Category Archives: Volume 6, Issue 1

Volume 6, Issue 1

Costly SCS Renovations Set to Minimize Distractions

Mr. Xander Miller, Special Current Events Corresondent

Sitting in 8th-grade math class only one noise can be heard. The migration of kindergarteners walking to their lunch period outside our open walled classroom and the last thing every middle schooler needs is another distraction in school.

To minimize the distraction of students Shelburne Community School started the process of renovating it’s middle school classroom wings to remove the distractions that come from open walled classrooms.

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Allan Miller Co-Principal of Shelburne Community School said the purpose of the renovations was to discard the open-classroom concept built in 1917 which is very distracting to a student’s learning environment. Current CVU Freshman Mackenzie Miller said, “When I was trying to take a test or read, noises came into the classroom regularly. It did not matter if the noise started in the hall right outside of the room or in another area of the school. I could hear it”.

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Volume 6, Issue 1

Here Comes Treble: Conflicts Between CVU’s Major Music Groups Arise

Ms. Julia Higa, Special Current Events Correspondent

Rumors have been flying around about how the Sons of Pitches and the groups of the CVU music department feel about each other. Frustration towards the Sons from some of the music groups sparked up significantly after their “‘Twas the Night Before…” holiday special concert on December 21st. One member of the Sons of Pitches describes the backlash as, “bullshit.”

The Sons of Pitches have been a boys a-capella group here at CVU for a little over a year. Their comedic take on the music has attracted many CVU fans, but has also created some tension between the groups of the CVU music department.

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CVU’s award winning singers at Arts Appreciation Night. Photo courtesy fo the Williston Observer

A concerned band student, Nathan Bamberger, expressed that the Sons had violated a school guideline by performing songs that had relations to a religious holiday, deeming that if they want to be associated as a CVU group, they should be held to the same standards as every other performing arts group at the school. Sons of Pitches member, David Huber, explained that after having worked on the concert material for 5-6 weeks, they were warned the day of the show that they had to remove any content affiliated with Christmas, “The school let us know five minutes before the concert that we had to change the content, but as a Jewish kid, the songs or the concert didn’t bother me at all,” Huber says.  

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Volume 6, Issue 1

Winter Carnival: The Climate Discussion Srpouts up in the Spring

Ms. Carly Labrie, Special Media & Society Correspondent

Traditions are carried down from generation to generation. They bring a family, group, or community together. But, what happens when a tradition goes too far? What if it causes some negative side effects? Should it be changed or altered? Or is it acceptable, simply because of the fact that it’s a tradition?

Every year, on the last day of school before February break, Champlain Valley Union High School holds its Winter Carnival. Each class gathers together in the gym for some chanting, a dance competition, and a trike race. The seniors take control of the event each year, leading and claiming victory over most of the activities.

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Seniors doing their thing.

 

This year, however, started some discussion between students and faculty about the environment of Winter Carnival, and whether or not the senior class took it too far.

The evening after the event, on Friday, February 24th, the principal of CVU, Adam Bunting, sent out an email to students and faculty. After some reflection, Bunting wrote in the email, “The more I thought, though, the less good I felt about how the ninth graders were treated. I understand that there wasn’t malicious intent and that the upperclassmen were joking around, but it did feel like the humor went overboard; the tone was a bit different than normal.”

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Uncategorized, Volume 6, Issue 1

UVM’s Rubenstein School of Natural Resources Offers Local Programs for the Environmentally Minded and Academically Motivated

Ms. Carly Alper, CVC Environmental Correspondent

Seniors going into UVM may want to consider joining the Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources. At a large university, with nearly 12 thousand students enrolled, it’s nice also to be a part of a smaller community. The Rubenstein School is one of twelve colleges and schools at UVM. As the world increasingly needs to depend on renewable energy and find greener ways to sustain our way of life, knowledge of the environment and natural resources will become more and more valuable. 

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Image from UVM

 

The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources has a mission “to understand, nurture, and enrich the interdependence of people with healthy ecological systems.” The Rubenstein School has only been around for the past 14 years, but UVM has always had a strong environmental program, being ranked number ten for environmental consciousness out of all colleges in America. UVM began offering forestry courses in 1888, evolving into the School of Natural Resources in 1973, until 2003, when it was renamed the Rubenstein School. UVM alumni Steve and Beverly Rubenstein donated a generous gift so that the environmental program could expand to include even more members, allowing it to truly thrive.

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Uncategorized, Volume 6, Issue 1

Chittenden Core Health: Students Learn about Addiction

Mssrs. Josh Bliss & Cameron Longchamp

HINESBURG – CVU health teacher from Chittenden Core, T.J. Mead, spent last Wednesday teaching his students about the painful realities of drug addiction. The students took action, working on the simulator that T.J. designed to help students understand what addiction was and how it affects teens.    

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Mead started his class by asking the students to define what they thought addiction meant. The lesson he was teaching was about the effects of drugs and the kind of effects they had on the underdeveloped teenage brain.

Mead stated, “the students wrote down on pieces of paper three people important to them, three passions they have, three attributes, and were given a scenario.  The students had to pick one card out of each category to lose as a consequence for their actions. After each scenario the next one would get more complicated.”

The class was very helpful, as many of the freshman were unaware of much of the information that he taught.  Freshman student, Stewart Robinson, commented on the new material, stating “It was very helpful. People may not know that if you do drugs it can cause addiction, which is why it’s a very important class to teach.”

Freshman student, Jordan Halverson, added “Most of it was new info. I only knew a little about addiction before the class but now I know a lot.”

Both students agreed that Mead should continue teaching the class in the future. He hopes that his class will help keep students on the right path moving forward, and that they will remember his class as a valuable lesson.

 

Volume 6, Issue 1

Brentry: England, Ireland, and Wales Trip Offers Travel Opportunity for All

Mr. Jacob H. Bouffard 

HINESBURG – Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) has many overseas adventures for their students. Among these annual trips is the England, Ireland, and Wales. Hosted by CVU teacher John Bennett, along with four other teachers, the trip is held during the April break until May 2nd. This trip has been integrated within the CVU culture since 2005 and has had a great impact.

All students are welcome to participate in the expedition to the UK. There are no requirements for the explorers other than the quest for knowledge and a good time.

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The trip’s purpose is to get students involved with foreign cultures by traveling from the US to the U.K. and Ireland and experiencing their ways of life along with the artifacts that come with their culture.

Then they travel  by ferry to Shrewsbury UK, and then to the final destination of London. Throughout the trip they tour large attractions such as the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Ring of Kerry, Stonehenge, and many more. These artifacts all describe or show the cultures behind the UK, and give a good idea of what it is like or was like for the citizens.

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Volume 6, Issue 1

A Force in Motion: The CVU Science Curriculum Will Evolve Next Year

Mssrs. Isaac Cleveland and Earl Fletcher

HINESBURG, VT – The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), after being adopted by the Vermont Department of Education in June of 2013, are completely changing CVU’s science curriculum to allow their students to have more well-rounded skills in science.  The NGSS is completely altering how students learn and use their science skills.

According to Katherine Riley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, students will be getting “two solid years of science curriculum where they will be practicing their skills for the upper level science classes.” NGSS educates students through skill-based learning targets, allowing them to be knowledgeable in the general science topics needed for life.

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Physics in action. Image by Isaac Cleveland

CVU started altering their curriculum in the Fall of the 2015/16 for the incoming freshman class. Integrated Environmental Science has replaced Freshman Core science and Integrated Biology has been introduced as a required class for this year’s Sophomores. One of the reasons for making the new Integrated Biology a required course was that, according to Katherine Riley, “Teachers couldn’t have the students long enough to really get an in-depth look at human bio.” With the new system for Freshman and Sophomores, students “can go into more depth” and they “get better general skills.”

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Volume 6, Issue 1

Student Makes Skateboard in School and Skates on It

Mr. Thomas “The Mayor” Daley

HINESBURG , VT — CVU junior Sam Crites used school resources to construct a longboard in late March.  He hopes the product will prove useful through the rest of high school and beyond.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to use it in college to get around to my classes,” Crites explained, referring to his longboard.

longboard
Photo by Thomas Daley

There is a catch, however: “I don’t know how to skate” Crites told a reporter. “I made this hoping to learn on the board that I make,” he clarified.

This is the first time Crites, a seasoned engineer and captain of the CVU robotics team, has made an object for recreational use.

Jeff Tobrocke, CVU Design and Technology Educator, stated “what separates one board from the other is the finishing process.” He described the actual board construction as straightforward, but, referring to Crites, commented “he really took the time in the finishing process.”

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Sam Crites carves his new creation. Photo by Thomas Daley

“It took more coats of finish than I expected,” noted Crites, “but it should be pretty durable now.”

For this project, Crites learned many new skills, such as how to operate the vacuum bag—the tool used to create a curve in the wood. This technique applies to more than just recreational items, though, and can also be used to design furniture.

Another accomplishment for the aspiring engineer and another marvel of technology education at CVU.

 

Opinion & Review, Volume 6, Issue 1

CVC Scallion: Left Twix Leader Assassinated by Extremist Right Twix Group

Mr. Keenan Reinsborough, CVC Staff Satirist

Shocking reports released this Monday show that president of the Left Twix Alliance, Seamus Twix, was shot while addressing the public. Political analysts are speculating the motives of the attack were caused by the repeated abuse of prisoners of war held captive by Left Twix.

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Image from the Alt-AP Wire

When asked to comment, the vice-president of the Left Twixt Alliance (LTA) had some healing words for the nation: “In times of turmoil, we must remember that we are all human. We are not animals, for we cascade caramel on a cookie and choose proudly to bathe it in chocolate”.  

Charlie Beckham, a spokesperson for a political group that self-identifies as  an “Alt-right Twix”, was quoted as saying, “Though it is a tragedy that he is now gone, people need to remember that Seamus was a tyrant who cascaded caramel on his cookies. A man who engages in such filthy activities is not fit to lead a nation.”  

Tension has risen recently between the two sides as the public continues to argue at weather to bathe or cloak its cookies in chocolate. Bipartisan Twix continue to go unheard.     

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The CVC Scallion is a little Onion-esque section of The Chronicle.  Please be advised: THIS IS SATIRE, and therefore is not to be taken (too) seeriously.  –CVC eds.

Volume 6, Issue 1

That Dirty Snow is Alive! And It Just Might Improve Your Quality of Life

Mr. Justin Chapman, CVC Advisor

If anything, New Englanders are known as a hearty bunch, not least for withstanding the yearly onslaught of winter with its barrage of ice, snow, sleet, and the occasional passing polar vortex. And no one complains about it — unless you’re “from away.” Yankees are fond of saying, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes.” Yet this stoic veneer in the face of ever changing varieties of inclement weather belies the giddy promise of spring. As winter winds down in New England, ice and snow begin to loosen their grip on the landscape, and signs of vernal shifts begin to emerge, sometimes literally right out of the snow. By March steam pours from the vents of sugar-houses as syrup-makers begin boiling maple sap down into Vermont’s signature liquid. On those same late winter days, when the temps begin to push into the 50s and the streams begin to run full of snow-melt, a hiker or skier might happen upon a patch that looks at first like someone came along and emptied a ten pound bag of ground black pepper all over the snow. If you stop and take a closer look, however, you might see that that black pepper is a teeming microcosm of life.

What at first looks like dirty snow turns out to be a millimeter-long hexapod, the springtail, or as they’re colloquially known, “snow fleas” — and these snow fleas just might hold the key to some major scientific advances. Various springtails exist all over the planet, but they somehow manage to persist even in extreme winter climates like Antarctica and northern New England. These intrepid snow enthusiasts turn up by the thousands per square meter, up to 10,000 of them in fact, according to legendary naturalist David Attenborough. Even at high elevations, in late winter springtails emerge from the snow in huge numbers on warm afternoons in order to feed on decomposing leaves or moss. Snow fleas represent not only the inevitable arrival of spring in the northern woods, but further evidence of nature’s amazing ability to adapt and survive in harsh climates — plus they have a couple of potential benefits to humankind.

Snow fleas on Stark Mountain. Photo by Justin Chapman
Snow fleas on Stark Mountain. Photo by Justin Chapman

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Sports, Volume 6, Issue 1

CVU Boys Basketball First Championship in Sight

Ms. Jaime Vachon

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If one were to look around Champlain Valley Union High school’s gymnasium at the 133 championship banners, one would notice that boy’s basketball is not one of them…yet.

With a record of 22-1 their team has never looked more ready for a championship. It’s no surprise that the boys have had a successful season with many returning players and 8 veteran seniors leading the way. Senior captain, Josh Bliss, addresses the team’s new discipline, “Having the experience that we do has benefited us many times this year in late game situations where in past years we lacked the advantageous experience.”

For the past four years, the team has been coached by Michael Osborne, who was head coach at Johnson State College from 2006-2013. It is easy to see how his coaching has improved the team since his start as head coach at CVU in the winter of 2013. “Not too much has changed. But this year he’s just let us play more. Coach recognizes we’ve played

a lot together and he understands our players and what they need in order to respond positively,” says Bliss.

The different skills shown on the court by individual players are impressive, but when the team is working as a whole, that is when they find success. “We can develop the team when we already have developed individual players. We can skip fundamentals in practice and jump into working together on plays,” says Senior guard, Marc Hoeppner. In past years, the boy’s team has struggled to come together as a group to achieve the win; however, the teamwork expressed by this year’s squad is unmissable.

On a different note, where would the team be without its supportive fans? The hardworking team has certainly sparked the attention of new fans who pack the gym for almost every game. Greta Joos, long time basketball spectator has some thoughts on the boys this year, “They’ve got good players and good coaches. I see trophy potential in this team.” Similarly, with the girl’s varsity, Joos attends almost every boy’s game and is close friends with most members of the team and loves to show her support, “I always say good luck and good job! I’d say we have a good relationship,” says Joos.

Not only have the boys captured student fans, but staff members as well. CVU teacher, Jeff Hindes says, “I’ve seen them play a few times this season and their ability to move the ball around the floor often makes the opposing team’s defense look foolish.”

Along with Joos and Hindes are many other CVU fans cheering the varsity boys to their 19 game winning streak. It appears that the Redhawks can do no wrong if they put their mind to it and have their fans to cheer them on. “I think there’s been more effort this year than past years because the leadership and want to win, shown by the seniors, has affected the whole team,” says Bliss.

After a big win in the Semi Finals, all eyes will be watching the team on Monday the 13th, waiting to see if the CVU boy’s team will make history.

***

Editor’s note: The boys lost in an epic battle to Rutland, 38-42 in overtime.     

Volume 6, Issue 1

Why the Present Moment is a Gift

Ms. Koko Vercessi, Editor-in-Chief 

“Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now” -Eckhart Tolle

Image Courtesy of ublicdomainpictures.net
Image Courtesy of Publicdomainpictures.net

It’s easy to get caught up in thoughts of the future and regrets or mistakes you made in the past, but why is it so important, and so much healthier to live in the present moment? The present moment is the place where we can live and think freely and become centered in ourselves. Worrying about the future and having regret the past makes us miserable and filled with anxiety and feelings of restlessness.

Many practices such as yoga and meditation promote mindfulness and centeredness in one’s self. These types of practices allow people to take time to become aware and mindful of the present moment and appreciate the beauty of the world around them that many tend to miss in the wild frenzy of the future-driven world that we live in. Humans are constantly driven to think about the future in order to have purpose and aspirations to reach. A future-driven mindset is healthy in some ways as it can help you maintain a strong focus on your goals. The problem with allowing yourself to be consumed with thoughts of the future is that you will be in a state of constant anxiety and dissatisfaction with your present state. Everything that you do will not be for your own fulfillment in the present moment, but for tomorrow’s goals and dreams, goals and dreams that may naturally change over time, making those moments of anxiety and worry obsolete and unnecessary.

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Volume 6, Issue 1

A Snippet about St. Patrick’s Day

Ms. Halina Vercessi, Editor-in-Chief

Image Courtesy of Maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com
Image Courtesy of Maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com

The origin of  St. Patrick’s Day is based around an old tale, riddled with misconceptions. The story goes that St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland, drove all of the snakes out of Ireland; however, even if this were physically possible, it could not have happened because there weren’t any snakes in Ireland. With that in mind, one could speculate that this story has a metaphorical and religious basis. At the time, Ireland was predominately pagan, and it was Patrick who returned to Ireland after a childhood as a slave, many years of religious study, and an ordination into the priesthood with the goal of strengthening the faith of the Christians already present in Ireland, and converting the pagans. Therefore, one might speculate that the pagan beliefs within the people were characterized as the “snakes” in the old tale and that St. Patrick “drove” them out the hearts of the Irish people. Though St. Patrick converted many pagans, the storytelling traditions still remained a part of the Irish culture which may be why stories about St. Patrick were dramatically woven and exaggerated over the years. The day March 17th, on which St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated, is the chosen date for the death of St. Patrick. Over many years, the day has transformed from a “holy”day celebrated as a religious feast by Christians to a holiday with a nod to the stereotypical Irish reputation with alcohol and a day when “anyone can be Irish”.

 

 

 

Volume 6, Issue 1

Swimming with the Friendliest Animals in the World

The Galapagos Islands

Ms. Jam Giubardo

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CVU Galapagos trip, students got to observe hundreds of new animals, including this friendly little Galapagos Barn Owl. Photo taken by CVU student, William Braun.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador — Imagine you are snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Your tight mask sticks to your face as you clench onto the salty rubber tube and breath in. You dunk your head down into the glass clear water and immediately see a whole new world of unique creatures. Millions of colors flashing from a thousand different fish. The coral reefs are swaying with intense serenity and the starfish are bathing in the sun. You turn your head and see a giant sea turtle gliding through the blue sea and a white tipped reef shark swims past your leg. You aren’t afraid because they aren’t afraid. The animals don’t even seem to notice you.

The Galapagos Islands are very special. Most people know them for the discovery of the theory of evolution, developed by Charles Darwin. And yes, research done there has fueled thousands of scientific research projects and discoveries, but from a non-scientist perspective, the islands allow for the most unique experiences and drive curiosity.

In February, 2017, Champlain Valley Union High School took a group of 18 students and 2 teachers to the Galapagos Islands. While they were there they got the opportunity to observe thousands of species unique to the climate and to the islands. During a survey at the end of their trip, the students were asked to state something that amazed them the most about the islands. William Braun, a CVU Junior, responded saying, “Being in a place like the Galapagos, where the wildlife and land is almost completely untouched really redefined what it meant to be one with nature. It was amazing to get so close to the animals and still watch them behave naturally as if you weren’t even there.” This not only illustrates the beauty and experiences people have there, but also shows how 17-year-olds, with little to no knowledge about animals and ecology, notice the magic there too.

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Sports, Volume 6, Issue 1

MLB Spring Training has Begun

Mr. Chris O’Brien

BBallSpring
courtesy of Flickr

 

Every year between the middle of February and the beginning of the season in April, all major league baseball teams head down to either Florida or Arizona to play exhibition games for the upcoming season. These months are very important for all the organizations because the players need to train, the weather these states provide is necessary for the games, and because of the potential prospects it offers on the MLB teams.

 

For the Baltimore Orioles whose home field is in Baltimore Maryland, all the equipment and players report to Sarasota Florida for spring training. The Orioles have their own smaller stadium in Sarasota that they use in the spring. The stadium can hold about twice as many people as Centennial Stadium where the Lake Monsters play, however it is not close to the size of the major league park in Baltimore. With a much smaller stadium, a Sarasota local fan Dan Langdon says, “the game is much more personable and the ticket prices are much more reasonable then at the professional stadium”.

 

With the stadiums filled with fans from near and far, the major league teams will play around 6-7 times a week in preparation for the upcoming season. This is one of the most important parts for these major league teams. When opening day for the majors rolls around on April 2nd, the athletes who are getting paid millions of dollars a year don’t just show up and play. These two months before the regular season are huge factors in the success of many of the players. After having the winter off, the players will use this time to get acclimated with the fast pitching and hard ground balls.

 

With the Orioles stationed in Baltimore, around the February to April months the weather is not fit to play baseball in, and the Orioles are not alone. Many other teams face this same problem, however; this is easily fixed by having the pre seasons take place in the warm states of Florida and Arizona during these months. This is another huge factor to the importance of spring training in the south.

 

Not only is the baseball in Florida a sign of a new season for the teams, but it also means new players. With players constantly being switched from team to team, and other players being brought up from the minors, this is their first chance to prove they belong in the majors. For the Orioles, their contract with their starting catcher, Matt Wieters, expired in the end of the 2016 season, leaving a huge void in the starting line up. According to the Orioles Magazine, alongside the two backup catchers already having roster spots, there are four other potential catchers trying to get a spot on the roster. This time in Florida is when those players get to prove to the head coach that they are worthy to be on the team for the 2017 season. This makes the spring training in Florida even more important than it already is.

 

 

The significance of spring training doesn’t just end with the players, it attracts many people from all around. CVU junior Jacob Bortnick is one of those people, “Every year I go down to Florida and make sure that I catch a spring training game.“ Bortnick isn’t alone, CVU senior Max Pudvar headed down to Florida this February break as well, “I wouldn’t go down to Florida solely to watch a spring training game, however it was a very nice addition to the trip.” Whether people go down like Bortnick for the Spring Training games, or like Pudvar who add it to list of to-dos while on vacation, there’s no doubt that the pre-season encourages many people from near and far to go see these games and is very important.


Although the Orioles only use their stadium in Sarasota Florida once a year, it proves to be a very important time for them in order for the returning players to be able to get back into the swing of things, to escape the cold weather up north, and to allow new players to try out to be on the roster. Only time will tell which teams made the most of the spring season.

Volume 6, Issue 1

CVU Hires New Full-Time Math Teacher

Mr. Josh Bliss

mathteacher
Courtesy of Williston Observer

HINESBURG — CVU teacher, Jason Weischedel, was hired to be a full-time teacher this past Monday.

Weischedel is currently in his second year as a part-time teacher. This year he is teaching Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus and Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry courses.  

CVU student, Laura Gerry, who is in Weischedel’s Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry class, had this to say about his teaching style, “He lets us think individually and make connections by ourselves which is very helpful.”  

Math colleague, Mark Pogact, also stated, “Jason went to Essex high school which was how CVU knew of him. When [math teacher] Hannah Carey needed a long-term sub, Jason filled in and he has been at CVU ever since.”  

Chris Hood, another colleague, shared, “Jason is really passionate about mathematics. He finds different ways to connect to his students to help them make meaningful insights on math.”

Weischedel was officially hired by the School Board of Education this past Monday evening.  

Volume 6, Issue 1

The Perfect Book for Sophomores

Mr. Cameron Longchamp and Mr. Chris O’Brien

HINESBURG, VT – This year’s Sophomores at CVU are assigned the same book that many of the previous students have read before them. The book The Lord of the Flies is one of the most popular books for the Sophomores to read, but why is it read year after year?

LOF
Image Courtesy of Flickr.com

Two weeks ago, the book was assigned by Cydney Craft and Stacy Wulff to their humanities classes. This is the case not only for Craft’s and Wulff’s students, but for many other Sophomore teachers around the building.

When asked why this book is read year after year by 10th graders, Craft says, “The book allows for students to understand human nature and human dynamics. The students are able to connect the characters in the book to people in real life. For instance they can find out who are the leaders in a small group during class, and why do they rely on certain to be the leaders.” It was these qualities that convinced Craft to teach this book this year instead of choosing another.

It is clear that the teachers back up the purpose of this book 100%; however, that doesn’t mean that all the students agree. CVU Sophomore, Graham Walker says, “So far we are halfway through the book and I actually am enjoying the book. It tells the classic story of a group of people working together to stay alive on an island.”

The story of Lord of the Flies follows the lives of several boys as they are stuck on an island and must survive until they are rescued. An intriguing storyline for the students, paired with a strong connection to the lives that the Sophomores live acting as guides the teacher’s curriculum makes The Lord of the Flies a perfect fit for every Sophomore to read for years to come.

Volume 6, Issue 1

Intro to Art Class Conveys the Character of Color

Ms. Sophie Boyer & Mr. Jacob Bouffard

CVUHS- Tim Duvernoy’s W1 Intro to Art class (Room 150) currently attempts to distinguish the color wheel and use complimentary colors by tracing previous work and applying various shades and tones to further express its personality.

According to Devon, a CVU Freshman, “The purpose of this project is to trace over our previous drawings and to use color and reflect to our color wheel documents and use complimentary colors to give our pieces character.”

The steps taken to form these products teach the young artists patience, as it requires several drafts to create the final piece for the tracing portion. Once done with the tracing, students then use a color scheme to adapt the emotions behind the drawing.   hmDLRNA69C8k8cb9nwhlan4JxqEs-OBF72quvraadlAaLwXx6ko_aKSCkfLkR1JYK5oNK7roMqwvpttjzXZQCKiNj_c=s2048

Within art, color can be used for numerous applications, including the mood or the tone of the piece. It helps to create a focal point or draw the eye to different parts of the piece and can administer a warmth or give the spectator an idea of the piece’s physical climate.8cNcBnyqPwtAgnNSFWUIqOuYtK70u96VB8S9_kkSaDIqOUdIJCUH-iaJ-K54GfmwHdIUtkY7ov2nN8gFfNLmTSap7Ao=s2048

Intro to Art is a base level fine arts course that “introduces” all students to the world of art. It is a required class for students who are contemplating the art industry, or just looking to take more art classes. This course is also among those required for graduation for all students.

Volume 6, Issue 1

Clerical Pool Prints Paper Perfectly

Mr. Issac Cleveland 

HINESBURG, VT – A Women Working sign hangs on a hidden office between the Freshman Core and Four Corners in Champlain Valley Union High School… a complete understatement of the effort needed to supply students and faculty with their much needed pamphlets, packets, and papers.

Photo Courtesy of Diane Burgess
Photo Courtesy of Diane Burgess

Diane Burgess and Alice Ranieri are the women in charge of the CVU Clerical Pool, supporting the backbone of the CVU system and providing all of the faculty with their class materials. The importance of their jobs is unknown to most of the students at CVU and most of the CVU community is oblivious to the issues that the Clerical Pool faces daily.

The two women work non-stop Monday through Friday, fulfilling every paper demand of the 122 members of the CVU faculty. Teachers usually send requests to the clerical pool days before their classes to make sure that they get the papers they need. They reserve a special seat—the Chair of Shame—for the disobedient, forgetful teachers who need last minute prints right before their first block classes.

According to Nick Clark, the head of the IT department at CVU, 440 cases of paper are bought at the beginning of every school year from W.B. Mason to supply CVU with the paper that it needs. At 5000 sheets per case, the school uses over 2 million sheets in one academic year. Much of it is used by the Clerical Pool just to meet the needs of the faculty.

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Volume 6, Issue 1

Will CVU Get Free Condoms?

Ms. Jam Giubardo

condoms
Courtesy of lifesitenews.com

HINESBURG, VT– On March 15th, 2017 a memo from the Vermont Health Department and Vermont Department of Education called upon the CVU administration and the student body to decide if CVU should make free condoms available to all students.

The VT Dept. of Health and VT Dept. of Education’s memo consisted of a list of facts regarding cases of STIs and STDs in recent years. The reports show that over 80% of the STI cases have been Vermonters 24 years of age or younger. This caused them to call upon Vermont schools to establish a free condom policy.

Freshman health teachers asked Freshmen to develop proposals about their thoughts on free condom availability and why. Students outside of the cores were also encouraged to state their position on the debate.

Freshman personal health teacher, Trevor Mead, was asked what he thought about the memo and he said, “I love that at CVU administration values student opinions so much, to basically place this in their hands. It is important that the students have a say on topics that most directly affect them.” He also added, “It is also great that Adam [CVU’s Principal] has left room for people who don’t think it’s a good idea to have a voice as well.”

Other teachers and administrators agree that the opportunity is an effective and progressive way to mitigate the presence of STI’s and STD’s among high schoolers and are ready to see what the school decides to do.

Volume 6, Issue 1

Technical Schools Offer Alternatives to Public School Learning

Mr. Justin M. Olson

Image Courtesy of Staticflickr.com
Image Courtesy of Staticflickr.com

All CVU students are eligible to attend one of two technical centers, offered at no cost to them, Burlington Technical Center and the Center for Technology Essex. Out of a school of 1,222 students, there are only 37 of which currently attending these technical centers. That’s 3% of the current CVU attendance. A presentation is held every year in the CVU auditorium to show students what possibilities and educational  advantages these schools can provide, yet only 3% of the student body currently attend these schools. Both schools have a long portfolio of available programs, 24 in total, all available to CVU students.

Burlington Technical Center (BTC) is a technical school that, according to their updated 2016 website, claims to provide an “Immersive, hands-on study with highly trained professional instructor mentors in state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, through experiential learning opportunities.” Students can attend BTC on a half-day for two year schedule. Offering 11 programs, that have attracted 13 of the 37 technical center student hailing from CVU, students can study anything from Criminal Justice to Medical and Sport Sciences. BTC will soon be adding a program called Studio B. This program will allow students from all other programs to work together to create and design innovations such as prototype parts, cars, and planes to be tested and used by other programs.

Center for Technology Essex (CTE) is a technical school with “comprehensive technical programs for all students which include career exploration, preparation and technical literacy.” Students can attend one of 13 programs such as Cosmetology, Professional Foods, and Dental Assisting. CTE also has many introductory classes available to students to give them a taste of what it would be like to attend programs such as Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Engineering and Health Sciences. The large diversity of available programs have attracted 24 of the 37 CVU students currently enrolled in a technical school education.

Volume 6, Issue 1

Congested CVU Senior Lot Sparks Controversy

Mr. Zach Toensing

Hinesburg, VT- The confusing and crowded Champlain Valley Union High School Senior parking lot is something that students have grown accustomed to over the years. This parking lot, with spaces reserved for Seniors was something that many students looked forward to in their final year before graduation. However, a new policy allows many Juniors to take advantage of vacant spots that were not previously available to them. This is not without controversy though, as many Seniors are claiming that front lot spots are losing their availability due to this rule change.

Twenty five Juniors were first granted Senior lot passes last year as vacant spaces in the Senior Lot were taken due to the overcrowded Junior Lot. Violations were not common, said Debbie Seaton, the authority of CVU parking lots. She noticed a difference this year in the number of violations. “We have 10-15 cars written down per day for violations,” Debbie said. “Some people think these rules are not important enough to be followed”. Continue reading →

Volume 6, Issue 1

Robohawks Rock Robotics

Mr. Thomas Daley

Standards Based Learning has become a phrase well known to any CVU student. The underlying concept of the system is that students will graduate from CVU with proficiency in a common set of life skills. These themes tend to be very general, such as communication or problem solving—abilities that can be applied to any situation. What if there was one program that could cover all of the graduation standards? The answer: robotics.

CVU robotics teacher Olaf Verdonk explains that participating in the Robohawks, the school’s premier robotics team, requires math, physics, mechanical knowledge, effective communication, goal setting, and more. For students to use these skills outside of the robotics lab, they would need to take several different classes, furthermore; CVU may be expanding its robotics program over the next few years. The nature of the global job market is different than it used to be, and CVU wants its course offerings to adapt in response. Continue reading →

Volume 6, Issue 1

Benefits of Being Bilingual are Bountiful

Ms. Kali Adams 

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com
Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com

From the time we start middle school, most of us spend time in a classroom studying a foreign language. We stumble through messy verb conjugations, difficult pronunciations and alien syntax. To some of us, learning a second language doesn’t make sense. Once we leave the education system, we might think that any knowledge we might have had regarding how to parlez français will either be forgotten or proven useless. But learning a foreign language may be more beneficial than you think.

In 2015, EducationNext found that foreign language studies were often the most costly for schools out of all courses to have. This may explain why America is vastly trailing other countries in foreign language programs. According to the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages, though the amount of students that take foreign languages rose between 2004 and 2008, only 18.5% of all students were enrolled in a language course. This puts American students at a distinct disadvantage going out into a workplace where employers are expecting them be able to interact easily in a more globalized world.

Here at CVU, it is recommended that you earn two credits of foreign language studies before graduation. This is because the majority of colleges have some pre-requisite for foreign languages studies in their applications, whether it be a strong recommendation or a firm requirement. “They are considered part of the ‘core’ academic classes,” says Russ Aceto, a guidance counselor at CVU. “They add a significant amount of academic rigor to a student’s schedule.  Success in world language classes says a lot about a student’s persistence, [and] motivation.” Aceto also says that not having taken a foreign language before college, “will impact a college admissions decision if it is a strict requirement.”

Continue reading →

Volume 6, Issue 1

M. Night Shymalan’s psychological thriller “Split” Will Keep Audiences On The Edge of Their Seat

Ms. Jaime Vachon

The scene: Three teenage girls locked in a basement, with one man who is actually 23 different people, with a dangerous 24th personality threatening to surface and dominate the others.

Image Courtesy of Amazon.com
Image Courtesy of Amazon.com

M. Night Shymalan’s psychological thriller, Split, keeps the audience engaged throughout the film. One minute you’ll be watching the spine-chilling kidnap of three teenage girls, and the next you’ll be laughing darkly at James Mcavoy’s portrayal of his 9 year old boy personality, Hedwig. I say darkly because the image is rather funny, a grown man talking in a child’s voice saying childishly humorous things. However, then one remembers this man suffers from multiple personality disorder, and is not in fact a little boy who loves to dance to Kanye West.

James Mcavoy’s acting is what truly makes Split a worthwhile film. When asked about Mcavoy’s acting, Split fan Abby Thut said, “It was so good. The guy with multiple personalities, I wish I could give a golden globe. Top notch.” Mcavoy will have you really believing he has split personalities. It’s no surprise since he won four best actor awards in 2013 for his work in the film Filth. Mcavoy will have you really believing he has multiple people inside of him. It’s astonishing watching Mcavoy being able to switch personalities mid scene.

Image Courtesy of Fandango.com
Image Courtesy Fandango.com

Of course Mcavoy can’t take all the credit. Anya Taylor-Joy plays the main character, Casey. Throughout the film are flashbacks to Casey’s dark past, which interestingly plays an important role in the end.

M. Night Shamaylan has directed a truly unmissable film. According to Rottentomatoes, Split is now Shamalyan’s second highest rated movie, with The Sixth Sense being his top rated movie. Split fans will be happy to know that Shamalyan has hinted at a sequel, tweeting, “I have an 11 page outline for my next film in my bag. I can’t tell you what it is, but If you’ve seen #Split…” Only time will tell if the sequel will hold up to the first.

 

Volume 6, Issue 1

Cultural Collision

 Mr. Jacob Bouffard

HINESBURG – Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) has many overseas adventures for their students. Among these

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia.org

annual trips is the England, Ireland, and Wales trip. Lead by Mrs. Tamie Jo Dickinson and Mr. John Bennett, the trip is held during April break until May 2nd. This trip has been integrated within the CVU culture since 2005 and has had a great impact.

All students are welcome to participate in the expedition to the UK. There are no requirements for the explorers other than enthusiasm for the quest for knowledge and a a good time.

The trip’s purpose is to get students involved with foreign cultures by traveling from the US to the Dublin area and experiencing their ways of life, along with the artifacts that come with their culture.

Then, students shop on a plane to Shrewsbury, UK, and then to the final destination of London. Throughout the trip, the group tours large attractions such as the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Ring of Kerry, Stonehenge, and many more. These attractions all illustrate the many cultures behind the UK, and give a good idea of what it is like, or was like for its citizens.

Continue reading →

Volume 6, Issue 1

“Backstage Pass” — An in Depth Look at the People of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Mr. Isaac Cleveland

HINESBURG, VT – It has been around 60 years since Rock ‘n’ Roll began, a genre that brought change, helped desegregate the US, and created a new groove for the Baby Boomer generation to “get down” to. The number of artists that represent the Rock sounds of the ‘60s to the ‘90s is almost too many to count, ranging from Elvis Presley to The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix to

Image Courtesy of Containerlist.glaserarchives.org
Image Courtesy of Containerlist.glaserarchives.org

Aerosmith, and this is only naming a few of the many music geniuses that influenced the American people.

Many people know these artists’ music by heart, yet their life outside of the spotlight is far from well-known. Shelburne Museum’s newest exhibition, “Backstage Pass,” shows the famous artists of the era in a new light, depicting the emotions and the activities of the musicians offstage. The photographs display an extremely important peace of our culture and history, celebrating the people who changed the world through music.

The exhibition consists of over 200 photographs, either B&W or color prints, ranging from the influencers of Rock ‘n’ Roll such as Miles Davis, to the style and nonconformity of David Bowie.

Though Bill Haley and the Comets may be the official start of the Rock & Roll era, Elvis Presley was debatably one of the most influential characters of the time. According to Rolling Stone magazine, “Elvis Presley was rock & roll’s first real star, not to mention one of the most important cultural forces in history, a hip-shaking symbol of liberation for the staid America of the 1950s.” Albert Wertheimer’s “Elvis Kiss” photograph is seen in the exhibit. This photograph almost represents America’s love of Elvis, in his “looks,” his music, and his incredible stage presence.

Continue reading →

Volume 6, Issue 1

CVU High School Parking Lot Turns into New York City at 3pm

Mr. Chris O’Brien

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia.org

Following the bell at three o’clock at one of the largest high schools in Vermont, there is only one lane out of the parking lot for all of the seniors and parents picking up their kids to leave from CVU. This causes a huge problem not just for the students, but for the environment as well.

There are over 200 spaces for seniors and a few lucky juniors to park in the senior lot at Champlain Valley Union High School. With the new pavement laid down in the summer of 2016, there’s only one lane that all of the cars can use. This makes it take longer, leaving students to find ways to get around the problem that include polluting the air.

Highlighted in green (see photo below) is the student parking lot, and in the yellow, is the only way to leave the parking lot legally, which makes it very hard for students like Colin Monsey, “On the worst of days I will be waiting for 15 minutes and on a good day it will only be 5 minutes.” On the other hand, Greta Joos, another CVU senior, has free block during the last block of the day and will leave campus early, avoiding any traffic.

When Joos doesn’t have the last block of the day free and she has physics, she will leave two minutes early every day in order to beat the rush. However, Joos doesn’t believe that this is a problem considering that there are so many cars in one place leaving at the same time. Two minutes might not seem like a lot of time, but over the course of a semester that adds up to 90 minutes, which is the equivalent of missing a whole physics class.  

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Uncategorized, Volume 6, Issue 1

Shelburne Farms Inn Surging in Business

Mr. Josh Bliss

It’s hard to imagine a vacation to Vermont without visiting Shelburne Farms and their well-known inn.  Every year, people from all over the country travel to visit the beautiful 1,400 acre land and reputable restaurant.  However, some local Vermonters find it hard to understand why an inn in the small town of Shelburne is a top destination amongst visitors.  So, what makes the Shelburne Farms Inn a popular restaurant?

SFarms1

Former chef, Josie Vachon, had this to say about the restaurant, “You can always count on some of the people staying in the inn to have their meals in the restaurant, so that keeps it steady”.  The fact that there are always people in the restaurant causes the feeling that the restaurant is constantly busy, which helps the Inn greatly in business.  Additionally, the fresh food from the farm also draws in new customers every day.  “The food is fresh and worth the price.  There is always enough on my plate,” Recent customer, Reece Sullivan stated.  “I would definitely go back.”  


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