By: Chris Acampora and Kristen Plahn

Trump was a Democrat?

According to CNN, in 2004 Donald Trump told them that, “In many cases, I probably identify more as Democrat.” What is most shocking is his response to whether Hillary Clinton would do a good job in making a deal with Iran over their nuclear weapons program. “Hillary’s always surrounded herself with very good people. I think Hillary would do a good job,” he told CNN back then. It’s surprising to hear this especially when headlines like this come up: “Clinton, Trump trade insults as rhetoric heats up between front-runners.”

Trump’s Addiction to Twitter!

Donald Trump has recently been sending at least 40 tweets a day! Trump is definitely “high energy!” Jeb Bush, who Trump has considered, “low energy,” tweets less than 10 times a day.

Here are a few of Donald Trump’s recent memorable quotes!

October 26: Remember that Carson, Bush and Rubio are VERY weak on illegal immigration. They will do NOTHING to stop it. Our country will be overrun!

October 25: Ben Carson has never created a job in his life (well, maybe a nurse). I have created tens of thousands of jobs, it’s what I do.

October 24: @JebBush had a tiny 300 person crowd at Senator Tim Scott’s forum. I had thousands, and they had real passion!

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If Donald Trump cares so much about the people of America, then why does he want to eliminate vaccinations that keep thousands of people from getting sick? He says, “It happened to somebody that worked for me recently. I mean, they had this beautiful child, not a problem in the world, and all of the sudden they go in and they get this monster shot . . . they pump this into this little body and then all of the sudden the child is different a month later.” In reality, vaccinations, or, the ‘monster shot,’ save millions of people. Despite assurances from the CDC and research in scientific journals debunking any link between autism and vaccines, a movement opposed to existing vaccine protocols has taken root in the U.S., and Trump supports it.

But despite not wanting vaccinations in America, Trump still has been able to provide jobs to people who need them. Does that give you enough courage to vote for him though? We need a president who we can count on as a good and strong leader, not one who speaks of change for the better and the outcome is worse than before. Can we count on him?

Informal Poll: To Trump or Not to Trump

We asked some people around HHS if Donald Trump would make a good president if he won. Though our sample was small, the majority said that he would not be a good POTUS. Of the 12 students we surveyed, 10  said no, with one answering yes and one conceding “possibly.”

Of the 12, 10 said that they wouldn’t want Trump to win, one said yes to Trump, and one said possibly because, he “wanted to see how fast America will go downhill.”

A question for you is, who do you agree with? The yes group? The no group? Or, if you dare, the possibly group?

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Trump also has some good things going for him. He says what others candidates are afraid to say and speaks his mind. He also has lots of business experience that could boost the American economy. But what most voters need to realize is that the next president will affect Americans for the next 4-8 years! So maybe he’s fun to laugh at now, but American politics is no comedy! In the long run, a Trump presidency would likely turn our laughter to tears.

Have something you want to say, let your voice be heard in the comments below

Submitted anonymously by an HHS student

Growing up is a hard thing for many kids to do, especially when  life they seem to get everything handed to them. Moving to a new town showed me that no matter where you go, or no matter who you know, there are always going to be ignorant people.

All my life I’d lived in Marshfield, moving from house to house within the town. I always wished we would move out of the town, just to get a fresh start and not really know anyone. Unlike most teenagers, not knowing anyone and switching schools didn’t scare me or make me nervous. I saw it as okay. These people wouldn’t know me, I wouldn’t know them. I thought people would just mind their business and not really worry about me and what I’m doing. Well, I thought wrong.

Moving to Hanover, I figured people don’t know me or anything about me so they can’t really judge me or say anything that will offend me. Once again, I was very wrong.

I didn’t know until my first day of school that basically everyone drives to school or has friends/family to give them rides. I don’t have my license, I didn’t have friends here, and my mother works a 9­-5 job. So when the bell rings at 2:16, everyone’s running out to get in their cars and I’m starting my walk home. At the beginning, no one really taunted me about walking, but as time went on there would be the occasional beep of the horn at me, and people waving a d laughing. No matter who you are or what people know about you, it won’t protect you from some people. If making fun of you is what will make those people cool, then that’s what they are going to do.

Ignorance is lacking knowledge or awareness in general, being uneducated or unsophisticated. Just about all teenagers nowadays are very ignorant, especially ones who are not exposed to real world everyday struggles. I matured at a very young age, if I do say so myself. I get complimented very often about how mature I am for my age or just get mistaken for being much older than I really am. It’s not very hard for me to speak in an adult manner to people who are just the same age as me. I’ve had experiences that most teenagers are not exposed to, especially in seeing my family struggle. Now I’m not saying no one else has gone through these struggles, or no one else is mature. But from what I’ve been exposed to, not many teenagers are really aware of the things they say and do. I expect teenagers between the ages 16­ -18 to have matured past the age of 15. They should be aware of the effects they will have on people and their surroundings from the things they say and do.

The taunting became more frequent and a little bit more humorless. The first time when someone actually got to me and bothered me happened just a couple weeks ago. I was walking down the street on my way home minding my own business. One car drives by, then a couple more, but then one car didn’t just drive by. They had to slow down, stick their head out the sunroof, and scream “Nice ******* car” while beeping the horn and laughing.

Now I was more than ready to punch these kids in the face, but then I realized that would be just as ignorant as them yelling at me, even though they really deserved it. The rest of my walk home, I could not stop thinking about why they thought that was okay. Or did they think I wouldn’t recognize them when I saw them in school the next day? But I did, and it was very hard for me to not stoop to their level and confront them about it. But I wasn’t going to do it, I was the bigger person and just continued to mind my own business. Even though those kids don’t even know my first name, this was all an act to make their buddies laugh. Never did they think of why I was walking or anything in the general idea. To them it was funny, and it gave them a good laugh. That is pure ignorance, not being aware of the situation and continuing to laugh at and ridicule people. These boys are 17­-18 years old, and still find it funny that someone is WALKING. It blows my mind that seeing someone walking home is this significant to their life. Me walking down the street has no impact on their life, made no change in the road they drive on, nothing at all. These boys will one day run into the wrong person, and really learn their lesson. That may not be today or tomorrow, but it will happen.

Even though you may have things other people don’t have, and that may make you think you’re better, you should always think before you speak. You never know what someone is going through, or the situation someone is in. You will never really grow up and mature unless you put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

As of this week, I’ve been at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a month. Honestly, summer in Hanover working at my friend’s company seems like it was a lifetime away at this point. RPI is in Troy, NY, a suburb of Albany about 3 hours from Hanover. An apt comparison for people around here would be Boston and Cambridge, albeit a little more industrial and gritty. Troy is a very fun city to live in and it’s nice to walk around Downtown at night with still many businesses open and running. Orientation Week went by slowly, but as soon as classes started, life picked up pace dramatically. I find myself staying up until midnight consistently in order to get everything done and still have time to get out and be with friends. It’s been fun to make all new friends and have a sort of fresh start at everything. I have met people from all over the country and even a fair number of international students. It makes you realizes how small Hanover really is in the grand scheme of the world and it’s given me a whole new perspective on people. Suffice it to say, my experience at RPI so far has been quite a ride.

Even with taking only four classes, the workload has surpassed anything Hanover ever assigned me. Though that is probably the case at any college, no one realizes how easy they have it in high school. At the risk of sounding cliche, taking a senior year schedule with real classes does make a difference in being ready for college. For instance, the Calculus 2 class I’m taking right now literally picks up right where Mrs. Gallotti’s Calculus AB class left off with integration by parts. Physics 2 at RPI also overlaps Doc’s curriculum extensively, especially in the spring when he gets into electricity and magnetism. I know both of those classes can be hard and, at many times, extremely frustrating but it’s worth sticking with them because that’s the level that my college courses expect you to have from day one.

Outside of classes, I’m amazed by the sheer number of things happening on campus at any time.  There are so many clubs you can join, both professional and more fun-oriented. I’ve gotten involved with RPI’s student newspaper (The Polytechnic), Pep Band,  Symphonic Band, and even the RPI branch of the IEEE (my major is Electrical Engineering). The Poly (www.poly.news) covers the events occurring around campus and also seeks to keep RPI administration accountable by reporting on their major decisions. It’s a great model for The Indian, in my opinion. Pep Band performs at home football and hockey games and travels away to a couple of hockey games every year.

Yes, this is college and there are parties and other “extracurricular activities,” as I’ve always jokingly referred to them. Part of the experience in the first month is to find the perfect balance between having fun and getting work done, something that I am still trying to find. I find making that balancing act is a part of growing up and becoming a real adult.

College has been very fun so far and I encourage all seniors to get away from Hanover and experience the world outside of Southeastern Mass. Being away from your family and current set of friends lets you find out who you really are and really grow as a person. I’ve only been at RPI for a month and I won’t be back to Hanover until Thanksgiving, so I have bit of time for “personal growth” still ahead of me.

Only one thing is certain about the high school experience, the fact that the end of senior year and graduation come all too soon. You go from being kings of the school to being thrust out into the real world having to make your own way in life. It’s a scary thought because while you have accomplished much to get the fine achievement of graduation, everyone is all of a sudden equalized by the school of hard knocks. All faux-philosophy aside, I want to be able to formally say good bye to a group that has given me so much over the past two years.

Being the senior Editor in Chief this year for newspaper has been one of my best high school experiences. I have watched newspaper grow immensely this year. It is the perfect continuation of what started my junior year. Officially, I was the News and Web Editor but I couldn’t just silo my efforts to those two things. We started off using a third party host and while it was good initially, it quickly failed to meet the needs of our growing club.  Halfway through the year, The Indian transitioned to being hosted internally at the high school – on the same server that hosts our sister publication Hanover Literary Magazine as well as the Hanover Public Schools website – using a server that was found literally collecting dust on the floor in the school’s main data closet. Mundane technical details aside, I am proud to say that The Indian has enjoyed the full support of the Hanover Schools. District and high school administration have answered our questions and have fully supported our efforts to report on the myriad of issues affecting the life of the student body here in Hanover.

This year, The Indian has gotten to the point where we write new articles on a weekly basis. We’ve also introduced a Teacher Spotlight and Student on the Street section. Matt Barresi, with the help of Peter Palmer, has led a very comprehensive sports section and every school sports team was covered at least once. Our social media footprint has greatly expanded to include a very active Twitter account, Facebook page, and Instagram account. We’ve also done a number of publicity stunts, whether it be giving away free hot chocolate or candy canes to students coming in the morning. You’ve all seen the mini frisbees we had made with the school logo on them and have probably used our pens. Our staff has also gone on two trips: one to a Celtics game to hear their media staff give a panel presentation and another to the New England Scholastic Press Association conference at Boston University where we won an “Excellence in Publishing” award for this website.

I have to thank the small, but dedicated staff of The Indian for really committing to such an aggressive schedule. First, I can thank Andrea Bilton for being willing to take over in my role next year and for being the junior Editor in Chief this year. I know I’ll be leaving The Indian in the hands of amazing leadership. I also thank the rest of the staff: seniors Mackenzie Welch, Matt Barresi and Eric Carey; juniors Cate Marchetti, Jill Drummy, Callie MacDonald and Peter Palmer; sophomore Lauren Bilton; and freshmen Kristen Marchetti and Pierce Ghostlaw. Without their diligent efforts there would be nothing to publish. Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. McHugh for her invaluable professional journalism experience and unwavering support as our adviser for the past two years.

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Andrea Bilton and I got a number of pictures together and I figured this goodbye piece would be woefully incomplete without collecting them all. I’ve purloined them from a variety of social media sources including the HHS Indian twitter and various Instagram accounts.

Well, it’s that time that I honestly did not see coming, it was pretty much like a slap in the back of the head. I won’t go long with my introduction other than to thank you for tolerating my strange writing style and it’s been a delight writing for this newspaper. Lastly, this article isn’t just my advice, I asked some of my dear friends what they wish they would’ve known and I’ve included their advice in my article. Here ya go, fair winds HHS Indian.

Things we wish we would’ve known before entering high school:

1. High School Musical is a LIE

2. Don’t take high school too seriously

3. Take Risks. Join clubs, audition for plays, try out for a sports team, etc

4. Don’t be friends with people only in your grade

5. Be cautious of some of the cafeteria food

6. One grade is just that: one grade

7. Don’t become romantically desperate

8. Be friendly with your teachers, or at least learn how to get along with them

9. If you don’t understand something, immediately ask for help, don’t just sit there in utter confusion

10. Do your best to stay focused but it’s OK to take a break every once in while

11. Don’t overwork yourself

12. Love yourself. Seriously. And a good way to improve self love is to love the people around you.

13. Your friends will change a lot, and so will your friend groups

14. Time management makes a difference

15. You will argue with your parents, but don’t make them your ultimate enemy

16. It’s okay to spend time alone

17. Follow what you like, rather than what is cool

18. Don’t slack off your junior year

The request seemed innocent enough: two senior boys politely seeking players for the annual battle of wills between HHS staff and the graduating class during the final days of school. If it had been Whiffle ball, kickball, or even flag football, I might have joined in. But it was dodgeball, a game where the primary objective is to hurl a large rubber ball as hard as you can at an opponent. A game that leaves many participants with the imprint of those balls on the side of their faces. A game that, at a very young age, scarred me for life.

It probably goes without saying, given my talents coaching freshman volleyball last fall and my prowess leading my daughter’s U10 town softball team, but I was pretty athletic growing up. I climbed trees, rode my bike, tagged along with my older brothers when they played baseball or went sledding down treacherous ravines. In high school, I lettered in volleyball and track. In college, I rowed on the crew team. Hard work, long hours of practice,  and the effort to master new skills did not deter me from sports. Sore muscles, bumps and bruises did not scare me away.

But dodgeball is a whole other beast. I’d hardly call it a sport, despite the existence of competitive tournaments parodied in the great Ben Stiller-Vince Vaughn movie “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.” Sure, there’s some skill involved, some athleticism –you’ve got to be able to throw and catch, and agile enough to jump out of the way. But to me, dodgeball has always been a viscous exercise in rage,  where the strong prey on the weak and the winner is the one who can knock down everyone else with brute force. Even the most well-meaning players can get caught up in the frenzy.

I can still remember like it was yesterday, the day I swore off dodgeball forever. It was summer camp before junior high.  We did arts and theater and then burned off excess energy playing sports. One rainy day, we were confined to the gym and the game chosen by campers was dodgeball. I’m not sure what had distracted me, but I looked away from the game for just a moment. I was rudely returned to reality when the red rubber ball slammed into the side of my face. Stinging from shock as well as pain, I burst into tears and ran from the gym, a few kids laughing as I made my escape.

Not my proudest moment, but one that still lives vividly in my mind. I do not like dodgeball. I do not want my child to play dodgeball. I am one of “those” parents who think dodgeball should be banned in schools. I don’t think playing it is good exercise or harmless fun. I see it as a game where the weak or lesser skilled are targeted. That happens enough in life. We don’t need to encourage it in our children’s play.

Full disclosure: I’ll admit that I laugh through the Dodgeball movie every time it’s on, and have been known to quote  “if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” But I love that movie because it skewers the game and its ridiculous extremes. Plus, Ben Stiller’s character is such an absurd cartoon, it’s hard not to laugh.

So — not that anyone asked — that is why I will not be playing in the staff versus seniors dodgeball game on Thursday (May 21). I don’t want to get hit in the face. I don’t want to hit anyone else in the face. I don’t want to be the last person standing on a team when three or four opponents are closing in. Call me a softy, but I think a game of kickball or Whiffle ball is more friendly, more democratic. When a senior class challenges the staff to one of those contests, I’ll be the first to sign up. Til then, I’ll stay safe and sound and far, far away.

We’ve made it! In the next few weeks, the 2014-2015 school year will be coming to a close and summer will thankfully return. On the first day of vacation, it seems like the warm weather will linger indefinitely, but the weeks seem to have a sneaky way of flying by and for some reason September reappears on the calender in the blink of an eye. The best way to fully embrace summer is to pack each day with activities that you’ll remember long after the pools have been covered and flip-flops packed away. Day trips are usually inexpensive and don’t require a lot of travel, but still provide a chance to get away from regular life and see new things! Hanover is the perfect location for easy access to numerous memorable day trip destinations you’re sure to love.

1. Chatham, Cape Cod

Visiting Cape Cod anytime from June to August will surely provide you with a hefty dose of New England summer. Late nights on the dock, fried clams, boat rides: the Cape has it all. One of my favorite areas to visit is Chatham, located only 40 minutes away. A cute downtown shopping square will set you up with everything you need for the day: a book for the beach from the Chatham Bookstore, penny candy from Candy Manor, and many great restaurants and cafes to choose from. This little town boasts more than just a beach (although it is certainly not to difficult to spend a day in the sun on those sandy dunes), Chatham has its own wildlife refuge, offers boat rides out to Monomoy Island, and even claims two large museums: The Old Atwood House Museum and the Chatham Railroad Museum. If you are feeling active, bring your bike and pedal for as much (or as little) of the 20 mile Rail Trail as you would like. This bike-only trail winds through the woods on the path of what was once an old railroad.

2. The Newport Mansions

Located an hour and a half away in Newport, Rhode Island, this is definitely a trip worth taking at some point in your life. A collection of nine “houses” (that term used loosely), the mansions were built as summer cottages for the wealthiest businessmen of the Gilded Age and their families.  These architectural wonders are no mere bungalows; owned by families including the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, these houses certainly have the wow-factor going for them. With tours that lead you through sprawling gardens, grand ballrooms, servants quarters, and dignified libraries, you can get a glimpse into the lives of America’s richest in the early 1900s. After touring the estates, it’s only a two minute drive to the city of Newport where you can get lunch on the water!

3. College Tour in Boston

Although they hate to admit it, incoming seniors and freshmen do have one thing alike: they will both have to participate in the college search. This prospect can seem daunting to many, but taken one school at a time, narrowing down your list is really quite simple. Boston is under an hour away from Hanover, and houses some of the best schools in the country. Boston College, Boston University, Emerson College, Northeastern University, Harvard College, Berklee College of Music, and Tufts University are all located within a 20-mile radius of each other, not to mention tens of others. With so many diverse schools to choose from, you’re bound to find something you like. This summer is the perfect opportunity for a day in Boston touring the many schools it has to offer and exploring the city!

4. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth is a really fun waterfront town in New Hampshire with lots to fill your day. Just two hours drive north of us, this little town has artsy galleries, cute boutiques, and restaurants galore. If you are into history, there are many historic house museums open for tours all summer. Prescott Park in the center of town is the perfect place to grab an ice cream and sit with a good book or do some people watching. The city’s location on the water is perfect for taking a boat cruise out to the lighthouse or taking a ride on one of Portsmouth’s famous tugboats!

5. The North End

Famous to all New Englanders for its Italian heritage, the North End is the place to be on religious festival days. The processions and celebrations begin on June 1st with a feast for Santa Maria Di Anzano and don’t end until early October. Taking the train into the North End on one of these days is a guaranteed good time. Any restaurant  you find will have delicious Italian food, and you can pick up homemade gelato from a street vendor for walking around the city. The best part of the night is seeing the streets decorated in Italian flags and watching the people show their ancestral pride.