Combined Forces = Friendly Outreach

By Dorothy England

Mrs. Sintros, with the help and assistance of Mr. Kelly, Mrs. Shaefer, Ms. Underwood and Mrs. Moskal, has combined Peer Outreach and Friends of Rachel groups from last year into one. She believes that a teacher is not only there to instruct, but also to facilitate a supportive and healthy environment. Mrs. Sintros is hoping to support students to get along with others in their community. She also wants to provide them with a safe and positive climate. Mrs. Sintros choose to combine the groups to increase the numbers of member. Also, both groups are similar in their goals and approaches to treating others with genuine kindness. It goes much deeper than that though; combined, both the community and school will be benefited. With the help of fundraisers and assemblies, a more positive environment will be created for everyone.

Last year, this was fulfilled. 'Make a Wish' Foundation and 'Save Darfur' were only some of the projects completed in the Middle school and High school last year. Some goals Mrs. Sintros hopes to achieve this year include mixing social groups, such as athletes and artists, studious and musical students together. This she hopes will create a friendly atmosphere where those who feel like they may not belong can participate in. As Mrs. Sintros mentioned, the sky is the limit. Bowling and movie nights can be organized for anyone and everyone to participate in. Thus, friends can be made; even a big brother/sister sort of approach can be established.

Excited for the coming year and the various possibilities this group can fulfill, Mrs. Sintros encourages students to reach out to others who may feel like they don't fit in. She wants people to be comfortable in saying hello to a new face and introducing themself. Mrs. Sintros mentioned that when she was in high school, there wasn't a Peer Outreach group, but there was a Social Awareness group at the past school she taught at, of which she was an advisor. At her college, the motto was 'men and women for others'. Obviously, Mrs. Sintros knows her stuff and is well suited for leading this group.

The first kickoff meeting will be Friday, October 3rd, at 7:30 in the morning, room 202. All students, grades 9-12 are welcomed to attend; middle school has their own group. Students will be permitted to include their own input and ideas for the group to do. So all who are able and willing should come. Who knows you could make a new friend in the process; the smallest interaction can make the biggest difference.

Spirit Skatepark

by Jake Lessels
For the past seven years, people of all ages have flocked to the Spirit Skate Park. Josh Lessard has been riding the park for the last four years and has loved every second of it. He spends at least six hours a day there riding his BMX bike. “I have been riding since I was 13, and I cannot get enough of it,” Lessard said. During those four years, Josh has been practicing his tricks; on the ramps and on flat-ground. He has mastered all the tricks from a basic J-hop to tail whips and 540’s.

Josh’s most memorable moment at the park was the Brace Jam. This event was an annual get-together of skaters and riders. It was held by local skaters and bikers that just wanted to have a good time. The Jam included live bands and food. Lessard liked it because it gave young kids a chance to have fun with older skaters and bikers before they became professional. “It was a blast,” Lessard told me. He wishes that another event like this one could be held at the skate park.

Unemployment Rates in New Hampshire vs. United States

by Dan Lux

One year ago citizens of New Hampshire were worry free of being unemployed, with the unemployment rate at only 3.7%. But as the earth spins, unfortunately so does the unemployment rate. In October of 2008 the unemployment rate rose from 3.7% to a whopping 6.6% in March of 2009. Since the unemployment rate stopped at 6.6%, it has kept changing a steady pace. Since March the Unemployment Rate has gone as low as 6.4% and as high as 6.8%.
As for the United States as a whole, the Unemployment Rate is at an all time high of 9.7%. Other than this year the highest Unemployment Rate was in 1992 at an 8.2%. It is believed that the Unemployment Rate rose to where it is now because more people are actively seeking work, but unable to find what they are looking for. The United States has lost more the 216,000 jobs in this economy since August of 2009. As it seems of right now, the effectiveness of Obama’s economic recovery does not seem to be working, or it is taking longer than projected.

Trading Kicks for Sticks

by Mimi Ramsdell

Every Wednesday, for the last six years, about sixty girls congregate on Hopkinton’s field hockey field. Their skills range from barely being able to hold a field hockey stick, to being a starter on the Varsity Field Hockey Team. This production, known as Buddy Field Hockey, is headed by Varsity Coach Connolly.

On the first day, every younger girl, from second to sixth grade, is assigned a big buddy on either the JV or Varsity Field Hockey Team. For the next five weeks the little buddy will learn the basic skills and rules of field hockey from her big buddy. The season is ended by a large, multiple town, Buddy Field Hockey Jamboree.

But why would Coach Connolly rather have her players playing and joking around with young girls instead of practicing? There are multiple reasons. Buddy Field Hockey keeps Hopkinton’s field hockey program strong. Girls can play soccer as soon as they can run, but there are fewer opportunities to learn field hockey. This program attracts girls who would usually be playing soccer, but learn they love field hockey.

Additionally, as Coach Connolly points out, this is one opportunity for the older girls to give back to the community. The older girls become role models for the younger girls. The older girls take pride in teaching and setting examples for the aspiring field hockey players. Some of the older girls were younger buddies when the program first started and are aware of how enjoyable the experience is.

Overall, for twenty dollars, not only does a young girl learn the basics of field hockey; she is able to meet new people, gain a role model, and have fun.

Attention all Gleeks!

by Cristina White

Find yourself tuning in to Glee weekly? Even if you don't, you deserve to know what's going down on the new Fox series. High school Spanish teacher Will Schuester takes the Glee club in a new direction. Members of the Glee club include: Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, Artie Abrams, Mercedes Jones, Tina Cohen-Chang, and Finn Hudson. These students are considered the “underdogs” and Schuester wants the community of McKinley High to realize their true potential. Schuester is prepared to do whatever it takes to make Glee club the best that it can be. He is up against the coach of the “Cheerios” Cheerleading squad, Sue Sylvester. Sylvester believes that the Glee club is a joke. Sylvester schemed to have some of her “Cheerios” audition to be a part of the Glee club. Her plan was to destroy Glee club, but by the looks of it her scheme is not going as planned. The Glee club produces great music which can be heard on iTunes. Some of their recordings include “Don’t Stop Believin” and “Gold Digger.” Next time you find yourself flipping through the channels on Wednesday nights around 9pm EST, check out Glee on FOX.

Making a Racquet

by Maddie Durant

You may have walked into school on Wednesday, and noticed three boys dressed in tennis clothes. Or maybe you noticed that our usually empty tennis court was a bit busy that afternoon. Or you noticed nothing at all, and have no idea what I’m talking about. Fact is: Hopkinton’s tennis team had their first practice on Wednesday.
Of course, ‘team’ and ‘practice’ are the operative words here, but there were four young men out playing tennis on Wednesday. Players Ben Dalzell, Sam Hayden and Ben Spaulding, with Coach Max Sink, held their first practice out on the tennis courts, with all intentions of having a good time getting out and doing something. As they played, people started to show up. I love tennis, and followed them right to the courts. We were soon joined by numerous JV boys’ soccer players, and a few others. Racquets were passed around, and everyone who wanted to got a chance to play. A few even went or called home to get their own racquets.
After a short warm-up, the guys had their first game. Ben and Ben versus whoever had the racquets on the other side of the court. The key rule of the game: there are no rules. If the ball was moving and in reach of someone’s racquet, then it was still in play. In the end, our tennis team won. But seeing how it was half the team versus the other half, everyone won. It was all in good fun.

Tennis is a great way to get out and do something. Whether you never held a racquet in your life, or you’ve been taking lessons and playing with siblings since you were little, anyone can come out and practice with the Hopkinton tennis team. It’s not about how good you are, or

whether the ball lands within the lines every time, it’s about having fun. So if you want to come

to the next practice, listen to the morning announcements; practices will be announced over the intercom. Bring your racquet, bring some tennis balls, maybe bring some food to share and go

play some tennis!

Sie sprechen Deutsch?

By Dorothy England

This past month, Hopkinton High School was very privileged to welcome 15 German exchange students. Not only did they visit our school, they also went to Boston, where they saw a buffalo farm, and Maine where they experienced the White Mountains. Their favorite place though was Manhattan, New York City because it was exciting.
They said they really appreciated Hopkinton for people's genuinely kind and open-minded attitude they received and all but one wished to stay longer. They thought Hopkinton was awesome, even though they thought Hopkinton was too small (probably after seeing NYC) and the school hours were too long.
They were especially surprised at the freedom of selection students had in their choice of classes. Back home in Germany, they are only allowed to choose a language but the rest of their classes are required. As for languages, most of them, if not all know at least three languages; some even know four. These languages include German, English, French and Latin. An additional language they admitted to is a non-spoken, verbal language consisting of hand motions that they use in class when they don’t want their teacher to notice.
Another difference between our schools is while our school offers a vast amount of sports to participate in, German sports are separate from their schools. They were intrigued by our school spirit, which includes consisting of purple headbands and/or flannel shirts.
Lastly, you may be wondering what America's greatest influence is on Germany; it is not in fact the food (which they consider unhealthy), but instead, our music including rap and hip-hop.
It was awesome having them here and we were as they were sad to see them go. But as the Germans say, ‘auf wiedersehen!’