Monthly Archives: October 2018
Hard work and Leadership Prepares Marching Band for a Successful Season
Harrison Bowen ‘19
EE Contributor
The Marching Band is conceivably one of the most prestigious programs at Trumbull High School with its multiple Regional Championships and appearances in events such as the Macy’s day parade. However, the Band takes time and commitment with the intense practice and preparation required.
The students’ dedication begins even before school starts. The Marching Band has one of the most intense summer programs at the High School. “Summer Camp” is a two week period at the end of August that has members working from 9am to 9pm. The scorching heat and intense exercise makes the days challenging.
“I remember breaking down into tears because I honestly hated it so much, but my parents didn’t let me quit, and I’m glad that I stuck around,” said Freshman Katie DeRose.
The days at camp are split into three blocks with lunch and dinner breaks in between. Although they are given time to eat, the band members are expected to continue practicing.
“Neighboring schools have as short as three day camps and it’s not as effective. We outshine them in competitions and it’s because we endured the pain and persevered through the two weeks while they didn’t put the time in,” said DeRose.
Mrs. Spillane Brings the “Razzle Dazzle” to the Stage
Ali Karpowich’19
EE Contributor
THS students shown rehearsing for the 2018 production of Curtains.
Next stop for Chicago, one of the longest running shows on Broadway: Trumbull High School’s stage. In the spring of 2019, THS will produce Chicago the Musical: School Edition.
Mrs. Jessica Spillane ㅡ a Connecticut High School Musical Theater Award winning artistic director ㅡ is returning for her 21st year working with THS students. “The storyline itself has not been touched, but some language has been changed to be less jarring,” says Mrs. Spillane, explaining how the Broadway version is different from the High School version. “We went with the version to be more in the comfort zone of a high school.”
Chicago focuses on the media portrayal of two women who have committed horrible crimes. “It was so different back then, even though these women committed heinous crimes, they were painted as celebrities,” explains Mrs. Spillane.
“Working with Mrs. Spillane is always incredible. Every time I work with her I always learn something new. She is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met and I am honored she has given me so many opportunities to learn and create,” says Harrison Gilberti, a senior at Trumbull High.
Social Issues Dominate This Year’s Fall Fashion
Gabriella Perez ’19
EE Contributor
Designer Jeremy Scott protests the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
The 2018 autumn fashion week was during the midst of various social justice campaigns such as Time’s Up, #Me Too, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Designers are currently using their creative platforms to speak up on these important issues.
Popular fashion houses like Prada and Alexander McQueen are releasing designs centered around these issues. This year’s autumn fashion line has an odd twist of hyper elegance and a slap of inspirational messages. Designers are pushing their message of wanting to make women feel good, protected, and unstoppable so they can go out and conquer the world.
Head designer of Moschino, Jeremy Scott showed his support against Brett Kavanaugh during his New York City fashion week show. Scott wore a white tank top with the phrase “Tell Your Senator NO on Kavanaugh 202-902-7129.”
In an interview with Vogue UK, Scott said, “These are aggressive times. We need to ensure that we keep LGBT rights, women’s rights, women’s reproductive rights, and affirmative action – there’s a lot at stake right now.”
The MLB’s Checkbook Champions
Greg Kaufmann ’19
EE Contributor
The Boston Red Sox have the highest payroll in Major League Baseball.
As October approaches, the MLB playoff hunt thickens, and champagne bottles pop as the league’s most deserving teams punch their tickets to the postseason. To achieve this feat, each contending team has a talent-filled roster with some of the league’s highest paid stars, thus creating massive team payrolls for contenders that are well over the league’s median. The correlation between the league’s top clubs and the highest payrolls is extremely strong, and it begs the question: Is a high payroll in the MLB worth it? And how can low-budget, small-market teams compete with the deep pockets of teams like New York, Boston and Los Angeles?
Frankly, it’s worth it to pay the big bucks, as according to Sportrac.com, nine out of the league’s fifteen teams above the $141 million median salary are teams in the playoff hunt. Undoubtedly, winning does not come without a price. The impact of high salaries on the team’s success is clear, as the league’s best team, a 103 win and 47 loss Boston Red Sox team, boasts both the league’s most impressive record and highest payroll, at $228,333,860. With this salary, the Red Sox have made a statement about the justification of paying anything to win. The Red Sox have splashed on expensive free agents in order to capitalize on a talented, young core of players before they too demand outrageous salaries. Other top performing and top payroll teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and New York Yankees, to go along with the Sox, are not hard to find. The MLB’s group of winners is also the group with the deepest pockets.
Infinite Love For Kids Fighting Cancer Teams Up With THS Students and Teachers
Christina Abriola ’19
EE Contributor
Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, a locally known group fighting against childhood cancer, is run by one of our own teachers, Mr. McCaffrey. “[We do it] for the kids that do not have the chance anymore or lost their battle to cancer. You just need to live your life to the fullest everyday and remember things could be alot worse.” said Jaime Tolk, a Junior who cut off 10 inches of her hair and donated it for the cause.
Forty-one students and 6 teachers have teamed up with local hair salons and the Infinite Love organization to either cut off their hair, portions of their hair, or shave their head completely to help make wigs. This was Jaime’s third time cutting and donating her hair. She said being on the track team really inspired her to do this. Once she heard on the announcements that she could donate through the school, she knew that was exactly what she wanted to do. This is important to her because her track coach plays a huge role in the organization and he lost his daughter to childhood cancer.
Tolk said she went into the hair salon feeling excited but a bit nervous. She had been waiting for this day since May of last year. With all the fundraising they did since then and finally getting to cut her hair, she says it couldn’t have been better timing with September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Hope for Pluto
Pluto holds uncertain fortunes: planet or dwarf plantet?
Amaya Mikolic-Berrios ‘21
EE News Editor
Most students currently in school would agree that Pluto is not a planet. This simple idea has been taught since the dwarf planet was demoted from a planet in 2006. Although weak attempts have been made to regain Pluto’s planetary status, none of them were of much gravity. However, on September 13, a University of Central Florida professor proposed a shocking notion that may give Pluto another chance at being a planet.
According UCF professor Philip Metzger, as reported in the Orlando Sentinel, there are hundreds of planets in our solar system. He and several coworkers labored through over two centuries of planetary science reports in an effort to unearth exactly why and when the definition of a planet had been altered.
When the International Astronomical Union voted on its definition of a planet, the criteria came entirely out of the blue. As many students are familiar with, the IAU’s measure of whether a celestial body qualifies as a planet is split into three parts: the body must orbit the sun, have a nearly spherical structure, and be the only celestial body in its orbit. The last point, which was the cause for Pluto’s demotion, is what many scientists since the IAU’s decision have disagreed with.
The Eastern States Exposition: A Big succEss
Kathryn Wilkinson ‘21
EE Science and Technology Editor
On Tuesday September 25th, the students studying at Agriscience took their annual trip to the Eastern States Exposition. The Big E, showcasing livestock, horses, poultry, and plenty more, was a great opportunity for agriscience students to enhance their knowledge of their specific subject area.
Over the course of the next year, juniors and seniors enrolled in the UCONN ECE Equine and Animal Science course offered at Agriscience will increase their comprehension of feeding and caring for the animals, understanding their anatomy, physiology, and genetics as well as judging and evaluating them. While at the Big E, these students had the opportunity to talk with individuals that raise and show their animals and learn more about their area of study.
How To Survive as a Freshman
Mishka Kapoor ‘21
EE Features Editor
Freshmen year is full of opportunities to fill up as a freshmen, but sometimes it may become overwhelming.
Freshmen year. The first year of high school. A fresh start and a new chapter in life. It can seem scary, but at the same time, exciting.
A month has already passed, and by now the school year has taken full force. With the right mindset, maintaining good grades and staying on task will come easily. Unfortunately, it can also become easy to fall behind on assignments as coursework seems to increase in difficulty. Some anxiety is understandable, but fear not because there are so many ways to be successful. A few upperclassmen voiced their opinions in order to ensure a productive school year for freshmen.
Anushka Gangwar, a senior, believes that balance is key. “One thing to help get through high school is to balance everything,” Anushka explains. “Make sure you do your school work, but don’t make school work all you do.”
Club Officers Look Forward to New Year With New Participants
Eric Sorge ‘19
EE Co-Managing Editor
The commons were bustling on Thursday, September 20th, as hundreds of students represented, signed up for, and learned about the world of clubs Trumbull High has to offer at the annual club fair, and many upperclassmen look forward to introducing the freshman class to the many activities available at the school.
Every year, club officers and advisors, equipped with posters, sign up sheets, and snacks,
gather in the commons to attract potential club members. The goal is to give students an opportunity to see the many options they have to get involved in after school activities. Codes to a Google Classroom are often provided by representatives of clubs at the fair, granting students easy access to updates and information for numerous clubs they are interested in participating in or learning more about.
“To be a productive member of the school, go a little outside your comfort zone when it comes to activities in and after school,” advised Link Crew Leader and Treasurer of the Ethics Club, senior Chris Gayda.
New Turf, New Results?
Adam Tolk ‘19
EE Contributor
The boys’ soccer team’s home games will no longer be played in McDougall Stadium, but rather on the new turf field in a whole new setting. No longer will students and players walk through the familiar gates of “The Mac”. Will the new location and game times have an effect on the comfort and success of the team in the near future?
In previous years, the boys’ soccer team has had great success. In the 2016 season, they finished as FCIAC champs and ended the season with an undefeated record.
In 2017, they ended their season in a grueling FCIAC championship game, losing by only 1 goal to Greenwich
Such a finish may not seem like a success, however, it is evident that they are a premier team in the league due to their consistent championship runs.
