Volume 6, Issue 2

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Size Matters
By Alyssa Heath Sixteen Candles. The Breakfast Club. Pretty in Pink. What do these movies have in common other than Brat Pack actress Molly Ringwald in her prime? They set cutthroat expectations for those entering the occult world known as high school. But are the high school years consistently a universal American experience, as argued by blogger Colleen Mondor? What does the label of high school experience mean to different people and how does it deviate between various school settings? Alyssa Heath Finding no comfort in the Hollywood portrayal of high school, a time abundant in angst ridden, hormone raging jocks, nerds and popular girls (as harshly put by another misanthropic blogger, Rachel Sandler), I took matters into my own hands to answer these questions. Enlisting the help of Lyme Central senior, Gunnar Blank, I set out to shadow a school day at Lyme, and vice versa. With 355 students K-12, Lyme Central School District in its entirety is almost matched by the Watertown High School class of 2013 alone, coming in at 274 seniors. Drop the last digit, and you have Lymes senior class: an incomparable 27 students. The vast difference in the size of the two schools each comes with its own set of benefits and disadvantages. A smaller school setting offers the perk of belonging to a tighter-knit group, as opposed to being one of 1,133 kids (the size of Watertown High) and not recognizing all the names or faces of your fellow classmates. A major difference I picked up on at Lyme was the repetition of familiar faces I saw throughout the school day. Although it is not uncommon to have multiple classes with some of the same students in a larger school (Im with my best friend five periods out of the day), I have friends at Watertown whom I seldom see during the course of my

Lyme Central class of 2012 graduation commencement. Photo used with permission by Mr. Joseph Davis of Chaumont, NY.

Lyme Central School gym floor, home of the Indians. Photo by Lyme senior, Rachel Gardner. Like Photography by Rachel G. on Facebook to see more.

day, some of which I may only pass in the hall once every couple of weeks. This also has a downside: although rumors spread like wildfire anywhere teenagers can be found, the speed and impact of gossip is magnified in a smaller school, where many kids have known each other their entire

lives and can retain every detail about their peers. What sets the two districts further apart is the dispersion of students: while Watertown City School District is made up of eight school buildings (Knickerbocker, North, Ohio, Sherman, and Starbuck Elementary schools; H.T. Wiley Intermediate School, Case Middle School, and Watertown High School), Lyme Central students of all ages can be found under one roof. This means that occurrences such as passing a 3rd grade class walking in a single file line while headed to your locker are the norm. This has a definite advantage over the PG-13 hallways of a traditional 9-12 high school: PDA and profanity are eliminated, simply because they cannot exist. The younger children are in constant contact with the high school students and

look up to them as role models. Frankly, I did not mind walking to class without having to see couples honeymooning against their lockers. A one-building district also annihilates the stressful transition to high school. Rather than being the little fish in uncharted waters, students are merely moving up to the next grade, dismissing the infamous trauma of the Freshman Friday hoax and finding a seat in the cafeteria. My conclusion after playing school swap is this: the movies are wrong. The experience you take away from high school is dependent on many factors, including the size of your school and your attitude toward it. High school is what you make it: no myth or stereotype can forecast the conditions of your experience. Not even your favorite cult classics.

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Cychronicle

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Interview With A Student

By Michaela Castillo This issue of the Cychronicle I had the pleasure of interviewing Shelby Yazzie, a junior here at Watertown High School, who had the courage to try out and make the boys wrestling team. Shelby, who also moved here last year from Windowrock, Arizona, agreed to sit down with the Cychronicle and answer the following questions. C: What made you Michaela want to join the wrestling Castillo team? S.Y: It seemed more fun and challenging compared to cheerleading, which is the sport I usually do. C: How long have you actually wrestled? And what got you into this sport? S.Y: This is actually my first time doing this sport. But my stepfather, who wrestled when he was in school, was the one to actually encourage me to do it. C: Did you have a successful and fun season? S.Y: Oh I had a really fun time, but not really a successful season.(laughs) C: Was it strange being the only girl? S.Y: Not really, but when the guys fart then its just really awkward. C: And that alone didnt stop you from wrestling? S.Y: No. C: Ok well did you wrestle against just girls or guys too? S.Y: There were three other girls, but they werent in my weight class so I mostly wrestled guys. C: Do you do any other sports or activities? S.Y: Cheerleading, basketball and volleyball. It depends on when I feel like it. C: How long have you been in Watertown? Do you like it here? S.Y: Almost one year. And I like when its not snowing or raining, because thats when Watertown starts to look a bit creepy. C: Is there anything different in Watertown High School then your old school? S.Y: The day 1,2,3,4 thing and having

Brittany Kaler

Shelby Yazzie is a non-traditional member of the WHS Wrestling Team

certain classes on certain days is a little weird. And starting school at 7:30? Thats too early! Back at my old school everything started around eight. Also the language classes were different, back in Arizona I took conversational Navajo instead of Spanish. It was really hard. C: What are your plans for the future?

S.Y: Move back to Arizona and go to college for nursing or biomedical engineering. C: Would you do wrestling again? And what would be your advice to someone who wants to try something new? S.Y: Yes. And my advice for those people would be give it your all and dont doubt yourself.

Valuable Advice For Underclassmen

By Brendan Cooley One thing that I have learned throughout my High School experience is that it is never too late to make a difference. Whether that means being involved in sports, clubs or just trying to catch up enough credits to graduate. My Opinion: Having good attendance is crucial to having good grades. Do your best not to be late, even though waking up is usually hard. Brendan Cooley Have a voice throughout your courses, where opinions are acceptable. Build comfortable relationships with your teachers. They are your connections to success. Everyone is at school to work, respect both the jobs of faculty and other students. Even when you seem behind, persevere because it may not be too late. Dont worry about other peoples negative opinions, only your own opinion truly matters. Take as many electives as possible and have fun throughout school, enjoy it while it lasts. My final advice is whatever you do; do NOT cut down the hallway corners at a sharp angle to avoid getting smashed by lunch trays or other students. WHSs guidance counselor Mr. Terry Freeman gave me some fantastic information for students in every grade Mr. Freeman: Is catching up credits for a student in jeopardy fathomable? We come up with different plans for students to catch up their graduation requirements There are many options that are available including summer school or credit recovery programs. Mr. Freeman suggests, Stop digging yourself a hole if you are behind, talk to someone. What are the best tactics for success coming to school? Be to school on time Do your homework Be well rested Use your resources, teachers are your recommendations. Enjoy your time here Freshman: Learning your way around is important. Take High School seriously and get off on the right foot says Mr. Freeman Sophomores: Strive to improve from the year before and do more work. Go out of your comfort zone and experiment with clubs Juniors: Start researching future plans, whether its employment, college or the military. Mr. Freeman says, You can never get too much information. Seniors: Stay focused and keep your goals at the forefront Fight senioritis and pay attention to important deadlines.

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Cychronicle

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We Should Be Thankful for Our Educations

By Jessica Shipley and Sonia Sherbino Many students honestly believe that school is simply a place for social interaction and a place to get away from their parents. These same students often fail to see the importance of the free public education system that our government provides. The truth is that education truly is the key to success in life and that Jess Shipley there are many places in the world where free education is not the norm. (Only 69% of the worlds countries provide free education programs for their school aged children). Why is an education more important than many of us might think? One reason is because an education is needed to get good jobs, which in turn, allow us to live comfortably. The lifetime earnings of a college graduate are about eighty-four percent higher than those of a high school graduate. Having an education allows us to accomplish both the long-term and the short-term goals that we have . Education also allows to develop good critical thinking skills, which help guide us in making correct decisions Interestingly enough, some students make entering the work force a top prioritywhile they are still in high school, but the obligations of those jobs can interfere with student life. There are a variety of reasons why students decide to work while in school: one reason is the economy. Some students who come from lower socio-economic families decide to make Sonia Sherbino their job a top priority because they need the money to help support themselves and their family. There are always problems, however, associated with being a working high school student. Some students that work will have late hours, which can rob teens of necessary sleep. The students academics can also be affected by working because the shifts they have can put a crunch on the amount of time that students have to do school work. Unfortunately, it is also hard for students to ignore the immediate reward of a paycheck. Most Students dont see the correlation between doing well in school and their future at that moment. The pay off for their effort is delayed. Ironically, while our students often fail to make education a top priority, students in other countries have been severely injured and have even died simply trying to get an education. For example, at the young age of eleven, Malala Yousafzai realized that she wanted to become a doctor, but because she was a female in Pakistan, her dream is almost impossible. Malala has been vocal about the need for women to be educated. Because she was so outspoken, on October 9th 2012, Malala was shot in her head and neck by a Taliban gunman, who wanted to stop her efforts to encourage free education for women. This failed assassination attempt left two other girls wounded and Malala in critical condition at a hospital in Peshawar. This brave 15 year old girl not only valued the privilege of education, she almost lost her life for it. She maintains her beliefs and has sworn to continue her fight for education for all children and young adults. Students of the United States should be thankful for their education, even though they may not yet realize that their high school years will seriously impact their own future.

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Cychronicle

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Are You a Smart Phone Zombie?

By Brittany Kaler As technology has made a booming advancement in the last couple of years, more and more people are being diagnosed with technophobia, a.k.a. the fear of not having technology in your life. Technophobia may seem like a crazy thing to have, but in reality, many people, such as teens, are indeed afraid of not having their phone. In fact, I Brittany Kaler am one of these teenagers who doesnt love the idea of not having a cell phone with me at all times throughout the day. I wasnt sure how I would react when I was faced with the experiment of doing just that: not using my cell phone for an entire day. Experimenting with not being able to use my cell phone for an entire day was a great thought at first, but when the time came to leave my phone behind as I left my house, I immediately felt that there was something missing. I am used to sending over 4,000 texts within a week (7,000 being the norm for a month for an average teen) so not being able to send even one in a whole day brought me even more anxiety. Not being able to check Facebook, Instagram and Twitter was not as bad as I had originally thought it would be. The main thoughts that I was having were How will I know if my best friend and her boyfriend breakup? or What if there is an emergency? Some of my thoughts were definitely more irrational than others, but negative thoughts were the only ones that I was experiencing. Walking through the mall without a cell phone was like wearing black at an all white party. I felt like everyone had their cell phone, except for me. Whether people were eating, in line, checking out, or shopping, they had their phones out. Everywhere I turned, someone would be checking a site or replying to a text. I began to notice that whatever that person was doing, the minute his or her ringtone would sound or they would feel a vibration, he or she would look at their phone without any hesitation. Although some chose not to reply, it was obvious that it was important to look at each message just in case it might be something important. Thinking about not having my phone was at the top of my list all day long. I was feeling like I had lost a body part, or five. After the first hour of not having my phone, I started to realize that I was actually enjoying myself a lot more. Not having to check my phone every five minutes was actually really nice. Spending the day with my mom and sister, with no distractions, was something different and enjoyable. Every so often, however, I would find myself feeling in my pockets to find my phone, and a few times, I felt like I had left my phone in a store because Im so used to always having it with me. By the time I returned home to my cell phone, I was feeling stressed and un-whole. Although I had enjoyed spending the day with my mom and sister, I desperately wanted to check my phone. My experience without having my cell phone was interesting to say the least, I can openly admit to this now: I am addicted to having my cell phone. We may honestly be obsessed with checking sites that allow us to know where and what everyone is doing at all times, but the bigger problem that we are facing is always having to be connected to our phones. For many of us the iPhone has become a best friend, companion, and maybe even a partner. We love our cell phones . . . literally.

Benefits of Modern Day Technology; Why We Need It

Brittany Kaler

Julie Fox and Tori Butler show their feelings about a life without technology.

Taking a Step Back in Time

By Julia Fox and Tori Butler Technology rules our lives: everything we do involves some new form of technology that was unheard of years ago. We have our cell phones, electronic books, Facebook, Skype, and so many other technological advancements. Cell phones, for example, have become such a part of our daily lives that trying to remember phone numbers is unnecessary because our phones hold all the numbers we need. Some people have become so dependent on technology that they cant be without it even for a day. To see how hard it would be to go without technology, we planned a twenty-four hour period in which we could use only the technology that was available during the year in which we were born: 1995. We had a number of things planned for the day: we would see a movie, use a payphone, and completely isolate ourselves from the 21st century. Before starting this experiment, we hypothesized that we would instinctively check our phones. (Since people have become so attached to their phones, some just naturally reach for their phones to check the time or even just to hold it.) About 5 hours into the experiment, our hypothesis was proven when Julia reached for her phone to check the time. Other than that minor slip up, we were totally true to our plan. Overall, the experiment was easier than expected. Everyone always makes a big deal about having his or her phone at all times, even when the phones are not really needed. This endeavor made us remember how much technology has changed our lives. Getting in contact with someone back then was much harder than it is now. We couldnt use our cell phones to call our ride, and the pay phone in the mall doesnt even work. Also checking the time regularly was more difficult since not many places have clocks anymore. Despite the culture shock, we actually had a good time just talking. We found ourselves not even using the technology we could use. Face to face interactions have become harder for todays youth to initiate, which is why we should just put down our phones and talk with our friends.

By Erin Pacifici Daily life is now new and improved through the creation of modern technology. Gone are the days of just a phone call to see how a friend is doing. No longer must you mail pictures to someone or use an encyclopedia for research. Within technology of the modern era are social networks that make connectivity even easier. Finding old friends or family members or remembering someones birthday is a snap with a Erin Pacifici social network like Facebook. Taking pictures of unforgettable moments is at your fingertips with a smartphone and research is a thing of the past with Google. Any question you have can be answered within seconds. Overall, life is made easier, which is the whole point of technology. Some may say your missing out on life by being so attached to a phone or computer, but the same could be said of them. If anything, youre staying on top of whats current and keeping in touch with others. Of course, you still have to talk to people face to face, but technology makes it easier to do so when the person you wish to reach isnt as

easily accessible. Simple tasks in life such as remembering to do something, using a calculator, even paying your bills can be taken care of on a smartphone or computer. You no longer have to go to great lengths to accomplish simple tasks. This, in turn, poses the question: Should students be allowed cellphone usage during school? What if students were taught that there was a right and wrong time to use phones in school, or cellphones were allowed in study halls, in lunch, or in a certain room? Technology will never go away. Its always going to be changing and improving and students should be allowed to adapt to these changes in school. Calculators were new once too, and now you can find them in every math class. Computers were also a huge change and these can be found in just about every single classroom. There are many school related functions students could use smartphones for such as research for a school project or to search something on the internet that is relevant to the topic in the class at the time. Having this advantage would be more efficient for most students and could get tasks completed more quickly in class. This privilege comes with great responsibility; however, with supervision, using a cellphone in school could potentially make easier the life of a student.

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Cychronicle

Page 5

Another Look at Our Principal

By Emily Leopard-Davis By now, most students recognize our principal, Mr. Joseph McGrath. They may not, however, realize that there is another side of our principal: he is the manager of a restaurant in Sandy Creek. Recently, I met with him to discuss this part of his life and to ask how these jobs compare. Cychronicle Reporter: What skills are necessary to manage a restaurant? McGrath: Attention. Real attention to detail is crucial. It starts from a micro-approach where there is in the state of New York theres numerous permits and rules and regulations from sales tax department to different types of boards you have to do. So you really have an understanding of how the whole business system works and really Emily Leopard you have to be very attenDavis tive to that so you dont miss deadlines and that because theres fines and problems there. And for the business itself is very crucial that youre paying attention to every detail because theres such a small profit margin so that you have to be careful your food waste and disposable stuff and how much everything from your napkins youre using to how much bread youre throwing away to how long the cook leaves the fryer going when it doesnt need to be on. There is just so much you really need to pay attention to. Its really attention to detail. Thats that part. Then the second part is, you got a person who pays attention to detail and the second is like being a teacher or a coach or a manager. Because youre really managing people when youre managing a restaurant. Its really no different than teaching an English class. Youve got to set clear objectives for the people working for you, you got to teach them what you want them to know, you have to monitor and adjust so theyre doing it properly and correctly to reinforce what youre trying to teach them, how you want them to work. Now thats running the restaurant, the other part of that restaurant business is your clients. So you have to be very friendly, you got to pay attention to customer needs. You have to really spend a lot of time as a restaurant owner figuring out what your customer base wants. If you do all that you can be relatively successful. When you lose on anyone of them, you dont pay attention to details, that comes back to hurt you, you dont train your people properly or you dont manage them properly youre not a real lead manager and positive with them, that could hurt you and if you forget your client base that could hurt you. So you have to constantly pay attention to all three of those and when you dont youre hurting. So not much different than running a building to be honest with you. CR: Thats actually the second question. Are any of these skills similar to those needed to manage a school? MG: Yes, theyre very similar. If you dont pay attention in school to the small details they can become very large problems. Paying close attention to the people youre managing and understanding their needs is important, very important and listening to their needs. Just like teachers have to manage their kids in a way that the kids thats helping their kids needs. The best teachers are those who know exactly what they want kids to learn, teach it directly, monitor and adjust when they know kids are learning or not learning, create time for re-teaching, time for retesting, time for enrichment for kids who are getting it. No different than I have to try to train my teachers. So its very similar skills. Paying attention to detail and managing people in a really positive way. CR: Is the restaurant business less stressful than working at a school? MG: Thats a tough one for me because Ive found neither very stressful. Thats a hard one for me because I do not get stressed. Let me put it this way; I dont allow other peoples behavior or outside events that I cant control stress me. The only thing I can control is how I react to other people and outside events because as long as Im reacting to them in a positive way Im not stressed. For example if a ton of food gets ruined because somebody did something wrong, Im not stressed about that because theres nothing I can do about it. My reaction to that has got to be to retrain that particular cook or waitress that you need to close the cooler door when you put the chicken back in there or itll go bad. But I dont get stressed about that kind of stuff; I think stress is unhealthy so I try not to. I get anxious. Like I have a faulty meeting, Im anxious about that because I have to stand in front of a hundred people. Im not stressed about it Im anxious about it. Theres a difference. Im not worried about the outcome Im just sort of anxious about making sure I prepare it properly, making sure I paid attention to detail, making sure the presentations are all ready to go, etc. Im not upset about it. CR: When you re-enter retirement from education, will you continue to work in the restaurant business? MG: Well thats a great question because Ive done that. I retired in 2011 and that was pretty much what I was doing, retired and had the small restaurant. I came out of retirement just for this year. So yeah, Ill probably be back more actively involved in the restaurant. Unless I do something like this for another year its a lot of fun so if I get another interim position Id probably take it. CR: Has either of these businessesor

Brittany Kaler

Mr. McGrath reveals another side of his professional life.

bothchanged drastically during your time of employment? MG: I think the restaurant business has changed as our economy has changed. In our area, the North Country, there is less discretionary income for people so for us to keep our customer base weve had to make adjustments; as price has gone up weve had to keep pace with inflation and keep our prices lower to order to even allow people to come into our place so it is, its become more and more difficult it truly has. Its really because the unemployment rate is so high. Ten years ago there were more jobs in Jefferson County and Oswego County, people were going out on a Friday night, either to a fish-fry, getting chicken wings or going and getting a hamburger. Other than that its the same business. As for the school business I dont think kids have changed. Kids are kids. I think that again the demands from the economy and the outsourcing of our manufacturing makes it much more stressful for our students and for teachers now, because we know without a good employable skill our kids arent going to

do well. So in the past a young woman or young man could go to work at an airbrake or go back to the dairy farm or work for one of the mills and make a living. Well the Airbrake isnt hiring theres no more mills and the only jobs you got are minimum wage and jobs in retail. So the economy and the outsourcing really changed what we have to do and what kids have to do be successful and its more stressful for the kids and then a result is stress on teachers. We have to be more focused. For example if you go through high school and you just get a regular high school diploma and you dont go on to get a two-year degree or a four-year degree what are you going to do. Thats what kids have to continue to ask themselves; how can I make a living doing something that I like to do and that I want to do. And the only way to get that is education. Mr. McGrath is a great example for us in that he has taken two seemingly un-related areas, education and restaurant management and demonstrates in real life how they both take skills learned through a sound education.

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Cychronicle

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Art Schools: Another Alternative

By Ethan Garry After 13 years of schooling, we are almost expected to go to college, and there is one thing that seems to have as bad a reputation as not going to college: Art School. The idea of spending just as much money on an education for a campus full of paint brushes and sewing needles is baffling. The Ethan Garry normal reactions tend to be, Cant you just take an art class? or Who is going to hire you when youre done? Many people dont understand exactly what an art school is: it is a normal school, like other colleges, but instead of doing bookwork and writing papers, students spend their time drawing, sewing, or participating in a number of other artistic endeavors. The public is under the impression that sending young adults to art school means that these young adults will grow up to be starving artists, who will end up barely getting by in their studio apartments in Paris; however, that is far from the truth. Modern art schools prepare students for modern jobs, from fashion courses to graphic design. There are numerous careers available for the students, who graduate from these art institutions. A former art student is probably responsible for every billboard, every designer dress, and every new and exciting interior design. We neglect to open our minds to the idea that these schools decorate the world around us. If we think about all of the things that artists contribute to society, we must acknowledge that the job market for art graduates is diverse and ever-growing. New products always pop up and old products are always changing, businesses always need logos, houses always need designers, and people always need clothes. Art schools will help you perfect these skills if you are prepared to work hard. These schools are not for everyone, but neither are traditional colleges. Conveniently, there is a school in nearly every state and many traditional colleges have very good art programs as well. (You can not only be close to home but because art schools tend to be small and tight knit; you may find your campus turning into a second home.) It is important to realize that in an art school, you do not spend all day in the studio. You also learn about the history and marketing of your product. To apply, most art schools request a portfolio, along with your transcript. The portfolio consists of 15-20 pictures of a wide variety of work. These pieces should reflect your strengthsand diverse abilities. Remember, a few pieces of solid work and a few great pieces will represent your abilities. Tuition costs are about the same as the costs for a traditional college education. There was a time when we looked down at art schools, however, doing so is wrong. There are thousands of creative and diverse jobs waiting for the graduates of art schools. The world is just waiting for them to add a touch of color to our futures, so if art school is for you, dont hesitate to apply.

School is More Than Grades Is College Always the Answer?

By Siraj Sindhu
Special GueSt columniSt

I know, I know. You read the title of this article, see the name written under it, roll your eyes and scoff. This concept is laughable, right? I understand. But hear me out. Its easy to be discouraged by a bad grade in school. But remember that everyone messes up from time to time: maybe you forgot about the big Trigonometry test and didnt study the night before, or you couldnt finish the Chemistry lab and had incomplete data. It happens. A discussion in my recent Psychology class yielded a memorable quote: I dont judge my success based on the numbers on my report card. My satisfaction with myself comes from the knowledge in my head. Sometimes, we need to take a step back and think about why we go to school every day and spend so much of our limited lifespan in classrooms. School and college to an even greater ex-

tent is structured on the basis of personal expansion of developing each individual student, ones personality, ones tastes, ones interests. Certainly, doing well in class is important and is critical to success in life, however, it should not be the sole goal of education. The real purpose of education lies in this: to give youth the opportunity to find what he or she loves and to encourage him or her to pursue it. This is a challenge to all my fellow students: firstly, work hard in your classes, and strive to acquire good grades. Youll be better prepared for the future, youll learn more from your teachers, and youll feel better about yourself. But just as importantly, pursue things that arent related to any of your classes. Everyone has a talent or a passion, from astronomy to poetry to nature and everything beyond and in between. Research and learn about whatever interests you. You may just end up discovering a passion that becomes a career.

By Brittany Macmillan Recently, a friend of mine asked me how I felt about a student who didnt want to go to college. After some thought, I finally had an answer, however, I wasnt sure my answer was the best possible answer. I went to our lead guidance counselor, Mr. Terry Freeman, and posed the same question. Here is the original question and both answers. Lately, I hear so much about the core curriculum and Governor Cuomos Brittany plan to encourage every Macmillan student to attend college. The truth is; however, that I do not want to go to college. I want to go to work full time. I wonder, is there something wrong with this decision? (By the way, I have never been in trouble, and I have an eighty five average, and I have a good reputation in my high school.)

My answer: there is nothing wrong with the decision that you have made right now, but if you wanted to go into a full time job after high school, instead of college, you should at least look into some sort of trading school, like BOCES. Or being someones apprentice, so that you can be sure that you have all of the skills that you will need to make enough money to support yourself. Mr. Freemans answer: There is nothing wrong with this decision. At times, some students are ready to enter the work force and gain some valuable experience right out of high school. The key is to have the academic preparation so that you can go to college in the future, should you chose to attend. Sometimes, for the career advancements or promotions, it is necessary to further your education. And, as long as you have the preparation those doors will remain open when you are ready to pursue higher education.

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Cychronicle

Page 7

Adjusting to Life in a Big World

By Tylisha Gourdine I dont know what was more intimidating about Watertown High School; the sheer size of it (this school is huge), or how different it is from my old school. Before I came here, I thought every high school was the same and Watertown wouldnt differ from my previous school in North Carolina except for location, students and teachers. Other than that it would be basically the same. Boy, was I in for a surprise. My opinion changed on my first day here. At first the differences seemed miniscule, so small that if I wasnt paying attention I would have missed them. It was stuff like real trays for lunch instead of Styrofoam and those cool planners. Then came the gigantic stuff, like learning labs and ten classes a day. Above all, having ten classes a day made the biggest difference in my opinion. This was just ludicrous to me. First, how did they even fit ten classes in the normal seven hour school day? Second, how do you remember the locations of each of these classes? Third, did that mean I would get a lot of homework? Those questions (and many more) ran through my head when I got my schedule. The questions pretty much answered themselves after my first class. The thirty-nine minute classes are pretty cool. I was completely fine with only thirty-nine minutes in geometry. It would improve my view of that class for sure, but if you only had thirty-nine minutes in a class would you really get a lot of work done? The answer was surprisingly yes, so I had the usual, moderate amount of homework. That was also good because I was having trouble finishing my homework at my other school and I only had four classes there. That would still be a huge adjustment from just having four classes a day, but since three of my classes were learning labs I essentially only had the normal seven. Another big change was the learning labs. They were a mystery to me. I really didnt know what to expect from those. Would you get work? Was it like a science lab? What was it? When I finally arrived at one I found it was just like a study hall. This was pretty amazing because I had never had a study hall before, and I had never heard of a real person actually having them. It was like one of those things you see on TV and in movies or hear when your parents talk about their high school days. The thing that really caught me off guard was the size of Watertown High School.I thought the school was big with only two floors but then I found out the school has three floors. That left me flabbergasted. I have never in my fifteen years of living seen a three story building solely for the use of highschoolers. It gave me the feeling of being in a miniature college. I believe it was stranger for me because the city I lived in back in North Carolina was bigger than Watertown but it had a smaller high school with less people and that high school was considered huge. I didnt think it got any bigger except in huge cities. On my first day at my previous school, Overhills, it was so confusing because I had to run upstairs and down to get to my classes; but compared to Watertown, it was a walk in the park. Lets just say without the help of very nice teachers and students, I would have never gotten to any of my classes on time. So, Ill conclude that Watertown and my old school are very different in numerous ways. Obviously, my earlier assumption that every high school was the same was wrong. Every school, at least these two schools, are different in their individual ways. One thing that stayed constant with both schools was the friendly and helpful people, but I guess thats inevitable because everywhere you go, if you look in the right places, youre going to find friendly people.

First Bites out of The Big Apple

By Jonathan Ehlinger Over Winter Break, I was given the opportunity to experience New York City for the first time. Honestly speaking, the only prior knowledge I had of NYC was from what Ive seen on TV or heard from my friends; I didnt have any firsthand experience. So, my posse (consisting of my two older brothers, both of their girlfriends, and myself) all went to NYC over Christmas Break, to see what all the Jonathan hype is about in The Ehlinger Big Apple. Ive broken this article down into different specific segments, and Ill give yall the rundown of how NYC treated its newest patrons. Tourism: There is a lot to see in New York City, but that is not always a good thing. My crew and I went to NYC to experience the city, not to be tourists. Sure, we saw the obvious sights, such as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, etc., but that just goes to show you that a lot of NYC has become a tourist trap. Be warned, everywhere you go there will be someone trying to sell you something and they are awfully persistent. Other than that, the sights of NYC are all right. Be forewarned, however, every landmark seems a lot smaller than you see on TV, except the Empire State Building, which is really freaking big! Food: Heres where NYC gains some positive points, its food! My group and I made a rule that we werent allowed to eat at any major/corporate business (i.e. McDonalds, Starbucks, Burger King you get the idea), so we only ate at local food establishments. Everything was delicious! There is a popular rumor that there are so many restaurants in NYC, you could eat out at a different place every night for 65 yearsand still not eat at all the restaurants. If this truly is the case, then Id be all set, because New York City has some great food. Entertainment: Variety is definitely a good way to describe the entertainment of NYC. With Broadway, various shopping districts, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, and anything else you can think of, New York City has them all. Personally, I dont think you could go to NYC without seeing a Broadway show, so my group and I did just that. We saw Avenue Q, which is a play that is far too inappropriate to talk about in a school newspaper. Anyways, if one wants to have fun, you dont have to look very far in The Big Apple. Getting Around: First things first, get your walking shoes on because youll be walking until your feet are sore. New York is architecturally set up in a way that is very straightforward and efficien, which allows one to get where one needs to goas long as you have a map. A map is a life-saver and you should certainly buy one as soon as possible. While walking is the most effective way to get around, both taxi cabs and the subway are useful and affordableways of travel. Stereotypes: This might sound ignorant, but stereotypes of New York City that you see on TV are mostly accurate. The taxi cab drivers that my company and I encountered very much play up to the typical NYC culture about which you hear rumors. You know, those stories where cabbies dont seem to speak English, the radio is blasting music in a different language, or when these drivers seem to be angry all the time, yeah, those are generally true. However, I also found out that the Every New Yorker is mean stereotype is false. Collectively, the people I met were sincerely kind and helpful to us as we were constantly lost throughout the city. You know how people tend to lose things in New York City? That happened too. On Day one of this vacation, two of the five of us lost our phones. It seemed that we were becoming typical New Yorkers and we were only 30 minutes into our adventures of NYC. Dont worry, we found both of the phones, but not until we were leaving NYC to go back home. Life is funny like that. Shopping: When it comes to shopping, it is a vast and wide selection of any-and-everything youll ever want or need. Heck, the districts of New York City are divided into different shopping zones, like Fashion District or Diamond District. I was happy because there was a bookstore, something Watertown needshint, hint. Here is some advice: dont ignore the flea market or stores that look rundown. Theyre selling the same products that the major stores are advertising, at the same price and quality, so dont glance over them because of their appearances. Other than that, grab your money, and get ready to spend, its going to be a pleasing time! Overall: My favorite part of NYC was all the different languages I heard, basically, the greatest part was the culture itself. I was very blissful the first time that I heard someone speaking something other than English; it was a feeling I havent felt since I left South Korea (where I use to live). Advice for Newcomers: If you didnt get anything out of this article, just remember these tips for future reference. Buy a map. Always know where your phone and wallet is. Not because of muggers, but because you might just forget where you put them. Walking shoes are a necessity! Spend your time how you want to, dont get stuck doing all the touristy events. Finally, while this is over said, have fun! If you arent enjoying yourself, then youre not looking hard enough!

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Equine Therapy; A useful method to relieve stress

By Christy Hance When riding a horse, most people feel like they are flying. For someone with a disability, whether it be mental or physical, that feeling is often hard to achieve. Equine therapy is becoming a more and more commonly used form of therapy, and its benefits far outweigh the dangers that are inevitable when working with a large animal. There are three categories: hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and riding Christy Hance as a sport. Hippotherapy uses the horses movements (which in some ways are similar to ours) to help with motor and sensory input. This form can improve balance, posture, and cognitive and behavioral processes. For example, hippotherapy can have a huge impact on the functioning of children with autism. Through this level of therapy, the kids can learn patience, gain greater hand/eye coordination, increase socialization, and obtain better self-control and self-confidence. Unlike hippotherapy, where it is the horses movements that help the individual, therapeutic riding uses specific riding skills to help the person heal. The individual learns companionship, leadership and responsibility among other things. There are many different forms of horseback riding so there is always more for the individual to learn, which can keep this particular form of therapy fresh. Horseback riding as a sport is not always used by people with disabilities or disorders as therapy: anyone can use this form. For some, it is a stress reliever and for others, it is purely just fun. It is also a great form of exercise and many people use it to help them get into shape or to gain better balance. A horse is a great companion and, unlike people, horses rarely cause drama or tension. Horses are loyal, trusting and responsive; they always want to please, which is very helpful in a teammate or even friend. Equine therapy not only helps people with disorders and disabilities, but also troubled teens. Endorphins are released when the person spends time with a horse, even if it is only 10-15 minutes. This causes the person to feel happy or better. Feeling happy decreases the amount of cortisol, which is the hormone in the body that controls stress. The animal remains calm, which assists the troubled teen in learning to act calmly because horses almost always veer away from stress. This can also help teens who suffer from addiction as the non-judgmental and kind nature of the horse can either help the troubled teen make huge steps in recovery from addiction or just help them make better decisions and work for a peaceful, safe life. Caton Ryder is a boy with hydrocephalus. His ability to walk was not strong and his fine-motor skills developed faster than his gross-motor skills. His father was a horse person and he decided to teach Caton how to ride. Caton adored it and eventually figured out how to control the horse without the help of his father. He learned how to send messages from his brain to his legs. He was able to help his father and some ranch hands to collect cattle thanks to his increased abilities due to equine therapy. He now can ride a bike, swim and ski; all thanks to the help of his fathers horse, Sparky. Limitations that his parents thought would hold him back were defeated when Caton began to ride horses and he now lives a successful life all thanks to the skills he gained as a young kid with a pas-

Joseph hance

Christy riding her horse, Royal Ivey.

sion for horses. Being a therapeutic horseback rider is what I aspire to be in the future. It is a field that hits close to home for me as a horseback rider and someone who has used

equine therapy to cope with loss and anxiety. It is a great advancement in the therapy world that will benefit individuals indefinitely simply because the bond between humans and horses never fades.

The Other College Decision

By Alyssa Heath No one returns from college the same person that he or she was upon leaving home. So why then do so many people try to hang on to their relationships back home? Weve heard all of the stories: They are in love, the distance does not make a difference, they will not change, blah, blah, blah. As a tech-savvy genera- Alyssa Heath tion grows up and flies the coop, Skype and Face Time have made long distance relationships more appealing than ever. But at the end of the day, one old school fact still rings true: college and love go together like drinking and driving. As the senior year of high school comes to a close, many teens find themselves trapped in relationships. A choice must be made: break it off on a good note and attempt to be friends, or cling to it until it falls apart with no chance of recovery. College is a time of self-discovery and new experiences, both of which are hindered by the flickering of an old flame. Is it possible to fully enjoy the college experience while constantly having to stop and consider, Would my boyfriend/girlfriend approve of this? For many, a relationship is not worth the trouble. But, as Neil Sedaka will tell you, Breaking up is hard to do. Do you end things right before you leave and adjust to a new life in a weak emotional state? Or do you call it off as early as possible, allowing yourself time to become independent but dealing with months of awkward encounters with your ex? The decision is not easy, but nonetheless one that must be made. So you decide to call it quits with your boo. Now another decision must be made: Are you going to date in college? In a new world, without parents and filled with lively parties, many college students get their kicks through casual hookups. But what happens when you meet boyfriend/girlfriend material? Essentially, you are put in the same boat that you were in before leaving for college. You will be separated for months out of the year when college is not in session and both return to your hometowns, complete with high school sweethearts and obsessed exs. And so the vicious cycle continues. With such an unforgiving complex, it seems that the only loophole to avoiding college heartbreak is taking a hiatus from romance altogether. Being with someone from home means only seeing them during school breaks when you are trying to catch up with your family and work two part -time jobs. Being with someone from college means only seeing them when school is in session and you have tests to study for and internships to complete. Being single means eating Ramen every night and reblogging infinite cat pictures. Ironically, when it comes to love, you cannot live with it, and you cannot live without it!