Eagles die and Hawks fly

Going into Sundays Championship game as the underdogs. The three time defending state champs had nothing but sure confidence and continuous mind aspects of what was to be expected from Coach Zipkie. Players of the squad Knew what was expected out of a heavily powered Gilford Club, that had went 19-0 all season long. their Team drew up plans to strike down the Three Time defending state champs and win for the first Time in 5 years. In comparison to professional sports, Gilford is seen as the new York Yankees of NHIAA Class M having won the msot Championship tittles and have had their rivals, such as Hopkinton. This was truly the match everybody wanted to see, the two Best Soccer teams In class M dueling it out for the tittle and thats what the state got.

For the first half nothing came out of the gates as the two teams had their chances and misses going into the second half tied at 0-0.Gilfords relentless attack payed off when Steffan Defregger's divingn header placed Gilford up 1-0. But Just moments later the Hawks crawled out of their nest and layed an egg on Gilford's doorstep with a goal by Billy French, assisted By carter Rouleau. The Game was scoreless until the 67th minuet when the unexpected corner
Turned into an unexpected goal as Kris Abildgaard put a bullet in Gilfords heart. That bullet seemed to weaken Gilford who bled away in infamy with time running out and behind for the first time all season. Both the Players on the field and the Bench could feel the tensions building and the profound feeling of victory was in every Hopkinton players mind . With the sudden tweek of the officials whistle, an eruption of cheers and chants roared from the stands and the bench as the Hawks rushed to embrace each other on the field. with a traditional celebration of a team pig pile it was a memorable sight for both the fans and the team. Gilford was first honored in the trophy presentation with the runner up medals ,followed by the Presentation of the Championship plaque and the championship medals awarded to the Hopkinton Hawks . after several minuets of embracing the victory and sharing it with fans and teammates, the Hawks gathered their soccer remains and deployed on the bus bound for home.

For the Past Four years the Boys varsity soccer team has brought a sense of Pride and joy to the School and the town Hopkinton. Many were their to support the Hawks like they had done many times before in previous state championship runs, all accept one person who tragically died last spring in a kayaking Trip.
This man was one of the most supportive Fans ever to support hopkinton's soccer programs as well as the Hopkinton High school. he made many memories for People of hopkinton and made his mark in lives of so many. this article Is dedicated to
Hamilton "Toby" Wood

Toto, They Don’t Look Like Geeks Anymore

by Mimi Ramsdell

Although the 2010 Robotics Competition Season does not start officially until January 9th, Hopkinton’s Team Oz-Ram has already started preparing for battle. While the typical person imagines the robotics team as a group of glasses wearing- pocket protector using geeks that also make up the Chess Club, the reality is quite the contrary. Hopkinton’s Robotics Team is compiled of a surprisingly normal group of high school students from Hopkinton and John Stark. Virtually none of the team members fit into the stereotypical mold of a geek, they all just enjoy expressing their inner nerd. Furthermore, as Coach Renald explains, “we need everybody’s help in completing the robot; anybody can be an important element in the Robotics Team.” Renald further expands on how past participators in the club could care less about the actual building of the robot, but were crucial parts in the financial, web design, and artistic parts of the program.

The point of the Team is to build a robot from scratch with the capabilities of competing in the Granite State Regional Competition starting on March 4th. While the group can start at any time assembling the robot, the actual task the robot must compete is not announced until six weeks before the competition. The task differs from year to year and the robot is judged on various aspects, not just its performance. The majority of the work that is done before the task is released is fundraising. Building a robot is a rather expensive hobby and requires many grants. Currently, Team Oz-Ram, named after their first sponsor and inspired their Wizard of Oz Theme, is putting together presentations for different sponsors, but most importantly waiting to hear back from a large potential sponsor, NASA.

Robotics is similar to sports and other clubs due to the comradely that is built during the season. Every person brings a unique ability to the team, which is reflected in the robot. Tucker Gaskill, a Junior and three year veteran on Robotics, enjoys the various experiences that the Team offers. Last year his favorite part was being able to attend an additional competition in Florida where they had the privilege of watching a NASA shuttle take off, in VIP seating. This year the Team hopes to travel to either Boston or Atlanta for an additional competition. The team is optimistic about their abilities this year and looks forward to another great season.

Dear Bertha

Dear Bertha,

I’ve recently begun the college application process, and I’ve realized that my list of extracurriculars is very small. Most people say that colleges like applicants to be involved in lot of activities, so I was wondering what I could do to boost up my extra curriculars, or what I could do to boost up my application in general.

Sincerely,

College Bound?

Dear College Bound,

First of all, don’t fret; you still have time to beef up your application. Most colleges allow you to send in your applications up until January. So in the time between then and now, try and get involved. One thing that colleges like to see is progress. So join some things now, but do activities that you are interested in. The last thing colleges want to see is getting involved just so your application will be better, because colleges can see right through it.

For the readers that are not seniors yet, this is a good learning opportunity. Colleges do like to see well-rounded applicants. This means that they want to see art classes and science classes and English classes. Outside the classroom they like to see sports and volunteering, and if you personally think you can manage it, a job. If they see that you have had all of these things while still keeping up your grades up, they will be very impressed. In saying this, don’t overwhelm yourself. Do a little bit of everything, and become the well-rounded person that colleges want to see.

Sincerely, Bertha

Ask Bertha

Dear Bertha,

I tend to look for the positive things in life, but my mom is the exact opposite. It gets really frustrating to have her always point out the negative things, when I am trying to find the positive. Lately her pessimistic lifestyle is starting to rub off on me. What can I do to avoid becoming like her?

Sincerely,

Debbie Downer Daughter

Dear Debbie Downer Daughter,

The most important thing in life is to be true to yourself, and it’s good that you want to continue to do so. However, moms often have a large effect on the way their daughters act. Keep thinking positive the way you always have, and try to either ignore your mom’s negative comments, don’t focus on them, or find the positive in her negative ideas. If this doesn’t work, try sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with your mom about the situation. Let her know that the best thing for you is to be optimistic, and that her pessimism is getting you down. Make sure she knows that you love her, but her pessimism is not the best thing for you. Not telling your mom could increase the tension in your relationship. Whatever happens, stay true to your optimistic self, and don’t let your mom stray from her true self.

Sincerely,

Bertha

Your Invitation Has Arrived... Harry Potter: The Exhibition

by Cristina White

Escaping from the world of Hogwarts and off to Boston the Harry Potter Exhibition is an adventure for all. Whether you are an avid Harry Potter fan or someone who has heard nothing of it this exhibit is for you. Now is our chance to catch a glimpse of the Hogwarts magic. Recently, Harry Potter: The Exhibition has made its way to Boston, MA.

In this magical exhibit you get the opportunity to "live the life" of a Hogwarts student. Exhibits inspired by film set pieces such as the Great Hall, Hagrid's Hut, and the Gryffindor Common Room. Other set pieces include, a five hundred pound, ten foot tall chess piece, the Weasley's car, and some of Harry's personal belongings. Over two hundred of the films costumes will be on display: Hagrid's clothing, various Quidditch uniforms, and numerous wizard robes.

Time is flying away so hop on your Nimbus 3000 and head to the Museum of Science in Boston. Harry Potter: The Expedition stays in New England until February 21, 2010.

New Z on the Block

Hopkinton High School experimented with a different schedule by adding a z block for 40 minutes. The intent for this block was to allow for students to get help in any class that they need help in. This z block has been tried for two days, and now we have to figure out if it is a success. Some students have used it wisely while others have not. For those students who have used it wisely find that 40 minutes is not enough to get what they want. Others use is as a do nothing period, which will not help them in the long wrong.

I find that this z block is useless and very inconvenient. Most of the teachers that I have class with use all 90 minutes that each block is. Shortening each block causes several things to happen. So far this block has been confusing because of the time changes. Also, for those teachers who use the entire 90 minutes will want to use the 90 minutes every day in all of their classes. Before the z block happened every class will normally start roughly 5 minutes late because of human nature and other little things that teachers have to take care of. That leaves 85 minutes of learning. When z block was thrown into the schedule it would take maybe 10 minutes to start class because of the confusion and because some of the teachers would try to squeeze in one more thing or two about the subject. This leaves roughly 70 minutes of learning, 15 less minutes for learning. For some classes, for example Calculus, we will start class before 8:00 because there is a lot to learn in a short amount of time. AP Physics is the same thing. We need the entire 90 minutes not 70.

When we had z block, the first day I tried to use it by studying for my SATs. I found that 40 minutes was not enough time to actually get into studying. I gave up trying to do anything on the second day because overall 40 minutes is a waste of time. Most of the students have at-least or should have 1 study hall in the 2 day rotation. Those study halls are actually useful and helpful because we have time to put our mind into what we need to do. Keeping these is all a student needs; not a 40 minute z block.

Holiday Word Search

by Aleksandr Hubbard

"Thanksgiving" "Christmas" "Hanukah" "New Year"

"Presents" "Gifts" "Fun" "Santa Claus"

"Happy" "Turkey" "Ham" "Rudolph"