Sports

Chris Manhertz, Class of 2010, Gets Signed by the Buffalo Bills

by Loribel Peguero

A recent Spellman graduate has been signed by the NFL Buffalo Bills. Chris Manhertz, from the class of 2010, played basketball in high school, received the Best Athlete Award at the traditional Spellman Block “S” award ceremony, and even continued on to Canisius College, where he played basketball. The most interesting part of his NFL accomplishment is that before getting this opportunity, he had never played football in school. The head staff of the Buffalo Bills, undoubtedly, heard of his great athletic achievements, and offered him a future contract, mainly based off his success in basketball.

The Pilot was able to get a closer look at Chris Manhertz through the words of Mr. Harris, the Development Associate of our Alumni Advancement office. He is a former classmate of Mr. Manhertz and still keeps in contact with him today.

As classmates, what did you think of Mr. Manhertz? I think Chris was a very humble guy, a phenomenal athlete. As a senior he was the best athlete in the school, yet he was very interactive with everyone. He was definitely confident but not arrogant in spite of his athletic accomplishments.

When Mr. Manhertz graduated, he received the best athlete award, how do you remember that moment? Well, I was at the dinner and was receiving the Indoor Track MVP award, and it was just an honor. It was a moment where everyone in that room knew that he deserved that award; he was a great guy.

Were you ever his teammate? No, I was never his teammate, as he played basketball and I was not the tallest guy in the world. But we were absolutely friends. I was always trying to get him to join the football team.

Describe Mr. Manhertz’s personality. I would say: humble, self-confident, hard-working, and a fun-loving guy. He always knew how to lighten the mood. People looked to him as a leader. He was an engager, as well as a comic relief and voice of optimism in the locker room.

What do you think about the rare event of his signing for the Buffalo Bills? My initial reaction was shock. Then, it turned into: “Why did you never play football at Spellman?” However, I cannot say I am completely surprised; he is a huge guy with so much ability and work ethic. I also think of names like Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzales and just consider how it’s not unusual for this to happen to Chris because great things happen to hard-working people.

What did people expect him to do after high school? Well, personally, I knew he was going to play Division I basketball. So I assume many people knew he would eventually be playing professionally.

Anything about Mr. Manhertz that not everyone may know? Well, seeing him at first may discourage people because he is so big. They may think he is aggressive, but he is really a teddy bear, more of a “gentle giant.”

What is your best memory of him? There was this one time in gym class where we were playing touch football. It was after basketball season so he was allowed to play with us, because otherwise Mr. Opper would not allow him to play in case of injury. So we were playing touch football and he went for a pass and I remember giving him a little “pop.” It wasn’t anything special, but he fell. Then, at that moment Mr. Opper goes “See? This is why I don’t let you play during the season!” Everyone just began to laugh.

If there was one thing you could tell Mr. Manhertz today, what would it be? “Well, I still speak to him today so I would just say, ‘Keep working hard; the sky is the limit. Continue to maximize your ability, be the best you can possibly be, and everything else will fall into place.’”

An Evening of “S”uccess by Rebecca Mota This year’s Block “S” Dinner on May 9th was a rewarding night for Spellman’s varsity athletes and managers. The careful preparation by Ms. Morris, Mr. Opper, and the other helping hands allowed the evening to run smoothly, which was greatly appreciated by all of the grinning attendees. After the procession of the athletes and welcome, Mr. Opper introduced this year’s Hall of Fame Inductees, Carol (Martin) Colton ’80, Daniel Eagel, and Raymundus Hunt ’81. Each inductee recalled their ‘back in the day’ Spellman stories: competing on the swim team, coaching the football team, and running on the Track & Field team. The presenting of the Varsity letters followed the dinner intermission. Those who demonstrated a greater level of dedication and work in their sport season were bestowed the Most Valuable Player plaques. This year’s MVPs included:

The seniors who were granted the Schiazza “S”, acquiring 7 or more Varsity letters, were Adam Biolsi, Luana Bowers, Danae Dookhie, Aba Jospeh, Alejandro Martinez, Rebecca Mota, and Chris Wilson. The Scholar-Athletes of the Year, maintaining the highest G.P.A among the athletes, were Varinia Munoz and Adam Biolsi. The highest awards of the evening were Athletes of the Year trophies, presented to Adam Biolsi, Luana Bowers, Paget Bramble, and Jade Vega.

The Pilot would also like to recognize the achievements by the Girls’ Athletic Director and Varsity Basketball coach, Ms. Morris, who was inducted into New York States Hall of Fame this year. Congratulations to all the sports teams and pilots representing the ultimate team, Cardinal Spellman!

School News

Alumni Career Day by Elizabeth Noone

Alumni Career Day was held for juniors and seniors on April 24, 2015. Almost 50 alumni came back to Spellman for career day. Tables for each alum were set up in the cafeteria, and some alumni spoke to all the students in the auditorium.

The Master of Ceremony was Grace Noone from the class of ’83. She is a reporter at News 12 Westchester. The first keynote speaker was Sr. Maria Silva, from the class of ’94, who is part of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist. Sister played a great icebreaker that got the entire audience involved. The next speaker was Susan Cardillo from the class of ’88, who is an animal curator at the Central Park Zoo. Ms. Cardillo was followed by Sgt. John O’Hara from the class of ’78, who was part of the NYPD and a senior pilot. The final speaker was Michael Miller, a motivational speaker from the class of ’83. Mr. Miller talked about taking risks, and one lucky student even received $20 for taking a risk during his talk.

The day ended with the students going into the gym to talk to alumni and get a sense of what career paths they wanted to explore further.

Gospel Fest 2015 by Sarah Maymi

Gospel Fest remains one of Cardinal Spellman's most anticipated and beloved annual events. It is an evening typically brimming with barely-concealed emotion, as this was the last Gospel Fest for our respected seniors. Many of Spellman's seniors have been dedicated to our choir as early as their Spellman infancy (a.k.a.

Tye Addison ’16- Girls’ Volleyball Leah Anderson ’17- Cross country, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field Isaac Aguero ’15- Boys’ Lacrosse and Soccer Luana Bowers ’15 – Indoor Track & Field Tyrone Bowman ’15 – Baseball Kendra Dawson ’15 – Girls’ Volleyball Luis Dominguez ’15 – Baseball Deanna Falciglia ’17- Softball Corey Grant ’15 – Boys’ Basketball Jason Grant ’15 – Boys’ Basketball Nicole Hill ’17- Girls’ Volleyball Kenny Johnson ’15 – Football Aba Joseph ’15- Outdoor Track & Field  

Kayla Martin ’15- Cheerleading Niajah Morgan ’15- Girls’ Basketball Rebecca Mota ’15- Outdoor Track & Field Varinia Munoz ’15- Girls’ Soccer Victoria Ochiobi ’15- Girls’ Lacrosse Nicholas Sciubba ’16- Bowling Kameron Stone ’15- Girls’ Basketball Mitchel Thomas ’16- Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field Tonin Tonaj ’15- Boys’ Soccer A.J Troshe ’15- Boys’ Volleyball Elloheim Tucker ’15- Football Jade Vega ’15 – Girls’ Basketball Lenward Williams ’16- Football Chris Wilson ’15- Boys’ Lacrosse  

freshman year). Ms. Bello herself states she was immensely proud and grateful for each individual member of choir. She will miss the seniors' presence greatly - as we all will. Typical of the preceding years, Gospel Fest was a large gathering of faith, praise, and worship. It was a wonderful reminder of the loving and saving power of God. Coming together to celebrate Our Lord - and ourselves, his creations - truly brought the crowd and performers together in harmony. Throughout the show's duration, several cries of "Amen" could be deciphered through the wild cheers and applause. The Gospel Sensation amplified their talents, reaching their maximum potential on stage. The S.W.P.C. presented their poems with themes of spirituality and positivism. The Dance Club captivated our attention as well. The young children from a nearby elementary school proved that age does not always measure talent, for their vocals and spirit were fantastic. All performances were perfectly executed and keeping in true spirit with the show's theme and atmosphere. The overall outcome did not disappoint, and it is further proof that Gospel Fest is always a time to look out for!

Fine Arts Showcase by Loribel Peguero

“Beautiful!” “Wow!” “A student created that? So much talent!” These are very few of the numerous comments made at the annual Spellman Fine Arts Showcase on May 1, 2015. There were works of art that were interpretive. There were amazing sketches. And let us not forget the magnificent sculptures. In every direction that one looked, s/he could see the hearts and souls of the Spellman community. These students all took the time to dedicate themselves to their work. It takes time to create a masterpiece, and as one walked into the Little Theatre, one was able to experience the time that was given to every piece. It was incredible to feel the emotion of some of the artists. It was truly a sensational show. Special thanks to Ms. Murray and Ms. McCaffrey for making this art

show possible. Congratulations to all of the individuals who presented their work!

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The Truth About Autism Awareness Month by Raysa Gonzalez

April was Autism Awareness Month. This is a month started by Autism Speaks, an organization that advocates for a cure for autistic people. What most people don’t know, however, is that many autistic people see Autism Speaks as an organization that does more damage than good. Autism Speaks sees autism as a disease that needs to be cured, despite the fact that many autistic people claim that they don’t want to be cured. They claim that Autism Speaks does not actually care about autistic people, since it puts more focus on parents of autistic children and their struggles rather than the struggles of autistic people themselves. Even symbols such as the puzzle piece and the phrase “light it up blue” are seen as offensive by some. The puzzle piece makes autistic people seem childish and implies that they are a puzzle that needs to be solved. The color blue is the corporate color for Autism Speaks and is not associated with autistic people for any other reason. That is why when people “light it up blue,” they are showing support for the organization rather than autistic people and their needs. In the future, instead of celebrating Autism Awareness Month, participate in Autism Acceptance month. This was started by an organization called Autism Self Advocacy Network, which is headed by autistic people. This month advocates for the acceptance of autistic people and changing any misconceptions people may have about autism, rather than finding a cure. It is about respecting autistic people and letting them speak for themselves. A common phase used by the network is, “Acceptance is not passive tolerance. Acceptance is an action.” People should work towards supporting autistic people and making the world a safer, more inclusive place for them to live in.

Finding Samuel Lowe, An Interview with the Author by Loribel Peguero

A wonderful honor was bestowed on Cardinal Spellman High School when alumna Paula Williams Madison, class of ’70, revisited the school to share with faculty and students her story and successful book, Finding Samuel Lowe, and hold a book signing.

Finding Samuel Lowe by Paula Williams Madison is a story of a courageous young woman and her ancestry from Jamaica and China. It details the story of the Hakka people and their struggles. It also deftly encourages the message of love, family, and influential history.

Ms. Madison is a partner in Williams Holding Group, LLC, a Chicago-based, family owned company that has significant investments in media, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks sports franchise, real estate and financial businesses, and the African Channel. The Pilot was able to interview the very charming Paula Williams Madison about her story.

What was your motivation to write and publish this story? My motivation to write this book was the interest in trying to close the gap that deprived my mother of being able to find reason to discover her past.

What was your favorite memory from your experience? If I had to choose, I would say it was spending the night singing karaoke with my newly discovered cousins in China.

During your journey, you must have experienced many trials and tribulations, what do you feel was your biggest struggle? Perhaps the outset was the biggest struggle; just trying to find them [my relatives]. My only concern was not being able to find them. Everything after that was full of joy and happiness.

What was your main incentive during your adventure to continue going? That would have to be the private conversations I shared with my

grandfather. I also really believed that this is what I was meant to do. It was a consistent natural drive.

What advice would you give to individuals who are unsure about how to discover things about their own ancestry? First, I would tell them to speak to their relatives, especially the older ones. They will not be there forever, but they have stories that can last forever; so ask them. I would also suggest that they record them and the words they say. Secondly, I advise people to go on sites such as familysearch.org and ancestry.com. These are sites that have databases, and you may be able to access information about your ancestry here.

If you had to summarize your book in 3 words or less, what would they be? “Bringing family together.”

What would you say is the main theme of your book? “A love story that transcends race, space, and time.”

“No Struggle, No Progress,” Spoken Word Poetry Show by Sarah Maymi

On August 3, 1857, Frederick Douglass traveled to Canandaigua, New York to gift to the expansive Northern city his “West India Emancipation.” He opened with immortal words: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Precisely one-hundred-and-fifty-eight years after this iconic oration, an abridge rendition of the Douglass’ quote was the basis of inspiration for Cardinal Spellman’s Spoken Word Poetry Club, moderated by Mr. Quintana. As a spectator and participant in the club’s discussion regarding this year’s overall theme for the annual show, I clearly recall the intense nature the meeting quickly took. But after intelligent input, good-natured debate, and contemplative internal thinking, it was settled: the theme would be hardships we encountered in life. We all face hurdles in our personal journey. That’s a simple fact of life we must acknowledge.

But there is a reason the show’s title is “No Struggle, No Progress.” The reason being the optimistic core of the show: Yes, we all face hurdles in our journey, but if we utilize our inner perseverance and unlimited strength, we can battle difficult times even with a heavy heart. We can dig our way out to the light we sometimes wonder exists. We can make a difference, not solely in our own lives, but also the world. The club rehearsed weekly. It was hardly easy. Club members, especially younger ones, were obligated to memorize their chosen poems. The task is more trying considering we all needed to practice the several assets attached to a live performance: enunciating our words, adding power to our voices, not simply reciting but speaking, and—of course—conquering crippling stage-fright and self-doubt. As we perhaps too frequently hear, our hard work paid off. On April 23rd, our show commenced without a hitch in the school’s Little Theatre. The underclassmen were especially impressive. The majority performed their poems for the first or even second time live—which is never easy. But they proved themselves capable of showcasing their momentous talent with their words and the emotions they inserted in them almost effortlessly, it would seem (though of course anyone who attended meetings knew that nothing about our practice was “effortless”). Every poem read was the recipient of ferocious cheers from an attentive audience. Cardinal Spellman teachers even attended our show. There were many hugs. There were many congratulations. There were even some tears (you know who you are—and it’s nothing to be ashamed of). After the show’s fulfilling conclusion, all club members gathered together on stage as Mr. Quintana praised our achievement.

Activity and Club Awards Ceremony by Loribel Peguero

April 29, 2015 was Spellman’s Activity and Club Awards Ceremony. This year’s ceremony had a nice addition to it: Spellman students who were receiving an award were allowed to dress up during the school day. Therefore, we witnessed the classy and pride-filled youth of Spellman all day.

This year, the ceremony was hosted by Mr. Rivlin, the newly appointed Director of Clubs and Activities. The ceremony was attended by many spectators and very formally dressed Spellman students. The ceremony was filled with jokes on the part of Mr. Rivlin.

This year was very different compared to last year’s ceremony, as there was a higher sense of respect and organization. In addition, at the end, the crowd was welcomed to enjoy refreshments at the Spellman café. This was a very nice touch on part of the Spellman community.

All in all, the day was a success. Hopefully next year, even more students will be congratulated with pins in honor of their hard work and dedication to their extracurricular activities.

End of the Year Advice

Dear Freshmen. . . by Loribel Peguero Tread carefully! You have completed your first year at Spellman and now you are getting a sense of things. But do not get too comfortable. Though you have gained more experience this year, you have yet to fully bloom into the individual you are to become. Now you may have questions about the PSAT’s. . . Yes, they matter. As a sophomore, I was unaware that the PSAT does actually have a role in what English class you are placed in the following year (especially for honors).

You’re Almost There!

Exams begin soon, on June 16th.

Some of you may be taking an AP course this year: AP Global. For those unaware, an Advanced Placement course is a course taught on a college level and can result in you obtaining college credits. In the end, this may save you a lot of money so personally, I highly suggest it. It will not be easy, but it is always best to challenge yourself and see how far you are able to go. Speaking of classes, DO NOT SLACK OFF! It may only be your sophomore year, but every grade counts. Eventually, everything adds up, and you do not want to kill your average because an effort was not made in your sophomore year. Also, organize your notes and other materials! It will be your saving grace when finals come around. Now stepping aside from academics, let us touch extracurricular activities. Try something new. The last thing you want to be is the kid that goes home right after school. With the endless activities offered at Spellman, there is a place for everyone (it also looks great on college applications, so get involved). Now, if you take anything away from this letter let it be this: Have everything in moderation. Do not let your grades take over your life, but do not let play time affect your responsibilities. After that, you will see everything else will fall into place. Enjoy the year future sophomores! It will be a fun, fast, crazy one.

Dear Freshmen. . . by Starlene Parris Firstly, I’d like to congratulate all of you freshmen for surviving your first year of high school. Now that you are going to be sophomores, you are expected to be a tad bit more mature. The expected maturity level is not the same as that of upperclassmen, but you cannot act as immature anymore. Some of you may disregard the following advice, but remember that I am speaking from experience.

Freshman year goes by very quickly and you may have been more focused on socializing rather than your studies. However, in sophomore year, your

classes will begin to get more difficult. The workload increases and it is important for you to study and stay on top of things so that you do not overwhelm yourself. (As a side note, I wish you the best of luck in not becoming as overwhelmed as I sometimes did. However, I can blame myself for that just a bit, because I do tend to procrastinate… Another word of advice: don’t procrastinate!)

Another thing that will occur during your sophomore year is the PSAT. The PSAT is a practice SAT that is administered so that you can experience what the SAT will be like. The PSAT takes place in October and I suggest that you practice for it. Personally, I did not practice too much for the test. For this reason, I found it really difficult and tiring to get through. Also, when I received my scores, I was not too happy about them. This summer, I plan on practicing a lot because as a junior I will have to take the PSAT along with the actual SAT. I say this so that you can understand that I plan on practicing what I am preaching as a result of my experiences in my sophomore year.

In sophomore year, you will grow socially. I was really shy last year, but I have become more comfortable with my peers and I have created stronger friendships with people that I did not know in freshmen year. For all of you shy people out there, I wanted to tell you there is hope.

The last thing I would like to say is good luck. Everyone has a different experience and I hope that your sophomore year is amazing. Remember all of my advice and be prepared to continue to grow as a person during your second year at Cardinal Spellman.

Dear Freshmen. . . by Ryan Gangadin

As freshman, I would like to congratulate you all for making it through your first year at Spellman. Believe me, all the sophomores, juniors and seniors can confirm that it was a very challenging year. But that is Spellman for you! There are many opportunities that I strongly recommend you all take. One is actually improving your grades. Let's say you procrastinate on an

assignment and scribble something together. Don't! It is not worth it. You should take the time to concentrate on what you are learning. It is beneficial by strengthening your understanding of the topic which can help you on a test. So give it everything you can. Another word of advice is to look at the clubs you can take part in next year. If you are not into clubs, ponder about the many sports teams that Spellman has. Take the challenge because it will improve your reputation as a student, as well as a person, and it will reflect how well-rounded you are when applying to colleges (it is never too early to think about college). Go on the school website and do your research. The last bit of advice that I would like you all to take into consideration is for all of you to keep your head on straight. I do not mean to sound like a parent. I mean that it is nearly the end of the year and do not take the chance of acting out of turn. You will regret it when you have to make up detention days during the summer. I get that you all want to get out of here as soon as possible (so do I) and get on with summer. However, that will not happen. The things you have to get through before summer are final exams. So do not start making plans for summer just yet! Make plans to study first. No pressure!!! The point is that all of you should utilize this last grade of the semester while you still have the chance.

Dear Sophomores. . . by Sarah Maymi Junior year is not a joke. You have heard this before. From whom? You're likely thinking: everyone. Your teachers. Your deans. Your guidance counselors. Your parents. Maybe even your respective fellow upperclassman. You've heard the ominous statement so many times -from so many different figures - that maybe it's lost the sting. You may make the dangerous assumption that, certainly, junior year can't be so terrible. Another year of high school is only another year. I've been at Spellman long enough to be well-acquainted with its patterns, expectations, students, staff. I even finally learned how to open my locker!

But here's the reason so many people tell you not to take Junior Year lightly: it's level of difficulty is at the peak. Your classes are far more challenging and require more work than you probably anticipated. As you are officially an upperclassman, teachers will no longer be easy on you - if any ever was. You're going to receive piles of work. You will be reminded, again and again and again, the emphasis universities and colleges put on Junior Year when reviewing your transcript. You will be reminded of this so many times that you'll feel the childish urge to stick your fingers in your ears at some unpredictable point: lalalalalalalala. And oh man, those SATS? Your teeth may start chattering whenever someone brings it up. All this will eventually lead to a realization that your future - one waiting for you outside of Spellman's confined walls - is coming for you. Needless to say: Junior Year is terrifyingly hard. But here's the catch: you can absolutely make it out alive. 1) Balance your work. Think of procrastination as that irritating frilly relative you try to avoid during family reunions. Procrastinating your work will inevitably add more stress to your (likely filled) plate. Think about it: how many times, when you were procrastinating, did you only think about the work that lay ahead of you? Nobody wants to stay up until three o'clock in the morning studying trigonometry or writing about the Compromise of 1850. Consider the classes you're enrolled in. After a week or two back at school (hopefully your tears have ceased), you'll have a firm idea of what your classes will entail. This year won't be easy, but it will be easier to manage if you do your work in time. 2) Start looking at colleges that interest you. This may sound scary, considering colleges and universities sit in the same box labeled FUTURE - your least favorite box. Ever. But no one has a better understanding of your grades and curricular activities than you (maybe the Guidance Office). Some high school students often feel like college/university is so far-fetched because they've heard only about the Ivy

Leagues their whole lives - Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and so forth. Hey, this may work for a lot of students! But we're all different. You may actually feel more secure if you start viewing your options earlier on. 3) Decompression time is important. You need to have a sector during each day where you have Me time. Listening to music as you travel home. Half-an-hour of your favorite television show. It could be anything. No, this is not me advising you to waste away your hours indulging in non-productive engagements. But your mental well-being deserves utmost care. After eight hours of absorbing stacks of information and socializing with your peers, you need to find a way to set even a little time aside to make it seem like you're the only person in the world. 4) Consider your grades. The importance placed on your grades in Junior Year cannot be underestimated. If you always wanted to raise your grades, here's the best opportunity. Insert more effort into completing your homework and studying. It is crucial that you remember to take it slowly. Don't cram everything in at once until you're crying tears of frustration. Take deep breaths, close your eyes for a minutes. Reread that sentence from The Great Gatsby you didn't understand. Review that math formula that killed your brain cells. The key is to not throw in the towel at the slightest hint of difficulty. You can do this.

Dear Juniors. . . by Michelle Miller When it comes to your future, you don’t want one small mistake to get in the way of going to your dream school, right? Here is some advice, while you are still in high school, to help with the process of applying to college. As someone who has already been through this process, I wish I had been able to follow these tips more closely. Save Money Aside from paying for school events and activities like ring day, prom, trips, exam fees, senior dues, and much more, there are also many fees when the college process comes along. You must pay to apply to

certain colleges, pay to send your SAT scores, and even pay deposits to hold your spot. Although prices vary for all of these things, it is still a very costly process. Don’t be lazy Make sure you follow all of the required deadlines. If you miss them there is rarely a chance to turn back. When it comes to doing things on time most of us are procrastinators, but when it comes to the college process its important to manage your time. It’s very difficult to make your application and college essays the best representation of who you are if you do them a week before they are due. It’s also important to participate in a few clubs or activities; it’s never to late to start. Having an application filled with activities makes a huge difference in the way a college views you. This shouldn’t be hard if you find a club or activity at school or out of school that you enjoy. Be confident Don’t be scared to apply to as many schools as you want, especially if you have fee waivers. Even if you think a school is too expensive or too prestigious, it’s still worth a shot, especially because those are the schools that can provide the most aid. If you get accepted to your top choice and money becomes an issue, you can try to tell them that you will gladly attend if there is a way to receive more money. You should apply to schools with the mindset of what schools do I want to attend – not with the mindset of what schools will accept me. In addition, visiting the schools you apply to is important; you can start as early as freshmen year. If you truly like a school, schedule an interview so they get to know more than just your grades and school life. Remember, hard work pays off, and it won’t go unrecognized. But if you think that you can do everything last minute, you’re only putting stress on yourself. Do not come into senior year with any regrets about how hard you worked throughout high school. If you put in the work now, it will pay off in the end.

Dear AP Students. . . by Starlene Parris Those who took AP courses this year understand that May was an important month – the month of AP exams. Here are some tips from an AP veteran to help students who are planning to take AP courses next year: •If you are looking for some practice questions and do not have access to a practice book, the following is a link to a website that has different practice questions for different AP courses: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/preparing-for-exams. Try to familiarize yourself with the format of the test and know as much of the material that will be on the test as possible. This will prevent you from being caught off guard. •Make sure you know the date of your exam! •As for any test you take, it is important not to stress too much. Be sure to stay as calm as possible. •An AP exam costs money, so it is in your best interest to at least try. Do not discourage yourself and do terribly on the test because of doubt. •Studying with your fellow classmates before the exam might be a good study strategy. During group sessions, you can quiz each other and try to help each other understand some confusing topics. •Lastly, be prepared to cry. After the test, you will be drained and confused as to what just happened. Good news is, after the test you can leave. Go home, take a nap, and eat comfort food to recuperate. On a final note, Good luck to all taking an AP, I know the stress that you will be feeling. It will all be worth it in the long run. Be proud of yourself for pushing yourself and make all the years work count!  

How to Impress Colleges this Summer by Christine Miller

Summer is time for relaxing and having fun, but there is also plenty of time to help make your college application more impressive. Colleges do look at the activities you do during school, but what you do

outside of school is also very important. Colleges can really get to know you by how you spend a lot of your free time, not by your grades and SAT scores alone. The first thing to help you start being productive in the summer is just to take notice of what you enjoy doing. Next you can tie that into what you see yourself doing in the future. Then you can finally figure out what or where you could be spending your time in the summer. For example, if you want to major in something in healthcare; like pre-med or nursing, then having volunteer hours in a hospital or a doctor’s office will look perfect on your college application. On the other hand, the way you spend your summer doesn't only have to be based on the major you are interested in. You can volunteer anywhere. Animal shelters, food pantries, retirement homes, or a park. Another option is going to a camp. If you are athletic and are thinking of playing a specific sport in college, go to a sport camp. Or if you like drama, there are even theatre camps. Not only will colleges see that you are not sitting around being lazy, they will see what you are passionate about, and at the end of the day you will also feel rewarded. Senior Electives: Beyond the Course

Catalog by Rebecca Mota The following data are based upon a survey given to students during the beginning of their 2nd semester in the following participating electives. There may be a slim margin of error, since some neglected parts of the survey. Opinions quoted are from current students taking the course and will remain anonymous. Any commentary about the instructor was omitted to in order to concentrate the survey solely on the course itself. Also, depending on the course, teachers for a class can vary each year. A major trend across all surveys was the following advice: Do the homework, pay attention in class, and study daily to pass. However, these precepts go for any high school course. Finally, juniors and underclassman alike should take these reviews into consideration before making their final decision.

The survey is based on a 1-5 scale: 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest.

(*) means college credit is attainable.

Senior Advanced Art: “This course is designed for students who are talented. Students will learn different styles, techniques and media. They will learn to meet deadlines. They will create a portfolios which can be presented to the art schools of their choice (If they so choose).” - Ms. Murray, who has taught this course for 9 years What to expect: “This course will not help students prepare for college except art colleges. To take their talent seriously, they will learn to raise their level of capability. Not all students plan to attend art school; that’s okay. Portfolios are created anyway”. – Ms. Murray Notes: There are little to no notes Writing (Papers/Essays): No Demographics: Half students surveyed in this class are second honors. College preparatory: 44% rated it a low 1 and 22% rated it a high 5. Difficulty and individual grades: 82% rated it a moderate 1-3 on difficulty. Correspondingly, 89% reported to have excellent grades (5). Their choice: 63% reported that they enjoy the course. Review Summary: Some described the course as an “easy A,” mostly likely due to the fact there is “no homework” such as daily assignments. However, you may feel like “it’s a lot of pressure if you do not absolutely love art.” The best aspect of the course is improvement of your art skills. You will be “learning different art techniques” and “exploring talents [through] completing hard projects”. Introduction to Law: “This is basic introduction to law with most areas touched upon (civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law). There is a ‘mock Supreme Court presentation.’” -Mr. Roesner, who has taught this course for 10 years What to expect: “It should be interesting and informative. Some things students never consider about the will surprise them”. – Mr. Roesner Notes: All dictated Writing (Papers/Essays): No Demographics: 41% first honors, 35% second honors.

College preparatory: 95% rated the course in a 3-5 range. Difficulty and individual grades: 57% ranged the difficulty a 3. 43% ranked it a 2 or 1. 74% say their grades are an excellent 5. Their choice: 100% enjoy this course. Review Summary: This seems to be a fun and easy course if you are interested in American law. This should not mean you should “slack off because you will fall behind a lot and it will take a lot of work to catch up.” Duly noted, there are extra credit assignments and two book tests. Many described it as their “favorite class,” yet caution, “it could be boring at times” so “don’t fall asleep.” The best aspect of the course is the “open discussion” that may contain “life lessons” and “crime-oriented conversations.” Personal Finance/ Marketing: “Personal Finance: Students enhance financial literacy. Students learn: a financial plan, budgeting, investing, credit/ credit card, keeping money safe and secure, insurance, career path. Marketing: Firsthand experience in creating, ordering, inventory, distribution, selling of a product (senior sweatshirt sale). Guest speakers: Finance, T.V, Radio, college, IT (Geeks), speak about planning for a career.” - Mr. Schoenberg, who has been teaching this course for 8 years. What to expect: “To become financially smart. To understand the good and bad side of credit. To know what insurance is and why it is used. To earn a Financial Literacy Award. Know how to act and be professional in business and professional setting. To understand why THANK YOU is very important words, How to sell and market products”- Mr. Schoenberg Notes: Printed sheets to copy off projector Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 26% first honors, 41% second honors. College preparatory: 48% thought highly of the course with a 5 rating while a majority 52% ranged it between a 3 or a 4. Difficulty and individual grades: 37% rated it a medium difficulty of 3 and only 17% found it harder (above 3) and 44% easier (below 3). Currently 54% majority have very good grades (4 or 5). Their choice: All the students surveyed recommend this course and 94% of them enjoy it. Review Summary: The best aspect of this class was the sense of being “prepared for life” since they learned “about money and how to manage it”;

especially when it was from guest speakers. Students warn of the “WISE exam” and a “load of vocabulary”. They stressed the reading of the summer assignment and to always “Check the Web”. *Sociology/ Urban Sociology: “Sociology is the study of groups, cultures, and society. We spend time on various theories. Urban sociology focuses on development of early cities and impact of urbanization”– Ms. Kiernan, who has taught this course for 3 years What to expect: “Be prepared for a research paper of 5-7 pages each semester” – Ms. Kiernan Notes: Copied off projector and through readings Writing (Essays/Papers): Yes Demographics: Half the class is second honor students. 30% first honors. College preparatory: All ratings were 3 and above with 42% a giving 4 or 5. Difficulty and individual grades: 55% majority rating the difficulty a medium 3 while all students agreed their grade was a good 3 or above with 45% a high 5. Their choice: 100% enjoy and recommend this course Review Summary: This course comes “highly recommend…to anyone who is fascinated by groups of people. This class also plays a small role in political science” and is very applicable to other courses because it “[broadens] the view of the world”. The best aspect of this course is the interesting and thought provoking class discussions. However, “please be ready to write, it isn’t extremely difficult, but it does require some effort and time.” Also, books are not provided by the school, and can be purchased on Amazon or if you’re willing to do business with Ms. Kiernan. Intro to Psychology: “Introductory psychology course: Covers many of the major psych 101 topics: ex: Freud, Piaget, Social behaviors, Humanism, Cognition, Biology behind behaviors, disorders, etc.” - Ms. Bello, who has been teaching this course for 10 years What to expect: “To come out of this course with a basic understanding of things that influence human behavior. College freshmen often report being very prepared for Psych 101 at the college level.” – Ms. Bello Notes: Available through copying, printed sheets, and/or dictated

Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 29% first honors, 45% second honors. College preparatory: This course was given a 4 or 5 by 65% of the students and 2 or 3 by 35% Difficulty and individual grades: The course was thought of as somewhat difficult with a 4 or 5 by 73%. Only 11% gave it an easy grade of 1 and 2 rating by 15%. Most student grades are 3 (45%) and 4 (42%). Their choice: 91% enjoy and recommend the course. Review Summary: “Be prepared to read on your own in order to be able to discuss in class” and pop quizzes are regulars so it wouldn’t hurt to review the martial every day. “Last minute/night before cramming WILL NOT CUT IT”! You should be interested in psychology, but “don’t take this [course] just because you want to participate in psych week because that’s not what it’s all about”. There is “too many [best aspects] to name” since it covers many interesting topics like “disorders” or “gender schemas.” It is “fun, but challenging” course that is well worth the effort. Conceptual Physics: “An understanding of the principles of physics with an emphasis on applying the principles to everyday experience” –CSHS Online Course Selection Catalog What to expect: “A college level survey course for non-science majors” -Ms. Bruno, who has been teaching is course for 4 years Notes: Copied off the board, dictated, and posted topic readings online Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 24% first honors, 70% second honors, 6% neither College preparatory: 95% found this course high in preparation with a 3 or above. Difficulty and average grades: 55% thought it was very difficult with a 4 or 5, yet 30% rated it much easier with a 2 or 1. Still, 80% of the class surveyed to have a good overall grade of 3. Their choice: 86% enjoyed and 87% recommend the course Review Summary: Most students enjoy this course for its little homework and quizzes. Although there seems to be mixed reactions on whether the tests are hard or easy, most students advise you to “study like your life depends on it.” It is a fun class for some. Others feel “this [course] is extremely demanding, but if you’re up for a challenging year then this is the class for you. It’s better to lose here than in college.”

*Physics Honors: ”An advanced science course that provides students who have excelled in their prior science and mathematics course with a mathematical treatment of major topics in physics needed for students who are planning to major in the physical sciences, medicine, or engineering”. – CSHS Online Course Selection Catalog What to expect: “A college level course (comparable to what is usually called College Physics 1&2 in most colleges/universities) with accompanying lab component”. – Ms. Bruno, who has been teaching this course for 13 years Notes: Copied off the board, dictated, and posted topic readings online Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: Half first honors and half second honor College predatory: Ranked high by the majority surveyed (3 and above) Difficulty and individual grades: Very difficult rating of 5 by 75% surveyed and the lowest was 3. Similarly, only 33% were average (3) and 50% of their grades are well below average. No one had a 5. Their choice: 55% enjoy and recommend the course Review Summary: Do not take this course if you “plan on taking senior year off”, “have other AP classes or a lot of honors classes”, “stink at math”, “lack in logic”, “are academically challenged or are sensitive”, and/or “value your grade”. Do, however, take this course if are “willing to study for long hours”, “have a good work ethic”, like labs, desire to earn worthy college credit and knowledge, and are daring enough for the challenge. Biology and Society: “In semester one, the foundations of biology are explained by focusing on the human body structure and functions. Semester two focus on the biological principles governing the environment and their impact on human life.” –Ms. Singh , who has been teaching this course for 1 year Notes: Copied from board or PowerPoints, some are printed sheets, and may be dictated Writing (Essays/Papers): Some writing required Demographics: 78% first honors, 11% second honors, and 11% neither College preparatory: A majority 57% ranked the course a 3 or 4 Difficulty and individual grades: The 3 average and 1 or 2 easy rating received the same percentage of

42%. Only 16% gave the course a 4. All grades are a good 3 and above with 67% of them a 5. Their choice: 96% enjoy the course and 88% recommend it. Review Summary: “Expect a trip back to freshman year [biology] for the first semester and with a splash of environmental the second” plus “tricky test” and “lots of article summaries”. “This [course] is good if you want to pursue science in college, also helps you learn more about biology, not just the basic living environment material”. The best aspects were its “discussions on topics” and “learning more about the body”. Forensic Science: “An intensive science course focusing on all the pervious science courses and their relationship to the solving of crimes. Students will be asked to recall and apply their knowledge if biology, chemistry, and earth science as well as algebra and geometry”. – Ms. Harrison, who has been teaching this course for 7 years What to expect: “Students will not be watching CSI or similar type TV shows. The first quarters is geared towards history and professions & procedure. The 2nd through 4th quarters will delve into various specialties with corresponding lab work”. – Ms. Harrison Notes: May be copied in class, given in printed sheets, and/or dictated Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 25% 1st honors, 51% 2nd honors, 24% neither College preparatory: 53% rated it a 3 or 4. Difficulty and individual grades: 85% ranked it somewhat difficult (3 or 4) and 84% reported in having the same grade rates. Their choice: 95% enjoy and 92% recommend the course Review Summary: “Everything” seemed to be the best aspect of the course according to the survey. From “how to determined counterfeit money, so you don’t get scammed” to “crime scene investigations” it is has proved to be one of the most highly anticipated electives. Many warn the fun comes at the price of heavy work load and much effort. “There’s a lot of [detailed] information to retain, so you must study everyday”. “Good course…” if you are interested in it or “… for those looking into a field of law enforcement”. Note to frequent absentee students that “makeups... are oral test and quizzes unless you had a medical emergency”.

*Advanced Biology: “College level introductory course” – Mr. Woods, who has been teaching this course for 4 years What to expect: “Very difficult course with intensive lab work and writing”. – Mr. Woods Notes: Copied, given printed worksheets, or dictated Writing (Essays/Papers): Yes Demographics: All 1st honors students College preparatory: 94% that ranked the course strong (3-5) in college prep. Difficulty and individual grades: 86% expressed their grades as average or poor (3 and below). Their choice: 55% enjoy the course and 58% recommend it. Review Summary: The best aspect of the class is the interesting labs along with the college credit. Otherwise, the course is “Level 5 of difficulty. Do not save studying for the night before. Ask questions.” Students recall, “freshman year… ‘Bio is great!’ This year you’ll regret saying that”. For you are responsible to write your own 8+ pages long lab reports; many advise not to be lazy, [and] be descriptive.” Some say physics is harder, others would beg to differ. Either way, “it is a course you cannot take lightly… It is difficult and requires a lot of concentration.” Computer Science: “Introductory programming course which [includes] modern technologies and the basic C++ reading abilities”. – Mrs. Mosquera, who has been teaching this course for 5 years. What to expect: “You will be programming efficiently and effectively by the end of the year”. Notes: Copied in class, printed sheets, and/or dictated Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 20% 1st honors and 80% 2nd honors. College preparatory: 3 or 4 rating were given by 60% Difficulty and individual grades: 63% rated the course difficulty a 3 with 81% of the class believing it to be very good (4 grade) in the course. Their choice: 91% enjoy and 81% recommend it. Review Summary: “This course requires tons of patience, especially during the second half with coding”. Be wary of any surprises and expect the unexpected. “Coding is fun, and it can be easy if you pay attention”, read, and have a good math background. “You need to get a computer for this course; also you should download, [the best aspect of

the class], C++ on the computer”. Those taking this course should be reminded to not to forget the semicolon. AP Calculus: “Intro Cal course which forces on derivatives, integral, and some of its application”. – Mrs. Dolan, who has taught this course for 2 years. What to expect: “AP Calc is a very rigorous course, Students cannot be afraid to be challenged”. – Mrs. Dolan Notes: Copied in class, printed sheets, worksheets, and textbook Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: All 1st honors students College preparatory: 82% rated it strong with 4 or 5. Difficulty and individual grades: A majority of 71% reported to have grade ranging 3 or 4. Their choice: 67% enjoys the course and 95% recommends it. Review Summary: “This course requires a lot of creative thinking” to solve the problems and understand the material. For it may be the “hardest math you will ever take in HS”. Tests are described as very long. So, “don’t wing tests, actually study for them and redo examples in class. It will pay off in the end”. “If you have not taken pre-calculus, the first few months will seem very daunting because the pace of learning is very quick. The [course] does not get easier in terms of learning, but it does become easier to manage”. “It is a lot of work but if you like math and are good at it it’s a great [course] to take”. Pre-Calculus: “Pre-calculus is a transition course from Algebra 2 & Trig to calculus. The course emphasizes functions and their graphs- including polynomials, exponential trigonometric and logarithmic functions”. – Ms. Byrne, who has been teaching this curse for 5 years. What to expect: “Students should expect some review of A2&T as well as introduction of a 1st of new material and very little use of the calculator”. – Ms. Byrne “A great introductory course to help prepare for many college level math courses”. – Ms. Dolan has been teaching this course for 8 years Notes: Copied in class, printed sheets, worksheets, and possibly textbook Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 40% 1st honors, 55% 2nd honors, and 5% neither

College preparatory: Rated high (4-5) with a 72% agreement. 24% ranked it a 3. Difficulty and individual grades: The difficulty rating was nearly even across the scale with 25% easy (1-2), 42% intermediate (3), and 34% hard. Overwhelming 61% responded with have very good grades, 4-5, and 31% survey a 3. Their choice: 78% enjoys the course and 96% would recommend it. Review Summary: Those surveyed felt the course is meant for “the students who are good at math [who are attempting] to take a more difficult class”. Some warn that “the tests are hard [and] if you aren’t that great in math just take FINITE”! The best aspect of the class is that it is “easier than trigonometry” and some classes thought the “calculator lesson” was a help on the SATs. Other than that you “barely use the calculators and you have to retain a lot of information about the rules and formulas without it.” “Everything follows the pervious topic” and “if you do not like graphs, this is your worst nightmare.” Overall, many agreed it was not a very difficult course. *Applied Math: “ ½ is matrix math. ½ is Stats. There is also a lot of Excel math”. – Mr. Maliszesky, who has been teaching this course for 1 year What to expect: “Using computers to do advanced math (TI-83/84 & Excel)”. – Mr. Maliszesky Notes: Half the time there is printed sheets and the other half is copying, also dictated Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 83% 1st honors and 16% 2nd honors Interest trend: 75% held a somewhat interest (3-4) in the course the year before, but then lost much interest this year. The new majority of 59% holds a lower interest (1-3) and the next highest 30% a 4. College preparatory: 69% ranked this a course a 3 or 4. Their choice: 68% enjoys and 76% recommend the course Review Summary: This “fun” course teaches “[ways in which one uses] math in real life”; such as “applying math to real financial situations”. Student considered this to be the best aspect, “learning math that will benefit in life” (“handling loans, payments, etc.”); otherwise it would be visits to the “computer Lab” where they “learned how to use Excel”. There were a few students who didn’t think it was an “easy A”. Many did and only cautioned on the homework that “is given throughout the week and due before

homeroom the morning of the test day- stay on top of your work”. Finite Math: “This class is meant for students who struggle with math, and want to be prepared to take math in college”. – Mr. Maliszesky, who has been teaching this course for 3 years. What to expect: “To do math” and “If you ‘hate math’ don’t take the class”. – Mr. Maliszesky Notes: Nearly all note taking will be on printed sheets; also copying in class and dictated is done. Writing (Essays/Papers): No Demographics: 32% first honors, 40% second honors. College preparatory: Half the class found it high satisfactory with a 4-5 and 24% rated it a 3. Difficulty and individual grades: Below a 3 rating 51% rates this course very easy. 31% believes it is an intermediate (3). Likewise 98% reported to have grades 3 and above. Their choice: 85% enjoys the course and 95% recommends it Review Summary: The best aspect of the class is the “hands-on experience with calculator techniques” and the “lessons on loans”. Some recommend , “if [your] major has nothing to do with math, then take it” but at the same time “take it seriously because you will learn some very useful skills that apply to real-life situations”. Remember “it’s still a class and it involves work.”

Entertainment

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” Review By Cynthia and Raysa Gonzalez

Age of Ultron is the new installment to the Marvel cinematic universe. It’s the sequel to the Avengers where our heroes work together again to fight a new villain named Ultron. The first Avengers movie was a big summer hit that made Marvel movies as famous as it is today. Does the sequel live up to the first? Not really. Age of Ultron is once again written and directed by Joss Whedon. However, he just doesn’t

live up to his first work. The film is entertaining with exciting action sequences, some funny jokes, and a decent plot – although it was a bit confusing and hard to follow. There is also an unnecessary romantic plot between the Black Widow and the Hulk, which came out of nowhere and should have been stretched out for other movies. Some of the jokes are a bit forced and unnecessary during the action scenes. One major complaint is the use of the characters. The film focuses far too much on Iron Man and has a lack of character development on Thor and Captain America. However the film does well on showing more of a backstory of Black Widow and fleshing out Hawkeye. Another well-done aspect is the introduction of two new characters and the villain, Ultron. Pietro and Wanda Maximoff are fun to watch and add more variety to the cast of colorful characters. Ultron is a fantastic villain. He was menacing, complex, and unlike any other villain in Marvel, especially since Iron Man. Overall, Age of Ultron is an entertaining film with several flaws. If you’re a fan of the Avengers it’s a good time, but if you’re not it’s best to pass on it.

Avengers: Age of Ultron Review by Ryan McMonagle

When The Avengers came out in 2012, it was monumental in the world of movies, if not only for the fact that six superheroes coming together in such a way that had never been seen before. The movie though, went past that and transcended into one of the decade’s great action movies, blending humor, heart, and action so well that it appealed to even those that had little inclination towards superhero movies. With the great success of that movie this year’s sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, was not only highly anticipated but also had a lot to live up to. So did Age of Ultron live up to expectations?

One of the biggest hurdles this movie had to overcome was that with the first film, part of the greatness was the team being assembled, something moviegoers had never experienced. Obviously, this movie doesn’t have that element since the assembling

already took place. So it had to figure out where to go without relying on this. The movie does this in a brilliant way, showing the current dynamics of the team and the impact it has had on the world. The dynamics are displayed wonderfully, and since the characters were introduced in the last movie, the characters can be increasingly fleshed out this time around. While we already know lots about Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), characters such as Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) have not been as fully explored. This movie does just that, giving more personality to the characters, but also includes Bruce Banner, adding more to a character we thought we already knew everything about. In the last movie, Renner’s Hawkeye spent most of the time practically incapacitated, but that is more than made up for here. Not only do we get to learn more about the character than we thought possible, but he even becomes the heart of the team in some ways. The movie also shows their interactions, whether it be in a fight or when they’re all just hanging out together. In a superhero movie, it is surprising to think character was so important, but with the Avengers being at its core about a team, fleshing out these characters is possibly more important than the fights and explosions. The impact of the team is also touched on nicely, showing that the Avengers aren’t always seen as the heroes one expects them to be.

While most of the characters here were introduced even before the first Avengers movie, Age of Ultron brings about four more important characters in brother and sister Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Vision (Paul Bettany), and most obviously the evil android Ultron (James Spader). The good thing is that even though there are already a lot of important characters, these newcomers are still very important to the plot. These characters are all well done, even in comparison to the Avengers themselves, with Ultron himself being particularly great. Loki was a great villain in The Avengers, and Ultron is a great successor. He retains the humor of Loki, even being a bit more humorous

and charming, and he adds the sense of being a much bigger threat than the already dangerous Loki. This makes him a much more appealing villain and increases the stakes.

The action in this movie is great too, even better than that of the first film, a feat that didn’t seem easy to beat. This includes an awesome fight between Iron Man and the Hulk, and the Avengers versus the countless drones of Ultron. However, the action isn’t the foremost aspect, and this isn’t at all a bad thing. What is the most important part of the movie is the plot. The plot seems pretty simple, with Iron Man accidentally creating Ultron and the Avengers once again having to come together to defeat the new threat. But it’s much deeper than this. The movie deals with this by delving into the idea of consequentialism. This makes the movie feel more human, as Iron Man has to deal with the consequences of his actions, which are especially ironic as his idea for “peace in our time” soon becomes the biggest threat to peace the world has ever faced. This even extends past Iron Man, as the movie shows the consequences of the Hulk and how Bruce Banner has to live with this on his conscience. The whole concept of this is very interesting, and brings the movie to a different level. The only problem, though, is that a plot point is introduced (no spoilers!) that threatens this idea, and almost makes it a moot point. This point aside, the plot is pretty solid, and is one of the deeper and most well done stories you’ll see in a movie like this.

If it hasn’t been made clear already, Avengers: Age of Ultron is an amazing movie. Like its predecessor, it stands strong, not only as an action/superhero movie, but as a standalone movie. If you’re already a fan of Marvel movies, this is without a doubt going to be a very enjoyable movie. But even those who are not so into superhero movies can also enjoy it. The expectations were definitely set very high, but Age of Ultron exceeds these with ease.

“Unfriended” Review

by Melanie Munro

In my opinion, this movie was a huge waste of money. You are paying to see six friends get killed by their dead friend, Laura Barnes.

It takes place on the protagonist Blaire`s laptop, where the friends get a message from Laura Barnes. Through the laptop, Laura forces the friends to reveal all of their secrets. There is really no plot to the movie, as you barely even see the characters in person. It all takes place on a laptop, via Skype. If it’s not on Skype, you’re reading Instagram messages.

In my opinion the movie was horrible. The trailer makes it seem really scary, when it was just terrible. It should not be classified as a horror movie. It only shows that in this generation of horror movies, you don’t even have to leave the house; the Internet alone will get you killed.

This movie did touch upon the issue of bullying and also left the message that whatever you post, even if you delete it, will always come back to haunt you.

Last Edition for the Senior Members of

The Pilot Staff!

“I first heard of The Pilot when I got an issue in freshman year. One thing that stood out to me was a review of the re-release of Lion King. I remember being surprised that the school newspaper wasn’t just boring school news. I decided to join in sophomore year and I don’t regret it one bit. It has been fun writing my own thoughts on reviews for movies and even for the school plays. I’ve enjoyed discussing topics for new articles and issues. I’ve even had the chance this year to draw comics for The Pilot. I really appreciate that The Pilot is for the students and gives

freedom to write what we wish. After I graduate I’ll really miss the meetings we’ve had. Good luck to all current and future writers! I’ll miss you all!” –Cynthia Gonzalez, member since sophomore year “My time in The Pilot has been a memorable experience. I remember when I first took notice when Mr. Rivlin came to my English class and talked about joining. Joining The Pilot has been really fun and was a good decision. The meetings and listening to the discussions were great. I’ve enjoyed writing reviews for movies, television shows, and writing about issues in society. I’ll miss you all, and I thank you for letting me be a part of The Pilot.” –Raysa Gonzalez, member since sophomore year “Being a member of The Pilot staff is one of the aspects of my experience at Spellman that I will remember most. I was so blessed to work with such a dedicated staff and moderator. Throughout the three years I was a part of the staff, we had so many crazy experiences that I never would have expected when I first joined. Together we worked hard to put out the best we had to offer to the school each month, and we were pleased to find out how much of an impact we had on students, teachers, administration, and alumni alike. As a freshman, the school newspaper is very different from what it is today, and I am so proud of how far we have come. It was a learning process to try to turn the school newspaper into what we envisioned it could be, and I truly feel my most valuable lessons at Spellman came from my experiences on The Pilot. I will definitely miss seeing the staff each Friday, witnessing the writers improving their skills, always being amazed at the talent of the staff, and the rush of accomplishment I felt every time the newspaper was distributed in homeroom. Thankfully I will still be able to see the editions online after graduation, and I cannot wait to see what’s in store next for The Pilot!” -Kristen McMonagle, member since sophomore year

The Staff

MODERATOR Mr. Rivlin

EDITOR IN CHIEF Kristen McMonagle

WRITERS Ryan Gangadin

Cynthia Gonzalez Raysa Gonzalez Melissa Liriano Sarah Maymi

Kristen McMonagle Ryan McMonagle Christine Miller Michelle Miller Rebecca Mota

Melanie Munro Elizabeth Noone Starlene Parris

Loribel Peguero Alexa Pena

Serrena Singh Jade Wright