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