ROAR The Jag -

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

ROAR The Jag

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

Smiling for Cole

Photo by Jillian DiPersio The WHS Pep Band plays at the Blackout Game on Friday, September 26, organized to raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer.

!This Edition: !

WHS Accepted to Music For All National Festival: First band from NH accepted, Page 6 !New Class Introduces Freshmen to WHS: The

school gives Freshman Seminar a try, Page 9 !!

WHS Anonymous: Who is sending out all these compliments? Page 10 !

Cassedy up for a GRAMMY: Beloved WHS band director could be heading to LA, Page 12 !

AP Art Showcase: Art class creates miniature works of art, Page 13 !Say Hi to the Staff: News team reveals embarrassing stories, Page 14 !Get Involved: Which club is right for you? Page 19

By Jillian DiPersio JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H. - September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, reminding us all to be thankful for the children in our lives who are healthy, while giving us the chance to help those who are not. At Windham High School

this cause has become near and dear to our hearts as we remember Cole Stoddard, the son of Golden Brooke teacher Michelle Stoddard, who lost his battle with neuroblastoma at age 5. When Cole was facing his illness he would tell his family to “Smile, be happy.”

WHS Honors Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

Story continues on Page 5

Everyone struggles with something. As we officially begin a new school year and venture into the cavernous unknown that is high school, this is more important to remember than ever. As a senior now I think back to freshman year and remember looking up to the upper classmen (partly because of my vertical challenges, but that is beside the point…) and wanting to be as perfect as they were by the time I graduated. It didn’t take me long to realize that even they were not perfect. Even they missed assignments, had bad hair days, messed up auditions, didn’t always know what they wanted to do with their futures, and sometimes wound up running to the nurse’s office for a good cry when stress levels ran too high.

I repeat: everyone struggles with something. Though our teachers and administrators try their

best, even when approximately 819 other teenagers constantly surround you, high school can be a lonely place. So I urge you, dear reader, to remember those four words: everyone struggles with something.

Be careful not to pigeon hole others at the school. Until you actually know a person, you are blissfully ignorant as to what challenges they face in their day-to-day lives. Perhaps the boy who acts like he does not care and constantly blows off assignments is really

covering up a learning disability or cannot complete his work due to a difficult home life. Maybe the girl with perfect grades who always has her hand up in class can’t get herself to face new social situations. That boy you always see alone wandering the hallways may panic every time he has to enter the cafeteria or get on the bus in the morning. The girl with millions of friends might be incredibly critical of the way she looks when she sees herself in the mirror. Humans make judgments on others

based on first impressions. In a matter of seconds, whether you want to or not, you will have identified in your mind whether or not you like a new person. Though we cannot ignore the fact that a judgment has been made, we are at liberty to question this initial impression. Gossip taints our opinions as we hear malicious rumors about others that likely hold no truth. So when you meet someone new or perhaps are face to face with someone you think you don’t like based on nothing more than an impression or rumor, take a breath.

Question your earlier assumptions and talk to this person, find out what they’re really like. No matter what happens, just remember: everyone struggles with something.

Jag OpinionDear reader…

New year, new newspaper (we hope)Welcome back, Jaguars! Your news team is excited to start the next season of delivering all sorts of news to the WHS community. One of our biggest goals is to bring you a printed paper edition of the newspaper by the end of the school year.

If you have a news story for us, an opinion you would like to share, or if you are up for joining the JagRoar team, simply email us at jagroarnews@windhamsd.org. We are always looking for your feedback and your voices. Go Jags!Ms. Lanzer

EDITORIAL

Jillian DiPersio

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

PAGE ! 2

Asking the JaguarsOPINION

!JagRoar Staff

By Ashley Domogala JagRoar Staff !Some of the newspaper staff wanted to get the opinions of the students at Windham High School about some new policies put in place concerning advisory. For more information on the news policies check out page 7! !Jaguars were asked: Do you think advisory makes a difference? !

“No, it’s more of a social time.” Steven Tieland, junior

“The idea of it is good because we’re supposed to have one teacher we go to for all four years, but we don’t talk. So it’s kind

of just a waste of time.” Joy DelRio, junior !“No, it depends on your advisor and who you have, but most advisories do nothing during that time.” Zach Hollins, senior !

“It is usable time if the teacher is aware of what’s happening and we have an agenda. It brings a lot of the students together.”

Hannah Scott, senior !“It builds a connection with the same people for all four years.”

Mary Hannon, senior

Jillian DiPersio Editor in Chief !!

Ashley Domogala News/Activities Editor !!

Megan Rogers Sports Editor !!

Taylor Mendes Photographer !!Molly Ryan

Reporter/Editor !!Brittany Missert

Reporter/Editor !!Cole White

Reporter/Editor !!Cassandra Salafia

Opinion Editor !!Katherine Lanzer

Club Adviser !!Linda Parke

Volunteer Adviser

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

PAGE ! 3

By Cassandra Salafia JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H.- As a female student at Windham High School, I am appalled by the controversy over the dress code. I understand that some female students feel embarrassed about getting in trouble for their clothing, and I understand that they feel like the dress code is an injustice against all women everywhere. However, I have a different opinion, and I just request that everyone puts his or her opinion aside for the few minutes that it will take to read this letter.

Enforcement of the dress code is stricter than ever at Windham High School, and it has created quite the uproar. Girls keep saying that it is wrong that they have to wear certain clothes because their clothing tempts the young men at the school. After a school assembly, girls were additionally insulted by Ryan Kaplan, our Principal, for referencing the need to cover the

four B’s: butt, breasts, back, and belly. However, maybe the objectification at the school is not the problem.

I personally would not like to see my classmates’ four B’s, and I am not the only female within the school that feels this way. School is our job at this age, and we get paid with an education. If our job was to work for a company, we would be expected to dress much more conservatively than what our dress code requires of us. So even though some people do not consider school to be important, it is preparing us for the “real world.”

Additionally, I do not understand why people are so offended by the dress code and the wording of the four B’s. Personally, I would be extremely uncomfortable if the male faculty at my school wanted to see my four B’s, and I would be upset if my parents wanted me to show off my four B’s. This does not make me a prude; it just means that I am

realistic that the dress code is used to make an appropriate learning environment.

In one of my classes, I learned about how women suffragists conducted hunger strikes in order to fight for our equality. Nowadays, instead of focusing on issues such as women earning 70% of what a man earns for the same job, young women are fighting for the right to wear booty shorts and spaghetti straps. I never would have thought that the “injustice” towards women would become so materialistic and superficial.

Finally, I would like to address the issue that the dress code is presumably feeding into rape culture. Some people think that girls will not report sexual assault because they feel ashamed of what they were wearing when it happened. However, young women mostly do not report sexual assault because they are ashamed that they lost control over their bodies in that instance. They cannot change the situation, and they feel guilty as a result. It is not the dress code’s fault that assaults are not reported; it is the abuser’s fault.

Debunking the Dress Code

By Layla-Jane Saad JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H.- This year at Windham High School, the administration has taken a stricter approach to the dress code. Students, almost all female, have been outraged by these changes. The problem isn’t exactly changes to the code itself, but how the school is enforcing them that is frustrating for students.

Restrictions for tank top straps and excessively tight clothing have stood the test of time, but now Vice

Principal Bob Dawson and many others have been cracking down. Dawson spoke in an interview Tuesday afternoon, “I don’t make the rules, I just enforce them,” but followed that up with stating he believes in all the rules.

However, females had the most to say. Senior, Anna Liddy stated, “Administrators seem to not be able to comprehend that the issue is the fact girls have bodies; it isn’t their clothing choice” followed up with “I’m sick of getting called out just because I was born with a tush.”

Where does the dress code cross the line? Maybe once students are missing classes because they’re being sent home. This situation happened to Ashley Cove, who

missed two chemistry classes due to her shorts being a little too short.

This situation also affected junior, Natalie Boyd, who was sent home for a new, strict policy on ripped jeans. Two single slits on her upper thigh were enough to make her miss a class, and she said that was “more distracting than the rips on her jeans”.

One of the most disliked dress code rules is against colored leggings.

Junior Gabi Aleska was confused to “What’s the difference? If your butt looks good in colored leggings, it’s going to look good in black leggings.” This states that leggings of all colors should be accepted.

Dress Code Craziness

OPINIONTHE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

PAGE ! 4

Jag News

In honor of Cole Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Coach Jill Bartlett and her Student Leadership class organized Blackout Cancer Week from September 22 to the 26, giving students at Windham High the chance to give back and remember Cole.

There were numerous fundraisers going on at the school this month in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness, starting with the purchase of “Blackout Cancer” shirts. “The past two years the shirts have sold out in just a couple of days so this year the football team decided to do a pre-sell and already have sold over 400 t-shirts and expect the others to sell out quickly,” says WHS Athletic Administrator Coach Bill Raycraft.

Each athletic game during “Blackout Week” was played in dedication to Cole. “At games we'll have a money box for donations, gold center field lines, and gold game balls,” Coach Bartlett elaborates. Also, during lunches Bartlett’s Student Leadership class set up the “Coins for Cole” coin drive, in which students were able to donate their spare change to the cause. There was also a raffle happening all week, with two grand prizes: 1969 Camero and Patriots tickets. “The money we raise will go to St. Badrick’s, which supports childhood cancer, and the Sophia

fund, which provides funding to families. Both amazing causes,” says Bartlett.

On Friday, September 26 the WHS football team held their fourth annual “Blackout Cancer” game, but unlike the past three years when the team has raised money for the American Cancer Society, this year they decided to direct the proceeds toward Pediatric Cancer in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness. The cheerleaders held a 50/50 raffle to raise money for the cause while the footballers and cheerleaders were given permission by the NHIAA to wear their alternative “Blackout

Cancer” uniforms. All money raised at the game will go to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in the name of Cole.

Michelle Stoddard, who was present at the Blackout game on Friday, explains, “I hadn’t envisioned this, it’s not what I ever expected. It’s just amazing.” She says that WHS’s Blackout Week was “groundbreaking,” Windham High the first school in the area to raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer on this scale.

She hopes that other communities will start to follow Windham’s lead.

Pediatric Cancer Awareness

Photo by Jillian DiPersio Jill Bartlett’s Student Leadership class raises awareness for Pediatric Cancer at the school assembly on Friday, September 26 by jumping into the stands with a sign that reads “Cole.”

Blackout Week dedicated to Cole StoddardStory continued from front page

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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NEWS

Concert Band Accepted to Festival

Photo by Taylor Mendes Students listen to Mr. Kaplan at the first school assembly of the year on Thursday, Sept. 11.

First School Assembly

By Taylor Mendes JagRoar Staff

WINDHAM, N.H. - Jared Cassedy has announced that the WHS Band will be attending the Music for All National Band and Orchestra Festival in Indianapolis. It will take place on March 11-14, 2015. It’s a big accomplishment because it’s a step above their performance at Carnegie last year.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the WHS Band Program as a whole!” Mr. Cassedy stated in an

email. “We have been recognized as one of the highest achieving high school band programs and are beyond excited to perform with pride and a love of music!”

According the press release, the music educators from Music for All selected the WHS band to perform at the 2015 festival based on their recorded audition.

“I feel very honored that we are able to attend another festival,” said Meghan Pope, a sophomore who is a member of the WHS band. “It's a great achievement for the band and really shows what hard work and dedication can accomplish.”

The official press release states “Music for All is one of the nation’s largest and most influential

organizations advocating in support of music education” The WHS Concert Band is one of 40 school groups from across the nation selected for the Festival.

The WHS band has been building up their recognition by performing at the national level four times. Last year, they performed at Carnegie Hall. “These students have had the opportunity to perform on a national stage now four times and have been recognized by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME)” said Mr. Cassedy.

Festival and ticket information will be available at www.musicforall.org or by calling 800-848-2263.

Fifth time to perform at national level

WHS Pep Band

Photo by Brittany Missert Pep Band marches out to the field before the Blackout Game on Friday, Sept. 26.

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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Advisory: a WHS Tradition

By Jillian DiPersio JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H. - Advisory has been a part of Windham High School’s culture since the school’s inception. During this fifteen-minute period each day, a group of students, related only by common graduating class, come together under the guidance of teacher advisors to form connections. Though in many cases this purpose seems to be carried out effectively, it has been noted that the advisory system at WHS is not as effective as it could be.

Guidance counselor Kellie Steward explains, “The original goal was to have each student make a connection with an adult other than their guidance counselor in the school.” However, she notes it has been “a learn-as you-go type of thing.”

Each advisor keeps that original purpose in mind as they plan and interact with his or her advisory. Guidance counselor Christi Dunn “can say personally that my advisory is amazing and though they’re only sophomores we’ve grown so much over the last year.”

She sees great value in the way that advisory forces students to go outside of their comfort zones, since one goal of advisory is to “bring a group of students together who may not normally be friends and to put them in a situation where

they’re uncomfortable…so they can grow.” Dunn uses her advisory time for icebreakers and “family time,” when she and her group can come together and talk.

She adds, “ I love advisory and I love my advisory and I loved my seniors who graduated in 2013,” noting that she still stays in touch

with her past group through email. This sentiment, though

encouraging, does not seem to be universal. Freshman Lily Perkins comments that when she goes to advisory the teachers “take attendance and then we kind of just sit and talk. We really do nothing.” Senior Kristen Doucette, while positive about advisory as a whole, says that “sometimes I would finish up homework but a lot of the times I talk to my friends.” She agrees with Dunn’s statement about advisory being effective in helping students meet peers whom they otherwise may not have met. “Ana Dulisky is now my best friend but we didn’t know each other [before advisory].

We were basically thrown into advisory together.”

Though teachers are putting in considerable effort to improve the advisory experience, Principal Ryan Kaplan notes, “we have found that advisory…hasn’t been common at all.” He adds, “Some students have a very meaningful advisory, some

students think advisory is a big waste of time and choose to go to a different advisory.” In order to try to streamline advisory Kaplan added to the budget to train freshman advisory teachers “in team building and personalization activities by experiential educators.” At freshman orientation, before the school year begins, “They will be trained for two hours then they will meet their freshman advisory for the first time and they’ll be

going through activities, so immediately that advisory’s going to be working as a team to get to know names, to build relationships and have that meaningful connection.”

The school has also taken some smaller steps to improve advisory, such as shutting down the snack machine during the day to prevent students from gathering there during advisory and not allowing students to leave their assigned advisory classrooms for another. Kaplan hopes by taking these steps advisory will become “a more common, and more importantly, a more meaningful experience.”

After all these years, what is it for?

Photo by Taylor Mendes Students in Ms. Lanzer’s freshmen advisory pose for a picture.

NEWSTHE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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By Amanda Carey and Jamie Driscoll JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H. - Both teachers and students at WHS have had to acclimate to hearing the Pledge of Allegiance during advisory, rather than during its traditional time during first block.

Mr. Darrin, a teacher as well as an advisor, believes that having announcements during advisory is very beneficial. Darrin believes that if they are not during advisory, then the announcements are just “taking time away from first block”. However, Darrin does believe that the students need to pay more attention to the announcements because, since they are now during advisory, students tend to talk over them and do not listen to what is being said.

Julie Hartmann, a teacher and

advisor at Windham High School, maintains this belief, commenting that she “gained an extra 10 minutes of instructional time and students are now encouraged to get to my class on time knowing we will be starting right at the bell.” Ryan Kaplan, the second year principle of WHS agreed: “I have seen behaviors change and students are getting to class on time.”

Students, on the other hand, have a different perspective about this change.

Brian Mader, a junior at WHS, prefers to have the announcements during first block. Mader believes that having them during first block allows the students time to settle into school at the beginning of the day. Also, Mader thinks that having the announcements during advisory causes less people to listen to them because they are all talking to their friends.

Alexa Salaski, a freshman at the high school, feels the same way as Mader. Salaski notes how people like to have fun and talk in advisory, and the announcements take time away from one of the only breaks students have during the school day. Alexa says, “Announcements during first block are better because during advisory, not many people pay attention to them.”

Teachers strongly believe that changing the Pledge to advisory is hugely beneficial to their classes by getting, but it appears students have seen no difference. Edited by Jillian DiPersio, JagRoar Staff.

Teachers advocate move, students rail against change

Problem Solved: Tardiness Comes to an EndBy Mark Shamon Jag Roar Staff WINDHAM, N.H. - At past years Windham High School, students have been arriving late to school on a daily basis. The WHS faculty will have none of that anymore, as they cracked down on tardiness.

Many WHS teachers, have agreed with the new policy put in place this year. Second Year WHS Principal Ryan Kaplan added,

“School in not preparation for life, school is a part of life.” Kaplan claimed he was a big fan in the new policy.

Kaplan also claims that the new attendance policy is “promoting citizenship”. Kaplan was a large advocator for students coming in on time in the morning, especially seniors.

The policy is a huge change from last year, where “students leisurely coming in with a beverage

in hand,” Kaplan explains. However, Kaplan stated that the new policy was not to target and limit those who get breakfast/coffee before school. Teachers new to WHS have also been enforcing the new policy. First year teacher, Mr. Cutting, articulates, “Seniors tend to struggle in. I’ll mark them tardy every time.” Cutting, along with Kaplan, is in favor of the strong enforcement.

Does Moving the Pledge Make a Difference?

Photo courtesy of kirk.senate.gov

What do you think? Email jagroarnews@windhamsd.org

NEWSTHE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

PAGE ! 8

New Class Introduces Freshmen to WHS

By Ashley Domogala JagRoar Staff

WINDHAM, N.H. – This school year, a pilot group of WHS freshmen enrolled in the new freshman seminar class meant to expand study and computer skills. While it is not a required course this year, it may be in the near future.

Beth O’Connell, freshman teacher and freshman seminar committee member, said that there was a “need expressed throughout freshman teachers” for a class “designed to introduce freshmen to the high school and its resources.”

Ryan Kaplan, WHS principal and additional freshman seminar committee member, explained that the one-semester course is “working

to better integrate and orient freshman students” by teaching them technological, organizational, research, and time management skills among others.

New WHS business teacher Amber Bishop co-teaches the class with all school disciplines, including the freshman core class teachers, the school resource officer, guidance, and technology. “There are many students who go years without knowing who support personnel are,” Kaplan claimed. He added that the program is “building positive relationships and connections.”

The class will most likely become a required course credit sometime in the near future, Julie

Lichtmann, head of guidance department, said. “It is the vision; we would love to have it become a required course,” she continued. However, she said that the busy freshman schedule may pose some problems when it comes to fitting the course in.

Currently, students are learning how to effectively use their computer with programs like iMovie. Michael Kearney, a freshman taking the course, commented, “you learn about things you wouldn’t know about if you didn’t take the class.”

Seminar teaches essential learning skills

By Rachael Page JagRoar Staff

WINDHAM, N.H. – The NH primary election was held on Sept. 9, 2014 at WHS. Scott Brown, Walt Havenstein, Frank Guinta, and Marillinda Garcia won after a hard race. The 18-year-old seniors had the opportunity to have their voices and opinions heard because they were first time voters.

However, were the first time voters mature enough to take on the responsibility?

Cade Nethercott, a WHS civics and economics teacher said, “Yes, as long as they paid attention to the candidates, they were prepared. The more people voting in an election the better.”

On the other hand, Noah Hebert, a WHS junior who was too young to vote in the election, felt that first time voters were not prepared enough to make an educated decision.

This raised the question, should the voting age be raised, lowered, or stay the same?

Hebert replied, “At 18, people are still living with their parents. If the voting age was raised to 21, people would have better political views from being on their own.”

Tim Stap, a senior at WHS and first time voter, said he believes 18 years old is a good age for voting responsibilities. “If someone is too young, it may not be an educated decision, and an older age could be too limited.” According to Stap, elections need a range of ages for it to be an accurate representation of society’s opinions and thoughts.

WHS Students, First Time Voters

Photo by Taylor Mendes

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By Mike Stefanelli JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H. – WHS Anonymous, a recent Twitter account, has been growing popular because it sends out compliments. Most students on Twitter seem to like the account, but there are a few people who are uncertain about it.

WHS Sophomore Emma Lindquist commented, “I like to see what people say and all of the compliments that everyone gets.” WHS Anonymous tweeted, “ Emma is the sweetest girl I know and her smile lights up a room.” Emma guessed that Maddie Joanis, a senior, was WHS Anonymous.

Another sophomore, Danielle

Lamontange, said, “I liked how it compliments people and makes them feel good.” WHS anonymous complimented Danielle by giving a simple, short and sweet tweet, “she was nice and funny.” Danielle thinks that Kathryn Boone is WHS Anonymous.

Mrs. Bartlett, a wellness, first aid, and junior leadership teacher, had very mixed emotions about the twitter account. She said that it was good that everyone got compliments but some of them were inappropriate or just plain weird. Mrs. Bartlett was not complemented by WHS Anonymous, but she was happy she was not. Mrs. Bartlett guessed that WHS Anonymous was Nicole Lawrence.

By Hannah Pesci JagRoar Staff WINDHAM, N.H. - latest news rolling through the high school is the dilemma of not being able to go to the printers during advisory time. This rule was set Aug. 27, 2014.

Through previous interviews, many of the students and faculty that have spoken upon this issue and feel vastly different.

“This new policy that was set as an improvement because it doesn’t interrupt my advisory,” Morin said during the interview. “This new rule allows me to interact with my advisory and allows us to do more fun things outside of the library.”

Joe Zollo, a student at Windham High School, touches upon the subject. “This rule is dumb because our laptops do not allow us

to print at home. It is a long and inconvenient process to transfer the files from the school computers to our home computers,” Zollo said.

Through the controversy between the students and the facility, the views of printing during advisory differ.

Mrs. Hartmann, a math teacher at Windham High School, states, “My students and I can stay closer as a family now that they have no excuse to be leaving the room to print.”

One frustrated student, Serena Sauerwald, said, “This rule is obnoxious due to the fact, I do not own my own printer at home. Students should be given the first 5 minutes of advisory as lee-way time so those who need to print, are given the chance to retrieve their assignments.”

Printing Controversy

WHS Anonymous Sends Compliments

By Domenic Bruzzese JagRoar Staff WINDHAM, N.H. - ‘Study in the café’ is the topic buzzing around everyone’s heads here at WHS. Because if you have a study, chances are you’re placed in the café along with what should be three separate studies. All squeezed into the high schools café, students with 4A studies are to report to the café to get their work done instead of a classroom. Some students were kind enough to voice their opinions’ on the matter; Windham Junior Elizabeth O’Neal spoke about how she does not like study in the café at all stating “Its way too loud, I cannot get any work done because I’m too distracted, and the café is always gross because I have study right after lunch.” However on the opposite end of the spectrum some students love it. Windham Junior Nicolas Turchi spoke on the topic as well; “I love it actually, I enjoy having so many people in the study because I can meet with people from other classes if I need to as opposed to having a smaller classroom study.” Bob Dawson was requested to find out more information; he stated, “Unfortunately literally 100 kids were looked over when putting together this years studies. With the High School seeing more kids than ever before, we had to compensate for the fact that all classrooms are filled 4B, unfortunately to do that 80+ students were placed in the café.”

Some Study Halls Now in the Cafe

What do you think? Email jagroarnews@windhamsd.org

NEWSTHE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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Popular Juice Drink Disappears from Cafe

By Aaron Hillyer JagRoar Staff

WINDHAM, N.H. - On Monday, September 1st 2014, a favorite lunchtime beverage among students vanished from the shelves of the Windham High School cafeteria snack line. The blue "Fruit Punch" variety of the popular carbonated juice beverage called "The Switch" was suddenly removed from the menu at WHS. No warning was given, no mention was made, and no reason was revealed for the sudden and dramatic change.

"The Switch" is a canned drink containing carbonated water and fruit juice concentrates. The beverage first appeared in Windham schools four years ago, when the school district began selling

healthier food choices in its cafeteria snack lines. The fruit punch variety was a favorite among students, and could be easily identified by the vibrant blue color of the cans.

"I used to buy a blue Switch every day," said Joseph Brumaghim, a senior at Windham High School. "I was so bummed when they stopped selling it."

Brumaghim went on to say that he no longer purchases any beverage with his lunch, as nothing else on the cafeteria menu compares to the coveted blue Switch.

A cafeteria worker at Windham High School talked about the effect that the decision to remove the beverage has had on Windham's lunch program during an interview with JagRoar. She

requested to remain anonymous to avoid angering those who made the decision. "The drink used to be popular with students. I'm not sure why we got rid of it. Some students who used to buy it have stopped buying any drinks with their snacks," she said. School officials refused to comment on the change.

Students miss Switch Blue Fruit Punch flavor

By Alexa Cocciardi JagRoar Staff WINDHAM, N.H. - Windham High School strikes again with making the school lunches even healthier than last year. This year, the ingredients that are now put into the school snack are some that kids have never even heard before. The lunch staff and the students at Windham High voiced their opinions on the ingredient movement.

Windham High School follows very strict lunch food rules

because of the new law Michelle Obama put in place. But the school took it to a whole new level this year to make everyone healthier. They now sell whole-grain 100-calorie snacks, no sugar drinks, and reduced fat snacks.

According to one of the lunch ladies that is taking apart in the snack ingredient movement, “It is an overall healthier choice and it is what I serve my family every night.” She feels it overall makes people healthier and shapes kids life because they cannot eat junk forever.

New Food Ingredients Stir Up WHSNew laws make school lunches healthier

Photo courtesy of finestsnacks.com

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NEWSTHE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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SPORTS

By Jillian DiPersio JagRoar Staff

WINDHAM, N.H. - In the past few years Mr. Jared Cassedy, director of the Windham High School Concert Band, has taken the ensemble to new heights. Now, it is Cassedy’s turn to be recognized: Cassedy has been named a semifinalist for the Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. From more than 7,000 initial nominations, Cassedy was one of 25 music teachers from across the United States to be chosen as a semifinalist. Despite the fact that there were numerous submissions for other teachers in New Hampshire, Cassedy was the only band director selected as a quarterfinalist or semifinalist from the state. The award was designed to show appreciation to the best music educators, of students from kindergarten to college, who are committed not only to their students, but to keeping musical education an integral part of school.

Anyone could nominate a teacher to be considered for the Music Educator Award, including students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, and school administrators. Nominated teachers were then invited to fill out an application as the pool was narrowed down to 222

quarter finalists.

The group of 222 quarter finalists was narrowed to 25 semifinalists, announced on the CBS Morning News on Friday, September 26. The top 10 finalists will be announced in December. One of these educators will be recognized at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony during GRAMMY Week, 2015. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to receive the award along with a $10,000 honorarium. The other nine finalists will be given a $1,000 honorarium, as well as matching grants for their schools. These honorariums and grants are made possible by the GRAMMY Foundation’s Education Champions:

Converse, Disney Performing Arts, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Journeys.

We wish Mr. Cassedy the best of luck!

Jag FeaturesCassedy up for a GRAMMY

Photo courtesy of band parent Cassedy and the WHS Concert Band at Carnegie Hall

WHS Band Director is semifinalist for Music Educator Award

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

PAGE ! 12

Alec Masone

Victoria Wiciel Julie Sanders

Aleesha Zandeih Nichole Sinclair

Elizabeth Pope

Cailyn CostaAnne Lin

Meghan Hynes

Alexa MonfetteKristen Doucette

AP Art Showcase Artist Trading Cards

FEATURESTHE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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Say Hello to the Staff!The JagRoar news team tells you our embarrassing childhood stories

Hi, my name is Taylor Mendes. I am a photographer for the newspaper and enjoy what I do in this club. I love photography and writing stories. ! I would say that one of my most embarrassing stories would be when I was in the second grade. It was the Fourth of July weekend and I was at my uncle’s brother’s house. I was in the pool and I really had to go to the bathroom so I got out of the pool and went to the first bathroom that I saw. It was locked, so I had to go upstairs for the other bathroom. I got in and I noticed there was toilet paper everywhere from the kids who used it last. So I did my business and flushed the toilet. I didn't realize that the kids before me clogged up the toilet with toilet paper, and water started spilling out EVERYWHERE. Not only was that happening, this bathroom is right under the garage, directly under a fire alarm. So the alarm started ringing a high pitched scream and I was freaking out! I started running out of the house screaming soo loud, and then I tripped over a chair into the pool. From then until third grade, I always had a fear of fire alarms and going to the bathroom by myself!!!

Bonjour! My name is Jillian DiPersio and I am your Editor in Chief. I love being able to give a voice to people and organizations who otherwise wouldn’t be able to speak as loudly for themselves,which is why I adore my job here at the JagRoar. !

I am going to preface my embarrassing story with a quick qualifier: I know I was a weird child. When I was in the fourth grade my mom and I took a trip to Home Goods (one of my favorite stores at the time) and I found a little wooden pig with arms and legs that were held together by nails. I thought he was just the cutest thing and named him “Splinter” (oh the irony…) I carried Splinter around everywhere I went. One day my teacher, Mrs. Leonard, let us bring in our favorite stuffed animals. Being the weird child I was, I brought Splinter. He fell off my desk and his leg broke off. I was positively devastated and cried for days until my dad took him into the shop and put him back together again. Splinter still hangs out on my bookshelf to this day.

FEATURES

My name is Megan, I am a sophomore, and an embarrassing moment for me is when I was walking down the stairs one time talking to my friend and then I fell and everything I was carrying went everywhere. A ton of people laughed at me.

Hey! I'm Molly Ryan and I just joined the newspaper here because I thought this was a great opportunity for my high school and college career. !So on to my embarrassing story: I used to take dance class every Thursday night and my dad would pick me up afterwards. He never got out of the car (because he's lazy) so I would always have to find him. Well this one time, I thought I was getting into my dad's old Toyota when in fact, I was getting in some high school guy’s car. My dad, watching this whole thing, finally comes up to me and says, “you're in the wrong car,” and I got out after an awkward apology to the poor guy. Worst. Experience. Ever. Now, whenever my parents are picking me up, I have to look in the car window for five minutes to make sure I am getting in the right car.

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Hello Jaguars! I am Cassandra Salafia, and I am this year’s Opinion Editor. Here is a quick blurb about myself: I am on the robotics team, Mathletes, newspaper (obviously), and some Honors Societies. As a senior at WHS, I have developed some strong opinions, but I always like to hear other people’s opinions. Sometimes hearing another perspective can change our own perspective, which is why I want to help shape the opinion section of the newspaper. !This story is from when I was two or three years old, and I do not remember it at all. (Luckily, my

parents have me relive this story all the time.) When I was little, I used to eat hamburger patties without the bun. I have no idea why, but I guess that I just preferred the patty. Anyways, one day I had the stomach bug after eating the hamburger patties, and the puke was brown as a result. (I know; it is gross.) As a little kid, I did not realize what was happening, so I shouted, “Daddy, I have poopies coming out of my mouth!” Instead of calmly reassuring me, my dad was too busy laughing at me… It seemed like a valid concern to me!

My name is Brittany and I am a junior. This is my first year on the JagROAR staff. I am also on the yearbook staff, and enjoy theatre in my free time. !I remember I was about to turn 6, and I was really excited for my birthday, which is at the end of October. I was at an age where there had never been snow on the ground before my birthday, so when I woke up one morning and there was snow I was in shock. I thought I had slept through my birthday, and that when I woke up that morning it was Christmas! Obviously, it was October still. My parents had a nice laugh about that.

FEATURES

Hello, JagRoar readers! My name is Ashley Domogala, and I am your activities and news editor this year. I was your activities editor last year, too. You may have seen my colorful section located at the back of our newspaper highlighting all the clubs. I am excited for this year, as we will hopefully print a full edition for the first time. I was in first grade, I believe, when the teacher asked us to write what we had done that summer. In fact, my mom had taken my brother and me many fun and exciting places: the zoo, the aquarium, the beach, my grandparent’s beach house, and more. However, in my writing assignment, I decided to say that the best part of my summer was when I helped my dad dig a hole in the backyard. My teacher was a little concerned about that one. For years after that, my mom made sure to remind me of the real highlights of my summer before I went off to school.

Hi! I’m Ms. Lanzer, an English and Journalism teacher at WHS and adviser of the JagRoar newspaper. !My embarrassing story: For a fourth-grade project, I was supposed to read a “how-to” book, then teach the class what I’d learned. So I made an exercise video to teach some typical exercise stuff. I wore a leotard and did head-rolls and jogging in place and all sorts of silly exercise moves. Great project, right? Wrong: I didn’t have a book to go with it. So I had to start the project all over again! But the proof of my embarrassing exercises was already documented, in a video that I will never live down. (No, you can’t see it.)

Have an embarrassing story that you want to share? Email jagroarnews@windhamsd.org

My name is Cole White and I am a freshman. I am in the Robotics Club and I decided to join Newspaper Club because I thought it would be an interesting experience that could help me later in life. What I was supposed to do in this bio was tell an embarrassing story I am comfortable with sharing to anyone who happens upon this paper. However, looking back on my life, I cannot think of anything truly embarrassing. I have always been able to own the unintelligent things I may do, and therefore I do not have a particularly embarrassing story. Well, that is it.

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Top 10 Must-Have Supplies

By Cassandra Salafia JagRoar Staff

WINDHAM, N.H. - As a senior at Windham High School, I have learned what back-to-school supplies are useful and what supplies are wastes of money. Here are some items that make going to school a little bit easier! !

1. Flash Drive: Flash drives are really important for those days that your computer is not printing or if a project is too large to upload.

2. Mechanical Pencils: Mechanical pencils are convenient for test taking. They also do not require you to sharpen your pencils in the middle of class.

3. Sticky Notes: Sticky notes are extremely important for English classes and are especially important for American Studies. They make it easy to take notes about a book and refer back to the exact passage.

4. Keyboard Cover: Not only is this item cute, but it also protects your keyboard from getting dirty or damaged.

5. Pens: Pens become more necessary when you get further into high school especially if you take any AP science courses. You

will need pens for writing in your lab notebooks.

6. Ear Buds: You do not want to be “that kid” who never has ear buds and has to play a video out loud in class while everybody is trying to focus on their own work.

7. Notebooks: It is easier to bring your own notebook than to ask people for a piece of paper that you will eventually lose. (I am definitely guilty of this!)

8. Folders: I keep two folders with me during the day. One folder holds all of my homework, so it is easily accessible. The other folder holds old worksheets and old homework assignments, so I do not misplace them.

9. Graphing Calculator: If you plan on taking your required math courses, then you should have a calculator. The type depends on your preference. More teachers know how to use the TI-84, but the TI-nspire is easier to use.

10. Book Covers: I use book covers every year. Book covers protect your books when they are brought back and forth between school and your home. You could always make paper covers, but those tend to rip over time.

What you need (and don’t) in the new school year

What are your must-haves? Email jagroarnews@windhamsd.org

Photo Courtesy of andertoons.com

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By Christopher Murphy JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, NH – Quarterback, Brendan McInnis, has led the Windham High School Jaguars to a promising 4-0 start to the football season. Meanwhile, he is in the midst of multiple division I colleges programs begging for his abilities.

Now in his last year playing football at WHS, McInnis listed five schools that have been most heavily contending for his commitment including: Dartmouth, Brown, Albany, Merrimack, and Holy Cross. The quarterback identified Dartmouth as the front-runner for his talents. However, McInnis is more focused on the current season and ultimately “playing well enough to win us a championship.”

McInnis, a senior, was elected captain for the 2014 season, adding more importance to the team this year. Kellin Bail, senior starting running back and two-year captain, says, “Obviously, we came up just short of a championship in years prior. However, Brendan was that missing puzzle piece to our leadership presence.” When asked about what a championship would mean to the community, McInnis said, “Windham is a very football driven town.” Also, he added that it would set a standard to the “little Wolverines [youth Windham

football program].” Athletic director, as well as

head football coach, Bill Raycraft acknowledged that Brendan’s role on the team this year is vital. “Wherever he goes, we go,” Coach Raycraft added when asked about McInnis’ significance in the offense and the team.

The Windham football team

plays Friday at 7 p.m. at Windham High School.

This game will also be a big effort to blackout cancer; all players will be wearing black uniforms with names on the back of the jerseys of someone players know who has been affected by cancer. McInnis will be trying to lead his team to 4-0.

Jag SportsMcInnis is D1 bound

Photo by Brittany Missert Senior Brendan McInnis is considering signing with one of several Division I colleges, including Dartmouth, Brown, Albany, and Holy Cross.

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Gatorade brings game to WHSBy Ross Wentworth JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, NH- Windham High School held a Gatorade week to promote nutrition through Gatorade products. All of the athletes received free Gatorade products such as: chews, protein bars, protein shakes, and Gatorade prime.

When Athletic director Mr. Raycraft was asked how we were selected he responded quite simply “We applied, and they allowed us.”

Everyone received information about how the products worked and how they can benefit your performance while performing. It was very important to learn about how the nutrition worked. Mr. Raycraft stated “you have to fuel your body if you want to perform on the field.”

After the talk about nutrition, everyone agreed that hydration was essential to perform well on the field. Junior soccer player Gabi Aleksa said that the sports drink was the most important product and that the drink was really hydrating during practice.

There was also some controversy over how effective the products really were. Alexis stated “None of them really worked for me. It doesn’t matter what you eat or drink in preparation to a game, it’s all in your head.”

She continued, “If you think you are going to have a good game, you probably will, gummies and other energy things wont really affect you.”

In general people liked receiving free food, like teenagers most always do, but Field hockey player Elizabeth O’Neal said, “My

only dislike was that they should have finished the week”. For some reason that was not explained to the athletes they stopped giving the free food abruptly after the 2nd day.

Even though the week was not finished the Gatorade vending machine was still almost sold out entirely by the end of the next week. The products taste good and have plenty of nutrients, which help them sell very easily.

SPORTS

Golf team ready to defend title in styleBy Joey Frake JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, NH - The defending New Hampshire Division II high school golf champions will have a different look as they plan to end the season on top. After being issued new uniforms back in August, the Windham High School varsity golf team plans to defend their title, this time in cerulean blue and steel grey. When talking to Assistant Coach Cade Nethercott, he elaborated on what makes the jerseys so different from last

years. “This year it is a polysynthetic fabric composed of cerulean blue”. It isn’t just the polo shirt, as new hats were issued as well. “The hats are woven mesh and slate grey, embroidered with a large prairie-gold W”. While the players may think the new look is stylish, they also had a lot to say about the new threads. Varsity players Jack Grubbs and Jack Crowley, both students at Windham, said the fit was a lot different from last year and it will take some time to adjust to the new uniforms.

Athletic Director Bill Raycraft opened up about what it took to get these new uniforms for the defending champions. “The shirts cost $34.99 each, and the hats cost $18.50”. Raycraft also said it was required to be approved in the school budget, which was approved last October. Windham is currently in 1st place in Division II, with a record of 13-1. The players hope to repeat as champions, and they hope they look good while they do it. Their next match is September 23rd at Merrimack Valley.

Photo courtesy wikipedia.com

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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Jag ActivitiesClub Directory

By Ashley Domogala JagRoar Staff

Continued next page

Category Club Advisor/Contact

Business, competition DECA abishop@windhamsd.org

French French Honor Society sbrennan@windhamsd.org

Goodwill Go Green boconnell@windhamsd.org, tpowell15@windhamsd.org

Goodwill SMILES mbryant@windhamsd.org, kdavis@windhamsd.org

Goodwill Friends of Rachel aparkhurst@windhamsd.org, etalon@windhamsd.org

Government, competition Model UN smckenna@windhamsd.org

Group RAP brobbins15@windhamsd.org

Group Smart Chix pkaplo@windhamsd.org

Group Animal Rights and Care bsheehan@windhamsd.org

Group GSA cnethercott@windhamsd.org

Leadership JCA mwelch@windhamsd.org

Leadership SALT mblair@windhamsd.org

Math, competition Mathletes slatvis@windhamsd.org

Performance A Cappella scuneo@windhamsd.org

Performance Drama aobrien@windhamsd.org

Publication Yearbook ngaudet@windhamsd.org, klanzer@windhamsd.org

Reading Book dmorin@windhamsd.org, knaroian@windhamsd.org

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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ACTIVITIES

By Ashley Domogala JagRoar Staff !WINDHAM, N.H. - This year, there is a new club: the literary magazine. It is not yet named, but it will be a place where students will have the opportunity to improve on their reading and writing skills.

The magazine was created as a “creative writing outlet” for students, according to club advisor Chali Davis. The magazine will accept all kinds of creative writing literature, including but not limited to short stories, poems, song lyrics, and works of nonfiction. The club

will select pieces based on certain writing criteria, which will be determined later in the year. Davis assures that the submissions will be anonymous to club members and the authors will only be revealed when the piece has been chosen.

The literary club is looking to publish the magazine once this year. Davis hopes that it will “reflect creative artistic and music talents” in the future, but for now it will focus on exposing and improving writing talent.

However, all types of people are needed in the club to make the magazine work. Readers, publicity

people, organizers, and those with layout skills will be needed to publish the magazine. Why should you join? “It look great on a college resume,” alleged Davis. She added that it will also make your college app look more well-rounded, especially if you are heavily involved in sports or other activities. All members will improve their writing skills. Those who choose to submit can look to the creative writing club for help, where Ms. Schechinger helps students to improve their writing and will offer advice and guidance.

Club of the Month: Lit Mag

Category Club Advisor/Contact

Science Marine Science kgauvin@windhamsd.org

Science, competition Granite State Challenge mdemers@windhamsd.org

Science, competition Science Olympiads mdemers@windhamsd.org

Speaking, competition Poetry Out Loud cdavis@windhamsd.org

Sports Ping Pong mwelch@windhamsd.org, jles@windhamsd.org

Sports Archery kjoy@windhamsd.org, myost15@windhamsd.org

Sports Dance Team aschechinger@windhamsd.org

Technology Minecraft cwestwood@windhamsd.org

Technology Robotics cwestwood@windhamsd.org

Videography JagTV rsweetser@windhamsd.org

Writing Writing aschechinger@windhamsd.org

Writing, publication JagRoar Newspaper klanzer@windhamsd.org

Writing, publication Literary Magazine cdavis@windhamsd.org

THE JAGROAR SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

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Activities Calendar !By Ashley Domogala JagRoar Staff !Monday 7:20am SALT in gym (10/6, 10/20) (every other starting 10/6) 7:30am Poetry Out Loud in F317 2:30pm Smart Chix in F310 (every other) 2:30pm JagRoar in F318 2:30pm Drama in auditorium !Tuesday 7:30am WHS Literary Magazine in F317 2:30pm Yearbook in E218 2:30 Drama in auditorium !Wednesday 2:30 Gay-Straight Alliance in G312 2:30 Dance Team in auditorium !Thursday 2:30 Drama in auditorium !Friday 7:30am Go Green in F316 (9/26, 10/10, 10/24) (every other starting 9/26) 2:20pm Art Club in art room !!

Service Opportunities !Contact Ms. Londo for all service opportunities, job openings, and service hours. !All 40 service hours must be completed by graduation. However, students must have 20 service hours to get their parking pass. !!!!!!!!!

What’s happening right now?

Go Green Thinking ahead to the Go Green Fair in April and focusing on a few small projects around the school. !SALT Planning all sorts of athletic events, including the Special Olympics and the Penguin Plunge. !Smart Chix Building and flying model rockets !Book Club Deciding on first book to read for the month !Poetry Out Loud Choosing and memorizing two poems for the school-wide competition in January. !Drama Preparing for a performance of “You Can’t Take It With You” !Gay-Straight Alliance Getting to know each other. !Literary Magazine Nominating officers and naming the magazine. !JCA Deciding which activities to host, including video-game nights, movie nights, and more.

French Honor Society Organizing events for this year, including possible French movie nights and French food tasting parties. !SMILES Planning Styles and Smiles Fashion Show, also planning school cleanup day and breakfast for senior citizens. !Archery Practicing shooting and getting ready for competitions. !Math Team First competition is on Wed, Oct. 1 !Model UN Registering for conferences in February and March, then researching and preparing !Dance Choreographing “Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic !Yearbook Planning the 2015 Yearbook. !Ping Pong Practicing after school in the front lobby. !Robotics Constructing a robot to complete the challenges and take the team to nationals once again.

Find out what every club is up to

By Ashley Domogala JagRoar Staff

!Have a club or activity that you want

included in this section? Email adomogala16@windhamsd.org

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