your princi(pal) moving on up by ali baric and hongbin yun by … · 2017. 10. 30. · your...

Your Princi(pal)by Ali Baric and Hongbin Yun

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Moving On Upby Kyla Bonaguaro

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Teenagers and Modern Society by Jude Durkin

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Fall Edition

Royals Fall Pep Rally

The Crown On Friday, September 22,2017, RMHS held its annual fall pep rally. Under the direction of athletic director Mr. Duncan, the school’s fall athletic programs, pep band, color guard, and cheerleaders were on full display for the entire Ridgefield community. Teams were introduced, the cheerleading squad performed their cheer rou-tine, the color guard performed their fall routine and the pep band played for the cheering Royals crowd. Mr. Duncan also had fun games planned for all of the classes and several faculty members got involved too. Mr. Duncan said, “The fall pep rally is always a pleasure to have. I encour-age all students to get involved with the wide variety of activities that RMHS has to offer. Go Royals.”

Go to page 9 for more Fall Pep Rally pictures...

Fall Pep Rally 2017 By Ali Baric

The Crown

Class AdvisorAndrew MacDonald

“Work hard and enjoy high school.”

Class AdvisorAnna Georgiou

“Love what you do and do what you love.”

Chief Editor:Haris Mahmutbegovic

“You miss every shot you don’t take.”

Chief Editor:Hongbin Yun

“Make it a great day or not, the choice, is yours.”

Chief Editor:Ali Baric

“Be a beautfiful cupcake in a world of muffins.”

Meet the Staff!

Back to School Night 2017By Kyla Bonaguaro

On September 12, 2017, RMHS held its annual Back to School Night for the Ridgefield community. Principal, Ms. Seabold welcomed all of the parents as they entered the building. The attending parents were introduced to Royals TV during their child’s first period class. Student news report-ers, a member of the PTA and a representative of the town library provided a presentation on school information and upcoming events. Then it was time for the parents to meet the teachers and to see the academic and extracurricular programs of RMHS.

The Epilogue Lasts ForeverThe school yearbook needs new members to join the 2017-2018 Epilogue staff. Yearbook staff members

work with Mrs. Holley, Ms. Abene and Ms. Ferraiuo-lo in creating the RMHS Epilogue. If you are inter-ested in joining the yearbook staff, please contact

Ms. Vega, Ms. Abene or Ms. Ferraiuolo.

Fun things to do during FallBy Alexandria Minervini

The wind is getting cooler and the leaves are turning into red and orange hues. Autumn is here! Take ad-vantage of the crisp weather because it goes by in a flash. Children and teenangers start school and adults may be returning back to work or continuing on from the summer. Regardless of what you are doing, there are so many exciting Fall activities to participate in this season. This is the perfect time to go on a hike. The weather is not too hot or too cold; it is perfect hiking weather. You can go hiking with friends and family. You get to witness beautiful views and be active all in one. Another activity you can do is apple picking. It’s an enjoyable walk and you know what they say, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” If you have children and you want to do something while spening time with them at the same time, you can rake the leaves with them. It will keep your property looking clean and fresh. You can stop by a farm with your family or friends! They have numerous activities to do like, hayrides, monster trucks, explore corn mazes and eat delicious food. Get wet at an indoor waterpark. If you didn’t get enough time in the water this summer then this is the perfect option for you. Make a vacation out of it. During Fall, there are many festivals, feasts and parades you can attend. The activity options are endless during Autumn. You can find something to do that will fit your specific needs. Be fast because it is such a quick season. It is known to be the best because of the perfect weather and ex-citing activities. It is a time where you can bring friends and family together while being able to do creative and fun activities.

RMHS College Fair 2017 By Hongbin Yun

On October 16, 2017, RMHS held its annual fall College Fair for its student body. Assistant principal, Mr. Yang coordinated the event and had over 50 local colleges, universities, vocational schools and the military attend this event. Students and parents were able to meet with admissions officers and learn about academic programs of study and require-ments for the colleges or vocational programs. Students were able to meet with several branches of the military to learn what the military has to offer. RMHS principal, Ms. Seabold said, “This is a wonderful event for the community. I am happy that so many students and parents were able to attend this event. I would like to thank Mr. Yang, Ms. Martyniuk, Ms. Voight, Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Mangani for all of their hard work to make this event such a huge success.”

The Crown

Meet the Journalists!

Sayat BekarianAge:16

Grade:11“Stay real.”

Luke BeckerAge:16

Grade:11“If people aren’t laughing at your goals, they’re too

small.”

Amanda SilvaAge:17

Grade:12“Positivity, determination,

motivation”

Andy GarciaAge:16

Grade:11“Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Serendipity Needs You!!!!!Do you like to write? Do you like to draw? Are you interested in being part of the creative culture at RMHS? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to get involved with Serendipity. Serendipity is our school’s art

and writing group. See Ms. Ferraiuolo in room 202 for more information.

Back to School Night 2017By Kyla Bonaguaro

On September 12, 2017, RMHS held its annual Back to School Night for the Ridgefield community. Principal, Ms. Seabold welcomed all of the parents as they entered the building. The attending parents were introduced to Royals TV during their child’s first period class. Student news report-ers, a member of the PTA and a representative of the town library provided a presentation on school information and upcoming events. Then it was time for the parents to meet the teachers and to see the academic and extracurricular programs of RMHS.

RMHS College Fair 2017 By Hongbin Yun

On October 16, 2017, RMHS held its annual fall College Fair for its student body. Assistant principal, Mr. Yang coordinated the event and had over 50 local colleges, universities, vocational schools and the military attend this event. Students and parents were able to meet with admissions officers and learn about academic programs of study and require-ments for the colleges or vocational programs. Students were able to meet with several branches of the military to learn what the military has to offer. RMHS principal, Ms. Seabold said, “This is a wonderful event for the community. I am happy that so many students and parents were able to attend this event. I would like to thank Mr. Yang, Ms. Martyniuk, Ms. Voight, Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Mangani for all of their hard work to make this event such a huge success.”


Sara GjurkajAge:17

Grade:12“You can’t love someone until you love yourself.”

Nicholas LopezAge:17

Grade:12“I only see my goals, I

don’t believe in failure.”

Dean HotAge:17

Grade:12“Everything happens for a

reason.”

Carlos GomezAge:18

Grade:12“Live life to the fullest.”

Christina SolisAge:16

Grade:11“Everything happens for a reason.”

Your Princi(pal)

By Ali Baric and Hongbin YunWhere did you receive your undergraduate and graduate de-grees? What were your degrees in? “I received both degrees at William Paterson University. My un-dergraduate degree was for Special Education and my graduate degree was for Educational Administration.” Where have you taught? How long? “My first job was at Belleville Middle School. I then worked at the Mental Health Clinic in Passaic. I have spent 26 years in Ridgefield working at every school at least once, some more than others.” What job titles have you had? “I have been a teacher, supervisor, Director of Special Educa-tion, assistant principal, principal, and a Director of Curricu-lum.” What would you like to accomplish as a principal? “At RMHS I would like to accomplish changing people’s per-ception of our school. Many middle schoolers feel like they don’t want to come to RMHS and I don’t understand why be-cause it is a great place to be and you students learn a lot.” What are the differences between being an elementary school principal and a high school principal? “The kids are bigger and other than that there is no difference. Kids are kids and I love kids no matter what age they are.” What was one of your favorite moments from your summer? “I would say one of my favorite moments from the summer was a funny one. My son and I were paddle boarding and it was my first time paddle boarding, and he ran his paddle board into mine on purpose and knocked me off of mine. I was okay.” What are your hobbies? “I like to hike, I am a bowler, I like to read, and believe it or not, I like to bungee jump.” What was the last book you read? “The last book I read was Mary Higgins Clark but I don’t re-member the title. For educational purposes, I read On the Road to Student Success by Linda Fote who is one of my favorite professional developers.” Who are your favorite musicians? “I’m old so you are going to get old musicians. My favorite band from the old days was Journey. More currently I am a fan of Pink and Imagine Dragons. I also like classic rock and rock and roll.”

What are some things on your bucket list? “I want to go hot air ballooning and I would like to visit Austra-lia.” Besides being a high school principal, what else do you do? “I go to the gym, I don’t enjoy that though. I am a mom of three boys whom I love, which is my first favorite job, no offense to Ridgefield Memorial High School. I am the president of the parent’s organization at my children’s school and I take care of my dog and my mom.” What are some words of wisdom for the RMHS community? “High school is what you make of it. What you put into it is what you will get out of it. If you truly get involved and do all the activities that are provided to you, high school will be the greatest four years of your life.”

Love What You DoBy Hongbin Yun

Have you ever had to go to the nurse’s office? This year RMHS has a new school nurse. Ms. LeeAnn Papadoupalos may be new to the school but has been in the nursing field for the past 25 years. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, Newark earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing. She has been a nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center and the West New York Board of Education. Ms. Papadoupalos wanted to go into nursing because as a child she was injured and was cared for by wonderful nurses. She wanted to give back the way she had been given to earlier in her life. She enjoys football, soccer and basketball. She listens to Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and AC/DC. This summer she saw Scotty McCury in concert and enjoyed his show. Her advice to the RMHS community is: “Love daily. Don’t put anything off today and enjoy your time.” RMHS would like to welcome Ms. Papadoupalos to its hall-ways.

RMHS Welcomes New Staff Members for the 2017-2018 School Year!

This year RMHS welcomes two new administrators and several teachers to its faculty. Enjoy learning about our newest additions to the school!

Business as UsualBy Haris Mahmutbegovic

RMHS would like to welcome business teacher Mr. Matthew Polifrone to its learning community. Mr. Polifrone will be teaching business and technology classes to the high school student body. Mr. Polifrone graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in business administration and a minor in communications. He taught for three years within the Hackensack school district. For the past 10 years, Mr. Polifrone practiced what he taught and opened up several businesses. With a yearning to get back into education and to make a difference with the next generation of entrepreneurs, he re-entered the world of teaching. Mr. Polifrone is a family man and is happily married with twin sons and a daughter. He enjoys exercise and time at the beach with his family. The last book that he read was Rich Dad Poor Dad.


Caitlin CastelAge:17

Grade:12“Eating is a necessity.”

Jayeun KimAge:14Grade:9

“Life is a climb but the view is great.”

Julia MianoAge:15

Grade:10“Do not let obstacles defeat

you.”

George YakoubianAge 15

Grade 10“Have fun and enjoy high school.”

Moving On UpBy Kyla Bonaguaro

RMHS would like to welcome vice principal Mr. Tim Yang to its hallways. Mr. Yang is a familiar face to the Ridgefield community. He has served as an elementary school teacher and an administrator at Slo-cum Skewes for the past 10 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in psychology and education from York University and the University of Windsor. He has a graduate degree from Seton Hall University in administration. Mr. Yang enjoys working with children and loves teaching. After col-lege he taught English as a second language for two years in Korea. He then returned to the United States and began working in Ridgefield. When not at school, he enjoys time with his wife and children. The best part of the summer was taking a vacation with his family. He is an avid soccer fan and likes to follow the stock market and invest.

The last book that he read was The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and he is always looking for a new book to read. His advice for the RMHS community is: “It’s ok to fail. The only way to avoid failure is to not try anything. Don’t be afraid to fail, that’s how you succeed. It’s only a failure if you stop trying.” He encourages all Ridgefield students to stop by his office and say hello.

Coast to CoastBy Ali Baric

RMHS would like to welcome back Mrs. Tiffany Kerr to its hallways. Ms. Kerr has been working within the district for the past several years but is now an in-class support teacher for 10th grade students. Mrs. Kerr is a graduate of UC Berkeley in California with a degree in political science. After college, she made the move from the west coast to the east coast and began her career in education. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, working out, shopping, cooking, practicing yoga and traveling. This summer she traveled with her daughter to Ocean City, Maryland. There she watched her daughter perform in the Nationals for competi-tion dance. An avid reader, Mrs. Kerr recently read How to Click with People and likes to listen to Katy Perry, Beyonce, Jill Scott and Bob Marley. She is very happy to be a Ridgefield Royal and always wears her Royal school spirit gear every Friday. Her advice for the RMHS community is to: “Have fun, do the work and enjoy high school while you can!”

Love What You DoBy Hongbin Yun

Have you ever had to go to the nurse’s office? This year RMHS has a new school nurse. Ms. LeeAnn Papadoupalos may be new to the school but has been in the nursing field for the past 25 years. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, Newark earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing. She has been a nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center and the West New York Board of Education. Ms. Papadoupalos wanted to go into nursing because as a child she was injured and was cared for by wonderful nurses. She wanted to give back the way she had been given to earlier in her life. She enjoys football, soccer and basketball. She listens to Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and AC/DC. This summer she saw Scotty McCury in concert and enjoyed his show. Her advice to the RMHS community is: “Love daily. Don’t put anything off today and enjoy your time.” RMHS would like to welcome Ms. Papadoupalos to its hall-ways.


Rebecca LozanoAge:17

Grade:12“We know what we are, but

know not what we may be.”

Kyla BonaguaroAge:17

Grade:12“Life is too short to be

someone else.”

Vanessa PallottaAge:16

Grade:11“Life’s a crime, but the

view is great.”

Stanley DarkoAge:17

Grade:12“It’s better to try and fail than to not try at all”

FFabriana Taranto

Age:17Grade:12

“Life goes on.”

Justin KimAge:15

Grade:10“Work hard and the grades will

show for themselves.”

Mario GiordanoAge:15

Grade:10“Treat others the way they treat

you.”

Vishal PuranAge:16

Grade:11“The less you reveal, the more

they can wonder.”

Jude DurkinAge:16

Grade:11“Perfect has seven letters, so does

meeeeee, coincidence.”

T.J (Timothy) CascianoAge:17

Grade:12“Become a Legend”

jAmanda ArodesAge:17

Grade:12“Calm, cool, and Collected”

Phoebe RichiezAge:17

Grade:12“Calm, cool, and collected.”

Smartphones: Development or Regression?by Luke Becker

It is the year 2017 and we are living in a total technological age. It has revolutionized the world in what once were considered unimaginable ways. We have benefitted greatly from technology over the years. However, the world has suffered from it as well. Technology is useful but some believe that we are becoming too reliant on it. In fact, some may even say that people are becoming addict-ed. In everyday society, this is most commonly associated with smart phones. Many people, including myself, are smartphone owners. I use my phone for a number of pur-poses ranging from social media, to homework, to texting, and more. The most common people concerned with these issues are parents, who are watching their child spend what they consider way too much time on their phones. According to an article by CNN, Children between the ages of 8 and 12 “Spend about six hours on average, consuming media.” Adults believe change is needed but is it really necessary? Some see this dependence on technology as a step back in the development of children. However, others may see it as progress as children grow accustomed to the ongoing tech-nological advancements and fall in line with what the world is inevitably becoming. Smartphones are the most popular piece of technology among modern day teenagers. As men-tioned earlier, children are using smartphones to what many consider is an unhealthy extent. I com-pletely agree with that opinion and the best way to solve this problem moving forward is limiting technology use at a young age. Personally, I would hate that as a child. But that is what should be done. Children may not be happy about it but in the end, it will be beneficial. The effects of smart-phones on children can be very harmful. Two potential effects of smartphones on children are aggressive behavior and lack of social skills. Children who use smartphones at a young age often get annoyed and angry at simplest of questions and conversations. Because of this, they will often cut parents off and avoid conversations with them. Smartphone usage can also lead to effects on school work. Studies show that teenagers and younger children spend less time on homework because of how often they feel the need to have their eyes glued to their phone. It can also lead to poor results when taking tests, exams, and more as a result of poor preparation or even fatigue. The harmful effects of smartphones on children and teens are clear. But people must take the positives into consideration as well. They allow younger people to communicate with each other at any time and opens up a world of possibilities through social media platforms such as snapchat or instagram. It can also provide help with school work because you can find the answer to just about any question on the internet. The most common purpose of phones is to provide entertainment with games and apps such as Youtube though that is what matters least to adults. Smartphones are just convenient and helpful. Parents and adults must remember that they aren’t totally disastrous to the development of kids and they are now an important part of modern day society. They have helped many people including myself. Social media was the best thing that ever happened to me. The twitter account I currently run is dedicated to baseball and the New York Yankees. After tweeting my thoughts about the Yankees for several months, I was recruited to write for a Yankees blog. I currently write for multiple Yankees websites. I started with a small website known as Yankeesnews26.com and now I write for a very popular website known as EliteSportsNY.com. Social media on my phone led to me doing something I love and what may be my true passion in life. My phone essentially helped me decide what I want to do with my life. Smartphones truly are helpful but as I have clearly stated, harmful as well. Smartphones should be limited with chil-dren and moderation and common sense should help our next generation of adults deal with the ever evolving world of technology.

Technology in Modern Society: A blessing or a curse?

The Crown staff tackled the topic of technology with modern teenagers. Our journalists have ana-lyzed the pros and cons of technology and looked at the situation from all angles. Enjoy our feature section on technology and the modern teenager.


David AndreuAge:17

Grade:12“Money is the wave.”

Paige PallottaAge:17

Grade:12“Hold your head high or the

crown will fall.”

Alexandria MinerviniAge:17

Grade:12“Everything happens for a

reason.”

Alyssa HernandezAge:16

Grade:11“Enjoy the little things.”

Jude DurkinAge:16

Grade:11“Perfect has seven letters, so does

meeeeee, coincidence.”

T.J (Timothy) CascianoAge:17

Grade:12“Become a Legend”

jAmanda ArodesAge:17

Grade:12“Calm, cool, and Collected”

Phoebe RichiezAge:17

Grade:12“Calm, cool, and collected.”

Technology And The Youth

By Sara Gjurkaj

Remember the old days where you would have to send letters through the mail to contact some-one? Today, all you have to do is press a glass screen and people receive your message in seconds. If you look into a modern day classroom, you would see many kids with their hands down staring into a cell-phone. Even teachers are constantly checking emails on their mac laptops and take attendance online. The whole world is being taken over by technology. almost everything we do now is done on the internet. Many advancements have been created by technology and the internet. The big question is: How much technology is too much? Living as current student in the 21st century has it’s many perks. The advancement in technol-ogy today has many pros. Contacting my friends and receiving messages from teachers, friends, and parents is very easily done on the internet. Whenever I need someone to talk to, my friends are a text message, or phone call away. In addition, contacting parents for an emergency , or when you’re out for the night with friends is easily accomplished; this makes parents feel at ease. A senior from RMHS named Paige said, “ My college applications are almost done, all you have to do is send them in online and you’re done.” This is just one of the examples that shows how great technology can be. Colleges can be contacted by a click of a button and you’re done. Another student from RMHS said, “ Did you go on twitter today, they’re broadcasting the news on what’s happening in Florida.” Apps on smart-phones allow kids to stay updated on what’s going on in the world for those who don’t like to watch the news. Furthermore, although there are many pros for the use of technology, there are also numerous of cons. According to the article, “Smartphones dominate kid’s lives,” “ 55% of teens between the ages 13 to 17, text every day, sending and receiving an average of 30 texts per day.” This can be very detrimental to a child’s physical and mental health. Staring at a screen for hours can strain the eyes and cause weight gain since kids aren’t spending too much time outside. In addition, daily social skills worsen since there isn’t much time for physical confrontation, and why would there be when you can be who you want and say what you want behind a screen. Lastly, another con is the rates increased suicide. According to Smartphones Dominate Kid’s Lives, “ the rise in suicide rates is especially pro-found among 10-14 year olds, doubling from 0.9 to 2.1 suicides per 100,000 middle-schoolers between 2007 and 2014.” The increase is very scary and the internet is taking many children’s lives and ruining them. In conclusion, the advance in technology is very beneficial and detrimental. Keeping in con-tact with people and up to date with the news is a great thing. However, social skills becoming worse and death rates rising is a terrible reality. If we continue our ways and allow technology to control our lives, the world will not be a pleasant place to live in.

The Smartphone ApocalypseBy Amanda Silva

An apocalypse has spread around the world. This generation and the ones to come will forever be doomed. When people hear the word apocalypse, they automatically think of zombies but this one is worse. It’s the smartphone apocalypse. As of the 2000s, smartphones and social media have captivated the lives of adults, children, and even babies. Goodbye to recording your baby’s first steps on cameras. As of the early 2000s, smart-phones have replaced cameras. Additionally, instead of playing with toys, children are using iPads and iPhones to play games from the app store. For years, adults were the ones who taught the youth. However, now the youth are the ones who are teaching the adults. Since we are the ones who grew up with technology we have taken the respon-sibility to teach our parents. By doing this, the smartphone/ technology epidemic is spreading. It’s spreading throughout all ages and all parts of the world. Not only is this epidemic considered an apocalypse, it’s an addiction. A student at RMHS said, “I can’t live without my phone.” This isn’t the only time I’ve heard this phrase however. The addiction has had the biggest effect on teens. According to national statistics, teens spend between seven and nine hours a day on their phones. According to “Smartphones dominate kids’ lives” written by Svetlana Shkolnikova, 76% of teens use social media. They use it to communicate with friends and family but in reality only about 25% spend time with friends and family in person while 55-62% use their phones to text them instead. We have to do something now! Before we know it, smartphones will take over all of mankind!!!

Teenagers and Modern TechnologyBy Jude Durkin

It is near impossible to predict how the new “advanced” technology will impact modern day society or the future. However, we can make predictions on how technology will impact the teenagers of today. Like every argument there are pros and cons. For this instance we can see what the pros and cons are of using technology by teenagers. Technology can help teenagers be informed of news and important events in the world. However, technology can also be used to distract teenagers in school and lower their grades as well as get them in trouble out of school. I personally believe that the use of technology by teenagers is very useful and needed in today's society. Technology is a wonderful thing for everyone, especially teenagers. The use of technology by teenagers is mostly positive according to Kelly Austin, a PhoneSheriff writer. She claims that the use of technology informs teenagers of current affairs, helps student study, and increases self esteem. The way technology can increase a teenagers self esteem is by letting the student express themselves and join fan pages for things that they are interested in and reflect their own person-ality. Technology also allows student to search up any topic they want which will help them with schoolwork. And for the future social media can help students get jobs, the social media can inform whether there is a job opening somewhere near them. Even though technology can be very beneficial, that doesn’t mean it’s the safest place to be. Technology poses threats such as cyber bullying, stalkers, and kidnappers. Also said by Haley Abramson of “stl jewish light” “ Potential stalkers, kidnappers or bullies are just a click away from a home address and phone num-ber.” According to the washington post, in 2007 a 13 year-old-girl Megan Meier committed suicide because a boy she liked starting saying nasty things about her on the internet. It turned out that the “boy” she liked was a mother who made up the fake account. This proves that even though the internet and technology could be a great place to learn it could also be a dangerous places to everyone that uses it. In conclusion, technology may or may not be a dangerous place for teenagers. The use of technology for school or research is ultimately a positive thing if it helps you get a better understanding of the subject you are learning. However, if you use technology to get to any social media you have to be very cautious of who you follow, who follows you, and who you talk to because you never know who can pose a threat to you or your friends. And if you ever encounter anything that makes you feel uncomfortable all you have to do is block the person and\or close the social media app or website.

Justified Rights or Disrespectful ActionsAlyssa Hernandez

Racism is one of the largest global issues that America is facing today. From large political protests to massive rallies about equality, you can almost say that America is split into two opposing sides. Police bru-tality is a major topic of interest when it comes to these debates. There-fore political groups such as “Black Lives Matter” are formed in order to protest these deaths and “put an end to police brutality.” These major political groups make their way across all platforms in the nation, includ-ing sports. Colin Kaepernick exhibited his freedom of expression during the national anthem of a football game. Many fans were upset and felt that he disrespected the country by putting on this performance in the game. People pay to go to these football games and support their favorite teams while watching the sport they love. Kaepernick brought his political standpoints into a national sport watched by millions which only makes it seem like it was done for publicity reasons. Fans booed him for almost an hour after the national anthem was over for what they felt was a dis-respect to their flag and what it stands for. They even held up signs that read “You’re an American. Start acting like one,” to show their discon-tent with Kaepernick’s actions. Disputes about whether or not he had a right to kneel during the national anthem leads to a split in America since some support his actions and others are simply distraught. Under the first amendment everyone is granted the right to freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. Kaepernick expressed his right by peacefully kneeling to protest against police brutality during the national anthem at a football game with no regard to who he was offending.

Cup Tower Challenge 2017

RMHS business teacher, Mr. Polifrone held the first ever Cup Tower Challenge in his business classes. Students used only cups to create towers. The cup stacking activity helped students to work together as a team towards a common goal, to improve verbal and nonverbal communication skills and to explore and implement various problem solving techniques. Mr. Polifrone said, “The cup stacking activity teaches students the fundamentals of business in a very fun way. Modern businesses focus on common goals in a team setting with communication as the key to accomplishing complex projects.”

Fall Pep Rally 2017!

Teenagers and Modern TechnologyBy Jude Durkin

It is near impossible to predict how the new “advanced” technology will impact modern day society or the future. However, we can make predictions on how technology will impact the teenagers of today. Like every argument there are pros and cons. For this instance we can see what the pros and cons are of using technology by teenagers. Technology can help teenagers be informed of news and important events in the world. However, technology can also be used to distract teenagers in school and lower their grades as well as get them in trouble out of school. I personally believe that the use of technology by teenagers is very useful and needed in today's society. Technology is a wonderful thing for everyone, especially teenagers. The use of technology by teenagers is mostly positive according to Kelly Austin, a PhoneSheriff writer. She claims that the use of technology informs teenagers of current affairs, helps student study, and increases self esteem. The way technology can increase a teenagers self esteem is by letting the student express themselves and join fan pages for things that they are interested in and reflect their own person-ality. Technology also allows student to search up any topic they want which will help them with schoolwork. And for the future social media can help students get jobs, the social media can inform whether there is a job opening somewhere near them. Even though technology can be very beneficial, that doesn’t mean it’s the safest place to be. Technology poses threats such as cyber bullying, stalkers, and kidnappers. Also said by Haley Abramson of “stl jewish light” “ Potential stalkers, kidnappers or bullies are just a click away from a home address and phone num-ber.” According to the washington post, in 2007 a 13 year-old-girl Megan Meier committed suicide because a boy she liked starting saying nasty things about her on the internet. It turned out that the “boy” she liked was a mother who made up the fake account. This proves that even though the internet and technology could be a great place to learn it could also be a dangerous places to everyone that uses it. In conclusion, technology may or may not be a dangerous place for teenagers. The use of technology for school or research is ultimately a positive thing if it helps you get a better understanding of the subject you are learning. However, if you use technology to get to any social media you have to be very cautious of who you follow, who follows you, and who you talk to because you never know who can pose a threat to you or your friends. And if you ever encounter anything that makes you feel uncomfortable all you have to do is block the person and\or close the social media app or website.

10 Tips: Being the New Kid at Your New School Christina Solis

Switching schools may not always be the easiest thing to do; actually it may be the most difficult. Being the “new kid” may be a little intimidating but having these ten tips in mind will make it much easier for you. Change is a part of life. As much as changing high schools sounds terrifying, there are several other students experiencing the same feeling as you. With growth, comes change which is why you should embrace it instead of dread it. Change gives you an opportunity to start fresh. This is especially helpful if your grades were poor at your old school because you can rebuild from it. Open up! You may feel nervous about attending a new school but being shy won’t help. Being timid will only prevent you from meeting new people and friends. In order to survive in your new school, you will need at least one friend to introduce you to the school and people. But do not get involved with the wrong crowd! The wrong people can get you into trouble and may give you a bad reputation. First impressions are vital. It does not necessarily have to be physically, but the way you present yourself is important. If you feel confident in a nice outfit, then plan it the day prior. When you feel good, you look good. Have confidence in yourself, not too much, that can come off as arrogant. Smile and be nice to everyone. Not everyone may be nice to you, but you can be nice to them. Smile at people in the hallways. Be naturally friendly to every-one and start a small talk. They may grow curious of you, tell them where you come from and why you moved. Introduce yourself to teachers. Your new teachers may not know you’re new, unless you notify them. Let them know you are new, and start a small talk if you can. Introduce yourself and be confident. See what kind of teachers you have and work with them. This can help you later on in the school year. Do not leave your schoolwork behind. New kids tend to put off their school work because they are distracted in making impressions or friends. This can have a negative impact on your whole school year. Do not start on a bad note, it may lead you to a terrible year. Although having friends may be nice, your priority should be your academics. Do not be afraid to ask. There is nothing wrong with asking. There is no need to feel embarrassed if you are unsure about something. It may be as simple as where the restroom is or when is the best time to speak to your guidance counselor. It is good to ask and know more about your school. Join a sport or club. This can play a major part of your first year, if you become dedicated to it. If you like soccer, join it. If you enjoy acting, your new school may have a drama club. Like we mentioned before, you must ask to be further informed. Ask about the clubs your new school may provide, because you may be interested. This is another way to make friends and become close to them. Do not disregard your friends at your old school. Just because you left your old school, it should not mean you should cut your friends off, especially if you were close to them. Keep in touch with your old friends. Tell them about your new school and ask them about theirs. Staying in contact with them may make it all less tough for you. All that really matters are your grades. If you happen to make no friends, or you are just a shy person, do not worry. School is not about who is the most popu-lar or who is the best looking. Focus and apply yourself in your academics, your teachers will appreciate it.

The Crown has created a new section for its readership: Tips for Enjoying Life. Enjoy our articles from our staff writers that range from being the new kid in school to why I am unqualified to give tips to anyone.

10 Tips on Being A Big Sister By Vanessa Pallotta

One of the best opportunities in my life is being a big sister to my brother, Nicholas. I have made unforgettable memories with him and have been his shoul-der to cry on when he needed someone. I will always be there for him, not because it is what I am obligated to do, it is what I chose to do. In order to be the best big sister, like I am, you need to follow these simple 10 tips.

The first thing you have to remember is that your younger sibling is just a kid and they don’t have the intelligence that you have. They still have so many lessons to learn and risks to take. It is up to you to help them figure out what they are doing wrong and give them advice to make it better. It’s almost like you are their third parent. You help them with whatever they need. Keeping secrets is KEY. In order for your sibling to gain your trust, you need to keep their secrets. If you go behind their back and tell their secrets or tell other peo-ple things that they tell you, they will never be able to trust you again. So, instead of them being able to let their feelings out, they will keep them bundled up inside and that wouldn't be good. You need to make them feel comfortable. Teach your sibling right from wrong. You should always correct them if they do something they aren't supposed to. Also, you should make sure they learn from their mistake. You never want your sibling to be in danger or associate themselves with the wrong groups of people; you should make sure they stay on the right path as well. Be a good support system. Let your brother or sister take risks. Make them feel comfortable when they try new things and make them aware that you have their back. There are going to be times where you do not agree with the choice that they make. However, it is your responsibility to fully support them in each and every one of their decisions.Don’t hold grudges. If there is ever a time where you and your sibling get into a disagreement, always resolve it. Never make your fights long lasting. There will always be a solution, but it is up to you to figure it out. Teach your sibling to be their own person. Teach your sibling to stand out in life; be a leader and never a follower. Encourage them to be themselves. Encourage them to grow into a person that other people will Teach them to respect themselves, their loved ones, and the people around them. One of the most important qualities in a person is the respect they show for others. By respecting your elders or people you may not know, you will be taken more seriously. Also, you will be given back the same respect that you gave. Not only should you respect people, you should respect their property and the environment around you as well. Make sure you are always honest with your sibling. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with your brother or sister you need to always be honest with them. No matter how difficult it might be. You should never feel afraid to tell them anything.Always encourage your sibling to reach for the stars. Never let them give up on their dreams. The most amazing thing is watching them work hard for their goal, see them succeed and watch the big smile appear on their faces when they are done. No matter how big the challenge might be, always encourage them to do their best and never give up. Being an older sibling may be tough, but always remember that you are beyond blessed to have them. Never lose touch with your sibling, keep them with you wher-ever you go. The most important thing in life is family. Being able to have a best friend in your family is something many people do not have. Take advantage of this opportunity for the rest of your life. You may make friends along the way and gain strong relationships with them. However, nothing will ever compare to the bond you share with your sibling.

“A variety of reasons as to why I am unqualified to write a ten tips essay”By Julia Miano

At the troubling age of 15 years old, I am currently faced with what scientists and researchers call a “developmental milestone”. This is a time of change for how teenagers think, feel, and interact with others. During this time young adults are developing their unique personalities and experiencing their lives before they have to be faced with the complete and full time responsibility of being an adult. People my age are still very intellectually immature, meaning we aren’t wise enough or educated enough to make ideal decisions about anything. When we are presented with the task of giving formal advice on how to accomplish something, we are not qualified enough to give information on things in which our responses could be considered unreliable.

Here are a variety of reasons as to why I am not eligible to write a ten tips essay is: (note that there are only four tips)

As teenagers, we continue to take more risks as we learn our way through life. We need to learn how to fail and come back from it. We need to learn our own boundaries and adapt to the situations around us. Learning new things, skills, and conquering our fears are still taking place as we speak, so giving advice on how to conquer or get through something we have not experienced yet is impossible. We are still figuring out what we as people want to do with our lives, our aspirations, and our hopes and dreams for the future. Asking teenagers like us on how to be successful at a job or how to figure out what to do with yourself is invalid because we still do not know what it is like to struggle, make a legitimate decent salary, be married, or how complete an ambition because our brains cannot truly understand what it hasn’t felt.

Since teenagers are hormonally and emotionally unstable in general, it would be safe to conclude that many different teens would have different and mixed emo-tions about certain topics, for example I am a feminist, so I would take certain topics about the unjust treatment of females personal, rather than another teenage female that could feel completely different about it. So a lot of different teens, are going to have a lot of different inputs, on every single topic.

Since we are still young, we could feel a certain way about something at the moment, but perhaps in a couple, or a decent amount years we will feel completely different about the topic we talked about, because growing older gives you the knowledge to create a stronger opinion about the article.

In conclusion to these reasons, I feel that we as a generation are still figuring out who we are, what’s in store for our future and how we are going to cope with our experiences as we continue to mold ourselves into adulthood. We are still learning, and we need the experienced to give us advice, not people who have no idea what they are talking about.

10 Tips to Achieve a Steady Life By Andy Garcia

Getting hold of a steady life isn’t the easiest thing for some but it’s easy enough to learn. A quiet, peaceful way to do things is the key to an easy life. I’m here to give some tips on how to achieve a steady life.

1.)Be loose.Being loose is essential to peacefulness. Keeping a calm and collected state of mind is a great way to having almost little to no trouble in life. Just keeping cool is enough to get through the day. Try not to let anything phase you.

2.) Be careless (somewhat)Stop caring about the menial things. Similar to the previous tip, the point is to not be strict or rigid. Take things like “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and take it to heart. That’s another way to keep loose and living at a steady pace.

3.) Try not to be emotionalTo be completely steady, you have to keep your emotions in check. One outburst can change the course of your life. You’d want it to be steady if you’re reading this right? Then, keep your cool and go with the flow of time as it continues.

4.) Try not to have any bad interactions with peopleA bad interaction could definitely end your peace. Just try not to be a jerk to people. When somebody with a bad vibe emanating from said person, just avoid the conflict. There shouldn’t be anything holding you back from your quiet life.

5.) Keep things to yourself unless totally necessaryKeep private thoughts private for the sake of your peace. Peace isn’t kept when you blurt out whatever your thinking because it can lead to the problem in tip #3. As I went over in tip #3, You shouldn’t be emotional.

6.) Avoid conflictThis was slightly mentioned in tip #4. Avoiding conflict could be an easy thing for some. But for others, it’s almost impossible. What to do is try to suppress that urge to become involved. Most of the time, that helps. 7.) Try to have a small circle of friendsHaving too many friends can lead to stress and stress leads to problems. The problems that come with stress can be mental and even in extreme cases, physical. You can avoid this by having a small circle of friends that you can trust and believe that they won’t bring stress along with your journey to a steady life.

8.) Do what you like to doEnjoying your job or enjoying a subject in school/college can lead to an easy way of life. If you want to cook, be a cook. Always try your best when it’s something you enjoy doing. Don’t be a mathematician when you really wanted to be a marine biologist.

9.) Keep a hobbyA hobby relates to what I said in the previous but, a hobby is something you can do whilst having another job or occupation. Drawing is a personal favorite but you can a lot of different hobbies, include, cooking, cleaning, driving, and more. Just find whatever you can do to express yourself and go with it.

10.) Be yourselfYou want to have a steady life right? You must have something in your mind that’s telling you that you want to have a calm life. Being yourself can do that. Expres-sion is the penultimate key to a calm life. The tip that is befores weighs heavily in a calm life. Expressing through that hobby makes it an even easier path to a calm life. Well, you finished reading. Go out there and enjoy some of life’s gifts. Thank you for reading.

10 Tips: Being the New Kid at Your New School Christina Solis

Switching schools may not always be the easiest thing to do; actually it may be the most difficult. Being the “new kid” may be a little intimidating but having these ten tips in mind will make it much easier for you. Change is a part of life. As much as changing high schools sounds terrifying, there are several other students experiencing the same feeling as you. With growth, comes change which is why you should embrace it instead of dread it. Change gives you an opportunity to start fresh. This is especially helpful if your grades were poor at your old school because you can rebuild from it. Open up! You may feel nervous about attending a new school but being shy won’t help. Being timid will only prevent you from meeting new people and friends. In order to survive in your new school, you will need at least one friend to introduce you to the school and people. But do not get involved with the wrong crowd! The wrong people can get you into trouble and may give you a bad reputation. First impressions are vital. It does not necessarily have to be physically, but the way you present yourself is important. If you feel confident in a nice outfit, then plan it the day prior. When you feel good, you look good. Have confidence in yourself, not too much, that can come off as arrogant. Smile and be nice to everyone. Not everyone may be nice to you, but you can be nice to them. Smile at people in the hallways. Be naturally friendly to every-one and start a small talk. They may grow curious of you, tell them where you come from and why you moved. Introduce yourself to teachers. Your new teachers may not know you’re new, unless you notify them. Let them know you are new, and start a small talk if you can. Introduce yourself and be confident. See what kind of teachers you have and work with them. This can help you later on in the school year. Do not leave your schoolwork behind. New kids tend to put off their school work because they are distracted in making impressions or friends. This can have a negative impact on your whole school year. Do not start on a bad note, it may lead you to a terrible year. Although having friends may be nice, your priority should be your academics. Do not be afraid to ask. There is nothing wrong with asking. There is no need to feel embarrassed if you are unsure about something. It may be as simple as where the restroom is or when is the best time to speak to your guidance counselor. It is good to ask and know more about your school. Join a sport or club. This can play a major part of your first year, if you become dedicated to it. If you like soccer, join it. If you enjoy acting, your new school may have a drama club. Like we mentioned before, you must ask to be further informed. Ask about the clubs your new school may provide, because you may be interested. This is another way to make friends and become close to them. Do not disregard your friends at your old school. Just because you left your old school, it should not mean you should cut your friends off, especially if you were close to them. Keep in touch with your old friends. Tell them about your new school and ask them about theirs. Staying in contact with them may make it all less tough for you. All that really matters are your grades. If you happen to make no friends, or you are just a shy person, do not worry. School is not about who is the most popu-lar or who is the best looking. Focus and apply yourself in your academics, your teachers will appreciate it.

10 Tips on Being A Big Sister By Vanessa Pallotta

One of the best opportunities in my life is being a big sister to my brother, Nicholas. I have made unforgettable memories with him and have been his shoul-der to cry on when he needed someone. I will always be there for him, not because it is what I am obligated to do, it is what I chose to do. In order to be the best big sister, like I am, you need to follow these simple 10 tips.

The first thing you have to remember is that your younger sibling is just a kid and they don’t have the intelligence that you have. They still have so many lessons to learn and risks to take. It is up to you to help them figure out what they are doing wrong and give them advice to make it better. It’s almost like you are their third parent. You help them with whatever they need. Keeping secrets is KEY. In order for your sibling to gain your trust, you need to keep their secrets. If you go behind their back and tell their secrets or tell other peo-ple things that they tell you, they will never be able to trust you again. So, instead of them being able to let their feelings out, they will keep them bundled up inside and that wouldn't be good. You need to make them feel comfortable. Teach your sibling right from wrong. You should always correct them if they do something they aren't supposed to. Also, you should make sure they learn from their mistake. You never want your sibling to be in danger or associate themselves with the wrong groups of people; you should make sure they stay on the right path as well. Be a good support system. Let your brother or sister take risks. Make them feel comfortable when they try new things and make them aware that you have their back. There are going to be times where you do not agree with the choice that they make. However, it is your responsibility to fully support them in each and every one of their decisions.Don’t hold grudges. If there is ever a time where you and your sibling get into a disagreement, always resolve it. Never make your fights long lasting. There will always be a solution, but it is up to you to figure it out. Teach your sibling to be their own person. Teach your sibling to stand out in life; be a leader and never a follower. Encourage them to be themselves. Encourage them to grow into a person that other people will Teach them to respect themselves, their loved ones, and the people around them. One of the most important qualities in a person is the respect they show for others. By respecting your elders or people you may not know, you will be taken more seriously. Also, you will be given back the same respect that you gave. Not only should you respect people, you should respect their property and the environment around you as well. Make sure you are always honest with your sibling. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with your brother or sister you need to always be honest with them. No matter how difficult it might be. You should never feel afraid to tell them anything.Always encourage your sibling to reach for the stars. Never let them give up on their dreams. The most amazing thing is watching them work hard for their goal, see them succeed and watch the big smile appear on their faces when they are done. No matter how big the challenge might be, always encourage them to do their best and never give up. Being an older sibling may be tough, but always remember that you are beyond blessed to have them. Never lose touch with your sibling, keep them with you wher-ever you go. The most important thing in life is family. Being able to have a best friend in your family is something many people do not have. Take advantage of this opportunity for the rest of your life. You may make friends along the way and gain strong relationships with them. However, nothing will ever compare to the bond you share with your sibling.

Top Tips for Managing MemoryBy Stanley Darko

No matter who you are, at the end of the day our minds can only hold so much information at once before the brain requires an update to fit in the most recent memories and thoughts. Naturally we’ll have to sacrifice space in order to keep functioning and creating new more important mental impressions; though it would certainly be so much more convenient if we were able to consciously control what we remember and what we forgot all time. On top of that, it’s well known the struggles students, daily workers, and everyone in-be-tween have with trying to remember the things most pertinent to them and their routine, and believe it or not there are some very effective methods that are surprisingly used far too scarcely for rectifying this everyday predicament.

1.Write Things DownConsidering myself as a person who has confidence in my memorization and generally dislikes having to keep physical copies of things, I can understand the aversion to always writing down things on a to-do list or taking notes of things that one might use; however simply having something to refer to every now and again can really relieve the mental stress on your mind. This can, in turn, lead into the tip. 2. Subdue your StressThe very presence of stress causes our minds and bodies to act differently than normal, and this feeling leads to us with a desire to re-lieve that stress more powerful than the will to complete whatever task we need to have completed. A strain on the mind leads to erratic thought processes and an overall underperformance. Finding stress relievers such as exercise and the like will be beneficial in relaxing your brain and allowing it to function. 3. Repetition Specifically in regards to those who have trouble remembering things for recital later on, controlling the amount of info you absorb little by little and spreading it out gradually will give your brain a better connection to that info. Repeat the process of going over it and taking in more of it slowly until it’s second nature. 4. Create your own SpaceThere’s nothing more distracting and discouraging than trying to get something done when you’re environment is actively closing in on the things that make you uncomfortable. Whether it be the people in the room, the brightness, or just the general ambiance, it doesn’t matter who it is, no one tries to seek a place they are uncomfortable when they want to be productive. All you need is a place in your mind to go to when you need focus (music is always a viable option) or just change the environment to conform to what you think you can work with. 5. Be determined Determination is key when doing anything that requires effort. If something just isn’t sticking in your head then you only need to keep trying or even better, try something different that could be more effective or entertaining. Just make sure to narrow down the specific things you will definitely need to keep in mind later on. 6. Have a plan or methodThere isn’t much you can accomplish on a journey if you don’t even know where to start, so(and this is only one suggestion)start with the most important things and go from there. The outcome of how easily a mental block will be defeated depends on the method of attack. Some methods work for some and others don’t; that all relies on how your personal plan for remembrance helps to give the information a free ride into your memories. 7. Eat wellThe first thing that probably comes to mind when reading this is “What does eating have to do with better memory?” though, in actuali-ty, it has a lot to do with how your brain functions in general, memory included. The old adage of ‘you can’t fight on an empty stomach’ doesn’t just apply to fighting. Not to mention there are multiple studies that display the benefits of eating healthy and its correlation with better performance. 8. Sleep!One of the most important things you could possibly do that’ll benefit the condition of your mind is to rest properly. Rest is so important for giving your entire body a recharge, so don’t sacrifice anymore than you absolutely have to. But don’t forget, everything in modera-tion; make sure you sleep to revitalize your brain, not to skip out on work. 9. Ask for HelpThere’s no reason for anyone to feel the need to do take on a personally daunting challenge without at least asking for help. There are many outlets to voice your troubles with, and often times just a little push forward from somebody else is enough to get started. Anyone who might be willing to help are valuable assets and should be seen as a positive assistance 10. Make it EntertainingNo matter how you may feel about whatever it is you need to keep occupying your brain space, if you can at least have a decent time coming up with ways to help you remember it, then it won’t be such a chore. It will certainly make the process more tolerable and will help solidify the information in your thoughts. Try turning it into a game or doing something you like whilst studying. People always remember the things they like more than the things we don’t. As said before, we collectively forget things all the time, no matter who it is and it’s frustrating to say the least, but completely natural. However, there’s no harm in trying to minimize that effect as much as possible considering retention of some kind is necessary in almost every facet of our lives. The more methods to accomplish this that are shared with others, the more our lives get just a little bit

Picking a First Car!By Vishal Puran

On Monday, October 2nd, 2017, I turned 16 years old. My father has already started asking me the famous question: What car do you want? Now I have set a $15,000 max budget. I am looking for a car around $10,000. As a new driver I do not want an expensive car that if I crash, it will be a total loss. I am currently looking at a 2012 Toyota Camry Se or a 2012 BMW 328i. Both cars are around my budget and can be picked up under 10k. Both can offer comfort and would be great for a daily driver, especially when I need a car for college! I think these would be very suitable choices for any new driver. Both speeds are around the same with the Camry 0-60 at 5.7 seconds and the 328i 0-60 at 5.5. The quarter-mile time for both cars is exactly 14.1 seconds. These cars both have decent acceleration for when merging onto a highway or speeding up to avoid an accident. Both cars can be bought with navigation, Bluetooth, and under 55k miles. These cars would be an excellent choice but the question is what do you choose! On one hand, you have a sporty looking BMW while on the other hand, you have the perfect sleeper(a car that looks slow and attracts less police attention). In my opinion, if you like to show off push towards the BMW. If you like a low profile, the Camry is an excellent choice. I would compare luxury, but both cars basically have the same interior and same functions so they are almost identical to each other. Relatively the insurance for the Camry will be lower than the BMW but there shouldn’t be a dramatic difference. The brand Toyota is known for the reliability car brand. In conclusion, both cars are amazing to drive and ideal for everyday use. Whichever one you choose will be a great choice.

10 Tips On How To Survive High School

By Sara Gjurkaj

It’s that time of the year again where papers are flying everywhere and teachers are fixing up their classrooms. The first thing I always see are all the freshman attempting to memorize their schedules as they scatter to locate their classes. The scene takes me back to my first day of school as a freshman in highschool and how nervous I was. Now as a senior I am ready to share my 10 tips on how to survive high school. 1. Stay Organized Many of us don’t understand that in high school there are many classes and it is very easy to get lost in class and lose homework etc. By staying organized it reduc-es stress and you never have to worry about losing your belongings or worksheets. You will be able to study more efficiently and orderly. 2. Study High school involves a lot of presentations, tests, and quizzes. Studying will help keep your grades up and increases your chances of passing. Many students feel that they can remember the information just by memory. Even just scanning your notes to refresh your memory can positively affect your grade and determine whether you pass or not. 3. Join a Club Joining a club was one of the best decisions I ever made in high school. Being involved in a sport, prom committee, etc helps you make a tremendous amount of friends. Clubs also help keep you active and helps with social/communication skills. Joining a club or even just working a part time job helps you learn balance and helps to prepare for the real world as an adult 4. Ask Questions High school is full of new ideas and information. Many times students get lost during lectures or don’t understand something; they feel embarrassed to ask teachers questions.By asking questions, it demonstrates to the teacher your interest in learning and your curiosity. If you are lost somewhere in a topic, asking the teacher is the best way to go. 5. Go For Extra Help Listening to a lecture and writing notes for an hour isn’t enough for some students. Sometimes, just sitting with a teacher for half an hour after school makes the largest difference. Speaking from experience, after school help has impacted my grades phenomenally. Don’t ever be afraid to ask a teacher for extra help, it shows them dedication and persistence in wanting to learn. 6. Do Your Homework This types sounds very simple, but you would be surprised how many don’t do their homework. Many students get too lazy to finish their homework, or just completely forget about it. Although homework is a small percentage of your grade, the more you don’t complete the lower your grade begins to decrease as it piles up. So, always complete your homework since it is the easiest way to boost your grade. 7. Don’t Leave Things For Last Minute This tip is the largest one that students never follow. Almost everyone leaves projects, or homework for last minute. Sometimes it is fine, but when you are bal-ancing 8 other classes, next thing you know you have 8 projects that need to be done on Sunday night before the due date. Completing the work early leaves time for other things to be completed and keeps you organized. 8. Go to School Sponsored Events There are many sport events, dances, and concerts that High Schools hold during the week. Going to these events makes great memories and gets the commu-nity together for some fun. Many of these sport teams and band members practice for hours a day, so it’s a great thing to watch their work being paid off. Nothing is better than cheering on your school’s football team on a Friday night with your friends. 9. Mind Your Business This tip may confuse many, but minding your business in school is the best thing you can do for yourself. It is very easy to get snatched in the countless drama that occurs in school. Simply just hearing something and spreading it can take your focus away from class and get you in a lot of trouble. The only time you shouldn’t mind your business is when you are sticking up for someone else. But, overall just go to school, get your work done, and don’t worry about the latest gos-sip. 10. Don’t Get Into a High School Relationship Tip number 10 in my opinion is the most important. Speaking from experience, getting into a relationship in high school was the worst decision I ever made. At such a young age, having a partner may seem like the most important thing when in reality school is. Relationships distract students from what really matters and can damage a student emotionally and psychologically. High school is a time for independence, self growth, and making great memories with friends. To conclude, high school is supposed to be the best time of your life for many. Sometimes it may feel overwhelming and not worth it. However, if you push yourself and keep an open mind, your time as a high school student will be extraordinary. When you come in as a freshman, make it a priority to make the best out of everything. If you follow my ten tips, your high school experience will be looked back on as an amazing time in your life.

YOLOBy Amanda Silva

Being a junior in high school was one of the toughest things I’ve ever encountered. I was juggling honor classes, an AP class, sports like competition cheerleading and softball, I was involved in WAYYY too many clubs like student council, spanish honors society, heroes and cool kids, women’s choir, and prom committee. I thought once summer of junior year came around that the stress and tiresome nights would end but I was wrong.

It’s the first marking period of senior year and the stress level has yet to come down. I’ve been to about five college visits and I'm coming to the realization that there is a lot of stuff to get done in order to apply for these colleges. I need to write several essays, pass the SAT, get letters of recommendation, fill out the common application online, fill out an activity sheet, all while trying to maintain good grades in school and be successful in the sports I am currently playing.

When I visited the colleges that I was interested in, I looked around at the students living there and I thought “wow I can’t wait until I’m here.” There is a matter of months before all the stressful applications and ac-ceptances are over and done with. I am trying my best to apply for early action so I can finish all my applications before the year ends as well as find out what colleges accepted me.

So far, I’ve been able to complete several things on my pre college “to do list.” I feel a bit relieved but I can’t wait for this heavy weight of pressure to rise from my chest. However, with all the pressure on all the se-niors, I still make time to enjoy my last year here at RMHS. I’m still involved in numerous clubs and I am cur-rently playing volleyball and cheerleading. I use these sports as a way to release all the pressure and have a good time with my teammates. My friends and I try our best to make time on weekends to go somewhere fun or grab something to eat.

I cherish the moments when I get to think and relax. I’ve realized that although times may be tough right now, all the studying and stress will pay off in the future. There is an old acronym called YOLO. You-Only-Live-Once. It is important to live by this phrase because your time in high school is limited to four years. It is crucial that me and all the students at RMHS enjoy every project, test, football game, or club meeting because it will all be over in the blink of an eye.

your princi(pal) moving on up by ali baric and hongbin yun by … · 2017. 10. 30. · your...

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