Got Hoops?

Ali Jenkins

On Saturday, January 26th, the Harlem Wizards basketball team arrived at Homer High School for a game against the Homer Trojan Elite. The Homer Elementary PTO organized the event, and several other school groups were involved, as well.

The guest team is a professional basketball organization from Harlem, NY, whose team members are Eric “Broadway” Jones, Rashaan “Rocket” Barner, Arnold “A-Train” Bernard, Lamarvon “Mr. 540” Jackson, David “DP” Paul, and James “Road Runner” Tyndal.  The Wizards faced teachers, administrators, and staff from Homer Elementary, Intermediate, Junior High, and High Schools, including Mr. Falls, Mrs. Delucia, Mrs. Fox, Mr. Depuy, Mrs. Guy, Officer Howell, Mrs. Hickey, Mrs. Powers, Mr. Kirkwyland, Mrs. Falls, Mrs. Feldman, Mr. Patriarco, Mrs. Mack, Ms. Bogan, Ms. Combs, Mrs. Clark, Mr. Podsiedlik, Mrs. Matteson, Mrs. Fulton, and Mrs. Lawrence, and the game was refereed by Mr. Allen. The event was completely sold out, as the PTO was successful in selling nine-hundred tickets. In the end, the organization raised a total of $3,420. The night was full of jokes, contests, and music, but when it came down to basketball, the Wizards were victorious!

The event was organized and carried out by a variety of groups. The Homer Elementary PTO hosted the game. This organization focuses on providing mini grants for teachers and giving books to children, through the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program. In addition, SADD ran concessions and Student Government organized the half-time entertainment. Finally, the Wizards sold souvenirs, t-shirts, and basketballs at the game.

Thank you to everyone who made the event such a success!

Wildlife Wednesday: Oh Deer...

Mary Cope

As winter goes on, our wildlife friends may begin to run out of food. As this happens, they push farther into the areas that people inhabit. A prime example of this is shown by the common white-tailed deer and by rabbits.

At this point, these deer are running somewhat low on food, despite the number of thaws we have had, this year. The deer may begin to visit yards to nibble on some sweet sapling or young trees. Rabbits will also do the same to shrubs, and many rodents fancy those nice flower bulbs you worked so hard to plant this past fall!

It is a little too late to do much about this fact now, but in order to avoid this problem in the future, I have a few tips to save your plants, next winter. Around the bases of trees and bushes you wish to keep safe, you can put chicken wire, to protect them from deer and rabbits. The deer like to strip the bark off of the trunk and eat the developing buds your tree or bush produces. The chicken wire should prevent your plant from being skinned; just make sure you put enough space between the tree and the outside of the chicken wire!

As for the bulbs, you can plant them in pots that you keep in the shed or garage, for the winter. Then, you can simply place them in the ground when spring rolls around! This will protect the bulbs from the hungry critters that burrow in the ground, like mice, moles, and voles.

Hopefully, your gardens will fare well, and soon, little flowers will be popping out of the ground!

Ignite the Soul

Julia Fouts

Kindling light in the soul of man,
Takes the flames of a monster, a dancer so grand.

Fire ignites with just a spark,
Spreading through the coldest dark.

It grows with the breath each child makes,
While devouring the old to give way to new fates.

Smoke begins to taunt us with its game;
It seems as if nothing is quite the same.

Flames dance on the earth with such great passion,
Inspiring our souls to sing with compassion.

Then, they disappear from the world they set ablaze,
Escaping to the soul they were destined to amaze.

Youth and Government Lock-In

Ali Jenkins

On Saturday, January 26th, Homer Youth and Government members traveled to Liverpool for their lock-in event. This event is held annually and is sponsored by the North Area Family YMCA Youth and Government program. While Homer comprises a portion of District Six for the New York State Youth and Government program, the remaining part of the district is located in other areas of Central New York. In order to meet and bond with the entire district, Youth and Government members annually share this night of governmental activities, games, contests, and fun!

In preparation for the Youth and Government State Conference in March, students in the judicial, legislative, and lobbying programs spent time reviewing their cases, bills, and arguments with their peers. Making final edits, critiques, and suggestions, members helped each other to further ready their materials for the conference. After working, the students enjoyed a night full of games. The bonding exercises included a balloon tower building contest, a game in which students were challenged to strategize together in order to achieve success, and three intense rounds of dodgeball. In addition, students were given opportunities to swim, play racquetball, vote on this year’s district t-shirt design, play manhunt, and socialize with new friends.

The district undoubtedly emerged from the lock-in as a more bonded group, and the students are now eagerly awaiting the spring conference!

Les Misérables

Jared Pace

Les Misérables, released on December 25th, is a rendition of the famous musical and novel by Victor Hugo. This movie was directed by Tom Hooper, director of The King’s Speech, and stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried. Set during the increasingly-chaotic times of 19th century France, Les Misérables describes a surprisingly-heartwarming tale of pure sacrifice and redemption in the face of insurmountable odds. I recommend that moviegoers bring tissues, in case they feel the need to shed a few tears, as this movie sends audiences through emotionally-turbulent joyrides!

Tom Hooper did a spectacular job incorporating as much detail as he possibly could into the plot and setting. Not only that, but he also had a stellar cast and crew, and the actors each demonstrated their acting prowess in extraordinary ways. Although the film lasts a lengthy two hours and thirty-eight minutes, I guarantee that moviegoers will be engrossed by the story within the first few minutes of the film. It’s a must-see for anyone who enjoys the arts.

Personally, I have no complaints to share about the film. I felt a fervor that gradually built up over the course of the film, keeping me emotionally engaged and ultimately keeping the audience entertained. The soundtrack is superb, which only accentuates the heightened emotional moments. I was satisfied by the time I saw the credits roll off the screen, deeply gratified that I watched such a marvelous performance. Overall, a highly-recommended film that I believe everyone should take the time to see!

Cocoa Cram!

Kennedy George

           Friday, January 18th, Link Crew will be holding the second day of its annual cocoa cram. Cocoa cram is held in the high school cafeteria and is a time for students to study with friends. Link Crew members will be available to answer any questions students might have on the subjects they are studying. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided. So, grab a friend and hit the books in the cafeteria from 2:30-3:30 on January 18th.

Regional Scholastics Art Competition

Ali Jenkins

Each year, the Homer art program participates in the National Scholastics Art and Writing Competition, through the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Our regional portion of the competition, encompassing Central New York, awards Gold Keys, Silver Keys, and Honorable Mentions to students who produce outstanding artwork. Due to the selective nature of the regional competition, many exceptional pieces of art are not admitted to the show. All artwork that receives Gold Keys advances to the national competition.

This year, Homer students received more recognition at this competition than during any past year. With fifty-one awards from grades nine through twelve and ten awards from the junior high, Homer has broken all of its records. Mr. Andre, Mrs. Flood, Mrs. Piotti, and Mr. Wallace, our junior high and high school art teachers, were integral in helping the students and the district to achieve such success. Their hard work, expertise, and dedication made Homer’s achievement possible.

Winning artwork will be on display in the Whitney Applied Technology Center at the Onondaga Community College, from the opening ceremony on January 17th through March 2nd. Thank you to the art teachers, and congratulations to everyone who participated!

For a list of winners, use the following link.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AtY5_5245QSEdDNUdTN4Y2VyQzAwcVh0Z1ZyTDU3SEE&output=html

Harlem Wizards Basketball Game

What: Harlem Wizards vs. Homer Trojan Elite
When: Saturday, January 26, 6:00 pm
Where: Homer High School
Tickets:   Advance: $8.00 students, $10.00 general admission
           At the door: $10.00 students, $12.00 general admission
Featuring: Mr. Patriarco, Mr. Lawrence, and Swoops; refereed by Mr. Allen
Buy tickets in advance from Homer Men & Boys, Country Inn & Suites, Dickey’s BBQ Pit, or Mr. Kleefeld, in room 223.

Wildlife Wednesday: Land of Confusion

Mary Cope

           January has hit us with some very unusual weather, lately. These warm temperatures make it far easier on the creatures living in snowy climates, by giving them a break. But, for some animals, is very confusing!

           This past weekend, I opened up my door to let the dog out and saw a creature scuttling around the corner of my house. The dog and I walked over to investigate, expecting to see a cat. Instead, we were met by a very large opossum, which, seeing the dog, promptly played dead. Now, opossums are not animals you would expect to see outside in the middle of January, but there he was!
           I have seen a few raccoons on the sides of the roads, which are also unexpected sights. As the temperatures rise, these animals, which would usually be hibernating, think it is springtime and start waking up! They may come around houses, sleepily searching for food. Raccoons carry risks of rabies, but opossums do not. There has yet to be a reported case of rabies in opossums, for they are immune to the disease.
           If you see these animals stumbling about, simply give them some space and keep any pets inside. Once the weather cools, they will once again recede into their cozy nests to wait until spring really comes!

National Honors Society Admittance

Jared Pace

The National Honors Society is a program that is well-known for admitting students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, character, community service, and grades throughout their school career. For any who may be interested, a list of prospective members will be presented to the school after the 25th marking period on March 1st. Students will then be asked if they want the opportunity to join this selective group. See Mrs. Knight for more details!

Unity Club Update

 

Jared Pace

 

           Unity Club is introducing a new theme for February: Boost your Self-Esteem Month! In addition, they will also be posting sticky notes around the school promoting encouragement, so be on the lookout for them! They’re currently in the process of creating an online Facebook profile #bekind. Their newest idea for the month? Be Someone!

Save the Peaks

Kennedy George

 

           Labrador Mountain and the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY are teaming up again for the fourth annual “Save the Peaks." “Save the Peaks” is organized in honor of Amie Shaffer and her thirteen-year battle with breast cancer. Amie passed away on March 25, 2012, at age 39.
           The event raises funds for local breast cancer research. All the proceeds go to the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund of CNY, Inc. On February 2, 2013 Labrador Mountain will host a celebrity ski race. Teams, from local outlets, media sources, and corporations, and individuals will compete against each other, two groups at a time. The cost to enter the event is $200.00, per team. This includes lift tickets for the day, “Save the Peaks” t-shirts, the cost of the race, and skiing or snowboarding with the celebrities.
           The Homer Ski Club has been collecting donations for the event, and the student who raises the most funds will receive a season pass to Labrador Mountain, for the ski season of 2013-2014.

Fashion Friday: What’s in your Closet?

Rachel Chase

 

           The most trendy shoes that are seen on teenagers, in the hallways and on the streets, are ugg boots. When it comes to ugg boots, there is usually two groups of people: those who love them and those who do not like them. But what exactly are ugg boots, and where did they originate?
           The ugg boots first originated in Australia, as sheepskin boots were worn throughout this country's history. During the 1930’s, ugg boots were worn by Australian farmers to keep their feet warm. In the 1960’s, they were worn by Australian surfers, after they were done riding the waves. Brian Smith was a young Australian surfer who made the sheepskin ugg boots very popular with other surfers, in 1978. Traditionally, these boots were never worn for style; they were often worn because of their warmth and the softness of the sheepskin.
           The name "ugg" originated from the world "ugly." So, technically, the boots are called “ugly boots.” This became a generic term used for the sheepskin boots worn in Australia.
           Women’s ugg boots that are worn in America are primarily made by a company called Decker’s Outdoor Corporation, which is the parent company of UGG Australia. The women’s boots come in every size, and they are available in many different styles. One of the most popular styles is the flat-slip on nude-colored sheepskin. These boots are a great choice for cold weather!

SafeTALK Workshop

Ali Jenkins

Gail VanValkenburg

The SafeTALK Workshop was held at Homer High School this fall. The workshop focused on recognizing signs of suicidal thoughts and actions in others. In addition, students learned how to find guidance for those in need of help. Gail VanValkenburg, along with many other Homer high school students, attended this workshop. A similar workshop will be held in the near future for Homer staff as well. After attending the workshop, Gail VanValkenburg shared the following thoughts:

Attending the SafeTALK program has given me so much insight into myself and into my classmates. Spending half of the day learning how to help someone going through an awful time is something I can’t put into words. Learning about how I could talk to classmates and help them was a great feeling. I learned that there are many resources close to Cortland and Homer. There are also hotlines for everything, and they can really help. Keeping the steps of SafeTalk in mind isn’t hard; they’ll always stay with me. With the tools I received from SafeTALK, I can notice signs and try to help others, in any way possible. I will have these skills for the rest of my life, and knowing I could help someone is a great feeling.

Wildlife Wednesday: Moving South

Mary Cope

         Now that winter has set in, with its icy force and frigid winds, many of us are traveling south, whether it is for a brief or extended visit. What some people don’t realize is that many species of animals have been going to more temperate areas during the winter for hundreds of years.
         Most animals that migrate are birds, because it is far faster to fly than to travel across the land. Many of the bird species we see during the summer months travel south for the winter, such as hummingbirds, orioles, sparrows, thrushes, wrens, and red-winged blackbirds. Canadian geese travel in the classic “V” formation, and several species of birds of prey pass through our area during their migration. Mammals that cannot travel as far have adapted to winter by hibernating and sleeping through the harsh months.
         As you take off on your southern-bound vacations, remember to look around for the friendly faces of our feathered summer pals. Be sure to invite them back soon!

The Greener Choice

Ali Jenkins

Americans use a staggering number of disposable plastic water bottles. Approximately two million plastic beverage bottles are used every five minutes, in the US alone. This wastes precious natural resources and contributes to global warming. Before you pick up another plastic water bottle, stop to consider the environmental consequences.

Studies conducted on American’s consumption reveal that approximately 31.2 billion liters of bottled water were sold in 2006. This required 900,000 tons of plastic, much of which is composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The production of this amount of plastic demands over seventeen million barrels of oil, and further energy is required to transport the materials and finished products. All in all, from production to disposal, the energy used for each bottle can be represented by filling one quarter of that bottle with oil. In addition to the natural gas used in the process, a considerable amount of water is required, as well. It takes about three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water. The environmental impacts of plastic bottles do not end there, however. The carbon dioxide released in the production process of plastic water bottles in 2006 totaled about 2.5 million tons. The release of large quantities of this gas has been shown to contribute to the harmful effects of global warming. At a time when the conservation of natural resources and our planet is so crucial; we simply cannot waste our precious materials in this manner.

How can you limit your contribution to these environmental repercussions? Stainless-steel water bottles are a more eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic bottles. These water bottles are not without their faults, however. Their production requires far more fossils fuels and metal resources and releases more greenhouse gases than the production of plastic water bottles. But, to put this in perspective, the extended use of metal water bottles counteracts these harmful impacts. Whereas plastic bottles are often disposed after a single use, metal water bottles can be used countless times. After hundreds of uses, metal water bottles have a far gentler, though not nonexistent, impact on our environment. In addition, metal water bottles are a cheaper alternative to plastic bottles. Whereas plastic bottles of water cost about $2.50 each, some metal water bottles can be found for less than $9.00, which is a one-time investment. After the initial cost, you can enjoy using your stainless-steel water bottle for free! So, next time you need a drink to-go, reach for the green choice: the stainless-steel water bottle. 

Book Review: Delirium

Kennedy George

          Lauren Oliver’s novel, Delirium, is set in the future. In this book, every individual of 18 years must be cured of a disease, known as amor deliria nervosa, which is their name for love. In the future, they believe that the “disease” of love is the root of all other problems of society and that it must be destroyed in all humans before they show symptoms. So, people go through a surgery that "cures" them of the ability to love. The government then plans out everyone’s life for them.
           In the novel, the main character is Lena Haloway, a soon-to-be 18-year-old. She can’t wait for her procedure to cure her of amor deliria nervosa, due to her family’s history. But then, at her evaluation, which is a test given by the government to determine everyone’s future, she sees something that changes her life forever.
           Delirium will leave you wanting to know more, and it has an amazing cliff-hanger ending. The novel has many characters that all play important roles throughout the novel. The plot is always twisting, and the society that Lauren Oliver has created has many layers and secrets. After reading Delirium, I would give it four out of five stars.
           If you read Delirium and want to find out more, the sequel is Pandemonium. Coming out on March 5, 2013 is the third book in the series, Requiem. There is also a runoff book in the series, called Hana, dedicated to the story of Lena’s best friend.
           Still not sure whether or not to read this book? Here’s another review on Delirium:
          “This story races forward, twisting in a new direction every few pages, its characters spinning my emotions from affection to frustration, anger to compassion. You’ll have no choice but to tear through this book!” -Jay Asher, author of the New York Times Bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why.

Calculus Students Attend Board of Education Meeting

Ali Jenkins

On December 11th, five Homer students attended the Board of Education meeting to discuss a possible course offering for the coming school year. These students are members of the junior class who are currently taking Mr. Podsiedlik’s Calculus I class. The students and their parents wished to discuss the availability of Calculus II for the next school year. This course has been offered in the past, with as few as six students, but has not been offered in the past two years due to low enrollment. The class, like Calculus I, is an AP course.

These five students represented the eight juniors who are currently taking Calculus I: N. Cinquanti, J. Davis, E. Gustafson, N. Holcomb, A. Jenkins, L. Pizzola, J. Sands, and S. Willsey. Willsey, who spoke on behalf of the group, discussed the benefits of the course, including the increased opportunities for students and the advantages of taking additional college-level classes in high school. Gustafson also spoke, focusing on the need for high standards in our schools. Following the meeting, Willsey commented, “I would really like to see Calc II taught next year at our high school. I want to have the opportunity of taking the course before going off to college. I feel as though it will prepare me for the full blown college course while giving me confidence in the subject.”

Some concerns have been raised with regard to the detriments of offering the course. These include the difficulty of the coursework and the larger class sizes that would be created for geometry students, as a result.

The students were given positive feedback after their presentation, however. The Board assured them that, if the minimum number of six students was reached, the course would be offered in the 2013-2014 school year.