n1. Mr. Currin

I was able to have the honor of interviewing modified girls basketball coach, Mr. Currin. He is also a varsity football coach as well as a high school English teacher. As everybody knows Mr. Currin grew up in a little town named Angola. No one really knows much about this town except for when they hear the name they think about air conditioning and Christian Laettner. Mr. Currin’s favorite thing about coaching girls modified basketball is the positive energy the girls have and the overall coaching ability of them. He also really likes it because it is a lot of fun. Without hesitation he knew his team’s record from this past season. He won a total of 8 games and lost a total of 2. One time I was able to see Mr. Currin coaching in the beginning of this year’s season. I have never seen such fear on the faces of 7^th and 8^th grade girls. There’s only one reason I can imagine that he had such a good record, and that is he scared the girls into winning games. As an “advisement sister” of Mr. Currin he talks about his team quite a bit and admitted to making one of the members of his team cry. I just had to ask Mr. Currin why he even bothers coaching football if he coaches girls modified basketball, since it doesn’t get much better than that. He stated that ever since 1993 he has had something to do with football. He started playing football at age 13 and ever since then has played, scouted, or been a part of a coaching staff. He loves football and believes that it is a metaphor for life. He also likes the competition associated with football. Mr. Currin is a big fan of a lot of good music. One band he really enjoys is Sugarland. In fact, he likes them so much that he once attended one of their concerts. His top three favorite songs by the group are All I Want to Do, Stuck like Glue, and Stay. Another question I asked him was to tell me about his favorite 18 year old male singer. Right away he said Joe White but then quickly changed his answer to Justin Bieber. He said that he likes his new song that he bought off of ITunes as soon as it came out. He also added the Justin Bieber movie, Never Say Never, to his instant queue.  I guess this just goes to show everybody is a fan of Justin Bieber at least a little bit. If you have any questions about Mr. Currin after reading this please feel free to contact him at RCurrin@aldenschools.org.  

n4. Trayvon Martin

On February 26^th Trayvon Martin was shot in the chest and killed. George Zimmerman allegedly shot and killed Martin after an altercation between the two. Trayvon Martin was just wearing white tennis shoes, a pair of jeans, and a hoodie. However, according to what Zimmerman said in his 911 call he looked suspicious. While Zimmerman was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher he said Trayvon was coming towards him and he also said something must be wrong with the boy. Zimmerman started to follow Martin even after the dispatcher told him not to. Another 911 call was made by a female who heard yelling coming from outside. Later while she was on the phone she said she heard a gunshot. The gunshot she heard was the shot that killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin. They boy who looked so suspicious to George Zimmerman had a bag of skittles and iced tea and was just going back to his father’s fiancées house to watch a game.  Zimmerman is claiming that he was the one you can hear screaming in the background of the 911 call. However, three witnesses say that it was Martin. This whole think disgusts me. As of now Zimmerman is not in any trouble. How do you not go to prison for killing an innocent boy? I think Zimmerman just suspected Martin was suspicious because of his race and had no other reason to feel threatened. It makes me angry that a young innocent boy was killed for not apparent reason. According to both 911 calls Trayvon wasn’t doing anything wrong. Also, the clothing he was wearing was not even the slightest bit suspicious. Most everyday people wear jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers. I think that Zimmerman was racist and just suspected Trayvon was doing something wrong.   Zimmerman deserves to face the consequences for what he has done.  

N3. Jobs

This summer I really want a job. I’m only 15 so it’s pretty tough to find a job anywhere. I applied at an ice cream place here in Alden, but they never called me back. There is a ton of places I can apply when I turn 16, but I have a late birthday at the end of July so it is kind of tough. My brother, Jacob, has worked at Berner’s Farms for many years now and he said he could probably get me a job. Actually, just last night my mom talked to a women that works there and she said she’s sure they could use me there and to pick up an application. I am really looking forward to working because I hate asking my parents for money and really don’t want to have to depend on them for everything. My friend Beatrice’s cousin owns a catering business and I have helped her a few times and have made quite a bit of money each time. It is fun to help her, but I don’t work with her often so it isn’t really anything that I can depend on as a job. Once I turn 16 I think I’m going to apply at the gas station at the end of my street. It is close enough for me to walk there and would be very convenient. Once I get my license it will be nice because I won’t have to have a job that is very close to my house. I’m going to Harkness next year for spa specialty and I will able to get a license for doing nails. When I turn 17 I can officially get a job doing nails. I am really excited to do that, it is something I would enjoy doing, not to mention it would make very good money from tips. Overall, I do not have a job now, but I can’t wait to get one and start making money!

N2. Spring

Out of all four seasons the fall is my favorite, and winter is my least favorite. I like both the spring and summer. I like the spring a lot because it means winter has finally ended, which makes me really happy. I hate how ugly everything looks after all the snow melts, but that doesn’t matter as long as the snow is all gone. Even though there was barely any snow this year I’m still happy about this spring weather. I like the fall because it is a perfect temperature, not to hot but not too cold either. Spring is pretty similar, however sometimes it is a little too cold. I like the spring because the flowers look so pretty when they come out. I also enjoy rain, except for the fact that worms come out and are all over the pavement. When it rains it smells bad though, and I’m pretty sure it’s the worms that smell. I love when it’s warm weather during spring. The only problem with nice weather, like we’re having now is that it gets me really excited for summer and then I just don’t feel like trying in school anymore. Another good thing about spring is that I can finally play basketball outside and that’s one of my favorite things to do when I’m at home. There is so much that a like about spring, there isn’t that much I don’t like. Probably one of my all-time favorite things about the spring time is all the pretty gardens and flowers, especially lilacs. I have quite a few lilac trees in my yard. There is nothing better than walking outside in the morning and smelling nothing but lilacs. They smell so good, they are my favorite scent. I’m really happy how early spring came this year and I love this weather!  

M4. Choice

                I’m not really the type of person to join clubs. I hate staying after and I hate doing anything that involves school other than sports outside of school. This year I was convinced to join newspaper club. This club is probably the biggest inconvenience to ever exist. The number one thing that annoys me is we don’t find out we have a meeting until approximately 45 minutes before the meeting begins. I don’t have the luxury of being able to drive. So if I have to stay after I need to know so I can arrange a ride home for myself.  Another thing I don’t like about this club is that we don’t really ever do anything. We all gather around the Club Advisor, Mr. Currin and listen to him talk about a commercial that he wants to be on WACS news. I’m pretty sure we never will see a commercial air about this club. Another meeting I remember is when we had to take a picture for the yearbook. We all stood there and were supposed to look mean. I, personally, am a very friendly person, so I’m not sure why we wanted to make ourselves look mean. Also we never have any parties in this club. My idea of a club is to have a lot of fun and eat pizza and meetings. Another part of Newspaper Club that makes me angry is the fact that Austin Hopcia is a part of the club. He is so annoying and is the worst member of Online Publishing and newspaper club. Overall, I don’t regret being a part of the newspaper club it is just a very big inconvenience to my life. Maybe someday the meetings will become more organized and we will have parties. However, until then I will continue to complain about the one and only club I have ever been in.

M3. Embarrassing Moment

Christian Bale said, “But I learned that there's a certain character that can be built from embarrassing yourself endlessly. If you can sit happy with embarrassment, there's not much else that can really get to ya.” I will be the first to admit I get embarrassed so easily. It doesn’t take much to make me turn bright red in embarrassment. I can honestly say I can’t put my finger on one individual time that I was most embarrassed during. I get embarrassed when I answer a question wrong in a class. I get embarrassed when I miss a shot in basketball or shoot and air ball.  There is just so much that I get embarrassed over and I don’t really even know why. I say stupid things all the time and embarrass myself. Half of the time when I get embarrassed it isn’t even that big of a deal but I still turn really red. One moment I remember being really embarrassed during was when I got pulled up to the sectionals semi-final basketball game as a freshman. We were playing Roy-Hart I remember sitting on the bench and not expecting or having any desire to go in the game because I was so nervous. Coach Delzer walked over to me and said Snyder you’re going in. I was kneeling waiting to go in and my heart was pounding I have never been so nervous ever. When I got in the game we were breaking Roy-Harts press. We got the ball in and I got the ball passed to me on the left side near half court. It was a perfect 2 on 1 with Lauren Kocher and I. I started to dribble the ball… and before I knew it the referee blew the whistle and called me for traveling. I was so embarrassed and angry at myself. Coach Delzer took me out right after that. . I only played for a few seconds that game, but that’s okay because after my travel all I wanted to do was sit on the bench.  

m1 St. Patrick's Day

Every year on St. Patrick’s Day my mom makes a special dinner. We have corn beef and cabbage. I honestly have no idea about the significance of this meal on St. Patrick’s Day so I decided to research it. What I found out was quite interesting. Corn beef and cabbage is not a traditional dish in Ireland. Bacon and cabbage was the traditional mean in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland only the wealthy people at beef. When people from Ireland moved to New York City they looked for a substitute for bacon. Beef was much more affordable in the United States than it was in Ireland. People started making the beef the way they would make bacon. So corn beef is actually an American tradition rather than an Irish tradition. St. Patrick’s Day takes place on March 17^th every year. It has been recognized as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. Up until the 1970s Irish pubs had no choice but to be closed on St. Patrick’s Day. Now St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated widely in many different countries. In Dublin, Ireland approximately one million people take part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Saint Patrick is the Patron saint and the national apostle of Ireland. People celebrate Saint Patrick because he is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. A theory for why St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17^th is because that was the day he died on. Shamrocks, green and gold and luck are associated with Saint Patrick’s Day. I don’t think many people know what they celebrate on Saint Patrick’s Day and they just use it as an excuse to have parties and consume alcohol. Overall my only Saint Patrick’s Day tradition is eating corn beef and cabbage. March 17^th is coming up quick and I can’t wait!

m1 St. Patrick's Day

Every year on St. Patrick’s Day my mom makes a special dinner. We have corn beef and cabbage. I honestly have no idea about the significance of this meal on St. Patrick’s Day so I decided to research it. What I found out was quite interesting. Corn beef and cabbage is not a traditional dish in Ireland. Bacon and cabbage was the traditional mean in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland only the wealthy people at beef. When people from Ireland moved to New York City they looked for a substitute for bacon. Beef was much more affordable in the United States than it was in Ireland. People started making the beef the way they would make bacon. So corn beef is actually an American tradition rather than an Irish tradition. St. Patrick’s Day takes place on March 17^th every year. It has been recognized as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. Up until the 1970s Irish pubs had no choice but to be closed on St. Patrick’s Day. Now St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated widely in many different countries. In Dublin, Ireland approximately one million people take part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Saint Patrick is the Patron saint and the national apostle of Ireland. People celebrate Saint Patrick because he is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. A theory for why St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17^th is because that was the day he died on. Shamrocks, green and gold and luck are associated with Saint Patrick’s Day. I don’t think many people know what they celebrate on Saint Patrick’s Day and they just use it as an excuse to have parties and consume alcohol. Overall my only Saint Patrick’s Day tradition is eating corn beef and cabbage. March 17^th is coming up quick and I can’t wait!

m2 texting and driving

I’m so excited to get my permit this summer. My birthday isn’t until the end of July so I have to wait a while until I can start driving but I’m counting down until I can. I think that once I get my license I won’t text and drive. When I drive with my brother or other young drivers and they text it doesn’t really bother me but I know it is very dangerous. My sister and I almost got in an accident once because she was texting and driving. It is really easy to just drift into the other lane without realizing it when you are texting and driving. I think it is scary to text and drive because you are paying absolutely no attention to the road. After the prom assembly last year it really made me open my eyes about the dangers of texting and driving and I think it’s something I probably won’t do. Most people from this generation are always on their phone; which is tough because they will want to text while they are driving and they don’t think that they will ever get into an accident.  According to the American Automobile Association 50% of teens admit to texting while driving. In 2008 texting and driving was the cause of 16% of all accidents. In the last 4 years cell phones have become much more popular so the amount of accidents cause by mobile devices has probably increased by a lot. It isn’t just teens that text and drive. I have been in the car with my parents when they have checked their phones. I’ve also been in the car with my friends’ parents and they have texted while driving. I think texting while driving is very dangerous but I don’t think people will just not text and drive because of that. This is a problem that will continue to injure and result in fatalities of many people.

l4. choice

On Tuesday February 21^st I played in my last game of the season for basketball. We played against the Depew Wildcats. My team and I definitely thought we were going to win. During our winter tournament we played Depew and lost by only 1 point. This was supposed to be our game and we were going to advance to the sectionals. The first quarter wasn’t great. We were only down by a few points so we weren’t out of the game. But after that it all went downhill. We ended up losing by a lot. The final score was 26 to 55. I can honestly say I was so embarrassed after the game. If we were going to lose we shouldn’t have lost by that much and we should’ve played much harder as a team. The night after our game I was pretty bummed out. I don’t think it really hit me yet that the season was over though. The next day I felt so bad. I just kept thinking about coach Delzer and how mad at us he probably was. The last thing I wanted to do was to disappoint our coach who has had faith in us all season long. I know people say “oh it’s just a game” but it really means more to me than just that. Even now more than a week later I keep thinking about that game and it makes me upset to think how we just let Depew walk away with a win that easily. I have to wait almost a whole year to play basketball for school again and until then the result of that game will always bother me. We were such a better team than that to play such a bad game. Not to mention we were at home, home court advantage couldn’t even help us. I really don’t know why we fell apart that night. Depew wasn’t a great team and we could have easily beaten them. We just weren’t playing together at all. I think me, along with all the girls coming back next year have learned a lesson and won’t ever let that happen again.

l3. what makes me angry

Too be honest there isn’t much that makes me angry. It is really tough to make me mad just because I am generally a very happy person. Probably the one thing that makes me the angriest is math. Ever since I was younger math frustrated me so much. Especially now since I’m in trigonometry and it’s really difficult it makes me so mad. I just sit there in math class and have no idea what anyone is talking about. It seriously seems like a different language to me when people explain things because I can’t even comprehend it. Math homework is a whole other story. I get home and just sit there and stare at my math book hoping it starts to make sense because I don’t have the slightest clue what to do. One thing that is even worse than math homework is math tests. I normally leave half of my math tests blank because I have no idea how to do any of the problems. Not being able to pass a math test makes me so mad. So far this semester I have yet to pass a math test. I have no idea why I even signed up to take trig. It seems like the biggest waste of my time, and is good for nothing except to put me in a bad mood. I actually do try really hard to understand everything but it seems impossible. I am really concerned that I will not pass the math regents exam. If I don’t pass that will make me really mad because it will mean I wasted a whole year in the worst class I have ever been in. Overall, I barely ever get angry. However trigonometry has the ability to ruin my good mood in a matter of minutes.