by: Samuel Garcia and Jordan Hickey
Wethersfield High School has so many amazing clubs that people don’t even know we have. One of many is JETS club. We wanted to learn more about what JETS is and what is consisted in this club. We tried to find someone who had first-hand experience with JETS club and who would be better to interview than captain of JETS club. First, let's talk about what JETS is. JETS stands for Junior Engineering Technical Society. JETS is an engineering team, where a group of students makes devices for people who can’t perform the daily maneuvers they need everyday. Who is eligible to join? Any student who is interested in hands on building, willing to work for those in need is eligible. Where do you go if you want to join? Students willing to participate will typically meet in room 24 on the west side of the school with Mr. Sikora. JETS club meets every week on Monday after school. Why is JETS a good club to get involved in? We asked JETS captain Rachel Gopaul and she said, “JETS is a great club because it teaches students how anyone can help those who are in need and can’t help themselves.” Another thing Rachel mentioned was, “JETS is a great opportunity for students to work with tools in the woodshop, learn how to 3D print, and lastly work with something that can help those who aren’t able to complete certain activities.” Last year, our JETS team competed in the competition and tried to help a man named Mooch. Mooch isn’t able to use his hands and must be remained in a chair. Mooch’s job was to pack binder clips in boxes. The JETS team wanted to develop a way to make it easier for him to do his job. The JETS team created a machine that attaches to Mooch’s head so he could push the clips in the box. This was able to help him perform his job and was a great help! This year, the team is trying to come back stronger than ever. This year, they have split into groups to work on separate projects. This year they have one group 3D printing a tray for someone to eat due to the fact that his hands don’t work. Another group is working on putting chains in earplug cases used in the military. JETS club is working on a lot of great projects for a lot of great people so if this sounds like something you would be interested in, make sure to talk to Mr. Sikora in room 24 after school to join the club.
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by: Caitlin Nardella “How many hours of sleep do you get?“ was the question asked to multiple students of WHS, the answers were quite concerning. “About 5 hours, I usually go to bed after work and homework“. That was said during an interview with a senior in highschool, and in most of the interviews with juniors and seniors. Studies show that the average teenager gets about 7 hours of sleep, However, they need about 9 hours of sleep to be fully rested. Let's say that you get home from school at 2:15 when school ends. You have work from 4-8, that's 4 hours of work on top of 7 hours of school and then probably 1.5/2 hours of homework, that leaves you with a possible 8 hours of sleep without eating and cleaning yourself up (showering, brushing teeth, etc.), which would most likely take another hour. There is no possible way for students to be “Fully rested“. “Neuroscientists say they are biologically predisposed to go to sleep around midnight and not feel fully awake and engaged until between 9am and 10am.“ If a teenagers brain doesnt officially wake up until about 9:30, how are we expected to get good grades if our brain isn't even fully awake to process and retain information? Well I have the perfect solution for this issue. If our brains aren’t fully awake until 9:30 then we shouldn’t have school until then, schools should open later and get out earlier. Going to school for 7 hours is very non engaging and makes kids not even want to come in, like myself for example. Having 80 min classes makes it even worse, my first period class starts at 7:40 and doesn’t end till 9:09… technically my brain isn’t even awake during my whole first period! Making our school days shorter and making them start later will make not only the stress rate go up but the attendance will probably go up as well. by: Taylor Mcgeachy, Mary Leconche, and Jess Driscoll Can you imagine a world where the number of likes you get on social media will DISAPPEAR? Looks like its turning into a reality for Instagram, this popular social media site will soon get rid of likes for good. But this is actually a great thing for teenagers this day in age. Child Mind Institute quotes in their article about social media and self doubt in teens, “Donna Wick, Ed.D, founder of Mind-to-Mind Parenting, says that for teenagers the combined weight of vulnerability, the need for validation, and a desire to compare themselves with peers forms what she describes as a ‘perfect storm of self-doubt.’” So is this a new start to social media for teenagers? Instagram chief, Adam Mosseri, says on stage at the Wired25 event, "We will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people's well-being and health.'' The chief of Instagram is changing his $100 billion company to make Instagram a safer place for teenagers and well everyone. We asked ten highschool students from freshmen to seniors if getting rid of Instagram likes was positive or negative, 9 out of 10 agreed that getting rid of likes will help with self image in teenagers. Anthony Zabrella says, “I think it's a good thing because it helps with confidence and overall freedom and happiness.” Instagram cutting the likes is turning out to be a great idea in many different countries such as Australia, Canada, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand with all positive feedback. Mosseri has now announced they will start experimenting in the US next week. by: Abigail Keane Fall sports come to an end, teams go off into their state tournaments and the swim team heads into their first of three rounds of state meets. The Wethersfield High School’s Swim Team recently headed into their state meets starting with Class L Trials on Saturday, November 16. The team went into this meet with 18 girls swimming events, with the team able to swim more than one event and/or relay. If they are able to sneak in the top 24 of the swimmers in an event based on time, you move on to Class L Finals which took place on Wednesday, November 20th. The team took 4th overall with 11 swimmers in the meet and 5 being awarded the honor of “All-State”. These meets can mean a lot, all season the girls have hard practices, which come to an end with a near to states, which is called “taper”. The point of taper is so the more rest you are getting at practice, the faster you are able to move at practice to prepare for the meet. The team also where a different type of suit at these meets, as some might be at the conference for the team. This suit can be extremely tight and hard to get on a times as they go from your knee up to your shoulder. The start to states can bring a lot of good and bad emotions to your psyche and body. When asked in the survey sent to those competing in states, “What emotions make you race better?”, junior Haley Krawcyzk, who competed in the 100 Fly and 50 Free at both Class L Trials and went on to Class L finals, had a very well thought out answer. Haley was able to be a part of the 200 Free and 400 Free Relay and continue exactly what she wanted to do in going through her races for the team. Krawcyzk said, “I like the feeling of doing it for the team, not yourself. I think it makes it less personal so my race isn’t so attached to me as a person. That’s why I like relays. Being excited to try your best and having confidence that you will do well is much more motivating than being super nervous or even scared.”. When asked in another response question to some of the girls on the state team “What is one ritual you have the day of states?”, You find that many people are superstitious about what they so or eat the day of a big meet while others don’t even think to repeat the same thing twice. As these meets can be a big deal for some people personal and team’s future. A junior, who was able to swim the 200 IM and 100 Breastroke at Class L Trails and qualify for Class L Final in the 200 IM, Mia Destefani has said to have two things she does most of the time, “I get a coffee and I listen to music.” by: Amanda Carmel & Joseph Cassineri History teacher John Sand is known for his love of travel. He’s ventured with students to destinations like Costa Rica and Belize, just to name a few. With his 2021 trip yet to be planned, Mr. Sand and two students have joined forces to form the new Cultural Exchange and Travel Club, with heavy emphasis on the cultural exchange part. “We’re interested in cultural exchanges—we’re interested in when we go abroad, meeting with kids from other countries, and exchanging cultures that way,” Mr. Sand said. Sand helped organize the club to gain input from students on, as Sand puts it, “where they want to go, and what they want to do.” The direct input of the student body is something he hopes will drive future trips tailored to the passions of a group of students, whether it be traveling for fun, to see history, or to make a difference in the world community. Sand is perhaps one of the biggest proponents of travel in our WHS community, and we asked why he believes it’s so important. “It increases your understanding that there’s a great big world out there, other than out little old Wethersfield High School” he said, “It promotes cultural awareness, so that you understand and appreciate the differences in people, rather than being ignorant to them.” Beyond traveling the globe, Sand mentioned his interest in experiencing other cultures locally. “We have different cultures here at our high school, there’s other cultures at other high schools. Its kinda cool to meet each other and find some common ground.” The club will meet once a month in room 112. If you want to have a say in our school’s trips, or even venture outward yourself, “Sign up today! Put your name on the list and then we’ll email you and keep you in the loop.” By: Semsa Huric and Rachel Gopaul Most students who vape simply are not made aware of the consequences. Consequences not being in the physical manner, but with the law and records that could ruin your life. The main concern Officer Knapp, with the Wethersfield Police Department and school resource officer, said, “Since the legal age to vape has changed from 18 to 21, none of our student body should be vaping. However, for those who get caught doing so, any student who is 16 or older will be provided with a ticket. Any minor or person who is 16 or younger is subject to automatic arrest, on top of whatever school punishment is applied.” For the sixteen and younger students, the court decides where to go from there. We still have no information about how far the court will take the sixteen and older kids if they fail to pay their ticket. While most students don't perceive vaping as harmful, science says otherwise. Moreover, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up efforts to keep vaping devices out of the hands of children. Wethersfield High School is also trying to find ways for children in our school to learn more about vaping. One way the school is trying to educate students on this matter is through online education. Principal Moore of WHS said “If a student is caught vaping on school grounds, it’s an automatic suspension, a fine, and students have to complete an online program which educates students on matter like the dangers of vaping. This program is 6 hours long and has to be completed before the students returns back to school from their suspension period.” by: Hannah Sullivan and Reece Skelly Quarter Two has been a historically dark period of time for students all throughout the school. This can most likely be attributed to gloomy, frigid weather and an abundance of days spent out of school on breaks. Throughout the quarter, we miss a whopping 10 days of school, excluding the inevitable days spent sick in bed brought on by the cold temperatures. As grades sink lower and lower, many students begin to question whether it’s even worth it to try to get them back up, or if they’d be better off going back to the comfort of their own bed. The reality is, the quarter always ends, and things will get better. The best thing you can do is keep a positive attitude and try not to slip too far down. One way to do this is making sure you get to bed as early as you need to to avoid being tired the next day. Dragging around school only half awake is not going to help you learn and keep up your grades. A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables paired with 30 minutes of exercise a day can also help you stay energetic and alert throughout the day. Another thing to keep in mind is that your teachers know this is a hard time for students and are always available for extra help. Communicating with your teachers will help them understand why grades may be slipping, and it will help you feel more accomplished. They will help you bring your grades up and get you back on your feet. According to journalism teacher John Martin, “The most important thing is communicating with teachers, because if you use those breaks to get extra work done, you can be successful.” So yes, we know it’s hard. We’ve all been there, in the heart of quarter two, wondering how you could have possibly gone from having straight A’s to failing half your classes. But don’t worry; you will get through this. Take care of yourselves and take advantage of the resources you have at this school, and before you know it, you’ll be back to getting the grades you know you deserve. By: Abby Malizia and Paige Melillo With Christmas right around the corner, we’re all excited for the holiday spirit to come in. It’s time to start bringing out the decorations, chopping down a tree, and sit by the fireplace and watch all your favorite classics. With Christmas so close we were wondering what are our favorite teacher’s favorite Christmas movies and why? Mrs. Alexopoulos “White Christmas because when I was young I wanted to be Vera-Ellen when I grew up. I loved the way she danced.” Mrs. Colangelo “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer because Rudolph was so cute!” Mrs. Gallivan “Elf, it makes me laugh.” Mrs. Duggins “It’s a Wonderful Life is my favorite classic Christmas movie because I love black and white movies. My favorite modern movie is Elf because I love the storyline and how hope prevails. It is just absolutely hilarious.” Mrs. Leuschner “A Charlie Brown Christmas because I love snoopy.” Mr. Mangino “Elf because it is so much fun.” Mr. Walsh “Christmas Story because it is just a classic.” Ms. Cavanaugh “The Holiday because it is funny,but it also has a good message.” Mr. Gallivan “Elf because it’s funny.” Mr. Carr “Home Alone because it is Christmas.” Mrs. Mcgrath “Elf because it is a funny light-hearted movie. Buddy has so many funny expressions and it is an all-around feel-good movie.” Mr. Sand “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer because I like Bumble.” Mr. Moger “It’s A Wonderful Life because it is a feel-good story where the good guys win, but also because of Bert and Ernie.” Mr. Ferret “Elf because it makes my whole family laugh and be happy for Christmas time.” Mrs. Adamson “How the Grinch Stole Christmas because it reminds me of my childhood.” Mr. Sikora “Elf because he's hilarious and it's Will Ferrell!” Mr. Martin “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation because it has the Christmas spirit without being over saccharin and sweet.” What are YOUR favorite Holiday movies? Comment below! |
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