A Disappointing Start for The Green Team

A Disappointing Start for The Green Team

  
By Jacob Tobey, staff sports writer

After losing to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last June, the Celtics knew they had some off-season decisions to make; First and foremost the status of their future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. Would he retire or come back for his 18th. NBA season? Garnett soon made the decision to play again signing a three-year $34 million deal. After Garnett’s signing, reports trickled out that free agent Ray Allen signed with the rival Heat. Without Allen, the Celtics needed to fill the void of a sharp shooter so they signed veteran guard Jason Terry and traded for Courtney Lee. Also the Celtics drafted Jared Sullinger with the 21st. overall pick in the 2012 draft. The reamped Celtics looked to make another championship run at banner No.18. 

Celtics Forward-Guard Courtney Lee

With NBA All Star Weekend beginning Friday, February 15, the Celtics have had a disappointing first half to their season.  As of January 23, the Celtics record was an unsatisfying 20-21, well below the initial pre-season prediction of many. After losing four straight games from December 27 to January 2, the Celtics finally got on a roll winning six straight games. After winning six straight games, the Celtics began a four-game losing skid. 

After losing to the Detroit Pistons (16-25) last Sunday, Coach Doc Rivers spoke his mind about his struggling team, "I gotta either find the right combination or the right guys, or we're going to get some guys out of here,” suggesting and implying trading off some players.

Public Displays of Affection at Sturgis

Too much PDA at East?

By the StormWatch staff

As you walk through the halls of Sturgis Charter Public School East, you see the academic excellence and open-minded thinking that the school has to offer. In fact, many people believe that the multiple freedoms that the students at Sturgis contribute to the overall academic achievement that is found in each student.  However, we have to wonder, do students have too much liberty?  
  The students at Sturgis have a rigorous curriculum and at times, they just need a break.  However, do students have too many breaks?  What is, in fact, going on in the free time before school, during break, and at lunch?  With all these liberties, are the students going too far?
  As a newspaper staff, we have come to the realization that there are too many Public Displays of Affection going on in the hallways during the school day.  The students' freedoms have come to the point where the students are using the free time that the school offers as a time to pursue romantic relationships.  Relationships are something typical of high schoolers, and they are fine, but what becomes too much? When does it become out of control? Here at our school, it has come to the point that boys' arms are wrapped around girls from behind, there is significant making out, there is petting, and there is leaning on one other in front of lockers.
  It has come to the point that students can no longer get to their lockers without running into couples in every hallway.  The problem of excessive PDA has hit Sturgis hard, creating frustration among the students whom are simply at this I.B. school to learn. Sturgis is a place of learning, not a place to pursue romantic relationships during the school hours. These public displays of affection have gone beyond holding hands. What is wrong with PDA is that it makes other students uncomfortable, and it leaves a poor impression for other visitors of the school.  Shadows have also expressed concern in witnessing PDA.
  As discussed by the StormWatch, holding hands is socially acceptable.  However, going beyond that can be a little too much.  At Sturgis East, there are many married teachers who work together; What if they decided to spend break in the teachers’ room making out? How would their colleagues and students feel?  If teachers displaying PDA during the school day is socially unacceptable, then why should it be different for students?
  After talking with students at the school, many have come to a consensus. From freshman to seniors, the way that PDA has been handled is an issue.  There are many solutions that can be found through students and faculty.  There should be mutual respect among classmates.  Students should police their peers and let them know of the respect they should be giving one another.  Teachers also need to keep an eye on it and try to stop it.  
 In the crowded hallways students struggle to get to their lockers without  some impediment getting in their way. What gets in the way of most students is none other than young couples kissing  and hugging. “When I am trying to get into my locker in the morning, break, or lunch there is always a crowd of couples kissing and cuddling and not letting me through even when they can see me standing there. It is really difficult to get my binders for other classes when there is no way to get into my locker,” says Jensen Simmons.
 Students like Jensen have expressed their feelings towards this issue.  Students who are only looking to go to their lockers to grab a binder for a class run into the problem of batting a crowd of couples.   No matter where you look, you will find couples gathered together.  Academic excellence is hindered and reputations tarnished by the couples showing excessive amounts of PDA.
  What can be done?  PDA needs to come to an end.  As a newspaper, we feel that this is an important issue that needs to be addressed.  If something is done, we can preserve the atmosphere of respect and dignity of the school and its student body.  It is important that we all come together to make a change.  The majority of students feels that there is a problem with PDA in the hallways. If we come together, we can change our school for the better.  It just takes students to show mutual respect for each other and for teachers to monitor the situation.  Enforcing minimal PDA will make the school days go smoother, and everyone will be happy.

Senior Trip Chili Fundraiser at the Hyer's Home - Part II

All photos and text by Ted Jameson, staff pseudonym

The Chili Crew taking a well-deserved lunch break at the Hyer's house

On Saturday, January 19, 13 seniors and Jeff and Denise Hyer worked together for the second time this school year and made another 16 gallons of Jeff's chili to help raise money to defray the cost of the Senior Trip next May. So far the seniors have made 36 gallons of chili within two months! So far they have raised over $1,000 in profit. This amount is possible because of the generosity of parents who donate the ingredients or Stop and Shop gift cards, which allows the sales to be very close to 100% profit.

The senior arrived in Wellfleet at 9 a.m. (on a Saturday!!!) To help jump start the morning, Jeff Hyer used his espresso machine and made lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and just plain French-pressed coffee. Later fresh fruit smoothies were made.

Ben Pilch and Shannon Slater fry bacon in preparation for others to saute the onions to begin the chili base.

Like last November, to tame the the large quantities of ingredients the students were assigned teams and worked at various stations, such as onion and garlic cutting, steak searing, steak cutting, onion/garlic sauteing, can opening, bean draining and rinsing, and pot stirring.

The process began at 9 a.m. and ended at 6:25 p.m. when several students took all of the packaged chili quarts to the school to be stored in the student refrigerators. Thank you to Mrs. Miles who volunteered to open up the school to allow the students access. Those who purchased the chili are able to pick it up on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

As Buck Owens Would Sing: "Crying Time:" Denise Hyer and four students work on chopping onions

Ben Pilch cubes smoked pork to be included later in the chili

Anna Campbell and Shannon Kelly seared over 28 pounds of steak over a wood fire

Shannon Kelly checks the sear on a steak. How does she see through all of the smoke?

Casey Cunningham and Ketryn Kochka work on peeling 100 cloves of garlic.

The infamous Ugg Incident. Where's Tom Brady when you need him?

Because of all of the snow and wet conditions, students were asked to remove their shoes prior to entering the Hyer's house and waking around on the wood floors. Unbeknownst to Jeff and Denise was that three of the young ladies had identical pairs of black Ugg boots and all were the same size and in good condition. It took five minutes to sort out whose was whose. Fortunately that was the only tense moment of the day. Ugh!

Girls' Basketball Notches First Win despite Early Struggles

By Jacob Tobey, staff reporter

On Thursday, January 3, the Sturgis East girl’s varsity basketball team played at Upper Cape Tech. The final score to this game was 56-36 in favor of UCT. Even though Sturgis lost by 20, junior Captain Brittany Gayton felt really good about the game, “ Overall, I felt like we’re starting to really pull together as a team. We fought the entire game and that's really all you can ask for. It's the little mistakes that are really getting us but we are working on them.” That goes to show how a loss can also be a moral victory. Sophomore Captain Meaghan Fitzgerald had 16 points in an outstanding effort, but the defense was a bit shaky for the Storm as they allowed 56 points. The offense wasn't bad but wasn't great, scoring 36 as they made little mistakes that proved to be too costly to overcome. Gayton mentioned that the team would continue to work to improve on these minor errors in practice.

On Saturday, January 5, Sturgis played Cape Cod Academy at home. Again, the storm couldn't come out on top and lost 42-35 in a very close game. Again, Meaghan Fitzgerald was the leading scorer with 11 points, but sophomore Emma-Kate Nemes had a season-high 11 points as well. The storm played very aggressively on defense and made CCA panic and cause turnovers. Sturgis had the lead for the first three quarters, but in the fourth quarter they made silly mistakes and gave the game away. In the past few games, it has seemed to be these silly mistakes that have caused the Storm to lose these games. Looking ahead, these mistakes will have to get fixed if the Storm want to at least qualify for the state tournament.

On Tuesday, January 8, the Storm took on an always-challenging Nantucket team at Nantucket and lost 55-23, once again showing a proneness to “silly mistakes.” Nantucket recorded an astonishing 27 steals as they used their full-court press strategy in the second quarter to generate turnovers and score many points on fast-break layups. On the bright side for the Storm, sophomore Maggie Randall stepped up her game and tallied 8 points. 

The girls next played Sturgis West.. East got their first win of the season, winning 37-25. Meaghan Fitzgerald had an outstanding game as she lit up the scoreboard with 21 points. Brittany Gayton added 7 points. The Storm's defense was very key in winning the game. Their full court press was outstanding. “We probably scored half our points from them turning the ball over,” said Gayton when asked about the press. Sturgis West also used the full court press and Sturgis East did struggle with breaking it but overall it was team defense that won this game. Their defensive strategy, other than the press, was working very well. The played man on the two guards for West, then set up a 3 person zone with the three other girls that weren't playing man. For West, it was really hard to get the ball in the guards hands because they were being played 1 on 1 instead of the zone. Gayton also praised the team for getting their first win, saying, “ Overall, it was a really good game for us. Everyone was motivated and dedicated.” The Storm look to continue their impressive defense and look to get a win streak going.

The Jotun

by Cooper Heilmann, staff writer

The chill was there that day
Just as it ever was. It had been there yesterday and the day before that
For the past month.  It wasn’t just winter in the usually-peaceful
Village of Vinterhavn.
The snow had engulfed the huts in its cold arms.
The well had frozen, and people huddled inside their houses,
Warm bodies against the chill. The candles were out.
The Norsemen were used to such cold; Winter was harsh.
But they had seen nothing like this before.

There was rumor that a terrible beast lived halfway up the mountain
To the north of Vinterhavn. The word was uttered often
A frightened whisper in a dark place
Between the lips of the frightened villagers: Jotun*.
This, they thought, was the reason for the shroud of winter
Over the village.
Cows had gone missing, and occasionally even children,
But no one dared to find the Jotun’s lair.

When no one had hope, they turned to the village chief Hrothgar.
He had five sons.  The oldest was Olaf, who was strong
And a mighty warrior in the minds of the villagers.
Hrothgar, who would flee before a lamb,
Sent out his oldest son to find the Jotun’s lair.
People waited anxiously for news of his return...
Whispering minds, no, it must be the cold wind...
But none came.
The people of Vinterhavn waited for three days,
And it was as if a dead silence
Had passed through the village. Finally Olaf was seen,
But he was fleeing in fright. He had abandoned
His people. The chill still hung in the air.

The villagers, furious at this betrayal turned to Hrothgar
Once again.

And so Hrothgar turned to his next son,
Sven.
He was a very strong man as well, and he bragged about
How he would take down the Jotun.
But no news came from him either. Three days, three days
Later, his body was found under a sheet of ice in a pond;
He had no wounds.
The villagers again turned to the chief Hrothgar, whose tears
Turned to ice as they slid down the crevices of his weary face.
Hrothgar kept wondering
How he could have met his end, a man so cunning and brave?
The cold lingered.

So Hrothgar again turned to his next son Leif.
Leif set out to kill the Jotun, but he was never seen again.
Once again Hrothgar mourned the death of his son,
Who had been so strong and brave. The villagers were weeping as well.
They wept not in sorrow
But in hopelessness. The Cold still would not leave.

Hrothgar, in a final attempt, sent out his fourth son Niels
Who was always very charming and handsome,
Blessed by Freja
He was.
Yet he too was vain and he never returned again.
He was dashing into the winter mist, Winter biting
At his heels and his cheeks,
After his brother Olaf.
Hope was gone. However, Hrothgar
Had a fifth son; never spoken of,
Never thought of.
Yet while his brothers held their fists aimed to Valhalla and failed,
Eric had been strengthening his arm, and his spirit.
For years he had been overcast by man-shaped shadows
But Eric didn’t mind. He knew his time had come.

One day, Eric told the village that he would slay the Jotun.
Some laughed, but some looked hopefully up to him.  Perhaps the
Aesirs** would help them this time.
The next day, Eric prepared to find the Jotun’s lair. His father,
As a final goodbye gift offered him his sword,
But he declined. It was tainted with cowardice.
He took up a sword he had crafted himself,
And left the village of Vinterhavn behind him
Without a word.

He climbed up the mountain as the chill grew colder,
Winter grew nearer,
And began to creep up through his bones like little spiders
With legs of snowflakes.
He soon found the cave of the Jotun, buried deep
Into the side of the mountain.
He called into the cave,
Oh Jotun, du som har vondt mitt folk så kom
Og utfordrer meg, barn av vinteren!
And with a terrible roar like shattering ice, the Child of Winter,
The Jotun, nine feet tall and breathing frost,
Stormed out of the cave wielding his axe of ice
And bellowing curses in a language unknown to man.

The Aesirs looked down from their golden palace.
They took their eyes off the world and saw him
With humble beginnings, taking up a sword and fighting
For his people.  The All-Father*** said to his mightiest son, Here.
Here is a true hero.
And so Thor gave him strength behind his arms
As he swung his sword with a shout of triumph.
The roar could be heard for miles.
And the villagers cheered in victory.  The frost
Lifted from the village. The wells thawed,
The cows slept soundly, and the flames in the souls
and hearts of the Villagers blazed
Once again.
Vinterhavn was saved.

But Eric’s story was different.

He was lifted from the blur
Of the snow and the glory
Of the peak.
And he was soon greeted
With many hearty congratulations.
Midgard^ needs more warriors like you, they said.
He was sure he would be remembered.
Eric remembered his brothers,
And wished they could have followed him.
But they didn’t. Maybe someday.
As the flames of the torches and the
Reflection of the Golden Hall bounced around
In his eyes, he lay back in peace.





*A Jotun is a mythological Norse monster similar to trolls from folklore.
**The Aesirs were a race of gods that ruled Valhalla, the Norse version of Heaven, where all warriors who died in battle go.  The commonly known Aesirs include Odin, Thor, and Loki.
***Odin, the Norse god of wisdom, who gave life to mankind and many other creatures and races, hence the name “All-Father”.
^Midgard is the world of mortal men.

Art Club Plans Ahead

by Sara Prygocki, staff reporter

Sturgis’ new Art Club has hit the ground running, planning projects like an IB- themed mural, with each of the members working on a different aspect of the learning profile. Juniors Lily Haselton and Rebecca Liberwirth started the club, voicing their ideas to Ms. Cope who volunteered to be their adviser.
“Lily and I were curious as to why there wasn't one and decided that there should be, so we started one ourselves!” Rebecca recalls.
“We were all surprised and disappointed that there wasn't an art club at Sturgis,” Audrey Petersen says.
When word first got out, there were a lot more people interested, but the numbers slowly dwindled. “We no longer have as many (members), but those we do have are really great about staying dedicated!” said Rebecca.
“I couldn't ask for more dedicated people in the art club, I love how everyone is willing and wanting to be there and contribute each and every week,” added Lily.
The two are still planning for the future of the club, including more projects or even “mini” art lessons.
Other members believe them to be in very capable hands. “I have people to look up to which I think is important because it builds up the spirit for improvement,” Robby Treichel says of his fellow students. “I look forward to going to Art Club every week.”
Every one of these dedicated members are open to more recruits, and art club meets every Friday at lunch over at the art building. “If anyone’s interested in just checking out a meeting, they’re more than welcome to join us! We’re all really friendly, so there’s absolutely no reason to be intimidated!” Audrey says.

Student Style Profile: Kameko Simpson

By Skype Kuppig and Isabella Cantillano, staff reporters

Isabella Cantillano: How would you describe your personal style?

Kameko Simpson: I guess I'd say my style is a little everywhere, but I stick with sort of an alternative look. A little rocker, a little feminine, and a little indie depending on how I'm feeling when I get dressed in the morning.

IC: How do you think your personal style reflects your personality? Do you think that how one dresses has to reflect their personality in some way?

KS: I definitely think my style reflects who I am, because I love to be inspired by the world around me and reflect that onto what I wear! I think it depends on the person and whether they choose to use their wardrobe as a way to reflect who they are. Not everyone takes 45 minutes in the morning to pick the perfect top to go with their shoes, but fashion is definitely a great way of self-expression that a lot of people do, even if it’s only to the extent of wearing a silly graphic tee that they might find funny or relatable!

IC: Who are your favorite musicians? Do they influence how you dress?

KS: Music plays a huge part in my life (and listing my favorites if probably the most difficult thing for me to do). There's no doubt about it that the singers and bands I love influence my fashion choices! I've listened to Panic! At the disco and MCR since I was in elementary school and I love the dark vintage (1920's) appeal of Panic! At the Disco and the punk rock feel of MCR. In addition to that, Hayley Williams (lead singer of Paramore) and LIGHTS definitely play a huge role in my wardrobe decisions as they give tough and rocker looks a more feminine spin. From Light's cut off flannels to Hayley Williams’s risky mix and match looks, and Panic! At the Disco’s suspenders and white button down look to MCR'S DIY embellished jean jackets I’m always looking to music and musicians for inspiration!

IC: Do you think that Sturgis has influenced your personal style? Do your friends influence your personal style?

KS: Well, Sturgis is a school full of extremely talented and remarkably individual people. I spend more time at school surrounded by them than I do anyone else, and I love some of the creativity I see in people, and the fearlessness of expression through art and fashion. My friends have helped shape and mold me as a person and that's definitely reflected onto what I wear. In freshmen year I was very into what I saw in magazines, and new and coming trends around the world, but I’m finding more and more inspiration from people I see daily like my friend Lily Haselton with her fierce brightly colored pumps matched with a fun graphic tee, or Jake Conley through his band tees, skinnies, and various rad vests and sweatshirts. The fun part is taking all of that inspiration and mashing it into a look I can call my own!

IC: Who are your style icons?

KS: I've never specifically been one to keep up on celebrities or actresses, though I will say the model Twiggy has always had a place in my heart, with her androgynous look being perfect for the Mod Era. She was something new and fresh and different when she first entered modeling and made a statement. I've also been really drawn to 1970s punk fashion and every time I see a photo of the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious with his spiked hair and jackets I’m inspired to basically reconstruct every item in my wardrobe with cone studs and safety pins!

IC: Where do you shop?

KS: I shop everywhere, wherever something catches my eye! I guess you could say I'm a frequent shopper at Pac Sun, H&M and band merch tables at concerts. I’m a huge proponent of thrift store shopping as well; you never know what kind of vintage gem could be hiding in those racks!

IC: Do you have any tips for people that frequently shop at thrift stores?

KS: DIY PROJECTS! If you see something you like but it's ripped or you feel like it’s missing that special something, get creative! You don’t always have to wear things the way they are intended to be worn, and you can always add lace or buttons, chop it up or layer it!

IC: Do you often DIY your clothing? What materials do you usually use?

KS: All the time! Sometimes its little things like taking in the sides of a shirt that’s too large, but I generally love to reconstruct tee shirts by cutting and weaving them and wearing them with different bandeau tops. I've also recently gotten into reconstructing denim vests and jackets, specifically painting back panel pieces for them with fabric paint (of which I've made 3 so far, and am looking forward to later creating and selling some jacket designs!)

IC: What are your favorite movies? Do they influence your style?

KS: I love basically every movie by Tim Burton, and the dark ambiance of his works definitely plays a role in my style choices. Colleen Atwood, who designs for many of his movies, definitely inspires me with her Gothic twists in Sweeney Todd and play with color in Alice in Wonderland. Though the costumes can seem over the top in some cases like with Edward Scissorhands (intense full bodysuit of black and chains), it’s that obtuseness that gives me inspiration to let my imagination take hold when I’m deciding my own outfits!

IC: What are your hobbies? How do they influence your personal style?

KS: I make art, and always like to say that “the world is my canvas and inspiration!” Painting and sketching and working with various styles of mixed media (like collaging) are what I live for! I also couldn’t go a day without singing and have recently taken up piano, and I definitely think art in its various forms have a hold on my style, as fashion itself is art! Sometimes I'll draw something or someone that sparks an idea for an outfit or just an article of clothing, and sometimes it’s the other way around! When playing with colors and shapes and letting myself imagine different people and scenes and scenarios while doing art, I often find those thoughts to influence my appearance!

IC: If you could say one thing to your freshmen self, what would it be?

KS: That's a toughie. I guess I’d say “explore all possibilities.”

IC: When did you start dyeing your hair? How did you make the decision? What inspired you to make that decision?

KS: Change. I needed change. I was happy with my natural color, but I also love red hair, and blue hair, and every color hair really! I wanted to have fun and experiment and the best thing about hair is IT GROWS BACK! I had a bob in 9th grade and it’s already grown out to medium length again. I love changing my hair style and having fun with it, it’s like another accessory! I started dyeing it in sophomore year.

IC: Do you dye your hair yourself, or do you go to a salon?

KS: I’m very much so a “do it yourself” kind of girl, so I just buy dye at CVS or Sally’s Beauty and does it on my own!

IC: Do you have a beauty regimen? What's your philosophy about makeup?

KS: Every person is beautiful, with or without makeup. I think the transforming powers of makeup are amazing and extremely fun to play around with! However, I don’t think it’s made to cover up beauty, only accentuate the face and body! My every day standby has been simple 1950s pinup inspired black cat eyes and red lipstick for quite a while. I love the clean feel of a winged line and the extra pop of color with precise red lips! Occasionally I'll add in some white shadow on the inner tear duct area of my eyes to draw extra attention to them, or use a warm brown shadow base before I line my eyes. I think the main thing to remember with makeup is not to cake it on every day, have fun with it, as I see it as just another artistic medium!

IC: What advice would you give to Sturgis freshmen?

KS: Definitely to own who you are and not be afraid to be you. Try new things! Being a risk taker is part of the IB learner profile, but apply it to more than just school work. In general I can say Sturgis is a pretty accepting place and whether it be through acting, visual arts, sports or fashion, explore every horizon…and have fun doing so!

Boys Basketball Improves Record to 2-2

By Kevin Agostinelli, staff reporter

The boy’s basketball team endured a roller coaster of a week, from winning narrowly at Falmouth Academy on Monday to losing badly to PJP on Wednesday to dominating New Testament in a Thursday afternoon victory. Winning two out of the three games before the Christmas break is an important milestone for the Storm, as they look to stay on the right track en route to a state tournament seed in 2013.
Sturgis faced a challenging opponent in Falmouth Academy on Monday, December 17, and snuck away with a 47-43 win, despite being heavily out-rebounded by their opponents. The Storm’s offense played fairly well, with junior sixth man Ryan Bracken having a big influence in the passing game. Sturgis’s forwards Kyle Garvey and Jacob Tobey played well and scored 12 points each, while guards Luke Chevalier and Aidan Fitzsimons both collected 10 points. Despite the good offensive statistics, a large number of turnovers and indecisive attacks kept Falmouth Academy in the game, and at the half Sturgis was only leading 21-18. In the final minute of the fourth quarter, however, Tobey gave the Storm 3 points off a layup and an “and one” (Tobey was awarded an additional free throw on the layup due to a foul), and Garvey sealed the win with another key layup. 

Two days later, the Storm could not keep up the momentum and fell to a very strong Pope John Paul squad 72-31. Sturgis’s defense successfully held PJP star center Ben Gibson scoreless, but four other PJP players scored double digit points to end any notion of a Storm comeback. Sturgis junior Mitchell Starr returned to the starting lineup to lead the team with 10 points scored and 5 rebounds, followed by Jacob Tobey with 8 points and Luke Chevalier with 7 points. 

On Thursday, December  20, Sturgis achieved an emphatic 60-21 win over New Testament to come back from the demoralizing loss to PJP. Sturgis point guard Luke Chevalier had a stellar performance at point guard for the Storm, recording 13 points and 6 assists and controlling the Sturgis offense, which proved to be too much for New Testament to handle. Seniors Kyle Garvey and Aidan Fitzsimons once again led by example, collecting many crucial rebounds and scoring 8 points each.   

Because Sturgis was leading 30-13 at the second half, Coach Kennedy decided to mainly play the bench players during the second half; and freshman Kyle Coolidge and junior Mackenzie Greene were among the standout performers. Coolidge began to show flashes of his potential, scoring 8 points and combining well with fellow guards Austin Rindfuss and Jonny Gomes, while Mackenzie Green scored 7 points and had 9 rebounds.

Sturgis (2-2) will look to continue the momentum in their next game against Cape Cod Academy on Saturday, January 5.