Green Horn
11 March 2009
The Award-Winning Student Publication of Springfield High School and the Tech Center
School Budget is Minimalist Dream
S
pringfield voters cast their ballots on the Spring-
field School District budget on Tuesday, March
3rd. They voted on a sum of roughly $24 million.
Because of Act 82, an act stating the budget cannot
increase more than a certain amount each year, citizens
were offered two budget articles.
“Right now, we are in the process of present-
ing the school budget to the school board,” said SHS
Principal Larry Wight in an interview in January. “We
usually go over it weekly, and sometimes even twice a
week, trying to get it down to the lowest possible sum
without making any drastic changes.”
Wight continued, “In Springfield, we use
something called zero-based budgeting, which means
the budget can’t increase more than a few percentages
each time. Act 82 is basically the same thing [a restric-
tion of budget increases] but also because of this, voters
will be seeing two separate ballots instead of one.”
The budget for the 2009-2010 school year
represented an increase of about $1 million over the
previous year, or 6.2% more than the budget for the
2008-2009 school year. The operating budget is roughly
the same as last year’s budget. The increase is due to
interest that is due on a bond that had been accepted by
town voters back in 2006.
When voters saw the budget in March they
were offered two separate articles. The first article was
a sum of $23,369,801, which represented the operating
school budget. The second amount of $964,686 was
the budget’s debt payment. Voters were also asked to
What’s Inside:
Yearbook
approaches
finish line,
p. 9
Twilight
defines
wretchedness,
p. 14
Boys basketball
rolls on,
p. 16
Volume 29, Edition 6
By Lauren Drasler
decide on the River Valley Technical Center budget.
Since the RVTC is now a separate school district, that
budget didnt't have an effect on the Springfield School
District budget. Act 82 allows voters to have until June
1st to approve both articles. However, one sum cannot
be approved without the other, and voters only have a
window of a few months to pass both articles.
“Having two separate articles is one of the
constraints of Act 82,” said SHS Vice Principal Michael
Foss before the budget vote. “If the budget, or first vote,
is approved, but the second is not, we [the administra-
tors] will be responsible for cutting more and more
things.”
Foss continued, “I hope that the community
sees us [the schools] as fiscally responsible. We’re striv-
ing and working hard not to cut any positions. But if the
budget is not approved, there will really be no choice
but to eliminate some teaching positions.”
Though the budget was frozen in January
(meaning no new expenditures could be made with
money budgeted last year), teachers were still satisfied
with what the administration had done as far as cutting
positions. “The administration did a great job in taking
out money with a minimal effect on student learning,” Springfield Teacher's Association
said RVTC Protective Services Instructor and Spring- President Steve Karaffa feels that
field Teacher Association President Steve Karaffa before
Springfield school officials have done
the vote. “If the budget doesn’t pass, though, major cuts
will be made, that will definitely affect the students and a good job reducing the budget in a
responsible manner.
See Budget page 21
Roots of Music
Scott Ainslie Sings the Blues
By Lauren Sanderson
B
lues guitarist Scott Ainslie played his soulful and
captivating African-Blues music for Springfield
High School students in late January. After-
wards, he instructed students in music workshops during
the last two periods of the day.
Ainslie has toured nationally and interna-
tionally, worked on Broadway, and taught African roots
of American music. The blues guitarist has produced
five CDs and has completed a teaching DVD on Delta
blues legend Robert Johnson. Additionally, Ainslie has
taught workshops and performed for audiences in the
United States and nine European nations.
Ainslie learned to play the piano before he
could sit up. But after he started working with the guitar, Blues guitarist Scott Ainslie seems
he knew this instrument was his true love. most enamored of Robert Johnson,
See Blues page 23 the tragic delta bluesman.
Green Horn Interview
By Lauren Sanderson

. Vicki Kopidakis Reflects

on Jersey and Vermont
S
ophomore Vicki Kopidakis recently moved
to Springfield from Edison, New Jersey, and
enrolled at Springfield High School. Kopidakis
came from a private pre-K-12 school called Wardlaw-
Hatridge School. The Green Horn interviewed Kopida-
kis about the differences between Edison and Springfield
and asked her to describe how she is adjusting to the
new environment at SHS.
What are the differences between Wardlaw-Har-
tridge and SHS?
My old school was a lot smaller. There were only thirty
kids in my grade and we had to wear uniforms. There
were also a lot fewer choices for classes. We had the
main classes, and we could only choose between choir,
band or art for extras. The high school was basically a
hallway, so it’s a lot different here.
Are the classes the same at SHS?
They are pretty much the same. I don’t feel it is easier
or harder yet. At my old school, some classes were
really hard and a lot of work. The teachers here are
more helpful and answer any questions I have. At my
old school they were more strict and wouldn’t help me
nearly as much.

Why did you move to Springfield?
My dad got a job at Springfield Hospital and I decided
to move up with him now instead of at the end of the
year. The reason I moved was because I thought it would
be easier coming to SHS now. We would come to Ver-
mont and ski at Okemo and my dad wanted to work at
a hospital so he got the job and we came. He also went
to UVM and always wanted to come back to Vermont,
so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
How does Edison compare to Springfield?
There was a lot more stuff in my town. Everything is
far away here. There are basically the same things here,
but you have to drive a long way to get to them. Like,
I would drive two minutes to get to the nearest mall.
Springfield is a lot smaller. I am used to seeing more
chain stores and here it is more privately-owned.
What do you miss most about New Jersey and
Edison?
I don’t really miss my school. But I really miss my
friends. That’s the hardest part. I also miss my sister
and mom. They are back home staying there until she
[my sister] graduates. They will come up right when she
finishes school, which is around when summer starts.
What are your plans for after high school?
I really want to go to New York City. I am not really

Springfield Humane Society Helps sure what I want to do but something along the lines
of writing and journalism. I always visited the city on

Four-Legged Friends
the weekends, and have just always known that I want
to live there.

By Ember Rushford-Emery

L
ocated on Skitchewaug Trail, the Springfield "There are many more cats during the sum-
Humane Society is a non-profit organization mer months," said shelter manager Marie Brockway.
that was founded in 1957. As their mission "However, there were nearly 100 this past summer."

statement articulates, the humane society is "dedicated Both dogs residing at the shelter are German
Shepherds. Brockway described one Shepherd’s rescue
to improving the quality of life for animals by providing
protection, compassionate care and adoption services journey.
for homeless animals." "Old Shep is ten years old and, when healthy,
Currently, the humane society houses ap- weighed 105 pounds," Brockway said. "When we got
proximately 60 cats and two dogs, with one additionalhim, he was about 63 pounds and his muscles were
dog in foster care. emaciated. His owner had left him tied up on a chain
outside and his feeding
was sporadic."
GREEN HORN STAFF During his
time at the humane
T om Benton........................ Editor-in-Chief / Layout society, however, Old
A shley Fountain................... Editor Shep put on weight and,
though his hips are in
L auren Drasler..................... Editor poor condition, he is
H anna Reeves...................... Photography Editor now happy. Old Shep
was recently adopted
G rant White........................ Sports Editor into a good home.
D even Blais......................... Tech News Editor Many local
animals find themselves
----------------REPORTERS--------------- in situations similar to
Jenny Bradley, Anthony Dana, Courtney Downing, Alexis Esposito, Sam Old Shep’s. They have
Hensel-Hunter, Jalessah Jackson, Angelo Jardina, Olivia Johnson, Laurel been abandoned, are This is the pig that was kissed. The
Porter, Emily Reeves, Ashley Richardson, Ember Rushford-Emery, Lauren strays, or their owners kissing took place on January 26th in
Sanderson, Sarah Vredenburgh
See Friends the River Valley Technical Center.
page 23
pg  G r e e n H o r n
 Features
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Empty Myths and the Ghastly Reality
By Ashley Richardson & Jalessah Jackson

A
ccording to a recent survey on NBC-TV, one
in every four sexually active teenage girls has
an STD, or sexually transmitted disease. Most
of these girls didn’t even know they were infected
because they had few symptoms of the disease. “The
only time I ever had an STD scare was with a boy that
I wasn’t dating,” Jane (not her real name) said. “A lot of
people told me that he had an STD, but he didn’t have
any symptoms as far as I could tell. I was still nervous,
so I got checked, and found out that I’m clean. He did
end up having an STD, so I’m really glad that I used a
condom. I will never not wear one again.”
Considering how many teens who are sexu-
ally active don’t use a condom, the number of teenagers
with an STD isn’t very surprising. “A lot of girls think
that they are all set with just birth control,” Heather
(not her real name) said. “They need to realize that birth
control only protects them from getting pregnant, and
that isn’t even always the case. Yes, it’s a good thing to
have, and to use protection. But it won’t protect you
from an STD.”
STDs are spread from oral, vaginal, and
anal sex, as well as from intimate touching. During an
informal interview at Springfield High School, four
out of nine students didn’t know that an STD could be
SHS Nurse Christine Simmons
attributes unprotected sex among
students to a lack of access to proper
materials or spur-of-the-moment
decisions.
talking about how many sexual partners your boyfriend
or girlfriend has had, you need to think about the broad
subject. If you sleep with someone, you’re also sleeping
with everyone they’ve slept with, and so on. Teens lie
about these things, and aren’t as honest as they should
number of outbreaks decreases over the years, it never
leaves one's body. Having an STD can result in perma-
nent damage. These diseases can lead to infertility and
sometimes death in newborns. “An STD can affect the
child’s entire system,” Simmons said. “A lot of people
don’t realize that they can transmit the disease through
childbirth.”
“My STD scare was something that made me
think,” Jane said. “It made me think that my romantic
life was over for good. I never want to feel like that
again.”
“I honestly thought that this could never
happen to me,” Fred said. “But now that it has, I’m
forever changed. Knowing that I’m not above everyone
else, and knowing that I can get another STD scares me.
I wear a condom every time now. I wish more teens
would understand the risks they’re taking when they
have unprotected sex.”
Mentoring
Benefits All
By Jenny Bradley and Emily Reeves

passed through skin-to-skin contact. “I didn’t know that
an STD could be passed through intimate touching,”
Matt (not his real name) said. “I thought [the disease]
could only be passed by having sex.”
“So many people think that oral sex isn’t
really having sex,” Laura (not her real name) said. “But
the truth is, it’s just as dangerous. People need to realize
that many STDs are spread through oral sex.”
Condoms and abstinence are the only protec-
tion against STDs. Unfortunately, many teens do not use
condoms. “There could be various reasons why people
do not use protection,” SHS Nurse Christine Simmons
said. “Some people do not have access. It could be spur
of the moment, or they simply are just unprepared.”
In some cases, one partner may want to use
a condom, while the other partner has an issue with it.
“I always want to,” Bobby (not his real name) said, “but
sometimes they don’t.”
Since many teens are not properly educated
about STDs, they may not see it as vitally important to
use condoms each time they have sex.
“Although presentations about STDs and
intercourse can be seen as repulsive by students, it
needs to be shown,” Jane said. “I think it should be
mandatory. A lot of kids just don’t know enough about
these diseases, and they always think ‘It won’t happen
to me,’ but really, it can happen to anyone. Even if you
only forget a condom once.”
Forgetting a condom once is a big risk.
With such negligence, a person has the same chance
of contracting an STD as someone who never uses a
condom. STDs spread from one person to the next. They
do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or sexual
orientation.
“When dealing with a sexual relationship,
trust becomes an issue,” Joe (not his real name) said.
“Obviously it’s a huge part of a relationship. But when
G r e e n H o r
E
be.”
lementary school. Crayons. Magic Markers.
Added to a lack of honesty, many teens don’t
Macaroni Ornaments. Elmer’s Glue. Around the
know that they have an STD because they do not have
World. Kickball. Bullies.
symptoms of the disease. “I had an STD, and I didn’t
When parents gather to discuss bullying,
even know I had it,” Fred (not his real name) said. “I
they tend to focus on middle school, the transition years.
hardly ever had sex with a condom, but when I found
But bullying is everywhere, in high school, elementary
out that I had the STD, it was too late. I’d already passed
school, and even outside of school.
it on to someone else. I didn’t think it could happen to
Bullying comes in all shapes and sizes. For
me.”
boys, it tends to be more physical, therefore easier to
Sexual partners can pass an STD to others
spot. But girls, who rely more on verbal abuse, can be
without realizing it, and for some, it’s their first time
just as mean.
and they are unaware that it could happen. According
HOSTS (Helping One Student To Suc-
to health care experts, a person will not get an STD just
ceed), a mentoring program through the Three River
because they are sexually active. But if they engage
Valley Regional Business and Education Partnership in
in unprotected sex, they will have a high risk of being
Springfield, gives kids role models to offset bullying.
exposed. “I was in a relationship for three years,” Lisa
Marie Gelineau, Executive Director of the Three River
(not her real name) said. “I never thought my boyfriend
Valley Business and Education Partnership since 1998,
would cheat on me. I was wrong.”
became involved in HOSTS last fall.
No one wants to think about catching a dis-
After the school day ends, high school men-
ease, or wondering if their partner is cheating on them,
tors go to Park Street and Elm Hill elementary schools
but for sexually-active individuals, such thoughts are
to spend an hour with younger students. They participate
important to preventing STDs. “I think both boys and
in activities ranging from arts and crafts to outdoor
girls need to be taught that using a condom should be
games.
second nature,” Jane said. “No matter what, but espe-
Junior Ashley Richardson recently became
cially with new partners that you don’t know are 100%
a mentor. Her love of kids, and helping others, pushed
clean.”
her to join. “We basically do anything the kids want to
“A lot of teenagers take health class as a
do," Richardson said. "We are like their playmates. But
joke,” Matt said. “It’s just a class they have to take
we are there to set an example as well."
to graduate. But really, it’s much more than that. It’s
As a child, Richardson considered herself
showing students the risks of an STD, how they are
a bully. Mentoring has made her realize how she used
passed, and what to do to prevent it. All teens think
to treat her peers. “It made me see how I used to act,”
they are above getting an STD, but we’re all the same.
Richardson said. Using her experiences in elementary
Anyone who is sexually active without protection can
school as inspiration, Richardson became involved in
get one.”
the mentoring program to positively influence younger
Herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus,
children.
is the most common form of STD, both in teens and in
adults. There is no cure for herpes, and although the See Mentoring page 23
n pg 
News
Prom Royale Participants
Students Vote for 007 Theme Prepare for
53rd
By Olivia Johnson

A
fter a vote in ju-
nior homeruns

Cotillion
at Springfield
High School, 007 was
selected as the prom
theme for 2009. This
well-known theme, By Alexis Esposito
which is based around

A
the James Bond movies, t last the practices for the 53rd Apple Blossom
will dominate the May Cotillion have come along. Thirteen couples
30th prom. The junior will participate in this legendary night during
class has been planning the first weekend of May at Riverside Middle School.
this high-profile social Proceeds from the Apple Blossom are used for college
event since last spring. scholarships for students interested in seeking a career
"The stu- in the field of health care.
dents chose 007, but we Apple Blossom couples started practicing
decided to also make the on January 11th, but attended a meeting on Jaunary
theme black and white," 4th to discuss Apple Blossom history and consider the
said prom committee event's association with Springfield Hospital. For nine
member Ashley Rich- years, Director of Springfield Hospital Foundation Larry
ardson. "Those of us on Junior class advisor Gigi Guy fires bullets of attention Kraft has been the master of ceremonies for the Apple
prom committee have at the 007 theme used for the prom this spring. Blossom Cotillion.
always wanted the black Each year, an Apple Blossom Queen and
and white theme. When Court are chosen along with Mr. /Ms Congeniality, and
007 came up, it worked out perfectly." elements needed for the perfect prom. Junior class advi- Director's Choice. The process for choosing the queen
The prom committee has been meeting every sor Gigi Guy leads these meetings. Guy has been the
See Cotillion page 20

Friday morning discussing, planning, and organizing the
See Prom page 23

Strategic Plan Committee Offers Opinion

Forum Forum Encourages
By Laurel Porter Students
By Laurel Porter

I
n November of 2008, the Springfield School Board

charged the Strategic Plan Steering Committee with
the responsibility to guide a planning process for the
formation of a five-year strategic plan.
“The new superintendent, plus a couple of
board members, felt that the mission and vision for the
district needed to be revisited,” said Steering Commit-
tee member Jeanice Garfield. “The board identified the
need to create goals for the district, and a direction that
future boards and superintendents could follow.”
Committee members were designated as
key opinion leaders from Springfield schools and the
community, and were chosen by two members of the
School Board.
“The Strategic Planning Committee will
work with the Vermont School Boards Association
[VSBA] and the community to facilitate the creation of
a five-year strategic plan for the Springfield School Dis-
trict,” said committee member Susan Dreyer-Leon.
“Dr. Perotti, the superintendent, had experi-
ence with Winton Goodrich from the VSBA, and felt
that he would be of great help to get the ball rolling,”
said Garfield.
Math teacher Sean Sullivan speaks to
interested Springfield citizens at the
recent community forum concerning
the future of local education.
“I’m acting as a facilitator from the outside,”
said VSBA Associate Director Goodrich. “I’m working
See Forum page 22
T
he Strategic Plan Steering Committee hosted
a Community Forum in the Springfield High
School Cafeteria. I attended the forum, along
with seven other SHS students.
The purpose of the forum was to receive and
organize input from the community on various topics,
which will now be used to create a five-year plan for
the school district.
As a high school student who attended the
forum, I was invited to present my opinion on the status
of the school along with the other students. We told
the community members gathered what we thought the
school should continue doing. We discussed the policies
and practices that should stop, and, with a nod towards
the future, we tried to suggest ways the school could
encourage a positive view of learning and improve the
education of its students.
It was nice to be heard. It was a welcome
change from the oft-dismissive attitudes adults hold
towards the opinion of teenagers. (Adults usually truly
wish to aid and protect the best interests of children, yet
See Listens page 20

pg  G r e e n H o r n

Sexting, Another Spawn of Technology,
Infects Young and Old Alike
By Lauren Drasler
never know who will see what you send. I think sexting
is equally as bad as posting explicit things online.”
Though sexting seems to be criticized by
many individuals, some people don’t believe it’s that
bad. “I really don’t think text sex is that bad,” said
senior Angellina Villone. “I mean, obviously a person
shouldn’t do it if they don’t want to. But I think that if
you’re into it, then it’s really not that horrible.”
“Yeah, I do think sexting is a bit desperate,”
said senior Alex Olney. “But it’s not a bad thing. It’s
just not as intimate.”
“I think sexual relations are best when they
are kept to yourself,” added senior Dylon McCutcheon.
“Sexting isn’t bad if it’s between two people that are in
a relationship, and genuinely care about one another.
Features
But if it’s a player engaging in this behavior, then that’s
bad.”
“I believe sexting is just boys looking for
attention,” said an anonymous student. “They just try to
impress you by saying nasty things, but it really makes
me not like them at all. I’ve never personally engaged
in sexting, but I know some people who have.”
Four out of every five teens own a cell
phone (roughly 17 million), according to www.market-
ingcharts.com. On average, young adults spend about
one hour a day on their cell phones, which is the aver-
age time a student in high school spends on homework.
More than one billion text messages are sent daily, and
See Sexting page 22

Sophomore Amanda Farnsworth is

disgusted by the new sexting craze.
She feels that flirting through the
medium of technology is wrong.

Y
oung adults attending high school in 2009 are
familiar with technology. Cell phones, laptops,
and tiny mp3 players are common features of
everyday life for students at Springfield High School.
However, though many students use these
electronic devices for harmless fun, some youngsters
may engage in criminal behavior with technology.
Sexting, or text sex as it’s commonly referred to, is
defined as sexual relations by the use of text messages.
These involve sending pictures or sexually explicit
text messages. Though this form of flirting, and sexual
encounters, may appeal to some people, recently, sex-
ting has become taboo among authorities, and is even
becoming illegal.
Sexting, though viewed as disturbing by
many, has gained an even worse reputation. Numerous
teens and adults who have engaged in sexting are now
facing criminal charges. A prominent case in Vermont
involved a South Burlington teen who was charged SHS junior Eliza Pennell, center, played Safronia the Cat in the Weston
with two counts of sexual assault, after two teen girls Theatre's production of Hansel and Gretel.
sent him nude pictures of themselves through texting.

Though one girl said she sent the pictures voluntarily,
the other allegedly felt pressured to do so. The case is
pending, but numerous people on websites have voiced
their opinions supporting the 17-year old boy on trial.
“I think sexting is disgusting,” said sopho-
more Amanda Farnsworth. “It’s really pretty gross. I
think people should just flirt in person. Sexting doesn’t
get your point across, and it can often be misconstrued
as meaning something it doesn’t.”
Math teacher Gigi Guy agrees with Farn-
sworth. “I really don’t see the appeal of sexting,” she
said, “and at first, I didn’t even know what the term
meant.”
Guy continued, “I think it’s not only gross,
but highly offensive. Girls, and boys for that matter,
should not be taking explicit pictures of themselves. You
T
he Opera Theatre of Weston’s production of Hansel and Gretel included all of the hallmarks from the
classic fairytale. Dance and Song throughout the show had broad appeal for people of any age. Springfield
students Lauren Fountain, Erika Anderson, and Shenandoah Keniston were angel dancers in a ballet. Eliza
Pennell played Safronia the cat.
Springfield High school graduate Ashley Hensel-Browning directed and choreographed Hansel and
Gretel. “I began dancing with the Opera Theatre of Weston when I was in 8th or 9th grade and have continued
working with them over the years as stage manager, choreographer, and in the past three years, as a director,"
Hensel-Browning said. "I enjoy being part of a company that includes both local Vermonters and professionals in
creating and performing beautiful music and theater. I have grown to love opera because of my experiences with
the Opera Theatre of Weston and am always surprised by the reactions of kids who travel from all over Vermont
to see our productions. There is something magical about seeing such gifts performed on stage. This is a whole
different world for many people and I feel like our company both enjoys showing newness while respecting and
embracing the community we are part of here in Vermont. It was a real treat for me to have Eliza, Shena, Lauren,
and Erika in this year's productions as well as Kaykay Haskell (from Riverside) and to share the experience with
them. They are all professional and incredibly hard workers who I believed both learned from and taught the rest
of the cast.”

G r e e n H o r n pg 
Features
Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema
Still Want That Cigarette?
By Sarah Vredenburgh & Alexis Esposito

Ruth Haskell feels that tobacco
addiction may force teens to break
rules to maintain their addiction.
mad, so you’re like ‘AHHH, I need a cigarette,' ” said
an anonymous student smoker.
"Smoking takes away from a kid's educa-
tion," said SHS Nurse Christine Simmons.
“If you’re craving it, you need to take a break
to smoke,” added teen smoker Jeff Moore.
“Addiction forces the smoker to smoke every
so many minutes,” said health teacher Ruth Haskell.
“Teens have to leave school to smoke without permis-
sion or smoke in the bathrooms. And that just forces
them into trouble.”
“There used to be a butt hut where kids
were allowed to smoke at school,” said Simmons. But
this school-designated smoking area is a thing of the
past. Students who need to take a break when a craving
hits have to leave school grounds. Smoking on school
grounds is illegal according to Vermont law [since the
mid-1980s].
said Moore. “It costs me $6.30 a day, so it’s expen-
sive.”
“I smoke a pack a day, or a half-pack on
school days,” said an anonymous teen smoker. “It costs
me $25.00 to $30.00 a week, and I’ve been smoking
since seventh grade.”
Some teens choose not to smoke because
they’ve seen the effect it has on others.
“I think it’s bad [to smoke] because it’s
harmful for the smoker and people around them,” said
sophomore Desmond Dana. Secondhand smoke led to
ear infections for Dana when she was a child. That has
escalated to present hearing problems.
Sophomore Derek Otis also suffers with the
effects of secondhand smoke. “I hate smoking," said
Otis. "I think it should be illegal." Otis' father and
stepmother smoke. “All I smell is cigarettes at their
house. It makes me sick to my stomach,” he added.

S
urgeon General’s Warning: smoking causes lung Smoking also takes a toll on teenagers’ wal- Despite pressure to smoke, some teens refuse
cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and may com- lets. “I smoke six cigarettes per day and give out about to indulge in the habit. “I feel that smoking is just like
plicate pregnancy. This is one of four warnings half a pack,” said senior smoker Tyler Ruby, who has killing yourself quicker,” said sophomore Cody Root.
that can be found on a cigarette package. Even with these been smoking for one year. “The cost depends on where I “I’m not going to give in to peer pressure. My friends'
warnings, and all the other health risks associated with buy them. In Vermont it’s $5.00, and in New Hampshire smoking doesn’t affect me as long as they don’t try to
smoking, teens addicted to nicotine since their first puff it’s $4.00.” pressure me into it.”
tend to ignore the facts. “In a week, smoking costs me $12.00,” said Root says that his reason for not smoking
“My lungs. That’s about it,” said an anony- Day. “And I smoke 6-7 cigarettes a day.” is his father, who is a smoker. “I see what it [smoking]
mous Springfield High School sophomore smoker as he
attempted to describe how smoking affects his body.
“I’ve smoked a pack a day for two years,” See Butt page 21
“The only effect smoking has on my body
is running up stairs,” said senior smoker Doug Day.
Despite this reassurance about the ill-effects
of cigarettes, smoking has been found to be the main
cause of 15 different types of cancer. And a smoking
habit puts one at a significantly higher risk for diseases,
strokes, and heart attacks. On top of that, tobacco is a
major factor in one out of five deaths.
Teenage smokers, in fact, are in danger from
the time they try their first cigarette. The first few puffs
can alter the brain and put teens at a greater risk for
addiction.
“Studies show that nicotine is as addictive
as heroin and cocaine,” said SHS Student Assistance
Coordinator Danielle Dulaney. “As soon as you inhale,
the nicotine reaches the brain in seven seconds and that
is a problem. When teens experiment with some drugs
they don’t become addicted because their bodies don’t
depend on the drug's chemical make-up. However, with
nicotine, the body becomes addicted, and quickly.”
Teenagers who are addicted to smoking are
putting themselves in greater danger for health compli-
cations later in life. Their health, however, isn’t the only
thing affected. Smoking may also affect the student’s
performance and attendance in school.

“You can just see it in their eyes and the
foaming at the mouth for nicotine,” said English teacher
Jen Dodge, half in jest. "I remember high school in the
90s and smoking was a problem then. It's pretty bad
when you have to cut class to smoke."
“Sometimes a teacher will just make you
A
ball, a stepladder, a hula hoop, a unicycle, and a whole lot of physical
dexterity. Troy Wunderle performed for, and with, SHS students during
first period in early February. Wunderle's performance kicked off the Arts
Festival week, which culminated in the "Puzzles: We Are the World" Festival.

pg  G r e e n H o r n
 Personal Essay
Miami and the Bahamas Hospitality &
Recreation Classrooms
By Ashley Fountain

H
ospitality is important today. Whether they work
in a hotel or airport or on a cruise ship, people
in the hospitality industry must have strong
communication skills. When one works in the hospitality
industry, they are required to express themselves in a
positive manner. By using the gift of sight, and seeing
everything the world has to offer, they are able to reveal
the many opportunities that lie at their fingertips.
“It’s fun to travel places with my students,
and see the excitement in their eyes,” said River Valley
Technical Center Hospitality and Recreation teacher
Kimberly Buehler. “By opening their eyes students can
visualize the many opportunities waiting for them.”
In early January, four members of Buehler's
tech center class boarded an American Airlines flight to
Miami, Florida. Having traveled to Florida, I’ve never
really had the opportunity to explore its attractions. My
visits have normally consisted of touring Walt Disney
World or boarding a cruise ship. This time around, I
found Miami to be stunning, beautiful, exciting. With
its natural colors enhanced by tropical sunlight, Miami's
atmosphere is relaxing. South Beach welcomed us with
its swaying palm trees and plush white sand.
Putting aside its warm climate and breath-
taking landscape, the people are what make Miami so
unique. A great number of people who live in Miami are
Cuban. Out of the two million people who live there,
Hispanics make up half of the population. Understand-
ably, it's rare to hear English spoken as one walks down
a Miami street. Spanish is the dominant language of this
city.
Buehler was hoping to make this ethnic
diversity one of the lessons of the Hospitality and Rec-
reation field trip. “I’m glad my students got the chance
to see a new place filled with cultural diversity," said
Buehler. "I believe Miami is more of a melting pot than
New York City."
After our visit to Miami ended, my class-
mates and I boarded the Carnival Imagination, an
855-foot ship. Cruising was a new adventure for my
classmates. Having been on seven cruises, I was able
to share my experiences with them. There are endless
activities to entertain one on these extravagant floating
resorts along with numerous dining options. Sailing Sunglasses, friendly dogs, blue water, boats, and smiling faces were only some
aboard the Carnival Imagination, we were able to ex- of the elements associated with the RVTC Hospitality class' study excursion to
plore its upgrades by taking a tour of its new outdoor Miami and the Bahamas. Class members interviewed a 2-year spa specialist,
features including a 9-hole mini-golf course, Carnival
studied marketing upgrades on the cruise ship Carnival Imagination, and toured
Water Works water park, and tropical resort-style pool.
Cruising allows you to view the luxury of traveling the resort hotel the Atlantis. Classrooms should always be so memorable.
through a different perspective.
After touring Spa Carnival, our class had the a smile on their faces, ready to lend a helping hand.” beaches, and scrumptious cuisine.
opportunity to interview a 2-year spa specialist. With After our cruise ship reached its destination “Every trip we take, there’s a new learning
only 920 employees working seven days a week to take in the Bahamas, our class took a tour of the Atlantis experience embedded within,” said Buehler. "By travel-
care of 2,052 guests, the employees work hard for their hotel. The resort is the highlight of Palm Jumeirah, ing, students realize that the world isn’t flat.”
money. “After cruising, I decided to change my major to a man-made island that attracts one with its majestic “I know I want to go into Hospitality and
two categories: Resort and Cruise Ship Management,” scenery. When you walk up the steps of the Atlantis, Hotel Management,” concluded SHS senior Leanne
said Fall Mountain senior Stephanie Routhier. “The your imagination soars with pleasure. The resort has VanDusen. “I would definitely love to work at the
cruise ship was intriguing to me. The employees had so much to offer including top-notch service, bou- Atlantis in the future.”
great communication skills. The employees always had tiques, aquarium, fascinating water park, pristine white

G r e e n H o r n pg 
Feature
The Constant Battle Between Reality
and the Mirror
By Jenny Bradley & Olivia Johnson

E
lton John.
Oprah Winfrey.
Princess Diana.
Audrey Hepburn.
Kate Winslet.
Kelly Clarkson.
What do all these media icons have in com-
mon besides being famous? They all have struggled
with an eating disorder.
Does this really surprise you? One of the
main factors that lead to an eating disorder involves
social pressure. The media is everywhere, infiltrating
lives and generating the ideal body image. This target
that people are constantly aiming for strongly influences
teenagers.
“Eating disorders are influenced by the
media. Magazines usually never have average women.
They’re usually toothpicks,” said Springfield High
School Student Assistance Director Danielle Dulaney.
Dulaney has only had one teen come to her about an Hollywood starlet Kate Winslet and pop singer Kelly Clarkson are two of the
eating disorder. However, she considers students on her many people--even celebrities--who suffer from an eating disorder.
radar who she is concerned about. “I think it’s a highly
sensitive issue,” Dulaney said. disorder. According to health professionals, people who orexia, bulimia, binge eating and compulsive eating.
There are many different seeds that can struggle with eating disorders are not at fault. Individu- Lilly [not her real name] has many friends
sprout an eating disorder in a person’s mind. The me- als deal with their problems in different ways. An eating who come to her for life advice. A few of them have
dia is only one of these. People with eating disorders disorder may be one way of funneling their issues. suffered from eating disorders. “I just suspected it from
begin to develop an anxiety of not being able to control The stereotypical image that comes to mind their eating habits and how they reacted to food around
anything around them. This helplessness leads them to when one considers an eating disorder is a skeletal in- me," she said. "They either ate a ton or none at all."
look at their body as the one thing they can control in dividual, a person who looks as if they could break at Imagine being in Lilly’s position. Close
their lives. These ideas come from any trauma (whether any moment. Although there are people like this, eating friends reveal serious worries to you. These disguised
physical, mental, or social), low self-esteem, low-self disorders mold people into different shapes and sizes. An burdens may be life-threatening. “They would get mad
image, and lack of confidence. All people have their eating disorder does not just consist of someone striving when I asked them why they weren’t eating," Lilly said.
flaws and everyone has the seeds to grow an eating to be skinny. Instead, this affliction can include an-
See Battle page 20

Are You a Victim of Seasonal Depression?

By Ashley Fountain

D
o you find yourself feeling blue each year at the
same time? Many people feel this way starting
in fall or winter and ending in spring or early
summer. This feeling is often a sign of seasonal depres-
sion. The most common form of seasonal depression oc-
curs during the winter months. This condition is far more
than just having “cabin fever." If it becomes too severe,
such depression may require medical attention.
Those who suffer from seasonal depression
commonly develop typical signs of depression: loss
of interest in their usual activities, withdrawal from
social activities, sadness, anxiety. They may also exhibit
extreme fatigue, lack of energy, increased appetite, and
weight gain.
This reporter's grandfather, Rudy Corliss,
suffers from seasonal depression during the winter
months. “When the seasons change it affects me,” said
Corliss. “It’s difficult adjusting to the time change. When
it gets dark early, I want to go to bed earlier. I prefer
the summer months. There’s nothing enjoyable about
the cold.”
People who develop seasonal depression
may live in areas far north or south of the equator,
where seasonal changes are more extreme. Accord-
ing to statistics issued by the Cleveland Clinic, “It is
estimated that 1 percent of Florida residents, 4 percent
of Washington, D.C., residents, and nearly 10 percent
of Alaska residents suffer from seasonal depression.
Between 4 and 6 percent of the U.S. population suffers
from seasonal depression, while 10 to 20 percent suffer
from a more mild form of winter blues.”
Springfield High School Nurse Christine
Simmons believes most cases of seasonal depression
during the winter months are triggered by two variables:
the lack of vitamin D produced through sunlight and lack
of activity. Although Simmons doesn’t have seasonal
depression she has something similar, Seasonal Affec-
tive Disorder (SAD). People who suffer with SAD, feel
depressed and fatigued at the onset of fall's short days
and long nights.
Exposure to bright artificial light or brighter
than usual home or office lighting can help relieve SAD.
Light therapy is administered by a device containing
white fluorescent light. A plastic screen is used for safety
purposes to block harmful ultraviolet rays. According to
emedicinehealth.com, “Light therapy relieves symptoms
for about two thirds of people with seasonal affective
disorder.”
SAD and seasonal depression can severely impair
one’s daily life. If someone thinks they have symptoms
of seasonal depression or SAD, they should talk to
someone who can prescribe treatment so they won’t
dread the dawning of fall and winter.

pg  G r e e n H o r n

Springfield Superintendent
Frank Perotti attended the historic
inauguration of Barack Obama.
Despite Purple
Tunnel of Doom,
Perotti Finds
Inauguration
Exciting
By Lauren Drasler
F
or many Americans across the country, January
20, 2009, was a day that will not soon be forgot-
ten. This was the day President Barack Obama
was sworn in to office as the 44th president of the United
States of America. Nearly three million people crowded
the capital to see this historic event take place and be a
part of the excitement surrounding the day.
Though most people were only able to wit-
ness history through the images on their television set,
Springfield School District Superintendent Frank Perotti
traveled to Washington to experience the festivities first-
hand. “The whole experience was very, very exciting,”
Perotti said.
“Though overall my experience in the city
was exciting, and the feeling in Washington, D.C., was
amazing," he said, "there were also some parts that were
disappointing.”
Perotti's negative feelings centered around
The Purple Tunnel of Doom. “The Purple Tunnel of
Doom is a part of the experience that was disappoint-
ing,” he said. “Everyone who had a purple ticket,
which was a ticket for the first standing section on the
mall where the Inauguration took place, had to wait in
line.”
Perotti continued, “After many hours wait-
ing in line, the time was coming when the event was
set to take place. But I was still in line and in a tunnel
on Third Street. At the end of the line was a fence and
10,000 people had crowded against it,” he said. “By
that time, it was after 11, and Obama was to be sworn
in at 11:30. So I decided, with a bunch of other people
See Perotti page 20
G r e e n H o r
News
C
arrie Mobus, Brittany Adnams, Lauren Fountain, Emily Mobus, and Erika
Andersen prepare for the Madrigal Singers' performance at the Nolan
Murray Center on January 31st, which raised money for the choral pro-
gram. The program for the evening included traditional a capella songs as well
as more modern pieces. Individual students from the program performed solo
pieces in addition to songs presented by the entire group. Music Director Jim
Chlebak worked in tandem with the Knights of Columbus to plan the concert and
dinner. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase supplies for
the music program, including new uniforms for the Madrigal Singers. The same
show was performed at the Springfield Senior Center on February 4th.
Yearbook Approaches Finish Line
By Lauren Drasler
“This year’s yearbook is so much better
compared to other years,” said senior Stephanie Garfield.
This is Garfield’s first year in a yearbook class. “I think
the entire thing looks really good so far. There is a bunch
of new stuff, and other seniors will especially like it."
“It’s really our [seniors] book. But there
are a ton of other people in it as well, and we’ve [the
yearbook staff] made it a point to include everyone,”
Garfield added.
This year’s yearbook runs 176 pages in
length, including parent and company adds. Numer-
ous pages are in color, and emphasis has been put on
student life and activities, rather than focusing strictly
on school.
Stephanie Garfield and “I’ve had a lot of experience with year-
Micayla Hadwen select material for books,” said English teacher and yearbook advisor
the 2009 yearbook. Jessamyn Dechert. “That’s actually why I came to SHS
because I heard the yearbook position was open.”
A
s springtime and warmer weather approach, “Yearbooks have definitely changed. I’ve
students at Springfield High School are prepar- seen them develop, and now they are all digital,” Dechert
ing for the completion of the year. The prom said. “Having everything online is cool and a lot easier
theme has been decided, graduation announcements for than pasting pictures together.”
seniors paid for, and the SHS yearbook, The Citizen, is
nearing completion.
See Yearbook page 20
n pg 
Feature
Hitting the Books. With Your Face.
Most Teenagers Not Sleeping Enough
By Ashley Fountain

S
leep is vital to one's health and well being. Do
you get enough sleep? If you’re a typical teenager,
the answer is probably no. The sleep requirement
for teenagers is higher than sleep required for a 9-year
old, or even for an adult. Every teen should receive 8-10
hours of sleep per night to fully rejuvenate their bodies.
Unfortunately, most teens enjoy less than that required
amount of sleep.
Teenagers should get about 56 hours of sleep
each week. On average, Springfield High School junior
Amanda Aberle gets 35 hours of sleep per week. “I used
to go to bed at 11:30 pm and wake up at 6:00 am. Now,
I find it nearly impossible to get to bed on time,” said
Aberle. “Sports and academics make it hard to find time
to sleep.”
Managing one's sleep patterns is easier said
than done. Because of America’s 24-hours-a-day society,
nights seem shorter and days longer. Trying to get at least
eight hours of sleep a night seems nearly impossible to
most people.Yet, instead of treating sleep as a luxury,
students should view sleep as a necessity.
Often, young people--following the lead of
most Americans--use energy drinks to get going in the
morning. Health officials, however, warn of the dangers
of these types of beverages. Problems associated with
these highly-caffeinated beverages include nausea and
heart palpitations.
According to Paige Waehner, author of Guide
to Getting in Shape, “ The problem with energy drinks
is the amount of caffeine they contain, which can be
twice as much as a Coke or a cup of coffee. A moderate
amount of caffeine isn't harmful to healthy people, when
taken in small amounts. However, too much can elevate
stress levels. America’s highly-caffeinated society has
become a dangerous trap for kids.”
Ultimately, sleep deprivation takes its toll in
various ways. This condition can drain one's immune
system, causing an individual to feel ill, depressed,
and out of control with emotions. “A lot of students Caffeinated beverages stand at the ready to help teens in their sleep-deprived
experience lack of sleep through an array of factors,”
explained SHS Nurse Chris Simmons. “Many students
existence. Junior Amanda Aberle is prevented from getting to bed on time by
have difficulty managing their time and become stressed. athletics and homework. Junior Luke Morin finds little time for sleep while
It's vital for all students to eat breakfast before coming juggling friends, schoolwork, and his job.
to school. Without it, they have no resource for fuel.
Energy drinks shouldn’t be used as a substitute.” time,” said Fontaine. “I also really enjoy doing sports. teens can be connected to their friends around the clock.
To make a machine run properly, fuel is re- During the school week I normally get 6-6 1/2 hours of Teens, who may be sleep-deprived already, aggravate
quired. The brain is a machine. Sleep makes it function sleep. I enjoy resting up on weekends, where I receive the problem by staying up into the early morning hours
properly. Insufficient sleep is harmful, and for some it an average of nine hours of sleep.” typing messages to friends on their cellphones and
can be life-threatening. If the brain doesn’t rest, it be- One of the leading causes of obesity in computers. For teens with busy lifestyles, filled with
comes restless and anxious. Its quest to satisfy its needs children and teens is sleep deprivation. A new study after-school activities, jobs, and homework, after-hours
results in poor productivity, inconsistent performance, posted by CBS News states that “the more sleep kids might be the only time they can check in with friends.
fluctuating moods, drowsiness, and reduced levels of get a night, the lower their risk of being overweight or However, pushing bedtime even a little deprives teen
concentration. obese. Researchers found that with each additional hour of much-needed sleep.
Such symptoms of sleep deprivation pre- of sleep, the risk of a child being overweight or obese SHS junior Luke Morin thinks it’s important
vent students from being successful and working to dropped by nearly nine percent.” Further, scientists to make time for his friend while balancing sports, job,
the best of their ability. SHS senior Jordan Fontaine have suggested that sleep deprivation may be biologi- and homework. “It's important to me to maintain my
finds that his busy schedule often prevents him from cally linked to obesity by affecting hormone levels and busy schedule and hang out with friends. Texting is
See Sleep page 20
getting enough sleep. “My schedule is hectic. I work metabolism.
at Shaw's outside of school, which takes up a lot of my However, due to the advent of technology,

pg 10 G r e e n H o r n
 News
Twombly is D.A.R. Good A
riel Twombly was chosen by Springfield High
School faculty as the Daughters of the Ameri-

Citizen of the Year

can Revolution Good Citizen of the Year. The
D.A.R nominates one senior each year, according to a
strict list of characteristics.
“D.A.R is The Daughters of the American
Revolution and it’s an award to a student who shows
By Alexis Esposito good community service skills,” said Twombly. “I was
surprised, but flattered, that I was chosen.” Twombly
found out she was selected as D.A.R Good Citizen in
SHS senior Ariel mid-winter.
Twombly was Twombly is a member of the SHS National
named Good Honor Society and was a student ambassador through
the People to People program. She traveled to France,
Citizen of the Year
Italy, and Malta in 2006.
by the Daughters Twombly completed community service
of the American early this year after helping in first grade classrooms.
Revolution. The “I did community service at Park Street with
the first graders and I loved it,” Twombly said. “The kids
D.A.R. honors one
were so cute and loved telling me their stories.”
senior each year, Twombly will receive a college scholar-
based on their ship as part of her D.A.R Good Citizen Award. “Being
involvement with given the D.A.R Award will hopefully help me win
other scholarships,” Twombly said. Twombly has been
the community
accepted at the Masachusetts College of Pharmacy and
and their academic Health Sciences, Worcester State, and the University of
achievement. Tampa.

Widgets, Gender, and Gossip

Rehearsals Begin for Spring Play
By Alexis Esposito and Sarah Vredenburgh

I
f you could buy a book to get you to the top, would
you? That’s what Rosemary decides to do in this
year's drama club production of How to Succeed in
Business Without Really Trying.
“I first saw the play after my senior year in
high school,” said Springfield High School theatre direc-
tor and English teacher Rebecca Skrypeck. “I wanted a
fun musical with funny music. This musical has no real
point, but it’s exciting.”
The cast and crew started rehearsals on
Monday, February 2nd. “The first week is mostly read-
ing through and tweaking the script,” said senior Laura
Chrisinger, who plays the lead of Rosemary. “Rosemary
was originally a male lead, but we changed genders of Senior Laura Chrisinger plays the lead
most of the characters." role in the SHS Drama Club production
Rosemary starts out as a window washer of How to Succeed in Business Without
who buys the book How to Succeed in Business Without
Really Trying.
Really Trying. She follows the directions and eventually Notary public Jeanice Garfield registers
makes her way to the top of the company, World Wide The cast will rehearse Mondays, Tuesdays,
senior Andrew Sullivan to vote. This year
Widgets. and Thursdays from 2:45-4:45 in the auditorium. Cast
“This play is hilarious,” said sophomore members will work on memorizing their scripts and Garfield, who has visited the school five
Kelsey Christensen. How to Succeed in Business will songs, perfecting their dance moves, and creating a or six times, has registered about a dozen
be Christensen’s first musical and she will perform two stage design. 18-year olds. "Having a Notary come to
solos in the role of Smitty. How to Succeed in Business Without Really
the high school makes it a no-brainer for
“Smitty is a secretary,” said Christensen. Trying will be performed the first weekend in April.
“She’s sarcastic and full of gossip.” “The musical is hilarious,” repeated Chris- students who are 18 or older to register,"
The play was changed to accommodate the tensen in order to emphasize her point. “I’m glad we’re Garfield said. "It’s fast and easy, and all
SHS drama club, which has many girls and few boys. On doing this one. In high school you can’t always do great young people should register either at
Broadway, How to Succeed became a famous production shows. But this one will be a lot of fun.”
SHS or at the Town Hall."
with male leads.

G r e e n H o r n pg 11
 Columns
Finding Serendipity
You’re a Liar.
By Eliza Pennell
you liar.
You’re a liar.
Don’t get me wrong. You’re a liar and it’s
perfectly okay. You’ve gotten zits before, you get colds
sometimes, you forget where you’ve put your keys, and
you lie. It’s just one of those imperfections you have as
a human being.
Maybe “imperfection” isn’t the most ap-
propriate word to use when describing your tendency
to lie. Lying isn’t always such a horrible thing. Some
lies are even noble.
I’m at least 98% certain that you’ve been
asked the infamous question, “Does this make me look
fat?” And I sure you’ve had to choke back, “Yes! My
lord!” I’m almost positive that you’ve lied. “No. You
could go audition for America’s Next Top Model, and
Tyra would compliment your gorgeous figure.” This is
everyone was told the truth. Your chubby friend
wouldn’t be out shopping for dresses—she’d be at home,
moping with Ben & Jerry. Children around the world
would have no faith in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy.
Thousands of people would feel useless and unloved.
Divorce and suicide rates would probably skyrocket.
The sparkle would leave the eyes of many. And for
what? Harsh truth.
“Actually, I thought you sang horribly at that
concert.”
“I only invited you here because Sherry
couldn’t come.”
“You weren’t my first choice, but I guess,
now that we’re married, I’m alright with you.”
No! Lies can be what holds people together.
Let your sister think you baked that cake from scratch;
she doesn’t need to know you almost forgot to pick it up

Y
eah. You. You’re a big, fat liar.
Don’t get defensive. Don’t deny it. You lie.
Claiming to be a completely honest person …
well, that would be a lie. There’s no way out of this,
a wonderful lie to tell. It doesn’t hurt anyone—it makes
your chubby friend feel beautiful. What better reason
to lie than to put a little sparkle in someone’s eyes?
Imagine, for a moment, a world in which
at Shaw’s. Insist that yes, those flowers were for your
Mother, even though really, she grabbed them out of
See Serendipity page 21

Bursting the Bubble

Why Do We Worship Them?
By Jenny Bradley & Olivia Johnson

F
or most little girls growing up, the first fantasy
they can conceive is being that sparkling, beauti-
ful, perfect Disney princess. Boys dream of sav-
ing the world from impending doom and vile villains.
Almost all of us realize that these fantasies were only
dreams that fade as distant memories of our childhood.
But there are others who never let go of their daydreams
and will do anything to bring them to life.
People will do the most insane things for that
moment of fame. Is the power and idolization worth it?
Is it worth swallowing deadly snakes to have your name
published in the Guinness Book of World Records? Is it
worth throwing yourself off Niagara Falls to be known?
Why do we love these people?
There are two kinds of celebrities. The ones
who really work for it and the ones that have it handed
to them. Before MTV and trashy reality shows, fame
was something that had to be earned. Along with the
21st century, came the opportunity for the average
citizen to be known. This chance was exploited by the
pawnbrokers of the false myth that money will ensure
happiness.
Heath Ledger was an individual who became
famous following his passion. This actor didn't fall into
line with the majority of society in their quest for fame.
He did the opposite. Ledger was constantly shying away
from the glory. Rather than taking the cute boy roles,
he took on the more challenging parts. Ledger could
have easily been caught up in the whirlwind of stardom.
Instead, he stuck by his morals. He was vulnerable,
scared, self-conscious. He was human.
Trashy tabloids, expensive but hideous
couture, bitch fights, and drama up the wazoo. Does
this remind you of a certain pair of friends competing
for the gossip of the week? Paris Hilton and Nicole
Richie, perhaps? Why do we know these names? Have
they ever worked a day in their lives? Besides, of course,
their pointless reality TV shows? These intruders do
not deserve the title of fame. Can you really put them
in the same category as Heath Ledger?
These two have been corrupted by fame.
They were raised, fed, adored, and loved by the pa-
parazzi. The media and these girls needed each other
to survive. It was a dependent, obscene relationship.
They practically stood naked in their windows and let
the world judge them however people pleased. They
had no morals because all they wanted was to be seen.
Most celebrities earn the respect of their fans.
They start at the bottom and work their way to the top.
Through this process they earn our respect and by the
time they are superstars we would follow them to the
end of the earth. Because we envy them, we accept their Pampered celebs like Paris Hilton are
faults and mistakes. We are their puppets.
not in the same category of fame as
Life is short. We don’t want to spend time
seeking power or obsessing over the people who have the tragic Heath Ledger.
power. Do you?

pg 12 G r e e n H o r n

S
o long as indie pop music exists and America
holds an apathetic relationship with it, it’s un-
likely we’ll get another movie as extraodinary
as Raging Bull. The best we’ll get is The Wrestler,
and it couldn’t get much better. Even for a group of
Required Records
Kind of Blue
Miles Davis, 1959
By Tom Benton
I
don’t know jack about jazz. I’m thankful to say I
know more about jazz than Joe the Plumber; I can
tell you who John Coltrane was, I really dig Wynton
Marsalis, and I saw his brother Branford in concert
once. I know about as much about jazz as Phil Collins
knows about good music—which is at least enough
to know about Miles Davis. And, since I know about
Miles Davis, I know the general consensus is that Kind
of Blue is his best album. Word is it’s the greatest jazz
record ever cut.
But first let’s talk about Miles Davis himself.
Born in Alton, Illinois, in 1926, Davis was jazz. Davis is
jazz. He was behind almost every jazz innovation from
World War II to the 1990s, getting his start on bebop
(fast tempo, improv, harmonic structure) records before
recording one of the first cool jazz (intricate arrange-
ments, innovative, feels composed) records and going
on to develop hard bop (friends with R&B, gospel, and
blues) and modal jazz (stick around). In the late 60s
and through the 70s, Davis created jazz-funk (strong
backbeat, electrified, sometimes with synth) and jazz
fusion (jazz plus anything else); his final album mixed
jazz with rap. Among many other things, he was known
for his minimalistic style, though he could be complex
G r e e n H o r
At the Cinema
The Wrestler
Oscar Can't Take the Heat
By Tom Benton
timid mooncalfs like the morons behind the Oscars, not
nominating this film for Best Picture is unbelievable.
Slumdog Millionaire is a very good, cute Bollywood
flick, but The Wrestler is the only film of 2008 so power-
ful, intelligent, bold, and incalculable that it could lay
a T.K.O. on The Dark Knight. One of these two films
is the best of the year.
But while Christopher Nolan, director of The
Dark Knight, has always received the credit he deserved,
Darren Aronofsky, director of The Wrestler, is still not
taken seriously enough. The small group of science-
minded cinema geeks that recognize Aronofsky’s talent
compare him to Stanley Kubrick. Aronofsky isn’t the
visionary genius that Kubrick was, but his films are
similarly obsessed with the cold, lonely, brutal side
of human existence. Which means that a nation of
filmgoers so prepared to cuddle a movie like Slumdog
Millionaire will pretend Aronofsky’s films don’t exist.
His last effort was released in 2006, the critically-ma-
ligned The Fountain, which was beautiful, humanistic,
visionary, and easily one of the most wonderful movies
made since Kubrick’s death.
The Wrestler is a much better film than The
and showy if he ever felt like it (and he sometimes
did—see Bitches Brew).
One more introductory note. Modal jazz:
using musical mode (theme) instead of chord progres-
sions as the harmonic framework for the music. The
best, most important example of modal jazz: Kind of
Blue.
Kind of Blue spans five compositions, run-
ning between five and eleven minutes each; in total,
45 minutes of jazz bliss. It was recorded during two
sessions at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York.
Before those sessions, the performers had no idea
what they were going to play. Davis gave them their
instructions for each piece minutes before recording.
He was on trumpet; on tenor sax was none other than
John Coltrane. The opening track, “So What,” flows
like a raft down a blue jazz river, based around two
scales; the first scale is played for sixteen measures,
the second for eight, and then the first for another eight.
“Blue in Green,” my favourite due to its saturnine chord
progressions, is the shortest composition at five and a
half minutes; the longest, “All Blues,” based on 12-bar
blues chord progressions, runs eleven and a half minutes.
“Freddie Freeloader” is based on the same 12-bar blues
n pg
Fountain. The Wrestler is a jewel. The kind of jewel
that twinkles in the moonlight and hits you with a hard
left that sinks right down into your heart.
This film is a wrestling match, a cowhide-rip
battle against the modern colour-by-numbers drama. Its
prize fighter is Mickey Rourke. As a smirking eighties-
detective-flick badboy–see Year of the Dragon–he was
pretty cool; as a scarred tough-as-leather devil-may-
care whiskey-and-cigarettes-voiced nobody looking
for love, his new persona post-Sin City, he may be the
most interesting and talented actor in the business. His
performance as the titular fighter in this film sits smugly
beside turns from Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be
Blood) and Heath Ledger (you know): these are the
best male performances of the new millennium. Of
course, he’s playing himself: a washed-up, haggard mess
of a man who was once something and now searches
for someone who can love him. The difference is that
Rourke’s story has a happy ending.
Considering the magnitude of Rourke’s
performance, one can understand that Marisa Tomei’s
role has been overlooked by many critics. But Tomei
See Cinema page 21
form. The final piece is “Flamenco Sketches,” erected
around five scales played as long as the soloist desires,
a fascinating example of modal jazz.
Since it’s jazz, and, to put it sinfully lightly,
good jazz, Kind of Blue never gets old. Many albums,
like many people, kick off something new and then are
remembered fondly as the elderly grandparents who
put a great thing into movement. Not so in this case.
Kind of Blue is the rare record that kicked off something
new—enough so to be regarded as the Second Coming
of Jazz—and continues kicking morning after morning.
This album is unstuck in time, an unconfined, perpetu-
ally brilliant piece of pure existence rolling melodiously
through the ages. For those reasons, it’s the best-selling
jazz album ever (depending on who you ask; the other
answer is another legendary work by Miles Davis,
1970’s Bitches Brew).
See Records page 21
13
Luscious Literature
Twilight
The Defining Moment of
Wretchedness
By Ember Rushford-Emery
T
wilight (the word) [twahy-lahyt] is the faint light
after sunset and before sunrise; partial darkness;
a period of decay following a period of success,
greatness, etc. – adj faintly illuminated, obscure.
Twilight (the novel by Stephanie Meyer)
[suhb-stan-derd] sappy tale of vampires and love; un-
romantic; minorly amusing; unworthy of all the hype;
pathetic; painful; undeserving of such a lovely title.
Published in 2005, Twilight is a New York
Times Editor’s Choice, a Publishers Weekly Best Book
of the Year, an American Library Association "Top Ten
Best Book for Young Adults" and "Top Ten Book for
Reluctant Readers," a New York Times bestseller, and the
bestselling book of 2008. About this piece of writing,
Meyer said: "I’ve always admired the ability of some
authors to create situations of impossible fantasy, and
then add characters that are so deeply human that their
perspectives make the situation believable."
Twilight has created a fantasy, all right. The
amount of people who read, and enjoy, the novel is
sickening. It’s as if young adults (and even some of
the educators in our public school systems) have been
brainwashed by all the Twilight hype. It’s sad. It really
is.
They say you shouldn’t spew opinions
Political Opinion
The Young, the Collegiate, and the Governor
V
ermont Governor Jim Douglas wants to keep
young Vermonters in the state. He has said as
much in recent speeches. But how much has he
really done to keep young people in Vermont? Are more
young people, in fact, leaving and can we do something
about this trend?
The tuition for Vermont state colleges is the
highest in the country, according to a report by The Col-
lege Board. Vermont average state college tuition is at
$10,739, up 8.1 percent from 2007. With a $1,530,853
budget cut in store for the University of Vermont, tuition
increases will be expected to help cover the shortfall.
Douglas seems to be working against himself here,
cutting money for colleges and then talking about how
we need to make college more affordable for Vermont
students. This has been the same with many of Douglas’
talking points. He often takes popular positions and then
does not follow through after he is elected.
For example, Douglas plans to make Ver-
mont the first E-state by 2010. On his website, he said,
"I propose that by 2010, Vermont be the nation’s first
true E-state—the first state to provide universal cellular
and broadband coverage everywhere and anywhere
pg 14
without a supporting argument. Empty opinions are
worthless and without logic behind them, who really
cares? Do I have an opinion about Twilight? You bet I
do (see above four paragraphs).
My supporting argument:
Stephanie Meyer’s writing style. While easy
to read, the same sentence structure is used over and over
again. It’s mindless, really. No thought is required to
read the pages, and the chapters fly by like trees on the
highway. Should that really be what reading literature
is about? Just pounding out the pages to get it over
with, skulking through with no consideration? That is
exactly what happens with Twilight. The vocabulary
is elementary. Meyer is like Meg Cabot— Meg Cabot
thirty years ago. vampire! And whose blood does he want? You guessed
The plot. Isabella (call her anything but it! Bella’s.
Bella and she’ll freak) Swan’s parents are divorced and Which leads us to another major issue with
her mother has remarried. She decides to move to her the plot: it’s just too darn predictable. Bella and Edward
father’s house in the small town of Forks, Washington, fall in love, he wants her blood, but fights against the
where her arrival is the biggest news of the month. Bella urge, etcetera, etcetera. Any more information and you
enrolls in the local high school where she meets Edward might as well read the book. But, please don’t! Please,
Cullen, the dreamy, suspicious, tantalizingly dark figure please don’t.
who captures her attention and becomes her love interest It’s not that Twilight is a terrible novel. It
(granted, it’s love based on Edward’s looks, but, hey, it’s isn’t. Well, it is in the sense that it requires absolutely
only high school, right?). But, lo and behold, Edward’s a
See Literature page 21
By Sam Hensel-Hunter
within its borders. When you turn on your laptop, you’re
connected. When you hit the send button on your cell
phone, the call goes through. This goal is within our
grasp if we move quickly and decisively during this
legislative session.” Douglas hopes that by providing
this framework he can encourage new growth and busi-
ness. However, since 2007 when the E-state initiative
was announced, little progress has been made on this
project.
Douglas worries that taxes are one reason for
young people leaving the state, along with high living
and health care costs. On his website he states, "I will
continue to address the high costs of owning a home and
health care; work to reduce the tax burden; and focus
on economic growth and job creation so that our next Governor Douglas, though he professes
generation can pursue their dreams here in Vermont.” to support youth in Vermont and
People hope that Douglas can help lower insists to advocate for policies that
living costs, but according to http://www.vtlivablewage.
org, per-capita wages in Vermont are 9% below the
would keep Vermont youth in the state,
national average, and the cost of living is 15% above has authored legislation that has
the national average. accomplished just the opposite.
The average debt for Vermont State College
graduates in the spring of 2007 totaled $19,603. The See Governor page 20
G r e e n H o r n
 Sports Opinion
The Buck Stops Here
Thin Ice, Thick Reward
By Deven Blais

called a jig or jig rod. This rod is about a quarter of
the size of a normal fishing rod. Anglers use different
colored, weighted jig lures on their rods to attract the
fish. Fishermen bounce the lure off the bottom of streams
where many of the fish rest. The bouncing of the lure
but lies just beneath the surface of the water. The two
crossed dowels are for letting the tipup stand up straight.
The flag, bent downward near the spool, is held down
by a mechanism attached to the spool. The spool spins
when a fish pulls on it and the flag will be released, let-

T
he cold of winter usually puts an end to many
outdoor activities. With the northeasters come
the freezing temperatures of the north. However,
frost, falling snow, and the freezing rivers and streams
bring people with custom ice fishing shacks, ice augers,
bait, tipups and jig poles. These are the ice fishermen.
The winter anglers called ice fishermen call
the ice home for as long as the ice permits. Angler’s
first advance onto the ice when the ice thickness is at
least two inches. Many ice fishermen say that the first
ice is the best ice. Perch, bass pike, and pickerel, along
with many other kinds of fish, are common in these icy
conditions.
imitates an injured fish. Many anglers add a little extra
to their lures like a nice juicy grub or a fresh eye from
a fish that they have just caught. Like other kinds of
fishing, a jerk on the pole means a fish on the line. A
downside to jigging is that you are limited to one hole
at a time and you can endure slow times if the fish are
not biting. Another downside to jigging is the size of
the fish you pull out of the hole. They're not always the
biggest but they usually taste great.
The second form of ice fishing involves using
tipups. Tipups are small wooden devices with a flag and
a spool of line. A tipup has two crossed square dowels
and one vertical dowel, all attached by a butterfly nut.
ting the ice fisheman know that a fish is on their line.
The good thing about using tipups is that you
can have eight per person. Using tipups lets you spread
out your holes for a better chance at getting fish. You
can catch all sorts of fish with tipups, ranging from a
six-inch perch to a 17-pound northern pike. Tipups do
not use lures. There will be no one to bounce the line,
because that would defeat the purpose of this type of
fishing. Anglers use live or dead bait on the end of their
hook. The only way to bring the fish in is to pull the line
with your hands. The fight with a big fish on a tipup is
like nothing you have ever experienced before. It’s just
you and the fish. There is no pull to give you leverage,

See Buck page 21

There are two important ways to catch fish The vertical dowel has an orange flag on flexible metal
through the ice. The first is to use a small fishing pole wire. The spool of line is also on the vertical dowel,

Sports Opinion
Winter Training Keeps
Athletes in Shape
By Courtney Downing

W
hile it’s important to stay in shape during
the off-season, training for endurance and
muscle-development is crucial. Training
sessions for Springfield High School athletes are run
by athletic trainer Matt Howland.
Junior Robbie Simmons says, “The sessions
help us get prepared for the football season. It helps us
build up our muscles and our stamina.” What is it that
helps these athletes build up stamina and work their
muscles?
Howland says the sessions are used to “in-
crease speed, ability, and to get better faster. This way
they [athletes] are less likely to get injured [during the
regular season].” The sessions begin two to three weeks
after all of the fall sports are over. They take place in
either the weight room or in the gymnasium.
Howland likes to mix things up and keep the
players on their toes. Thus, he changes workouts so the
athletes never know what’s coming. According to How-
land, he has a variety of activities for these wintertime
athletes. "Agility drills, plyometrics, box drills, weight
room, resistant running," he suggests as his choices for
training, adding, "It pretty much depends on how evil I
am feeling.”
This winter, the football team is the only
team that has participated in the work-out sessions.
Howland adds, “Some people don’t think they need
to work out. This shows a lack of dedication on their
part.” He feels that athletes must put in time and effort
to improve themselves to get to the best of their ability.
With this philosophy, it's not surprising that Howland is
found in the gym on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays for an hour and a half after school.
Howland says the different workouts on dif-
ferent days vary. “It depends on how I feel, to a degree,"
he says. "No one comes in wanting to do the same thing Colin LaPlante lifts weights in the
every day. It all comes down to different days, different SHS Weight Room to keep in shape.
things. Same goal, different activity.” When the snow
diminishes, Howland tries to get the athletes outside
for a change. “I try to get outside. The problem is never in these sessions. Whatever the reasons for this reluc-
knowing about the snow. But there’s not doubt that I like tuance in working out--lack of dedication or awkward-
going outside for the sessions.” ness--it seems crucial for everybody, not just athletes,
With a successful sports year, it's hard to to say in shape during the off-season.
figure why athletes aren’t showing much of an interest

G r e e n H o r n pg 15
Sports
SHS senior Grant White shoots an off-balance jumpshot over Otter Valley in
basketball action at Dressel Gymnasium. The Cosmos defeated the Otters 60-34
on February 5th. White, Springfield’s all-time leading scorer, led the Cosmos
with 25 points. The Cosmos were crowned Division II State Champions on the
last day of February as they defeated Vergennes by over 20 points.
Boys Basketball Poised and
Confident for Playoffs
By Anthony Dana
T
he Springfield High School boys basketball team
had their share of ups and downs this season.
They lost two games to buzzer-beater shots by
Mill River and Burr Burton and trumped seven teams
by ten or more points. However, with a record of 14-6,
the Cosmos swept their last four games to burst into the
playoffs with conidence and poise as the third-seeded
team in Division II.
After dealing with mid-season sickness, the
team was in perfect form for their playoff push. Usually,
teams come to their peak performance around half way
through their season. But the Cosmos felt that the best
was yet to come in the playoffs.
After a slump in the team's winning record,
the team decided to put in a new offense. Playing with
no real size advantage in the post, the Cosmos decided
to change from the traditional 3-out-2-in style of offense
to a 4-out-1-in. This formation opened up the court and
allowed the guards to penetrate to score or penetrate
and pitch to open players. Penetration forced defenses
to collapse and the Cosmos, a good shooting team , had
better open looks outside. This offense also opened the
door for back cuts, creating open layup opportunities.
With their revamped offense, the Cosmos
defeated Otter Valley, Woodstock, Windsor, and Bellows
Falls in their last four games. This gave the Cosmos
two home playoff games and a shot at the Division II
crown.
pg 16
The football team lines up to receive
their jackets between the junior varsity
and the varsity basketball games on
February 5th in Dressel Gymnasium.
The four football captains hoisted the
Division II Football Championship
banner during the ceremony.
G r e e
Dance
Recital Set
for May
By Sarah Vredenburgh
P
utting on any production takes time and effort to
plan, learn, rehearse, and perfect. The Springfield
Dance Factory, located in downtown Springfield
in the Furman Building, offers dance classes from
September to May. The studio puts on two big shows a
year. The first show the dancers perform is the holiday
ballet The Nutcracker. The second is a recital in May
that gives closure to the year of dance. This is the time
for all dancers to shine and make known what they have
learned in their year of dance classes.
“First we [the dance teachers] figure out
how many dancers will be performing and how many
pieces to choreograph,” said dance teacher and owner
of the studio Susan Hagen. “There is one piece for every
class. We try to choose a wide variety of dance styles,
props, and costumes. We also aim for a diverse music
selection.”
The teachers select the music prior to se-
lecting a costume to be sure the costume matches the
concept of the piece. They also search for a reasonable
price. Costumes must be ordered early because they take
16 weeks to arrive.
When the costumes have been chosen and
students have been placed in appropriate pieces, the
teacher’s choreography comes to life. Younger dancers,
hip-hop, jazz, tap and a newly-added modern class will
spend class time to learn their recital pieces. Advanced
ballet students, however, will return to the studio on
weekends starting in February to learn their recital
dances.
“Recital requires a lot of hard work, time, and
effort,” said Chelsea Howland, an advanced ballerina.
“You just rehearse over and over until you
can execute the moves perfectly without thinking about
it,” said Alexis Locke, who takes modern classes at the
Springfield Dance Factory. Modern was a new class
added to the studio’s list this year.
“Sue [the studio owner] asked me if I wanted
to teach any classes,” said Ashley Henzel-Browning. “I
was interested in starting a modern class because there
wasn’t one offered and if you study dance in college,
modern dance is the emphasis.”
The recital always offers great entertainment
and fun for different age groups. Dancers and teachers
put hours of hard work into learning and perfecting their
dance skills to look their best on stage in May. Every
week dancers rehearse their piece to come as close to
perfection as possible.
“As you get closer to the recital you get more
nervous and keep running over the dances in your head,”
said junior and 11-year dancer Jenny Bradley.
The dance recital is performed Mother’s Day
weekend in May. This will be the first time for perform-
ers to dance on stage for their recital pieces. There are
two programs, one on Saturday night and the other on
Sunday afternoon.
n H o r n
 Sports
A Match Made in the Cosmos
Adam McCallister is #1 Fan
Adam McAllister has attended Cosmos
games for as long as he can remember.
By his estimate, he has watched hun-
By Grant White
said McCallister. “I love the Cosmos.”
McCallister learned to follow the Cosmos
from an early age. A third-generation Springfielder,
McCallister’s parents both played sports for the Cos-
mos. His parents passed down to him his love of the
Cosmos.
“My parents were the ones that first got me
interested in sports,” said McCallister. “Especially the
Cosmos. We would always go watch Springfield play.
I remember watching Chase Jenny, Cody Hatt, and Ty-
ler Kathan play while I was growing up. Those guys
were my favorite athletes.”
McCallister is a dedicated sports fan, and
he places an emphasis on sports. Between football,
soccer and field hockey, to boys and girls basketball,
to baseball and softball, McCallister has a hard time
choosing a favorite.
head coach Pete Peck, McCallister’s job entailed vari-
ous miscellaneous jobs for the team, like sweeping the
floor and getting the ball rack out. He even participat-
ed in some of the team's practices. However, the added
responsibility during the games took away from what
McCallister loved best, cheering.
“Managing was fun,” said McCallister.
“But it was tough because since I had to sit with the
team on the bench during the game, I wasn’t able to
cheer like I normally do. I also wasn’t able to go to as
many girls games because of my commitment to the
boys team. It was fun. But it just wasn’t for me.”
As a junior, McCallister volunteered at the
local Springfield radio station WCFR, broadcasting
girls and boys home basketball games. The experience
delighted McCallister, who as a kid dreamed of one
day becoming an ESPN announcer. McCallister felt

T
dreds of contests.
he Springfield Cosmos are more than just high
school sports teams for SHS senior Adam Mc-
Callister. For McCallister, the Cosmos repre-
sent a way of life. A sports fan at heart, and a Cosmo
for life, McCallister goes to every Springfield High
School sporting event he can, home and away, where
his distinguished clap and cheer can be heard resonat-
ing for his beloved green and white.
“I’ve been going to Springfield High
School sporting events for as long as I can remember,”
“No matter what sport it is,” said McCal-
lister, “if the Cosmos are playing, I’ll be cheering for
them.”
And cheering is something McCallister has
plenty of experience with. Throughout his four years
of high school, he has easily attended hundreds of
games and traveled--he estimates--over one thousand
miles to sporting events. It is a statistic that he sports
proudly.
As a sophomore, McCallister worked as
the varsity boys basketball team’s manager. Assisting
right at home when the head set was on.
“I broadcast most of the home boys and
girls basketball games, and I also did some for the
football team this past fall when they won the state
championship,” said McCallister. “I did the play-by-
play announcing. It was fun.”
While he enjoys broadcasting, McCallis-
ter is still undecided about his plans for life after high
school. However, he knows one thing for sure. “I’m
always going to follow the Cosmos,” he concluded.
“I’m a Cosmo for life.”

Field Hockey Players Go Indoors

By Emily Reeves

A
s the winter months wear on, many athletes suf-
fer from the winter blues. With spring just a few
weeks away, and therefore a new sports season
right around the corner, many athletes look for ways to
prepare themselves for the coming sports season. The
Springfield High School field hockey players prepare
themselves by participating in the indoor field hockey
program at Riley Rink, in Manchester, Vermont.
The Springfield indoor team is coached by
Ruth Haskell. The team travels to Manchester every
Sunday to play against teams from surrounding areas.
Not only does the indoor program provide a couple hours
of fun, it also provides the team with an opportunity to
prepare for the next season, and figure out the logistics
of the next season’s team.
Sophomore Maria Stern, who has partici-
pated at Riley Rink for two years, sees many benefits,
that result from the indoor program.
“It helps us get used to playing with the
team,” Stern said. “We work out the positions and get
to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Junior Becca Trombly, who participated for
the first time last spring, sees a difference in the girls
who play together at Riley Rink. “We are a lot closer,”
Trombly said. “There is more teamwork, friendship and
bonding.”
Haskell, who insists on not being the coach
but the facilitator of the indoor program, says her job is
to make sure everyone who pays, plays. If there are any
injuries she is there to take care of them. “I make sure
everyone is getting their money's worth,” Haskell said.
“I am also there to make sure the ref doesn’t cheat.”
Haskell also organizes an indoor program at
the high school every other Sunday, starting in January.
It gives field hockey players a chance to get together
and play, and for younger students to come watch.
“We invite the junior high students, so the
younger kids can be exposed to the older players,”
Haskell said. “It gives them the opportunity to look
ahead and think ‘I can be that.’”
Haskell also sees many benefits for the
players in refining skills and developing social connec-
tions.
“It’s easy for the girls to lose touch, so it
keeps them bonded and connected, or it gives them an
opportunity to get to know each other,” Haskell said. Ruth Haskell coaches the SHS Indoor
“It also gives them a chance to exercise and run around, Field Hockey Team. Junior Becca
and Riley Rink provides some competition.” Trombly, who plays on the team, feels
Both Stern and Trombly see a great opportunity to get
ready for the next field hockey season. “I get to practice
the players who compete at Riley Rink
skills and stay in shape,” Trombly concluded. “It gets grow closer.
you all warmed up.”

G r e e n H o r n pg 17
Sports
Girls Play Through Tough Season
By Hanna Reeves

T
he Springfield High School girls varsity basket-
ball team experienced a rough season. Coming
off their 11th loss on Tuesday, January 20th,
the varsity basketball squad had faced thirteen difficult
games, including just one win.
“Most of our games were really close,” junior
co-captain Amanda Aberle said. “But we were not as
quick as other teams and it just seemed like we were
always one step behind.”
The January 20th game was a 68-22 loss to
Brattleboro. Before the game, the girls met on the court
for a brief pre-game chat. Junior Co-captains Kayla
Perham and Amanda Aberle talked with the young team
and then went on the court to play.
“We had a team moment, and then went out
to play,” Perham said. “The team unity lasted for only
a few minutes, though. Overall, we just had a really bad
game. We didn’t come to win.”
The devastating loss on the 20th was one of
the more disappointing games for the team. Although
they had a losing record, the girls’ basketball team
remained in the game for most of their competitions.
Six out of twelve losses were by less than ten points.
The varsity club included just one senior,
four juniors, and five sophomores. The small team,
although focused, just couldn't seem to put the ball in
the net.
“I think defense was our strength,” Aberle
said. “Our offense needed some work.”
Desmond Dana,
Kayla Perham,
Amanda Aberle,
and Breanna Gunn
battle for the ball
against Otter Valley
earlier this season.
The girls team fin-
ished their season
well with two vic-
tories against MSJ
and Bellows Falls.
all about winning. In past games, she said, girls came gies were still being worked out. The second and third
to win. Team unity wasn’t present on the court. quarters were the team’s strength of the night. By the
“We won’t win unless we work together,” fourth quarter, the girls lost steam and the last two or
Perham said. “We have to have players who want to three minutes became a struggle for the club.
play and not just win. The five people on the court need But Perham explained what the team needed
to work together. That’s how we’ll win.” to do to beef up the win column.
However, the girls couldn't keep up the “We just need to keep working together as
intensity. Perham described a typical game. The girls a team,” she concluded.

Sports Opinion
Perham thinks that playing basketball isn’t had a rough first quarter. Offense and defense strate-

A Dream Shot Down

By Angelo Jardina

E
very high school athlete dreams of going pro or goal. Instead I am trying
becoming a star in their favorite sport. For most to get into the college of
Vermont athletes that dream is not realistic. my choice, hopefully
Instead they should be dreaming of making it to a D3 try out for the hockey
college team or club team at their dream college. That team just for fun, and
is more realistic. It’s great that young people have then play club hockey.
these spectacular dreams. But let’s face it: most student That way I can enjoy
athletes you know won’t even make it on a college the sport I love and take
sports team. a long, though relaxed,
It seems harsh to tell students or friends you shot at what I would love
are close to that they won’t achieve their dream, but this to happen. I have made
message needs to be conveyed even in a subtle manner. my dream of becoming
Youngsters need to pick a realistic dream, something a pro hockey player into
they can accomplish, something they can reach for that’s a distant thought. I focus
not too far away. on the things at hand,
Yes, they may say, “Well if I work as hard as and the goals I can reach
I can I can make whatever team I want.” However, it’s for without extending
not the same in the sports world as it is in the academic myself unrealistically.
world. The sports world is smaller than the academic If an athlete is in love
world. There are so few players compared to the real with the sport, he or
world that there is only a slight chance of someone from she will do whatever it
Vermont getting drafted for a pro team. takes to keep playing
I used to dream of playing in the professional it throughout their life,
even if its just pick-up games, 3 on 3, or playing for an
See Dream page 22
sport of hockey, which is one of the hardest sports to suc-
ceed in. However, I know that going pro is not a realistic adult league. Loving a sport is more than hoping to make

pg 18 G r e e n H o r n

A Winter Survival Kit.
Get It. Use It.
By Anthony Dana
W
hen the snow falls, many people find them-
selves hunkered down in the safety and
warmth of their homes. Unfortunately, these
people are missing out on a tremendous opportunity to
enjoy the outdoors. Although the weather might be a
little chilly, with the proper clothing and gear the list of
activities one can participate in during the winter is just
as extensive as when the weather is warm. students take part in. Yoga, meaning union in
As Vermonters we have come to accept and
cherish the outdoors for its natural beauty and the serene
peace it offers to our enjoyment of life and physical and
mental health. Being outdoors not only means getting
exercise but also encourages relaxation as we take a
break from the everyday hustle and bustle that consumes
our lives as modern day Americans. Winter is just as
exciting for the outdoor enthusiast as the summer. With
local ski resorts such as Okemo and Ascutney close
by, we have the perfect opportunity to not only hit the
slopes but also enjoy climbing these mountains and other
engage other sports challenges available in our area.
If you enjoy the thrills and adrenaline highs
that come from screaming down the slopes of freshly-
groomed trails, then Okemo, Ascutney, and other ski
resorts in our area have what you are looking for. But
if you simply want to get some exercise and enjoy the
calm of the woods, many of these mountains have hiking
trail systems as well. These trails, which are extremely
popular during the summer, can be enjoyed equally as
much during the winter. With a pair of snowshoes or
just some winter boots and crampons, one can hike and
climb their way along marked trails as they improve
their physical and mental health.
Mountains aren’t the only place people can
go to enjoy the outdoors. In Springfield, we have two ice
skating rinks where one can glide around the ice or start
a friendly game of pond hockey. The rinks are created
by the Springfield Parks and Recreation department and
are located at the Commons at the top of Summer Hill
and behind the old North Springfield School.
Another option for people who aren’t
adrenaline junkies is cross-country skiing. This sport
allows each individual to make the sport as rigorous as
cross-country running or as peaceful as an afternoon
walk under the sunset. Cross-country skiing can be
expensive, however, because the skis and boots can be
rather pricy. The Crown Point Country Club in Spring-
field allows people to use the land free of charge and
the landscape is breath-taking. A cheaper, but similar,
option to cross-country skiing is snowshoeing. This is
a little more versatile as you can pretty much snowshoe
wherever you are comfortable.
As you look to get outdoors during the winter
a major concern arises: How will I stay warm when it
is so cold out? This is not difficult and does not require
expensive, high-tech clothing like most people think. To
stay warm and comfortable, you should dress in layers
and try to avoid cotton as your first layer of fabric. Wool
is the best fabric because it continues to keep you warm
when it gets wet. However, wool directly on your skin is
uncomfortable for most people. Underarmor has become
G r e e n H o r
a more popular choice for first layers. It absorbs sweat
and keeps your body warm.
A regular winter jacket is all you will need
for an outside layer. You will find that once you get
moving your body will heat up and you will probably
have to take layers off.
Socks are one of the most important parts
of your outdoor sports wardrobe although most people
overlook this variable. Wool socks or Smartwool are
the best choice because they will keep your feet warm
while still allowing proper circulation.
You will also want to make sure that the
footwear you will be using in the cold weather is a full
size too big. Your thick wool socks will take up about a
half size of the extra space. As you get your body mov-
ing and your blood pumping, your feet will swell a little
filling up the rest of the extra space in your boots.
Whatever activity interests you, getting
outdoors during the winter is an experience that no one
should pass up. The physical challenges that it presents
not only gets you in better health but it makes you feel
more alive and attached to the world around us. It’s also
relaxing and is a great relief from our fast-paced society.
It allows you to slow down and take in the beautiful
world that we often take for granted. As Vermonters, we
should take full advantage of some of the most beauti-
ful terrain in the country that is available right here in
Springfield, Vermont..
n pg
Sports
Yoga Offered
Tuesdays and
Thursdays
By Sarah Vredenburgh
Y
oga is not a common activity that high school
Sanskrit (Ancient India, where yoga started),
consists of a union of the mind, body, and spirit. If you
don’t know, yoga is a series of flowing poses that in-
volve balance, strength, and flexibility. Springfield High
School Student Assistance Director Danielle Dulaney,
a certified yoga teacher, is trying to bring students and
teachers together to experience the benefits of yoga.
“Yoga will be offered Tuesdays and Thurs-
days for as long as there is interest,” said Dulaney. “All
students and faculty are encouraged to come.”
A program similar to this was offered two years ago
with students and proved to be a success. Last year
yoga was offered to just SHS faculty. That was a suc-
cess as well. This year, Dulaney decided to offer it to
both groups.
“We need to play together more often,”
said Dulaney about her decision. “I’m hoping to effect
a change in the school at large, starting with individu-
als.”
Dulaney is hoping that the yoga program will
help people to be more compassionate and mindful with
themselves and with others. She also hopes that this can
help people to slow down a little. Yoga isn’t competitive
so people are allowed to let go of their ego. Regular yoga
enthusiasts view the exercise as making everyone equal
and understanding, knowing that every individual does
their best everyday.
Yoga is beneficial both physically and men-
tally. Yoga helps with flexibility, strength, muscle tone,
breathing. It can even help to prevent pain. Some mental
benefits include stress reduction, a feeling of calm, and
total body awareness.
“I’m hoping to help individuals change to
be more compassionate and mindful with themselves
and others,” said Dulaney. “Everyone just needs to slow
down.”
Yoga is the perfect activity to do just that.
Yoga consists of breathing exercises and different levels
of physical poses.
“Yoga increases physical flexibility and my
goal is to have that translate into being mentally flex-
ible,” said Dulaney about her goal of the yoga sessions.
“My approach is to meet each student where they’re at
and meet each individual’s physical needs.”
The yoga sessions with Dulaney are held in
the high school library from 3:00-4:00 pm on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Anyone working at or attending the high
school is welcome. The sole item to bring is loose cloth-
ing in order to move comfortably. Currently, the high
school does not offer other programs similar to the yoga
sessions where students and faculty can see eye-to-eye
and enjoy each other in a different environment.
19
Governor from page 14
problem of higher education costs is a vicious cycle.
Students have less money in grants for college when
programs are cut, so they need to take on more debt. Be-
cause of their debt, students need to find higher-paying
jobs to pay off their bills. The search for higher-paying
jobs can lead students out of the state and keep them
there.
Ashley Hensel-Browning graduated from
Springfield High School and went on to Hampshire
College in Massachusetts and then to Harvard to receive
a master’s degree. She is an exception to this youthful
exodus from Vermont.
She believes that Vermont has a lot to offer.
“In today's political climate, there's something intrigu-
ing and desirable about small-town life and community
engagement," Hensel-Browning said. "I've always felt
that Vermont and its residents are both appreciative of
its history and open to change and evolution. As a young
person, attempting to engage in creative work, I'm loving
the opportunities this area has for experimentation. I
know how difficult it can be to live here with grad school
loans trailing close behind, but I've been fortunate to
feel supported by the community. I'm proud to engage
in the type of work that fuels me. I loved city life but I
feel very full and happy with Springfield and Vermont
in general. You certainly learn to live with (and perhaps
even desire) less, but I still have a very rich and full life.
I miss the diversity of the city most, but I find Vermont
is even starting to become a little more diverse and is
certainly attempting to embrace diversity. The land, the
people, and the grounded sense of community one feels
here makes this place feel like home to me.”
As Hensel-Browning suggests,Vermont
is still a great place to live. But as more and more
budget-cutting occurs, education feels the pinch. Gov-
ernor Douglas needs to make sure that education is a
top priority in this state. Douglas needs to make sure
that education is affordable for in-state students. But to
achieve these goals he must be willing to fund education
more instead of cutting educational budgets.
Cotillion from page 4
and her court isn’t easy.
“The girls are judged on their interview,
poise, and how they work with their partner,” said senior
Ashley Fountain. Fountain previously participated in
Apple Blossom as an elementary school student.
Participating girls select their escorts based
on who they think will present them well. When the
Apple Blossom Cotillion began in 1956 the girls were
escorted by Springfield businessmen.
Senior Keith Cook isn’t new to Apple Blos-
som. He has performed in the event for three consecutive
years. “Apple Blossom is a great experience,” Cook
said. “I love to show off my singing and dancing skills.”
However, many of the escorts are not as familiar with
the program. “Learning the dances isn’t too hard, but
then memorizing the song and putting it with the dance,
that might be a little difficult," said senior Tyler Albee.
“It probably would be easier if I had done it before.”
Some of the song choices this year will
include "At Last" by Etta James, "Thriller" by Michael
Jackson, and "All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley.
The Apple Blossom Cotillion is the only
Cotillion held in New England. It is open to seven other
schools in the area and its purpose is to raise money
while spreading joy. “The Apple Blossom isn't about
competition to me,” said Fountain. “It’s having fun that's
important.”
pg 20
Battle from page 8
"Eventually I realized there wasn’t much I could do but
ask questions and try to convince them they were fine
the way they are."
“It’s not easily admitted that it’s a problem.
When they look in the mirror they see a fat, heavy per-
son when really they’re just a bag of bones,” said SHS
Nurse Christine Simmons about self-image related to
eating disorders. In her two years at SHS, Simmons
has witnessed mental health issues in teens which have
led to eating disorders. Simmons worries about some
specific students, but can never be sure without them
asking for help. The students who have come to her
about their eating disorders opened up because they trust
Simmons. Although she is a nurse and an adult, she does
her best to understand what they’re going through. “My goal for next year is to have the entire
“It takes time to develop a relationship
to help them," Simmons said. "They don’t see it as a
problem. They see it as who they are."
SHS Health Teacher Ruth Haskell has
also advised students about eating disorders. One of
Haskell’s assignments in her class involves students
keeping a journal. Students can write about anything
they want, and some have used this as a method to reach
out for help. Haskell has responded to students with
eating disorders. “It’s such a personal issue," Haskell
said. "It’s not like someone is abusing them. They’re
abusing themselves."
“All of my friends who struggle, or have
struggled, with an eating disorder are constantly talking
about their body image,” Lilly said. When individuals
deal with someone close to them who suffers from a
eating disorder, they must always take into consideration
their state of mind and how fragile they might be. “You
never want to label them or say they’re too skinny,"
Simmons said. "Solutions are not easy. It’s not a quick
fix. They need honesty.”
Eating disorders are often overlooked be-
cause the people who battle with this issue hide it so
well. “When it’s well-hidden and they’re still function-
ing, it’s harder to point fingers,” Simmons said.
For people involved with this struggle, the
war against eating disorders is never-ending. “You
can’t say 'go eat food,'" said Haskell. " It’s like telling a
person with a phobia to go climb that ladder." However,
resources are available to help people struggling with
eating disorders, whether they are the victim or know
someone who suffers with the affliction.
Perotti from page 9
to look for another way to view the event.”
“I ended up watching Obama take the oath-
of-office through a window, from a barroom TV screen
with an outdoor loudspeaker,” Perotti added. “though
I was disappointed since I didn’t get to stand where I
originally was supposed to. But just being there and
being part of that hope and happiness that was apparent
in the city was enough for me.”
Long after Obama’s inauguration, Perotti is
still as hopeful for change as he was on January 20th.
“The promise of change Obama brings with him is
something Americans can really relate to right now,”
he said.
“Looking at the way he’s chosen his cabinet
indicates that this is a man who does not conduct busi-
ness as usual,” Perotti said. “Obama is very principled
and of high integrity. I believe he will be different.”
“America is ready for a new face, and a new
look. And I believe Barack Obama is the person to give
that to us,” Perotti concluded.
G r e e
Yearbook from page 9
Like Garfield, Dechert believes this year’s
book will be satisfying for students. “Last year was a
big jump from previous years, but this year’s book is
10 times better. We have a new company, and a new
representative who has been extremely helpful,” she
said. “This year’s class is also a lot larger, and they
are a group of very capable students who have done
extremely well so far.”
Yearbooks are available online at www.
ybpay.com. They are $58, and students can have their
names stenciled on the side. “It’s a great bargain, for a
great book,” Dechert said. There are no pre-requisites
to join the yearbook staff, and Dechert feels anyone can
learn the art of creative yearbooks.
book in color,” she said. “I really want the yearbook
to be a true representation of everyone’s year. I don’t
want to make it just a yearbook.”
“I want it to be very cool, and engaging,
and have students actually want to read it. A yearbook
should be enjoyable for students, and not boring,”
Dechert concluded.
Listens from page 4
I believe that sometimes adults suppose they will always
know what is best for a child, regardless of the child’s
opinion of the matter.)
One adult attending the meeting asked us
if we thought we were an accurate representation of
the high school’s student population. We were a bit
thrown off by this question—if anyone willingly comes
to a four-hour meeting, can they be called an accurate
representation of anything? (In statistics, this is called
a voluntary response bias.) But I do feel that while our
student panel may not have had a sample of every type
of student in the school, everyone on the panel attended
the meeting because they have the future and the best
interests of the school and the students in it at heart.
The community forum was a cathartic event
for the Springfield community. It allowed everyone to
feel that, at last, someone was undeniably listening to
what we had to say. I signed up to help organize some
of the input from the forum into a plan of action for the
district, and I am impatient to discover what will happen.
How will the action plan be written? Will the opinions
of the people really be taken into consideration?
What is going to happen to us as a district?
There isn’t any way to know right now. But
I do know that the forum allowed the beliefs and hopes
of the Springfield population to be heard.
And that is a beautiful thing.
Sleep from page 10
often the easiest way to get in touch with friends. After
a long day, it's easier to text later in the evening,” said
Morin. “I don’t ever get enough sleep during the school
week, maybe six hours tops, seven if I’m lucky. On the
weekends, I tend to stay up later, so I never get time to
catch up on sleep.”
Along with social activities, it's important to
make time for self. Finding time to sleep is a priority.
This will help one to maintain both emotional sanity
and physical health, while managing a busy lifestyle.
Although it may seem impractical to most teens at this
stage of their lives, striving to get the recommended
eight hours of sleep would represent a personal revolu-
tion resulting in greater productivity and happiness.
n H o r n
Records from page 13
AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas
Erlewine wrote, “It may be a stretch to say that if you
don’t like Kind of Blue, you don’t like jazz—but it’s hard
to imagine it as anything other than a cornerstone of any
jazz collection.” Yes: Kind of Blue is the cornerstone of
any jazz collection. No: if you don’t like Kind of Blue,
chances are you don’t like jazz. Addendum: Kenny G
isn’t jazz. It’s sound.
Unlike most of the jazz from the 80s to the
late 90s, the material on Kind of Blue does not race
along—but unlike most of the jazz from 2000 on, it isn’t
slow-moving drudgery or lifeless either. Kind of Blue
is vibrant with life, love, and the fullest understanding
and expression of jazz music ever committed to record.
Every one of the musicians performed without flaw;
every one seems to pull their notes straight out of their
individual lives. Album drummer Jimmy Cobb said
the record was so good it “must have been made in
heaven.” It doesn’t sound like it was made in heaven
to me—it’s too sophisticated and blue to fit my idea of
heavenly paradise, and on top of that I’m atheistic--but
if ever there was a path to heaven, Kind of Blue would
be the traveling music.
Butt from page 6
does to my dad,” said Root.
However, other teens are influenced to smoke
by their parents or friends. “My dad and my friends are
smokers,” said Ruby. “I can’t tell you why I started. I
mean, two years ago I would have told you that you
were crazy if you offered me a cigarette.”
Doug Day and Jeff Moore are also sur-
rounded by friends who smoke. This makes trying to
quit very difficult.
“There is no good reason to start,” said Day.
“I tried to stop once but I got stressed easily. With the
lack of nicotine, I started to get irritable.”
“I’ve tried to quit twice,” said Moore. “I’d
just try not to smoke. It would only last about a week.
When you’re under 18 you can’t buy nicotine patches
or gum to help quit. It’s also hard when you don’t have
support. If I’m going to quit, it’ll be on my own.”
For teens trying to quit, Danielle Dulaney
assists in offering a Smoking Cessation program to help
teens kick the habit. This program includes ten sessions
based on giving students facts and allowing them a
chance to visualize themselves without cigarettes. At
the end of the Smoking Cessation program, each student
receives a certificate of achievement.
Buck from page 15
just the strength of your own two hands.
It gets cold on the ice in the middle of winter.
Wind and snow can punish you. But ice fishermen have
the answer: ice shanties. These shacks are custom-built
for the angler that built them. Most have trap doors re-
vealing a hole in the ice, so that you don’t even have to
go outside to catch fish. The shanties also have windows
so that you can see your tipups. How much warmer can
it be in a shanty? Isn’t winter found anywhere outside?
Well, ice fishermen also have wood stoves in their shacks
for extra warmth.
Relaxing on the ice is something anglers
look forward to. They look forward to sitting in their
shanties pulling fish through the ice and seeing that lone
flag in the distance waving high. They make an anxious
jog out to the tipup to see the spool running fast and are
rewarded by a big fish or a nice dinner.
Ice fishing. It's not just a hole in the ice.
It's fun.
G r e e n H o r
Serendipity from page 12
your arms before you could give them to your fiancé.
These little lies nourish the love between
people—strange as that may sound.
Besides, half of the time, you probably don’t
even know if you’re telling the truth or not. Right?
Do you really love him?
Do you really miss her?
Do you really want that?
Are you honestly jealous?
Do you even … know what you’re talking
about?
So maybe you lie a little because you don’t
really know what’s truly going on in your head. Maybe
only in speaking a lie aloud, “I miss you; come back,”
you finally realize how untrue it is—you can finally
let go. Maybe with some of those lies that seem so
monumental later (“Yes, of course I love you, too”) you
can reach an epiphany that otherwise would have been
buried forever. Maybe through lies you can sometimes
uncover the truth.
What is true? What is untrue? How can
we really know? We all have our illusions, and they’re
what we live by—they’re true, whether or not they’re
honest.
You lie to yourself all the time. Maybe that’s
the only way you can drag yourself out of bed: “Today
will be better; today will be good …” when you know
it really won’t be.
You lie to your parents because you want
them to be proud.
You lie to your friends because you love
them.
You lie to people you see on the street
because you want them thinking you’re cool and col-
lected.
You lie to your kids because you can’t have
them knowing what a complete mess you are.
You lie to the world because the world is so
full of lies and illusions.
Sometimes, you don’t know what’s a lie and
what isn’t—are they all lies? Are they all true?
You lie everywhere, because your lies are a
part of you. Wood should pay attention to The Wrestler.
And that’s reason enough to lie. Your lies
are a part of you, and it’s okay.
You liar.
Budget from page 1
staff.”
“If this budget isn’t passed, teaching posi-
tions will have to be cut,” said Superintendent Frank
Perotti in a pre-budget vote interview. “We [the ad-
ministration] have taken money out of everywhere else.
Already, there is no money left for field trips, and we’ve
cut nearly everything we can out of athletics.”
Perotti continued, “If this budget never
passes, and we have to eliminate even more positions,
our schools will not be high quality, and students will
not get the best education they can. No one wants their
interests to be cut, but without making reductions, the
budget will not pass.”
“Everything is important, but there is really
nowhere else to make these cuts,” Perotti said. “Teacher
numbers are down over the past few years, but our em-
ployment is up. This is because times are changing and
we’ve had to hire more therapists and foreign language
experts. But even these positions could be cut. And cuts
cannot afford to be made anywhere else."
n pg
Literature from page 14
no thought to read, but it’s passable. It’s like when you
hear a song, tap your foot to it, decide it was okay for
the moment, but then when you look back, you know
that if you ever heard the song again, you’d run from
the room.
And just as such a song may have gotten
more airtime than some of the genuinely-great tunes
out there, the Twilight syndrome has overpowered the
world. That may not even be an exaggeration.
A craze has swept the teen population. Ask
a student about a prominent literary figure (try F. Scott
Fitzgerald or Walt Whitman) and you may get blank
stares. Say “Twilight” and mass hysteria ensues (gener-
ally, there are squeals, hands are thrown up into the air,
and “Edward Cullen is sooo HOT” is uttered in shrill
tones that could burst an eardrum).
This traumatizing phenomenon has only
been made worse (if that is even possible) by the film
version released in December 2008. Yes, indeed, they
made it into a movie. Why Catherine Hardwicke was
inspired to direct such nonsense is beyond me. So, add
the craze over the movie to the already stomach-churn-
ing ridiculousness of the novel, and you’ve got the
potential-future of this next generation.
That was potential future. Of course it’s not
a definite thing. Well, not if we stop this horror and
shed light on the truth. Don’t pick up Twilight. Choose
something much more intellectually stimulating. But if
you insist on reading it, well, at least don’t contaminate
the air with exclamations about the appeal of vampires’
anatomy. Let’s hope there is, indeed, a cure out there
for this crazy disease. And then Stephanie Meyer will
fade into twilight. Maybe dreams can come true.
Cinema from page 13
is great, creating easily her most serious and valuable
performance in years, if not ever. She and Rourke
contrast beautifully. The consequence of that contrast
is simmering chemistry. Also appearing: the increas-
ingly worthless Evan Rachel Wood, who provides her
obligatory performance as an alienated this-world-sucks
youth.
Unlike modern films, or most films in general, Darren
Aronofsky’s movies, with the possible exception of
The Fountain, don’t tell us that life sucks, nor do they
suggest that life is wonderful. Like Kubrick’s pictures,
these are films not about the pain of life, or the beauty
of existence, but about life itself. There are moments
of heartbreaking beauty in The Wrestler, and there
are moments of soul-shattering darkness. Its ending,
among the most memorable denouements I’ve seen in
a long time, would astound anyone. To top it off, as the
film ends we are blessedly rescued from our stunned
silence by a stellar Bruce Springsteen song. Talk about
a knockout.
Since we’re in the middle of a national
identity crisis, a film like The Wrestler is all the more
potent. Is this America? Do we deserve to call ourselves
the home of the brave? If so, why is Rourke’s character
grabbing a few hundred bucks a week getting torn to
shreds, living a meaningless, loveless life in a trashy
trailer park and spending his Friday nights pining over
a stripper? The film leaves us free to draw our own
conclusions and so awestruck by the power and artistic
quality of the film that we’re unable to do so. So to hell
with Slumdog Millionaire. The Wrestler wrestled my
spirit deep underground, and I loved it. I came back up
feeling more renewed than when I went down. We need
more films like this.
21
Sexting from page 5
according to a recent study on the same website 47%
of teens say they can text message blindfolded.
“Sure, I use my cell phone sometimes,”
said senior Josh Bruce. “But I think sexting is beyond
desperate. I cannot understand how anyone can enjoy
sexual relations via text message, and I didn’t really
even know this sort of thing existed.”
“I think students who use technology to
bully and send explicit messages are opening up a
whole new area of bullying,” said SHS Principal Larry
Wight. “Cyber-bullying is probably one of the biggest
challenges we face in the 21st Century.”
Wight continued, “When sending explicit
text messages, or threats online, it’s easier to say things
than if someone were to bully in person. People can
get even more harsh and explicit via text, because they
aren’t face-to-face. This is an up and coming problem,
and we [the administration and law officials] are simply
trying to keep up.”
Dream from page 18
it to the pros. It involves the joy you get from playing
that sport every spare minute you get.
In some cases, however, it’s not the kid
who is obsessed with the dream of going pro. It’s the
parents. There are a number of great parents (die-hard
fans) who go to watch their kids play. But it’s not always
because they want to support their kid. Their interest
may instead be prompted because they want their kid
to become a star or get a scholarship out of their athletic
ability. Some parents believe there is no sense in play-
ing the sport unless you’re getting something out of it,
something more than the joy of physical movement or
team accomplishment. But parents should relax and let
their kids get what they want out of the game: fun and
good times.
Everyone wants their kid to fulfill their
dreams. However, their dreams of pro sports success are
not practical for most Vermont high school athletes. It
is the parents’ and teachers’ job to set kids in the right
direction and to establish goals and dreams that are
within their reach, and therefore something they can
work for and enjoy it.
In a state as small as Vermont the sports
competition is less intense compared to states like
Massachusetts, Florida, or California, which have larger
school populations. This level of competition has great
impact on the success of young athletes. When Vermont
athletes compete in different states, it is obvious that they
haven’t had the experience playing against kids with
similar or better skills. Thus, without better competi-
tion in high school, Vermont athletes may not develop
as much as their peers in urban schools in Minnesota,
Arizona, or Michigan.
Many reasons exist why Vermont athletes
don’t do well in the sports world, especially in the realm
of hockey. Even though there are talented Vermont
hockey players in high school, most of them do not go
on to play pro hockey or even college hockey. I think
the reason for Vermont hockey players not making it to
the pros or college hockey is the lack of competition. If
the same athletes that play in Vermont were allowed a
chance to play hockey in Massachusetts or Connecticut
they might go far in college or beyond in the hockey
world. However, the competition in Vermont hockey
and other high school sports should keep local athletes
more conservative in their views of a pro career.
pg 22
Forum from page 4
with the school board to plan community activities.”
The Steering Committee hosted a Com-
munity Forum on February 4th, which was open to all
Springfield residents. The forum represented an oppor-
tunity for residents to express their concerns, approval,
or ideas about different trends in the Springfield School
District.
“I think the Community Forum was a very
important first step,” said Dreyer-Leon.
“The School Board really wanted to focus on
the future,” said Goodrich. “The purpose of the forum
is to form a five-year strategic plan for the future.”
Goodrich, who has been a facilitator for
approximately 50 different Community Forums, said
that the forum was a lively way to turn goals into imple-
mentation methods which use available resources.
“There are some concerns I would like to
voice,” said SHS senior Laura Chrisinger. Chrisinger
participated in the forum, and felt that some concerns
are not heard by the School Board in a regular setting.
Dreyer-Leon agrees. “One of my personal
goals in joining the committee is to do what I can to
promote a stronger connection between the schools and
our community,” said Dreyer-Leon. “I think that starts
with developing ways that school officials can hear from
a wider variety of community members on a lot of issues
related to education--beyond tax and facility issues.”
“I hope that a lot of students show up,” said
SHS senior and Steering Committee member Andrew
Sullivan before the February 4th meeting. “There’s go-
ing to be a twenty-minute presentation from students
only during the forum.”
“I think that adults will listen to students
[during the forum],” said sophomore Alaina Page.
Page also believed that students would listen to other
students.
“I hope that we will get input from our high
school students,” said Garfield before the meeting.
“Often we do not hear from them although so much is
about them. We need representation from all groups of
students who are going to SHS.”
Committee members agreed that the overall
success of the forum was dependent upon how many
Explorations from page 24
friend ‘Who is that handsome man over there?’ I hoped
someday we would date.”
Ah, how the world has changed. In modern
society, dating almost seems to be a thing of the past, and
blind dates are nearly unheard of. Sure, it still happens,
but the intentions of a date are completely different from
what they once were. No longer are people who are
dating expected to be married, and families no longer
play much of a role in the selection of a mate. Dating,
by today’s standards, is something of a mystery to most.
Many people have given up on dating completely, and
have resorted to casual sexual relations, instead of an
actual relationship.
Though there are exceptions to this trend, it
seems as though many Americans, particularly women,
have given up when it comes to the world of dating. Per-
haps this is because dating, according to some, no longer
goes anywhere besides the bedroom, or because chivalry
just isn’t what it used to be. Whatever the reason, I have
to wonder; will dating ever make a comeback? Or has
the art of romance vanished forever?
I don’t believe romance is dead. Nor do
I believe dating is going out of style. Though I may
not have concrete proof, romance, to me anyway, is
all around. Even if I didn’t have the model of my
G r e e
community members showing up.
“We hope that as many people as possible
will come and share their ideas,” said Dreyer-Leon.
“Hopefully, the forum will work out,” said
Chrisinger. “But it may just end up being a bunch of
people complaining and not really offering solutions.”
“I think it might be difficult for people to
work together,” said Page. “If people have a lot they
want to change, they may have to give one thing up to
get something else.”
“It really depends on what the community
says,” said Sullivan. “There will be meetings afterwards
to discuss what was said.”
“My understanding is that the VSBA process
takes ideas from the Community Forum and then creates
action committees that work on writing various aspects
of the five-year strategic plan,” said Dreyer-Leon.
Garfield said the next step would be to pre-
pare the final draft of the strategic plan and then present
the plan to the School Board, which will develop an
implementation plan.
“Once the plan is adopted by the school
board, then it becomes part of their on-going commit-
ment to follow the plan and keep the public informed
about progress towards the goals,” said Dreyer-Leon.
“As the end of the five-year period nears, a new plan is
formed to take is through the next five years.”
“We [the School Board] will spend time,
probably on a quarterly basis, monitoring the imple-
mentation of the plan,” said Garfield.
“I also think the agenda for the evening is
thoughtful, and designed to get people thinking broadly
and sharing ideas that they may not normally have time
or a place to discuss,” said Dreyer-Leon.
“There is no real way in Springfield for
large groups to gather and share their ideas for positive
change and forward movement,” concluded Garfield.
“I hope that this Forum will allow for everyone to
participate.”
“I’m really pleased to be a part of this pro-
cess," added Dreyer-Leon, "and I think it is the right
one for Springfield at this time."
grandparent’s relationship to compare things to, I still
think that, romantically speaking, I’d be okay. Though
this could be because I’ve settled into a comfortable,
great relationship, that makes me extremely happy, I
believe my ideals for romance would still be the same.
It’s because of relationships like the one I’m involved
in I have hope for the future of romance.
Numerous people may tell you that relation-
ships, romance, and chivalry are all dead. I’m here
to argue that they’re not. They may not be apparent
in everyday life. But they are there. One might just
have to look a little harder to find them. The signs are
everywhere. Whether it’s your significant other hold-
ing the door open, or someone buying you a package
of M&Ms to get you through detention, little gestures
are what really count.
Romance may not be in full force like it once
was. But I will never believe those who say it’s truly
dead. Relationships may end. People may become bit-
ter. But that doesn’t mean romance doesn’t exist. Sure,
not all people have had the opportunity to experience
what I have, but if you don’t believe it in the first place,
what’s the point of ever trying? As long as one doesn’t
give up on romance, then it will always have the chance
to prevail.
n H o r n
Friends from page 2
can no longer take care of them, whether it be because
of increasing age or financial difficulties. If it were
not for the Springfield Humane Society, most would
be euthanized, a procedure that countless people find
inhumane.
"Here at the shelter, we do not euthanize
animals unless they are so sick that we can’t help them
or they become incredibly aggressive," Brockway
explained. "Our goal is to pair animals with homes that
suit both the pet and the owner. The animals will stay
here until they are adopted."
The humane society has a specific pre-
planned adoption process. Potential adopters complete
an adoption application, undergo a personal interview
and possibly a home visit. Shelter employees ask a num-
ber of questions concerning lifestyle and three personal
references must be obtained. Other factors taken into
consideration are whether or not the potential adopter
has children or other pets, whether or not the adoptee
likes other pets and children, how much time the pet will
be at home alone, and where the pet will be kept when
the owner is absent.
The adoption process is not free of charge,
however. Cats range from $50 to $85 and dogs from $75
to $150. Fees for rabbits are $25, guinea pigs are $15,
mice are $10 and ferrets are $75. However, Brockway
stressed that animals being purchased from the shelter
is a common misconception.
"We do not sell animals. We have a selective
process that places the right pet with the right family,"
she said. Instead, the fees cover medical expenses and
other costs of caring for the animal while they were at
the humane society.
Due to the large amount of animals they
care for (in addition to dogs and cats, the humane
society houses rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and ferrets),
the shelter’s needs list is always lengthy. Ever-present
necessities include canned dog and cat food, liquid
laundry detergent, dish detergent, paper towels, and
garbage bags.
The Springfield Humane Society also accepts
cash donations. Because they are a non-profit organiza-
tion, the money that is received is directly invested in the
care and health of the animals. For a full list of donations
and more information about the humane society, visit
Prom from page 4
class advisor for the juniors since freshman year. "We
have a small, but dedicated committee," she said, "and
I'm very proud of what we've accomplished together so
far."
Junior class members have sponsored
fundraisers this year to finance the prom. The juniors
came up with the powderpuff football game which held
in October at Brown Field. For this fundraiser, which
raised about $500, junior girls played in a flag football
game against senior girls. Juniors also worked the
concession stand at home basketball games and plan to
host a wiffleball game, car washes, and a James Bond
movie marathon in the spring as part of their fundraising
campaign.
As far as decorating for the night of the prom,
the junior committee is still discussing their choices.
"We haven't officially decided anything yet, except that
we want all decorations to be black, white and red," said
Richardson. "We also discussed fun James Bond cut-
outs, a bar, finger sandwiches, chandeliers, and other
things."
G r e e n H o r
their website at spfldhumane.org.
The shelter participates in the Shaw’s re-
ceipts reward program as well. Receipts from Shaw’s
grocery stores can be collected and redeemed. The
humane society receives 1% of the sum of the purchases
that the receipts consist of. Community members can
gather Shaw’s receipts and bring them to the humane
society.
"We would love to have a kitty bed for every
cat," Brockway said. "And in the future, a new, larger,
facility for our dogs. But that will take a great deal of
money."
Students at Springfield High School, as well
as other community members, are encouraged to get
involved.
"Students can do anything to raise funds for
the shelter," Brockway said. "They can help at special
events that we host or even participate in our dog walks.
If they have their own ideas, or would like to host their
own event, that’s great too."
Volunteers are always needed at the humane
society. Tasks include cleaning, brushing cats, doing
laundry, and walking dogs. Volunteer applications can
be found at their website. In order to walk dogs, there
is a minimum age requirement of eighteen. However,
parents can accompany younger students.
"We always need people to come and pet and
brush the cats. They enjoy the socialization," Brockway
said.
Brockway, an animal-lover herself, has been
employed at the Springfield Humane Society for two
years.
"It’s more of a retirement job for me," she
said. "It’s the right place and involves animals."
At the shelter, Brockway’s concentrations
include animal health care, staff support, adoptions, cor-
respondence, and orchestrating the volunteer program.
Other staff members implement medical protocols, take
care of cleaning, feedings and observations of the health
of the animals, and the cleanliness of the facility.
Brockway’s favorite part of her employment
is seeing animals go home.
She concluded, "I love when I see animals
go to a home that is a perfect match for them. That’s
why we’re here. We exist for the animals."
The 2009 prom will take place at Riverside
Middle School in Dressel Gymnasium. "I think the
students will really like it," Richardson added, "as long
as the decorations come through."
Any junior is welcome to join the prom
committee. Currently, the group meets after school each
Friday and seeks students to participate in fundraisers.
"All juniors should pay attention to the bulletin board
posted in the math wing hallway," said Guy. "It will
tell you all you need to know about meetings and news
concerning prom and the class of 2010."
Tickets for prom will cost between $50-60
dollars per couple, and run about $35 per person. "I
think it's a great theme," concluded Guy. "Once we get
the word out and get the students excited about prom,
it will be great."
Visit past editions of the
Green Horn online at shs.
ssdvt.org.
n pg
Blues from page 1
“I have played music all my life,” Ainslie
said in comments from the stage during his January
performance. “I know I was put here to do it.”
Ainslie began his SHS show by introducing
himself and his shiny, silver electric-acoustic guitar. He
named substantial musicians who had been inspired or
influenced by the great Robert Johnson. This line-up
of great performers included Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page
(Led Zeppelin), Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Keith
Richards (The Rolling Stones). During his stage show
in the SHS Theatre, Ainslie went on to explain how all
Johnson’s techniques from the 1930s were incorporated
in rock and roll and modern-day music.
Ainslie started his first song with a call and
response. This technique is an African tradition where,
spontaneously, the musician and listener interact when
the audience responds to, or sings back, what the musi-
cian or performer had previously stated or sung. This
is common in blues and African-based music.
He moved on to play a cigar box guitar (a
homemade guitar made up of a cigar box, broom stick,
and one string). If one couldn’t see him playing, it
would seem like he was playing a normal guitar with
five strings. Instead, Ainslie performed with one string
that made many different pitches and sounds as it was
plucked. For most students and staff in the audience,
this was an impressive performance.
Art teacher Anne Katomski took a workshop
with Ainslie at the Vermont Art Teachers Alliance Con-
vention. His work captivated her. “His knowledge of
music is astounding and equal to his music ability,” she
said. “It is rare to encounter a person with such talent
and knowledge of music.”
With his musical talent, Ainslie seeks to
bring strangers together and create a sense of commu-
nity. “I want blues to develop awareness and empathy
for people [strangers] they have never met or known,”
Ainslie said.
“Blues is a survivor’s music. If you can sing,
you win,” he concluded. “It helps us survive the bad
things that have happened to us."
Mentoring from page 3
Teen role-models can make a big difference
in the world. “Knowing that you have the support of
an older person who believes in you and cares about
you can make a phenomenal difference in the life of
an individual,” Gelineau said. “I am certain that my
mentors have made a positive impact on my life.”
Studies show that students with mentors
feel better about themselves, have more confidence,
and make healthy choices. “Having had many mentors
throughout my life gave me the courage and confidence
to pursue opportunities that I might not have otherwise
undertaken,” Gelineau said.
Mentoring programs in Springfield exist
for all ages. Adults can mentor kids of any age, from
elementary school to high school. In fact, nearly 80
young people in Springfield have been provided with
both adult and teen mentors.
Mentoring benefits not only mentees [those
being mentored] but mentors as well. For example,
Richardson has become close to one little girl. This re-
lationship has improved her life. Richardson concluded,
“Even though I’ve only done it [met with mentee] twice
so far, it has opened up my eyes to what little kids have
to go through.”
23

SHS Speaks Out
E
very year as February 14th rolls around, many people’s minds are occupied with thoughts of love. Love can be defined as romantic, silly, exciting, tragic, and even unat-
tainable. For this edition of Speaks Out, we posed this question to students and staff: How do you define love?
Sarah Aiello, senior:
"I define love through the Bible verses 1st Corinthians
13:4-8."
Stephanie Brown, Assistant Principal:
"Love is defined by many elements: ethos, pathos,
agape, and eros. Primarily love is an outpouring of posi-
tive intentions and good will from the heart. It includes
meaningful respect and unconditional positive regard
and judgment which is true and pure."
Column
A
merica, though given a bad name in recent
years, is still a country of great freedom and
opportunity. Anyone over the age of eighteen
can vote, an African-American man has just taken the
highest office in the land, and perhaps most important
of all, Americans have the right to choose who they date
and eventually marry.
Mention the words dating or romance to any
modern-day citizen, and you are bound to get a variety
of responses. Some may get a goofy look on their faces
as their eyes cloud over with visions of romantic dinners
pg 24
By Lauren Drasler & Ember Rushford-Emery
Gabby Hatt, senior:
"When you get butterflies in your stomach, and your
heat beats slower and faster at the same time, then
that’s love."
Brittany Durham, sophomore:
"Love is like a box of chocolates. You never know
what you’re going to get. So eat them slowly and
enjoy them."
SHS Explorations
The Times They Are A-Changing
By Lauren Drasler
for two. Others, however, look fear-stricken, and may
mumble something incoherent while running away.
Either way, dating in today’s world is something of an
art form that only the very brave, or those truly in love,
embark upon.
When I first began thinking about dating, my
mind began to drift to the different decades in history.
As I began to do more research on the topic, I began to
grow more and more interested in dating and courtship
that took place throughout history. Though I’ve always
been interested in romance, and am a self-proclaimed
romantic, it seems only fitting that as I write this column
February 14th is just a few short weeks away. Because
of this, and my curious nature, I began to ponder how
dating has changed, and what exactly romance means
in the 21st Century.
History tells us that the dating methods of
the 19th and early 20th Century were vastly different
G r e e
Kevin Coen, teacher:
"I don’t think I’ve ever tried to define love. It’s a
fruitless effort."
TJ Wallace, junior:
"Love is a very special thing that should be
cherished."
than the dating and courtship we are familiar with today.
Not so long ago, dating meant courtship, commitment,
and the intention of marriage. Men and women didn’t
just casually spend time together and eventually hook-
up. Instead, all dating and courting was done under
the watchful eyes of one’s parents. Those entering a
relationship were expected to marry.
When I think of how relationships have
changed, I immediately think of my grandparent’s
relationship and recall how that began. Though I’ve
only heard the story of how they met once, it will always
stick out in my mind as romantic.
“We met on a blind date, and I thought your
grandfather was so handsome,” my grandmother tells
me and my cousin Brooke one evening. “I saw him at
the drive-thruough restaurant and I whispered to my
See Explorations page 22
n H o r n