The Life of Marie Curie

by Michaela Zelandi

 “A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician: he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales.”  – Marie Curie

Little did Wladislaw and Bronislava Boguska Sklodowski know that when their fifth and final child was born on November 7, 1867, a genius came into the world. This genius’ name was Maria Sklodowski, or better known as Marie Curie.  Marie’s brilliant mind was not expected to be yielded as a product of her own surroundings and situation growing up; her family was utterly poor.  Her mother was forced to quit her job and her father soon lost his due to his political views when Curie was just a child.  Their small apartment was now home to the large Curie family with the addition of lowly boarders.  When she was eight, Marie’s sister caught typhus from a boarder; she then died.  Two years later Marie’s mother died.  Despite all these hardships that formed her character and outlook on life, Marie Curie rose above.  She became the most famous and successful woman scientist on the planet. How exactly did she rise above?  Let’s find out.

            Curie’s father himself was a teacher, so he valued education.  He spent his time teaching Curie and her siblings lessons, so much so the Curie shined in primary and secondary schooling, even gaining a gold medal when graduating.  However, Curie’s intelligence wasn’t enough to get her into college because at the time girls were not allowed to enroll.  After taking a year off with family friends due to her depression,Curie begun work as a private tutor.  She made a deal with her sister, Bronya which forced her to work for the next five years.  The sisters both wanted to attend Sorbonne, a university in Paris that accepted men and women, but their financial situation wouldn’t be able to withstand simultaneous college fees.  They decided that Bronya would go first and when she graduated, Marie would enroll.  Marie wasn’t able to wait the next five years to be able to learn, so she joined a secret “Floating University.”  This university consisted of men and women who would meet in different places just to learn from one another, to gain knowledge. Five years later when Bronya graduated, Marie attended Sorbonne in 1891 and graduated in 1893 with a master’s degree in physics (number one in her class) and a year later with a master’s in math (number two in her class).  After earning her degrees, she decided to look for a lab.  It was at this time she met Pierre Curie.

            She and Pierre shared a lab in Paris and soon joined their research efforts towards Marie’s interest – radioactivity.  Pierre ended up proposing soon after, to which Marie declined but two years later she did accept and they married.  After their first daughter, Irene, was born in 1897, the Curies continued their work in radioactivity.  They were not aware of the health dangers that radioactivity exposes humans to.  After the Curies were awarded for their discoveries with  a Nobel Prize, their daughter Eve was born.  The Curies continued researching together until Pierre’s tragic death in 1906.  He was hit by a horse and buggy.

            After her husband’s death, she took over his old position as a physics teacher at Sorbonne.  She continued her research on her own.  She even published a book and received an installation at the Radium Institute, then receiving a job from there.  Her daughters became scientists themselves because of her influence.  On July 4, 1934, she died of leukemia caused by all her interactions with radioactivity over the years. 

            Marie Curie was a woman like no other.  She never stopped pursuing her dream of knowledge despite being a poor woman in the 1800s.  She met challenges in her life with the determination of a bull to get what she wanted, education and soon after answers about radioactivity. 

 

           

 

 

Summer 2015: The Summer of the Music Festivals

by Ryan Johnston

For many students at WMHS, an absolutely smashing summer is expected after this laborious and never ending school year. Luckily for everyone, you can start off your summer by attending some of the most amazing music festivals in the world, including local festival, Boston Calling. Other music festivals that will be taking place this summer include the following: Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Firefly.

For those only interested in staying local, you can attend the very popular festival, Boston Calling. Boston Calling will be featuring some new popular artists of all genres, including but not limited to Beck, Vance Joy, Pixies, and Tove Lo. This festival takes place during May 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th and is expected to be full of life and party as always. Boston Calling is sure to be a good way to end your spring, giving you that final push to transition into summer. 

A second musical festival which is sure to be a blast is Firefly. Firefly will allow you to have a more summer sensation due to the fact that it takes place from June 18^th to June 21^st, which is the tail-end of the school year. The festival is sure to be a blast with the magnificent lineup with bands including Foster the People, The Killers, Cage the Elephant, Modest Mouse, Empire of the Sun, and many more fantastic bands. It is unlikely that many Woburn residents will be able to attend due to the fact that the festival takes place in Delaware, however if the opportunity to attend comes your way, take it, it is bound to be a fabulous time!  

To end off the summer, the critically acclaimed “Lollapalooza” is being held in Chicago. This is a great event to attend to close out the summer with a bang, with the fabulous lineup of both popular, and newly emerging bands, you are bound to have a great time while there. This festival takes place from July 31^st to August 2^nd. As a treat for The Beatles fans out there in WMHS, you will have the treat of being able to see Paul McCartney headline in the festival, performing some of the timeless classics. The lineup for Lollapalooza includes but is not limited to Twenty One Pilots, Of Monsters and Men, Sam Smith, Charli XCX, The Wombats, and Marine and the Diamonds.  

If any WMHS students out there are looking for a wild summer, and have the means of transportation and funds to attend these festivals, it is highly recommended that you go! You are guaranteed to have a good time and have a summer experience to brag about to everyone else who was back here in Woburn sitting around and sweating.

Laughing Out Loud With Mary Lynn Rajskub

by Meaghan Angers

Laughter is the best form of medicine. After a stressful month filled with school, track practice and musical rehearsals, going to a comedy show was just what I needed.  Comedy shows distract you from what’s happening in the real world. Unlike watching a comedy movie or television show, comedy shows make you go out with friends or family and have a good time.

On Saturday I saw Mary Lynn Rajskub, who plays Chloe on 24, at the Laugh Comedy Club in Boston. As I am a huge fan of her on 24, I was ecstatic to see how her role as a computer genius flipped to the opposite of becoming a comedian. Her comedy style is awkward, but very relatable. She tells stories about how she is seen by fans as her computer genius character, stories about how she became a mom and her one and only dream, to be “stupid hot.” The climax of the show is when Rajskub describes how her dream has been to be stupid hot, the kind of hot that all you know is that you’re hot.

For the show I had front row seats and at one point, when she when she was describing how she wanted to be stupid hot, she saw me and my mom. Rajskub turned to my mom during the joke and gives her a high five saying, “you know what’s up!” As she high fived her, Rajskub look at me and says “Wait, you’re here with your daughter that’s so cool!” Being involved with the show made it more special, because you were in the joke. During the show, Rajskub named a table of people, the “Professors”, because they were dying laughing at her joke about a statistic she made up.

My personal favorite joke was when she was describing a day when she really was feeling down on herself. To make her feel like a “better person” she went to Whole Foods to spend “four times the amount of regular food.” As she went to the parking lot, Rajskub started crying about her life over how she has no friends. In the back of the car, her three year old son playing on his iPhone and said, “Mommy, me and daddy are your friends.” Rajskub responds by saying “You get a new app for your iPhone!” This story particularly stuck in my head because it’s so relatable.

Even if you never heard of the comedian, comedy shows are a good way to get out of the house and unwind. As Robert Frost said, “If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.” After all, laughter allows us to escape from our realities.

 

Grooving Through 2015: Today's Top Songs

by Laura Zakrewski

Its 2015, we are already three months in!  With that being said, there have been many songs released so far that have captured the attention of its listeners.  So, here are the top ten new songs that hit it big in the New Year:

10. Blake Shelton- Lonely Tonight

This song is undoubtedly country and it has very touching lyrics.  Lonely Tonight was written by Brent Anderson and Ryan Hurd and the track features country artist Ashley Monroe.  Blake Shelton’s voice is clear and the song has serious crossover appeal that any person could appreciate. 

9. One Last Time- Ariana Grande 

Ariana Grande has quickly become one of the biggest pop stars of today, and 2015 will most likely be a huge year for her music.  One Last Time is a dance-pop anthem that lyrically explains Grande’s desire to be with her ex-boyfriend “one last time”.  This song displays Ariana Grande’s great vocal talents without being too over the top.

8. Lips Are Moving- Meghan Trainor

 At the end of 2014, Meghan Trainor came onto the scene with a vengeance.  She is a rapidly growing artist from Cape Cod that has been getting a lot of radio play lately.  Lips Are Moving has a fast beat that is perfect for dancing.  

7. Blank Space- Taylor Swift

 Taylor Swift has come back yet again and proved to the world that she can do anything.  She has completely switched her genre from country to pop, and she does it flawlessly in the song Blank Space.  This song is all about being independent and strong.  The message is positive for all listeners.   

6. Love Me Like You Do- Ellie Goulding

 This song was featured in the popular movie Fifty Shades of Grey.  She constantly produces hits and collaborates with many other artists.  This British blonde will most likely win many accolades in 2015. 

5. Jealous-Nick Jonas

  This previous Jonas Brother has decided to focus on his solo career, and it seems as if he’s doing a great job so far. Jealous came out last year and is still played constantly on countdown lists.  It has even been remade into a duet with singer, Tinashe.    

4. She Knows- Ne-Yo feat. Juicy J

 This song is Ne-Yo’s comeback and it’s one of those songs that you hear all the time in the car.  It has a perfect blend of rap and hip hop, so expect to hear even more of this song.     

3. Thinking Out Loud-Ed Sheeran

 Thinking Out Loud is written with beautiful lyrics about loving your significant other forever.   It is a song that will most likely be played at weddings and the accompanying video is very romantic.    

2. Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

  This song has a throwback vibe that has hit it big all over the world.  Its radio play has been non-stop since its debut.  Right now it is number one on the Billboard Top 100 because of its complete uniqueness.

1. Sugar-Maroon 5

 Maroon 5’s recent hit is by far one of the best songs of 2015 because it never gets old.  This song has disco-funk feel to it and the video is based off of the movie Wedding Crashers.   

             This New Year is just beginning and it already has been a great year for music.  The future will most likely have hits from these artists and many others, so be prepared

Feral children: life without connection

by Margarita Forbes

Can you imagine growing up in the woods?  Being raised by monkeys?  Living without any guidance?  Although the idea sounds ridiculous, and maybe a little funny, it truly does happen.  The children who grow up in such environments are called feral children.  A feral child is a human child who has lived away from human contact from a very young age, and has little or no experience of human care, loving or social behavior, and, crucially, of human language.  For example, they may be unable to learn to use a toilet, have trouble learning to walk upright after walking on fours all their life, and display a complete lack of interest in the human activity around them. They often seem mentally impaired and have complete trouble learning a human language (if they eventually do). The impaired ability to learn a natural language or any human skills in general, after having been isolated for so many years is attributed to the existence of a critical period for language learning. Feral children can be confined by humans (often parents), often as victims of abuse and having grown up in the forced isolation of cages or basements.  They could also be brought up by animals, or could even live in the wild in isolation, fending for themselves. 

One of the most famous feral children to have ever existed was Genie, a victim of extraordinarily severe abuse, neglect and social isolation up until the age of thirteen.  When Genie was a baby, her father decided that she was severely mentally impaired.  As a result, he disliked her and withheld her as much care and attention as possible. Around the time she reached the age of 20 months, Genie's father decided to isolate her completely, so from the age of 20 months to 13 years, 7 months, he kept her locked alone in a room. During this time, he almost always strapped Genie to a child's toilet or bound her in a crib with her arms and legs completely immobilized, and left her severely malnourished.  The extent of Genie's isolation prevented her from being exposed to any significant amount of speech, therefore not acquiring language during childhood. Finally, Genie’s abuse came to the attention of Los Angeles child welfare authorities on November 4, 1970.

An older case, and also one of the most famous, was the feral child, “Wild Peter”, who grew up in the wild.  He was “a naked, brownish, black-haired creature” captured near Helpensen in Hanover, England in 1724, when he was about 12. He climbed trees with ease, lived off plants, and was incapable of speech. He especially enjoyed to strip the bark from green twigs and to suck on the sap; but he eventually learned to eat fruit and vegetables. He was presented at court in Hanover to George I, and taken to England, where he was studied by leading men of letters. He spent 68 years in society, but never learned to say anything except “Peter” and “King George”, although his hearing and sense of smell were said particularly acute.

Connection is ultimately what makes up our human interactions.  Our abilities to care, to love, to learn, and to communicate are what make life so valuable, and without such things, one would not be able to get the experiences that life has to offer.

The Birth of the Internet Phenomena

by Edward Lam

There is a place where unexpected legends are born while others have met their downfall from trying to seek their fortune. A dark place that was left to its own devices after mankind created it. Unwatched and abandoned, such a place grew into an entity that became further and further unrecognizable with each passing year. Despite appearing innocent at its surface, children were warned never to venture too deep and yet those who failed to heed such words remained scarred by the contents within. Dominated by those of a feral origin, the world has commonly referred to such a place as the “Internet”.

Introduced to society’s young in the form of web browsers, the gateway to the Internet is met with full force as soon as a single query is typed within a search engine. Whether it is Bing, Yahoo or Google, the trap remains the same. With thousands of search results in a matter of seconds, the Internet attracts its prey through such impressive displays of offered knowledge. But imagine as fictional Little Timmy from 8^th grade is researching facts about Abraham Lincoln for his historical figure project, he innocently stumbles upon a video of a cat, dressed as the very man he was meant to research. Timmy finds amusement from such a video and proceeds to dive further with the grip of the Internet tightening with each new distraction that Timmy discovers. Perhaps it is another cat video. Maybe this then transitions to videos of a baby’s reaction to eating lemons. The results remain the same: Little Timmy’s history project is one that will fail to be finished.

But can one truly blame the antics of Little Timmy? He is but only one example of the millions that fall under the same spell that the Internet spreads. From social and media outlets such as YouTube, Twitter and Tumblr, the next online sensation in the form of social fads or viral videos is simply waiting to captivate the public’s attention.

Interestingly enough, while Internet sensations seem to appear out of the blue, it should be acknowledged that the road to the Internet phenomena is a delicate one consisting of numerous aspects. Factors include major categories such as cuteness, stupidity, simplicity, comedy and replicability (with the presence of all factors usually increasing viral potential). While each factor has virtue alone, their potency is usually seen when such factors go hand in hand. With the combination of cuteness and simplicity demonstrated in past sensations such as Nyan Cat or the “Charlie Bit My Finger” video, the combination of stupidity and replicability can be a dangerous and influential one as well. From the Cinnamon Challenge to the Ice Bucket Challenge (with this spread actually going toward a beneficial cause), the very word “challenge” seems to invoke a drive within people especially when such a challenge is popularized to a nation-wide scale. While the act of planking is certainly a joy not to be missed, there are phenomena that sometimes can simply not be explained.

Alex from Target. Left shark. Moon Moon. A string of words that had it not been for their Internet relevance, would seem to be either gibberish or codes for a disgruntled coach to yell at his players to anyone passing by. With nothing necessarily astonishing about sensations such as Alex from Target (picture of a teen Target employee by the name of Alex presumably popularized due to the boy’s attractive features), such phenomena can only be placed in the category of “random” as there is no clear explanation for their rise to fame other than simply the general public’s interest in something that suddenly becomes popular. With such sensations depending on being popular in the first place rather than actually displaying anything of significance, survivability of such sensations typically last up to a week as attention spans slowly diverge toward the next big thing.

Therefore, there is a point at which it must be accepted that the Internet is unpredictable; a beast that simply cannot be tamed. So instead of attempting deflect the influence of the Internet, we must simply deem it a wave that must be rode and ask ourselves one simple question: black and blue or white and gold?

 

 

 

 

What's Next for Netflix?

by Evan Deane

In recent years, the popular subscription-based TV streaming service, Netflix, has had great success with creating their own shows rather than hosting other popular shows. Programs such as Orange is the New Black and House of Cards have received several awards such as The Satellite Award for Best Cast and a TCA award for Outstanding New Program. That being said, Netflix newest project is sure to stir up some controversy.

 

In motion is a collaboration between Netflix and popular video game company, Nintendo. Netflix is reportedly working on a live-action TV series based on the Legend of Zelda series. First reported by The Wall Street Journal, the show is still in its very early stages, and has yet to even find a writer for the show.

Nintendo has been weary of film and television adaptations of their intellectual properties since the commercial failure of the “Super Mario Bros.” movie back in the 1990s. Nintendo also had several TV shows back in the 80’s and 90’s. The first of which was a show simply titled “The Legend of Zelda”. It was an animated show, as opposed to the live-action show rumored to be coming to Netflix, and only lasted one season. The other was the “Super Mario Brothers Super Show!” Again, another animated adaptation of Nintendo’s famous mustached plumber. Neither of the two did particularly well.

But having 20 years passed, Nintendo seems to be a bit more willing to experiment with their popular video game franchises. After all, it was confirmed a few months back that Nintendo were ready to take another crack at a Super Mario Bros. movie, this time animated, with the help of Sony, of all companies.

Netflix seems to be describing the new Legend of Zelda series as similar to Game of Thrones but with a more light-hearted, kid-friendly tone. Hopefully, “kid-friendly” doesn’t translate to painfully tame, but in stages as early as this it is difficult to tell. Netflix will reportedly be working very closely with Nintendo and Japanese game developers who have been pumping out games in the Legend of Zelda series for the past 28 years. However, the show playing it too safe isn’t the only potential issue seen by fans of the series.

Now, what makes the Legend of Zelda games so good is the visual aesthetics, immersive gameplay, and expert level-design -- not necessarily the story. Yes, it is true that Zelda games have story-telling elements to them, but I think most fans would agree that the stories are nothing special. They may be memorable, but not stand-alone experiences by any stretch of the imagination.

And the same problem goes for the characters populating the series. The series main character, Link, has been mute for decades now, never seeing so much as a cut scene or voice-over in even his most recent games. The closest our hero has come to speaking has been awkwardly grunting as he gets slashed with a sword. And maybe that’s for the better. At this point in the series, assigning a distinct voice to a character fans have known for nearly 30 years would be very strange.

But apart from Link, are any of the other characters in the Zelda series interesting? Many would say “nope”. We have Zelda, the series’ damsel in distress who is arguably there in most of the series to give Link a purpose to his adventure. Then there’s Ganondorf, who is just the series’ villain and nothing more. There is little to nothing to these characters, and their back stories are almost non-existent. This could pose a big problem for the writers of the show, who would need to write everything from the ground up, having very little to go on.

Portraying the series characters could prove to be challenging too. Because the show is live-action, there would need to be an actor fit enough to play the parts these characters down to a T. I can envision passionate fans of the series being angry that the actor chose to play Link doesn’t resemble like his video-game counterpart.

Also, bringing the world of Zelda to life in a real-world setting would be insanely expensive. There is some serious doubt that Netflix would be able to fund such a large project to bring this vision to fruition without cutting some serious corners. Creating such a lively and fantasy-driven world would rely heavily on costuming and makeup departments, and even more on CGI. The cost of this would certainly be more than any amount of funding Netflix needed to create Orange Is the New Black or House of Cards and possibly even more than HBO uses to produce Game of Thrones.

Finally if this show did become a reality, I can’t imagine Nintendo would be terribly easy to work with. The Mario and Zelda series have already been butchered in the past, so it’s entirely possible that Nintendo would give Netflix complete and total control to the point where they could take any single idea and just run with it, in which case there is the possibility that the show may not resemble the games in the slightest.

On the other hand, Nintendo seems to have been protecting themselves more and more as of late. The company could go and nitpick every single thing the creators try to do with the show. If Nintendo themselves, who haven’t the slightest clue of how to make a TV show, have too much control they could drive the creators absolutely insane, and force them to cut the show before it even comes into its own.

And yet, with everything the show has going against it, I find myself asking, why not? It’s sad to say that most every video game to movie or video game to TV show adaptation has been just okay at best, but who knows, maybe this show could set a new standard for such adaptations. If Netflix wants to sink thousands upon thousands of dollars into a Legend of Zelda inspired TV show, I’m certainly not going to stop them. I think I speak for every fan of the series when I say whether the show is a huge hit or a commercial failure, it wouldn’t tarnish my many years of appreciation I have for the series. In my mind the games would be very separate from the TV show and I am just extremely interested to see how it turns out. The show is an experiment at best, and it would be very difficult to truly “ruin” an entire video game series just because of one bad interpretation.

While Nintendo may have found most of their success with video games, they certainly aren’t afraid to step outside of their comfort zone. Before deciding on video games, they were everything from a playing card company, to a toy company, and even the more scandalous of choices, a love hotel -- so who’s to say they can’t also make a great TV show? Both Netflix and Nintendo have a long way to go before the Legend of Zelda TV show becomes a reality, let’s just hope the project isn’t killed off before then.

 

The Buzz About Blizzards

by Elizabeth Harrington

As I sit in my house wrapped in my fuzzy blanket, drinking hot cocoa and catching up on missed episodes of Downtown Abbey, I bask in the relaxation that snow days bring. The blizzard of 2015, which I am currently hiding out from has given me two days to relax much needed after midyears week.

 

But with this relaxation comes pure chaos between closed roads and power outages, just a few of the dire effects of blizzards. Supermarkets fill up, as people get ready to stock there refrigerators full of goods in preparation for being snowed in for days on end. The so called “Blizzard” of 2015 has been feeble compared to the famous blizzard of 1978 which began on February 5, 1978, dissipated February 7, and resulted in 1.88 billion dollars in damage. About 100 people were killed and 4,500 were injured during the blizzard where Boston received 23.6 inches of snow. If you are unsure about just how horrific the blizzard conditions were, you can surely ask either your parents or your grandparents and they can tell you all about it.

My inspiration for writing this blog came after my mom, Lauren Harrington, told me about her experience with the blizzard of ‘78. Students in Woburn were out of school for two weeks.  Harrington commented on the impact of all that snow.

 “If you were in your basement and looked out the window all you would see was snow…[and] sleds came in handy during those few weeks,” recalled Harrington.

 The extent of the damage seemed almost unimaginable as tens of thousands of people were forced to move to temporary emergency shelters. About twenty-five thousand houses were seriously damaged. About fifty four people were killed, mostly by falling power lines. A state of emergency was put into effect and the United States National Guard was brought in to help clear the roads so that transportation could start again. In total, it took six full days to clear the roads.

Cross Country skiing became extremely popular during those few days as it was the only way to get around. My mom explained to me that the only way to get down her driveway was to take a sled, then using temporary snow shoes that my grandpa made out of tennis rackets to walk on, despite that there was nowhere to go.

As much as I love to sit in and relax, it does get quite boring being trapped in the basement. After a few snow days, it’s always important to take into account just how dangerous these extreme storms can be. As I press play on the next episode, I wonder what it would have been like to be stuck in the blizzard of ‘78 and if the blizzard of 2015 is even close to a glimpse of what it was like.

Sources:

 

Sachtelben, Marilisa.“Winter storm Juno to hit on blizzard of 1978 anniversary.” Examiner.com.

27 Jan 2015.

Sakata, John. “Storm mirrors the blizzard of ‘78”. Eagle-Tribune. Eagletribute.com. 28 Jan 2015.

 

Have no fear for Valentines Day

by Julie O'Melia

The month of February is once again upon us. It seems that just yesterday we were all decorating our Christmas tree while A Christmas Story was being played in a never-ending marathon. February may be the shortest month, but it should not be looked over. February 14^th is the ominous date marked on everyone’s calendar. Some try to overlook it, only to fail because Valentine’s Day is seriously unavoidable. You can’t walk into a store without having your eyes blinded by a sea of Pepto-Bismol colored candy, balloons and stuffed animals. Everywhere, men are panicking because the upcoming holiday has slipped from their minds. They’re all thinking: wasn’t Christmas just yesterday? Suddenly you realize that not only have you forgotten about the ever-important holiday, you are also broke from spending so much on Christmas presents. If you fall into any of these categories, fear not, because there is hope for you.  There are plenty of easy and cheap Valentine’s Day ideas. They might not include a diamond necklace, but they should suffice.

No time to book a reservation? No problem. The best restaurant is your kitchen. Surprise your partner by cooking their favorite dinner, or baking some delicious treats. If you’re not into surprises, work together and make something that you both love. That way if it ends up tasting horrible, nobody’s to blame!

This idea is great for all of the busybodies out there that have no time to cook a meal. If you and your significant other are always stuck at work or practice, there’s nothing like coming out of a grueling practice or shift to a sweet surprise. Leave your partners favorite candy and a real Valentine’s Day card in the windshield of their car. This sweet and simple gesture is quick and easy, so you won’t be late for your own practice. If your partner doesn’t drive then that’s an easy fix. Simply leave your small surprise on their doorstep and make something to come home to.

For those of you who love the outdoors, ice-skating is the most perfect and romantic date idea. Venture to the scenic Frog Pond in Boston, and lace up. Not only is Frog Pond cheap, it’s also fun and little different from the typical movies-and popcorn type of dates. After spending hours in the freezing cold, grab a hot chocolate to end the night.

Everyone loves the beach, and just because it’s February doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it! Beaches are deserted during these cold months, so you will have the entire area to yourselves. Bundle up and take a walk down the shore, and look for any little sea creatures that might have washed up. After your little adventure drive until you find an open spot to eat. For example, Brown’s in Hampton Beach New Hampshire is open on the weekends all winter long. Not only is it cheap, it’s also fresh and delicious seafood.

Valentine’s Day is always marketed as a holiday about spending money, and trying to prove to someone how much you love them depending on the amount of money that you are willing to spend on them. Some find that the best way to show you love someone is to simply put in a little effort to show them that you care. By remembering that your partner happens to love Kit Kats, or taking time out of your busy day to leave them a surprise is something that they will keep with them longer than they would a piece of jewelry. Senior Lauren McCarthy shares her point of view on Valentine’s Day,

“I think the best gifts are the simplest ones. I’m not really interested in fancy things. Simple gifts are the kind that only people who really know you get you and that’s what makes them special,” said McCarthy.

Valentine’s Day is a day about appreciation, and you shouldn’t have to spend a ton of money to be appreciated.

How to tie a scarf

Video Transcript:

by Michaela Zelandi and Laura Zakrewski

Are you sick of all your outfits being drab?  Then get ready for fab!  Accessorizing with scarves can make you the focal point of every room.  Our first type of scarf is the infinity scarf, a circle.  First, you twist it so it’s shaped like an infinity sign.  Then, you fold it in half and put it around your neck, making sure the fold is in the back.  Our second type of scarf is the classic style.  First, you fold it in half.  Then, you put it around your neck and put two loose ends through the loop.  Another simple scarf style is the wraparound – no explanation needed.  This is the pretzel style.  First, fold it in half and put it around your neck.  Then, take one loose end through the loop, twist to create a smaller loop.  Put the other end through.  Looking good Sarah! All you have to do is put the scarf around your enck and through it over your shoulder for dramatic effect.   But how else could scarves be used?  Here comes Pam, modeling the newest European dog fashion, a scarf-leash.  With the current rate of obesity in the world, let’s not forget about exercise.  This scarf is perfect for jumping rope.  Is your phone ever ringing, but you’re just too lazy to get up and get it?  Then scarves can also be used as a lasso.  Scarves are like dogs, you can never have too many.

Smooth Sailing Through Midyears

by Emily Crampton

With January comes snow, cold and the new year, as well as the dreaded Midyear Exams. Midyear exams count for 20% of your semester grade, which can be good or bad for students. In a positive light, these exams give students a chance to bring up their grades. Unfortunately, these tests can also harm your good grades, causing students to drop letter grades for the semester. However, with some helpful tips, next week will be smooth sailing.

Talk to your teachers and do your study guides.

                When your teachers give you study guides, do them. Teachers know that will be on the tests best considering they created it. If you’re having an issue with a topic or need extra help, don’t be afraid to ask your teachers. They will most likely be willing to give you a few tips to succeed.

Don’t cram.

                Cramming is never a good idea, especially for Midyears. With so much information to understand and comprehend, there is no way you can learn everything you need to know in one night. Start studying a few days before, and you’ll be fine.

Get a good night’s sleep the night before.

                If you don’t sleep the night before your exam, you will be exhausted during the test. It’ll be harder for you to remember everything you learned, you won’t be able to focus, and you won’t be able to perform to the best of your ability. Throw back Thursday to the MCAS when teachers and administration told us constantly to get a good night’s sleep, make sure you listen.

Eat a good breakfast the morning of your exam.

                Again, as our previous teachers told us before the MCAS, make sure you eat a big, healthy, protein-filled breakfast the morning before your exam. You aren’t going to be able to focus on your test while your stomach is grumbling. Plus, with your stomach shouting of hunger, you’ll be distracting your classmates. Help yourself and your friends by having some eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, or whatever your heart desires.

Be on time.

                When you’re late, you’re stressing. In the craziness trying to rush to school, you can forget everything you know. Plus, when you walk in late you’ll miss test time, and also bother your fellow classmates. Do yourself a favor and be on time, at least just for this week.

Don’t stress.

                If you stress about these exams, there will be a good chance that you won’t be able to focus on your test. Relax and let your knowledge flow through your fingertips and onto your exam paper. These exams are just seven tests in your life, and there is a very good chance they won’t matter when you’re older. It is not the end of the world if you don’t get A’s on all of them, even though it seems like it might be right now.

                Next week may seem like a week from hell, but think on the bright side; we get out early, don’t have classes and don’t have homework. Don’t lose your mind over Midyears, and make sure to do the best you can. Good luck!

Is the "Music" in MTV Still Alive?

by Margarita Forbes

On Saturday, August 1, 1981, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, MTV launched with the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll” and played over footage of the first Space Shuttle launch countdown of Columbia; which took place earlier that year, and of the launch of Apollo 11. Those words were immediately followed by the original MTV theme song, which played over photos of the Apollo 11 moon landing, with the flag featuring MTV's logo of changing colors, textures, and designs. Next,  the first music video launched, The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star".  This was the official birth of Music Television.

The original purpose of MTV was to be "music television", playing music videos twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, guided by personalities known as video jockeys. The original taglines of the channel were "You'll never look at music the same way again," and "On cable. In stereo." Although the original MTV channel no longer plays music videos 24/7, several of its spin-off channels do, including MTV Hits and MTV Jams. Additionally, viewers could play music videos on-demand at MTV.com. MTV continues to support a broad selection of music videos on international channels. The network redefined the job description of a musician and created stars, giving acts like Madonna, Duran Duran, and Midnight Oil what may have been their first national exposure.  There is no doubt that the MTV Music Awards increased fame for now, well-known singers.  The MTV Music Awards is an award show to honor the best in the music video medium. Originally conceived as an alternative to the Grammy Awards, the annual MTV Video Music Awards ceremony has often been called the "The Super Bowl for youth" and draws millions of teens each year.    

However, MTV has evolved so completely that it's almost unrecognizable to how it was in the beginning, but although it's no longer predominantly in the business of airing videos, MTV remains a game-changing network.  For example, MTV is now most known it’s reality TV phenomenon such as The Hills, Catfish, 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, and of course, Jersey Shore. Reality TV became as much about storytelling as it was about documentary television. The very famous Jersey Shore series redefined the level of fame and salary reality stars could have. With new and controversial reality T.V. shows, the network proves its decades-long ability to "pervade American culture with its programming".

MTV may no longer play music videos, but that's because its audience now demands something different, which includes ridiculous, over-the-top reality T.V. When MTV launched, critics called it a "celebration of style over substance". Thirty years later, the network is rewarded for shows with "vapid behavior" of its reality stars despite their lack of talent.  MTV has, for 30 years, been growing up with the same audience, giving them what they want over the years.

           

Unbroken Can’t Be Broken

by Meaghan Angers
Louis Zamperini: an Olympic distance runner, an American World War II prisoner of war survivor, Christian inspirational speaker, and a hero. Zamperini was born in 1917 in Olean, New York to Italian immigrants Anthony and Louise. Zamperini, his older brother Pete, and two younger sisters Virginia and Sylvia moved to Torrance, California in 1919.

 

The family spoke no English and Zamperini would get into fights with the bullies. Pete, the star of the track team at Torrance High School, encouraged his brother to join him in order to keep him out of trouble. Zamperini’s career as a runner began. Throughout the last three years of high school, Zamperini was undefeated. In 1934, Zamperini ran a 4:42.2 minute mile, setting a world interscholastic record for the mile, and the following week won the CIF California State Meet championships. In 1936, Zamperini tried out for the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany and qualified to run the 5,000 meters as the youngest American qualifier. Zamperini finished eight in the race due to running his lap in 56 seconds. His final lap caught Adolf Hitler’s attention and shook Zamperini’s hand and stated, “Ah, you’re the boy with the fast finish.” After the Olympics, Zamperini attended the University of Southern California where in 1938 he set the national collegiate mile in 4:08 minutes. Zamperini running career earned him the nickname “Torrance Tornado”. Zamperini’s personal bests are 3:52.6 minutes in the 1500 meters, 4:08.3 minutes in the mile, and 14:46.8 minutes in the 5000 meters.

When World War II began, Zamperini gave up his dream of running the 1940 Olympics and enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in September 1941. Zamperini was deployed to the Pacific Island of Funafuti as a bombarded on the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber Super Man. In April 1943, the bomber was no longer flight-worthy and the crew was transferred to Hawaii. On May 27^th, 1943, the crew was sent on The Green Hornet on a search for a lost aircraft and crew, but the plane experience mechanical difficulties and crashed into the ocean. Russell Allen “Phil” Phillips, Francis “Mac” McNamara and Zamperini were the only three survivors on two rafts supplied with little food and no water. The men ate two albatrosses, small fish, and drank rainwater. Sharks swam and attack the raft numerous times and the men actually killed and ate one. On day 33, McNamara died. Finally on day 47, Zamperini and Phillips reached the Marshall Islands where the Japanese Navy captured them.

After being held at Kwajalein Atoll for 42 days, Zamperini was transferred to Tokyo’s Omori POW camp and later moved to Naoetsu POW camp in northern Japan. In Tokyo’s Omori POW, Zamperini met Mutsuhiro Watanabe or as the prisoners nicknamed him the “Bird”. Watanabe took a special interest in the American track star. Watanabe tortured Zamperini for the BLANK years due to the fact that he was an American Olympian. His acts of torture included every prisoner punch Zamperini in the face for not making false radio report about the Japanese POW camps to America and made him stand for 37 minutes holding a heavy wooden log over his head threatening to kill him if he dropped it. Zamperini was finally free of Wantanabe’s torture in August 1945 when the war ended. Watanabe was listed as number 23 of General Douglas MacArthur’s 40 most wanted war criminals in Japan.

On November 16^th, 2010 Laura Hillenbrand wrote Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Hillenbrand who was inspired by Zamperini’s story, wrote the biography of Zamperini. The biography received many awards and honors, including a New York Times bestseller. The novel was filled with vivid imagery that put the reader into the story. I personally enjoyed the book as it was inspiring and heart felt and the rest of the AP Language and Composition class would agree.

On September 30^th, 2013 Angelina Jolie’s idea to develop Hillenbrand’s book into a movie was approved by Universal Pictures and Jolie was named director. Although, the movie does not entail everything about Zamperini’s life, including focusing little of his running career and not describing his post-war life. I was disappointed to see little of Zamperini’s running career, as well as his post-war life was not described, except for showing him at the age of 80 at the Olympics. However, a major part of the book included Zamperini’s post-war life, including going back to Japan to meet Wantanabe, even though he refused to meet Zamperini. All in all, Jolie’s adaptation provides Zamperini’s life was great justice and the story remained to be inspirational and heart felt. His story will continue to inspire others. The movie is currently placed at number three and has grossed a domestic total of $87.8 million.