Nate Cole Football Achievement

Jared Pace

​            Recently, Homer High School senior Nate Cole was awarded by the Cortland County Youth Program for his selfless personality, leadership qualities, and fortitude on the Homer High School Football Team.

           Nate Cole was one of seventy-one high school and college football players recognized as National Football Foundation Scholar Athletes and as Hall of Fame National Scholar Athletes. For his first honor, there was a semi-formal reception held at the Homer Center for the Arts, where they had key speakers who recognized and honored each nominee. Later during the week, they held a formal dinner and presentation at the Turning Stone Casino to celebrate Nate’s National Football Foundation award. There, they outlined Nate’s ongoing dedication to the community, as well as his stellar performance on the football team.
           Clearly, these accomplishments have augmented a myriad of opportunities and possible scholarships for him to attain in the future. Currently, Nate is an Eagle Scout who has continued to remain in the top ten percent of his class. If you see Nate, make sure you congratulate him on his success!

Scholastic Writing Winners

Josh  Apker - Honorable Mention - Short Story: Wild Ride

Stephanie Barlow - Silver Key -Personal Essay/Memoir: The Strength Of The Human Spirit 

Alyssa Bowling - Silver Key - Short Story: Jainy

Sean Cole - Silver Key - Short Story: Isaac's Journey

Alexander  Fisher - Honorable Mention - Flash Fiction: A Thief's Tale

Jasminique Harris - Gold Key - Short Story: To You, From Me

Killian Hart - Honorable Mention - Short Story: Red Gets Lucky

Alice Jenkins - Honorable Mention - Flash Fiction: Voices Of Our Nation

Alice Jenkins - Honorable Mention - Flash Fiction: Missing

Jordan Laundry - Honorable Mention - Flash Fiction: All I Want For Christmas

Rachel McNeil - Honorable Mention - Poetry: Somewhat Blind; Leadership

Sarah Mehdi - Silver Key - Short Story: Close Enough

Elizabeth Rutkowski - Silver Key - Short Story: The Unforeseen

Alexis Settineri - Silver Key - Short Story: Loss

Braeden Sharer - Gold Key - Short Story: A Changing Neighborhood

Austin Smith - Silver Key - Short Story: Cold

Christine Stadler - Honorable Mention - Short Story: Sweet Coffee

Andras Tozser - Honorable Mention - Humor: The Great Race

Nikea Ulrich - Silver Key - Science Fiction/Fantasy: Days' End

 Mara Waligurski - Silver Key - Flash Fiction: I Don't Know What I Did This

Wildlife Wednesday: The Calls of the Wild... Birds

Mary Cope

           If you get the chance to step outside and visit a woodsy area, you may hear a few bird songs. Many of us may be wondering, it’s early February, why are birds singing?

           We associate birds finding mates and territories with mid-late spring, but many of the northern species start scoping out their own plots of land earlier in the year! Species such as the Epilated Woodpecker are seen flitting from tree to tree, warding off predators. Just this past Sunday, while I was flying my red-tailed hawk, I counted three of these birds in different areas, performing their territorial cries. Great Horned Owls are also quite active through January and February, but only at night. This is their breeding and nesting time! The males and females hoot back and forth to one another with the classic hooting noise. Barn Owls can also begin their breeding and nesting times between now and March, but they, too, will be heard only at night. Their calls sound like screeches, not like the classic hoot.
           Often, birds of prey start their nesting seasons earlier in the year; many of the hawks, such as the red-tails, will begin nesting in March. From this point on, keep listening, because the bird calls will only increase from here!

Annual Carnation Sale!

Who: Student Government 

What: Annual Carnation Sale 

When: This week only!  Carnations will be sold during lunch periods this week for $1/flower.  They will NOT be sold next week. Carnations will be delivered to homerooms on Valentine's Day!

Semi-Formal Dance!

When: February 9th, 8-11 pm
Where: HS Gymnasium
Tickets: Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 4th.
           $20 per couple
Important: Pick up photo order forms in the Main Office.
                 See Mrs. Hill for a guest pass if you plan to bring a student from another school.
Remember: Follow the Homer Dress Code!

Board Games!

On Fridays through March, the library is offering board games for students. Come test your skills at a new game or challenge your friends to an old favorite. “We have the games; you bring the brains!”

February 1st in History

1790: The US Supreme Court met for the first time in New York City.
1861: Texas declared its intentions to secede from the Union.
1884: The Oxford English Dictionary published its first edition.
1913: Grand Central Station opened in New York City.