The Wire

One Winnacunnet, video brings towns together

Derek Roberts — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:12:38 +0000

As part of the NEASC accreditation process, WHTV creates a documentary that looked at Winnacunnet both past and present. With four towns meeting at WHS for the first time in ninth grade, what is it that seems to bring them all close together by graduation? And what seems to drive the spirit of the school? Take a look for yourself.

‘Invisible Children’ team visits WHS

Maeve Dolan — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:48:50 +0000

Four fresh-faced young adults clad in red “KONY 2012″ t-shirts spoke to several students in classes two weeks ago. Later that afternoon, the Invisible Children representatives – three Americans and one former resident of Uganda – retired to the auditorium to give a free presentation to any community member who wished to attend. Brianna O’Brien (12) worked for more than four months organizing the visit.

Invisible Children is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stopping violence that has continued for more than 26 years in Central Africa. Uganda was colonized by the British Empire in the mid-1800s, and created a rift between the North and South by forcing Northern people to do hard labor. In 1986, the North rebelled against the Ugandan government, beginning what would become the longest war in Africa’s history.

The group that initially spearheaded the rebellion eventually transformed into what is known today as the Lord’s Resistance Army. Now the LRA fights only to keep its leader, Joseph Kony, in power. Today, the LRA has little to no public support, and is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. Kony “abducts children from their homes, forces them to be soldiers and sex slaves, to murder and mutilate their neighbors,” according to the Invisible Children KONY 2012 booklet. Between 1987 and 2006, Kony abducted more than 30,000 children from Uganda; currently, more than 444,000 people in Cental Africa are displaced. Kony is currently the most wanted war criminal in the world. In 2012, Invisible Children released a video called “Kony 2012,” the main focus of which was to bring Kony and the atrocities he has committed into the public eye. It became the most viral video in the history of the Internet.

Speaker Oyella Jane shared her experiences living in war-torn Uganda. She survived the massacre of her village, but many in her family were killed. Now living in the US, Jane is passionate about informing others about the conflict. “[Presenting at Winnacunnet] has been the greatest experience. I’ve gotten to interact with students and parents; it’s been wonderful,” said Jane.

Maeve Dolan – Editor in Chief

Students Commended for PSAT Scores

Alex Howard — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:45:55 +0000

James Desrosiers and Jack Knollmeyer are this year’s National Merit Scholar “Commended Students” according to college counselor Doran Morford.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, non-profit organization that has been providing scholarships to students through the National Merit Scholarship Program and the National Achievement Scholarship Program since 1955. The NSMC has provided over $1.4 billion in scholarships to more than 360,000 students in its 57 year existence. In order to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, one must take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). Students who score in the top 1% of their state qualify as “semifinalists” and a great number go on to become “finalists” and receive a scholarship. Those who are not in the top 1% of their state but are in the top 5% of the nation are recognized as “Commended Students” by the NMSC.

Desrosiers and Knollmeyer are 2 of about 34,000 commended students in the nation, and will be joined by 155 other students from New Hampshire. Approximately 16,000 students across the nation will qualify to be semifinalists. To continue on to become finalists, semifinalists must meet academic requirements laid out by the NSMC. Each year there are around 15,000 finalists. The NSMC awards $2,500 to approximately 700 students each year. There are also corporate sponsored Merit Scholarships as well as college sponsored Merit Scholarships.

Alex Howard – Sports Editor

Asia Rising

Rebecca Costa — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:08:15 +0000

Two years ago, social studies teachers Amy Scholes, Lara Johnson and their students came up with the idea to create a new class with the curriculum based solely on Africa, and another class based solely on Asia. The first ever “Asia Rising” was taught last year and the first ever “This is Africa” class (T.I.A) was taught 2 years ago. The name for T.I.A. came from the movie “Blood Diamonds” which is about conflict diamonds in Africa, a movie student’s watch in the class. Because not enough teachers are available to teach the class every year, the two classes alternate and this year “This is Africa” is being taught twice—one first trimester and one third trimester. According to freshman Jordan Meyers, the class is currently learning about animals. “[I] can’t wait to [study] the politics of Africa,” said Meyers. Both classes are almost, if not completely, full.

When the idea came up, Johnson was all for it. According to her, she had always wanted to teach more about the African unit, but there simply wasn’t enough time. T.I.A. more laid back and the students get to lead the class since Scholes and Johnson want the students to be interested and passionate about what they’re learning. Some units students even get to vote on what they want to learn. A lot is planned ahead as Johnson and Scholes write the curriculum together, but the curriculum is very flexible, and not as rigid as a core class. “The students really make the class,” said Johnson. Some units that are planned include geography, the landscape, the animals, conservation and imperialism. Students create African masks and watch movies such as “Invictus” and “Blood Diamonds” to go along with the curriculum.

This year Johnson hopes to take her class to the Portland Museum in Maine which has an exhibit on Africa. In past years they have also gone to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. “I like that the class is open [to] freshmen [as well as] seniorsKids can take classes with students they don’t normally have classes with,” said Johnson. Both Scholes and Jonhson are passionate about the class. “I love it,” said Scholes who thinks the class lets students see the positive things in the rich culture and history, as opposed to just focusing on the negative parts of Africa. It gives students a new perspective. . “I took this course because I wanted to learn lots of geographical features [and] various land formations,” said senior Jeff Anderson.

Johnson is most looking forward to the adventure of learning with a new group of students. “It’s the students that make the class.”

Guitars are everywhere

Erika Raymond — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:01:41 +0000

For the past two years there has been a unique course offered to Winnacunnet High School students. Beginner and intermediate guitar classes have been an option for those who are looking to improve their guitar skills or learn how to play for the first time.
Last year, over fifty students joined one of the two courses. “The classes fill up fairly quickly,” said Mr. Moore, the school’s chorus instructor. For students, this course is certainly one of their personal favorites. According to senior, Kevin O’Brien, “I am able to just let loose and let the creativity flow.” O’Brien has been playing guitar for over three years now and says that he was thrilled when he heard guitar was being offered to those who wanted to learn. “I signed up to become better at reading sheet music.”
O’Brien is not the only who has had previous experience with guitar prior to entering the class. In the beginner guitar class, 6 out of 15 students have picked up this fun instrument before enrolling. Many who actually take on the sheet music play acoustic as a hobby; however, they are looking to improve their skills.
“Some of the kids I get in here are some of the best I’ve heard, as soon as they pick up a guitar, they know what they are doing,” said Mr. Moore as he helped a student tune her guitar. For the other students who have never taken guitar before, they find this experience to be exciting. Alexa Lamontagne, who is a first time instrument player, said she chose this class to learn something entirely out of her comfort zone. “It’s always good to challenge yourself,” she said smiling and plucking at some strings. Lamontagne stated that it was a perfect way to take something that won’t push you hard academically, but mentally and physically.
At the end of the each class, Mr. Moore lets the students join in and play one song together in a circle of chairs. “Getting each student involved with one another is what this class does best and at the same time lets a student work on their personal best.” After an Elvis tune is played with multiple chords and notes, every student began shutting guitar cases and hanging up music stands. Mr. Moore scanned the room for students to tell them they did well performing that day. “Positive reinforcement makes sure the kids know their right on track.”
Mr. Moore’s idea of bringing a guitar course to Winnacunnet was unique and has paid off. Now there is a course for students who are not able to be a part of the chorus or band. No musical skill is needed prior to enrolling in these courses which helps encourage students to be more open to musical electives. Hopefully in the coming years these courses will expand and Mr. Moore will be able to open up a third level guitar skill class for advanced students.

‘Exiles’ find home at Winnacunnet

Alexa LaMontagne — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 01:50:26 +0000

Students and staff were treated to an Irish-rock concert last Friday as part of the annual week-long Culture Matters celebration.

Called the Exiles, the group played a variety of traditional Irish music, including jigs, slip jigs, reels, and ballads, to the enthusiastic crowds. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the group plays primarily in the Boston area, and has even been invited to play in Ireland.

“We rarely come to schools,” said band member Bob Drouin. “I wish we did more. The students are so excited and eager. It’s great.”

The concerts were held during Blocks 3 and 5, with an additional Block 4 assembly in which the band talked about themselves and their instruments for the music students and a few other classes. Towards the end of the block, Kevin Doyle, the group’s percussionist and step dancer, taught a few students and teachers a dance that had them galloping around the stage.

Overall everyone seemed to enjoy the festivities, including the band members themselves. “Thank you for having us here,” Doyle said. “We had a fantastic time. If we encouraged any student to pick up an instrument or learn to dance, it was worth it.”

Robert Smith and Nick Seta have this report from WHTV.

Teaching schedule remains for next year

Alexa LaMontagne — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:35:51 +0000

Next year’s schedule will not change after the School Board voted 3-0-1 to wait until the following year at Wednesday night’s meeting, on May 16.

During last fall’s discussions, the Board voted for teachers to add another teaching period, moving from the current 4-3-3 schedule to a 4-4-3 one. Before leaving the meeting, Chairman Wayne Skogland disagreed with the idea of having a new vote, saying the previous Board voted in December to implement the 4-4-3 schedule and having another vote would “undo” all of that work. (Skogland was not present when the new vote was held.)

Seabrook representative Maria Brown, who abstained, agreed with Skogland and warned against making decisions without looking at all of the information.

At-large representative Chris Muns, who proposed a motion to keep the current schedule, also cited a lack of information, saying “Why would we want to make a change in the schedule right now until we have all the information?”

The current teacher contracts require at least one planning period per trimester, and teachers use the extra two blocks for professional development and assigned supervision duties such as lunch monitoring and study halls.

Red Cross blood drive coming to WHS

Lydia Sack — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:43:51 +0000

The National Honor Society and the Health Office will be hosting a blood drive with the Red Cross Bloodmobile next week on Wednesday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Winnacunent gym.

If students are interested in donating, members of the NHS will be signing people up at lunches. In order to donate, you must meet a specific criteria – most prominently, you must be at least 16 years of age. Parental consent is also required if you are under 18.

Art show paints portrait of student talent

Caroline Anastasia — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:42:08 +0000

The annual Art Show was held last week to display student work across all mediums of art. From paintings to photographs, ceramic pieces to jewelry, it featured pieces from students of all grades and abilities.

A popular returning feature were the displays from the 10 AP Art students that featured each student’s final art portfolio. This year’s students are Madeline Gaffey, Katelyn Sarson-Malcom, Matt Robertson, Nicole Harter, Christel Welch, Shelby Watterworth, Emmalyn Sullivan, Jordan Firkey and Shea Libbey.

Unsurprisingly, many were impressed with the student talent. “The Art Show represents the acquired skill that our students are able to practice and incorporate into their art classes. It also gives us a public display and promotes our program. One reason the Art Show is so successful is the support of the community, and [it] gives one night for everyone to see the work,” said teacher Linda Varney. Art teacher Wes Coombs, added, “It was great. Best one ever. It gets better every year.”

Technology falling behind

Robert Smith — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:52:25 +0000

With 1100 computers operating at Winnacunnet, keeping the hardware and software up to date is a challenge due to budget limitations. Recently, Winnacunnet’s school board voted to upgrade the wireless system using surplus funds from this budget year. However, social studies teacher, Amy Scholes, pointed out at the last board meeting that while having full wireless coverage of the campus is great, there is not adequate hardware in place to take advantage of it.

WHTV’s Robert Smith and Nick Seta report on the high school’s technology situation.