Woburn High students come together to kick off Spirit Week

by Megan Clark

On the night of Friday, November 22, 400 Woburn High students gathered in the main foyer of the High School for the annual Homecoming Dance.  Every year, Homecoming is organized by the junior class and is always the first event of Spirit Week which gets students excited for the notorious rivalry game on Thanksgiving Day morning between Woburn and Winchester. 

The boys’ football team fell to Melrose 31-7 in their most recent game, which made the boys feel defeated after losing both the game and their chance to play at Gillette Stadium.  If the boys had won their game against Melrose, they would have been playing during the Homecoming Dance, which would have attracted students from the foyer to the field. 

            Although students throughout Woburn High were devastated not to see their home team play at Gillette Stadium, everyone who attended the dance was in high spirits.  The Homecoming Dance included everything from the infamous DJ Dan to the Homecoming King and Queen.  This year, seniors Anthony Scarpone and Nicole Gangi were elected as Homecoming King and Queen.  Gangi speaks about her reaction when her name was announced for Queen.

            “I was in shock and pretty nervous when they called my name, but I was so happy that I won!” stated Gangi.

            

Anthony "Chubbz" Scarpone and Nicole Gangi are this year's royalty. The pair were voted Homecoming King and Queen at Friday's dance.
photo by Meg Clark

Many seniors’ names were among the lists for King and Queen, including senior Christopher Connolly, but he admits that he could not have been happier about Scarpone and Gangi winning their titles.

            “Chubbz [Scarpone] and Nicole deserved it, they’re the best.  I couldn’t be happier for them, and I am in no way upset about them winning over me.  I’m not cut out for that type of royalty,” admitted Connolly.

            Juniors all over the school spent their school day on Friday preparing the foyer for what the night would entail.  By the time the juniors concluded the finishing touches on their decorations, the foyer was streamed with black and orange and the jerseys of different fall sports teams were draped from the balcony.  President of the junior class, Shannon Alessandroni, believes that the hard work that went into the planning and preparation of the Homecoming Dance was clearly shown on Friday night.

            “I believe Homecoming went quite swimmingly!  Our decorations looked great and they cost barely anything.  We completely sold all of the tickets, which no class has done in years.  The dance floor was crowded, but everyone had the right attitude and just wanted to have fun so it didn’t matter.  Our King and Queen looked fabulous.  Overall, I think it was a great homecoming for the seniors to leave on and many underclassmen to first experience,” said Alessandroni.

            For seniors, Homecoming is not only viewed as a main component of Spirit Week, but also as a way to start off their senior year.  Senior Michael DaCampo, who has attended many dances in his high school career, believes that this past Homecoming has been his favorite dance thus far.

            “I loved Homecoming!  It was definitely a great way to start off my senior year as well as Spirit Week.  Getting 400 people at one school function together gets the school spirit flowing and it has made my senior year a great one so far.  I went to Homecoming last year, but this one was better in many ways, and was possibly the best school dance I have been to so far,” said DaCampo.

            Homecoming was, in many ways, successful.  Between the facts that the dance was completely sold out, everyone behaved and followed the school rules, and Tanner Pride was plastered throughout the foyer, this years’ Homecoming Dance was definitely one that everyone will never forget.  Now that Homecoming is over, let Spirit Week begin—and go Tanners!

WMHS seniors feel the stress of planning for the future

by Hanna Souhail

Senior year is one of the most stressful year of any student’s life.  Aside from the rigorous courses, students also have to fill out all applications for college.  How does one expect 17 and 18 year olds to plan the first steps of their future in the first month of senior year?  Instead of trying to cram all of this into such short time, wouldn’t it be easier to start addressing college applications junior year?  According to some seniors, it would be.

            Senior Andrew Lindquist is feeling the stress of senior year.  He is not only taking the most difficult classes offered to a senior, but he is also starting the process of applying to college.

            “We have way too much work to do out senior year.  Senior year is the year people have the most AP class.  We do not need the stress of college applications as well as the stress of all the AP classes,” said Lindquist.

            Instead of scheduling last minute college visits, students could look into the schools during junior year.  Spreading the research, visits, and applications over the course of two school years instead of a few months during the beginning of senior year, the stress would be slightly eased.  However, the teachers have the ability to aid the students in the process as well.

            It has been practice at WMHS that the Common Application essays are addressed senior year.  For some students, this changed.  Senior Emily Lissner was extremely angry when she found out that her senior year English teacher decided she was not going to teach her students how to write the essays for the Common Application.

            “I was prepared for the stress of the college application process towards the beginning of the year, but I didn’t realize how difficult everything would actually be.  I was preparing to start my Common App essay with the help of my senior year English teacher, but when she told us she wasn’t going to teach us about it, another thing I had to do was added to the list,” complained Lissner.

            After learning from personal experience, senior Martin Borys has some suggestions for incoming classes and the staff.

            “Instead of cramming everything into the beginning of senior year, shouldn’t our junior year teachers help us?  A week should be dedicated to explaining the application process as well as helping us with the essays we need to write.  Even if everything doesn’t get done, at least we would have an idea of the events to come.  If I was more prepared, I would be so much more relaxed,” said Borys.

            Even though the graduating class of 2014 is overwhelmed, it’s partially the students’ fault.  Teachers cannot be blamed for everything.  Although their guidance would be beneficial, students need to be responsible for themselves.  By addressing everything only a couple of months before the application deadline, senior Brandon Heath is feeling the most stress he’s ever felt before.

            “Where do I begin?  Not only do I have to travel to visit the colleges I would like to possibly go to, almost none of them are on the Common App.  This means I have to fill out tons of applications instead of just one.  This means multiple essays, too.  The difficulty of my classes this year isn’t helping out much either,” said Heath.

            So, there it is.  Not only are seniors stressed by the courses they are taking this year, they are freaking out over applying to college.  The college a student attends determines the education one earns and ultimately the occupation for which one has potential.  However, many precautions can be taken to prevent this.

Tanners fall to Raiders 31-7

by Ally Mann

Woburn students doing what they do best, cheering on their team.
Photo by Ally Mann

It wasn’t a good Friday night for the Tanners at Fred Green Field, as they were defeated by Melrose 31-7.  The Raiders defense was tight, not letting the Woburn offense gain more than a few yards at a time. Prepared for the talented offense, Woburn’s defense shut down Melrose’s runners on their first drive. Quarterback for the Raiders, Malik Garret, came in at the end of the first quarter knowing that long passes would be the answer.  Melrose scored with 2 seconds to go in the first quarter on a 71-yard catch and run by Elliot Judware, then again with 2:47 left in the second quarter on a 22-yard pass play from Garret to Colby Andrews, which pushed Melrose’s lead to 14-0. Woburn fans went into the second half, disappointed yet optimistic.  Senior Mike Foley believed that Woburn had more in them.
     “A lot of hard work and dedication is what it’s going to take to win this game. The boys are playing their game but they’re not playing with a lot of heart. I’ve seen them play with a lot more. They need to leave it all out on the field tonight if they want to move on to Gillette,” stated Foley.
      Senior Adam Gately chimed in and said, “Our offense has to step it up. Voci has to pass the ball a bit more accurately, use Marvin Jean to our advantage and run the ball more.”

Tanner fans rooting for the Black and Orange.
               Photo by Ally Mann

At times the Tanners moved the ball down the field but they couldn’t finish their drives. As the offense couldn’t maintain possession of the ball, the defense let up a few more touchdowns. Senior Mike DiRaffaele made a 56-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, making it 21-0 for the Raiders. Following that, Woburn quarterback, Robert Voci, made an amazing 68-yard touchdown pass and the Woburn fans went crazy, but the play was called back for an ineligible man downfield. Woburn came up short on its fourth down play giving the ball back to Melrose. On the next play, Garret ran untouched down the center of the field for a touchdown making it 28-0 at the end of the third.

Woburn continued to play hard, as Voci got revenge scoring on a quarterback sneak early in the fourth, but that was all the Tanners could get. The Raiders topped the game off with one more field goal at the end of the fourth making it 31-7, securing their Division 3 Northwest title and their trip to Gillette.

There was no miracle for the Tanners like the fans had hoped, crushing their “Road to Gillette” dreams and making it a sad Fan Bus ride home.  

Moving forward, Melrose will play the winner of today’s Tewksbury vs. Marblehead game, and we will see the Tanners face off against Winchester in the annual Thanksgiving Day matchup on November 28.

    

The history of the hashtag

by Kylie Romano

Over the years, we have witnessed countless celebrities rise to fame from obscurity.  Many of today’s stars wouldn’t have been given a second glance only a few years ago.  However, no star has risen to fame so rapidly and as immensely as the one we have come to know as “the hash tag.”  This new celebrity has agreed to share their story with us, and to thank all those who have helped in their rise to stardom:

            The truth is I’ve always felt that I was destined for greatness, but that no one ever gave me the chance.  I’ve been around for so long, constantly being ignored.  On the odd chance that I was mentioned, I felt I was only being used, recognized for a short moment when I was needed, and then forgotten once again.  Out of the entire team of the keyboard, I was the bench warmer.  I was called “pound,” and occasionally “number.” I wasn’t sure how people could look at my name that always stayed the same, and pronounce it so differently.  While the letters, numbers and even other symbols surrounding me got to play frequently, I was only turned to in extreme cases.  I felt invisible.

            Then came a bird.  I remember the first time we met.  I had already begun to assist in different ways in before, by categorizing topics on Internet relay chats, but the job was still mainly part-time.  In 2007, though, the fantastic sky blue creature came into my life- my first agent- that went by the name of “Twitter.”  I found it odd, but being named “pound” I couldn’t really talk.  I was given a few jobs here and there on the site, but then came my big break: the 2009-2010 Iranian election protests.  I was given the job of sorting out the different languages being used so that readers could be better directed to information.

            It was all uphill from there.  I became a star, I was plastered all over the site all of the time, especially the front page.  People began talking about me that had never given me a second glance before.  It was incredible.  It was like the entire world wanted my autograph!  I could never have imagined such a response in my entire life. 

            All of a sudden, everyone wanted me.  Not only was I a constant presence on Twitter, but new agents began recruiting me as well.  The websites I appeared on gained popularity rapidly.  The more websites I appeared on, the more they wanted me.  I was everywhere.  Two of the most famous agents went by the names of Instagram and Facebook; one never showed their face, constantly covering it with an over-sized retro camera constantly taking photos of me, the other tried to resist adopting me until my popularity became so great that it became eminent. 

            Now, I’m not only shown everywhere, but people are constantly talking about me.  I can’t even go out anymore without hearing my name in practically every conversation I overhear.

            Throughout my rise to fame, however, I’ve tried to remain humble.  Whenever I get wrapped up in the glory of being the topic of practically every conversation, I reflect on where I came from.  I think back to those days spent, lying on the keyboard gathering dust and just wishing for the day that has now come.  I wish to thank each and every one of you: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and countless other sites, as well as each and every one of my fans who have been discussing me tirelessly in helping me become the star that I am today. Thank you, I love you all.

                                                                                                                        ~#

Review: The Carrie Diaries

by Julie O’Melia

Are you a fan of the 80s?  Big hair, vibrant colors, and shoulder pads? Do you like to laugh out loud? If you answered yes, then The Carrie Diaries is the show for you. Based off of the best-selling, fictional book series written by Candace Bushnell The Carrie Diaries tells the tale of a fashion-forward teenage girl named Carrie Bradshaw.  Before she was the ultra-chic icon, played by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a spunky teenager from a quaint suburban town in Connecticut. She was just a high school girl with big city dreams, a talent for writing and a passion for fashion.  It’s Carrie Bradshaw like you’ve never seen her before.

The story begins with Bradshaw mourning the loss of her beloved mother and struggling to help her father as he attempts to raise his two vastly different daughters on his own. In order to help Carrie cope with her loss, Carrie’s father, Tom Bradshaw played by Matt Letscher, scores her an internship at a law firm in Manhattan, New York.  This is where the ambitious teen falls head-over-heels in love with the city and secretly secures an internship at the highly esteemed Interview Magazine behind her father’s back. With her close- knit group of best friends by her side Bradshaw takes on the adventures of high school, love, and dreams. Dorrit Bradshaw, Carrie’s younger sister is portrayed by young actress Stefania LeVie Owen. The youngest Bradshaw is a sharp-tongued, moody, and unique individual that often gets herself into some sticky situations.  Although young, Owen embodies her conflicted character with the confidence of someone who has been acting all her life.  Bradshaw’s bad boy, love, interest “Sebastian Kidd” is played by Austin Butler.  The hunky Hollywood star does a spectacular job in assuring his character is both genuine and dreamy.  Bradshaw’s role is tackled by budding actress Anna Sophia Robb.  The blonde beauty is both talented and charismatic.  Robb is best known for starring roles in Bridge to Tarabitha and Soul Surfer.

While some kids might have been too young for the mature content of Sex and the City during its reign, this series is perfect for teenage girls to get to know the fictional icon that is Carrie Bradshaw. Teens at Woburn High simply rave about the show. Sophomore Jen Duran, says “The Carrie Diaries is my new favorite show. My favorite part of the show is the fashion, I love seeing all of the bright and funky styles of the 80s.” 

            Duran brings up a crucial element in the show.  The fashion in the series is a huge part of captivating the audience and truly getting to understand the critical role that fashion played in Bradshaw’s future career as a columnist in Manhattan. The stylists on the show do a fantastic job of having Robb sport bright colors, funky sweaters, and of course that big 80’s hair.  Since the premiere of the show, the 80s fashions have come back in a big way.  Neon colors are all the rage, and High Schools often put together neon-themed dances. The much anticipated season two premiere of the series aired on October 25 and it is strongly encouraged to check it out. Anna Sophia Robb will light up your television screen with her charisma, and poise.  It’s Carrie Bradshaw like you’ve never seen her before, five-stars for The Carrie Diaries.

Adds for the new show, The Carrie Diaries, can be found in multiple teen magazines. Photo by Julia O'Melia

How will the re-shaped divisions impact the NHL?

by Tyler Movsessian

When the Atlanta Thrashers lost their fan base in 2011, they migrated north of the border to one of hockey’s proudest cities in Winnipeg, Manitoba. However, this move was problematic. The Atlanta based team was in the southeast division. Winnipeg is in the middle of Canada and it was too taxing for the teams in Florida to go to Winnipeg three times and vice versa. This led to the NHL division realignment.

            Since 1993, there have been 2 conferences, East and West with three divisions in each with the conferences containing 15 teams a piece. Now, the NHL shifted Winnipeg Jets to the Western Conference’s Central division and they moved Detroit and Columbus into the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions, respectively. Thus, there are now 16 teams in the east and 14 teams in the west.   

Sophomore Justin Scott likes that the realignment is finally taking place two years after the Atlanta transaction.

“It makes more sense based on location and it will make traveling easier,” commented Scott.

            However, it wasn’t all perfect as some things were not pleasing to NHL fans.

            “I dislike the playoff format because it is a lot like the MLB postseason, with the wild cards. Just like in the MLB, too many good teams miss the postseason and I feel like this new playoff format has potential to deny some teams that are close to making it and perhaps would have got in if they had not changed the divisions,” added Scott.

            The playoff format has been altered slightly as well.  The three teams in each conference with the best record and the two teams that are not in the top 3 become wildcard. Then, the wildcard with the worst record plays the division winner with the best record and the wildcard with the best record plays the division leader with the worst record. For example, if Boston defeats Montreal in the wildcard game and Detroit defeats Toronto in the 2^nd and 3^rd place game, Detroit and Boston plays in the divisional championship. Then, a similar bracket ensues in the other division with the division champion playing the winner of the Boston and Detroit series for the Eastern Conference Championship who then plays the Western Conference Champions for the Stanley Cup..

            But is there another way the NHL could have adjusted the divisions without changing the number of divisions or playoff format?

            Ryan Kelly, an avid hockey fan theorized a plan so that the NHL could have kept the same six divisions that it has had since 1993.

            “If the NHL put Winnipeg in the Northwest division and moved Minnesota to the Central division, then transferred Nashville to the Southeast, I believe that would be less complicated and it would geographically make sense,” suggested Kelly.
             In sports, only time will tell when the league makes a change regarding conference realignment. Certainly, the new members of each division will create new rivals and it will be an interesting power struggle to watch as the teams now try to push in late March to squeeze into the new playoff system set for mid April. Until then, let the fun begin!

To cheer, or not to cheer.

Tanner Bulls pump up the crowd at the Thanksgiving rally.
photo by Susan Thifault

by Kellie Herbert

In every city, it is necessary to support your sports teams no matter what.  Students love cheering on their peers at their high school sports games, but in some circumstances, students have friends that live in different towns than their own.  Tanner pride is an important factor to Woburn High, and some students believe that cheering on other towns is controversial.

            Many students at Woburn High have acquired their fair share of friends from both Woburn and surrounding towns.  It is important to always support your friends no matter that their background may be.  Senior Dylan Scott believes that the support of other sports teams should be more prevalent throughout Woburn.

            “I don’t think it [cheering on another town] matters. It’s just a sporting event. A lot of people have friends in other towns and usually still root for them. I wouldn’t want to see my friends fail,” said Scott.

Scott makes a great point, that a friends’ success should be more important than cheering for your home team.  Senior Courtney Heck also believes that cheering for another sports team is understandable if one of your friends is on that team.

“I think it’s fine to cheer for another team. If you have friends there and their team is good, why not root for them?” said Heck.

            Supporting a friend is one necessity that everyone possesses.  Whether or not that friend is on another town’s team or on your home team, it is important to promote your friend’s success.  Some Woburn High students, though, believe that Tanner pride is the most important duty as a Woburnite.  Senior Anthony Scarpone is one of Woburn High’s most well-known superfans and takes his Woburn spirit seriously.

            “In certain situations, sure it’s fine to cheer for your friends, but don’t root for the other team, root for just your friend. As a whole, always root for Woburn,” said Scarpone.

            Scarpone’s serious dedication to Woburn shows his superfan status and knows that Woburn is the only town he should be cheering for.  Senior Erin Kimmelman, who also has friends in different towns, believes that other towns should not be cheered for, especially when facing Woburn.

            “I have friends in a lot of different towns, but I would never cheer for them during a soccer match or a football game if Woburn was playing against them. They wouldn’t cheer for me either,” said Kimmelman.

            Kimmelman and her friends know that on game day, they are enemies, but off the field, their towns are no different. School pride is important to them during games.  Senior Gabriella DiFraia, who also has many non-Woburn friends, knows that in some circumstances it is necessary to support your friends, but in others, Woburn students should be bleeding black and orange.

            “It [cheering for another town] is not okay.  You should be true to your town and your sport. There are exceptions, like my friend Derek DeCastro from Burlington went to the Garden for high school hockey, and once Woburn was out of the running I cheered for him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have cheered him on,” said DiFraia.

            DiFraia makes it obvious that there are exceptions when cheering for friends on other teams, but still remembers that Woburn is her home town and she will support their sports teams before any other.          

Tanner pride is something that every citizen of Woburn is effected by.  When one goes to Woburn High games, it is evident that the community enjoys cheering on their local sports teams.  Whether you have a friend who lives in another town or not, it is important to always remember where you come from and to cheer on your home team before any other team.  Woburn will forever be defined as a town painted with perpetual pride, but each and every individual has their own thoughts on whether or not it is acceptable to cheer for a town that doesn’t bleed black and orange.