The Envirothon

The Envirothon

Joe Settineri

When the new buds begin to form on the trees and the grass sprouts start to jump out of the ground, it is  time for Envirothon. Envirothon is a yearly competition where each school in the Cortland County sends a team and competes in five different categories: soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife, and current issue. Each score is based out of 100 and they are usually difficult often yielding scores of sixty or less. Additionally, there are points given for the quality of each team’s oral presentation, which they must prepare prior to the event. This year there were eight teams each with five competitors. Each station mentioned above has a test and the team takes the test together. Sometimes the test involves identifying animals, tree’s, soils, or other factors of the environment and can be very challenging.  This year, the Envirothon was on a soaking wet day, the rain was just coming down in droves. We were all drenched, especially those who did not wear boots or a rain jacket. At the end of the day, all of the team's ate lunch in the lodge at Camp Owatta next to the fire to dry off, and the final scores were announced. This year the top three scores were as follows

The Kids (HOMER)- 513

Cincy Red (CINCINNATUS)-463

Cincy White (CINCINNATUS)-432

The winner of the county competition gets to move onto the state competition at Hobart and William Smith colleges on May 24th and 25th. Be sure to root on your classmates: Joe Settineri, Tighe Gugerty, Julia Fouts, Evan Ulrich, and Kennedy George as they make their way to the state competition and congratulate the several other students in our school who competed last Friday.

Choosing a Driving Course at Homer High School

Choosing a Driving Course at Homer High School

Alex Levitskiy and Kennedy George

Many high schoolers are either preparing to start driving, or experiencing being a new driver. For most of us, driving is the most dangerous thing we will do in our lives, so it is important that we are smart and cautious while we are on the road. Here at Homer High School, there are several options when it comes to driver’s education. Two of those options are the Teen Drivers Safety Course and the summer Driver’s Ed program. In order to park on school grounds, one must take at least one of these courses. But for some, it may be difficult to choose which course to take; there are many pros and cons towards taking each course. So, in order to help students decide which option will work best for them while still properly preparing them for the road, members of the Olympian will give you a closer look into each class.

Perspective #1:

I took the Driver’s Ed class that is offered over the summer. It lasts for multiple weeks and each class day includes a period of lecture and a period of driving. I am very glad that I chose to take this course; it increased my driving abilities tremendously. The pros of this course are that it really teaches you the rules of the road, you get driving time with an experienced driver, it lasts a while so you have time to learn, you get to listen to cool, guest speakers, and it helps you get your senior license faster. The cons of this class are it takes time away from your summer, it costs money to take it, you have to get at least an 85 in the class in order to park on school grounds, and you might have to get up early to get to class on time. Despite the cons associated with this course, I think that it is something that every driver should take. It helps you become a more competent and confident driver.

Perspective #2:

Students also have the option of taking the Homer Teen Driver Safety Online Course. Previously, this course was what many called the “five-hour course.” I was in the experimental group with the new safety course, which I got to try out for the second portion of my Alive at 25 course. The online course consists of six units in driver’s safety. Once you feel that you have mastered the units, then there is an exam that consists of multiple choice and true/false questions. As soon as you complete the online course, Mrs. Reed is notified. Plenty of useful topics are covered that will help solidify the road rules for student drivers.  The pros of this online course are the convenience of being able to take it at home whenever you have time, it is now not as lengthy as the previous required courses, the information is provided in a more interactive and visual manner, and your results are sent right to Mrs. Reed so you do not need to print your results and have to take them to her. The cons are that you do not get actual driving experience nor any in-person advice from an experienced driver. Also, you must get at least an 85% on the test to be granted parking permissions. The online course is perfect for a comfortable driver who wishes to efficiently meet the requirements.

Hopefully, these two accounts will aid you in your decision on how to approach being able to park at the school. There are many pros and cons to each course, so we suggest assessing your personal situation and determining what you are capable of and what you need in order to become a safe and responsible driver.

Summer Career Awareness Day Events at SUNY Upstate Medical University

Summer Career Awareness Day Events at SUNY Upstate Medical University

Skyler Powers

This summer, SUNY Upstate Medical University is hosting a series of one-day Career Awareness Days.  This is the perfect opportunity for students who are considering a career in healthcare.  Attendees will be able to learn about their careers of interest from actual healthcare professionals.  There is a small fee for students to attend and space is limited.  The days being offered are Nursing & Respiratory Therapy on June 28th, Medicine & Physician Assistant on July 12th, Medical Technology, Medical Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences on July 13th, Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy on July 19th, and Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy on July 20th.  This event is for any current high school sophomore, junior, or senior, and any current college freshman.  Applications are due by May 27th and transcripts by June 3rd.  For more information about the Career Awareness Days, please visit http://www.upstate.edu/prospective/basics/specialevents.php

Information on Volunteering at CRMC

Information on Volunteering at CRMC

Alex Levitskiy

As a student, your life might be extremely busy, but I bet that there are ways to fit in time for volunteering.  One great place to volunteer in our community is at the Cortland Regional Medical Center (CRMC), especially if you are interested in a health-related field.  Even if you aren’t, it is a great place to have exposure to the many departments of the hospital; some of the places that you can volunteer at do not revolve around health care.  Furthermore, it’s due time to consider what a great community we have, so why not give back to the community by volunteering your time?

To begin with, an application must be filled out in order to become a volunteer.  You have to be between fourteen and eighteen years old, be passing your classes, and receive approval from your guidance counselor in order to volunteer.  Following this is a mandatory orientation in which you become familiar with hospital policies and your role as a teenage volunteer.  The requirements to maintain this position are quite simple; one must volunteer during the summer (you will receive information as to which day you are responsible for coming in and volunteering) and also volunteer at least one Saturday a month (this is arranged in advance so you can coordinate volunteering with your weekend plans).  You will be able to volunteer at places like the Nursing Home, the Coffee Shop, Adult Day Care, Food and Nutritional Services, and more.  Eventually, volunteers are able to help more in the units that they prefer. A major part of volunteering is the people you meet and the interactions you have with them.  I, personally,  have some great stories about volunteering and will cherish some of the memories from my time at CRMC.    

By dedicating your time to the hospital, you are also bolstering your resume, as volunteering at a hospital looks good on a college application.  Additionally, if you go above and beyond with your volunteering, then you may be eligible for an Auxiliary Scholarship at the end of your senior year.  If you are considering becoming a teenage volunteer at CRMC and would like more information, then you should attend the Cortland Regional Medical Center Teenage Volunteer’s Open House on June 1st from 3-5 pm in the Volunteer Office.    

Adirondack Field Studies/Marine Studies OCM BOCES Summer Programs

Adirondack Field Studies/Marine Studies OCM BOCES Summer Programs

Skyler Powers

OCM BOCES is holding two summer programs for students from eleven school districts throughout Cortland and Onondaga County. In Homer’s case, the programs are paid for by the school, but students are required to pay for the meals during the travel to and from the camps and for souvenirs while at camp.  The two programs being offered this summer include the Adirondack Field Studies Program, located at the ESF Biological Field Station at Cranberry Lake in the Adirondack Mountains, which will run from August 8th to 14th, and the Marine Studies, located on Long Island, which will run from July 17th to 22nd.  Students must apply to obtain a slot for one of the studies.  However, slots are limited, so applying does not guarantee being able to go.  The application requires parent or guardian permission as well as a recommendation from two teachers.  Students who do obtain a slot are required to attend the entire session; no special accommodations will be considered.  Students will live in cabins and spend a lot of time working and studying outdoors.  Participation is required and there will be work.  Marine Studies students will be required to keep a daily journal and Adirondack students will be required to conduct an experiment and present their work.  As a bonus, Homer students will earn ½ science credit for each program successfully completed.  This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested, so if you are one of those people, pick up an application from Mrs. Williams in room 231!  

Homer Trojans Baseball 5/10

Homer Trojans Baseball 5/10

Neil Malakar

The Trojans baseball team faced CBA on Tuesday, May 10, commencing the latter half of their season. This was the second time the two sides had met this year, only this time the stakes were higher as it was a league game. Vindictive after their 4-1 loss to Homer the first time around, the CBA squad looked to get on the scoreboard early. They managed to score three times in the first inning off of errors made by Homer. The visitors immediately retaliated with two runs in the bottom of the first, and equalized later, in the third inning. Evan Ulrich started for Homer as he did the last time they faced CBA, staying solid as he worked through the Brothers’ batting order. After the hosts made a pitching change in the fourth inning, Homer managed to tally on another five runs with offensive help from Storm Grant, Brandon Grant, Beck Lundeen, Joey Tummino, and Peter Davis. The game ended with a score of 8-3 after Casey Hayes came in to relieve and close the win for Ulrich. After this win, the Homer Trojans solidified their spot in Sectionals for the year, with an overall record of 6-6.

Species Spotlight: Garganey Teal

Species Spotlight: Garganey Teal

Alex Levitskiy

This week’s featured species is the Garganey Teal (Spatula querquedula, formerly Anas querquedula), a small dabbling duck that is native to Europe and western Asia.  They breed in wetland and lake habitats.  Their entire population migrates south to Africa, India, and Australia.  The drakes of this species have a mostly brown and grey plumage, but they also have unmistakable features.  Starting above the eye is a white crescent that extends to the back of the head.  Their flanks are a greyish-blue color, and above them are are black and grey striped scapulars.  The hens are predominantly brown and grey, similar in appearance to other species of teal like Blue-Winged Teal.  Both sexes have a blue wing patch.

Garganey Teal have an extensive range.  Although they suffer from threats such as habitat loss, they do not exhibit any trends that would classify them as a Vulnerable Species; therefore, they are considered Least Concern.  In the sphere of captivity, Garganey Teal are kept and bred, but they are not as popular as some of their other teal counterparts.  Personally, I think this species is gorgeous, and the crackling sounds that the drakes make are neat.

Photo Credit: Alex Levitskiy

Garganey Teal Drakes at Sylvan Heights Bird Park