Whats Inside:

Green Horn
The Award-Winning Student Publication of Springfield High School and the Tech Center
December 30, 2011 Volume 32, Edition 3
Movement at the Top
By Olivia Thayer
Science Fiction and Fantasy
By Tabitha Celani
Hawkins Retires, McLaughlin to Central Offce
S
omeone, will be missing from Springfeld High
School after the winter recess. You used to
see him everywhere: in the hallways, the front
offce, the parking lot. Over the past year and a half,
Springfeld High School] is still unknown. There may
be time he spends over there [Central Offce] to get used
to it.
By leaving at the half-year, Hawkins felt
he would give McLaughlin the spring semester to get
acclimated to his new position before the workload
intensifed over the summer and the beginning of the
new school year.
I felt that transition made the most sense for
him, the superintendent [Frank Perotti], and the district,
said Hawkins.
SHS science teacher Bindy Hathorn, who
has performed administrative duties in the past at the
high school, will become interim assistant principal at
Springfeld High School. Hathorns teaching position
must be flled by a new science teacher or her classes
must be distributed among the science teachers currently
working at the high school. Thibault and a search
committee will begin interviewing candidates for a
permanent assistant principal position during the winter.
The goal is to hire a new vice-principal by March.
Thibault, along with many other students and
teachers at SHS, are bittersweet about McLaughlins
departure from the high school.
See End of an Era page 23
Lauren Fish as Eridessa Anemone.
Steampunk Debuts at VAULT
O
n a cold, dark Monday night in December,
visitors to the VAULT in downtown Spring-
field were brightened and warmed by a
Steampunk exhibit put together by the Springfeld
High School Arts Academy.
You couldnt even walk. It was so
crowded, SHS art teacher Lisa Murray said about the
December 19th show. Its wonderful to see people
willingly come out to see teens showing their art to
their parents.
The set-up of the exhibit, with the help of
SHS photography teacher Catherine Moore, VAULT
See Steampunk page 21
Zach McLaughlin will move to the Central Offce. Bindy
Hathorn will work as vice-principal with Bob Thibault.
the holiday break.
Offcially his [McLaughlin's] position at
the central offce will begin with the new year," said
SHS Principal Bob Thibault, "but his last day here [at
SHS Assistant Principal
Zach McLaughlin has
become a cherished and
respected presence at
SHS. Students and staff
had become accustomed
to his aura.
That is why
many members of the
high school community
wer e s addened and
d i s a p p o i n t e d wh e n
McLaughlin announced
that he would be leaving
the high school after the
holiday break to fll the
position of Curriculum
Director of the Springfeld
Sc h o o l Di s t r i c t , a
position formerly held
by Dr. Vincent Hawkins.
Hawkins will retire after
Angelo Jardina
will leave SHS,
p.6
A Pirate's Life is
the Life for Me,
p.11
Colin Brady is
99.9% Soccer
Machine, p. 17
pg
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Green Horn Interview

By Olivia Thayer
.
larry Boduc, TaLtha ean, Kayee Haske, lza
lontane, lauren lountan, Hoy Hooke, Naygn Jmenez, Aexandra
Johnstone, Tom Kenda, Jeremy Noore, Andrew Badyka, Hanna
Sorre, Ova Thayer, Nchae vhttemore
GREEN HORN STAFF
layout Edtor
Edtor-n-he
Photo/Edtor-n-he
Sports Edtor
A ndrew Badyka...................
O va Thayer.........................
T aLtha ean.....................
l ...............
----------------REPORTERS---------------
P
atterson, New Jersey: population 146,199.
New Britain, Connecticut: population 71,254.
Springfeld, Vermont: population 9, 373. Besides
just these numbers, these three cities are vastly different:
different states, ethnicities, and economics. What is one
thing that these three cities have in common? Samir
Mann. Springfeld High School sophomore Samir Mann
has lived in these three extremely diverse communities
and has experienced three enormously distinctive life-
styles. Green Horn interviewed Mann about the distinct
cultures of New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont.
Where were you born?
I was born in Patterson, New Jersey, or P-Town, which is
about ten or twenty minutes away from Newark, which
is known as Brick City. My best friend Darius Hoston is
from there , Newark. I lived in Patterson for seven years.
Then, I moved to New Britain, Connecticut, outside of
Hartford, where I lived for about fve years.
What were the major differences between your old
school and Riverside Middle School and Springfeld
High School?
[In my old schools] the frst thing you had to do, besides
your education, was to gain respect. It was kind of like
a minor prison. There were well-educated teachers
around, but they were also afraid to get into the middle
of a school fght. You also had to watch your back and
make friends quickly, because if you didnt, it was just
you against a bunch of other kids.
What has been your experience with gangs?
be a killer, be a drug dealer, or be affliated with a gang.
If you were unemployed you were likely to be homeless,
in jail, or a drug abuser.
My cousin was a Blood and my family were
Bloods, so thats who I grew up around. That limited
the color of clothes I could wear, and what blocks I was
allowed to be on. Crips, Latin Kings, and other blacks
had their hot spots, which were common corners where
they sold their products.
I was almost affliated with Bloods. My
cousin introduced me to the gang and what I had to do to
get in: kill someone or get beaten. But luckily, I moved
to Connecticut in the nick-of-time before I made one of
those choices.
Can you give some examples of events that occurred
in your old school that you have experienced in
Springfeld schools?
I didnt really have events that occurred
there compared to here because it was so different. One
thing I stuck with was my love for art. For example,
in Connecticut I won an award that was judged across
the whole state. My art was all over the elementary
schools, middle schools, high schools, and maybe even
some colleges. It was the best day of my life.
What do you miss most about your old school that
Springfeld lacks?
What I miss most about my old school that Springfeld
lacks would have to be just the people. Its nice to
see a great percentage of a bunch of different cultural
backgrounds and ethnicity. It lets you grasp what certain
people appreciate and dont appreciate in the world.
What do you enjoy or value most about Springfeld
that you did not see in your old school and town?
I think that what I enjoy and value most about
Springfeld, Vermont, that I didnt see in Connecticut
or New Jersey, is the natural nature and physical
geography. The beautiful mountains, the farmlands,
but most important, the simple fact that its quiet here
Samir Mann
Discusses Life
in the Hood
My experience with gangs
was somewhat movie-like.
I was told as a kid, from
cousins or from people on
the streets, that if you did
not succeed in education,
then your options were to
See Hood page 22
Samir Mann, born in Patterson, New Jersey, acknowl-
edges art as a saving grace during a childhood that
included Crips, Bloods, and Latin Kings.
F
ormer journalist Joan
Marks spoke to Green
Horn st af f members
after Thanksgiving. She
discussed her professional
career wi th The New
York Times and the The
Provincetown Banner.
Marks, the grandmother
of SHS seni or Davi d
Castri gnano, was the
frst woman to interview
Eleanor Roosevelt in the
1950s.
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Features
By Olivia Thayer
Smokeout
No Barbecue. Not Funny.
By Larry Bolduc
T
he Great American Smokeout. If its not a
barbecue, what is it? Well, its one of the most
motivational events that United States citizens
observe each year. Held on the 3rd Thursday of No-
vember, the Great American Smokeout affects nearly
15 million people annually.
Its the day everyone pledges not to smoke,
said Springfeld High School nurses Pratima Cranse and
Sierra Kent. Cranse added that the Great American
Smokeout aims to increase awareness of the hazards
of smoking and get people to quit. If this holiday takes
place around the time Americans are busy eating lots of
food, including turkey and pies, then why are we talking
about it now when everyone is excited about the winter
holidays?
According to organizers of the Great
American Smokeout, smoking is an important subject
no matter what time of year. A person dies every six and
a half seconds from smoking-related causes. Therefore,
it is always appropriate to remind Americans about the
hazards of smoking.
In fact, though most people understand the
harmful effects of smoking on the body, more than 46
million people in the United States still smoke. This
habit causes many to wonder what causes people to
smoke.
It [smoking] calms some peoples nerves,"
said SHS Interim Assistant Principal and science teacher
Bindy Hathorn. "The nicotine gets them hooked and
they need that rush from it so they continue to smoke.
This explanation may make sense for people who have
survived crises like wars and fnancial setbacks. But
what about others--especially young people--who are
offered better options to deal with stress?
Kent, who describes smoking as an insidi-
ous addiction" and adds that "the best option is to never
start, also says that the American media and United
States family culture may be at fault for the alarming
percentage of young people who smoke. Kent added
that the best way to combat the smoking epidemic
among young people is to increase the cost and the
visibility of the disgusting parts of smoking, such as
The slogan of the Great American Smokeout conveys a serious message.
Campus
Connection
An Atrium
Landmark
By Hannah Sorrell
I
ts lunchtime and youre looking for something to
drink. Something that the Springfeld High School
cafeteria doesnt offer. Maybe an Arizona Iced
Tea. Perhaps a Vitamin Water. Rather than sulking
because you cant have an appropriate beverage, you
grab a friend and a dollar and walk over to the River
Valley Technical Center student-run store, the Campus
Connection, located on the other side of the culinary
arts cafe along the cork hallway.
The students defnitely take advantage of
the store, said RVTC business student and Campus
Connection staff member Lisa Wilkinson. "A lot of kids
come to the store for snacks.
Students like to come get what the school
See Smokeout page 21
See Connection page 21
Business student Dylon Metcalf
serves patrons in the Campus
Connection in the RVTC Atrium.
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Features
Nightlights and Blankies
SHS Drama Class Nails Fall Play
By Jeremy Justice
T
he Springfeld High School drama class has done
something new and something good. In a break
with tradition, the regularly-enrolled drama class
students acted in, and produced, the fall play Dont Be
Afraid of the Dark. In the past, play performances have
been brought to the stage by the SHS Drama Club, after
auditions and rehearsals led to cast selections.
This autumn, however, drama students in
Rebecca Skrypeck's class chose Dont Be Afraid of the
Dark, a slapstick, murder mystery spoof written by Tim
Kelly, after reading various scripts.
Dont Be Afraid of the Dark takes place in
early 1900s America. Zip Whittle and Lilac Cooper
arrive in a remote, spooky mansion known as The
Shadows. They meet the butler and maid, whose names
are Skull and Bones, and are told that their relative, an
infamous horror playwright, has passed away. They are
required to spend a weekend in The Shadows to attend
the reading of their relative's will.
As one could assume from this set-up, all is
not all as it seems at The Shadows. A patient at a nearby
insane asylum (also called The Shadows) has escaped
and is terrorizing the locals.
I wanted to try something different for
the fall show this year, SHS drama teacher Rebecca
Skrypeck said as she described her decision to have
the drama class work on the play in school. In addition
to working on the play in school, drama students also
spent time after school working on sets, blocking, and
rehearsals.
The additional time spent on this theater
project benefted the students. The students were very
productive and they learned a lot, Skrypeck said. I got
to spend more time with them on smaller portions of the
script, their character development, and other things.
Those who attended the play seemed to
agree that the drama students' work paid off. Junior
Emily Chevalier, new to drama this year, enjoyed her
experience with Tim Kellys play.
[The practices] were a lot of fun, Chevalier
said. Chevalier also enjoyed the in-school practices more
than the out-of-school practices, which she described as
less serious.
Though she enjoyed the fall performance,
Chevalier is not sure if shell return to drama next year.
I dont know if Ill do it next year, Chevalier said, but
Ill defnitely do the next play. It was a lot of fun.
Chevalier added, It turned out well. We
made a few mistakes, but we flled it up.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Austin Smith and Kieley Schuck
are Zip Whittle and Lilac Cooper in
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Emily
Chevalier played Gloria Par. The
cast of this murder-mystery spoof
was drawn from the frst period
drama class. The show was directed
by Rebecca Skrypeck.
See Class Play page 23
A decorated wreath symbolizes the River Valley Technical Center horticulture
holiday sale of wreathes, Christmas trees, and poinsettias. Profts from
the holiday sales are used to buy equipment for the horticulture program.
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News
Shan Xu Naturalized
By Meg L. Neet
W
hat do you expect to fnd when you walk into
a post offce? Certainly not a courtroom. But
if you go into the U.S. Post Offce and Court-
house in Burlington, Vermont, thats exactly what youll
fnd. In the U.S. District Courtroom for the District of
Vermont on the 5th foor, Shan Xu ("Sahn Shu"), a 2011
Springfeld High School graduate, became an offcial
U.S. citizen, along with 27 other applicants from 18
different countries, during a ceremony that took place
in mid-November.
Shan, Vicky Hingston (from the SHS Eng-
lish as a Second Language instructional team) and this
reporter enccountered tight security at the U.S. Post
Offce and Courthouse on the day of the naturaliza-
tion ceremony. After giving up cell phones, showing
ID, going through a metal detector, and having bags
passed through the X-ray machine, applicants and their
accompanying friends and family were allowed into
the courtroom, a big circular room flled with chairs,
benches, and huge navy blue curtains on the walls.
SHS English teacher Ed Wilkins (one of
Shan Xu's teachers from SHS) and his wife, Daryl, also
attended the naturalization ceremony. Everyone waited
anxiously for an hour for the citizenship ritual to begin.
Eventually, the Honorable Judge William K. Sessions
III walked in and took his seat, followed by four state
color guards of the American Legion for the Department
of Vermont, who carried the United States and Vermont
fags.
The judge requested that everyone sit down
as he introduced the guests who had shown up for the
event. Then Jean M. Tharpe, Field Offce Director of the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, presented
the petitioners for citizenship. The presentation included
an explanation about how all the applicants had taken
and passed the test for becoming a U.S. citizen.
After that, the judge delivered a small speech
about the Oath of Allegiance. He descrubed how the
applicants were gaining new loyalties, hopes, and
strengths in their process of becoming U.S. citizens. As
they became naturalized American citizens, they were
obliged to leave behind allegiances to other countries. In
Shans case, she was giving up her Chinese citizenship
and allegiance to that country.
Finally, the big moment arrived as all the
applicants stood up and repeated the Oath of Allegiance
after the judge. In the important moment of the cer-
emony, by the power invested in the Honorable Judge
William K. Sessions III, all applicants for citizenship
were declared full U.S citizens.
After this important moment, visitors and
friends took photographs of the new citizens. One by
one, each new citizen was called up to receive his or
her certifcate from the judge, the U.S. Marshal, and
the Immigration Services Director. Before leaving,
everyone stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance and the
state color guards exit.
Several of the new citizens, including a de-
lighted Shan, stayed to get pictures with the judge, the
marshal, and the Immigration Services Director. Last,
Shan stopped and registered with the Vermont League
of Women Voters. After security returned cell phones,
Shan, family, and friends went to Ben & Jerrys. As
2010 SHS grad Shan Xu became a
U.S. citizen in mid-November. The
naturalization process requires
applicants to pass a test and recite
the Oath of Allegiance.
So Few Books
So Much Time
By Jeremy Justice
S
pringfeld High School Llibrarian Jen Wasyliko
ordered and received a shipment of old and new
books recently. This shipment includes popular
new books by Jay Asher (13 Reasons Why and Future
Us) along with several other noteworthy titles ranging
from sports stories to futuristic tales of rebellion.
The SHS Library receives two to three book
shipments a year, each containing roughly 40 books.
I really want the kids to just enjoy the books, said
Wasyliko. There are a lot of life lessons buried in them
that I hope students can experience.
Wasyliko plans to open an online student
blog to allow advisory students to critique the books
they read as part of silent reading in advisories.
It defnitely brings some variety and a new
perspective about what types of books are being written
out there, senior Richie Thomas said in response to
these bookish notions emanating from the SHS Library.
The fact that were supplied with new shipments of
books each year is good. Students can read new and
old books that they previously couldnt.

SHS Grad Becomes

American Citizen
See Naturalized page 20
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News
10 Years of Warmth, Humor, Fashion
Angelo Jardina to Leave SHS
By Olivia Thayer
Angelo Jardina, doing what he does best, connecting with students.
I
f you walk down the social studies hallways of
Springfeld High School and look into the classroom
located between Mrs. Fog and Mr. Lavin, you would
see a tall man with a dramatic voice and a colorful scarf
engaging students with his characteristic sense of humor
and warmth. This would be Angelo Jardina teacher,
coach, and winter-fashion extraordinaire.
Currently, Jardina teaches U.S History,
American Studies, sociology, and psychology at SHS.
Scott Hafferkamp, currently a special education teacher
at the high school, will flled Jardinas position on an
interim basis for the remainder of the year, though
Jardina's individual classes have not been assigned to
any particular teacher yet.
high school. I want to thank all my colleagues," he
said, "both who are gone and who are still here, for be-
ing patient with me, helping me, showing me the ropes,
conjoling me to be a better teacher, being professional,
being so warm and welcoming, and making it a great
transition.
Jardina said that his greatest period of per-
sonal growth and professional development emerged
during this transition. He describes his early teaching
method as just diving right in." Originally he was an
in-your-face kind of guy" who has been tempered by
both colleagues and students over the years.
The students saw my intent and saw my
concern and my love for them," Jardina said, "but [they]
had to say whoa, we understand, but calm down.'"
He believes that his relationship with
students has changed drastically. In my approach to
students, Im more open to their opinions and their
ideas," he said. "They dont see things like I see them,
and thats okay."
Jardina accepts these positive changes with
humility. Professionally, I think that Im a better teacher
than I was ten years or twenty-three years ago, he said.
"But I also am aware that Im not the best teacher yet.
Theres so much more to grow, so much more to know,
and so much further to evolve.
Jardina credits many of his colleagues with
thanks for, and acknowledgment of, guidance over the
years. Greg Smist [former resource room teacher at
SHS] was important as a source of guidance and patience
in Jardinas early years at SHS. As for current teachers at
SHS, the list of credits seems endless. Jardina mentions
fellow social studies teacher Jeff Lavin as a signifcant
friend, teacher, and colleague. He extends praise to Liz
Coen, Kevin Coen, and all the young teachers at SHS
who he believes are bright, creative, capable, and who
have the ability to interact with seasoned teachers and
create a chemistry that is just fantastic.
Overall, Jardina has great respect for all of
his fellow teachers at SHS.
There were so many opportunities where
my colleagues allowed me to be myself and to make
blunders, as I did on a day-to-day basis, said Jardina.
They continue to encourage me and give me the mo-
tivation to come in every day.
And naturally, for Jardina, there are the
students, who are the focus of any teachers career.
He feels that the students are his incentive. They make
teaching high school easy.
Youre around a couple hundred people who
love life and look at it from so many different perspec-
tives, and its contagious, Jardina said, regarding the
students at SHS. When you love this career, youve
See A Legend Lost page 21
Even though Jardina is offcially retiring
from his teaching career in the Springfield School
District, he hopes to continue teaching in Florida.
I do plan on continuing teaching. Im not
retiring, said Jardina. I do believe that I have a few
more years left in me and I want to be active in the
classroom. Jardina has taught in the Springfeld School
District for 23 years, 13 in elementary classrooms and
another 10 at SHS.
There was a big learning curve there, said
Jardina about his switch from elementary school to the
But meeting with kids on the outside of the classroom--basketball,
However, as of January 23, 2012, Jardina
will retire from SHS, though he will continue to teach
a Vermont Virtual Learning class online until the end
of the school year.
Im actually taking a family leave request,
said Jardina. My wife is going through some diffcult
health times.
Jardina and his wife plan to move to Florida
in the spring. He hopes the transition out of state will be
easier if he is to leave his teaching position a few months
prior to he and his wife's moving date in late March.
dodgeball, games, sitting in the bleachers with kids, ranting and yelling
with the kids, the laughter, goofng around in the hallways--those moments
really stick wih you.

Angelo Jardina, Social Studies Teacher.
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News
Military After High School
SHS Students Aim to Join the Ranks
By Jeremy Justice
C
ollege is the focus of many Springfeld High
School students, though some make different
career choices, such as going directly into a
career or serving an apprenticeship. For an even smaller
number of students, enlistment in the United States
Armed Services is an important option. SHS seniors
Austin Smith and Dyllan McAllister are among those
who intend to enter the military after graduation.
I just really like helping people," said
Smith, as he explained his military goal of becoming a
medical corpsman. I want to be in the medical feld.
The Navy is going to give me that experience and pay
me to do it all. Smith's father was also a member of
the military.
Smith, however, is nervous about his PT
(physical test) Exams. PT Exams represent a required
physical test each military applicant must undergo in
order to determine their appropriateness for the armed
services. I'm nervous about my PT exams, Smith
said. I have to do a lot of push-ups and sit-ups in a
short amount of time.
McAllister plans to join the U.S. Army,
though he has yet to take the ASVAB (an aptitude test
which determines a military applicant's strengths, weak-
nesses, and potential). In his plans for a military career,
McAllister hasn't ruled out the possibility of joining the
U. S. Marine Corps.
I've always considered it [military service]
an option, McAllister said when asked about his
decision on joining. No reason not to. Like Smith,
McAllister is following a family tradition by joining the
military.
If McAllister has any second thoughts about
joining the U.S. military, they have to do with the
unknown variables of the experience. Being dumped
in some other town with a bunch of other guys is a bit
daunting, McAllister said.
Both Smith and McAllister feel that military
service is a good option for others. I think people are
Austin Smith will join the U.S. Navy
after graduation. Dyllan McAllister will
join the U.S. Army. Both follow family
traditions in their service to America.
See Military page 20
Patience Bearse
Changing the World To
Beneft the Earth
By Kaylee Haskell
D
ont change the world to benefit people,
change the world to beneft the Earth. This
life motto is not on the average teenager's
mind. Yet Springfeld High School sophomore Pa-
tience Bearse follows this axiom carefully. In her
choice of this motto, Patience proves that she is far
from average.
Bearse was home-schooled during the frst
six years of her educational career. Since entering public
school, however, she has not been particularly pleased
with more conventional education..
I hate public school, Bearse said. She
added that she learned a heck of a lot more while
being home-schooled.
Spending the majority of her childhood at
home learning important lessons, Bearse seems to have
developed the all-important ideal of understatement.
My hobbies? I have a lot of those, she said with
confdence.
Bearse, for example, excels in gymnastics. I
was level 5," Bearse said, "third in the state for uneven
bars."
Along with this accomplishment, Bearse has
been honored by being chosen to represent Springfeld
schools at music district festivals for the past three years.
She also plays 10 musical instruments, including the
See Change page 21
PVP student Jessie Roy and instructor
Ruth Haskell unload food items
at the Springfield Family Center
as part of the PVP food drive Stuff
the Bus. The food drive, sponsored
through Cathy Paul's PVP class, ran
from December 5th-December 9th.
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Feature
Jim Fowle, Vietnam War Veteran
on how he celebrated his 19th birthday.
A Love Story in Red
W
ho will wear the crown? This query is not a
reference to Prince William or Prince Harry.
And it doesn't suggest answers to the ques-
tion of who will rule England after Queen Elizabeth ends
her reign. Perhaps a better way to phrase the question
is in this manner: "Who will wear the 2012 crown for
the 56th annual Apple Blossom Cotillion?
With applications for the Apple Blossom
Cotillion in early December, the race is underway for
Springfeld High School senior girls and other young
people from surrounding towns. It is now open season
for Apple Blossom Queen, an honor that has defned
beauty, elegance, and talent in Springfeld since the
mid-20th century.
The cotillion is a fundraiser for Springfeld
Hospital, though it has more signifcance besides bol-
stering the local health care facility. Many girls of all
ages--whose communities are served by Springfeld
Hospital--view the Apple Blossom Cotillion as a rite
of passage. Senior girls, along with their male escorts,
undergo the rigors and pleasures of singing, dancing,
and interviewing as they hope to be crowned Apple
Blossom Queen. Accompanying the senior girls and
their escorts are a group of elementary school children.
These young people perform as couples and contribute
to the show's overall attractiveness and pleasure.
It is a pageant, a production, entertainment,
and a fundraiser, said Director of the Springfeld Hospi-
tal Foundation and the cotillions Master of Ceremonies
Larry Kraft. It began as a ball, a debutante ball, and
evolved into a community event, the largest single event
in Springfeld.
Rehearsals for the participants will begin
on January 8th and continue every Sunday until the
performance in the spring. This year's Apple Blossom
Cotillion, which dates back to 1956, will take place on
May 4th and 5th in Dressel Gymnasium at Riverside
Middle School--show time 7:00 pm. Dress Rehearsal,
which is open to the public, takes place on Friday night,
and the offcial crowning occurs Saturday. Seventeen
high school couples and 20 elementary children couples
are participating in this years cotillion.
Apple Blossom Co-Director Carrie Patch is
already envisioning the gala event.Again this year we
will be doing combination numbers with the little and
big kids," she said, "which is always a crowd favor-
ite.
One of the most endearing facets of the
Apple Blossom Cotillion involves the shows theme
and dresses. The 2012 Apple Blossom theme will be
A Love Story. Complementing the shows theme, the
girls' dresses will be styled in a passionate red. Kraft
added that producers are creating a narrative story for
this years performance, instead of simply presenting
a collection of musical numbers similar to past Apple
Blossom shows.
For the Love Story theme we will be using
music to tell the story of a couple who meet and fall in
love, said Patch. Some of the featured music will be
'My Girl,' 'I'm a Believer,' and 'These Boots Are Made
For Walking,' along with music from all genres and
decades.
Young and old alike have a great deal of
anticipation and excitement associated with the cotil-
lion. Many contestants participated in this event when
they were children and have been looking forward to
concluding their senior year by competing for the crown
of Apple Blossom Queen.
Im excited. I think its going to be a really
awesome experience, said SHS senior Olivia Thayer.
Our class is really close, so Im looking forward to
spending time with all of my friends. Thayer only
participated in the cotillion once during her elementary
years.
Its a great opportunity to get to know my
classmates better. And I love a challenge, said senior
escort Tim Robinson. Its also a good way to learn
personality traits like diligence and hard work.
I did Apple Blossom when I was younger
and my family did it in the past, added SHS senior
Tara LaPlante. Im looking forward to doing a giant
fun activity with all of my friends.
All my family members did Apple Blossom.
It will be fun to be with my friends, said senior escort
Jeff Fuller. I'm defnitely looking forward to seeing
everyone dance and (attempt to) sing. It should be a fun
time.
Besides being an entertaining event for the
community, the Apple Blossom Cotillion is an important
fundraiser for the Springfeld Hospital. In years past,
all proceeds from the Cotillion were used to purchase
hospital equipment. Recently, Apple Blossom profts
are used for a scholarship for graduates entering the
health care profession.
Last year we decided to give an annual
multi-year scholarship named in honor of former hos-
pital physician Sherb Lovell," said Kraft. "And we
decided to use any additional funds available for healthy
activities for area youth."
Even though May is fve months away, and
the warm days of spring seem nonexistent, the Apple
Blossom Cotillion already promises excitement and joy
for young and old alike.
I want to do Apple Blossom because its a
fun last experience with all my classmates and friends,
concluded senior escort Devan McCarty. Besides, who
doesn't love to dance and sing?
By Holly Hooke
56th Apple Blossom Ready to Roll
Apple Blossom escorts perform the
anticipated escort dance last May.
Last year's queen Chelsea Howland
and her court pose proudly after the
cotillion. Sarah Vredenburgh, who
was part of the 2011 court, and escort
Jordan Clapperton.
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News
Turning 19 in Vietnam
By Meghan Courchesne & Kiana Nelson
M
ost high school students take the time they
spend with family and friends for granted.
They turn 18, and then 19, surrounded by
safety and comfort. They have the freedom to choose
either healthy or unhealthy methods to celebrate their
arrival into adulthood. As the United States recently
removed its troops from Iraq, and Barack Obama
officially declared an end to that conflict, many
Springfield High School students were generally
unconcerned about these public events since the draft
does not exist today.
However, during Vietnam veteran Jim
Fowles talk with Joanna Colemans sophomore English
class on December 19th, students were reminded of
a different, more urgent, time in American history.
required to register for the draft.
As part of an Air Calvary Unit, Fowle was
trained to maintain helicopters. He ended up fying in
small, lightweight helicopters that were shaped like
eggs with tails on them. The front of the helicopter
was clear plastic, which ran all the way under the pilots
feet. Only the pilot and two scouts ft on the aircraft.
Fowle was a scout (the position he originally
enlisted to fll) and his job was to fy low over the jungle
to search out threats for the ground infantry. He said
there were no doors or sides to the helicopter, and he
could reach out and touch things as they few 50 knots
(57 miles per hour) over the Vietnamese foliage. During
a frefght, at this speed and height, the life expectancy
of a scout like Fowle was -2 seconds
Fowle turned 19 fying a scout mission over the Central
Highlands of Vietnam. During Fowles visit with
Colemans students, he described his one-year tour of
duty, beginning in 1967 when he was only 18 years
old.
When sophomore Sean Jeffers asked what
Fowles did to celebrate his birthday in Vietnam, Fowle
had an unusual response. Got shot down, he said.
We were fying a helicopter and got shot down. Happy
Birthday to me.
Although Coleman has been reading the
Vietnam memoir If I Die in a Combat Zone, by Tim
O'Brien, with her sophomore English students for four
years, this was the frst time students concluded their
study speaking with a veteran of the Vietnam War.
Fowles was invited to conclude the students study of
OBriens book since Christine Chapman, who works
as a para-professional in Coleman's sophomore English
class, is Fowles sister. In fact, three of Chapman's
brothers fought in the Vietnam War.
Fowle enlisted into the U.S. Army in April
1967 and ended up in the jungles of Vietnam by June
of that year. He enlisted because he didn't have other
plans for his future, and he knew he was going to get
drafted.
Before her brothers visit, Chapman provided
family background. My father knew my brothers could
be drafted, she said, and by enlisting they had more
control over what job they could have there.
Since Fowle enlisted at 18, he was not
During his visit with Colemans sophomores,
Fowle recalled one experience when he participated in
a mission as a scout at night. At one point, a bat with a
4 1/2-foot wingspan burst through the front windshield
(which was constructed of plastic) swooped around,
and exited the helicopter. At the time, Fowle thought,
Whos shooting at us and where are they?
Sean Jeffers asked Fowle to describe other
animals American soldiers encountered during the
Vietnam War. Water buffalo, tigers, snakes, ants,
Fowles responded. I was in the air most of the time,
so I didnt encounter those things too much.
For Fowle, animals added to the worries
about booby traps, mines, snipers, and mortar attacks.
Even the air was forbidding in Vietnam. When one of
Colemans students asked Fowle to describe the smell
of the country, he responded, It stunk.
The smell of the damp, hot jungle, mixed
with the bases odor was, at frst, unbearable to Fowle.
However, after spending time in Vietnam, he grew
accustomed to the odor, though he is able to recall the
smell vividly today, decades after his war experience.
For Fowle, Vietnam was characterized by the constant
smell of rotting vegetation and waste. "We had buckets
and they were emptied and jet fuel was dumped [on the
waste] and lit on fre, Fowle said.
We were fying a helicopter and got shot down.
Happy Birthday to me.
Jim Fowle, Vietnam War Veteran
on how he celebrated his 19th birthday.
See Vietnam page 22
Sarah Locke and Sean Jeffers
listen to Jim Fowle talk about
his Vietnam War experiences.
Students created posters in
response to Tim O'Brien's If I
Die in a Combat Zone. Fowle
was assigned to fy in an OH-6a
helicopter as a scout.
Jim Fowle Discusses War Experiences
pg
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Features
Transfer Students
A Different Spin on Teaching and Learning
By Lauren Fountain
T
ransferring schools is a reality for some students
at Springfeld High School. "I have transferred to
schools all over Alabama and Vermont," junior
Jason Martin said.
According to Martin, schools around the
country share similar ideas on how to educate students.
However, school offcials and educators sometimes
disagree about food, punishment, and homework.
"Our school lunch [in Alabama] was like a
subway," Martin said. "We had more lines and the food
was more of a home-style feel. If we had pizza, it was
ordered."
Though Martin didn't have specifc experi-
ences with discipline in his old school, Alabama is
currently the only state in the United States that still
permits students to be hit on the backside up to three
times with a wooden paddle by a teacher when they
misbehave. This tactic is used so that students will take
discipline more seriously.
Junior Baylee Williams, a transfer student
last year from a high school in Rhode Island, said that
education was a more serious process in Rhode Island
than at SHS.
"Rhode Island has some of the top schools
in the country," Williams said. "At SHS, you get way
less homework and rules are way less strict. In Rhode
Island schools, if you had a Saturday detention, you
would clean the whole school for six hours." Both Wil-
liams and Martin agreed that there was less bullying at
their prior schools. If students had a problem with each
other, they tended to work it out on their own rather than
attack each other, either verbally or physically.
Both Martin and Williams said that class
size also separated their former schools from SHS. In
Rhode Island, roughly 32 students were found per class.
In Alabama, class sizes averaged around 40 students.
"To help with the additional students in each
room, there were two student helpers per class," said
Martin.
"I feel that by having the tech center [River
Valley Technical Center] here, I am given more op-
portunities than what I was given while I was in Rhode
Island," Williams said. "The bad thing here is that there
is such a lack of motivation. We have no school spirit at
SHS. There is no big push for going off to college."
"The teachers here don't care as much if you
don't fully understand a topic," added Martin. "They will
just move on."
Both Martin and Williams believe that SHS
needs some changes. However, they feel that the high
school provides opportunities for the future.
During the current school year, three trans-
fers have added to the freshman class, and two transfer
students have added to the junior class at SHS.
The Challenge of Left-handedness
By Maygin Jimenez
T
hey complain. They write in a messy scrawl.
They live in a world that seems biased against
them. Theyre left-handed. Though they feel its
great to be unique in a world of right-handers, everyday
struggles that lefties go through are rarely noticed by
the rest of the world or the majority of people who are
of the righthanded persuasion.
Simple things such as writing in ink or using
art room scissors have a great effect on lefties. They deal
with ink smudges and scissors that don't ft quite right
because of their natural-born property. It might appear
Mann. Its annoying how we dont get the respect we
deserve as lefties only because the majority of the world
happens to be right-handed.
And, of course, there are always the naysay-
ers (the righties) who disagree with these statements.
Honestly, they [left-handed people] com-
plain over nothing, said junior Kelsea Edwards. Just
buy your own pair of scissors and get over it."
As Edwards suggests, the plight of the
lefthanded is not so dire. Studies show that left-handed
people are able to handle a variety of stimuli, which
Jason Martin has attended schools in
both Alabama and Vermont.
Lefty Carrie Mobus has diffculty
with smudging ink as she writes.
enthusiasm and a lame t-shirt that says I may be left
handed but Im always right, and they can easily make
their way in the world. Take it from Mann. He knows
what its like out there in the cruel world. His advice?
Just keep you head up and dont let un-
comfortable scissors bring you down," he concluded.
comes in handy when one may be playing Half Life or
Modern Warfare 3. Lefties are also more likely to be
geniuses. Nearly 20% of MENSA members reported to
be left-handed. Left-handers would also like to believe
that being better-looking is among their many attributes,
though this may involve more hope than fact.
Whatever the plight of the left-handed,
whether real or perceived, these people only need some
dramatic to complain over something as insignifcant
as a dominant hand, though no one will understand the
predicament of the left-handed until they are faced with
the challenge that is the left hand.
Springfeld High School junior Samir Mann,
who happens to be left-handed, acknowledges everyday
struggles.
Its hard out there for people like us, says
Just keep you head up and dont let uncomfortable

scissors bring you down.

Samir Mann, Lefty.
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News
E
ye patches. Wooden pegs. Booty. This, for many,
describes the life of a pirate. Weirdly, it may be
much easier, and more accessible, for pirates to
exist in the age of technology than in the time of Jack
Sparrow and Bluebeard. But modern discussions of
piracy has nothing to do with raising the mast, sailing the
Seven Seas, or Davey Jones' Locker. Instead, for many
today, piracy is synonymous with illegally downloading
fles from the Internet. Piracy can involve the use or re-
production of the work of another (without permission)
for proft. With this defnition in mind, it is clear that
pirates lurk everywhere in the 21st century.
Computers were not widely used until the
1980s. Therefore, the act of Internet piracy is relatively
new. Although the concept of piracy is young to the
Internet, the ranks of techno-pirates have swelled im-
mensely since the 1980s.
A small percentage of American U.S. Internet
users, numbering in the millions, engage in Internet
piracy. According to research, approximate 9%, or 16
million users, employed P2P (peer to peer) share sites
or software through 2010. This represents a decline
The Pirate's Life is for Me
By Seth Gammon
since 2007 when Internet piracy in the United States
held steady at 16% and involved 28 million users.
With the shutdown of Limewire (P2P Soft-
ware) in 2010, Internet piracy decreased. Limewire
reported 50 million monthly users with their software
alone. Since then, software like Utorrent, and sites like
ThePirateBay.org, have picked up the slack. With a
strong following, despite attempts to block these sites,
the concept of P2P sharing seems to appeal to many In-
ternet users. However, is peer to peer sharing wrong?
A common misconception with piracy
involves theft. To help understand this better, one can
remember commercials with the following message:
You wouldnt steal a purse. You wouldnt steal a car.
You wouldnt steal a movie. Downloading music is steal-
ing. However, piracy for personal use is not theft. For
instance, if one went to a museum and stole a painting,
the curators of the museum would miss that painting.
It would be gone, and the thieves would have the only
The Pirate Bay, a P2P torrent-
hosting website that holds everything
imaginable for download, has been
a source of controversy. Bills such
as SOPA have been proposed to shut
down peer to peer fle sharing.
See Torrenting page 20
Emancipation
A Legal Option for Youth
By Lauren Founain
S
ome students across America may dream of the
day they can be rid of their parents. However,
what some adolescents may not realize is that
such a separation may be easier than they think. The
legal term for being freed from the care and custody of
parents is emancipation. Hundreds of teens are granted
this privilege each year.
Getting the application is really simple,
recently emancipated Springfeld High School junior
Emily Pinz said. You simply go to the court offces
and ask for the form.
After receiving the proper forms there are
basic questions to answer. An applicant for emancipa-
tion must state where they currently live, they must show
that they are currently employed, they must identity their
educational status, and prove their level of income.
Additionally, in Vermont, one must be 16
years of age in order to be considered for emancipa-
tion.
Once you fnish your application you have
to drop it off and pay $75.00 to have it be considered,
Pinz said. The application gets reviewed by fve or six
people, usually court clerks, before being reviewed for
the fnal time by the judge.
After being received and reviewed by the
judge, the adolescent and their parents receive a letter
stating the date and time they must report to probate
court to have the emancipation request reviewed.
Altogether, the process takes about six
months from start to fnish, Pinz said. You just have
to be able to prove that you can live on your own, hold
a stable job, have a place to live, and most important,
be able to support yourself.
At the court hearing, an applicant sits with
both parents and the judge repeats questions found on
the application in order to hear all information before
he or she makes a decision.
In the time since Pinz's hearing and her being
granted emancipation, Pinz's older sister has received
guardianship of her and now holds all parental respon-
sibilities for Pinz.
For several teens living in the United States
today, emancipation is a way for them to get out of a
bad living situation. Vermont permits emancipation at
a relatively young age compared with the rest of the
United States. Emanicpated youth are still required to
follow age-specifc laws such as not drinking until age
21.
Emancipation has been in effect since the
1800s when it was a process followed to free slaves.
Before 1973, most states set 21 as the lega1 age of
emancipation. However, after states switched the legal
age to 18, fewer applications have been received.
Emily Pinz is an emancipated youth.
In order to be legally emancipated,
Emily had to prove that she could
live on her own, hold a stable job,
have a place to live, and be able to
support herself.
pg
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Food Column
Cannibal Muffn
Cool Pumpkin Roll, Bro
By Tabitha Celani
A
hh, Thanksgiving. A time when talking with
your family, while simultaneously stuffing
your face, is not only accepted, but encour-
aged. In fact, the average turkey-day celebration allows
Americans to stuff their faces with anywhere from
3000 to 4500 calories during one iconic meal. Along
with turkey, rolls, and the you-love-it-or-you-hate-it
cranberry sauce, pumpkin is a recurring theme among
the Thanksgiving-favored palette of American face-
stuffers of all varieties.
Because pumpkin is highly preferred in
the fall and winter season, I naturally sought to bake
something of the squashy nature. You know, I really
love cake. Not only that, but I also love cake with cream
cheese frosting. When I came across a recipe for a
pumpkin cake roll with a cream cheese flling from my
beloved sprinklebakes.com, I was ecstatic.
Before I begin the preparation of this cake,
I would like to warn you that this recipe isnt for the
novice baker. Its complex, diffcult, and incredibly
time-consuming. If that doesnt scare you off, then ahoy,
lets continue onward with our voyage to the pumpkin
roll island.
This recipe combines two things I am bon-
kers about, and it is seasonal. It was the perfect dessert
to bring to the site of my Thanksgiving activities (which
just happened to be the wonderful household of Andrew
Bladyka and his family). The night before Thanksgiv-
ing, I began my attempt at a perfect pumpkin roll. It
went something like this:

Cake Ingredients:
* 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on
towel)
* 3/4 cup all-purpose four
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3 large eggs
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
Filling Ingredients:
* 8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
* 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
* 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cake portion, you must frst

preheat your oven to 375 F. Once this is done,
grease a 15 10-inch jelly-roll pan and then line
the pan with wax paper. Grease and four the
paper. Once this is done and set aside, lay out a
thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
Next, combine four, baking powder, baking soda,
cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. In a separate
bowl, beat eggs and granulated sugar in a large
mixer bowl until thick, then beat in your pumpkin.
(Note: an electric mixer comes in VERY handy
here and later on.) Stir in four mixture and spread
evenly into prepared pan.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until
the top of cake springs back when touched. (If
youre using a dark-colored pan, begin checking
for completion at 11 minutes.) Once your cake has
fnished baking, immediately loosen and turn the
cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off the
paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting
with the narrow end. To clarify, yes the towel
should be inside your cake roll, sort of acting as
the flling, as well as protecting the outside too.
Let your cake cool on a wire rack.
Next comes the flling. While your
cake is cooling, beat the cream cheese, 1 cup
powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in a
small mixer bowl until smooth. This is a simple
creation, but an electric mixer will save you quite
a bit of time here.
Once your cake has cooled, carefully unroll
it. Spread your cream cheese mixture over the cake and
re-roll it. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at
least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before
serving if you so desire.
As I mentioned previously, this recipe is
very time-consuming. It took me anywhere from three
to four hours to complete this dessert. That being said,
my lack of electric mixer contributed to a lot of this
excess time; I was forced to hand-roll the flling for at
least 15 minutes just to get all of the lumps out. In the
end, though, when I had successfully completed my cute
little pumpkin roll, I was incredibly proud. The smell of
pumpkin and sugar flled my kitchen, and after sneaking
a taste of the flling I realized it was probably one of the
most delicious items I had ever made.
Fast-forward to Thanksgiving day. I arrived
at Andrews house at around 11:30 in the morning.
Soon after my arrival, his family was gathered around
my intriguing dessert. His mother, Anne, seemed to be
the most enthusiastic about it. She cut into the roll and
served out slices to everyone. To my delight, everyone
loved it. Serving any new and experimental baked
good without having really trying it yourself is always
nervewracking, but I was especially worried because the
night before I had just put every cake ingredient into the
same bowl and started mixing instead of keeping the egg
and sugar separate. It worried me. But it did not seem
to hinder the outcome of my cake at all.
Enough rambling about my mistakes and
tooting my own bakers horn, though. Making this
pumpkin roll completely from scratch was intimidating,
but ultimately super-rewarding. It got rave reviews from
the Bladyka/Naccarato family. Consequently, Ill be sure
to keep this recipe around for quite a while.
The desserts above are pumpkin
rolls. They are basically pumpkin
muffns with cheesecake flling in
the middle. Baked properly, these
treats tend to make crotchety old
men want to sing show tunes.
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Column
Survey Says...
Oh, I'm Just a Bill
By Andrew Bladyka
I
ts January. Its 10 months away from the big election
day. Its time for a new president. Dont believe me?
Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Almost three years ago the country was
looking at our president with a lot of hope. But at this
point we see that Barack Obama is an extremely passive
president. We, as a nation, are poking our noses in other's
business that we have no right to be in. The nation is
leaderless. What makes me say this?
American rights have also been completely
disregarded in the year of 2011. Lets take a look at
Zucotti Park. We have some angry young people fresh
out of college who cant get a job because the wealthiest
men and women in the country are getting gratuitous
tax breaks and landing in the nation of milk and money
with golden parachutes.
The 1% dont make jobs: they end them
because of their greed. In response, people are uniting
yet here we have police attacking pregnant women and
casually pepper-spraying everything in sight, while pro-
testors are the ones being labeled as low-level terrorists.
What has Obama done since then? Denied women the
morning-after pill, Plan B. Two thumbs up. Two real
big thumbs up. And time for a new president.
However, looking at this years presidential
candidates can be really rough. We have, of course,
President Obama representing the Democrats. On th
other side, running for the GOP nomination are Mitt
Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum,
Michelle Bachman, and Rick Perry. These guys, if
anything, are just a glimpse of light in the long, long
canary mine. So why Mitt Romney? Why Ron Paul?
Why anybody?
Heres one thing that I advise every student
who reads this: become politically aware. It doesnt
mean read a bunch of books about law. It means watch
primary debates. It means read news and look at polls.
It means talk to your inner-conscience and fgure out
what you want from a presidential candidate.
Here are a few things I like in a presidential
candidate:
1) They have to be promising. This doesnt
mean they make promises. It means they keep promises.
If a president promises to pull all troops out of war,
promises to be stern with big business, and promises to
double cancer research and allow medical marijuana for
cancer patient, I expect those promises to be kept.
2) They have to speak well. I dont want
some inarticulate troglodyte running my country. If he or
she cant write well on their own, then I will not consider
them. But thats so harsh! you might say. Not really.
It takes a creative mind to write well. It takes a creative
mind to be a good president. Or Richard Nixon.
3) They have to follow the United States
Constitution before they follow their religious or
personal beliefs. It takes a mature adult, let alone a
politician, to put whats right before whats moral. I
also fnd myself enjoying candidates who believe in
a persons right to choose for themselves. Speeding is
not one of those things that I believe a person should
choose. Whether or not someone does drugs or needs
an abortion or even birth control, are things that a state
or person should control, not the federal government.
4) They have to be stable and trustworthy in
their opinions. I look for someone who has consistently
held their beliefs since they began politics, someone
who hasnt changed views to appeal to a segment of
the American voting public.
5) They have to be a nice person. I dont
want some old man who has a serious problem with kids
walking on his lawn running the nation. A leader should
be frm but also personable and willing to civilly debate
without throwing a temper tantrum when someone
argues with him or her.
6) They have to have agreeable points. Rick
Perry will never get my vote because I think gay men and
women should serve in the military. I think they should
get married and I think they are no different than you
and me except they feel differently about gender. I also
dont like that Rick Perry seems to believe that America
should promote Christianity. This country was founded
on religious freedom. Who would have thought? But
thats just my opinion. I also think that the War on Drugs
has failed, I think war has failed, and I think we should
be focusing on America, not America-as-the-Global-
Police. But someone else may have different points. You
have to respect other peoples positions and disagree
with civility.
If you are a politically-aware teenager who
will be old enough to vote in the 2012 election, you need
to have your own set of guidelines that you will use to
check out presidential candidates. Your opinion is just
that: your opinion. You dont have to believe anything
or even be persuaded.
Most important, you need to remember that
just because someone disagrees with you doesnt mean
theyre looking for a fght. They just want to know why
you believe what you believe. Turn the tables and ask
them what they believe in and why.
So overall, who would I choose as GOP
nominee? None other than Ron Paul. Rick Perry bashed
gays and non-Christians, Newt Gingrich left his wife
when she was diagnosed with cancer for his secretary,
and I disagree with a lot of points that Mitt Romney
makes. But thats just me. Everyone should have their
own political opinion, which is why its so crucial to
vote. Its paramount to think for yourself and take the
time it takes to get out there and voice your opinion
because without a vote, youre nobody.
Survey says: GO VOTE.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm
a liberal. But you don't need to read
newspapers or watch debates to know
there's something wrong in America
when Rick Perry is serious about
discriminating against Americans.
Ron Paul stands by the Constitution.
Barack Obama has been a passive
president.
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Reviews
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
From Oblivion to Sovngarde
By Jeremy Justice
Created by Bethesda Studios, the makers of Rage, Fallout 3, Fallout 3: New
Vegas, Doom II, and previous The Elder Scrolls games has been voted best
game of the year for Spike TV's Video Games Awards.
Y
ou can shout at dragons in Skyrim. If that
doesnt make you want to read this article and
buy the game, I just dont know what will.
Maybe youll be excited about the unlimited possibilities
in this free-roaming, role-playing game. Maybe youll
be pumped to hear that you can be a lizard person and
shoot freballs from your hands. Whatever it is that will
make you excited, youll fnd in the land of Skyrim.
Created by Bethesda Softworks, The Elder
Scrolls V: Skyrim takes place in the fantasy continent
of (you guessed it) Skyrim. Skyrim is a beautiful
northern region, flled with swamps, snowy mountains,
grassy felds, and frozen tundras. In addition to the
lovely landscape, Skyrim has again become a home for
people-eating, fre-breathing dragons. You play as any
of the 10 available races, and later fnd out that you are
a Dovahkiin, which is Nord for Dragonborn. You learn
that your destiny is tied up with the reappearance of
dragons, and you must discover why they have returned
See Fus Ro Dah page 20
Year of the Soundwave
Chart Toppers of 2011
By Maygin Jimenez
A
s the year ends, we remember all the things 2011
gave us. Girls everywhere brought back off-
the-shoulder tops, constant Facebook changes
annoyed avid (see obsessive) users everywhere, and
shows like Awkward had us saying youre welcome in
a sassier tone. But the greatest gift of 2011, besides Lady
Gaga fnding new intricate ways to create clothing from
trash, included the explosive new artists who dominated
and changed the rules of music as we know it.
Hailing all the way from London, we have
soulful pop artist Jessie J. You may already be familiar
with her songs such as Domino, and Price Tag,
which feature rapper B.O.B. Jessie may seem new to
Billboards Top 100 chart, but she has made the chart
before by writing the insanely-popular hit Party in the
USA for fellow pop star Miley Cyrus. Trust me when
I say Jessie defnitely knows what shes doing. As each
of her songs continue to climb the charts, Jessie shows
the boys that she can Do it Like a Dude.
Another new artist, Tyler the Creator, should
come with a warning label. Some see him as an in-
novative genius. Others view Tyler as downright scary.
Clockwise, Foster the People, Tyler the Creator, and Jessie J. all had
arguably great music on the radio this year.
See Top 100 page 23
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Reviews
Immerse Yourself in the Grid
Tron: Legacy
By Seth Gammon
T
ron: Legacy is a 2010 American science fction
flm directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced
by Steven Lisberger. It is a thrilling sequel to
the 1982 flm Tron, with a nice piece of history added
in. Both movies have the actor Jeff Bridges playing
the role of Kevin Flynn (aged in real time) and CLU,
a digitalized version of Flynn. Also Bruce Boxleitner
reprises his roles as Alan Bradley and Tron, a digitalized
version of Bradley. This flm was a fnancial success,
grossing over $400 million worldwide.
The plot of Tron: Legacy is both exhilarating
and interesting. In 1989, Kevin Flynn, the software en-
gineer and CEO of ENCOM International, mysteriously
disappears. Twenty years later, his son Sam (Garrett
Hedlund) now ENCOMs primary shareholder, seems
to take little interest in the company beyond playing
his annual prank on the board of directors, giving away
their products for free, or making it diffcult for them to
conduct business.
After sorting out the repercussions of getting
caught illegally uploading ENCOMs new and improved
operating system (worth thousands of dollars) Sam is
visited by his fathers friend, ENCOM executive Alan
Bradley. After twenty years without contact with Fly-
nn, Bradley gets paged
on his beeper. The page
originates from Flynns
abandoned arcade. From
the arcade, Sam uninten-
tionally teleports himself
to the Grid, a virtual real-
ity created by his father in
the late 1980s.
Tron: Legacy
represents a sequel to the
80s hit Tron since it takes
place after the events of
the frst movie and even
involves two of the main
actors aged in real time. However, though this is a
sequel, one does not have to see Tron to enjoy Tron:
Legacy (though it would probably help ones viewing
ofLegacy to see the original movie). Seeing Tronprior
to Tron: Legacy would answer a few questions like
why theres a laser pointed at Flynns chair in a hidden
offce at FLYNNS arcade. The frst flm also provides
valuable background on Flynn, Bradley, and Tron.
Legacy, like the original, is visually stunning,
with its attention to detail and emphasis on graphics.
After seeing the breathtaking features of a light cycle (a
virtual motorcycle that leaves behind a stream of light)
one has an urge to reach for the closest asthma inhaler.
In fact, everything in this movie emphasizes light. This
results in an amazing display of visual virtuosity, ac-
Look out below. The iconic light cycle from the Tron series.
See Legacy page 20
When She Woke
I
m not sure that there is one singular word that could
be used to describe my reaction to Hillary Jordans
novel When She Woke. At frst I suppose you could
say I was baffed by this tale. But the more I read this
futuristic story, the more intrigued and amazed I became.
Intrigued because of the dystopian aspect of the book.
Amazed for the same reason.
In this reworking of Nathaniel Hawthornes
The Scarlet Letter, protagonist Hannah Payne, violating
her strict Christian faith, has intimate relations with her
towns married reverend. Hannah becomes pregnant and
soon terminates her pregnancy. This means big trouble
for Hannah since When She Woke is set in Texas in the
not-too-distant future, a society in which Christianity is
blatantly intertwined with government. Because of this
unholy alliance between church and state, abortion is
illegal and Hannah has committed murder in the eyes
of the law by aborting her baby.
For her crime, Hannah is sentenced to be a
Chrome for 16 years. This new title also earns Hannah
Payne a new skin tone: a deep and vibrant red to symbol-
ize her crime (in this society, crimes are color-coded:
yellow for misdemeanor, blue for child molestation, red
for murder, etc.).
The further I got into this book, the more I
realized how events in When She Woke seemed ripped
from today's headlines. The fact that Hannahs abor-
tion turned her into a criminal blew my mind. But then
I recalled a recent news item from Mississippi. In that
state, an attempt was recently made to outlaw abortion.
Being pro-choice, Im glad it was defeated. But what
if it hadnt been rejected? What if other states choose
to condemn abortion and eventually the whole country
makes abortion illegal in any circumstances?
Of course, Im not saying that making abor-
tions illegal would be the downfall of the United States.
However, I am a frm believer that this country must
endorse a separation of church and state. One passage,
in particular, from When She Woke supports my point.
Texas Puritan Punishment
By Tabitha Celani
See When She Woke page 21
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Sports
Boys Basketball
A Challenge to Get Better
By Hannah Sorrell
T
he Springfeld High School boys basketball team
began practices for the 2011-2012 season on
November 24th with great hope and confdence
about a successful campaign under coach Pete Peck.
We had open gym three days a week for
about a month before our regular season to prepare for
the season, said senior and co-captain Kirk Perham.
Senior Aaron Wallace and junior Michael Muther will
complete a trio of captains for this year's basketball
team.
All of us went to a team camp [at Castleton
State College] this summer, said junior Kirby Go-
odrich. "It defnitely helped us bond a little before the
season started.
With this extra bonding, the boys feel ready
to dominate their opponents. Now that we have started
playing," Walace said, "we are pushing ourselves and
each other as hard as we can."
Im looking forward to getting back in the
gym and playing with my guys from last year, added
Perham before the start of the season.
The boys had two scrimmages in early De-
cember to give them a taste of basketball before their
frst regular season game against Bellows Falls away
on December 19th, a game they lost 62-53. The boys
played their frst home game in Dressel Gymnasium
on December 22nd against Concord (VT), defeating
their overmatched opponent 60-11, as part of a holiday
tournament.
Im looking forward to winning some
games and having a lot of fun with my teammates,
concluded Wallace. "As a captain, I will challenge
everyone to be better."

Final Chance for Victory

Stillings, Perham Shine as All-Stars
By Liza Fontaine
A
fter a disappointing 0-9 football season, two
Cosmos players were given another chance to
compete for a win. Seniors Kirk Perham and
James Stillings, both top players for the Springfeld
team, were selected by Vermont coaches to compete in
the Vermont North-South All-Star game on November
19th at Middlebury College. Contributing to a strong
South defense, both Cosmos athletes were part of a 35-8
South team victory.
I was pretty pumped because I got to play
with the best of Vermont, said Perham. It was def-
nitely interesting playing with my usual opponents.
With their 35-8 win, the South goes up 6-5
in the series which was started in 2000 by the Vermont
Chapter of the Ntional Football Foundation and Hall of
Fame.
Most people think that because the North
has the bigger schools, they will always dominate,
added Stillings. But we proved that the South has the
better football programs.
On November 6th, Stillings opened the let-
ter he yearned to receive: his invitation to compete in
the North-South All-Star game. Most Springfeld fans
were convinced that Stillings would be the lone Cosmo
to represent Springfeld in the match. But at their fnal
team meeting, before the Cosmos faced the Bellows
Falls Terriers in the last game of the season (a contest
which had been postponed because of weather condi-
tions) SHS football coach Jack Cahoun announced that
Perham would join Stillings in the all-star game.
I was pretty surprised because everyone got
their letters and I never received one, said Perham.
To prepare for the all-star game, Perham
and Stillings practiced four evenings at Rutland High
School. Rutland High School football Coach Mike Nor-
man coached the 44-man South team.
I liked my coach [Mike Norman] a lot,
said Stillings. He was very reasonable. He didnt get
in our faces about things we did wrong.
Of course, along with playing for a new
coach and playing with new teammates, both Stillings
and Perham had the possibility of learning new plays.
However, according to North-South game rules, the
defense is forbidden to perform stunts or use any sort
of blitz. Therefore, Stillings and Perham did not have
to learn any new defensive plays. They simply had to
maintain the strength of their all-star calibre play on
defense.
It was nice that I didnt have to learn any-
thing new, said Perham, especially because we only
practiced for a week.
See North-South page 22
James Stillings, number 70, and Kirk
Perham, 21, played well on defense for
the South team in the North-South
All-Star game in Middlebury. They
were part of an impressive squad which
shellacked the North 35-8 to take a 6-5
lead in this postseason series.
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Sports Column
Jerseys, Club Soccer, Tournaments
Colin Brady is 99.9% Soccer Machine
By Liza Fontaine
Y
ou've probably seen him on Brown Field in a
green and white jersey competing in soccer
matches under the lights on a fall evening.
But little does one know, Colin Brady has a collection
of over 20 jerseys from participating on club soccer
teams around the Northeast. Which colors? You name
it and he's got it.
As Brady's widespread participation sug-
gests, this Springfeld High School senior lives for the
game of soccer. Whether he's playing on the feld, watch-
ing from the couch, or watching from the stands, Brady
feels the game. In fact, Brady's talent and pleasure with
the sport of soccer has carried him through nine states,
two countries, and roughly 100 playing felds in the past
four years.
Since the age of four, Brady has been netting
goals. Brady scored nearly 20 goals in his standout ca-
reer at SHS. Playing at the striker position for three years
on the varsity team, Brady proved to be an offensive
weapon for coach Paul Kendall's teams. Brady was a key
performer for the 2009 boys soccer championship team
and their pivotal win over Mississquoi in the fnals.
I like the competition, said Brady, in an
attempt to explain his soccer passion. It's fun to play
against really good players from all over.
Pushing himself to compete at a high level
has paid off for the Springfeld soccer star. Brady has
collected three varsity letters and many certifcates
Winning a spot on the team, Brady competed in tourna-
ments throughout New England, enjoying a high level
of soccer, along with players from Lebanon, Hanover,
and Woodstock.
It was a really good experience, said Brady,
I learned a lot and had fun at the same time.
Along with playing on the Vermont ODP
team and Lightning Soccer Club, Brady has also com-
peted with the Springfeld Indoor and Spring Soccer
Clubs, Not Nick indoor soccer team, Keene Soccer
Club, and Synergy Soccer Club. In addition, Brady has
also played in local soccer tournaments. His most recent
tryout was for the Synergy Soccer Club.
Was he granted a spot on this latest club? Of
course. Brady will travel to Burlington, Vermont, four
times a week for practices and will compete in games
with the team on numerous occasions this winter.
I always enjoy soccer, said Brady, espe-
cially when I'm competing with hard teams.
In 2010, Brady traveled thousands of miles to
compete in a series of soccer games. Brady spent about
two weeks luxuriating in the Italian culture, tasting new
food, meeting new people, and, of course, playing soc-
cer. Brady traveled with the Keene Soccer Club out of
Keene, New Hampshire.
I learned a lot in Italy, said Brady. The
Italians were very skilled and they trained a lot, which
made them great players.
Although his dresser is overfowing with
soccer jerseys, shorts, and socks, Brady fgures to ac-
cumulate even more soccer memorabilia in the future.
Brady plans to continue his soccer career through his
four years of college. Where he will attend school is
not clear, but Brady has been in contact with Johnson
State College and Castleton State College and has every
intention to compete at this new level of soccer.
I really want to keep playing even though
high school is almost over, said Brady, I love it.
If you pass this soccerholic in the hallway,
ask Colin Brady, How is soccer going? Chances are
99.9% that he has played in the past 24 hours.
through his four years of high school. In 2010, Brady
was named to the 1st Marble Valley League team and
was nominated by coaches of Vermont to play on the
Vermont All-State team. This fall, Brady, after another
fne season, was nominated for the same two awards.
Additionally, Brady's 2011 season concluded with a trip
to Mount Abraham Union High School where he com-
peted for a spot on the Vermont team for the Vermont
vs. New Hampshire Twin State Senior Classic, which
takes place annually in the summer.
"I thought I did pretty well at the try-out,
said Brady, There were a lot of good players who I had
fun playing with.
Along with his three brothers, Ryan, Devin,
and Patrick, Brady has held spots on off-season club
teams. Brady's frst spot on a club team was in Burling-
ton, Vermont, where players from Vermont try out for
positions on the Vermont ODP [Olympic Development
Program] team. Teams are categorized by age, gender,
and state. In 2007, Brady began traveling with the ODP
around New England. He also collected Vermont ODP
jerseys in the four years to follow.
"Playing on club teams has helped me a lot,
said Brady. I get to compete with better players, teams,
and coaches.
In 2009 Brady attended the Lightning Soc-
cer Club try-out held at Kimball Union Academy to
compete for a spot on the New Hampshire club team.
Colin Brady displays the collection of soccer jerseys he has accumulated.
Brady races a Windsor Yellow Jacket to
the ball during a game this autumn.
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Sports Feature
Comfort, Control, and Speed
Soccer Cleats Bring It All
By Tom Kendall
T
hey come in all different colors. Some are made
of synthetic leather and some are kangaroo
leather. One can buy them with or without a
lace cover. Sometimes they are for soft ground and
sometimes for hard, and what many people seem not
to care about, the real ones cost hundreds of dollars.
They are soccer cleats.
When most high school athletes buy soccer
cleats they go to Olympia Sports or look online for the
Sophomore center midfelder
Devin Brady wears Nike CTR 360
soccer cleats during a game this
autumn. Below, the Nike Tiempo
Legend Elite and Adidas Adizeros,
directly above, were developed for
professionals who want to get the
best results.
cheapest, newest cleats. But when it comes to comfort,
control, touch, and speed, the high prices really are
worth paying.
"I wear the Nike Mercurial Superfy soccer
cleats because they are lighter and I need my cleats to
hold up through many seasons of soccer throughout
the year, senior captain Colin Brady said. If I went
and bought just any pair of cheap cleats I wouldnt be
able to perform at the level my coaches and teammates
expect.
A pair of Mercurial Superfy soccer cleats
cost around $450 and are worn by some of the best soc-
cer players in the world including Cristiano Ronaldo.
The newest version is blue and green, as most cleats
sport bright colors, and weigh just 7.8 oz. They are
made of synthetic leather and the studs are made for a
high speed of play.
Nike is one of the top soccer brands in the
world. There are Nike cleats made for speed, comfort,
and touch. Every category includes a few different
types of cleats and those cleats are split up according
to experience level and price range. For example, the
Nike Tiempo Legend IV Elite soccer cleats have been
developed for elite and professional players who want to
get the best results from their cleats. These shoes retail
at about $440 while the Nike Tiempo Natural IV soccer
cleats are made for inexperienced players and retail at
just $64. The difference in the two cleats, besides the
price, is the quality. The Tiempo Legend cleats are
made of Kangaroo Leather and use fywire technology
to shape better to the foot while also reducing the weight.
They also have light-weight carbon fbre chassis giving
them a very comfortable ft. The Tiempo Natural soccer
cleats have an upper made of synthetic leather and dont
have chassis. Because the boots dont have chassis they
are a single, whole piece making them unreliable and
uncomfortable for use year-round.
I buy real cleats and spend the extra money
because they are much more durable and comfortable.
And I put so much time and focus on soccer that I
need reliable cleats, said senior captain and central
midfelder Cooper Naess. Out of all my cleats, my
favorites are my Nike CTR 360s because they are very
comfortable and have lasted me over a year. They are
also broken in and shaped to my feet because they are
made of kangaroo leather.
Soccer cleats are necessary for all players. But
the players who want to get the most out of the game
and want the same style as the pros like David Villa
and Lionel Messi, buy the best of the best cleats for
high prices.
My favorite professional player is Steven
Gerrard and he wears Adidas Adipower Predator boots,
said Naess about the importance of quality cleats to
professional players. "He wears the real cleats so he can
ensure his coaches and fans that he will perform at his
best, Some soccer players at Springfeld High School
play year-round and take soccer very seriously. In order
to have success like Gerrard, they need cleats that will
be reliable.
The reason I buy the real deal cleats is
because the fake cleats can hurt my feet and they are
very poorly made, said senior defender Michael Whit-
temore. The real cleats are also very comfortable and
help with my traction. Whittemore has a pair of Adidas
F50 Tunits, Adidas F50 Adizeros, and a pair of Nike T90
Laser IIIs.
As soccer becomes a bigger sport in America
and the United States joins the rest of the world in sup-
porting the worlds game, soccer and the technology
used in the game, such as cleats, will continue to evolve
and push the limits of what is possible.
I buy real cleats and spend the extra money because they are much
more durable and comfortable. And I put so much time and focus

on soccer that I need reliable cleats.

Cooper Naess, Varsity Captain.
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Sports
Joe Brown. Coach Brown.
Man, Myth, Machine
By Maygin Jimenez
G
ym teacher. Springfeld High School graduate.
Husband. Doting father of two. All these adjec-
tives describe Joe Brown, who will add girls
basketball coach to the mix this year.
The SHS girls basketball team will now be
under the guidance of Brown who plans on rebuilding
the program, and bringing back the love of basket-
ball. His players already have high hopes and expecta-
tions for the new coach. Echoing the girls' optimism,
senior center/forward Sarah Gray said, I really think he
[Brown] will give us a new perspective and that well
be very successful.
Brown's colleagues at the high school also
give Joe Brown a lot a credit as he assumes his coach-
ing duties this winter. Veteran SHS physical education
instructor Joy Benson is delighted with Brown's person-
ality, energy, and insight in handling young people.
Joes my boy, said Benson. He has a
wonderful attitude and cares so much about his team and
theyre already working so hard. The girls are lucky to
have him.
Though Brown is new to coaching girls bas-
ketball, he has been an assistant coach in boys basketball
and he has coached football for six years. Browns love
for coaching and sports show when he is instructing his
team.
I love competition and the hard work that
goes into being a successful team, Brown said. I just
love everything about coaching.
However, with anticipation about wins
comes concerns about losses. With last year's girls
T
he rain is falling. The felds outside are brown
and frozen. This means one thing: its time to
take the balls inside and dust off the old Nikes.
Basketball season is offcially starting.
For the Springfeld Cosmos girls basketball team,
a big change involves their coach. Springfeld High
School physical education teacher and SHS grad Joe
Brown will replace Brodie Ladue, who left at the end
of last season. Ladue was SHS girls' basketball varsity
coach for two years.
Im looking to rebuild the program, said Brown.
I want to bring back the traditional roots of basketball
our town is accustomed to.
The players know what the coach and
program expect, Brown added.
The girls, in fact, are excited about a new
era beginning for their program. Im looking forward
to playing more with the older girls, freshman point
guard Chelsea McAllister said. I think the season is
going to be great.
Losing a rough season-ending game in the
quarterfnals last year against Lamoille, the eventual
Division 2 champions, the Cosmos fnished at 6-14. This
winter, the Cosmos are ready to pick up their game and
get the upper hand on some tough teams.
Optimism and Improvement
By Kaylee Haskell
Sarah Gray tips off the season against Bellows Fall. The Cosmos won 40-21. See Optimism page 22
Girls Basketball Eyes a New Start
See What a Man page 20
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Fus Ro Dah from page 14 Legacy from page 15
copy. However, when one downloads an item online, all
they are doing is copying it from the original fle. The
owner of the fle still has it. The indivdual has not stolen
anything in a traditional sense. They simply possess
the same fle as the owner. At the same time, however,
the individual may have denied the owner any money
he/she would have gained from the fle. But would this
be considered stealing?
If one worries about these complexities con-
cerning theft and piracy, a simple way to distinuguish
piracy is to remind yourself that if you steal something,
the owner has lost that item and, consequently, has lost
any proft connected to that object. For example, if one
was to steal a bike from a store, the store-owner would
cease to have that bike (that property) and the store-
owner, thus, would lose this potential proft. With this
in mind, if one is to download a song, the owner still has
the fle and can distribute the music. The owner has not
lost anything. This situation is what identifes piracy.
To add to one's ethical thinking about piracy,
studies conducted in Switzerland have shown that
most pirated material does not lead to lower sales for
down-loadable content (games, movies, music, etc.).
Additionally, this Swiss study revealed that pirating
actually encourages people to spend more money. In
this respect, pirating has come to represent an odd form
of renting. With pirated games or music, for example,
a consumer may fnd that they wish to eventually buy
the game or music. But without experiencing a pirated
copy of a game or a particular band, one is not sure if
they would like a certain game or band and they will be
less likely to spend their money on these items.
However, this study only pertains to Swit-
zerland and the Netherlands and not planet Earth and
thus is not the fnal word on the infuence of pirating on
consumption.
However, there are those who insist that
piracy through technology has a negative impact on
society. Some studies suggest that the global piracy
rate is at 35% and dropping at the slow rate of 1% a
year. A study, covering 70 countries which represent 99
percent of the world's information technology spending,
indicates that a worldwide reduction of software piracy
by 10 percentage points to 25% could generate 2.4
million jobs and $400 billion of economic growth. The
most recent poll comparing countries on percentages
of pirating surprisingly shows the United States at the
bottom of the list with only 20% of possible items being
pirated. This, however, is still three times the amount of
merchandise that retail stores lose to shoplifters.
Pirating will probably never end, especially
in an era that is characterized by constant growth in
technology. And with this increase of piracy options for
consumers, the defnitive answer to whether piracy is
good or bad seems destined to increase in complexity.
Torrenting from page 11
to the area.
Now heres the beautiful part of Skyrim:
you dont actually have to fnd out more on the dragon
menace and continue the main quest line. You can get a
decent job in a nearby town and fnd a pretty girl to settle
down with. Or you can run off into the woods and kill
wolves, then craft their hides into leather armor. You
can travel to the College of Winterhold and learn how
to be a wizard, hurling freballs and ice shards at your
enemies. With 100 hours of gameplay from the quests
and a world of infnite possibilities, youll be able to do
whatever it is you want to do.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is also a graphi-
cally-impressive game. From the beautiful, distant
mountains to the crisp, clear rivers, to the mesmerizing
Northern Lights in the star-flled night sky, this game is
gorgeous and will have you gawking at the screen for
hours.
The combat in Skyrim is exciting and fuid,
and the leveling is fun and easy to get into. Say, for
example, you want to get better at using one-handed
weapons. Instead of killing monsters, leveling up, and
putting points into some stupid skill system, all you need
to do is use one-handed weapons. This method makes
it easy to change your style of fghting, no matter what
level you are. In Skyrims predecessor, Oblivion, you
chose what skills your character would specialize in
within your frst few minutes of gameplay.
Another addition in Skyrim involves the perk
system. If you read my review on Fallout: New Vegas,
you should be familiar with perks. Perks are abilities
that enhance certain aspects of your character. For ex-
ample, there are perks that make you do more damage
with certain weapons, cut down on cost for using certain
spells, or give you a special skill. This new perk system
allows you to spend the perk point whenever you like, so
you arent forced to decide what you want to improve.
Deciding how you want to play your charac-
ter can be a bit challenging, but engaging. For example,
I thought I had my character fgured out months before
the release. I was going to be a sneaky Dark Elf, using
daggers and bows. I wanted to be the master of stealth, a
shadowy assassin. After an hour of playing, I somehow
had chosen to burn my enemies with a freball spell in
one hand, and cleave them with an axe in the other hand.
Thanks to Skyrims new leveling system, I was able to
experiment with different play-styles without having to
make an entirely new character.
Skyrim is an amazing game. It is quite
possibly the best role-playing game produced in the
past 10 years. It offers players week after week of new
and exciting experiences, with never a dull moment. A
must buy, Skyrim will keep you entertained for (seem-
ingly) forever. What could be better? Aside from the
occasional bug, Skyrim is a fawless game that is worth
so much more than the $60 it costs. And if this pricetag
seems too steep, get out in 2012 and spend some of your
Santa money on this tasty morsel of game-playing and
fantasy.
from the gladiatorial disc that characters throw at their
enemy to smash them into billions of tiny pixels to the
fashing color in dance clubs and houses. The creative
braintrust at Disney, the company that produced this
flm, spared no expense when it came to Legacys CGI
(Computer Generated Imagery).
Besides light, colors bring a world of mean-
ing to Legacy. Since the movie takes place in a com-
puter-generated world, action scenes and settings have
a delightful digital feeling. The signifcant colors in this
movie include blue, variations of red to orange, yellow,
and white. The use of these colors fashions another level
of creativity and wonder that adds to the active pace of
Legacy.This is not the frst movie to use colors to good
effect, though one would be hard-pressed to imagine a
flm where color is used to this extent in an imaginative
and memorable manner.
Colors, as used in Legacy, refer to the light
radiating from the light suit (the clothes programs and
users wear).
--Blue signifes neutral programs, programs
that believe in or fght for the users, ENCOM mainframe
security programs, and users.
--Red pertains to programs that either dont
believe in the concept of a user or represents a re-pur-
posed program loyal to CLU (the virtual version of
Flynn)
--Orange, although not clearly defned, is
only really seen in connection with CLU 2 in Tron:
Legacy. This color declares a leader, who controls the
red programs.
--Yellow means hacker/search programs.
--Last we have white, which stands for neu-
tral programs, ISOs (Isomorphic Algorithms, basically
programs that spontaneously evolved on the grid and
were not created by a user) and users.
Visuals aside, if youre looking for excite-
ment, look no further than Tron:Legacy. This movie
starts out as a thrill ride and turns into a cybertronic
gladiatorial battle. Viewers move from the cinematic
violence and are exposed to mind-expanding ideas such
as the idea that hours on the grid represent seconds back
in the real world. All this while taking a trip down story
lane in Tron: Legacy.
Most tantalizing, the movie leaves one
wondering, what if?
basketball record at 6-14, Brown has decided to make
major changes. I think that the girls lost track of the
love of basketball, said Brown. I really just want to
put structure back into our team.
As well as adding more structure and re-
kindling a love for the game of basketball, Brown has
re-evaluated drills and plays. The girls know what to
expect and theyve been working so hard already," he
said. "Theres defnitely going to be some major wins
for our team this year.
With his impressive amount of experience
and teaching, Brown, though a relatively young coach,
already has the respect and admiration of his team. As
senior guard Larissa Bargfrede concluded, New season,
new coach, big wins.
What a Man from page 19
scared of the military and they dont really think about
the experience and the benefts the military has to offer,
Smith said. My biggest infuence [in joining] would
probably be my dad and my uncles. All of them went
into different branches and came out very successful.
McAllister intends to take advantage of the
tuition assistance the military offers. I plan on joining
the army for schooling, he said.
Military from page 7
everyone agreed, there is no better way to celebrate
one's naturalization as an American citizen than with
ice cream.
Witnessing Shan Xus citizenship ceremony
impressed everyone who attended the ceremony. None
of her friends will forget Shan looking like the happiest
person in the world when the judge pronounced her, and
the other petitioners, U.S. citizens.
Naturalized from page 5
Jade Carr was honored as Student of
the Month for November.
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When She Woke from page 15
phlegm, hairy tongue, emphysema, COPD, and lung
cancer.
Smoking is considered so unhealthy that
some would like to prohibit this habit altogether.
Current PVP teacher and former SHS health teacher
Ruth Haskell would like to see smoking made illegal.
"[Outlawing smoking] would be great," she said. "Some
smaller countries have done that.
On the other hand, Cranse said, No, that
never works." She added, It [outlawing smoking]
would make it more appealing.
Since smoking probably wont be outlawed,
those who support the Great American Smokeout seek
to teach about smoking's harmful effects on the human
body. Smoking reduces lung capacity and circulation,"
Haskell said. "It speeds up the pulse rate and raises blood
pressure. It also dries the mouth and makes your heart
work harder.
Other SHS teachers agree with Haskell.
"Smoking ages you," Hathorn said. "Lung cancer,
esophagus cancer, bad breath, wrinkles, cough, all kinds
of things. If you want to smoke in your home, not around
your kids, then you have that right. But with the risk of
second-hand smoke, you can't smoke near people who
don't smoke. It is too risky. So bans on public smoking
need to be adopted in every state, even on sidewalks
and outdoor events.
If knowing the effects of smoking doesnt
stop one from smoking, supporters of the Great Ameri-
can Smokeout advise smokers to think about what the
people around them would say if one ever smoked near
them. Cranse said that if she could tell a smoker one
thing it would be The choice to quit comes from within.
How can I help?
Nurse Kent also has advice about this dan-
gerous habit. The benefts of quitting far outweigh the
feeting pleasure that cigarettes offer," Kent concluded.
"There is a lot of assistance available to people trying
to quit. I would be happy to help you.

Smokeout from page 3

doesnt have, like candy and Arizona Iced Tea,
added SHS senior and Campus Connection staffer Eric
White.
In fact, the Campus Connection is diverse
and varied and sells almost the same inventory in terms
of food and drink that one could fnd in a regular con-
venience store. The store offers a microwave, which
allows students to purchase a microwavable lunch and
heat it up right on the premises.
The second-year RVTC business class,
taught by Melissa Connor, runs the Campus Connection.
During their lunch, business students work in the store
as cashiers, stockers, and clerks.
Business students appreciate the practical
experience they gain by working in the Campus Con-
nection. I like how we [the class] get more of an idea
on how to run a business, SHS senior and business
student Taylor Fontaine said.
Its great that the kids have the opportunity
to operate a business and learn, Connor said.
We get to order the food in the store, added
White. The store sells not only food and drink products,
but also non-food related products like books, candles,
bags, t-shirts, and other miscellaneous things.
Most students seem to like the mixture of
enjoyment and learning that the Campus Connection of-
fers. Its really fun," Fontaine said. "Im glad I decided
to try it."
Running the cash register is the most fun
part. Wilkinson concluded. Business hours for the
Campus Connection are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
and Friday, 8:15-9:30 am and 12:15-1:15 pm.
Connection from page 3
After being released from her short incarceration,
Hannahs parents send her to a Christian halfway house
for female Yellows and Reds. Due to Hannahs crime,
she must attend what is called Enlightenment. Enlighten-
ment forces Hannah, and some of her housemates who
have also had abortions, to be indoctrinated about the
evil of their behavior. The descriptions become grue-
some: Enlightenment was the worst, and she came to
dread it more with every passing day. She never knew
what to expect: a lecture from a visiting doctor on the
gory specifcs of the procedure, complete with jars of
fetuses in formaldehyde; an ideation session in which
they imagine alternate futures for their aborted children;
a holovid showing bloody, half-aborted babies trying to
crawl out of their mothers' wombs.
Hillary Jordan makes it clear that such a
scnario is not beneath any of us. The protagonists
sister, Becca Payne, is married to an overbearing and
extremely possessive husband. At one point he strikes
her, and Becca concludes that this angry outburst is a
result of Cole, her husband, joining a group of religious
extremists called the Fist of Christ. This gang brutally
beats and kills anyone who breaks their Christian-based
laws. They target homosexuals, adulterers, and women
like Hannah, who have aborted their children.
The frst thing that came to my mind when
reading this section was the real-life group of Christian
extremists, the Westboro Baptist Church. This church
preaches nothing but unabashed hatred and encourages
the use of phrases such as god hates fags and pray
for more dead soldiers.
When She Woke made me think What if
people like this gain power? What if it becomes legal to
force abortion clinics out of business and to force gays
and lesbians to seek religious help?" Funding to Planned
Parenthood--a service that I, along with millions of other
women in this country, rely on--has already been cut.
Such cuts in funding may be religiously motivated, since
Planned Parenthood is often erroneously characterized
as an abortion clinic and birth control dispensary.
These thoughts came to me when I read Hill-
ary Jordans When She Woke. Jordan's writing invoked
y sense of wonder and fear and curiosity. I do not regret
reading a single page of this book. I recommend When
She Woke to anyone, who is not afraid to test the sensi-
tive boundaries of their beliefs.
grown to love the students youre involved with.
Student interactions are the common element
among Jardinas most treasured memories from his years
at SHS. He shares memorable experiences during his
years coaching track with Dave Slivka, which was a
blast," and Coach Bob Schweitzer [former social stud-
ies teacher at Riverside Middle School] who was a
wonderful, beautiful man. Jardina was able to form
new relationships with students as athletes that he didnt
experience in his role as a teacher.
The instruction in class is always fun, and
when kids get it or when we have some fun, thats
great, said Jardina. But meeting with kids on the
outside of the classroom--basketball, dodge ball, games,
sitting in the bleachers with kids, ranting and yelling and
screaming with the kids, the laughter, goofng around in
the hallways--those moments really stick with you.
Finally, Jardina will take many experiences
and knowledge gained from the Springfeld community
with him when he moves. From the community and
the school community I take a lot of affection, said
Jardina. This is a community that has gone through
some diffcult and tough times.
Despite these diffculties, Jardina feels that
the community of parents at SHS deserves great admira-
tion. He credits the parents with creating the great kids
that he gets to work with, and says his hat is off to
this great bunch of people that he has been allowed
to work for.
Im going to take all that love and affection
that I have for the community and the school community
with me," Jardina concluded, "Im not going to forget
it. Its going to be with me forever.
A Legend Lost from page 6
piccolo, fute, and guitar.
Also a little piano, said Bearse, once again
suggesting her well-developed powers of understate-
ment. I could also play the bass clarinet and the tenor
and bass saxophones." Singing, composing, embroider-
ing, sewing, and crocheting are just a handful of other,
diverse skills Bearse has mastered.
Bearse also enjoys the study of alternative
energy. I dont like electricity, Bearse said. After
living six years without electricity, one can understand
why Bearse, a Weathersfeld native, is opposed to this
modern source of power and light.
Her independent spirit is readily displayed
in school. While studying photosynthesis in biology
class, Bearse and her classmates were asked if they had
any more questions related to photosynthesis. Bearse's
question suggested the way her mind works: "Is there
a way we can take the suns energy and make it useful
to other things on Earth?
As this biology experience suggests, Bearse,
typically considered quiet and shy, contains an abun-
dance of wonderful ideas.
We kind of skipped the social [outgoing,
loud] gene, Bearse said about her peaceful family. Like
Bearse, her family is considered quiet. She lives with her
mother, father, sister, brother, many cats and chickens
and, characteristically for Bearse, a rabbit that thinks
hes a rooster.

Change from page 7

and not so fast-paced. You defnitely have time to think
here. Vermont is the get-away state.
Do you think that students in Springfeld are spoiled
by living in such a small Vermont town that is
relatively safe? Or do you think that there is more
dangerous activity in Springfield and some just
dont see it?
Personally, I think that there is danger everywhere you
go. And, honestly, I dont think living here makes you
spoiled, though it is a form of being pampered. And
ignorance comes into play if you do not venture out,
experience, or have interactions and encounters with
people of other cultures from all around America.
Hood from page 2
Ethan Holmes and Corey Wheeler
won the Badminton tournament on
December 23, 2011. Congratulations!
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Jupiter from page 24

Okay, administrators and teachers, dont
worry, the point of this column is not to bash you all,
I promise. In fact, I want to extend my serious and
upmost respect to you all. In just the few years that I
have been here, Ive seen the faculty and administration
come together in hopes of making this school a more
positive and united community, and a superior learning
enviornment as well. Additionally, my goal is to try and
instill a sense of pride in the underclassmen about this
school.
Despite the positive changes that I know
are occurring, I hear so much complaining around this
school. Students groan and moan: Why do we have
to write so much? I hate how long these classes are
My teacher is such a unfair grader. Now, maybe I just
wasnt paying attention in my younger years, but now I
listen to these criticisms and think: really? Yes, I get it.
This is a public school. We are not a private school with
fancy uniforms, manicured lawns, and thousand dollar
tuitions, all which lead to a mask of higher educational
value. But, I also get that every single teacher in this
building seriously care about your education and your
success both in this school and in your future life.
In years past, the attitude of many students
and teachers around here seemed to be well, we know
that our test scores and graduation rates arent good, but
theres nothing we can do about it. Today, I see the
attitude has changed to actually, we can do something,
and we will. Ive witnessed the SHS faculty adopt a
new schedule, a new curriculum, a new plan for instruc-
tion, and a new attitude around here. I have participated
in these changes as a member of the Instructional Team,
and through that, Ive learned more about the adults in
this building then I ever though possible. I see my teach-
ers trying to teach in new and different ways, embracing
exciting changes, and showing that they care deeply
about the future of SHS and its students.
Mr. Thibault and Mr. McLaughlin have done
more than many students realize to improve this school.
When I was a freshman, I never saw the principal and
vice-principal standing in the parking lot, the lunchroom,
or the hallways casually chatting with students. We
were rarely held responsible for cutting class, missing
assignments, or being insubordinate.
I know some people will read my words
and think What? You want the school to be strict?
Well, yeah, in a way I do. If we arent held responsible
at this age for our actions, when will we ever learn to
work hard and achieve our goals? When you cant fnd
a job? Flunk out of College? Get arrested and put in
jail?
High school, despite some students hopes, is
still a school. Its not just a place to hang out for eight
hours a day and make friends. We are here to learn.
We are still under the guidance of adults. As we should
be. Despite the fact that some of us will turn 18 before
graduation, we are still kids. We dont know how to
survive yet, and that is what we are here to learn.
So, my point is this: students, we must
follow the teachers lead and embrace change at SHS.
Juniors, you saw the tail end of the bad years around
here, so I think you know what I mean. Freshmen and
sophomores, you must realize that your teachers really
are looking out for your best interest. They are doing
everything in their power to teach you so you can suc-
ceed in the world and fnd happiness.
Chances are, if you care about your educa-
tion even a fraction of as much as they do, you will be
surprised how much your life will improve. So, give
high school a chance. Dont just write this place off
the second you walk through the front door.
Finally, and this is where those trusty Beach
Boys come in - show a little pride in Springfeld High
School. Yes, we all know that the paint is peeling, our
sports teams are not all state champs, and our pep-rallies
still need work, but we can still have school spirit.
So get involved; go and cheer at a sports
game, participate in spirit week and other club activities,
stick around for winter carnival this year, contribute to
your class effort, whatever it might be.
Springfeld High School can, and will, be a
good school again. We will reach the point where its
not an embarrassment to say you go to school here. But
its going to take an open mind, a lot of respect, and a
little Cosmos pride from each of us to get there.
I love basketball, sophomore guard Liza
Hoffman said. Im looking forward to working as a
team and accomplishing goals. Being new to SHS this
year, Hoffman has great hopes for this season being a
swing player.
I hope we become a more close team this year,
added senior guard Emma Esty. Esty has been on the
varsity squad for two years and is looking forward to
a successful year for her team. Its a new coach, new
perspective.
Optimism from page 19
The next performance for the drama class will be The
Odd Couple, a play about two mismatched roommates
and the time they spend together. For this spring produc-
tion, however, gender roles will be switched.
The drama class raised $400.00 from their
performance of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. This money
will be used for future productions, transportation, and
fees for the regional theatre competition. A small portion
of the money will be donated for senior drama members
to spend on books and other college necessities.
Class Play from page 4
On November 19th, South coach Norman
started Perham at linebacker while Stillings began at
defensive tackle. Because of the number of players,
Norman split the Souths defensive players into two
squads. Norman followed the same strategy with his
offensive players.
It was different rotating in and out, said
Perham, because this season I played every minute of
every game due to our low numbers [in Springfeld].
Though Stillings and Perham were honored
with selection to the South all-star team, it is uncertain
whether they will be named to the Vermont team that
competes in the Vermont-New Hampshire Shrine Maple
Sugar Bowl that takes place in August at Dartmouth
College.
Competing in the North-South game was
the whip cream on my high school football career,
concluded Stillings. But making the Vermont Shrine
team would just be the cherry on top.
North-South from page 16
In fact, Fowle said that his worst job in
Vietnam was to burn waste. New guys got that job,
he said.
The war in Vietnam caused the death of
58,148 Americans. 61% of these casualties were young
men under the age of 21. It is commonly believed that
most Vietnam Veterans were drafted, but, in fact, 2/3
of the men were volunteers. During 1967, the year of
Fowles enlistment, the Civil Rights Movement was in
full swing, and Martin Luther King was assassinated.
Disturbing news like this traveled to the soldiers in
Vietnam. "It [racism] didn't touch us, Fowle said during
his talk. Let me try to explain this. There isn't color in
the foxholes. Everyone was treated the same. The VC
[Viet Cong] didn't care what color you were when they
shot you.
Sara Locke asked Fowle if he had experience
with Agent Orange, a defoliating chemical sprayed over
the jungle to clear out the trees and underbrush and
make it easier for Americans to spot Viet Cong or North
Vietnamese soldiers. During their reading of OBriens
book, Colemans students had learned that many soldiers
suffered physical and mental impairment from exposure
to Agent Orange.
Fowle said he was exposed to the chemical
frequently. Each area of the jungle had to be sprayed
every 90 days. "I have diabetes now, thanks to Agent
Orange," he said. He is also forced to walk with a cane
due to exposure to the chemical.
As he described during his classroom visit,
Fowle developed an imaginative strategy to deal with
his Vietnam War experiences. I have to think about it
in a way that makes me deal with the year, and what I
saw, he said. So I saw it as a years paid vacation. It
was my frst introduction to world travel.
But Fowles memory is still sharp, even
concerning his return trip to the United States. The
plane's energy was tense, he said. Everyone knew it
wasn't over until we few across the ocean and were off
the coast, and they couldn't touch us anymore."
The soldiers were warned about the possible
reaction of US civilians. The crew on the commercial
airline told them not to wear their uniforms or brag
about what they had done in Vietnam. Fowle recalls
sitting in the airport during a layover in Hawaii on his
way home, and seeing the new soldiers board a planes
to Vietnam.
The look on their faces was fear and awe,
according to Fowle. We still had mud on our boots.
Some of us came right out of a mission and onto the
plane home. They could see the orange on our boots,
but we couldn't say anything to them. There was no way
to tell anybody what to expect over there. No way."
If Jim Fowle could have given those soldiers,
or any new soldier entering war, one piece of advice he
said it would be short and to the point. "Keep your head
down and cover the guy next to you, he concluded.

Vietnam from page 9

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Hes been a great addition to the staff," said

Thibault. "The change in the climate here for students,
and the help that hes been with the staff stuff, has been
remarkable. Im going to miss him personally, as well.
Weve become really great friends. Its been a lot of fun
having him work with me.
According the Thibault, the legacy left by
McLaughlin is immense. McLaughlin was a vital fgure
in the increased consistency of discipline at SHS that
has developed over the past few years. Discipline is
now coherent, and no longer based on who you are or
whom you know, but rather what you did. Additionally,
Thibault mentioned the cultural impact that McLaughlin
left.
He did that [discipline] with a great sense
of humor. As much as kids might be upset that theyre
getting in trouble, the kids were usually smiling when
they left his offce, said Thibault. Thats a good sign.
That you can have someone walk that line and balance
it. McLaughlin's impact will leave large shoes for
Hathorn to fll, Thibault good-naturally warns.
As for McLaughlins new position, Thibault
knows that the most diffcult aspect of the job will be
leaving the kids at the high school. I hope he knows
what he is in for over at Central Offce, laughs Thibault.
But, I wish him the best.
Dr. Vincent Hawkins says that the decision
for McLaughlins hiring came from a multitude of
sources. Since McLaughlin has been involved at SHS,
he will bring an understanding of the dynamic at the
high school, and will be able to assist administrators
with the issues and improvement that will occur at SHS
in the coming years. McLaughlins knowledge and
involvement in the Penn Literacy Network and Four
Lenses of Learning Curriculum, which was recently
implemented at SHS, will also be important to his new
position.
Regarding qualifcations, we are fortunate
that Mr. McLaughlin's credentials are above and beyond
those required for the position, said Hawkins. He
is a quick study and our educational ideologies are
similar.
Hawkins held the position of Curriculum
Director for fve years--since the fall of 2006. Even
more impressively, Hawkins has been in education for
43 years. His decision to retire includes many reasons,
some personal, and others business orientated.
After retirement, Hawkins plans to pursue
both career and individual interests.I will probably
teach a graduate course somewhere as long as it doesn't
interfere with travel, mid-week skiing, golf (on the
learning curve), or visiting six grand kids between New
Hampshire and Florida, said Hawkins. He hopes to
use knowledge gained from this position to assists other
schools and districts.
Hawkins brought a specifc and concrete
philosophy to his role as Springfeld School District
Curriculum Director. He believes that students depend
on teachers to employ the absolute best instructional
practices they know and it is the teachers responsibility
to keep learning new strategies of teaching. Student
interest is the most compelling dynamic for Hawkins,
who knows that with diligent support, students can
achieve a great deal.
As an important fgure in the Springfeld
School District, Hawkins has observed many changes
over his six-year stint. He believes the district has
changed for the better, despite daunting problems such
as fscal pressure, student achievement, and human
dynamics.
Our administrative team works well
together. We know each other quite well, and most often
understand why positions are staked out on diffcult
decisions, concluded Hawkins. It is refreshing when a
group of dedicated educators are committed to the moral
imperative and professional responsibility of preparing
students for a world that will be quite unfamiliar to
them.

End of an Era from page 1
Either way, theres no denying that Tyler has his own
unique sound that you either love or hate. Tylers frst
hit single, Yonkers, shows the rappers use of story-
like, and often explicit, lyrics set to a beat so insane it
is hard to identify a single instrument in the piece of
music. Expect more crazy singles from Tyler the Creator
that will force you to change the song every time your
grandmother walks in.
Fans of Tyler The Creator may have heard
the song She lately and wondered, Who owns that
angelic voice that is singing this amazing, but creepy,
hook? What you hear on "She" is Frank Ocean. Ocean
is new to the R&B world, but he already has ladies ev-
erywhere swooning at the sound of his silky voice. His
voice can be heard on Oceans hit Novacane, which
took over hip-hop and R&B radio stations. Ladies love
him. Guys want to be like him. With this in mind, Ocean
has done very well for himself in the music industry and
he can be heard singing addictive hooks on any given
song.
And fnally what about this musical line
from the year 2011: "All the other kids with the pumped
up kicks..." Sound familiar? That line would only be
unknown to you if you had been living under a rock for
the past year. This often annoying, but incredibly catchy,
tune is the only song radios seem to be playing these
days. And for that you can thank Foster The People. The
band has blown up in the past year. They even had their
music featured in the movie Fright Night and managed
to spark some controversy when their song Pumped
Up Kicks was identifed with a storyline that involved
a school shooting. However, Foster The People has
prevailed, becoming even more popular with the release
of their new single Dont Stop. Whether it involves
stimulating a controversy, or being victimized by the
backlash against their catchy musical hook, Foster The
People clearly arent ready to stop any time soon.
The year ends with a bang as these artists
focus on transforming themselves into legends, or at
least attempt to become household names. 2012 is sure
to bring in new fads, fashions, and assorted faux pas.
You should enjoy the fun of 2011, but know that more
exciting changes in the music industry are sure to be
expected (and I dont just mean the birth of Beyoncs
baby).
Top 100 from page 14
employee Diane Kemble, and SHS art students Kate-
lyn Daly and Sarah Trombly, took approximately 2-3
days.
Senior Kyrsti Parker, an avid Steampunk
fan, was surprised by the number of people who came
to the VAULT show. Ive only ever been to one other
show, said Parker, so I was impressed. Parker had
several pieces on display at the Steampunk exhibit,
which she worked on for three weeks. She and two
other art students attempted a sculpture of classic gothic
writer H.P. Lovecrafts monstrosity Cthulu. But it was
not fnished in time for the show.
One more day and it would have been
completed, Parker said.
SHS senior Katelyn Daly, and several stu-
dents in her AP art class, created a Steampunk fairy as
their 3-D contribution to the exhibition at the VAULT.
We used plaster craft and lots of it, Daly
said, as she described the creation of the fairy. To make
this life-sized fairy, senior Lauren Fish volunteered to
have her body completely cast in plaster. We started
with Laurens legs, said Daly, and then that day we
were talking about the bomb threat [when the 2nd bomb
threat occurred] was the day we did her bodice.
The fnal product was Eridessa Anemone,
a perfect likeness of Fish, a stunning, golden-copper
fairy, perched in a massive fower and dressed in Ste-
ampunkesque attire. Id say we worked on it for about
three weeks, Daly added.
Its wonderful to see such diversity and
variety in their art, Muray said. Murray added that she
wasnt sure what to expect with student work on this
project.
Daly shared Murrays opinion about this
artistic genre. At frst I didnt understand Steampunk,
she said. But I guess now its okay. Its something I
probably wont ever think about once this project is
over, however.
Daly added that she was the one who initiated
the class participation in the fairy sculpture. Since I
absolutely hate sculpture," Daly said, "I suggested doing
a whole-class group project."
Art teacher Lisa Murray assigned the Steam-
punk project to all of her art classes in early November.
The assignment included one 2-D project and one 3-D
project per each student, and each project took a few
weeks to complete.
With well over 50 pieces displayed, includ-
ing a Steampunk time travel passport project done by
4th grade students at Union Street School, the VAULT
was stocked full of art for the viewing pleasure of those
who attended opening night in December. The organiz-
ers at the VAULT enjoyed the student exhibit so much
that they plan to keep it in place until February, instead
of mid-January, as previously planned.
Murray is pleased with her classes and the
show. We do an exhibition every year, Murray con-
cluded, and every year Im just amazed.
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fction,
fantasy, and alternate history that frst appeared during
the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting
where steam power is still widely usedusually Vic-
torian-era Britain or Wild West-era United Statesand
incorporates elements of either science fction or fantasy.
Works of Steampunk often feature chronologically
misplaced technology, or futuristic innovations as Vic-
torians might have envisioned them. Victorian fashion,
culture, architectural style, and art, among other forms
of expression, are a large source of inspiration for those
who choose to follow the Steampunk trend.

Steampunk from page 1

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SHS Speaks Out
By Larry Bolduc
T
was the season for eggnog, Black Friday, and crazy Aunt Suzie who always pinches your cheeks and wears enough perfume to put a skunk into a coma. The holiday
season also represented a time of charity, selfessness, and the ever-vigilant ears of children listening for the bells of Santa's sleigh. With all this in mind, the Green
Horn asked students and staff one question as the old year transformed into the new year: What defnes the holiday season for you?
Column Drops of Jupiter
Be True to Your School
By Olivia Thayer
So be true to your school now
Just like you would your girl or guy
Be true to your school now
And let your colors fy
Be true to your school
W
ho would have thought that I would ever
use the Beach Boys as an inspiration for a
column? Well, yes, and here it is. For those
of you who are not educated in the musical style of
the Beach Boys, the lyrics quoted above are from their
song Be True to You School," released in 1963. While
the words suggest a sentimental message of duty and
obedience, these lines are part of a solid and classic
up-beat surf-rock tune.
But this column is not dedicated to my love
of classic rock n roll. Instead, I want to elaborate on,
yes, you might have guessed it: school. More important,
our school, Springfeld High School. Okay now, bear
with me. Keep reading, dont give up, and I promise
you it will be worth it.
Springfeld High School has an interesting
past and reputation. Im not going to talk about years
before 2008, because that would be, well, rumors. But, I
do remember my sister (who graduated in 2008) coming
home with horror stories of her days here. When the
current senior class entered SHS just four years ago, this
place was vastly different from what you see today.
Our class has seen a lot of changes around
here. Our freshmen year, we were in the land of Mr.
White, Mr. Foss, and Mswell we never really knew
her name, did we? That was the year of cafeteria fghts,
the six-period day, and an overall feeling of no one
cares. No one seemed to care what we did, or whether
or not we were actually learning.
See Jupiter page 22
Senior James Ribeiro
Senior Alix Hunt
Teacher Yuliya Ballou
Junior Mike Muther
Senior David Castrignano
"Being able to spend time with your family, and
cherishing all the moments you have together."
"Getting together with family."
"Snow, Joseph Smith Memorial Lights,
and holiday food."
"Catching Santa in the act."
"All the happiness and excitement that everyone has."
Freshman Kaitlyn Storkarski
"All the Christmas lights and holiday food."