News

This is Not the End!

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So, here I am. Last day of classes, last day of caring, last true day of high school. High school, oh what a time. Seven hours a day with hundreds of other kids in the same position as me, confused. We’re confused why we’re here, what we’re doing, the whole point of it all. Confusion can sometimes lead to anger and I felt plenty of that during my stay here. But I’m older now, and a lot smarter. I know to not look back in anger at this place. The amount of good and growth this school has shown me and offered me far outweighs the bad.

When I first stepped in here I was afraid. I was afraid because I didn’t know who I was or what was going to happen. I’m still afraid because I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I know who I am now and so does most of the school. I don’t show it, but I am very sad about leaving this place. I have made so many friends with both students and staff, and leaving them seems painful to me. I don’t care about the grades or the elite clubs. I care about the connections I’ve made with people because those mean more to me than any test grade ever could. I need others to be alive, what I mean by that is without people to entertain, I’m hollow. I like making people emote or have a reaction and what better place to do this than a place where those things are frowned upon. Being different is not bad, emotion and reaction are not bad. As much as you may feel that standing out even a little is bad, it’s not. I’ve done so much by standing out and I wouldn’t be who I am without embracing the part of me that’s weird. You guys helped me do that and for that I am infinitely thankful.

This isn’t that profound or groundbreaking and I know that maybe I just felt this necessary to make Mrs. McHugh happy that I wrote another article, or so that people will see me as a writer and not just a goon. The truth is, I’m writing this because I’m going to miss you all so much, my friends, my teachers, and I have trouble showing such emotion so this is my way of letting it all out. Truly, I’m a little choked up writing this at the moment, but I need to, and I also need to say that I love all you guys, really. So this is it, the last sentence, last long-winded article, last goodbye . . . thank you.

Entertainment

Pitch Perfect 2: Movie Review

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It’s fair to say we missed the Bellas and the rest of the cast of Pitch Perfect when they were gone. This past Friday, however, the sequel was released in theaters and pleased fans with a new soundtrack, new faces, and more Fat Amy.

Sequels tend to be given a bad rap for not measuring up to the original, particularly if the original was universally well-liked. So, it’s always with some apprehension that the viewers prepare themselves for the second movie. In fact, the true measure of the quality of a filmmaker seems to depend on how well their second production turns out.

But the producers of Pitch Perfect 2 skillfully created a brand new plot which added to the original storyline, rather than taking away from it. Anna Kendrick returned to her role as Beca, this time a senior at Barden University. It’s the last year for the Barden Bellas, an all-girls a capella group, so the pressure’s on when they’re suspended from singing opportunities after Fat Amy accidentally bares all on stage. It’s the last wish of the Bellas to redeem themselves by winning the worldwide singing competition. However, they’re faced with some tough German rivalry—an a cappella group who call themselves Das Sound Machine. Through adversity, the girls are able to remember who they are and reestablish their harmony, which ultimately allows them to become the world champions.

Although this movie is filled with tongue-in-cheek comedy and left the audience laughing at every moment, it also taught a valuable lesson on the importance of knowing the people who you are working with and also letting them know who you are. This is a repeated theme from the first film, where Beca had a problem with pushing people away. Luckily for the Barden Bellas, they figure it out just in time to remember their roots and harmonize perfectly, wowing the fictional audience as well as the theater viewers.

Pitch Perfect 2 also offered a fresh new soundtrack of cover songs, just as catchy and uniquely done as the first movie’s soundtrack. Included in the mix were songs by Miley Cyrus, MIKA, Pitbull, Carrie Underwood, and even Elvis Presley.

Exciting, goofy, but still forcing you to keep your eyes on the screen, Pitch Perfect 2 made sure everyone leaving had one thing on their mind—when is Pitch Perfect 3 coming out?

Opinion

Scarred for Life: Why I Can’t Play in Seniors vs Staff Dodgeball Game

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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.

dballFull 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.

News

Students Engineer Model Homes, Playhouses for Charity

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Mrs. Borgeson’s Engineering 1 and 2 classes have been hard at work on some special projects in the past couple of months. You have probably seen bits and pieces of them around the school but are probably wondering about some of the specifics behind them. Or at least I was, so I did a bit of investigation to find out exactly what the lowdown was.

Engineering 1 – Scale Model Home Competition

Engineering 1 classes, which are mostly freshmen, participated in a competition to build the best scale model home. The goal for students was to envision their dream home and then actually build a imagescale model of it. It afforded students the opportunity to practice spatial reasoning skills and gave them a way to use math to make something with their hands. A larger goal of the engineering program in general is to apply math and science toward making useful things. The kits used in this process were donated by a grant from the Hanover Foundation for Educational Enrichment. These kits were very similar to what professional architects use when they make scale models of real buildings.

Once all of the student teams assembled their houses, they were put on display in the multipurpose room, where the staff of HHS voted on the winners, listed below.

  1. Mike Stevenson and Josh Letizia
  2. Will McLaughlin and Will Folan
  3. Olivia Norris

Engineering 2 – Playhouses for Habitat for Humanity

Engineering 2 classes, which are mostly sophomores, have been building playhouses for the past several weeks. There are 10 playhouses being built in total. Two of them are going to the Habitat for Humanity house being built on Center St. and the other eight are being sold with the proceeds going toward either Habitat or a fund to buy materials to make these houses every year. Yes, you heard that right, it will be a recurring project every year! You can see their work in progress near the baseball field outside of the engineering fabrication lab.

The process started when teams of students designed the playhouses in AutoCad. AutoCad is a program used by all architectural and engineering firms to draw out plans for their projects. In addition to making an AutoCad model, students also had to make a physical scale model similar to the Engineering 1 project IMG_0568described above. One of the requirements of the modeling process was that students had to build their houses with a budget of $370. If that requirement was not met, students had to redesign until their models could be made under that figure.

As of the writing of this article, students are building their scale model houses with the help of Mr. Faria. Faria teaches Engineering 3 and 4, taken by juniors and seniors, respectively. Students learned how real houses are framed and built in order to copy the process on these smaller play houses. One of Mrs. Borgeson’s goals for these students is for them to have the ability to help design or build a shed at home for their families. The materials for those houses were provided by Home Depot, who gave the school a special discount and delivered the materials for free.

In addition to building in class, on Saturday May 23 and May 30 from 10-5, students will be meeting at HHS in order to finish their houses. All students are invited to come and help build; attendance will count toward mandatory community service hours for those students who still need them. Anyone interested in coming should contact Mrs. Borgeson at pborgeson@hanoverschools.org with any questions.

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News

Poetry Slam Comes to HHS

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This past Thursday (May 7), Hanover High School hosted its own poetry slam featuring the poetry of faculty and students. Sponsored by the Hanover High School Literary Magazine (www.hanoverlitmag.com) and the HHS Indian newspaper group, the event displayed the incredible talents of almost a dozen performers.

Senior David Raab emceed the occasion along with the help of junior Angela Mirisola. To start off the evening, snacks were served while music played softly in the background. After the crowd had filled up the multipurpose room in the high school, Raab announced the first guest. Mrs. Hughes, assistant principal at Hanover Middle School, began the night with a hopeful, touching poem called “Moving Ahead.” High school poetry teacher Mr. Hopkins rose next to share a few intriguing works including one poem titled “There was that Night.”

The audience sat eagerly as each poet entered the spotlight to deliver creative, descriptive and emotional pieces. Mirisola presented a beautifully written poem herself, painting a picture with her words for keen listeners. The night was very special for the performers—it was a time not to compete for the best poem, but rather one where each person could simply share a beautifully crafted piece of themselves. Many of the reciters read their own poetry—like senior Lindsay Glover, who expertly performed a heartfelt, genuine poem titled “This is a True Story.” Jill Drummy, a junior, also performed a moving original piece.

Along with sophomore Lauren Bilton, Drummy recited a powerful work by W.D. Snodgrass called “A Locked House.” Despite its mysterious essence, the two girls were able to unlock the poem’s wisdom and eloquence in their excellent ability to present it. Other performers included junior Sarah Kelly, who got the audience thinking hard when she gave a beautiful recitation of the surprisingly hopeful poem, “Why I Think the World Should End” by Prince Ea. Andrea Bilton, a junior like Kelley, presented some of her own work and captivated the audience. One of her well-expressed works was “Under the Influence of a Dream.”

As the night came to a close, sophomore Julia Goslin and junior Chloe Minnehan sparked a grand finale. Goslin enthralled the crowd with several poems, including a moving piece titled “Injustice.” Minnehan entered the spotlight next and recited Shane Koyczan’s “The Crickets Have Arthritis,” a hopeful, heartbreaking poem about one man’s experience at a hospital.

As the event neared closing time, Raab announced the winner of a raffle sponsored by the event. The lucky one chosen would win a year’s supply of bread from Panera Bread. The bread went to performer Chloe Minnehan—a well deserving recipient! All in all, the night was a showcase of the excellent talent of the students of Hanover High School, both reciters and performers alike.

Entertainment

The Day A Rental Van Swallowed My iPhone

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ATTENTION: You’re about to read about a recent field trip I attended. But please note, this is NO review. This is my field trip horror story. Also please note, I LOVED the trip so please know that my story is completely irrelevant to my feelings toward and about Boston University. This is just a short story about a tiny fraction of my newspaper field trip experience.

About a week ago, HHS News Club got the outstanding opportunity to take a field trip to Boston University for the New England Scholastic Press Association annual conference. Not every single club member was able to attend, but the majority of us were, and we news club1had a blast. At 7 in the morning, eight of us piled into a large white van driven by none other than Mrs. McHugh, and we went from there. Callie MacDonald, who was riding shotgun, was constantly changing the radio stations (which I truly enjoyed because I love a nice song change every so often). Overall, I was enjoying the van ride, peacefully gazing out the window. However, if I could change one thing, it would be the loud growling noise that was emanating from my stomach. On this beautiful Friday, Andrea and I had woken up late, per usual, so I wasn’t able to get the multi-grain bagel at Dunkin Donuts that I was expecting.

So anyway, here I am in the van, stomach growling, sitting with my left side pressed against the interior of the van. There was a pull-out cup holder next to me, and beside that was a little black slot which looked like what used to be a cigarette disposal. However, the plastic part was ripped out and it was just a black rectangular slot into the van. After being in the van for a while, my hands grew tired of holding my phone, and I casually looked around for somewhere to put it. I don’t know what exactly what was going on in my mind at this moment, but I had an impulse and, before you knew it, my iPhone 5s was being shot down the black “cigarette disposal” slot. I heard my phone slide down the metal “bones” of the van and then I heard it drop to the bottom. Trying to stay calm, I laughed it off and acted as though I didn’t care that my phone was gone forever. Most everyone in the van was laughing at me and teasing me because I mistook the “slot-of-no-return” for an “iPhone cubby.” Nevertheless, we were on the highway and there really was nothing we could do about my phone disappearing into the void. We all lowered our voices as I dialed my number on Andrea’s phone. I let out a sigh of relief when I could just barely hear my ringtone playing from inside the bottom of the van. To me it sounded less like a ringtone and more like crying. I like to think that my phone is my “baby” and at this moment it needed me, and i needed it.

After the rest of my iPhone-less van ride, we arrived at the parking garage for Boston University. Leaving my phone all alone while I spent a day in Boston was not ideal, but I had no other choice. Throughout the day I would reach into my purse hoping that my phone would somehow be in there, but sadly I would find nothing but gum wrappers and dirty coins. I felt a sense of emptiness. Hours had gone by with my phone still in the van. A whole day at Boston University and I had not texted, tweeted, instagrammed, snap chatted, or even taken a picture.

Fast forward a few hours, and the HHS News Club was back in the van for the drive home. We all sat in the same seats as before, again with my shoulder pressed tightly against the left side interior. For the whole ride back to Hanover, I argued with my own thoughts, telling myself to stop worrying. I pondered how I would confess to my parents that my iPhone had been swallowed by a rental van. One part of me believed I shouldn’t worry, that my phone would be back in my hands in no time, while the other part of me was already brainstorming how much money I would need for a new one. A small frown stained my face as we pulled into the high school parking lot. My phone was gone.

As everyone hopped out of the van, they wished me a good luck and waved a goodbye. “Let me check this out,”IMG_4306 said the determined Mrs. McHugh as she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out of the driver’s seat. Mrs. McHugh came into the back of the van, looked over the area where my phone dropped, and pried open the entire side. MRS. MCHUGH SAVED THE DAY. None of us ever thought I would see my phone again. I can honestly say Mrs. McHugh saved my phone, and my whole life basically. For anybody who knows me, you know that I have a hard time going a few hours without my phone. Thank you Mrs. Mchugh! I will never forget this “interesting” day.

Epilogue, by Mrs. McHugh: About a week later, Lauren got locked out of her phone and had to reset everything. She lost her contacts, her pictures, everything. Lauren, I’m sorry that I could not save the day when you needed it again.

Opinion

Summer Day Trip Ideas

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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.

News

Senior Prom: A Night that Lived in Infamy

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Senior Prom was last Friday (May 8th) at the Venezia in Boston. However, the festivities of prom began long before the busses arrived at the venue. Starting at 5:30, there was a red carpet event at the High School where everyone could walk in and get their pictures taken by none other than Mr. Ryerson. It was a perfect opportunity for people to see the seniors all dressed and ready to have a great time.  By the time the busses arrived at 6 pm, everyone was ready to leave their parents and siblings behind and embark on a night of fun as a senior class.

The first three busses quickly made it to the Venezia but the last bus broke down while leaving the high school and a replacement had to be dispatched at the last minute. When the last bus finally arrived at the venue, many of the occupants were greeted by uproarious applause as it meant that the dance could finally begin. Before I could even put my fork down after dinner was served, the DJs started to get people out onto the dance floor. Within about 10 minutes, the tables were deserted and everyone was getting it down on the dance floor. It might sound cliche, but the senior class really came together and everyone really got into dancing, my date and I certainly included.

An important part of every prom is the announcement of the prom court, which is decided by the chaperones in attendance. Guys included Patrick Turpin, Jon Crespi, and Devin Depauw. The girls were Dominque Notarangelo, Hannah Joy, and Olivia Deltufo. The prom king was Andrew Martin and the queen was Amy Leonard.

A special thanks should go out to the senior class officers: Mike Vigneaux (President), Molly Minnehan (Vice President), Nick Ricciarelli (Treasurer), and Andrew Nelson (Secretary) for spending most of the year planning the festivities. The event also would not have been possible without the class advisors Mr. Hegarty and Mr. Rodday as well.

Senior Prom is one of those many rites of passage that marks the end of high school and the beginning of life beyond the walls of HHS. It’s sort of bittersweet for me to realize that this will be my last school dance at HHS. On a positive note, everyone I talked to, whether they went with a traditional date or a group of friends, had an amazing time.

If you have any pictures that I can include in this gallery, please email them to me at draab15@hanoverstudents.org or Mrs. McHugh at smchugh@hanoverschools.org

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News

Guess the Teacher Contest Answers!!

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Thanks to all the students, teachers and staff who supported News Club and the Lit Mag by entering our contest. It was a close race. The winner of the $20 gift card to Dunkin Donuts was Karen Bernier with 16 correct answers.

Sports

Softball Fighting to be Successful

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The Indians’ Softball  team has a good mix of seasoned veterans and inexperienced players, which has gotten them off to a reputable start. Despite quite a few tough losses, the team’s talent and determination should help them rise to the top as the season progresses. With the help of colleague and team ace Callie MacDonald, here’s a look at how the season has been going.

The team is 7-3, a very good record when you take into account the difficulty of the Patriot League. They have had some really tough losses in extra innings games where, if a couple things had gone their way, they would have been victorious. According to MacDonald, their toughest game was against Middleboro. The game went 10 innings and they eventually fell to the Sachems 5-3. It was tough because after 10 innings in softball, an international tiebreaker is used. The international tiebreaker is when the each inning kicks off with a runner starting on 2nd base for the team batting.  Middleboro is a big rival when it comes to softball so it was a tough loss, but the Indians will get another crack at them.

Hanover has had some big wins as well. According to Callie, a somewhat recent victory over Whitman-Hanson was their best and most memorable win. “The game started off terrible,” she said. “We gave up a lot of hits and errors, leaving us down by seven.  We didn’t let that get into our heads.  We pulled it together and won in the last inning, 11 to 9.” The Indians have shown great resiliency all year and in this game it payed off for them.

A lot of team members are playing some great softball right now. Callie and Lindsay North have been leading the way at the plate, both hitting .670 coming into the week. They have been strongly reinforced by co-captains Steph Spitz, who has been good at the dish and in the field, and Kayla McMahon, who has an incredible three grand slams on the season, including two  in one game. Caroline O’Rourke has been good behind the plate this year, allowing very few past balls while having a quick pop time.

The toughest stretch of the year is behind the Indians and they came out of it in good shape. The team  has a good chance of making it into tournament play.

Photo by William Wassersug @scifisportsguy via Twitter.