Whitman Hanson’s Welcoming to Chinese Foreign Exchange Student

During the month of January, Whitman Hanson was granted with the privilege of hosting Chinese foreign exchange students, while they were on a trip to Massachusetts. The students were assigned to some of our own classmates, and got to follow them throughout the day, participating in our classes and activities, while getting to learn some of our American culture.

Junior Georgia MacDonald spent her day with 17 year old Christine Zhou. Christine was amazed at the size of our classes, and that we change classrooms throughout the day. According to Christine, in her school class room sizes are very limited, and students spend their entire school day in one room. Christine also explained to Georgia, that in China high school is not as easy to get into, as it is for us by progressing in age and changing schools. In China, students must take a test, and the 50% of the top scoring students will be granted the acceptance to a regular high school, while the lower scoring population must go to a vocational school.

Scott Byron (junior) was also paired with a Chinese student, Nick, a 15 year old sophomore. Throughout the day, Nick was amazed that we are able to socialize and speak while the teacher is in class. Scott was also amazed, because Nick was very advanced in his learning. For example, Nick learned precalculus, all the content Scott has been learning in APES, and all the details about WWII, in which Scott is just beginning to learn in class during his junior year.

This experience was beneficial to both the Chinese students, and the students and staff of Whitman Hanson, because many elements of the differentiating cultures were learned, and bonds were created. 
-Kaylee Genest '18

The KEY to our Hearts

As we lead into Key Club’s production of successful Prom Fashion Show, not many are aware of what the premise of Key Club actually is.  Key Club is an international student-led organization which provides its members with opportunities to service their communities, build character and develop leadership. The Advisor, Mrs. Edkin, kindly listed off what projects and fundraisers Key Club participates in throughout the year. The amount of work these students put into these following projects and how much selflessness these members obtain that is expressed towards the community is truly an amazing accomplishment.

    For example, when Halloween rolls along in October, the members of Key Club take part in an organization known as Trick or Treat for Unicef. This program is beneficial to those who are in need of  more than just sweets on halloween. Members of Key Club trick or treat with the intentions of getting as many donations as possible. They carry little orange boxes which display the organization and ask for donations of coins instead of candy. Key Club gives back to the community through doing this because instead of receiving something that is beneficial to them, they help to  receive something beneficial for another.

    Another major fundraiser is the clothing drive held in November, Cradles to Crayons. “A company that provides children from birth to age 12, living in low- income and homeless situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. They supply these items free of charge,” written by Mrs. Edkin. Key Club members dedicate much time to this, putting out boxes for students to donate, advertising and making sure the clothes get to their desired destination. The Key Club encourages their peers at Whitman Hanson to donate the jacket that doesn’t fit, to donate the extra pair of gloves rolling around in their closet, and to simply just give back to those who needs these necessities.       

    The Giving Tree is a crucial program to our community around the holiday season. Teaming up with other Whitman Hanson clubs, the Key Club organizes the fundraiser of The Giving Tree. Key Club organizes this by finding families who cannot afford gifts to give to loved ones in this time of giving. Lists are given out to members and students consisting of certain people who are wishing for a certain gift they would like to receive. Participants take the responsibility and privilege of making these wishes come true. In this time of giving, Key Club is a big advocator of giving to those in need, especially around the holidays. This expresses Key Clubs exemplary leadership throughout our community and simply just wanting to spread the holiday spirit to all.

    Although Prom Fashion Show is March 1st, 2017 this year, it is usually held in February. This is a heartfelt program donating much to the American Cancer Society. Members of Key Club and peers of the upper class take part in a fashion show that focuses towards those affected by cancer through modeling donated prom wear. This fundraiser is an entertaining night that not only promotes prom season coming up, but recognizes how a community comes together to support an important cause.

    Key Club believes it is time to take action against cancer. Following the Prom Fashion Show, Key Club participates in an event known as Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a team fundraiser where members take the time to raise money for the American Cancer Society by walking for those who have been affected by cancer. By selflessly devoting their time, Key Club is raising awareness in not only our school, but in our community as well, that the time is now to support those affected and help put a stop to this life changing illness.

    In conclusion, Key Club has shown that their club participates in the few charities mentioned and in many charities as well. It expresses the compassion, selflessness, and drive members of Key Club have to help those who are in need. By raising money or collecting goods for a specific charity, Key Club gives back to the community and unites, “communities that have with communities that need,” mentioned by Mrs. Edkin.

Julia Pendrak and Maicey Bowman, ‘18

Whitman Hanson's "Morning Blues"

           Whitman Hanson is one of a few schools in the state and in the country to start at as early as 7:05. Although we get to start early and end early, is this really beneficial to our performance in our classes and athletics?  Studies have shown that high schools starting at 8:00-8:30 give the students and teachers the recommended amounts of sleep, usually 8.5 hours, which improves student performances and the morning slumps that most students obtain during the school week.

            “I like the early starts because regardless of what time you wake up , you are still going to be tired. Therefore, I would rather start earlier so that there is more time to do outside of school activity” said Junior Mikayla Bates. Many students here at Whitman Hanson would agree with the statement given.  Some of the benefits with having an early start at 7:05 is that students are let out of school at 1:40 and on the half a days they are let out at 10:15.  Other benefits to the early starts, include the intention of sports athletes having more time to practice and get ready for their games. With the early releases, students are able to rid of the burden of homework earlier than rather doing it later at night.

            The benefits of these early starts also comes the downfall, for 5 days a week students wake up between 5 and 6:30 rushing to beat the 7:05 bell in the morning.  The lack of sleep students acquire during the night can be a leading factor to the dreaded ‘Morning Blues” most students encounter during their high school career.  “ I don’t like the early starts that much because I’m still tired in the morning and I’m not fully ready to take on the school day at the start time of 7:05” said Freshman Keeley Zimmerman. Junior Colleen Hughes expressed her opinion on the daily start time,“ I like that we start early and then we get out early and lets me have time to do homework. But during hockey season, the early start time is tough with my 5 am practices. I have to rush around to make it on time to school.”

             The morning bell at 7:05 can have benefits and disadvantages to the average high school student. With the benefits of getting out early to do sports and get homework out of the way comes the disadvantage of being tired and being rushed in the morning. Therefore, are early starts really a good thing?
-Olivia Zimmerman '18

Whitman Hanson Cheer Does It Again!

The Whitman Hanson lady panthers have finally brought home a national championship. After much hard work the panthers got their first national title in Texas on January 22nd. Coach Tanisha King has been coaching for the past few years and has led the girls to success multiple times. After ten state championships they finally grasped the National title. Captain and senior Hannah Mcdonald said, "I think what made my team so strong was our bond that made it easy to work together and we were striving to reach the same goal". The team has a great set of leaders who push them to their best ability. Payton Wright, Ali Joanis, Hannah Mcdonald and Olivia Villaneuva are four seniors who have dedicated their time to create a positive and hardworking team. Due to hard work, a well minded team and positive attitudes the girls are closing this season as National Champions.
-Jason Bannon '18

Super Bowl 51: Comeback for the age

 In what started out to be a very dull game, Super Bowl 51 ended as one of the greatest sporting events of all time. The New England Patriots came out as the winners, 34-28, but it took a lot for them to get there. The Falcons were able to strike first, and it looked like it would stay that way for the rest of the game. As the second half wound down, Tom Brady, already facing a 14-0 deficit, threw a very ugly interception that was returned for a touchdown by Atlanta’s Robert Alford. At this point, it was 21-3 at halftime and it looked like the Pats were doomed for another crushing Super Bowl defeat. The third quarter did not give Patriots fans much hope either. The Falcons added another touchdown, while the Patriots could only muster one score which was pretty much negated by Stephen Gostkowski’s missed extra point. The fourth quarter was predicted to be a snooze fest, as the Falcons lead 28-9.

                But if anyone knows Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots, they know that they never go down without a fight. New England began to chip away at the hefty lead, play-by-play and drive-by-drive. Somehow, someway, the Patriots were able to convert a field goal and two touchdowns (along with two 2-point conversions) and erase what was once a 25 point Falcon lead! Tom Brady had once again achieved the impossible and tied up the game. We were heading for overtime, the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. The Patriots won the overtime coin toss, and elected to take the ball first, because a touchdown would win the game. The entire world saw this moment coming: in less than 4 minutes, the Patriots marched down the field and scored the game winning touchdown when running back James White plunged toward the end zone and got the football just inches across the goal line. It was an unfathomable moment. The Patriots had lead in the game for exactly 0:00, and still won (since they took the lead on the last play of the game). Previously, the largest point deficit overcome in a Super Bowl was 10. New England had just overcome a 25 point deficit. 31 unanswered points. 19 points in the fourth quarter (15 minutes). Arguably the greatest comeback in sports history.

                As great as the Patriots’ comeback was, the Falcons did their part to allow this lead to slip out of their hands. The Falcons offense, led by coordinator Kyle Shanahan, made several questionable play calls with the ball that allowed the Patriots to get back in the game. Throughout the fourth quarter, Atlanta continued to call pass plays, forcing quarterback Matt Ryan to have to scramble with the ball and force throws. A prime example of this was Dont’a Hightower’s strip sack of Ryan. The Falcons had the ball on 3^rd down and 1 (Why not run the ball with that lead?!) and elected to pass. As Ryan attempted to throw, he was tackled by Hightower; the Patriots recovered the loose football which lead to a touchdown. This play was the ultimate momentum shift in the Patriots favor. The Falcons had a sizeable lead with not much time left in the game- why didn’t they call more running plays to run down the clock? Another factor that contributed to the Patriots’ win was the play of the Falcons defense at the end of the game. It seemed that since the Falcons had played such aggressive defense in the first half, they had run out of gas by the time the fourth quarter came around and could no longer stop the Pats’ offense.

            With this victory, quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick have cemented their legacies. This was Brady’s 5^th Super Bowl victory, the most all time by a quarterback. He also earned his 4^th Super Bowl MVP, also most all time. In Super Bowl 51 he threw for the most yards ever in a single Super Bowl. He has these and several other statistical records to go along with the most wins ever by a quarterback: 208. Brady deserves to be considered the greatest quarterback to ever play. This is also Belichick’s 5^th Super Bowl win as a head coach, the most all time. He has made 10 super bowl appearances (most all time) and holds the record for all time playoff wins as a head coach (26). Belichick is arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history, and maybe even all of sports history. Together, Brady and Belichick have won 5 Super Bowls, which is the most all time by a quarterback-coach duo. These two formed the greatest head coaching-player tandem ever. Who would have known that when Brady and Belichick came together on the Patriots, it would be the greatest moment in New England sports history?

                                                                                                            -Cam Rogers ‘18