June 2017 by The Chief Online

News Local news

Filtered water stations arise among raising lead concerns

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Updates

MHS hosts ‘Under the Lights’ meet

Construction on the fields

13 Reasons sparks controversy

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Sports

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Page 12

Massapequa High School

Vol. 65 – No. 5

4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758

June 7, 2017 www.thechiefonline.com

mhsthechief@gmail.com

MHS art students paint the town blue (and gold) BY MICHAEL RIGGI LAYOUT MANAGER

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH SCHAFER

Collaboration between students and teachers in the art department brought another successful mural transformation on the Town Bagel wall, showcasing the talent of the upcoming graduating classes of Massapequa high school students. Senior Alison Keane’s winning mural design was none other than a clash of iconic chief colors and figureheads spread out across the word “Massapequa” to reflect on the trademarks of the high school. References to the impressive sports, musical, and artistic achievements can be seen throughout the design that paints a true picture to the passing cars and people as to what MHS is really all about. “I worked very hard on it and made it the best I could” Alison said of her winning de-

PHOTO BY JULIE THORNTON

Sea of shining blue | Three different shades of blue highlight the new design on the Town Bagel wall. sign. “Now I get to see it all three days, student volunteers as large as this one. and hard work during the abthe time. It will be there even worked hard to put together an “A lot of work and prepa- normally warm May weather. after I graduate, and it’s like impressive showcase of both ration goes into a project like Painting the mural has leaving something I did.” school spirit and artistic spir- this,” art teacher Mrs. Gale been a long-running tradition Alison created the design it. Under the direction of the Domingo said. “We make the for MHS students, and it is for her textile design class, contest winner and art teach- students feel prepared enough planned accordingly so that which would later be chosen ers, the mural came to surpass so that a project of this scale every group of art students in to compete against four others expectations upon completion. can be completed efficiently in the high school has the opporfor the wall mural. Ultimately, With accurate measure- three days.” tunity to work on it. Alison’s design was picked by ments and scales in mind, stuStudents took to bringing Originally starting as an the student body in a vote tak- dents enlarged the scale draw- the design to life through the anti-graffiti campaign for the en in English classes. ing up to proportion as a first course of these three school wall, the project transformed Over the course of only step in undertaking a process days, contributed lots of time into an opportunity for graduating students to leave their mark on the high school for other classes to reflect upon. Ultimately from this, the campaign turned into the success that it is today. “We are very proud of the students’ work on the wall,” Mrs. Domingo said. “The design came out to be really great.”

Ali Keane| Ali’s winning design adorns the bagel shop wall.

Painting a new scene | Paint team works hard on the wall.

LAURA FRANCAVILLA// THE CHIEF

The Great Wall of Massapequa | The finished mural sits proudly next to the home of the Chiefs.

THE CHIEF SCHOOL NEWS Long Island school lead levels in water leading to concern

JUN 7, 2017

BY MICHAEL RIGGI LAYOUT MANAGER

MICHAEL RIGGI // THE CHIEF

The consequences of time and old pipes and fixtures containing lead have caught up to many school districts across Long Island, including Massapequa. Many of the service pipes found in the older schools on Long Island are made of components which often contain lead, thus risking the possibility of corroding and seeping lead into the water supply of schools from which students and staff may drink. This scenario comes in the wake of the infamous Flint, Michigan lead water crisis. As a new pipeline was being built, residents drank unknowingly from an alternative lead-laden river source for at least 18 months, exposing nearly 9,000 children younger than 6 to critically high levels of lead. This resulted in difficulties in both mental and physical development of the children in Flint, Michigan in what some call one of the great American tragedies of this century. The crisis and government handling of the situation in Flint sparked massive outrage. As a result, many are now concerned of a possible domino effect throughout the country as buildings and pipe systems continue to age. The concern of lead in New York schools was high enough for Governor Andrew Cuomo to issue emergency regulations resulting in a signed bill requiring school districts to test drinking water for lead by October 31, 2016. This new law Lead Testing in

Hydrating cleanly | MHS installs new safe water fountains. School Drinking Water man- fountains and replace fixtures. dates the testing for lead in In Massapequa, testing ocschool drinking water includ- curred both prior to and after ing fountains and kitchens. the law went into effect. In addition, the results “Back in June 2016 we must be reported to parents, tested for lead in drinking wathe state, and local govern- ter, and the outcome was that ments. The purpose of the law there was some above old law is to protect both students and standards and above the new employees in schools from law standards,” Director of toxic lead possibly present in Facilities and Operations Timold plumbing. othy O’Donnell said. “There Following the new law, was lead found in a couple of a Newsday/News 12 survey outlets that were more private reported that approximately and used less often.” 20 percent of the Long Island According to Mr. O’Donschool districts tested in 2016 nell, outlets containing excess had elevated levels of lead levels of lead include an unpresent in drinking water that popular drinking fountain at caused them to shut down Lockhart, a sink in the midst

of renovation at Berner, and a drinking fountain at the high school. In an immediate response to the findings, the district was proactive in shutting down the sources and replacing them with the refillable filtered water bottle stations. In an August 2016 letter addressed to the parents and the community of Massapequa from superintendent Lucille F. Iconis, she stated “I am pleased to report that the vast majority of our drinking fountains were found to be in compliance with EPA guidelines.” Prior to discovering the results there were already plans for the district to place refillable filtered water stations in schools in an effort to reduce the usage of disposable plastic water bottles. “These refillable bottle stations have seen great success,” Mr. O’Donnell said. “They started in gyms and cafeterias, but eventually we would like to have one on every floor of every building.” The Elkay filtered water bottle stations installed across the district meet the lead reduction requirements for the NSF/ANSI 53 certification and eliminate excess lead in drinking water, making it safer to drink for students. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a letter that was shared with school districts, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children who “can have health effects when exposed to even the lowest levels of lead”. Aside from the filtered water fountains, the district will continue with ongoing testing

Bidding farewell to Dr. Levantrosser as she retires BY HANNAH TAUSTINE STAFF WRITER

DANIELLE SWARTZ// THE CHIEF

After working for 16 years in the Massapequa School District and 8 years in Massapequa High School, beloved school psychologist Dr Carol Levantrosser has decided to retire. She has worked as a school psychologist for over 30 years, and I was given the chance to interview Dr Levantrosser regarding her upcoming retirement. Hannah: What would you consider your greatest accomplishment here at MHS? Dr. Levantrosser: “My greatest accomplishment...I think the thing that I love the best about being a psychologist at the high school is being able to work with kids on a 1 to 1 basis and being able to provide support. On a needed basis. Just to be able to provide support for kids on any given school day. So I guess to be able to provide that support for

them and to be able to provide that support in a safe professional place. It's being able to provide kids with a safe place to land, if they have something that the want to discuss and are not sure who to talk to.” H: Many students whose lives you have touched are sad to see you go. Do you have anything you’d like to say to those students whom you have helped? L: “Just to really hold onto your core beliefs about yourself; and to hold onto the values that you really think are important to you deep down inside. And to not allow other people to persuade you in a direction that you don't really want to go. I hope everyone when they leave MHS finds something that they're passionate about. And that they hold onto that passion.” H: I'm sure you've been able to help so many kids find and pursue their passions, as

Dr. Levantrosser | Dr. L retires after 30 years in education. you said. be overwhelmed. There's this L: “I hope so! High school idea that high school is supis a tough time and i think it’s posed to be the best years of pretty common for people to your life, and I think adults

to ensure that students are not being exposed to any harmful levels of lead. Residents of Massapequa should be aware that the district is addressing the situation and according to the letter from the superintendent, taking immediate action to make changes and comply with EPA guidelines. Positive lead results in the drinking sources at schools does not necessarily mean that high lead levels are in the public water supply. Often times metals can get into the school water by leaching from older pipes or other fittings in the fixtures. Aside from drinking tainted water, other methods in which people can be exposed to lead include inhalation and ingestion of dust containing the metal. Side effects of lead are serious and, according to the EPA, children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of lead than adults due to their developing brains. Such effects in children include learning disabilities, hyperactivity, reduced attention, behavioral problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, anemia, and lower IQ. Information about the lead and results of the testing done in the Massapequa schools can be accessed on the school website under the “Public Documents” subcategory. According to the district website, the information was shared and will be continued to be shared to reassure parents that the health and safety of the students is a high priority.

don't realise how complicated it is to be a highschool student. I’m proud to be a part of PPS. Im proud to work with the people I work with, They help me do my job, really. You want to make sure someone has somewhere to talk to and adult in a private confidential place.” H: What will you miss the most about working at MHS? L: “I'll miss the energy of being around high school students and the energy of the building.” H: This last one is a fun one- do you fun plans for retirement? L: “I love to travel, so I definitely will be planning some European vacations. I had a wacky idea to take a course on wine, and to learn about wines. One of my goals is to learn to speak French french. It’s a really beautiful language.”

SCHOOL NEWS 13 Reasons Why: welcome to your article

JUN 7, 2017

BY LAURA FRANCAVILLA AND ISABELLA ITALIANO COPY EDITORS

LAURA FRANCAVILLA// THE CHIEF

The new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, based on a 2007 novel of the same name by Jay Asher, has raised significant controversy in school districts across the country resulting from its portrayal of the protagonist’s destructive choices that led to her taking her own life. Nearly ten years after the book’s release, Netflix released the first season of a new show based on the bestselling novel. The show tells the story of a seventeen year old girl named Hannah Baker, who decided to take her own life. Before doing so she recorded 13 tapes, one for each of the people that she claimed gave her a reason to commit suicide. On these tapes, Hannah describes her side of the bullying she faced inside and outside of school. Many teenagers, especially girls face the same problems as Hannah, such as cyberbullying and sexual harassment. In the series and book several photos of her in a make-out session were sent around the school. She was also put on a “hot list”, made by several boys on the basketball team. As the show’s popularity increased, so did the concerns about its effects on students. In districts across Long Island, administrators began to send letters home regarding the show. “This is real. This is something that needs to be addressed,” Mrs. Iconis said. An article in The Guardian sheds light on the show’s

13 Reasons Why | The best-selling novel turns 10. controversy, “13 Reasons Why ing ‘Wow thank you so much. is about those of us who are I didn’t even know,” Mrs. Icoleft behind, and how we wish nis said. we had done more to be there Some parents, howevfor a woman in pain. There is er, did watch the show with much we can do, starting with their kids. “I like the show. I listening to girls, hearing them thought it was something that and seeing the world they live was good for parents to watch in.” with their children to open After speaking with a up with the discussion about school psychologist and oth- suicide,” Massapequa parent er educators, the Massapequa Patricia Carroll said. “It was a superintendent, Mrs. Lucille F. little disturbing but I thought it Iconis, wrote a letter stressing was something important for the importance of students not teenagers to watch.” watching the show alone, but Many parents and students rather with a parent, or some- became vocal about the letone that would be able to an- ter, expressing their feelings swer their questions and “dis- towards the show’s message, cuss their thoughts as a follow which every person might inup.” terpret differently. Many parents had no idea Many students believe that that their children were watch- the show taught meaningful ing the show. “I got 25-30 lessons regarding suicide and phone calls from parents say- mental health. While Hannah

believed that each person on the tapes hurt her in someway, viewers were able to see that those people actually cared for her. “I think the letter the school sent out showed a misunderstanding of the meaning of the show, but I know the district is just trying to help students and inform parents of the serious problems their children could be facing,” sophomore Chelsea Fedele said. “The show, however, would not influence kids to do such a thing as it would more help students with their problems.” “Everyone experiences these things differently,” said Lindsey Formes, a sophomore. “It is a TV show and obviously dramatized for entertainment purposes.” As is common in adaptations from book to screen, the show changed several aspects of the book. For example, in the book, Hannah takes too many pills, but the producers of the show chose to dramatically show Hannah slitting her wrists, which had more of an emotional effect on the viewers. The show explicitly depicts Hannah killing herself, and also shows scenes of rape, which many parents, school officials, and health experts say are not suitable for young, impressionable minds to witness alone, or in general. This has sparked some controversy. Throughout the show, Hannah feels like she can’t go to her school guidance counselor, Mr. Porter, to talk to him about her suicidal thoughts. This has lead many health

THE CHIEF

professionals to question if the show has an overall positive message. They feel that the show is expressing that students shouldn’t talk to an adult, when in reality, they are strongly encouraged to do so. “I think they made him [Mr. Porter] not helpful, and that gives a message to kids, ‘don’t go to your guidance counselor or the school social worker or psychologist’ because they’re not going to be helpful,” school psychologist Mrs. Waters said. The letter from the school also had several resources listed for people who suffer from depression and/or have thoughts of suicide. The school is also prepared to have “more open sessions” and “24/7 support” for struggling students. Mrs. Iconis advises students to find the person in your life that you’re most comfortable with, and talk to them. “[You] are important, and [you] are worthy to live,” she said. “Advocate for yourself.” Some viewers believe that Hannah exaggerates some of her problems. Everyone experiences problems differently and these problems can effect everyone in a different way. Many young viewers may relate to Hannah, and believe that every problem they face is something they can’t overcome, which isn’t true. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please speak up. “There’s always a friend to tell,” Mrs. Waters said. “There’s always someone else.”

Summing up Mrs. Price’s times at MHS BY ALEXANDRA DOULOS 2016-2017 CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Adding up to a great career | Mrs. Price retires in June. Adding more to life | Mrs. Price is checking out of MHS.

PROVIDED BY THE CHIEF

After 25 years in education,with 21 of those years being devoted to MHS, pre-calculus teacher Mrs. Debra Price is retiring this June. Becoming a teacher was a natural choice for Mrs. Price because it combined two of her passions into one career. “I always loved math and I enjoyed being around young people,” Mrs. Price said. Over the past 25 years, Mrs. Price has gained a love for MHS, saying that her favorite part of the job is “being in the classroom” with kids every day. But Mrs. Price’s retirement is bittersweet. She will miss being with students on a daily basis and will miss the friends she has made here. “I’m leaving with mixed emotions. I am anxious to start a new part of my life, but this has been such a big part of it

that it's a little scary.” she said. Mrs. Price advises students to “always give it a chance” in life and in education and recommends that students “keep an open mind” in all that they do. She also wants to remind students to “always do the best [they] can!” With her free time, Mrs. Price plans to travel and take classes at nearby colleges. She also plans to pursue another hobby not many people may know she’s interested in: art and design. “I love to make jewelry,” she said. Additionally, Mrs. Price plans to make some more time for family. “I have two grandchildren with one on the way. They keep me busy and make me very happy.” Though we don’t look forward to her leaving, we wish her good luck in the future.

JUN 7, 2017

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liam Higgins LAYOUT MANAGER Michael Riggi COPY EDITORS Rachelle Casement Laura Francavilla Isabella Italiano Leah Johnston GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kiera Pagano ADVISOR Elyn Coyle Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758

Editorial Policy

The Chief, the student newspaper of Massapequa High School, is an open forum to discuss the student body’s issues and concerns. Members of The Chief will make every effort to publish following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. Consistent with the first amendment of the United States Constitution, the staff also will refrain from printing material that may incite students, be a violation of MHS’ Student Code of Conduct or disrupt school operations. The editorial board of The Chief welcomes and encourages submitted letters, stories, cartoons and any other feedback to the editor. Please send all submissions to mhsthechief@gmail.com. Letters sent by email may need to be verified by student signature before publishing. • Although anonymous letters to the editor are not printed, names will be held upon request. The Chief has the right to deny publication of any editorial, column, review or comment. • Grammatical and/or spelling corrections will be made; however, the content will not be altered. • Corrections will be printed when mistakes are found or brought to the attention of the staff. • Original stories will carry bylines, although stories rewritten by someone other than the original author will not receive a byline. Contributing writers will be listed at the end of an article. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work. • All columns, reviews or commentary are strictly the opinion of the writer and may not represent opinions held by the school board, administration, sponsors, parents, student body or advertisers. However, all editorials reflect the viewpoint of The Chief editorial board.

THE CHIEF EDITORIAL The cyberbullying phenomenon hits hard Recent events—namely the release of 13 Reasons Why on Netflix and allegations of instances of cyberbullying at MHS—have propelled the issue of bullying to the forefront of topics at MHS, with this topic raising a number of questions and concerns. The proliferation of social media in the lives of teenagers has caused increased instances of online bullying and harassment by students towards their peers. According to teensafe. org, nearly 34% of adolescents have been cyberbullied in the past. The effects of cyberbullying can have devastating consequences on a young person’s life. More than 70% of students who have been cyberbullied report that it has negatively impacted their social lives. Social media platforms

such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat have allowed for different types of bullying outside of the classroom. The impersonal nature of these platforms gives a sense of anonymity and a sense that one’s comments do not have as much of an impact as they would in real life. With such devastating outcomes, it seems reasonable to take any form of revenge against a cyber bully, but this may be a bit reactionary. It is important that students who believe they are being cyberbullied—or know someone who is being cyberbullied—take their grievances to the school administration or another responsible adult before the situation can worsen. “Cyberbullying is a very complex issue. It’s very difficult to get to the roots of the issue, and we [the school ad-

ministrators] can only work with what we know,” Dean Kenneth Wing said. “Unfortunately, many times it is not brought to our attention until it becomes a much bigger issue.” Members of the school board are aware of how much of an impact cyberbullying can have on a student and advise that students be aware of what they are posting and how public it is. Concerned about the friendships and school spirit negatively impacted by online communication, the administration is making sure the school takes action to prevent cyberbullying by connecting more with the students in and out of the school day. “I really support digital communication, but I would warn people that it gets so big that it’s hard to manage,” Principal Patrick DiClemente said.

I’ve seen the lights go out in Pequa Question: What happens if the lights go out in a high school auditorium full of parents, students, and teachers during a musical performance? Answer: Magic. Students of Massapequa high school’s elite ensemble, the Chordettes, didn’t let a power outage stop their concert. On Tuesday May 30, in the middle of a song, the lights in the auditorium suddenly shut off when a transformer blew out. Instead of stopping, students sang on and ignored the abrupt darkness. The piano didn’t skip a beat, and the girls

continued to sing their hearts out. “The sudden blackout was scary at first,” Choral Director, Mrs. Ilena Dempsey said. “Fortunately, our accompanist, Craig Coyle, had a battery operated piano light! He kept playing, and the chordettes kept singing. The entire audience lit up the auditorium with cellphone lights.” Ironically, the chordettes were performing Dancing Queen by Abba, which contains the lyric, “and the lights are low.” These lyrics sent the audience into laughter and applause.

Sophomore Molly Guarton, a member of the Paparazzi orchestra—the group which played before the incident— was seated in the audience when the lights went out. “We were all a little freaked out but automatically everyone turned on their flashlights,” she said. “It was a matter of seconds before we all created our own light for the concert.” The audience was a big part in helping the Chordettes continue their song. Most can agree it was an unforgettable night. In the stage control center above the back of the audito-

“Do you know who your followers are?” In light of the aforementioned events, the high school administration has several plans to prevent future instances of bullying at Massapequa. “There are plans to meet with small and large groups of students as well as further anti-bullying forums and clubs,” Mr. DiClemente said. “We would like to have student representatives from all grade levels and encourage and accept diversity among the student body.” Though Cyberbullying has become a prominent problem recently, with the right help from the school administration, faculty, and parents, it can be prevented. No one should feel put down by their peers online, as this is usually anonymous and can be harmful to young people.

rium, stage crew members at first thought it was their doing. Sophomore Dan Wahl, the leader of the group and lights controller, said that the sound board had crashed first and then the lights shut off. The group rushed to shut down the boards so that they didn't break. Although in the face of difficulty, the Massapequa community was able to get through it. One power outage won't let determined students give up. Like Mrs. Dempsey said, “The show must go on!”

Distribution: 1,700 copies 1,859 students, 194 teachers All papers are free

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ILENA DE,MPSEY

The show must go on | Family and friends light the way to a great concert.

THE CHIEF SCHOOL NEWS Go to college without breaking the bank? Cuomo’s plan

JUN 7, 2017

BY LIAM HIGGINS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

middle class or poor New be as lucky as I am,” she said. students, they must also work of the New York section of the Yorkers. However, questions “However, I hope they make long hours to earn enough in- FAFSA (Free Application for still remain about the funding an income level change become to survive and can not Federal Student Aid) form in and sustainability of the pro- cause everyone deserves an invest in attending college which a student can apply for gram. education regardless of how full-time. the Scholarship. “The new Scholarship cer- much they make. In many othThis plan would also reCuomo’s strong advotainly has the potential to pro- er countries, public university quire that students remain cacy for this plan and other vide opportunities for students education is completely free. I a resident of New York and progressive legislation in the that may not have existed know that most people would work in the state for the same budget bill has led many politbefore,” Executive Assistant be willing to get an education amount of years as they re- ical pundits to believe that the of Guidance Mr. Paul Weber if it were free.” ceived the scholarship. So if Governor is planning to run said. “How it will be funded Furthermore, this scholar- a student received an associ- for the Democratic nomination and sustained is yet to be seen, ship doesn’t supplement other ate’s degree after two years, for president in 2020. With but more students will contin- scholarships and financial aid he or she would be required successful legislation such as ue their education as a result.” opportunities that a student re- to work in New York State for this to base his platform on, he However, this plan does ceives because it does not act two years; this figure raises to may be a strong contender in come with some limitations. in addition to these financial four years if a student receives the primaries and the general First, the law only applies awards. So, for many students, a bachelor’s degree. This can election. Through the passage to families who make below a this plan will offer them little be particularly detrimental to of this bill, Governor Cuomo certain income per year. For to no more financial assistance individuals who wish to enter shows a commitment to prothis upcoming academic year, than they would normally re- fields, such as the tech field, viding an affordable education the Excelsior Scholarship will ceive. which are active primarily in to many students who previonly apply to families making Another requirement to states other than New York. ously would not be able to obunder $100,000 a year—which this plan is that students enroll There is no separate ap- tain one. means many Long Island fam- in college full-time in order to plication for a college-bound ilies will be ineligible for the receive the Excelsior Scholar- student to apply for this Scholscholarship. For the 2018- ship. Unfortunately for many arship;. Instead, there is a part 2019 academic year, this figure raises to $110,000, and in the 2019-2020 academic year and moving forward it will be $125,000. Senior Stephanie Gentiluomo has committed to SUNY Purchase College and expresses her support for the bill, but also her concerns about the income requirement. “As a high school senior having decided which college she’s going to, I had high expectations for the free college bill. The income level is at a certain level, which does make sense for those who may not Binghamton University is a SUNY school that will introduce the new tuition plan.

DANIELLE ANAZELONE // THE CHIEF

Here’s some great news for our next high school graduates. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has successfully signed a law providing tuition-free college for many incoming and current SUNY and CUNY students. This plan was part of the state’s annual budget bill, which passed in mid-April and was promptly signed by Cuomo. The tuition-free plan will allow qualifying New Yorkers to attend any SUNY (State University of New York) or CUNY (City University of New York) school—community colleges—at the undergraduate level without paying any tuition for all two to four years of school. The plan will not necessarily eliminate tuition for all public schools of higher education in the state, but instead it will create the Excelsior Scholarship, which will—in addition to other programs such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)—pay for tuition at public colleges and universities. Though this idea is certainly beneficial for a number of New Yorkers, it is important to take a look at its provisions and requirements. For starters, the plan will mostly be funded through the imposition of a “millionaire’s tax,” meaning that the tax burden is placed primarily on the upper class rather than most

Red Watch Band watches out for students at MHS BY SAM CARROLL STAFF WRITER

Red alert for safety | Bracelets identify Red Watch Band members.

MICHAEL RIGGI // THE CHIEF

Eight years ago, Massapequa founded its chapter of the Red Watch Band Society, which is an organization created to prevent deaths from drinking and substance use by training students in first aid and teaching them how to calmly react in crisis. The organization was founded at Stony Brook University in response to the loss of a student due to drinking. The Ames chapter of the organization was founded under local pupil personnel counselors Kimberly Hession and Joann Waters. The mission statement on the official Red Watch Band website states that the organization is committed to “provide students...with the knowledge, awareness, and skills to prevent toxic drinking deaths.” “It’s needed everywhere on college and high school campuses. It gives someone the training to assess and in-

tervene in instances of binge drinking and overdose.” Waters said about the program. The training consists of two courses. The first is a informational course on how to get proper help in cases like these. The second is a handson course providing students with CPR and first aid training. Around 400 students, including sophomores Emily Reitz and Lindsay Formes, have been trained in these important skills. “I found it all to be interesting and helpful and really suggest others take the time to do the training,” Formes said. Reitz adds that it provided her with useful knowledge and that “it was a good experience.” In order to prevent adverse health effects caused by drinking in Massapequa, the Red Watch Band Program is continuing to develop. There is a possibility of a red watch band class being implemented at MHS.

REVIEWS

JUN 7, 2017

THE CHIEF

MHS Takes on Hamilton

BY ISABELLA ITALIANO Hamilton tickets are next to impossible to get before March 2018. But I was able to get tickets for the April 1 show on April 1. How? The cancellation line. A cancellation line is a line that extremely dedicated Broadway fans stand on for many hours with the hopes of getting an unclaimed ticket into the show. Although I was originally anti- Hamilton, my cousin made me listen to “One Last Time” on the train to a Rangers game against my wishes. I fell in love. For four months, I learned every single song on the original cast recorded album and eventually got tickets for June 20, 2017. But I just couldn’t wait. My sister and I made the decision to stand on the Hamilton cancellation line, despite freezing temperatures outside. The curtain was at 8:05pm, but we arrived at 3:30. Luckily, we were the tenth and eleventh people in line. During the four and a half hours, we bonded with a family from California, and the 10 other people online. We all took turns making Starbucks runs and sharing stories. The line of dressed up ticket holders got smaller and by 8:00, my sister and I were fourth and fifth on line, and we had begun to lose faith that we’d ever would get into the show. At 8:03 they called in the family from California. Then, at 8:06, my sister and I entered the warm theatre and ran to our $40 standing room seats. Lin Manuel Miranda, the mastermind behind the musical, wrote the 47 songs in the show, and there are no spoken lines. He tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who created the Treasury with nonstop hard work. In the second song, Aaron Burr is introduced. He’s important because he is the man that Hamilton idolized and became friends with, until Hamilton wasn’t on his side during a presidential election. Burr was the man that eventually shot and killed Hamilton. In the next song, we meet Elizabeth Schuyler, Hamilton’s wife. She sings several amazing songs throughout the show such as “Helpless” and “Burn”. The song “Helpless” describes Eliza’s happy feelings the first time she met him. In “Burn”, on the other hand, Eliza sings while she burns all of the love letters he’d written to her after she found out that her husband had an affair with a woman named Mariah Reynolds. My favorite song was “Satisfied” because of the scenery. The song was sung during the wedding of Eliza and Hamilton. Center stage, there were two circular turntables, one inside the other, and at the beginning of the song, they spun opposite ways while the actors were singing about going back in time. The show was beyond my highest expectations. The way they creatively captured the songs that I had listened to for months on repeat were even better live. The actors did an amazing job of telling the story of Alexander Hamilton with great dance moves and fantastic voices. I’ve seen over 15 Broadway shows, and plan on seeing more, but Hamilton will always be my favorite. If you can somehow get you hands on a ticket, whether you purchase them when a new block for next year is released, enter the Hamilton lottery, or stand on the cancellation line, it’s worth waiting for.

GRAPHIC DESIGN BY KIERA PAGANO

BY LIAM

The Broadway adaptation of George Orw its “doubleplusgood” translation of George Orwel stage. The play begins with the protagonist, Win of an entry in a newly-purchased journal. A number of critics then appear who discu the inclusion of these individuals, the play does be The play then continues with a number of out the play. Some of the scenes occur several times, p ony of Winston’s life under the rule of the Party— everyone’s lives. Throughout the play, there are periods of done in order to emphasize certain scenes and dem The play also includes these flashes of ligh a certain sense of comfort and truly draw them int The play then progresses, introducing Jul scenes and during the Two Minutes of Hate—a p political dissidents and scream at them. The relationship between Winston and Ju note with the words “I love you” on it. The two th each other and hatred of the Party. The play does a wonderful job of illustra ston and Julia. While Winston focuses heavily on engage in minor acts of rebellion to make herself The latest portion of the play takes place in name, this place is actually where the government The majority of scenes in the Ministry of L ing Winston into submitting to the Party. The set fo 101—filled with blinding light. The heavy light in the room is supposed t as light is often associated with safety and comfo bright light. After sessions of violent conditioning, Wi ty doctrine, demonstrated by his acknowledgment The final act of submission to which Win Only when Winston betrayed Julia could the Party O’Brien is finally able to accomplish this fully complete Winston’s conditioning. O’Brien p gradually makes the rats come closer to Winston stead. With this betrayal of his former lover, Win and fully submits to the Party. The play then end the Party. Overall, this play was a fantastic adaptati itations because of the setting and the fact that it w not hinder enjoyment of the play a single bit. This play is a must-see, and it will leave y

JUN 7, 2017

REVIEWS

THE CHIEF

n Broadway

984

M HIGGINS

well’s 1984 has taken the theatre world by storm with ll’s timeless novel Nineteen Eighty Four from text to

nston Smith, played by Tom Sturridge, writing a draft

uss the importance of what Winston is writing. With egin with a slight departure from the novel. f scenes from the book which occur rapidly through-

presumably done in order to demonstrate the monot—the oppressive government which controls his and

sudden flashes of light and then darkness. These are monstrate scene changes. ht and rapid scenes in order to make the audience lose to the actions and emotions of the characters. lia, Winston’s lover. She is introduced in a few small period during which Party members watch videos of

The Great Comet BY HANNAH TAUSTINE

With twelve Tony award nominations, Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 is the most nominated broadway show of 2017. This electropop opera adaptation of a portion of Tolstoy’s classic novel War and Peace is completely different from anything that has ever been produced on Broadway before. This musical focuses around the story of Natasha Rostova, portrayed brilliantly by Denée Benton, a young girl who travels to Moscow while waiting for her fiance to return from the Napoleonic wars. She falls into a destructive and lascivious crowd whilst waiting for her beloved fiance to return and even falls in love with another man. But this man is not who or what he seems to be. Benton portrays Natasha as the perfect heroine: emotional, vulnerable, and strong hearted with a passionate voice that forces all viewers to put themselves in her shoes. The Imperial Theater has been completely renovated to fit the needs of the production. Seats have been removed and tables were placed throughout the audience space and on the stage to create the feel of an old style Russian diner. The show is performed all over the theatre, with actors singing directly to audience members and occasionally interacting them. Every seat in the Imperial Theater provides a unique and wildly different perspective of the spectacle that is The Great Comet. With a cast including Josh Groban and a simply unbeatable, soul-moving score, this show is an absolute must-see for anyone who is a fan of musical theater, opera, and drama.

ulia begins to progress when Julia subtly hands him a hen meet up in a secret place and profess their love of

ating the differences in the ideologies between Winfull-scale rebellion against the Party, Julia prefers to happy. n the Ministry of Love. Despite its pleasant sounding t punishes criminals—known as “thoughtcriminals.” Love involve the Inner Party member O’Brien torturor the Ministry of Love is an all-white room—Room

to be one of the many examples of irony in the play, ort. But in this case, Winston is being tortured in the

inston begins to believe in important parts of the Part that two plus two equals five. nston had not succumbed was the betrayal of Julia. y claim victory in fully conquering Winston’s mind. final step by using Winston’s biggest fear—rats—to puts a box full of rats in front of Winston’s face and n’s face until he begs for O’Brien to torture Julia in-

nston is never the same. He loses his former liveliness ds with Winston’s final act of submission—thanking

ion of Orwell’s prolific novel. There were a few limwas in the medium of a play, but these limitations did

you feeling awestruck.

Miss Saigon

BY LEAH JOHNSTON It’s 1975 in Saigon, Vietnam. War has stuck the country and has left most citizens living in poverty. Many young women have no choice but to work in brothels to get by. These are places where American soldiers spend their free time to escape the troubles of war. This is how lovers Chris and Kim meet in the tragic love story, ‘Miss Saigon.’ The revival of this classic story has recently hit the Broadway stage and, once again, is able to captivate audiences. Touching and heartbreaking, the show left the audience in awe. The story revolves around a 17 year old girl named Kim, played by Eva Noblezada, who has recently lost her entire family and is forced to work in a bar called ‘Dreamland.’ In the opening scene, it is Kim’s first night on the job and, although intimidated by the other girls, she soon learns the terror they each face. An American soldier named Chris, played by Alistair Brammer, meets Kim and spends the night with her. This is the beginning of the end for Kim and Chris. The two quickly fall in love but Chris is forced to return quickly to America without notifying Kim. The audience later learns that Kim is actually pregnant with a boy when Chris leaves. Chris does not know this, and Kim has no way of sharing the news with him. It is not until three years later, when Chris has settled down with a wife, that he finds out. In a tragic ending, Chris comes to meet Tam, his three year old son. At first unaware, Kim soon finds out that Chris has brought his wife, Ellen, played by Katie Rose Clarke. Devastated and still in love with Chris, she asks Ellen to take Tam back with them to America so he can have a good life. The show closes with a distraught Chris finding Kim after committing suicide. Not one person of the audience was left dry-eyed at the end of the play. The sad ending had come as a shock to most. Despite the sudden ending, the musical was amazingly put together with a talented cast, orchestra, and crew. Each set was created with detail and skill, and the show wouldn’t be the same without the endless music. It should also be noted that the entirety of the show was music. Every line was sung by actors rather than spoken, making it a true musical. ‘Miss Saigon’ was first premiered in 1989 and the recent revival has satisfied many long-time and new fans. The musical was nominated for many awards, including Best Musical Revival and Best Actress: Eva Noblezada in the Tony Awards. Although the show would be Rated-R if it were a movie, it was well done and a must see.

THE CHIEF FEATURES The ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ takes one last curtain call

JUN 7, 2017

BY MICHAEL RIGGI LAYOUT MANAGER

ling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation. Removing that important element of the show proved to be difficult for ticket sales, but the show still prevailed nonetheless with the usual jaw-dropping stunts, skits, and souvenirs up until May 2017. Not only was this last showcase of talent significant for both audiences and crew members alike, but it marked a nostalgically significant day for the 250 million people who have been touched by the company over the 146-year history of the circus and those involved. As expected, vibrant colors, daring stunts, and clumsy-mannered clowns came together to put on a great show. Besides the planned gags and intruding “circus villains,” the cast made sure to reflect on the proud history of the show through both their performances and through some brief unscripted monologues. To have a true moment of connection with the audience in the midst of taming lions and tigers was a spectacle truly unmatched in the past, as those

The greatest show on earth no longer | Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey close production. devoted to their craft were able tend. Stuntmen flipping and other cast members made the to share their last farewells diving under horses mid-ride, show flow cohesively and exwith the large crowd. Those professional motorcycle rid- citingly throughout both acts. Although this may mark working with the animals es- ers inches apart in the Globe pecially made sure to share of Steel, quadruple flipping the end for the show, the futheir personal experiences and trapeze-men, and pigs sliding ture looks bright for the talentlong running family history down slides ended the show ed crew members involved in in between affectionate hugs with a bang. the circus. Many crew mem“Out of this World” bers are continuing to enterwith the lions. As bittersweet as it may proved not only a worthy clos- tain generations of audiences seem, the final performance ing act, but one of the most di- outside of the traveling circus and lingering smells of pop- verse and entertaining shows while the tigers, horses, camcorn and cotton candy will in the history of the company. els and other animals in the forever stay in the minds to Impressive choreography be- circus have been found safe those fortunate enough to at- tween skaters, animals, and homes.

and summer clothes. Each year, we tend to see a tribute to the 80’s and 90’s. This means outrageous statement pieces and bohemian touches. Don’t be surprised if you see some flashy and vibrant looks every once in awhile. Last year, the big trend was chokers, but the New York Fashion week this year leads us to see fun sunglasses as an emerging style. No, those big vintage grandpa glasses aren’t prescription, they’re a new style. And don’t be alarmed to see subtle fishnets return. Additionally, the most unexpected approaching trend

is mullets. That’s right, many guys in the high school are beginning to turn back in time and transform themselves to young Patrick Swayzes and John Stamoses. Some are even taking it far enough to bleach the bottoms of their hair. This tribute to the ‘80s could be either a blessing or a curse. But clothing and style aren’t the only big thing for summer ‘17. The movie theaters are going to be packed, as well. Movies like Wonder Woman, Cars 3, and Spiderman: Homecoming will most likely be hitting theaters with a bang.

Everyone is excited to file into the cool theaters with popcorn rather than feel the thick heat outside. Despicable Me 3, War for the Planet of the Apes, and many more upcoming films are set to open as well. In the field of technology, the brand new game is cup pong. It is available on Game Pigeon, which also created the popular 8-Ball game, and is being played by many teens. All it takes to play this game is one swipe. And for other apps, it doesn’t look like Snapchat and Instagram will be getting any less popular this summer. As for food, the big trend

to look at during the summer is acai bowls. Acai bowls are smoothies full of the fruit acai in a bowl and covered with desired toppings. Many not only seems to enjoy their taste but also enjoy the way they look. People are already seeing loads of pictures all over social media of these delicious and healthy treats. These were just a few trends expected to be seen in summer 2017. So, pull out your summer clothes and enjoy the warm weather because before you know it, it’ll be gone.

Boston, Luke Bryan, OneRepublic, and others. No matter what genre of music you like, all performances are very promising this summer. Not only are the performances spectacular, but the views are as well. “It’s honestly one of my favorite places to see shows,” sophomore Alayna Carroll said, “because instead of being inside, it’s open and you can see the water and some of the beach.” The theater isn’t huge, but whether you have floor seats or you are in the top section, you can still have a great time. “Pretty much anywhere you sit, you’ll have a great view,” Alayna said. Junior Ella Schnee has a

different part she likes most about the concerts. “My favorite part is the energy,” she said. At different events, there might be mosh pits or crowd surfing which elevate the energy even higher. According to Alayna, shows in the past such as The Fray, Maroon 5, One Direction, Panic! At the Disco, Weezer, and 5 Seconds of Summer, were all very fun shows to go see because of the atmosphere and the ability to listen to her favorite music with friends. Ella believes that some other performances in the past including Kiss, Def Leppard, and Styx were equally great shows to go see as well.

Both students have the same favorite concert to go to at Jones Beach, which is Warped Tour. Warped Tour is a huge rock and roll event held in the Jones Beach parking lot every year, where different bands play and some meet their fans. It is being held this year again on July 8. “My favorite part is seeing bands that I like,” Alayna said. But not only are there popular bands that play at Warped Tour; there are smaller bands too. “I also really like checking out smaller bands or bands that I’ve never heard of,” Alayna said. There are many different aspects to this event such as

tents with merchandise but one specific thing stands out in particular. “The best part of Warped Tour is meeting so many people that are like you, and you make so many amazing friends,” Ella said. Overall, the anticipation for this summer’s lineup and Warped Tour is extremely high, as many people buy tickets for these concerts. Jones Beach Theater is an amazing concert space to attend and according to both students, it’s one of the best experiences to have.

MICHAEL RIGGI // THE CHIEF

Ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages witnessed the final act in the 50 year long history of one of the most iconic shows across the country on May 21. Forced into a tight corner from calls from animal rights activists and decreases in ticket sales, circus superpowers Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey were left little options except for shutting down the production altogether. Performances in the final act in the “Out of This World” tour at the newly renovated Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale not only managed to stir emotions from long-time fans of the company, but from its opponents as well. As audiences screamed inside the Coliseum in spirit of one last celebration, there were just as many who protested against the show outside the venue. Often accused of animal mistreatment from protesters, the company removed the Asian elephants from the traveling circus in 2015 and relocated them to the Ring-

Bringing it back: “New” summer trends of 2017 BY LEAH JOHNSTON COPY EDITOR

Summer 2017 is right around the corner, and people are preparing to pull out their shorts and sunglasses. With the summer fast approaching, many brand new trends and fads are anticipated to emerge. So, what should we expect? Last year’s trends give some insight as to what will be “in” this year. As for clothes, it looks like bright colors and floral patterns are making a comeback. The unsteady weather of the winter and spring leaves the summer open with warmth

Jones Beach Theater rocks the summer for another season BY RACHELLE CASEMENT COPY EDITOR

On a beautiful hot summer day, what can be better than listening to your favorite music as the lights from the stage shine out on the crowd? The crowd roars with you as your favorite artist steps out in front of thousands of people. To make it even better, the sparkling blue water surrounds you as the sun beams down on it. The sun begins to set, making it a perfect night. You can find this at the Jones Beach Theater, and they have a new lineup for this summer. This year, popular bands and artists are expected to play at the venue including Florida Georgia Line, Train, Muse,

THE CHIEF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Nintendo Switch: Overview, reviews, and what’s to come

JUN 7, 2017

BY RYAN STAPLETON STAFF WRITER

It looks beautiful, has a free, open world, and has an amazing plot. Another game that released alongside the console was 1-2 Switch. It is a bunch of friendly mini games for group gatherings. Its reviews are not as good as Breath of the Wild’s reviews, as the wacky mini game collection got a 6/10 on

IGN and 58% on Metacritic. The Switch’s most recent success was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, released on April 28. It has everything Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U had to offer, plus a new and improved Battle mode, new items, new karts, and new characters, including Splatoon’s Inklings of both genders, fan-favor-

GRAPHIC BY RYAN STAPLETON

As Nintendo bids farewell to the Wii U, the company has introduced its new product— the Nintendo Switch— along with several games to go along with it. The Switch has quickly garnered popularity after its release, selling like water in a desert. In fact, it has sold more copies in its first week than did the original Wii console. This is, in large part, due to its superb graphics and the ease with which a user can transport it. Although the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers are tiny, they are fairly easy to use. Nintendo chose to return to using cartridges instead of discs for this console and purposely made the cartridges taste really bad so kids don't choke on them. Nintendo’s amiibo, figurines that started to sell in

widespread amounts alongside the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros, also work on the Switch. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a launch title for the Switch, and reviews for it were nearly perfect. GameSpot gave it a 10/10, Metacritic gave it a 97%, and IGN gave it a 10/10.

ite veterans of the series like King Boo, Bowser Jr., and Dry Bones, and you can unlock Gold Mario, for completing all the 200cc cups in Grand Prix mode. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe received stellar reviews as well, as it got a 9.3/10 on IGN and a 93% on Metacritic. Up and coming for the Switch are ARMS, which is a boxing-style game where the players have very long, springy arms, Splatoon 2, a sequel to the Wii U’s Splatoon, which are both set to launch in the summer, and Super Mario Odyssey, which is an open world 3D Mario title, set to launch near the holidays. EA has partnered with Nintendo with a release for FIFA and NBA 2K titles in the future. Nintendo keeps making great titles for the Switch, causing it to strive. It certainly continues to deliver!

Switching it up | Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is out of this world BY DANIELLE ANZELONE 2016-2017 CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DISNEY.COM

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two, just like its predecessor, is the perfect comedic action film that any Marvel fan is sure to love. In case you’re not familiar with the series, GOTG follows a group of five extraterrestrial characters, all from different parts of the universe, who battle off villains in an effort to— as the name suggests—guard the galaxy. The plot of this film, in particular, focuses on the history of the main character, Peter Quinn, and the discovery of his heritage after his father makes an appearance for the first time in Peter's life. At first, Peter is reluctant to believe the claims of his father and rightly so, given that there is no evidence to prove that this man even has any relationship to “Star Lord”— Peter’s nickname. However, after some thought and a talk with Gamora, Peter decides to have faith in the words his father speaks and agrees to return with him to his planet. The two bond and Peter learns that his father is a celestial being, thus meaning that he himself was also a celestial and, therefore, immortal and capable of creating energy and life. Another prominent storyline present throughout the course of the film is the relationship between Gamora and Nebula. Enemies since birth, the two sisters have dedicated their lives to killing each other, something most sisters can relate to. Though the girls even-

Guardians of the box office | Blockbuster movie hits theatres across the country. tually battle it out, it is clear A noteworthy piece of the ment to the movie that helped that even after their truce, "sis- GOTG series which makes the to counteract the abrupt deaths terly love" is a term that will movies so unique is the music. of dozens of meaningless yet remain unfamiliar to them. At Most if not all of the intense present characters. the very end of the film, how- fight scenes in the film were The music plays an imever, Gamora shows affection paired with upbeat tunes of the portant role in Guardians of towards Nebula, yet, her love 70s and 80s, adding an ironic the Galaxy Volume 2, not only is left unreciprocated. and awfully humorous ele- lightening the mood of other-

wise stressful scenes, but also acting as a symbol, representing positivity and the success of the extraterrestrial team. For example, when Peter's life is placed in grave danger, his walkman is destroyed by the one causing his pain and neardeath experience, putting the music to a halt. Another scene that depicts the symbol perfectly is towards the end of the film. Just as things seem irreversibly damaged, the music starts back up again and the problem is solved. In the last few minutes, Peter is given a "Zune," an mp3 device comparable to an iPod. Clearly, it symbolizes new beginnings and hope for the future, even if things didn't seem to end in the guardians' favor. Though the film as a whole is hilarious and exciting in nature, there are some down moments, especially towards the end. This can be shown when—SPOILER ALERT—a beloved character passes and a seemingly trustworthy character turns out to have bad intentions. However, in all, it is certain that the production team did an excellent job in creating the film and presenting the tear-jerking aspects. After the credits, it is revealed that the interplanetary squad will return, yet viewers are not made aware where or when that will be. Once again, the Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t fail to kick major butt and fans of Marvel will be excited to see their return for another successful battle.

SCHOOL NEWS MHS charities make a difference in our community JUN 7, 2017

BY MICHAEL RIGGI LAYOUT MANAGER

SARAH LEFKOWITZ STAFF WRITER

This year, MHS has kept with its tradition of hosting various successful fundraisers for students. Through both traditional and new fundraisers along with daily events, the school is more active than ever with chances to give back to various causes. Each fundraising event has captured the spirit and diverse talents of MHS students. Catch-A-Wave, which was organized this year by senior Austin Nudelman, was the first benefit concert to showcase this talent. Adopting a summer theme, students at MHS transformed the main hallway into a boardwalk of all different kinds of foods and activities to raise

money for cancer patients at the Winthrop University Hospital. Culminating in an end of the night concert in the gymnasium, the crowd listened to different varieties of music from students and local bands. While successful in raising awareness for patients with cancer, Catch A Wave received a considerable wave of profit, over $3,500 from those who attended, in spite of unfortunate weather conditions. Another benefit concert at Massapequa High School this school year was 5 Alive, which was hosted by ECHO Club. “5 Alive benefited the community by raising awareness, and $3,000 in funding for children with cancer, as well as building partnerships with the Massapequa Hall of Fame, the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, and Super-

can be found almost everyday in the lobby outside of the gym. “Bake sales were beneficial in sending our guys to meets,” junior track team member Will Kleemann said. These bake sales not only go towards purchasing sports equipment, but also act as many entry fees for club competitions, sports meets, and games. With a host of different fundraising events such as this, it is evident that the community offers a wide variety of opportunities for supporting important causes in interesting ways. Looking towards a seemingly bright future, MHS will continue to give back to the community.

An evening at “the beach” | Students sit on beach towels and enjoy the local tunes.

Rockin’ out | Local band rocks ‘Catch A Wave’

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AUSTTIN NUDELMAN

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALLY KANAPES

PHOTOGRAPHER // SOURCE

Stayin’ Alive | ‘5 Alive’ is a massive success in raising money for Winthrop.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOANNE WATERS

Scoring for a cure | Students shoot for successful Hoops for Hope charity event.

Some Witty Photo Title | Some boring caption.

Memorial Scholarship Fund. Financial awards are granted to seniors through this fund. “Hoops For Hope is a great way to remember a very special young man who was taken from this world too early, and Chiefs Challenge is honored to remember him in this way,” Chief’s Challenge advisor Mrs. Joanne Waters said “It’s a fun event where everyone can get together and enjoy the two things Jake loved most, basketball and pizza, while raising $3000 for a great cause in his memory,” Vice President of the Chiefs Challenge club Lauren Glaser said. In addition to this, a host of bake sales for various causes have been hosted in the main lobby throughout the course of the school year. Whether it be for a sports team or for a club, bake sales

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AUSTTIN NUDELMAN

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AUSTTIN NUDELMAN

Strumming for a cause | Students play music for charity.

visor Joseph Saladino to help ECHO make a significant impact to our community over the long term,” Advisor of ECHO Club Mr. Hempel said Some performers at 5 Alive were the same as Catch A Wave, and its proceeds went towards the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital as well. It is the largest outpatient facility in Nassau County that treats children with cancer and blood disorders. Spectators enjoyed covers of popular songs like “Riptide” as well as some original songs written by students. AP Art students hosted a raffle and painted henna tattoos. Aside from the benefit concerts, Chiefs Challenge hosted a basketball tournament called Hoops For Hope. $3000 was raised and it is going towards the Jacob Brice

THE CHIEF

SPORTS Recap: Rangers out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

JUN 7, 2017

BY RACHELLE CASEMENT COPY EDITOR

and the Predators who competed against the Ducks. The Predators and the Penguins have advanced to be the last two teams in the Playoffs. As of June 2nd, they have competed against each other in two games, the Penguins victorious in both. “I predict that the Penguins will win like last year,” sophomore Julia Rodriguez said. No matter what team wins, the last five games to come will be intense and exciting. We will just have to wait and see who comes out on top and wins the Stanley Cup trophy.

ISABELLA ITALIANO // THE CHIEF

Teams are battling it out in each round while fans impatiently sit at the edge of their seats to see if their favorite team will win and advance. One single game or one single goal can be the reason why a team emerges victorious, or walks away with nothing. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are nearing an end. The Playoffs start off with sixteen teams in the first round. Each round consists of seven games, so whichever team in each round wins four games first advances to the next round. The location of these games alternate between the home ice of each opponent within the seven games. The team with the home ice advantage plays games one and two. They are awarded this advantage according to their regular season record. In the first round, there were eight games played by these sixteen teams. In game one, many teams advanced from winning the sixth game out of seven. These include the Rangers, who eliminated the Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators, who eliminated the Boston Bruins, the Washington Capitals, who defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Edmonton Oilers who defeated the San Jose Sharks. For the other games in round one, many teams were

found defeating their oppo- their chance at winning the things to help them get closnents in few games. For exam- Stanley Cup. er to winning. One example ple, the Pittsburgh Penguins There are many reasons is that they can improve their defeated the Columbus Blue that the Rangers lost the final defense. Jackets in five games, and the game. “A goalie can only do so St. Louis Blues defeated the “It has a lot to do with the much. It’s up to the defense to Minnesota Wild in five games pressure they face as that they prevent it from getting to the as well. are a very popular team and goal,” Gianna said. But in two games in round they always want to live up to Even though the shootone, it was a four game sweep. the standard.” sophomore and ing aspect is very different in The Anaheim Ducks defeated Ranger fan Gianna Gucciardo a game than practice, “There the Calgary Flames in four said. can be more preparation for games, but there was a game They also could have the different situations.” in round one much more sig- been too confident, so OttaMoving on within the nificant. A very important wa’s goals could have taken competition, the Senators game within the playoffs was them by surprise. This could were in the conference finals when the Nashville Predators have ruined their mindsets and (round three). defeated the Chicago Black- playing ability. There were four teams hawks in a four game sweep For next year, the Rangers left, including the Penguins, as well. This was the first time could also improve on many who went against the Senators, ever in NHL history when an eighth seeded team swept a playoff series against the top seed in the conference. In round two, the Penguins eliminated the Capitals, the Predators advanced against the Blues, and the Ducks won against the Oilers. Yet, one of the most popular games in round two was the matchup of the Senators against the Rangers. The Senators defeated the Rangers in six games, to the discontent of many Ranger fans. The Rangers were down two games in the series, but won games three and four, which tied them with the Senators and gave them hope to advance. The Senators won the last two games, each one more intense than the last, eliminating the Rangers from “Square off” | The Rangers play the Hurricanes at the Garden.

THE CHIEF

Athletic fields get facelift: new track, new fields BY LIAM HIGGINS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

faced and ready for the start of the 2017-2018 school year according to Principal Mr. Patrick Diclemente. After seeing success with the current field, we can expect to see even more wins for Massapequa High School sports teams in the future with this new and improved facility It is estimated that the field will be ready for the midto-end of August, just in time for next year’s athletes to win even more awards.

DANIELLE SWARTZ // THE CHIEF

Under Construction | New and improved athletic facilities set to be completed for next year

DANIELLE SWARTZ // THE CHIEF

Massapequa High School is making some exciting new changes to many of its athletic attractions in the main campus. Newly installed trophy cases encapsulate the accomplishments of the talented MHS athletes. The new trophy cases showcase not only accomplishments in their respective sports, but they also include commemorations for the various athletic fundraisers for charities which Massapequa athletes have participated in.

The cases place a heavy emphasis not only on victories in the Massapequa Athletics Department, but they also show the community’s passion and unity which comes from sportsmanship. In addition to the new trophy cases on the inside of the school, athletes and students will soon be able to use the brand new outdoor athletic facilities including a new throwing unit, new pole vault runways, a resurfaced track, as well as new tennis courts and baseball field. The field will be resur-

SPORTS

JUN 7, 2017

THE CHIEF

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ARTIE PRIMM

Boys Varsity Baseball Team | Elated team celebrates recent Long Island championship win against Commack High School.

Chiefs baseball takes home Long Island championship BY LIAM HIGGINS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Massapequa High School Baseball team won the Long Island Class AA baseball championship against Commack High School. The game—played at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue on June 3—was incredibly intense, with both teams fighting for the win. The Chiefs, who had

a record of 22-6, squared off against Commack High School’s team, the Cougars, who had a record of 22-4. With both teams nearly evenly matched, it was sure to be a hardfought game. MHS took the lead in the top of the second, making the score 1-0. Then Commack came back in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Massapequa was able to

take three runs in the third, bringing the score up to 4-1. It took until the fifth inning for Commack to tie the score once again. But Massapequa was able to break this tie, ending the game off with an 8-4 win. “[It was a] [g]reat team win last night vs. Commack HS at St. Joseph's sports complex in Patchogue,” Baseball coach Tom Sheedy said. “The

Chiefs played very determined baseball with many players contributing big hits and strong defensive plays. All 29 team members are deserving LI champions.” The Chiefs advance to the state championship semi-finals on June 9 at Maine Endwell High School near Binghamton. If they win, they will advance to the finals, at the NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton.

Congratulations to the varsity teams!

The Chief congratulates all athletes who competed in the post-season.

MHS runs to success at annual ‘Under the Lights’ track meet BY LAURA FRANCAVILLA COPY EDITOR

Under the Lights | Top: Teammates honor seniors. Bottom: players show Pequa pride.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MIKE LISA

Massapequa’s track teams have yet again proven themselves as fierce competitors against other school districts across Long Island. In this year’s annual “Under the Lights” track meet, the teams were able to break school records and compete against rival schools. The girls track team broke two school records this year in the pole vault and the shuttle hurdle relay. For the past four years, the record had been 10’, but Emily Corso broke the standing record with a height of 10’3.” The track teams competed against districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties and schools from New York City as well on Friday May 12. Out of thirteen events, the girls track team had ten top finishes. Carmelle Rosello, Liz Murphy, Julia Iannarelli, and Nino Baghashvili broke the school's seven-year record in the shuttle hurdle relay by two seconds. Brittney Membreno won for the discus toss/ throw and

Gillian Murphy for the long jump. The boys track team also performed extremely well in the meet, breaking records of their own as well. Not only did the track teams do amazing in the actual track events, there were other activities for them to enjoy as well. A DJ entertained everyone that attended the meet with music and athletes were invited to dance on the infield. The booster club provided BBQ for everyone as well. “The meet gives the athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level and have a great time before the championship season begins,” girls track coach, Mr. Mike Lisa said. The first annual Under The Lights track meet was held nine years ago and Massapequa has proven itself every year as one of the best schools in track and field. Congratulations to all of the record breakers and participants this year. With a new batch of runners next year, more records may be broken in meets to come.