Inter Districts Wrap-Up

Inter Districts Wrap-Up

Molly Burhans

Homer’s Youth and Government program takes a trip to McQuaid Jesuit School in Rochester every year for an Inter-District Conference. This conference is designed to prepare students for the state conference in Albany in March, and every year it does not disappoint. The students that are a part of the Judicial Branch finalize their briefs, compare their arguments, and run through their case as many times as possible. The run-throughs are organized so that you never go against the same person twice, and ideally, you are against someone from another district; this allows you to gain a better understanding of your case. According to Chief Justice, Tighe Gugerty, the Judicial Branch was very successful. The Legislative branch also performed extremely well, and got a taste of what it’s like to be in Albany presenting a bill.  The President of our club, Jordan Laundry, commended our work at Inter Districts and is looking forward to seeing what we achieve at the state conference.

District 6, which includes Homer, is currently very influential due to the fact that one of our own members, Andrew Jacobi, is Governor, and Kennedy George is Public Defender. This past summer we also had many students invited to CONA, which is a national conference for exceptional members of Youth and Government. Though many of our leaders will be graduating this year, we have a lot of promising talent to look forward to. We have junior, Joey Esposito running for Public Defender, sophomore, Beth Gilbert, running for Chief Justice, and sophomore, Chris Delage, running for Speaker of Assembly Liberty. Overall, Inter Districts was a major success and the state conference will undoubtedly go just as smoothly.

Teacher Feature: Mr.Graves

Teacher Feature: Mr.Graves

Alyson Witt

Many people remember their high school years as the best years of their life. They remember their peers, teammates, and what brought them to be who they are now. They remember the late nights studying, and the teachers that helped them through the many obstacles of high school. As high school students, much of our time is spent around our teachers, but overtime they become more than just teachers; they become mentors and friends. Most students only know one side of their teachers, their career. But like everyone, they are so much more. If you take the time to get to know more about your teachers, you can realize common interests and can see them in greater admiration.

So far in my high school career, I have met many of the amazing teachers and staff at Homer High School; however, one teacher who has really grabbed my attention is the science teacher Mr.Graves, who has not only become my teacher, but also my coach and friend. I have gotten to know Mr.Graves as an excellent teacher, caring coach, and enthusiastic outdoorsman. After talking with Mr.Graves I learned many more facts about him. In addition to being a teacher, Mr. graves contributes to both the school and community by coaching cross country, JV boy’s basketball, and building houses and hunting camps. Mr. Graves also plays in the friday night adult soccer league, and enjoys playing pickup basketball. In addition to woodwork, athletics and teaching Mr. Graves is also an avid hunter, traveler, and outdoorsman. Graves hunts with both bow and gun, and enjoys fishing, especially in the Alpine Lakes of both the Rocky Mountains and the Cascades. Graves also enjoys traveling to the Western U.S. to backpack and camp. He likes traveling to various places in Canada  because of the vast natural diversity they have to offer. Graves also mentioned that over the summer, he enjoys visiting the beach, and relaxing at backyard barbecues and bonfires. After taking the time to get to know Mr.Graves in more detail, I have realized that he is more than just an excellent teacher and coach, but also a mentor who I will remember after my years as a student at Homer High School.

What to Love About Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

What to Love About Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Skyler Powers

The seventh installment in the Star Wars franchise has been released after ten long years since the final movie of the second trilogy.  Diehard fans and newcomers alike have been lining up around the world to see if the introductory film of the third trilogy lives up to the glory of George Lucas’s famous original trilogy.  Luckily, JJ Abrams didn’t disappoint and this film continues to break box office records around the world as it passes the likes of Titanic, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Jurassic World.  Now, it is poised to defeat Avatar, which is currently the highest grossing film of all time.

Statistics aside, this movie has several things going for it.  First of all, the acting is great.  There is not a single bad performance in this film.  The returning characters, which include Princess Leia and Han Solo, are still great, and so are the newcomers, which include Rey, Finn, and Poe.  Everything is believable and the actors do a great job at conveying emotions, whether it’s happiness, sadness, or humor.  

The new characters are refreshing and satisfactory.  While the other films’ protagonists were mainly males, this episode introduces one of the first main female protagonists in the franchise, Rey, which is a true reflection of how our society has evolved.  Finn, a rogue stormtrooper, provides some great cinematic depth as he struggles with what he wants to do.  Poe, while he has a rather small role, brings some charm to the screen, and he is a very likeable character.

With this being the beginning of a new trilogy, it is rather easy to follow the plot, even for newcomers.  Just knowing the basics of the Star Wars cinematic universe should ensure easy viewing, but even people with no previous knowledge should be able to follow the plot as well.   

Now it’s time to talk about the main antagonist, Kylo Ren.  I personally thought he was a better villain that darth Vader, which is a bold statement.  He wasn’t better at being bad or even more intimidating, he was just more believable.  He was conflicted and at war with himself.  He wasn’t just some inhuman individual in a scary outfit put in the movie just to be the bad guy.  Kylo Ren was obviously human under his evil persona, which I really loved.  

Lastly, the action sequences and soundtrack were phenomenal.  Instead of continuing with the over-the-top, unrealistic action from the second trilogy, this film went back to the classic, and superior, hand-to-hand combat from the original trilogy.  It was much more intense and realistic.  The soundtrack did include the original theme song, but it had other musical elements which were also great.  

In the end, this film had many great aspects to it.  It returned to its roots and was aided by great visuals, great action, great characters, and great acting.  Even if the plot structure doesn’t go anywhere new, it is still solid and it did everything that franchise fans wanted it to do.  It was an incredibly wellmade film and it is definitely one of the best, if not the best, of the year.  I loved it, and I can’t wait for the upcoming two films in the trilogy.  

Species Spotlight: Hooded Merganser

Species Spotlight: Hooded Merganser

Alex Levitskiy

This week I selected to write on Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus), a new addition to my personal collection.  As the name suggests, Hooded Mergansers are literally “hooded” with a large crest.  When in breeding plumage, the males have an unmistakably large white crest outlined in black, creating an attractive contrast.  The black continues from the head all along the back and tail.  Their upper throats are black, while their breast is white.  Along their mantle is a white and black barred pattern.  Similarly, along their backs, there are wing coverts that are black with a bold white line, forming striking plumes.  Their flanks are cinnamon-brown colored and are overlayed by fine black barring.  Lastly, the drakes have a fine black bill and a bright golden eye.  The hens too have a “hood,” but theirs is smaller and cinnamon colored.  Their overall body color is brownish-grey, and their wing coverts bear the same pattern as the males’ coverts do.  Hooded Merganser hens have brown eyes and brown and yellow colored bills.  In eclipse plumage, Hooded Merganser drakes resemble hens.

This species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, and is readily available in captivity.  Being the most affordable and smallest  merganser species, Hooded Mergansers are a great duck to begin with before moving to the more challenging sea ducks.  Since they are naturally diving ducks, Hooded Mergansers require diving-depth water.  In the wild, their diet consists of aquatic insects, small fish, crayfish, and other similar creatures.  In a captive setting, minnows can be released into their ponds for enrichment and supplemental protein.  It is a joy to watch all Hooded Mergansers diving and the males displaying with their raised hoods.        

Hooded Merganser Drake

Hooded Merganser Hens    

Photo Credit: Alex Levitskiy

Homer’s Art Program

Homer’s Art Program

     Alyson Witt

Homer High School is known for its sports, academic achievements, and of course, the arts. Whether it's music or art, the school provides many opportunities for students to grow and improve their talents. Students with an interest in art have the opportunity to take a series of studio art classes, each focusing on different aspects of art. The series of classes start at level one and end at level five, and must be completed in order to properly build up skills. Some students start these classes during eighth grade if they are in the select group that is chosen on skill and artistic interest. If these students continue taking art, they will finish at the level five class. Other students start art classes in other years and can continue until they graduate. By participating in the art program, students can become better artists, earn credits towards graduation, and meet a variety of people with a common interest. Students get to interact with their peers and their art teachers: Mr. Wallace and Mr. Andre. Both teachers love their jobs and their students. Mr. Andre also helps coach the throwers of the track and field team, helping them achieve their goals and improve.

         As an art student, my favorite part of the day is coming to art class. There is an overall lively and enjoyable environment in the class. As a freshman, I am in studio II with Mr. Wallace, who is an excellent teacher. Each week, we work on a sketch, an in-class project, and a long term project that is completed at home. Not only is art a good way for me to improve my skills, it's also a good way to relax during the day, and do something I enjoy. I would recommend the art program to anyone even slightly interested, it's an opportunity that won't be regretted.

Homer Musical, 2016: South Pacific

Homer Musical, 2016: South Pacific

Reed Cleland

This year, Homer High School’s musical theatre group has chosen to perform a blast-from-the past. South Pacific is a Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, filled with comedy, romance, and drama. It even contains undertones of socio-cultural themes that still affect today’s world.

The musical’s plotline-without any spoilers-is actually two distinct subplots. Set in the Pacific theater during World War Two, it follows the struggle of American sailors to capture a Japanese island. In the first sub-plot, Nellie Forbush (Bailey Kote), an American naval nurse, is in love with a distinguished French plantation owner, Emile de Becque (David Perfetti), who lives on the island. However, she has reservations about marrying de Becque when she learns that his children are half-Polynesian.

  Meanwhile, the young Lieutenant Joseph Cable (Rowan Travis) has traveled to the island to serve with American forces. He falls in love with Liat (Jenniellen Withers), a young and innocent Polynesian woman. Social restrictions, however, make Cable second-guess the wisdom of marrying an island native. Several supporting characters, including Liat’s mother Bloody Mary (Kate Halstead) and the comic relief Luther Billis (Kenian Ulrich), help tie the stories together into an epic of social struggle. The rest of the cast does a great job of enriching the setting and  playing roles that include Nurses, Sailors, Officers, and Polynesians.

The musical’s legacy is contained in several memorable songs, including “Some Enchanted Evening”, “There is Nothing Like a Dame”, “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair”,  “Younger than Springtime”, and “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught”. While there are plenty of elements for a night of light entertainment, the musical’s deeper messages on overcoming bigotry makes us all stop and think, at least for a moment, on how we judge others.

Although the musical was produced more than sixty years ago, director Mrs. Kara K-B McLaughlin believes that these messages for accepting others are applicable to modern society: “The plot’s conflict is really driven forward by those characters who have to overcome their prejudices,” she said. “The show’s really significant for being written in a time when there was a lot of prejudice in America. Cable’s “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” can really be taken as a message to watch what we teach our children, because we end up believing a lot of things we’re taught as children.”

This musical is filled with talented singers, actors, dancers, and musicians. Their hard work, which started in October, will culminate on March 4th and 5th, in the Bonné Auditorium. Tickets will run at $6 for students and seniors, $8 for general admission, and $30 for a family rate. The show is one of the many examples of the phenomenal productions created by Homer High’s musical theatre and you will not want to miss it!

Experiencing New York City

Experiencing New York City

Isabell Berthelsen

The world has many famous sayings about New York City, such as “Anything Can Happen in a New York Minute” or “If You Can Make it Here, You Can Make it Anywhere”. The quote that I best remember is the description of the city as “The city that never sleeps”, and after two visits to New York City, I think that that last description fits the city just perfectly.

In Denmark, we don’t have any skyscrapers or a big skyline; Denmark’s biggest city, our capital Copenhagen, is made of mainly old buildings, some even build back in the 1600s by King Christian IV. So by coming to New York City as a Danish small town girl, I was truly amazed when I saw the giant amount of people walking on streets and the big skyscrapers looming up in front me. I visited the Empire State Building and I saw the view during both the day and night, it was breathtaking both times. You feel like you are standing on the top of the world; everything seems so small and peaceful, you’re so far away from the noise and the rush.

As a real tourist in a big city, I visited all the must-sees. I saw everything from The Statue of Liberty to Times Square to the Christmas Market in Bryant Park. So after experiencing one of the world’s most famous and biggest cities, I can conclude that New York City never sleeps and if you blink, you’ll miss it because anything can happen in a New York second.

(The photos are from on the top of the Empire State Building with another  Danish Exchange Studen, Laura, who lives in Tully.)