Cabaret Night

Cabaret Night

Joe Settineri

This Saturday in the Homer High School’s gymnasium, an event took place. The versatile gym, a dance floor only the night before, became a stage for talented performers. Almost overflowing, the gym was filled with nervous excitement and the murmur of voices. As the music wafted throughout the warm air of the gymnasium, well dressed servers of delectable desserts and drinks circulated throughout the dense arena of tables and chairs. This was  Cabaret Night, and it was a huge success! Not only did a crowd of over 200 fans show up for the performers, but the music was fantastic, with over twenty acts showing up to give it their best.

All of the performances were great, each being an original idea that resonated throughout the hardwood floors of the gym. Acts that really stood out included, The Fabulous Perfetti Boys, a vocal duet by Shannon Spencer and Robin Baumeister, Under The Sun, Grace Gugerty and Sophie Whittington’s ukulele duet, and the Homer High School Jazz Band. The Perfetti Boys were great with Joel playing guitar and David on the piano. The vocal duet was also fantastic and it left everyone wishing that the brothers  had performed another song. Under The Sun, a high school rock band, also did well with members Zack Sovocool, Brenton Newcomb, Jack Bancroft, Robby Belton, and Joe Settineri all doing a great job. Grace Gugerty and Sophie Whittington did a fantastic job of serenading the audience in a beautiful way, with a good voice and some good ole ukulele playing. Of course not to be forgotten, the Homer High School Jazz Band had a powerful performance, as always, with all sections having a pronounced sound. This year’s Cabaret Night was a great success and will be even better if the audience increases in the coming years.

Movie Review of The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Movie Review of The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Skyler Powers

Insurgent is the second installment in the dystopian Divergent series, successor to Divergent.  This film follows main protagonist, Beatrice “Tris” Prior (Shailene Woodley), and her boyfriend, Tobias “Four” Eaton (Theo James), as they try to stop the malevolent plans of the film’s antagonist, Jeanine Matthews (Kate WInslet): capturing Divergents, or people who don’t fit into a certain faction of society, and testing them in order to open a mysterious box that was previously withheld by the Abnegation faction.

In my opinion, this film was neither a step up nor a step down in its level of success or quality.  It is, for the most part, true to its source material, but there are a few, somewhat crucial, changes.  I think that the writers wanted to avoid the sometimes monotonous pace and plot that the novel had, so they decided to add some new elements and plot twists.  However, this just made the movie seem rushed and lost, as if it didn’t know where it wanted to go.  Some of the characters were introduced quickly and they came across as paper thin and cliched.  Despite this, the main characters and some of the supporting cast were really great; they had a lot of depth and you truly began to care about them.

Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet, however, are the glue that holds this flimsy movie with a somewhat lost plot together.  Shailene Woodley is a fantastic actress and she shows some genuine deep emotion in parts of the film.  Theo James is functional for the most part, but he does have some better scenes where you see his true acting ability.  However, Woodley’s and James’s fictional relationship lacks some of the chemistry that would have made it more believable.  This makes some of the romantic scenes seem forced and unnatural.  Kate Winslet plays a wonderful villain.  You truly hate her and her evil ways and this causes you to constantly root for the protagonists, which is the point.  

Lastly, the visuals in the film were great.  They seem very realistic even though some of the scenarios would most likely never be possible in the real world.  On the big screen, these special effects are simply stunning.  Special effects can make or break a movie, and, in this film’s case, it makes it.  

In the end, this film is good.  The plot is a little flimsy and, at some points, all over the place. However, the great acting from the main characters and part of the supporting cast is good enough to hold it together.  Although some of the characters seem very cliched and two-dimensional, there are enough complex and interesting ones to keep your attention.  The special effects, however, is what makes this okay movie into a good one.  As I said before, special effects can make or break a movie, and they make Insurgent.  The stunning visuals, strong acting, and complex main characters carry the sometimes unstable plot well enough, making this second installment a quite enjoyable time.

Blake Fly

Blake Fly

Ana Shore

Two weeks ago, a special guest visited the Homer schools. Blake Fly, author, speaker, and musician, made his way to the high school to send an important message to all the students. He expressed the idea that leaving a positive legacy for yourself is important. He also wanted to share that leaving people better off than they were before they met you is the best way to leave such a legacy.

He referenced his own experiences in high school to make his presentation more personable. His use of music throughout made it a more interesting experience for all. Blake left everyone considering whether they were a nudger or judger. That is, someone who encourages others or someone who might not be supportive of a person’s interests. He shared a story about his friend who had a passion for radio and this got everyone thinking of their own passions and how they want to be nudged instead of judged. Overall, Blake had a positive influence on the school and left people with a few things to think about.

Planetarium Field Trips

Planetarium Field Trips

Skyler Powers

A couple of weeks ago, a select group of freshman Earth Science classes took a series of field trips to the planetarium in Bowers Hall at SUNY Cortland.  The planetarium, along with the rest of Bowers Hall, was recently renovated from top to bottom.  Taking advantage of the free source of education nearby, my class was one of the ones to go.  

Upon arriving at Bowers Hall, we were introduced to Professor Emam, the physics professor at SUNY Cortland.  Filing into the dome-shaped planetarium, we relaxed in the comfortable chairs. The first part of the planetarium show was a twenty minute movie about the creation of the universe and everything in it.  The animations and simulations were great and the dome-shaped projection screen added to the experience.  It really made you feel as if you were flying through the cosmos.  

The great movie was followed up by a presentation from Professor Emam himself.  We were walked through the creation of the universe in detail and given some interesting facts on unique features of our galaxy and the universe it is in.  One of these features was the beautiful “Pillars of Creation” where stars are constantly being born.  Again, the computer simulations of the “pillars” was great considering we have no definite idea of what they actually look like.  We were then given fascinating information on our galaxy, the Milky Way.  Lastly, Professor Emam gave us the characteristics of each planet in our solar system and touched on the other objects flying through our solar system such as comets and asteroid belts.  

The visit was finished off with a mind-boggling presentation on blackholes.  Professor Emam even showed us a simulation of a spaceship getting sucked into a blackhole and what it would theoretically look like if it were possible to survive a black hole expedition.  

Overall, the planetarium was a great educational experience for us.  The presentations and movies were informative and fascinating, and the best part is that we had fun.  I would love to go back and would recommend this great facility which is close to home.

Choosing a College That’s Right for You

Choosing a College That’s Right for You

Julia Fouts

In high school, teenagers are faced with many big decisions. For those who decide to attend college, the choice can be daunting. How to decide? Well, there are always a few important factors to consider when picking the college that is right for you. Size is important when determining which school to attend. The overall size of a university affects your comfort level and how well you fit in. For some people, a big school can seem overwhelming, while others feel restless in a small school. Understanding how you learn best definitely plays a role when looking at class sizes. For those who prefer one-on-one contact with the professor, a smaller school is usually the best option. Others may learn more easily in big lectures, so their choice would be a larger university. Location is another major aspect to consider when trying to make the decision. It is important to remember that college is not only a place to study, but also a place to live and call home. Whether the preference is the city-life, country life, or some where in between, it is vital to know which atmosphere fits best. Atmosphere comes from more than just the description on a map; it also relates to the culture of the school. Each college has its own “feel,” creating a unique atmosphere. There are competitive schools, which some use to push themselves, while other universities are more laid back, allowing for a relaxed learning environment. The traditions of schools and the range of students both create the atmosphere, and it is important to visit colleges in order to determine which atmosphere is best suited for you to learn and reach your full potential. Although choosing a college can be difficult and frustrating, there are ways to narrow down the choices. Size, location, and atmosphere are only a few aspects to consider when finding the perfect school. Even if you do not know what to study past high school, there are still plenty of other factors to look at when choosing the college that is right for you.

Review of High School Musical Jr.

Review of High School Musical Jr.

Skyler Powers

This Junior High production of High School Musical Junior was an enjoyable time.    The singing and the quality of the music were solid overall.  Now, considering individual performances, some students stood out specifically.  Melina Settineri’s portrayal of the drama queen, Sharpay Evans, was great; the attitude and feistiness of the character was  really spot on.  The coach character (Ethan Lunas), and the theater instructor, Ms. Darbus (Amber Brayton) were also portrayed well.

All of the songs were done well.  Some of the best songs included “Get’cha Head in The Game,” “Bop To The Top,” and “Stick To The Status Quo.”  These songs were topped off with great dances choreographed by Homer’s very own freshman, Isabella Sprague.  The use of costumes was also great, with many changes for many characters.  For example, Sharpay Evans changed her outfits many times throughout the show swiftly and with taking little notice.  Other characters did this as well, such as Ryan Evans (portrayed by Stephen Gilbert).  The use of existing props was also creative, especially in the bows at the conclusion of the performance.  

Lastly, this review wouldn’t be complete without crediting the students who played Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez (Adam Brown and Madelyn Kilmer).  The singing from these two was great, especially from Kilmer.  The acting in general was also good, with Brown portraying the not-just-a-basketball player nearly perfectly.  Overall, this musical was a good time.  The acting, music, and choreography were solid with some stand-out performances that I’ll definitely remember when going to future Homer Junior High School productions.   

The Start of Outdoor Track

The Start of Outdoor Track

Mel Videto

So far, outdoor track has been hard, but very fun. The temperature this first week has drastically improved from the freezing temperatures of the weeks before, hitting a high of around 52 degrees mid-week. The low  was only around 30 degrees, which is not too bad for running around in. The first day of track consisted of a 4.5 mile run in total. The following day consisted of Nixon repeats, which is when you walk to the end of Nixon Street and sprint back up it. Wednesday was a core workout where we did planks, sit ups, etc. The next day, we did Parks Street repeats, running fast and slow intermittently between telephone poles. Friday was mostly agility work and hurdle practice. A long run through Main Street, up Blue Creek, over Cosmos Hill, down Wolf Road, and back to the school was saved for Saturday.  
For being the first week of outdoor track, the temperature has, for the most part, been mild and the workouts fairly strenuous. Being a first timer, track has reduced me to limping around and laying motionless on the couch, unable to walk. However, it did get better; by the end of the week, I was able to finally walk down the stairs without being in mortal danger of falling down them. But despite the hard work it requires, track is a great stress reliever and a fun way to hang out with friends and get in shape. Hopefully the weeks to come are just as fun!

Youth And Government State Conference 2015

Youth And Government State Conference 2015

Tighe Gugerty

This past weekend, students of Homer High School participated in the annual New York State Youth and Government Conference in Albany, New York. Here, students participated in mock appellate court and presented bills in mock legislature, all within the New York State Capitol Building. Over thirty students went representing District 6, and this year’s group was the most successful one yet. In the Legislative Branch, all members performed exceptionally by getting involved in some intense debates and effectively presenting their bills. Some members were recognized specifically for their achievements; Grace Gugerty and Jordan Laundry were both selected to attend the Conference on National Affairs (CONA) and Matt Walling was selected as an alternate. The Judicial members of the club also performed well with most attorneys winning their case. Three members of the club served as justices this year: Jas Singh, Andrew Jacobi, and Mara Nasiatka. Furthermore, members of the judicial branch were handsomely rewarded for their efforts. Kennedy George and Tighe Gugerty both won Best Attorney for their courtrooms. Andrew Jacobi was chosen to attend CONA and Mara Nasiatka was picked to be an alternate delegate. Members of the club also won elections to hold state level positions. Kennedy George won the Public Defender Election, becoming one of the top lawyers at the conference. The position of Governor was won by Andrew Jacobi, making him the first member of District 6 to hold the position. On top of all of these awards and positions, all members enjoyed their weekend in Albany and look forward to next year.

Species Spotlight: Chiloé Wigeon

Species Spotlight: Chiloé Wigeon

Alex Levitskiy

During these cold winter months I have selected to discuss a tropical duck species: the Chiloé Wigeon (Mareca sibilatrix).  These ducks are native to South America, but they can be kept in northern climates as long as they are provided with some sort of winter protection.  The Chiloé Wigeon is one of three wigeons, and breeds primarily in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.  Their population is fairly large in the wild, so the Chiloé Wigeon is classified at Least Concern.  The classification of Least Concern denotes that the species has a relatively low risk of extinction.  This species of duck is also common in captivity.  A distinguishing feature of this wigeon is their whistling sound, which is a pleasure to hear.  

The sexual dimorphism is subtle between the sexes of the Chiloé Wigeon.  The male is slightly larger with more iridescence on his head, and his plumage is brighter than that of the female.  As with other South American ducks, the Chiloé Wigeon does not have an eclipse plumage.  An eclipse plumage is the nonbreeding plumage of male ducks after they molt shortly after breeding season, making them appear similar to the hens of the species.  As a result, the Chiloé Wigeon keeps its color all year round making it a nice choice to brighten up the summer months, when other drakes are in nonbreeding plumage.    

Chiloé Wigeon Drake (in the back)

Chiloé Wigeon Hen (in the front)

Photo Credit:  Alex Levitskiy

 

Casino Night

Casino Night

Mel Videto

On the night of March 27th from 8PM to 11PM, Homer High School’s Student Government will be running their annual Casino Night! It will consist of music, dancing, food, beverages, and most importantly, card games. Such games include Blackjack, Roulette, "Texas Hold 'Em" Poker, Let It Ride, "Pai Gow" Poker, Big Wheel Games, Slot Machines, Go Fish, Uno, Pitch, Spoons, and War. Several tables will be scattered throughout the edge of the gym, leaving the middle of it to serve as the dance floor. Casino Night is a fun, semi-formal event, so ladies, pull out your favorite dress and guys, dress it up with slacks and a button-up shirt. The admission price is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. One free item of food and a free drink are included in the price.

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Pit Band

Pit Band

Ana Shore

Every year in the spring, the high school puts on a musical. There are many ways to take part in the musical including being in the pit band. For the school, the band consists of anyone who wants to play no matter what instrument they know. In a professional band there would typically be a woodwinds section, like flutes and clarinets, a string section, and a small brass section, including trumpets, french horns, and trombones. When professional musicians work on a show, they can be playing the same music for as many years as the show stays popular. It is for this reason that pit musicians usually have another job in the music field.

It is quite different in high school though. The sheet music for the show arrives around two months prior to the debut of the show. From here, there are usually practices after school once a week. During each rehearsal, one or two songs out of about thirty are worked on. In the last two weeks before shownight, pit rehearsals are scheduled every night of the week in the auditorium with the cast. These rehearsals go from 6-9pm as trouble spots are worked on and the music is put together with the cast’s work. It becomes very difficult for everyone involved to stay on top of school work and get a decent amount of sleep the last few weeks. However, the hard work is worth it when everything comes together during the performances!

Semiformal 2015: A Night In Hollywood

A Night In Hollywood

Marleah Dentes

The night of the freshmen and sophomore semi-formal is one of the most highly anticipated and special events of the year. Each year, around late February to early March, the semi-formal occurs after much planning and preparation. In the weeks prior, guys scramble for dates and girls spend a great amount of time searching for the perfect dress as well as deciding on hairstyles and accessories. The sophomore class officers are solely responsible for the preparation and take care of everything from renting tablecloths to spending countless hours on decorations. The sophomore class treasurer, Jenna McMullin, said, “It was a lot of work but it was rewarding.” Most of the decisions about the dance were put in the hands of the sophomore class officers in an attempt to further their individual decision-making abilities. Supervisor Mr. Cortese stated, “We try to teach the kids how to be leaders and not micromanage them.”  

This year the dance was held on the twenty-eighth of February and was based around a Hollywood theme. With the help of many willing volunteers, the gym and lobby were transformed into the epitomione of the Hollywood perception. Decorations included a Hollywood sign in the gym and stars from the Walk of Fame lining the trophy cases. Many students that attended the dance enjoyed these decorations, taking time to walk down the red carpet or take pictures near the lights. Ammerican Photography captured the memories (pictures from the night can be found at http://goo.gl/J7wdDK); many students enjoyed having their pictures taken with their dates or just a group of good friends. What students usually enjoyed most of all is the music and dancing. DJ Philly C provided the music for people to rock out to and many lights that kept the mood energetic and upbeat. Some of the people attending seemed to be able to dance non-stop for the three hours; some still moving by the end of the night with all the enjoyment and entertainment in the world. To many, the three hours flew by in the blink of an eye. Through the many combinations of decorations, music, and excitement, the semi-formal of 2015 was definitely a night to remember.

You must have a Facebook account to access photos: http://goo.gl/J7wdDK

Youth & Government Spaghetti Supper

Youth & Government Spaghetti Supper

Tighe Gugerty

Tonight! The members of the Homer High School Youth & Government club will be traveling to Albany for their annual state conference. Here they will debate proposed bills and argue court cases with over 600 other members who hail from all corners of New York State. To fund this, the Homer club will be hosting a spaghetti dinner on March 9th from 5:30 to 7:00 in the High School cafeteria. The cost is $5 per individual and $15 for a whole family. There will be, as the name implies, copious amounts of spaghetti, an assortment of beverages, and a plethora of desserts. Besides the food, club activities will be discussed, making it a great time to come if one would like to see what goes on in this club.  

Event: Youth & Government Spaghetti Dinner

Date: March 9, 2015

Time: 5:30-7:00

Price: $5 for individuals

$15 for families

Skiing 2015

Skiing 2015

Mel Videto

So far this year, skiing at Labrador Mountain can be classified as good overall. From Friday experiences, the snow has been nicely groomed and compact. Labrador has managed to keep the majority of its trails open and people have been skiing and snowboarding down them like rain down a window during a storm. One should not disregard the fact that in addition to the acceptable snow, it has also been obnoxiously cold. The ski trip was canceled the Friday before the week break in February due to the extreme low temperatures and was cancelled again during the break because of the same reason.

Despite the freezing temperatures, there has been a surprisingly low amount of ice found on the ski trails, much to skiers’ and snowboarders’ delight. However, some ice can be found in random patches along the mountain, but not nearly enough to create a hazard or to prevent effective skiing. The south end of the mountain has mainly been shut down due to lack of snow, but the middle and north sides of Lab have been close to all the way open.

Even though the temperatures have been low and the wind chill has receded into the negatives, it does not prevent most people from skiing or snowboarding. Each Friday, a few hundred people show up to enjoy the mountain and to hang out with friends. This Friday will be our last time skiing at Lab through the school. After two cancellations due to weather, it will be a relief to be on the mountain again. Though some days up at Lab have been bitterly cold, the trail conditions were ideal and the snow smooth, allowing for maximum fun for all.

The February Freeze

The February Freeze

     Joe Settineri

This February has been a frigid adventure, at the least. The combination of cold temperatures and high winds has resulted in many days of bitter cold. Temperatures have failed to rise above 32 degrees the entire month and the snow has began to pile up. The snowfall for Cortland County this year has been surprisingly about average. At the moment, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Homer NY has about 45” of the white stuff on the ground. Currently the snow we have on the ground equates to about 8” of water, which will result in a springtime mess. Compared to previous years, the total snowfall currently on the ground is notably greater. There is about  83% more snow on the ground than last year (which was 8”)  and 74% more than 2013 (12”). Not only is the snow a burden to wade through, but the Town of Homer and the City of Cortland are beginning to run out of space to dump it.

The piling snow isn't the only thing substantial about this month; this February will break the coldest February on record, ever. On February 16th, when we reached a frosty 17 below, we broke the record low temperature of 10 below. This record dated back to 1943 and was similar to the record broken on February 21st when we soared past the previous record of 13 below with our temperature diving to 16 below. Not only have we broken records for daily temperatures, but the average temperature this month has been a cool 9.7 degrees. The previous record, 12.1 degrees, was set 80 years ago, in 1934. The average temperature in Cortland County for February is 26 degrees which makes this year’s February 63% colder than normal. Although I personally enjoy the frigid temperatures, many are struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Fortunately for many, the temperature looks to be on the rise in the up and coming weeks.

*Note- all temperatures referenced are in degrees Fahrenheit

                                                               Works cited

Not available. Wunderground.com. Not available. The Weather Channel LLC, 2015. web. Feb

2015.

Not available. nohrsc.noaa.gov. not available. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

February 2, 2015, web. Feb 2015.