Permanent Placement Gerry Belmosto

A few short months ago, freshmen across Bristol-Plymouth received their permanent placement in their technical area. After eight weeks exploring their

favorite shops, freshmen at B-P found out where they would be spending the next three and a half years of high school.

Mr. Montesano, our freshmen guidance counselor, had some interesting information regarding this year’s freshmen class. According to him, the four

most popular shops this year were Biotechnology, Electrical, HVAC, and Metal Fabrication. In what is no doubt great news for B-P students, over 75% of the class

of 2020 got their first choice for their technical area. Of course, there is always a chance that students will change shops based on waitlists, school transfers, etc.

If students are unhappy with their shop placement, Mr. Montesano suggested students come down to guidance and speak with him regarding their options. Although shop placements are final, Bristol-Plymouth has guidelines and

policies in place to help students thrive in their technical area.

Marion Manor – Paint NightBritney Marzuolo & Isabella Sousa“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote by Margaret Mead exemplifies the students of the Bristol-Plymouth

Community Service club. They have done a multitude of different volunteer work

whether it be game night trips at The Arbors or volunteering around Taunton. A major

trip that the club took at the end of February was to Marian Manor. The students

including David Maxim Jr, Malaki Souto, Hillary Gherardi, Jacquelyn Charbonneau,

Isabella Sousa, Gretchen Puccini, Britney Marzuolo, and Emma Johnson traveled for a

paint day with the residents of Marian Manor. The students, led by teacher Elton Sousa,

assisted the residents with a painting of a whimsical tree. The students took great pride

in being able to make the people of Marian Manor’s day while they were having fun.

Teachers Elizabeth Travis and Catie Tuccinardi also assisted. Other events that the club

participates in are the Hungry Hungry Hippos fundraiser, Earth day trash pickups and

sprucing up gardens at Boyden Animal Sanctuary. Also, in conjunction with The Hope

organization of Raynham the club will be collecting gently used backpacks for Haiti. This

club meets the first Monday of every month after school in the Silver Platter. All students

are welcome.

Our Skilled CraftsmenSarena Calderon

This March, many students from around Massachusetts competed at the SkillsUSA District Competition. Gymnasiums were cluttered with teenagers from all technical areas who came together to show off their skills. School pride shone from all over the competition, especially from the students of B-P. As the award ceremony began and medals were given out to those who shined the brightest, among the sea of red jackets and blazers the Craftsmen stood out. We brought home twenty gold, eleven silver, and twenty bronze medals. We also have our own Ceili Wallace running as a state officer candidate. However, SkillsUSA was not the only group competing for gold and silver. Students who take part in BPA and DECA also went out this March to go off to district competitions. Business Professionals of America competed in March. Although the competition took place over an entire weekend, time was flying by for students as they busted out their blazers and ties. Twenty-four students qualified to compete in the National Leadership Conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida this May. Finally, from Thursday March 9th through the 11th, DECA students travelled to the State Career Development Conference. Students competed hard and two B-P Craftsmen qualified for the International Conference in Anaheim, California. Although he didn’t qualify for the International Conference, Christopher Tocci shone as a finalist in Retail and Merchandising, while Michael Osborne and Jess Spear placed 5th in their Sports and Marketing Team Decision Making Event, and will represent Bristol-Plymouth with pride in Anaheim, California. Congratulations to our extremely skilled Craftsmen who gave it their all during these past months. You are what makes our school great. Best of luck to those who are competing further.

MSADA CompetitionMichael Medeiros

The Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association (MSADA) holds an annual competition each year to test the automotive technology skills and knowledge of high school students. The competition features a written and hands-on portion. The hands-on portion includes the team working on a BMW 3 series. This year the competition was held at MassBay Community College in Ashland on February 4th with participants from 12 different high schools. Representing BP were Automotive juniors Shane Clark and Jacob Horsman. Along with the juniors were the Automotive seniors David Longee and Thomas Kinealey. Accompanying the students was Automotive instructor Steve Ribbe. Our B-P Seniors had great success placing third in difficult competition.

Junior Team of Jacob Horsman and Shane Clark Respectively

Thomas Kinnealey and David Lougee Accepting Their Awards

Business Professionals of America 2017 State Leadership Conference WinnersFirst Place Winners:

Lisa Correia, Taunton, Gr. 11Business and Applied TechnologiesIntermedite Word Processing

Michael Correia, Taunton, Gr. 12Computer Networking TechnologySystems Administration Using Cisco

Cierra Freitas, Middleboro, Gr. 11Design & Visual CommunicationsDigital Publishing

Joao-Lucas Guimaraes, Taunton, Gr. 12CarpentryHuman Resource Management

Michael Osborne, Taunton, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdvanced Word Processing

Megan Smith, Taunton, Gr. 12Design & Visual CommunicationsFundamental Desktop Publishing

Emma Johnson, Rehoboth, Gr. 11CosmetologyParliamentary Procedures Team

Britney Marzuolo, Taunton, Gr. 11BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedures Team

Jack Mulgrew, Middleboro, Gr. 10BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedures Team

Emma Nivison, Dighton, Gr. 11BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedures Team

Isabella Sousa, Taunton, Gr. 11BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedures Team

Christopher Tocci, Raynham Gr. 12BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedures Team

Annabelle Tran, Taunton, Gr. 10Business and Applied TechnologiesParliamentary Procedures Team

Victoria Pinarreta, Taunton Gr. 10Dental AssistingPin Contest Winner

Business Professionals of America 2017 State Leadership Conference WinnersSecond Place Winners:

Jenna Dufrense, Rehoboth, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesEntrepreneurship

Michael Osborne, Taunton, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesBasic Office Systems and Procedures

Third Place Winners:

Natalie Bulcamino, Tauntn, Gr. 12Deisgn & Visual CommunicationsDigital Publishing

Jacquelyn Charbonneau, Gr.12Computer Networking TechnologyFundamentals of Web Design

Brenna Guay, Rehoboth, Gr. 11Design & Visual Communications Human Resource Management

Victoria Pinarreta, Taunton, Gr. 10Dental AssistingEconomic Research Individual

Patrick Rice, Middleboro, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesEntrepreneurship

William Silva, Raynham, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesPresentation Management Individual

Malakai Souto, Berkley, Gr. 12Design & Visual CommunicationsGraphic Design Promotion & Fundamental Desktop Publishing

Cierra Freitas, Middleboro, Gr. 11Deisgn & Visual CommunicationsWriting Contest

William Silva, Raynham, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdvanced Office Systems and Procedures

Annabelle Tran, Taunton, Gr. 10Business and Applied TechnologiesFundamental Word Processing

Business Professionals of America 2017 State Leadership Conference WinnersFourth Place Winners:

Katrina Egersheim, Middleboro, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdministrative Support Research Individual

Michael Osborne, Taunton, Gr.12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdvanced Spreadsheet Applications

MacKenna Botelho, Rehoboth, Gr. 12Dental AssistingWeb Design Team

Edward Stiles, Taunton, Gr.12CarpentryWebsite Design Team

Rebecca Knight, Middleboro, Gr.10Dental AssistingEconomic Research Team

Victoria Pinarreta, Taunton, Gr.10Dental AssistingEconomic Research Team

William Silva, Raynham, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdvanced Word Processing

Open Event Winners:

Emma Nivison, Dighton, Gr. 11BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedrues, 2nd Place

Emma Johnson, Rehoboth, Gr.11CosmetologyParliamentary Procedures 4th Place

Annabelle Tran, Taunton, Gr.10Business and Applied TechnologyParliamentary Procedures, 5th Place

Jacob Martin, Taunton, Gr.10Buisness and Applied TechnologiesManagement, Marketing, and Human Resources, 3rd Place

Kendra Whatley, Taunton, Gr.12Business and Applied TechnologiesBasic Office Systems and Procedures

Jacquelyn Charbonneau, Raynham, Gr. 12Computer Networking TechnologyPC Servicing & Troubleshooting

Megan Smith, Taunton, Gr. 12Design & Visual CommunicationsGraphic Deisgn Promotion

Kendra Whatley, Taunton, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdvanced Word Processing

Raven Davidson, Middleboro, Gr.12BiotechnologyVideo Production Team

Brianna Guaraldi, Bridgewater, Gr. 12BiotechnologyVideo Productio Team

Veronica Hebert, Tauntn, Gr.12Dental AssistingVideo Production Team

Jenna Dufresne, Rehoboth, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesPresentation Management Team

Kendra Whatley, Taunton, Gr.12Business and Applied TechnologiesPresentation Management Team

Business Professionals of America 2017 State Leadership Conference WinnersOpen Event Winners:

Emma Nivison, Dighton, Gr. 11BiotechnologyParliamentary Procedrues, 2nd Place

Emma Johnson, Rehoboth, Gr.11CosmetologyParliamentary Procedures 4th Place

Annabelle Tran, Taunton, Gr.10Business and Applied TechnologyParliamentary Procedures, 5th Place

Jacob Martin, Taunton, Gr.10Buisness and Applied TechnologiesManagement, Marketing, and Human Resources, 3rd Place

Kendra Whatley, Taunton, Gr.12Business and Applied TechnologiesBasic Office Systems and Procedures

Jacquelyn Charbonneau, Raynham, Gr. 12Computer Networking TechnologyPC Servicing & Troubleshooting

Megan Smith, Taunton, Gr. 12Design & Visual CommunicationsGraphic Deisgn Promotion

Kendra Whatley, Taunton, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesAdvanced Word Processing

Raven Davidson, Middleboro, Gr.12BiotechnologyVideo Production Team

Brianna Guaraldi, Bridgewater, Gr. 12BiotechnologyVideo Productio Team

Veronica Hebert, Tauntn, Gr.12Dental AssistingVideo Production Team

Jenna Dufresne, Rehoboth, Gr. 12Business and Applied TechnologiesPresentation Management Team

Kendra Whatley, Taunton, Gr.12Business and Applied TechnologiesPresentation Management Team

Skills USA 2017 District WinnersGold Medal Winners:

David Lougee (Taunton) - Automotive ServicesLauren Barbosa (Rehoboth) - Automotive Refinishing TechnologyMelissa Cruz (Taunton) - Basic Health CareDakota Bringle (Lakeville) - CNC Milling Specialist Emma Paul (Berkely) - Collison Repair TechnologyZoe Pauliks (Bridgewater) - Cosmeotology Under 500Kendra Whatley (Taunton) - Customer ServiceBreighan Finch (Middleboro) - EstheticsSean Muise (Bridgewater) - HVACR=Andre Parenteau (Berkley) - Industrial Motor ControlMichael Gately (Middleboro) - Information Technology ServiceMichael Correia (Taunton) - Internet WorkingNoah Brokmeier (Raynham) - Medical MathBenjamin Dubay (Raynham) - PlumbingTeam: Hailey Hubble (Middleboro) - Electrician Peter Figueiredo - Mason Zachary Pepera (Raynham) - Plumber Christopher Waters (Taunton) - CarpenterMichael Medeiros (Berkley) - Web DesignJacquelyn Charbonneau (Raynham)- Web Design

Silver Medal Winners:

Gina Whiffen (Taunton) - Nail CareAlexander Santos (Rehoboth) - Basic Health CareCherreine Loud (Middleboro) - Commercial BakingKaitlyn Vieira - Dental AssistingBrian Boiros II (Taunton) - Electrical Constructing WiringSamuel Thielen (Raynham) - Industrial Motor ControlDaniel Cassidy (Dighton) - InternetworkingMatthew Del Valle (Middleboro) - Medical MathEmily Pruyn (Taunton) - Medical TerminolgyCassidy Burke - Nurse AssistantCameron Craveiro - Sheet MetalCassandra Simpson (Taunton) - Welding Sculpture

Bronze Medal Winners:

Kayla Leffort (Rehoboth) - Basic Health CareAmber Jorge (Berkley) - Cosmetology (Under 500 Hours)Michael Sullivan (Bridgewater) - Electrical Cnstruction WiringAmanda Prewandowski (Taunton) - EstheticsGrace Almeida (Taunton) - Health Knowledge BowlAshley Azevedo (Taunton) - Health Knowledge BowlBrook Spina - Health Knowledge BowlMarissa Scoopa - Health Knowledge BowlKyle Matta (Middleboro) - Industrial Motor ControlTaylor Carter - Medical AssistantHannah Horsman (Middleboro) - Medical MathKaycee MacDonald - Medical TerminologyEmma Johnson (Rehoboth) - Nail CareJaylene Colon (Taunton) - PlumbingMadison Boiros (Taunton)- Technical DraftingTeam: Brandon Hunnewell (Bridgewater) - Electrician Vanessa Kostecki (Taunton) - Mason Sean Faria (Middleboro) - Plumber Ernesto Nazario (Taunton) - Carpenter

Comic Books GaloreNatalie Bulcamino

Have a love for comic books? Want to be able to talk to others who love them as much as you? Maybe even work on a cool original project to be featured in this very newspaper? Well then you’re in luck! The Comic Book Club, created in December of 2016 and run by one of the English teachers, Mr.Chekares, is doing just that. Meeting usually on Thursdays, the club discusses what they’ve been reading, whether it be a Marvel comic book, or a new manga - all the topics are diverse and different each week. The majority of the meetings consist of creating panels for a recurring series they want featured in the newspaper, and they have writers and artists alike trying to achieve this goal. They want to have a page or two done by the end of this year, and hope to continue this into the oncoming years. They’re open to fresh ideas and new faces, so if interested, stop by the meetings in Room 253!

Ask A Senior With Jenna Dufresne“What advice do you have for sophomores and juniors preparing to apply to college in the coming years? What can we do to get ready early?”

Applying to college is a scary thought for most teenagers. As teenagers, we feel like we have all the time in the world to worry about college but time goes by faster than you would think. As a sophomore, I think it is important to start to evaluate if you would like to stay with your current trade or pursue a career in another field. Thinking about this as a sophomore will allow you to start to explore colleges that offer a Major in that particular trade. In the beginning of junior year, I think it is very important to make a list of schools that have a major and minor you’re interested in, a list of schools you want to visit, and a list of schools you have as back-ups. Junior year is the year of college campus tours and SATs! From your college lists, pick your top five and try to schedule a campus tour. On the computer, it could be a perfect school for you, but the school visit allows you to see student life, talk to current students and staff, and most importantly, get an idea of what the courses and education will be like. If you plan on attending college after graduation, I would recommend taking the SATs both in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year. Not all colleges require you to have a SAT score in order to apply but if you have a good score on your test, it will definitely encourage schools to explore who you are. Apart from deciding what you would like to do after graduation and organizing your college lists, the MOST important thing to do in order to be ready for applying to college, is making sure you’re focused in school and completing your school work. I know that it seems very obvious but your grades are very important when it comes to being prepared for college applications.

Book Review – 1984Jack Knowlton

The dystopian, science-fiction classic 1984 written by George Orwell has managed to captivate and alert many generations to the concerns surrounding omnipresent surveillance and police states. The novel follows Winston Smith, a citizen of Oceania, one of the three remaining nations in Orwell’s perceived future world. In Oceania, every aspect of human life is monitored via surveillance equipment such as planted microphones and “telescreens,” which are effectively television sets that can also watch and record the viewer. Winston’s assigned role lies in the ironically named Ministry of Truth, where he toils over rewriting historical documents to match the views and will of “Big Brother”, the omnipotent leader of “the Party.” The Party’s ultimate goal is to control every individual through fear and hatred, and aims to eventually unlock the secrets to seeing into and changing the human mind itself. Throughout the novel, Winston becomes more curious as to what life was like before the Party, and goes to great lengths researching the past and uncovering the many secrets and injustices committed by Big Brother. The novel has gained a particular interest in recent times with the ever-growing fear of government spying, and sales have spiked during events such as the Snowden debacle and even Trump’s inauguration. Whether the reason for the sales being feared media manipulation or feared government control, 1984 gives us a glimpse into what society would look like without humanity: and the identifiable plight of Winston Smith to rediscover mankind’s lost humanity will be forever ingrained into the science fiction genre.

Movie Review: “The Great Wall”

Maya Almodovar

“The Great Wall” is a science-fiction action movie directed by Zhang Yimou. The film is based off of a legend on why the Great Wall of China was really built. The

movie follows William, a master archer played by Matt Damon, and his companion Tovar, played by Pedro Pascal, travelling outside their village in search of the ultimate weapon black powder. What they come across in search of the weapon is not at all what they expected. When they come across the wall in their journey they’re taken as prisoners by the Nameless Order, a chinese military stationed on the wall, an army like they have never seen before. They quickly try to develop an escape plan, but William becomes more concerned with taking action and fighting with the Nameless Order. When I went to see this in theaters for the first time I had slightly low expectations because I heard the reviews weren’t great, but I really enjoyed the movie. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen just a really good action adventure movie, and “The Great Wall” was exciting. Having the female protagonist, played by Jing Tian, as strong and independent character was also a pleasant change of pace from the “damsel in distress” trope. The Nameless Order was also a very interesting aspect of the film, every person in the army had a job and they worked like a well oiled machine. Everyone had a section that was divided by color creating action scenes that were very visually satisfying. Overall I found this movie creative and entertaining, a film for anyone looking for a well done action movie, and strong characters.

Thank You To:Natalie Bulcamino - Writer/DesignerMaya Almodovar - Writer/DesignerMalakai Souto - DesignerJenna Dufresne - WriterJack Knowlton - WriterMichael Medeiros - Writer/Co-EditorBritney Marzuolo - WriterIsabella Sousa - WriterGerry Belmosto - Editor/WriterSerena Calderon - Writer