North Jersey, the Paladins have fought back to bring their record up to 5-11.
Time is running out on the team's hope for a state tournament bid, which will be judged through games up until Friday, May 11. Although there is mounting pressure on the team to win the next three games to help its state bid, the team has kept a positive outlook on making the state tournament and finishing the season strong.
Production by key role players has kept the team alive, and the Paladins are beginning to tighten their game up back to the way they played when they hit their four game winning streak. With some great play in the next week, hopefully the Paladins will be chosen to return to the state tournament.
Adversity is no stranger to the PC varsity baseball team. Starting off the season with an 0-7 record through one of the toughest schedules in North Jersey, the Paladins have fought back to bring their record up to 5-11.
Time is running out on the team's hope for a state tournament bid, which will be judged through games up until Friday, May 11. Although there is mounting pressure on the team to win the next three games to help its state bid, the team has kept a positive outlook on making the state tournament and finishing the season strong.
Production by key role players has kept the team alive, and the Paladins are beginning to tighten their game up back to the way they played when they hit their four game winning streak. With some great play in the next week, hopefully the Paladins will be chosen to return to the state tournament.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The grant is sponsored by Njfarmschools.org and Edible Jersey.com. The garden has to be completed in the 2011-2012 school year and submitted for approval by June 1st. The garden must be on a raised bed, and maintained by students. Vegetable's and herbs will be grown in the garden and the produce will be donated to the community. The garden will be an important educational tool for Paramus Catholic.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
PC Student Photos
Monday, May 7, 2012
Meeting Tomorrow's Leaders Today
by: Casey Furman '12
Are you a leader or a follower? Seventh graders had the opportunity to spend a day with the leaders of Paramus Catholic High School. The school invited six seventh graders, who were considered leaders, from local Catholic schools. At the end of the day, 160 seventh graders attended from 29 different schools. They spent the day with 35 PC ambassadors. When the seventh graders arrived, they were greeted by the Mr. Ryan Casey, Director of Administration, and Mr. Joe Wilson, Dean of Campus Ministry. The theme of the day was leadership, team work, and problem solving.
Students were placed in small groups and were supervised by the PC ambassadors. They played games like the human knot. They needed to work together to get a task done. The students had to figure out how to solve a puzzle, but there was a catch. One person was blindfolded, another was gagged, and a third had his hands tied. They needed to rely on others in the group to solve this puzzle. Mr. Casey stated, "This gives students the chance to have different Catholic schools work together, instead of always competiting." The seventh graders were vocal about the day and announced that they had a great day.
The school had a nice barbecue for the seventh graders, while listening to music from the PC Jazz Band. The critical significance of the day is to expose the seventh graders to the PC community. They were able to see the current students who attend and talk to the teachers. They later listened to speeches from important people in our school like Mr. Vail, President; Mr. Agostino, Principal; Mr. Wilson, Father Don, Chaplain, Ms. Cousins, English teacher, and Mr. Casey. They also heard from a few senior ambassadors. Everyone had a great day, filled with lots of smiles and laughs. The Administrators were very happy with the outcome of the day. Maybe they will be joining our PC community in the near future.
Are you a leader or a follower? Seventh graders had the opportunity to spend a day with the leaders of Paramus Catholic High School. The school invited six seventh graders, who were considered leaders, from local Catholic schools. At the end of the day, 160 seventh graders attended from 29 different schools. They spent the day with 35 PC ambassadors. When the seventh graders arrived, they were greeted by the Mr. Ryan Casey, Director of Administration, and Mr. Joe Wilson, Dean of Campus Ministry. The theme of the day was leadership, team work, and problem solving.
Students were placed in small groups and were supervised by the PC ambassadors. They played games like the human knot. They needed to work together to get a task done. The students had to figure out how to solve a puzzle, but there was a catch. One person was blindfolded, another was gagged, and a third had his hands tied. They needed to rely on others in the group to solve this puzzle. Mr. Casey stated, "This gives students the chance to have different Catholic schools work together, instead of always competiting." The seventh graders were vocal about the day and announced that they had a great day.
The school had a nice barbecue for the seventh graders, while listening to music from the PC Jazz Band. The critical significance of the day is to expose the seventh graders to the PC community. They were able to see the current students who attend and talk to the teachers. They later listened to speeches from important people in our school like Mr. Vail, President; Mr. Agostino, Principal; Mr. Wilson, Father Don, Chaplain, Ms. Cousins, English teacher, and Mr. Casey. They also heard from a few senior ambassadors. Everyone had a great day, filled with lots of smiles and laughs. The Administrators were very happy with the outcome of the day. Maybe they will be joining our PC community in the near future.
One Night Only - 15 Days and Counting!
by Jami Blackston '12
It's that time of the year again. It is prom season! Things are getting stressful and time is running out. Months worth of stressing for a night that lasts about five hours, and today at Paramus Catholic, bids for tables are due. Seniors are running around like chickens with no heads trying to collect money from everybody in their group. Trying to organize something with a bunch of teenagers without adults helping is like trying to fix an old car, something is always going to go wrong. This is a hard thing to do; trying to focus and finish school on top of trying to make sure everything is right for your one and only senior prom.
Model Congress
by Emily Clark '13
For those of us that do not know what Model Congress is, according to Mr. Dorrian, it is "a mock simulation of how the Senate and House of Representatives work. Here students are assigned to various committees and make bills in hope that they pass." This club is a great opportunity for students who are interested in politics because they can discuss and debate domestic policies and social issues. A few weeks ago Model Congress took a trip to Philadelphia where they competed against schools from across the nation. In this club members learn to compromise, debate, and speak in front of an audience about bills. When on the trip Mr Dorrian says each year that " the students come back changed with a new look on things and feel accomplished." Model Congress is a great opportunity for all those who are involved and Mr. Dorrian encourages all to come and join the club for a great opportunity to learn new things and have great experiences.
For those of us that do not know what Model Congress is, according to Mr. Dorrian, it is "a mock simulation of how the Senate and House of Representatives work. Here students are assigned to various committees and make bills in hope that they pass." This club is a great opportunity for students who are interested in politics because they can discuss and debate domestic policies and social issues. A few weeks ago Model Congress took a trip to Philadelphia where they competed against schools from across the nation. In this club members learn to compromise, debate, and speak in front of an audience about bills. When on the trip Mr Dorrian says each year that " the students come back changed with a new look on things and feel accomplished." Model Congress is a great opportunity for all those who are involved and Mr. Dorrian encourages all to come and join the club for a great opportunity to learn new things and have great experiences.
Madonna vs. Youtube
by Emily Rutherford '12
There are no limits to who can post to Youtube, well, so we thought. Youtube is a place where viewers from all over the world go to discover music, viral videos, and interviews with favorite celebrities. One of the best features about Youtube is that anyone can use it.
Madonna on the other hand, has recently learned about Youtube's policies. Her recent video for her new hit song "Girl Gone Wild", had been banned from Youtube due to its content. At first, Youtube would not even allow the video to be seen. However, after Madonna released a somewhat revised version of the video, now only 18 years olds and up can view the video. Youtube's efforts may have seemed productive, but in some aspects even the age limit will not stop minors. In order to view a video that has an age limit, internet users simply need to just sign in and make a Youtube account stating that they are at least 18 years of age. But let's face it, anybody can lie and make a false profile, it is the internet after all.
Madonna is no stranger to controversy; however, she took her entertainment skills to a whole new level. She defended the risky video stating, "How can you go wild and not do those things?" Youtube released a statement saying, "Even though we do not comment or see every video that is uploaded, when a video is reported enough we have to check it out, this video is an example of that exactly." Once Youtube representatives saw this video, they decided that it was in no way appropriate for viewers to see this video and they had to at least put an age limit on the video.
Bottom line, Madonna is an entertainer and forever will be. As they say, history repeats itself, Madonna's manager, Liz Rosenburg stated, "Some things never change, it's like we are back in 1990 when MTV refused to show her 'Justify My Love' video."
There are no limits to who can post to Youtube, well, so we thought. Youtube is a place where viewers from all over the world go to discover music, viral videos, and interviews with favorite celebrities. One of the best features about Youtube is that anyone can use it.
Madonna on the other hand, has recently learned about Youtube's policies. Her recent video for her new hit song "Girl Gone Wild", had been banned from Youtube due to its content. At first, Youtube would not even allow the video to be seen. However, after Madonna released a somewhat revised version of the video, now only 18 years olds and up can view the video. Youtube's efforts may have seemed productive, but in some aspects even the age limit will not stop minors. In order to view a video that has an age limit, internet users simply need to just sign in and make a Youtube account stating that they are at least 18 years of age. But let's face it, anybody can lie and make a false profile, it is the internet after all.
Madonna is no stranger to controversy; however, she took her entertainment skills to a whole new level. She defended the risky video stating, "How can you go wild and not do those things?" Youtube released a statement saying, "Even though we do not comment or see every video that is uploaded, when a video is reported enough we have to check it out, this video is an example of that exactly." Once Youtube representatives saw this video, they decided that it was in no way appropriate for viewers to see this video and they had to at least put an age limit on the video.
Bottom line, Madonna is an entertainer and forever will be. As they say, history repeats itself, Madonna's manager, Liz Rosenburg stated, "Some things never change, it's like we are back in 1990 when MTV refused to show her 'Justify My Love' video."
PC's Proud Signings
by Jake Candelaria '12
Packed to full capacity, Paramus Catholic's chapel was the site of collegiate signings for six PC athletes. A great selection of students was honored before proud family members, proud coaches, proud administrators, and proud friends. The athletes who signed were Jami Blackston, Paige Montillo, Brittany Mangan, Christina Gonzales, Alisha Cornett, and Lamont Thomas. After her signing, Jami Blackston, who signed with Southern University, had a few words about the occasion. "I was so excited to be up there in front of everyone and a little nervous, but it was an amazing experience," she stated. Blackston has played varsity soccer since she arrived at PC after moving to New Jersey from Louisiana. "This is one of the biggest signing classes I've seen since I've been here, and to have five female athletes sign in one day was a huge accomplishment," she commented about the signing class. Blackston also added, "I also want to congratulate Leo Krizanovic, Jenny Deblasio, Garrett Luna, and Myasia Jacobs who signed earlier this year. It's been a huge accomplishment for the school, and we want to thank everyone who came to support us."
Packed to full capacity, Paramus Catholic's chapel was the site of collegiate signings for six PC athletes. A great selection of students was honored before proud family members, proud coaches, proud administrators, and proud friends. The athletes who signed were Jami Blackston, Paige Montillo, Brittany Mangan, Christina Gonzales, Alisha Cornett, and Lamont Thomas. After her signing, Jami Blackston, who signed with Southern University, had a few words about the occasion. "I was so excited to be up there in front of everyone and a little nervous, but it was an amazing experience," she stated. Blackston has played varsity soccer since she arrived at PC after moving to New Jersey from Louisiana. "This is one of the biggest signing classes I've seen since I've been here, and to have five female athletes sign in one day was a huge accomplishment," she commented about the signing class. Blackston also added, "I also want to congratulate Leo Krizanovic, Jenny Deblasio, Garrett Luna, and Myasia Jacobs who signed earlier this year. It's been a huge accomplishment for the school, and we want to thank everyone who came to support us."
Where is the quality in our lives?
Ashley Spencer ‘12
“Today’s teenagers are far from being a carefree generation, and in fact most report they live with significant stress in their lives.”(Teenmark Study) In today’s society, teenagers are faced with problems previous generations could not even imagine. With the growing development of social networking sites and technology their quality of life is suffering. Children born between the years 1993-2003, lead far more complicated lives then their 45-50 year old counter parts did when they were in their teens. With the new development of social networking sites, society is forced to change along with it. It is evident that with the development of social media society has changed. In a variety of ways, from how we write, communicate with others, and even form relationships. But does this have a harmful affect on today’s teens? During the 1970s, when the adults (45-50 years old) were teens was their quality of life a concern?
In a list compiled by the Youth Service Bureau in 2009, lists the positive trends, some cautions, and emerging concerns. Positive trends are things such as, health of children, lowest teen pregnancy rates since 1969, and slight decreases in crime and substance use(YSU). Cautions are listed as teen employment is low, the admitted use of substance, and one in ten children are diagnosed with a mental disease severe enough to impair development. The shortest list is the ones that impact society the most, emerging concerns. All of the concerns have something to do with the negativity of the media. In contrast the adults, who were teens in the 1970s, had problems but not the way the teens of today do now. So what has changed? There are still teenage pregnancies, and drug and alcohol abuse, which were major issues of the time. The only thing we have that they did not is the accessibility to the computer and a culture absorbed in the media. Clearly there is a problem. In a New York Times article called “Is Social Networking Killing You?” Lady Susan Greenfield, a professor of pharmacology at Oxford University said, “My fear is that these technologies are infantilizing the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.” How many times do teens today use that phrase, live for the moment? It is in songs and Facebook statuses all the time.
“Today’s teenagers are far from being a carefree generation, and in fact most report they live with significant stress in their lives.”(Teenmark Study) In today’s society, teenagers are faced with problems previous generations could not even imagine. With the growing development of social networking sites and technology their quality of life is suffering. Children born between the years 1993-2003, lead far more complicated lives then their 45-50 year old counter parts did when they were in their teens. With the new development of social networking sites, society is forced to change along with it. It is evident that with the development of social media society has changed. In a variety of ways, from how we write, communicate with others, and even form relationships. But does this have a harmful affect on today’s teens? During the 1970s, when the adults (45-50 years old) were teens was their quality of life a concern?
In a list compiled by the Youth Service Bureau in 2009, lists the positive trends, some cautions, and emerging concerns. Positive trends are things such as, health of children, lowest teen pregnancy rates since 1969, and slight decreases in crime and substance use(YSU). Cautions are listed as teen employment is low, the admitted use of substance, and one in ten children are diagnosed with a mental disease severe enough to impair development. The shortest list is the ones that impact society the most, emerging concerns. All of the concerns have something to do with the negativity of the media. In contrast the adults, who were teens in the 1970s, had problems but not the way the teens of today do now. So what has changed? There are still teenage pregnancies, and drug and alcohol abuse, which were major issues of the time. The only thing we have that they did not is the accessibility to the computer and a culture absorbed in the media. Clearly there is a problem. In a New York Times article called “Is Social Networking Killing You?” Lady Susan Greenfield, a professor of pharmacology at Oxford University said, “My fear is that these technologies are infantilizing the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.” How many times do teens today use that phrase, live for the moment? It is in songs and Facebook statuses all the time.
As early as 1998 there were studies that suggested the greater use of the Internet “was associated to the decline in communication between family members in the household, declines in the size of social circles, and increases in their levels of depression and loneliness ( Dr. Sigman). Dr. Sigman goes on to say, that in several measurable ways, people who are more social tend to be healthier, physically, than loners. This statement supports the argument to whether or not there is a direct link to the issue of suicides and other tragedies that seem to affect teens more and more. Statistics from the AACAP states that before the mid-1970s, suicide by adolescents appeared to be a rare event; but now one out of ten teens contemplates suicide. Today suicide is the third leading cause of death for high school students. If we start to think about all the recent tragedies over the last year that have happened in the United States, there is something wrong if we are not asking ourselves what effect the media has on our quality of life. With depression being one of the most common illnesses amongst people ages 15-24, what quality of life could the youth possibly have?
#Twitter Problems
Natalie Rebisz '12
These days, posts on the Internet have been preceded by an infamous hash tag. Twitter, an online social networking service, is the recent surge to hit the modern, multimedia world and the innovator of these “hash tags”. Created in March 2006, Jack Dorsey is the man behind the madness of the site. When commenting on his website, Dorsey said, “We think of it as an information utility and a communications network.” On the site, individuals are given the ability to tweet, which is a post or a status, allowing messages of 140 characters or less. As more and more people get connected online and onto twitter, it has become a site of worldly communication and expression. However, in some cases, the site has caused numerous instances where the freedom of speech has been abused.
Twitter has become a free communication method throughout the world, but it has also lead to the defilement of freedom of speech and even federal policies. In the past year, twitter has been a part of numerous harassment, endangerment, and hate crimes. Participation in twitter has even resulted in the suicide of multiple individuals. Most recently, Rutgers University student, Dharun Ravi, was charged with a hate crime after using a webcam to tape his roommate, Tyler Clementi, kiss another man. Ravi would later turn to twitter where he posted the video, spread the news around the campus through the media site, and later posted his own comments on the issue. Tyler Clementi killed himself three days after the incident. The negative effects of Twitter, however, do not stop here.
Not only has the social media site caused such harassment and abuse claims, but it has also unintentionally affected many individuals' employment and work life. As twitter allows for nearly anything to be processed and posted, with few limitations, users believe they have the freedom to express themselves without the consequences. However, this is just not the case. As the world becomes much more connected to such social networking sites and the internet in general, many people fail to recognize the potential harm that their words could cause.
Recently in 2010, the French magazine, Marie Claire, stated that a woman who had been hired to the company “Cisco” was asked to leave her position, as she was fired for making a crude comment of sort on twitter. The comment was, "Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work." What seemed as a harmless joke at the time, led to the end of this woman’s career. However, this situation is not limited to just the business and work field. Colleges, schools, and even the government have been turning to the site to see what its fellow citizens are saying online, whether it is crude or inappropriate, or just a simple update. And so, although twitter has been beneficial for social and business organizations, communication, etc., it is not all it is cut out to be, as it continues to lead to numerous court cases and could be a danger to the lives of humanity. Therefore, whether you are or are not currently a user of this growing site, always think before you post online because you never know who may be watching.
These days, posts on the Internet have been preceded by an infamous hash tag. Twitter, an online social networking service, is the recent surge to hit the modern, multimedia world and the innovator of these “hash tags”. Created in March 2006, Jack Dorsey is the man behind the madness of the site. When commenting on his website, Dorsey said, “We think of it as an information utility and a communications network.” On the site, individuals are given the ability to tweet, which is a post or a status, allowing messages of 140 characters or less. As more and more people get connected online and onto twitter, it has become a site of worldly communication and expression. However, in some cases, the site has caused numerous instances where the freedom of speech has been abused.
Twitter has become a free communication method throughout the world, but it has also lead to the defilement of freedom of speech and even federal policies. In the past year, twitter has been a part of numerous harassment, endangerment, and hate crimes. Participation in twitter has even resulted in the suicide of multiple individuals. Most recently, Rutgers University student, Dharun Ravi, was charged with a hate crime after using a webcam to tape his roommate, Tyler Clementi, kiss another man. Ravi would later turn to twitter where he posted the video, spread the news around the campus through the media site, and later posted his own comments on the issue. Tyler Clementi killed himself three days after the incident. The negative effects of Twitter, however, do not stop here.
Not only has the social media site caused such harassment and abuse claims, but it has also unintentionally affected many individuals' employment and work life. As twitter allows for nearly anything to be processed and posted, with few limitations, users believe they have the freedom to express themselves without the consequences. However, this is just not the case. As the world becomes much more connected to such social networking sites and the internet in general, many people fail to recognize the potential harm that their words could cause.
Recently in 2010, the French magazine, Marie Claire, stated that a woman who had been hired to the company “Cisco” was asked to leave her position, as she was fired for making a crude comment of sort on twitter. The comment was, "Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work." What seemed as a harmless joke at the time, led to the end of this woman’s career. However, this situation is not limited to just the business and work field. Colleges, schools, and even the government have been turning to the site to see what its fellow citizens are saying online, whether it is crude or inappropriate, or just a simple update. And so, although twitter has been beneficial for social and business organizations, communication, etc., it is not all it is cut out to be, as it continues to lead to numerous court cases and could be a danger to the lives of humanity. Therefore, whether you are or are not currently a user of this growing site, always think before you post online because you never know who may be watching.
France Fever
by: Janessa Andiorio '13
Oh la la! Without even realizing it, millions of Americans are being influenced by French fashion. From accessories to pants to shoes and shirts, Americans are dressing more and more like the French! One onlooker from the France trip, junior Lexie Di Chellis, commented, "It was like New Jersey had invaded Paris! Everywhere I looked girls were wearing scarves, boots, or over-sized purses! Sometimes all three!”Within the past five months or so scarves in America have become a must have accessory, especially in PC. Ever wonder where the trend started? Well scarves have been around since Ancient Rome, in which time they were actually used to keep clean, not warm. As time progressed society changed and so did the use of the scarf. Generally in France scarves are worn every-which way. Following the footsteps of Ancient Rome the trend to wear scarves has been a part of the French fashion since they were created. But what's not to love about scarves? They can be worn multiple ways, come in a variety of colors, and look cute; no wonder Americans copied the idea!
Another interesting fashion trend in America is wearing boots with just about everything. In saying this, let us be clear, this does not mean boots should be worn with “everything” or in the summer! Yet, whether it is a name brand or a basic boot, they are on everyone and in every store. In France it is critical to have closed footwear, especially with the ridiculous cold temperatures and snow storms that last for days on end! Boots are the perfect shoe to look stylish during the winter, so it is easy to see why the trend came into America.
An additional unique trend of France which will most likely cross the pond to the U.S is shorts with stockings and boots. It may sound crazy and weather confused but when the look is done with taste, it looks amazing! To make the look work stay away from jean shorts and leggings, instead go for business shorts and sheer, or see-through, stockings is the way to go. Add a fedora hat, a scarf for the neck, and boots that don't go above the knees; presto an edgy and killer look. The great part of fashion is it does not matter what country or ethnicity someone is from because fashion is universal. In the words of Coco Channel, “Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.”
Junior Ring Ceremony
by Casey Furman '12
Bling! Sparkle! Sparkle! It is that time of the year again. The junior ring ceremony was a huge success once again. The ceremony was held in the Paramus Catholic auditorium and is a significant part of the students’ junior year. Most people cannot wait to see their ring, while others have forgotten what they have ordered. In the end, most students and parents are happy and enjoyed the night. The juniors start to realize that they are one step closer to senior year and closer to graduating high school. Most are relaxing and enjoying what is left of the year.
Bling! Sparkle! Sparkle! It is that time of the year again. The junior ring ceremony was a huge success once again. The ceremony was held in the Paramus Catholic auditorium and is a significant part of the students’ junior year. Most people cannot wait to see their ring, while others have forgotten what they have ordered. In the end, most students and parents are happy and enjoyed the night. The juniors start to realize that they are one step closer to senior year and closer to graduating high school. Most are relaxing and enjoying what is left of the year.
The Battle Between America and France
by Jake Candelaria ‘12 Imagine two nations separated by an expanse of ocean that live two different lifestyles and are tied together throughout history. One may ask, “How different can France and the U.S. truly be?” During the excursion through France for sixty PC students, this question was answered very clearly. Though some of the students may have been turned off by the way that the French, and much of Europe as a whole, live, it is undeniable that the United States and France could learn a bit about each other just by crossing the pond.
One of the greatest misconceptions of France by Americans is the belief that the French are unwilling to speak English. Though it is true that France’s native language is French and they are extraordinarily proud of its development and widespread use, the French spoke English to all of the students who participated in the France trip. Students could sense some resentment by the French that we were unable to use their language considering that almost all of the people in France were able to speak English. It was disheartening to see so many teenagers in France who were able to speak English to us because we were not able to speak their native language. Speaking different languages should be a goal of American students so that we will be able to travel around the globe and interact with others in their own language.
Another luxury in America that contrasts with life in France and many other European countries is the availability and affordability of meat and other food items. France was incredibly expensive for all of the students, and a good amount of our money went into meals that we purchased during our free time to explore the various cities that we visited. Americans are also used to being able to pick up a cheeseburger from a drive-thru at one in the morning. In France and most of Europe, restaurants close relatively early and do not open up until late in the morning. This example highlights another important difference between France and the U.S. While Americans enjoy staying out late and crashing until the afternoon of the next day, the French take it easy during the day and, though they do go out at night, they live a much more relaxed lifestyle. The American hustle that can be seen across the nation is not common in France outside of Paris.
France and the U.S. are two nations that have been engaged together in history and often face much scrutiny from the rest of the world. Though we share our striking differences, our nations have many commonalities that have put us in the world spotlight for good reasons. Both nations have made huge impacts to the history of the world, such as the French and American Revolutions. Our nations have great standing and control in global politics, and they have collaborated on many great projects together. When we put the differences aside, we can see just how common the U.S. and France really are.
One of the greatest misconceptions of France by Americans is the belief that the French are unwilling to speak English. Though it is true that France’s native language is French and they are extraordinarily proud of its development and widespread use, the French spoke English to all of the students who participated in the France trip. Students could sense some resentment by the French that we were unable to use their language considering that almost all of the people in France were able to speak English. It was disheartening to see so many teenagers in France who were able to speak English to us because we were not able to speak their native language. Speaking different languages should be a goal of American students so that we will be able to travel around the globe and interact with others in their own language.
Another luxury in America that contrasts with life in France and many other European countries is the availability and affordability of meat and other food items. France was incredibly expensive for all of the students, and a good amount of our money went into meals that we purchased during our free time to explore the various cities that we visited. Americans are also used to being able to pick up a cheeseburger from a drive-thru at one in the morning. In France and most of Europe, restaurants close relatively early and do not open up until late in the morning. This example highlights another important difference between France and the U.S. While Americans enjoy staying out late and crashing until the afternoon of the next day, the French take it easy during the day and, though they do go out at night, they live a much more relaxed lifestyle. The American hustle that can be seen across the nation is not common in France outside of Paris.
France and the U.S. are two nations that have been engaged together in history and often face much scrutiny from the rest of the world. Though we share our striking differences, our nations have many commonalities that have put us in the world spotlight for good reasons. Both nations have made huge impacts to the history of the world, such as the French and American Revolutions. Our nations have great standing and control in global politics, and they have collaborated on many great projects together. When we put the differences aside, we can see just how common the U.S. and France really are.
“Did You Hear That?”
“I was not trying to hurt anyone.” Gossip is not always meant to harm. However, many people, take it a little too far and it can truly hurt another person. Gossip is going to occur everywhere including the workplace, school, mall, etc. Psychologists Antonius Cillessen, PhD, and Lara Mayeux, PhD, calculated a study of 905 students between the ages of ten to fourteen. They concluded that gossip is social aggression, which is trying to hurt others, like not allowing someone to join a group. The younger the child, the worse the gossip. Marion Underwood, a psychologist, states that gossip or social aggression “hurts the giver and taker.” She also states that children are affected more than adults. According to most psychologists, gossip has more negative effects than positive.
Elementary school teachers talk to their students about gossip. The technique they use is “Telephone.” Telephone is a game that one person comes up with a sentence, tells another, and goes around to other people. The game is to illustrate to people how something can change, just like gossip. One teacher told her students, “We are going to have a three day weekend starting tomorrow.” When the sentence came back around, it said, “We will be lucky if three of you aren't killed this weekend." Gossip has the same effect. It can just start off as an innocent statement about someone, but if misunderstood the message can completely change.
The American Psychological Association studied 380 students between the ages of five and eleven. The result was students in a group of close friends, who were gossiping, were venting and bonding. They had no intention of harming anyone. According to Doctor Underwood, gossip usually affects girls more than boys. Girls form poor self-concept, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Antonius Cillessen, PhD, and Lara Mayeux, PhD, say that gossiping forms alliances between groups, especially in girls. Through years of studying, they have concluded that the popular fifth graders, the heavy gossipers, were liked by everyone; they were highly disliked by the ninth grades due to their gossiping ways.
Research shows gossip is painful, but it can also forms bonds. Gossip mostly occurs in middle school, between the grades of fourth through eighth. By high school, students start maturing and learn that negative gossip will leave them lonely and low on the social pyramid.
Te “NO”
By Casey Furman '12
“We don’t need Tebow”, tweeted Antonio Cromartie, a New York Jets cornerback, after the Denver Broncos traded him to the New York Jets. This trade has split the New York/New Jersey area. Some Jets fans are excited, while others are against. Is this area ready for “Tebowing”?
“We don’t need Tebow”, tweeted Antonio Cromartie, a New York Jets cornerback, after the Denver Broncos traded him to the New York Jets. This trade has split the New York/New Jersey area. Some Jets fans are excited, while others are against. Is this area ready for “Tebowing”?
“I do not agree with this situation. I can’t agree with it. I just think it’s a publicity stunt. I really think it’s wrong. I can’t go for it,” states Joe Namath, former New York Jets quarterback. He and many others believe that giving Sanchez two more quarterbacks will add a huge amount of pressure and make him uncomfortable. The fans think Sanchez is young and needs time, at least five years, to mature. The Dailynews asked ten different Jets fans what their feelings about the trade were, eight out of ten said it was a huge mistake; most stating that Sanchez knows how to get the job done and he does not need a replacement. Some stated that statistics prove everything and Tebow does not have the skill to compete. Others say he is more of running back, than quarterback and should play the correct position. Many were irritated that Tebow had a press conference; stating that he is a second string quarterback, not first string. Fans are saying, you either “love him” or “hate him”.
Tebowmania has unfortunately come to the New York/ New Jersey area. Many are not happy about the trade, but it happened. Tebow will have to learn a new way to live in this area. With much speculation, will Tebow be able to make it and do well? In the words of Antonio Cromartie, “We don’t need Tebow.”
Bullying
by Emily Rutherford '12
Bullying is nothing new in our world, and it seems that in today's society it is difficult to "fit in." Being different from everyone else can lead to bullying amongst peers. The most upsetting result of bullying is suicide. Bullying can be through social networking sites, instant messaging, text messages, or even face-to-face. In our schools bullying has become such a big problem that the state of New Jersey decided to take a stand against the issue in 2002. A law was created that makes it mandatory for every district in the state of New Jersey to have a policy against harassment and bullying on all school grounds.
In September of 2011, New Jersey released an "anti-bullying" law that requires all schools to report and appoint any and all bullying scenarios. The law also has the power to put those accussed of bullying on a real world trial and these bullies can be sentenced to a certain punishment. "This is a powerful message to every child in New Jersey." says co-sponsor Barbara Buono. This law has been called "the toughest anti-bullying law in the country."
As great as the anti-bullying law is, this problem will not be completely evicted; bullying is a problem nationwide. Communities that have anti-bullying programs are proven to be a more positive environment for growing children.
The act of bullying may seem fine, or even fun at the times, but the long term effects that bullying has on people can be fatal. Schools suggest that if you are a victim of bullying or have witnessed bullying of any kind then you are called to report it to a teacher, authority figure, adult, or guidance counselor. Teenagers, and pre-teens know much more than adults do of what is going on in their school, so with the help of peers, bullying can certainly be greatly decreased, if not stopped altogether.
Bullying is nothing new in our world, and it seems that in today's society it is difficult to "fit in." Being different from everyone else can lead to bullying amongst peers. The most upsetting result of bullying is suicide. Bullying can be through social networking sites, instant messaging, text messages, or even face-to-face. In our schools bullying has become such a big problem that the state of New Jersey decided to take a stand against the issue in 2002. A law was created that makes it mandatory for every district in the state of New Jersey to have a policy against harassment and bullying on all school grounds.
In September of 2011, New Jersey released an "anti-bullying" law that requires all schools to report and appoint any and all bullying scenarios. The law also has the power to put those accussed of bullying on a real world trial and these bullies can be sentenced to a certain punishment. "This is a powerful message to every child in New Jersey." says co-sponsor Barbara Buono. This law has been called "the toughest anti-bullying law in the country."
As great as the anti-bullying law is, this problem will not be completely evicted; bullying is a problem nationwide. Communities that have anti-bullying programs are proven to be a more positive environment for growing children.
The act of bullying may seem fine, or even fun at the times, but the long term effects that bullying has on people can be fatal. Schools suggest that if you are a victim of bullying or have witnessed bullying of any kind then you are called to report it to a teacher, authority figure, adult, or guidance counselor. Teenagers, and pre-teens know much more than adults do of what is going on in their school, so with the help of peers, bullying can certainly be greatly decreased, if not stopped altogether.
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