Saying Goodbye by Dominik Stallings

SAYING GOOD BYE

On Friday, Dec. 6^{th ,} our English student teacher, Mr. Jenkins, left our school since the university semester was over. He left us since he wanted to become a librarian. For that he had to gain some experience in a real high school and he chose our school. So, to gain some experience he observed some high school classes. He did that for the first whole semester of 2013. He got to help the teachers by letting the students fill out quizzes and supervising them.

He also told a lot about his high school times and also his middle school. He used to go to a school that was even smaller than the St. Ignatius schools. He had trouble with bullying in high school but as he got into college he had a blast. He went to Cornell and then to the University of Montana.

He told us all about what kind of classes he went to and what he got to study, his favorite part was the anime club though, since he could hang out with all of his friends there. I think Mr. Jenkins really liked it at our school since he was so surprised that there was pretty much no bullying going on, everyone kind of knows each other, and it is a small town. A lot of kids liked Jenkins because his style was so unique. He was fun to be around and also had a hilarious laugh, which everybody enjoyed hearing every now and then.

But he is done now and is probably continuing to study at the university. Mr. Jenkins was overall a very interesting character and he will be missed at school.

By Dominik Stallings

Christmas Festivities around the World: Poland by Leon Ochs

Christmas Festivities around the World: Poland

           

Poland is cold and ill-weathered during the winter, but that doesn’t stop the Polish from having their own set of special celebrations during the winter holidays. Christmas Eve is the start of the Christmas celebrations, and it is a day where the Polish people fast for 24 hours until the first star on that night shines. Once the first star shows itself they have a feast of great grandeur and have family celebrations (Polish Christmas Traditions).

            The feast is a twelve course meal, and is served without red meat, for it is forbidden. Usually you will see meals of fish, cabbage, dumplings, potatoes and thin bread which are somewhat holy to them (Polish Christmas Traditions). The fish is usually herring, carp or pike, and sometimes the fish is turned into a hearty soup.

            Some traditions are not taken as seriously though, such as the New Year’s weather prediction where on January 6^th, you’re supposed to predict the climate of the oncoming year. Though this may have been significant in the past, it is now simply a joke or way to entertain children.  There is also a belief like if there is no snowfall on Christmas, then it will surely fall on Easter day, or if the star shines on Christmas Eve, then the hens will lay more eggs and be more productive that year (Polish Christmas Traditions).

            There are also three types of Polish carols: religious, legendary, and imaginative. These are beautiful hymns, and most of the legendary ones were based on tales the book Apocrypha contains (Polish Christmas Traditions). This book is filled with fantasies, and no one believes that it actually is true, but nonetheless they are entertaining.

            Now that is how the Christmas holidays are spent in Poland. Do you believe we have it any better?

http://www.polishcenter.org/Christmas/TRADITIONS.htm

-          Leon Ochs

            

My Christmas Experience by Dominik Stallings

MY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

A few days after Christmas I had an amazing time. Christmas itself was quite boring since I really just wanted a video game and maybe just hang out with my parents. But I got something a few days later, on December 31.

It wasn’t only New Years, but it was also the day we got to visit a puppy from the Missoula animal shelter. His name was Philbert and he was the last puppy from the litter to be adopted. He is a Pit Bull-Yellow Lab-mix like many dogs around the area. He is a slender looking Pit Bull which was probably the reason I liked him so much. He is about 8 months old so he is still young and barely trained. He could only respond to “sit” and when you called out his name.

He is a very active little guy who loves running around and retrieving things for you, just like a retriever. He has been living with us for quite a while and has made us all very happy, aside from the occasional mistake he does, like stealing socks and shoes and chewing on them. Even though he has enough toys to chew and gnaw on.

But he is quickly learning things that are going to be quite important for him in life, like climbing steps and jumping into and out of our cars, Philbert is the 1^st dog I’ve ever had so I am still inexperienced with him, but I too am learning about him.

He’s been quite the experience and I had quite the amazing time this Christmas.

By Dominik Stallings

The Advanced Biology Trip by Leon Ochs

Advanced Biology Trip

            This year may be the last time that kids can attend the Advanced Biology trip without raising thousands of dollars, or maybe going at all! This year Mr. Ligas informed our Advanced Biology class that the school board and superintendent decided to cut funding for the much-anticipated trip to Utah. Though

what is the Advanced Biology trip in the first place?

            Well, the Advanced Biology trip is more of an adventure than a trip. Basically, it’s where our teacher, Mr. Ligas, and one other chaperone take the class to Utah. We hike and witness the world firsthand for seven days. Everything we’ve learned in the classroom becomes a hands-on experience, and a difficult class becomes worthwhile. During those seven days we will sleep every night in tents, and have a huge absence of showers. Also, we may encounter problems relating to how we’re not allowed to bring cell phones on the trip. Though, in the end, it’s an exciting and life-changing experience, which can make all the hard work in the classroom worth the struggle.

            Though all of this can be taken away for upcoming classes, why would our school do that? Well, it’s not just the Advanced Biology trip that has had its funding cut or reduced. This year, the Youth Legislature trip budget was cut in half, forcing the people attending to raise around $2,500. It seems that with our new school board, instead of focusing on great educational experiences, we would rather spend money on things like Top Dog assemblies and sports, especially sports.

            Most people are in favor of using money on sports, because we live in America, where sports take precedence over education. Anyway, good luck to the future classes who want an Advanced Biology trip, because you’re going to either have to raise the money yourselves, or fight for the school board to change its mind.

-          By Leon Ochs

Candy Cane Sale by Allie Kosherbek

Candy Canes Sale.

           

Christmas is a traditional holiday all over the United States and a common holiday for all of Christianity. The Candy Cane is not only a sucker but can also be a Christmas tree ornament.

In fact, candy cane is a cane-shaped hard candy stick associated with Christmas. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint; but is also made in a variety of other flavors and colors.

This year SSC came up with a good idea of selling candy canes and delivering them to students and teachers. The price of candy canes depends on the amount of bought candies. For instance, delivering one candy cane costs 1 dollar, for 2 it is $1.50, and so on.

You can choose anyone to send your candy cane, beginning from the elementary school and ending up with teachers.

 The sale was provided during the lunch on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19. Delivery was on Friday on the Festivus day at school. 

No matter if it is an expensive present, or just a candy cane, the main idea is your attention. Merry Christmas to everybody!

By Allie K.

Trip to the U of M by Allie Kosherbek

Trip to UM.

Last Friday, Nov. 22, was Career Day. A day, when seniors have mock interviews, juniors go to job shadows, and sophomores got to go to the University of Montana.

Fortunately exchange students don’t have to go to a job shadow, but on the UM trip with

sophomores. The University of Montana is located in Missoula. At 8:30 there was a presentation about UM, why we should apply for it, and discussion about the benefits of this university. Then we divided into 2 groups with a leader in each one with whom we had a campus overview. We started on the University Center, then we went down to the Mansfield Library, and through the Urey Lecture Hall. We visited the Native American Center. On the way to Emma Lommasson Center there was a road with words in different languages, and I was so happy when I saw “hi” in Kazakh and Russian, as well! Then we had a good lunch with other University students. After lunch we left the UM, and on the way back we had to answer questions about UM.

Also, as you know, there was a game between Grizzlies of UM and Bobcats of MSU. The results are pretty joyful, Griz got it!  Now UM celebrates it, and I am happy for them.

By Allie Kosherbek

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Kayla Billette

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Review

            The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the second installment in the Hunger Games Trilogy. Based on the books by author Suzanne Collins, the movie is full of action, humor and romance.

            The movie starts with victors, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, who won the 74^th annual Hunger Games in the previous film, and are preparing for their tour of Panem. But just because the games are over, doesn’t mean Katniss and Peeta are out of the fire. President Snow suspects an uprising sparked from Katniss’ actions in the arena, and he comes up with a devious plan to make her pay for it. Every 25 years brings around a Quarter Quell, which means they add a new twist to the games. The twist for this year is that former victors will be tossed in for drawings to be sent back into the arena.

            The movie was very well-directed, with its consistent and well-regulated scenes. With a movie like Catching Fire, you need balance and it delivered just that. The new arena was also very well constructed and the effects throughout the whole movie were awe-inspiring. It was also able to inform us with light scenes just as much as it wowed us with fast-paced action. The cast was also amazing, with Jennifer Lawrence in the lead with co-star Josh Hutcherson. Lawrence gives a brilliant performance, and she and Hutcherson are able to play off of each other very well.

Another character I enjoyed was Johanna Mason, played by Jena Malone. She was very loud and emotional from the moment we were introduced to her, and I loved her. She had nothing to lose and constantly spoke her mind.

Catching Fire was an amazing movie, and left the audience in awe, wanting the third movie. Overall, I give this movie 10 out of 10 stars and you can guarantee I’ll be seeing Mockingjay as soon as it comes to theaters.

By Kayla Billette