Phoenix Central School District—Student Newspaper March 2018
March Calendar
March 2—25-weeks into this
quarter!!
March 7—JCB Musical
preview for Annie
(see page s 6 and 7 for more
information on
this year’s musical)
March 22—Mr. Phoenix
March 26—29
Spirit Week!! (See page 3
for details!)
March 30—No School!!
JCB Drama Club proudly presents...
Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Thursday, March 8 at 4PM
Friday, March 9 at 7:30PM
Saturday, March 10 at 2PM & 7:30PM
TICKET
PRICES
Adults -
$10
Children/
Students/
Sr. Cit. - $7
Here is a handy list of important JCB websites!
*JCB Attendance (excuses for absences or tardies & passport notes) - [email protected] *Softball—http://phoenixfirebirdssoftball.weebly.com/ *Ski Club - http://jcbskiclub.weebly.com/ *Wrestling- http://phoenixwrestling.weebly.com/ *Girls/Boys Tennis – http://jcbtennis.weebly.com/ *Girls Basketball—http://jcbgirlsbasketball.weebly.com/ *National Honor Society—http://jcbnhs.weebly.com/ *JCB Physical Education—http://jcbphysed.weebly.com/ *JCB Library—http://jcblibrary.weebly.com/ *JCB computer labs website—http://jcblabs.weebly.com/ *JCB Student Services Office (Guidance) http://www.phoenixcsd.org/Schools/John-C-Birdlebough-High-School/Guidance-Office *SchoolTool—https://phoenix.schooltool.cnyric.org/SchoolToolWeb/Default.aspx *Naviance— http://succeed.naviance.com *Castle Learning http://corp.castlelearning.com/ *College Info—*https://www.hesc.ny.gov/ *Mock trial — http://phoenixmocktrial.weebly.com/ *Music Department page — http://pcsdmusicdepartment.weebly.com/jcb.html
THANK YOU!!!
Faculty who contributed to this newspaper: Mr. Barrett, Mr. Jeffries, and Mrs. Spereno
Students who contributed to this newspaper: Danielle Backes, Lana Brown, Gianna DeRoberts,
Noah Gordon, Liv Lamphere, Jock Li, Shania Meaker, William Semanchuk-Enser, Sophia
Trinca, and Michael VanAuken
Senior Quick News
Mr. Phoenix competition Date: 3/22 Time: 7:00
Place: JCB Auditorium
Prom tickets on sale in April
Prom Date: May 4th Time: 6-11 pm
Place: Marr iott Hotel
Senior Trip: Date: 6/11 Place: Hershey Park
Junior Quick News
UPCOMING — Spring Dance – Date: 3/16
Time: 7-10 Place: JCB Cafeter ia
Chipotle Fundraiser – 3/29
Prom tickets on sale in April
Prom Date: May 4th Time: 6-11 pm
Place: Marr iott Hotel
JCB’s Got Talent – Date: 5/18
Place: JCB Auditorium
Freshmen Quick News
Dunkin Donuts fundraiser – April date TBA
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS!!!
SPIRIT WEEK is March 26th-29th
*‘Merica Monday! WEAR
YOUR Red, white and blue!
*Disney Tuesday! - DRESS UP
AS your favorite Disney
character!
*Way-back Wednesday!
What’s your favorite era of
fashion? 70’s tie dye? 80’s
neon? 90’s grunge? Now is
your chance to show us!
*THURSDAY -- BATTLE OF THE
CLASSES!!! Class Color Day!
————————————————
Spirit Points so far…
Freshmen – 18 pts.
Sophomores – 17 pts.
Juniors – 35 pts.
Seniors – 26 pts.
ANNOUNCEMENT—Class Officer elections are coming!
Campaign in April; elections held during the week of May 7th
The boys and girls varsity
basketball teams played great
winter seasons, going full force into
sectionals. Tremendous efforts were
put forth by all team members and
it will be difficult to see the seniors
from both teams graduate this
spring. The varsity teams
celebrated their seniors on their
last home games of the regular
seasons. The celebrations were
complete with streamers, balloons
and for the girls, a trip down
memory lane. Everyone will miss
the laughter and friendships that
basketball has brought them.
Varsity girls seniors include
Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball
By: Gianna DeRoberts
Samantha Doupe, Natalie Hart,
B e l l a G a r o f a l o , C a i t l y n
Connolly, Skylear Mason,
a n d M o l l y T h o r n .
Varsity boys seniors include Kyle
Costello, James Lynch, Alex Sisera,
Scott Clark, Devin Dobovik, Austin
S t L a u r e n t , L o r e n z o
Campanino, and Niko Pangaro.
Congratulations to all!
See an additional note on Sam Doupe on page 6!!
Phoenix JV team has 15 people on it.
The starting five include Adam Hahn,
Andrew Hemingway, Charlie Claver,
Mike Dion, and Nick Vav. The bench
includes Jock Li, Noah Gordon, Owen
Lytle, Jacob St. Laurent, Ethan Fox,
Zach Green, Dom Demong, Kolby
Costello, and John Campbell. The two
star players are Jock and Noah (check
out who wrote this article if you want to
see why these two players are named
t h e S T A R p l a y e r s ! ) .
The boys practice 6 days a week from 3-
5, 6-8, and 10-12 on weekends. They have
won 6 games and lost 11. The team (AKA—
these two writers) thinks the refs have been
O N E - S I D E D i n t h e i r c a l l s .
The team did not win many home games
because WE NEED MORE STUDENTS TO
GO!!!!!!!!! (Support your team, JCB!!!)
Phoenix JV basketball team
By: Jock Li and Noah Gordon (with several side
notes by Mrs. O’Brien)
Our athletic director, John Jefferies, has
gathered a group of athletes to represent
the sports programs that JCB has to offer,
i n o r d e r t o f o r m a n e w
s p o r t s a d v o c a t i n g g r o u p .
These athletes share the responsibility of
increasing school spirit within the sports
programs and brainstorming ways to get
the student body more involved. They
have got the ball rolling with introducing
a new school “tribe” called the Bird’s
Nest., which is complete with its own
twitter account @BirdsNest_PHX. Follow
this account and listen to your
announcements for updates on games and
information on themed game nights.
A designated student section has also
been introduced to raise student spirit, similar
to that of other schools. All must join the effort
in order for our goal to be accomplished!
The advocacy group had to the opportunity to
go to Liverpool high school, to learn of a new
Section III sport referred to as Unified
Basketball. Unified basketball incorporates
students with disabilities into the sports
programs. Teams must be a mix of both types of
student, and all rules of basketball are enforced
and practices are held, as usual. The season is
during the spring but would be shorter than
other sports’ spring seasons. This is a great way
for ALL students to put on a uniform and
represent our school! Team members are
needed, so all students are encouraged to
participate, see our AD with any questions!
Sports Advocating Group
By: Gianna DeRoberts
Samantha Doupe became the girls’ (and school’s) all-
time leading scorer on Feb 10th at Bishop Ludden!! Sam
needed 2 points to pass Jackie Rossi’s 1416 points.
Samantha drove to the basket and was fouled. She went
to the foul line, made both free throws, and became the
all-time leading scorer at JCB High School! Samantha
ended her outstanding basketball career with 1427
points.
CONGRATS!!!
Ross McFarland won the D2 state wrestling title at 170
pounds. Ross won his first 3 matches at states by
pinning his opponent. In the state finals, he beat his
opponent 8-0 to capture his first state title!
PRINCIPALS:
Annie Hannah Grabowski Miss Hannigan Zaya Koegel Oliver Warbucks Sean Sievers
Grace Farrell Alyssa Goudy
Rooster Hannigan Garrett Strang
Lily St. Regis Kaitlin White
Orphans:
Molly Grace Calkins
Pepper Lauren Schmidt Kate Mackenzie Chetney
Duffy Jena Klimaszewski Tessie Alexa Hoag
July Lily Roberts
SUPPORTING:
Bundles McCloskey Declan Hawthorne
Lt. Ward Hunter Jewell Mrs. Greer Zoe Heckert Mrs. Pugh Olivia Ripley
Drake Dan Braun
Cecille Izzy Allen
Annette Isabella Stacey
Star To Be Crysania Gilbert Radio program
SFX person Gabby Brown
Johnson Hunter Jewell Wacky Jonah Hawthorne
Bert Healy Josh Van Gorder
Boylan Sisters
Connie (S1) Haley Bowersox
Bonnie (S2) Mallorie Mitchell Ronnie (A) Rebecca Burdick
President Roosevelt Declan Hawthorne
President’s Cabinet
Ickes Alan Merrill Perkins Izzy Allen
Hull James Hagg
Morganthau Josh Van Gorder
Howe (Marine guard) Dan Braun
Judge Brandeis Special Cameo
Hoovervilles, NYC, Warbucks Employees
Izzy Allen
Sarah Andrews
Virginia Bednarski
Ashleigh Besaw
Haley
Bowersox
Gabby Brown
(NOT Hoover-
ville)
Rebecca
Burdick
Jonathan
Burgess
Emma
Fatcheric
Crysania Gilbert
James Hagg (NOT Warbucks Employee)
Jonah Hawthorne
Zoe Heckert
Hunter Jewell (NOT Hooverville)
Summer Koegel
Hannah McArthur
Shania Meaker
Alan Merrill
Mallorie Mitchell
Savanah Neupert
Caytlyn Prickett
Keaton Renfrew
Olivia Ripley
Isabella Stacey
Ryan Thompson
Sophia Trinca
Josh Van Gorder
Hard Knock orphans, NYC, Warbucks Employees
Shauna Besaw
Allison Grabowski
Mattie Hunt
Maggie LaPine
Gabriella Payne
Sheridan Southworth
Zoie Tracy
(Specific Hooverville Roles) Apple Seller Caytlyn Prickett Eddie Declan Hawthorne
Sophie Sophia Trinca
Man 1 Dan Braun
Man 2 Josh Van Gorder
Man 3 James Hagg
Man 4 Alan Merrill Woman 1 Ashleigh Besaw
Woman 2 Isabella Stacey
Woman 3 Crysania Gilbert Woman 4 Haley Bowersox
Annie Cast List
Stage Manager: Emily Forget
Asst. Stage Manager/Prompter: Gabby Allen
Light Board: Aiden Southworth
Spots: Melody Trask, Darren Fischel
Sound Tech: Zach Neupert, Josh Smith
Sound Aide: Darren Fischel
Costume/Makeup/Hair: Aubri Renfrew,
Mikayla Bailey, Sophie Crandall
Display/Artists: Alyssa Goudy
Ushers: Christopher Caltabiano, Madison
Gaca, Kathryn Reed
Pit Personnel:
Brown, Natalie
Uhl, Thomas
Goudy, Hailey
Halstead, Bryon
Lefebvre, Danielle
Lewis, Nina
Annie Stage Crew
The 2018 annual Scholastic Art Awards
Exhibition is on display again this year on the
OCC Campus. The Central New York Arts
Council is one of the largest regional affiliate
in the National Scholastic Art program, this
year bringing in over 5,000 pieces of art from
a b o u t 2 0 0 t e a c h e r s a n d
between 80 to 100 individual schools. It is a
highly competitive exhibition highlighting
wonderful young artists and their diverse
talents. The scale of the exhibition is truly
astonishing!!! Over 1,300 awards are
presented each year, and those winning pieces
and portfolios will be on display throughout
the Whitney Applied Technology Center at
Onondaga Community College until Friday,
March 3rd. The exhibit is free and open to the
public!
There were a RECORD NUMBER of
submissions this year (again), we are pleased
t o a n n o u n c e t h a t 1 4 J C B
students were among the winning
selections for the 2018 Scholastic Art Show!
Honorable Mention Awards
Ceramics – Kearra Backus, Emilie Hilliard,
Vanessa Rivera,
and Mariah Sheirer
Mixed Media — Chloe Calkins and
Aidan Trumble;
Printmaking - Gabrielle Crandall
Silver Key Awards
Photography – Nicole Henry and Zachariah
Neupert
Gold Key Awards
Photography – Emily Forget
Congratulations to the award -
winning artists from JCB!
2018 Scholastic Art Exhibition Award Winners!!
Nicole Henry
Gabrielle
Crandall
Emilie Hilliard
Emily Forget
Zachariah Neupert Chloe Calkins
Aidan Trumble
On January 12, 2018, schools across Oswego
County travelled to John C Birdlebough High
school to participate in Senior High All-County
Band. There was a rehearsal that day from noon
to four. The original weekend long plans were
modified, and the concert was canceled because of
u n s a f e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s .
Richard L. Saucedo, a successful composer and
musician travelled all the way from Indiana for
this countywide event. Though there was a lot less
time than anticipated, the band was still able to
come together and perform the pieces. There was
a n a u d i e n c e o f t e a c h e r s a n d
a r e c o r d i n g w a s t a k e n .
Senior High All-County Band
By: Hailey Goudy
Fourteen students from Phoenix made the band:
Hailey Goudy (Clarinet), Gabriella Allen (Clarinet),
Sarah Thorn (Bass Clarinet),, Dixon Ameele (Alto
Sax), Olivia Ripley (Trumpet), Aiden Trumble
(Trumpet), Thomas Uhl (Trumpet), Lily Roberts
(French Horn), Sean Sievers (Trombone), Skyler
Patnode (Trombone), Violet Ameele (Trombone), Chloe
Calkins (Euphonium), Sophia Trinca (Mallets),
a n d A l e x O l s c h e w s k e ( P e r c u s s i o n ) .
Four pieces were prepared: Burn by Roland Barrett,
Melodious Thunk by David Biedenbender, Walking
into History by Richard Saucedo, and His Honor by
Henry Fillmore. There was no concert, but the
experience was unforgettable.
I chose to interview the Phoenix Indoor
Percussion Ensemble (Drumline) director Er-
ic English. Eric has been the director for the
past three years now. For those who don’t
know Drumline is a organization
t h a t i s p u t t o g e t h e r b y
students and music professionals that play
percussion instruments. A Drumline has to
have a battery (the people who move on the
floor) of snare drums, bass drums, tenor
drums (quads) and, depending on the show,
possibly cymbals. A drumline also has to
have a pit (front ensemble). Then once you
have your group (ensemble) you have to get
dancers (visuals). This year our
visuals are called the crew because they play
in parts of the show also. Each year, the
Drumline puts together a show
and performs at competitions for a score and
they are ranked in the circuit based on the
show, placement (scores), and how
well you execute the show. Most
importantly you have to have a floor to
perform on and design accordingly to the
show design. That is what Drumline is in a
nutshell.
Mr. English (Eric) has a music and teaching
background. Eric went to Onondaga
Community College and got his Associates
degree in Architecture Technology. Then he
went to the University of Buffalo and
received his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture
Design. Eric has taught for seven different
I n d o o r P e r c u s s i o n E n s e m b l e s :
Jordan Elbridge, Medina HS, Lancaster HS,
and Oswego HS to name a few. Now he is our
director and has led us to much success in the
last three years. He started out instructing the
Phoenix Drumline under the direction of Luke
Dennis. Luke is currently the bass drum
instructor.
Eric and two other current drumline instructors
Mitch and Mr. Ganey attended and graduated
from Jordan Elbridge HS. Currently
four of the five Drumline instructors and many
other percussionist are a part of a group called
Downbeat Percussion, which is a group of
percussionists who get paid to perform at the
B u f f a l o B i l l s g a m e s . I t i s
mostly professionals, but there are some kids
also. Four students from this high school are
actually in Downbeat Percussion! If you want
to get private lessons on being a
percussionist you can contact Eric or any
o f t h e s e n i o r s i n D r u m l i n e .
Eric always wanted to be a drummer and look
where he is now! He is the director of the
Drumline. Eric chose to teach Indoor Percussion
Ensembles because he loves music, so now he is
doing the things he loves. The biggest challenge/
obstacle Eric has faced this year was the snow
days and lost practice time, but he always tries
t o m a k e u p t h e l o s t t i m e .
Eric does a lot in his spare time such as
preparing the drumline shows. Yes, that is
right! He writes his own music, designs the
Interview with Eric English
(Drumline—Percussion Director)
By: Shania Meaker
Interview continued...
Taco Bell...has fries????
By: Lana Brown
Are Taco Bells NEW Nacho Fries all they’re hyped out to be? Some may ask what is so
special about these fries?? Well, let me tell you. They are some of the best French fries I
have ever had and I love fries! AND... they are only a dollar… AND who doesn’t want to
dunk their fries into some delicious Taco Bell
cheese sauce?? The fries are far better than any
other fast food chains, so, if you’re tired of plain
old fries with ketchup, then go try Taco Bell’s
Nacho Fries for yourself.
drill, builds the props, and he even
made the design on the wraps for the
b a t t e r y t h a t m a k e t h e
drums look like they are made
o u t o f p l a n k s o f w o o d .
The advice that Eric gives to students
is pick a job you love and you won’t
have to work a day in your life. That
explains his job perfectly. Eric is
always around if students want to
vent (preferably Drumline students—
because he knows them). He is a very
relaxed and nice guy. He is a really
good instructor—he can help students
learn rhythms and break them down.
He makes it very simple and easy
to pick up (learn) new things.
Eric is located in the band room and
he is usually just here for Drumline,
but he may come in once in a while to
work on props, the floor, or music
writing.
ARTWORK by Danielle B.
My obsession with dance is a problem
At seven in the morning
I jump, leap, think, run,
move, groove and dance
My obsession with dance is a problem
By Liv Lamphere
Emily had fallen, John in addition. For Emily had fallen forever,
And left John to affliction.
She gave him great pain, But she didn’t know
And now he self blames, For no reason at all.
But now he knows that he can recover.
For Emily had fallen, but John… …
John will never
By: William Semanchuk-Enser
The dangerous, old volcano is very silent
One night he feels angry and bold
He explodes, he erupts, he throws
He bubbles, he boils, he burns, he melts
The dangerous, old volcano is very silent
By: Michael VanAuken
Birds don’t shut up.
All the time
They chirp, they sing, they twitter,
they squawk
They cluck and scream, that’s how
they talk.
Birds don’t shut up.
By: Sophia Trinca
Top Related