Class of 2011 - St John Villa Academy

Villa 411
Inside the
Issue:
V O L U M E I V E D I T I O N 4
M A Y — J U N E
• Letter from the
Editors pg. 1
• Class of 2011
pg. 1
• Recipe pg. 2
• Teacher of the
Month pg. 3
• Ms. Environmentalist
pg. 4
• Book Reviews
pg. 5
• Tongue Twisters
pg. 5
• Teacher’s
Corner pg. 6
This is the last issue of Villa 411 for this school year. We would like to
thank the wonderful staff for all of their hard work and dedication in
putting our newspaper together. We would especially like to thank
Angelo D’Angelo and Emily Buss our new editor and assistant editor,
for assembling this issue . Thank you all for supporting Villa 411 by
purchasing our papers throughout the year and viewing it online. We
hope you have enjoyed the four different issues of this school year. If
you missed any, go to sjva.org and check us out. Have a great summer!
• Poetry Corner
pg. 7
• Hidden Pictures
pg. 8
Class of 2011
• Art Zone pg. 9
• Movie Reviews
pg. 10
• Locate Me
pg. 11
• Silly Questions
pg. 12
• Sports pg. 12
• Games pg. 13
• Student of the
Month pg. 14
• Interview, cont.
pg. 15
Here is where you can find our graduates
in September.
Julia Baldassano: St. Joseph Hill Academy
Federica Bruno: St. Joseph Hill Academy
Jacquelyn Castore: Notre Dame Academy
Rexhep Capri: Moore Catholic High School
Jasmine Cira: Susan E. Wagner HS
Daniel D’Amico: Monsignor Farrell HS
Gabriella D’Angelo: St. Joseph Hill
Academy
Leonardo Deserio: Monsignor Farrell HS
Sabina Duskic: St. John Villa Academy
Andrew Girgis: Monsignor Farrell HS
Peter Gluchowski: St. Peter’s Boys HS
Alexa Guarino: Notre Dame Academy
Autumn Johnson: Susan E. Wagner HS
Rose Marchitelli: St. John Villa Academy
Kaitlynn Monahan: St. Joseph Hill
Academy
Michael Mirham: Monsignor Farrell HS
Miray Mirham: St. John Villa Academy
Richard Orsini: St. Joseph by-the-Sea
Peter Patrizio: St. Joseph by-the-Sea
Julia Pitti: St. Joseph by–the-Sea
Rebecca Renzetti: Moore Catholic HS
Juviand Rivera: Staten Island
Technical HS
Christian Rizzi: CSI High School
Elizabeth Sokolovski: St. John Villa
Academy
Jake Somma: Staten Island Technical HS

P A G E 2
By: Simona Bruno, Grade 5
Snorkeler Cake
Ingredients
• 2 baked 9-inch round
cakes
• 2 to 3 cups chocolate icing
• Hershey's Kisses
• 2 green LifeSavers Gummies
• 2 blue M&Ms
• 1 piece red shoestring
licorice
• 1 orange gumdrop
• New snorkel and diving
mask, washed with soap
and water
Prepare cake mix according
to directions on the
box. Decorate as above.
ENJOY!!!
V I L L A 4 1 1

V O L U M E I V E D I T I O N 4
P A G E 3
By: Joseph Somma, Grade 7
Mr. Butler
1. Q: How does it feel to be Teacher of the Month
A: It is an honor to be named Teacher of the Month, especially since this is my first year of
teaching and I am still learning on the job.
2. Q: When did you first become involved with music
A: I first became involved with music at the age of 9 in the 4 th grade when I decided to join
the school band. My teacher went around the room to see what instrument was best suited
for all of us and when he got to me he said I had long arms for the trombone. My response to
that was that I would rather play the drums. I played drums 2 years and started taking piano
lessons at age 11. From there I studied both instruments all the way to high school and, in
college I majored in percussion.
3. Q: What is your most embarrassing moment
A: My most embarrassing moment would have to be when I was in college playing in the percussion
ensemble. There were four percussion players including myself and we had the honor
of accompanying a solo cellist who at the time played in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
We had a rehearsal and I arrived a half hour late. As I was unpacking my instruments the
rest of the percussion players were playing and my professor asked me if I was taking notes
and I said yes even though I wasn’t. I continued to make noise and eventually he became so
fed up that he turned around and said, “Robert! Will you quit making so much noise!”, thereby
belittling me in front of my peers. I was so embarrassed.
4. Q: Do you watch/play any sports
A: I love to watch baseball; my passion is watching the New York Mets. I also watch basketball,
tennis, and bowling. I am an extremely serious bowler; I bowl three nights a week in
leagues. I bowl in mostly all the big tournaments locally, and have bowled three perfect
games. I finished second in the 2007 New Year’s Singles Classic.
5. Q: What did you want to do as a kid
A: As a kid I wanted to be a baseball player, and especially to be a pitcher. I pitched in little
league, and even to this day whenever I play in a game with friends I almost always am the
pitcher. I eventually realized my musical talent as this dream went south.
Continued on pg. 14

P A G E 4
By: Emily Buss and Maggie Dybas, Grade 7
Fun on the beach!
You can have fun on the beach and still help the environment! And it
is easy too! When you eat your sandwich and you have a plastic bag
and plastic wrap, throw it in a nearby garbage can. If you have foil or
a paper bag, recycle it! You have to be mindful of the people and animals
around you while you are vacationing-so recycle and throw out
whatever is necessary. Thank you!
Have
Fun In
The
Summer
And
Don’t
Forget
To
Clean
Up.
Fun Facts
• Plastic bags are making the soil infertile, apart from polluting
the ground and water through leaching of toxic substances.
They choke open drains, sewer lines and even harm the stray
cattle searching for food.
• A recent US report concluded that more than 100,000 marine
mammals die each year in the world's oceans by eating or becoming
entangled in plastic rubbish, and the position is worsening.
• The disposal of plastic bags is not just becoming a monstrosity,
but is it clogging the drainage system, disturbing the ecological
purity of water bodies, as well as interfering with the supply of
underground water.
What is an “eco-friendly” bag
• Most of the eco-friendly bags are made of natural fibers which
are biodegradable. These bags are not only attractive but also
durable and long lasting. Made of attractive and light weight
fabrics listed below, these bags are comfortable and classy.
o Organic Cotton
o Jute
o Paper
V I L L A 4 1 1

V O L U M E I V E D I T I O N 4
P A G E 5
By: Maggie Dybas, Grade 7
The Callender Papers By: Cynthia Voigt
Think carefully... That's the advice Jean Wainwright always gets from her beloved Aunt Constance, Jean's guardian and
headmistress at the boarding school where she lives. It’s advice that proves valuable when Jean finds herself spending
the summer far from home, sorting out family papers for the reclusive Mr. Thiel, a trustee of Aunt Constance's school
and the widower of her childhood friend Irene Callender. At Mr. Thiel's isolated country estate, Jean is surrounded by
bewildering questions from the past. Why is there such hatred between Mr. Thiel and his late wife's brother Was her
death an accident And what happened to their child who disappeared after Irene Thiel's death Do the answers lie in
the Callender papers And will searching for the answers put Jean's own life in jeopardy
Listen! By: Stephanie S. Tolan
Twelve-year-old Charley is still recovering from a car accident in which her leg was badly hurt. As she struggles to walk
with a cane around the lake near her house, she finds a wild dog that she names Coyote. Charley makes it her mission
to tame Coyote and keep him as a personal friend. She feels they have a connection and she needs a friend for the summer
since her best friend went off to tennis camp. Listen is a slow moving story about a girl coping with the death of her
mother and then needing to spend many months rehabilitating from a traumatic accident of her own. Coyote helps her
to come to terms with everything she has lost as well as finding how to move on. Animal lovers will enjoy this book because
it accurately illustrates how animals and humans can help each other heal.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief By: Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson, dyslexic and hotheaded, has been kicked out of yet another school. But stranger things are happening
around him, and soon he finds himself at Camp Half-Blood, a refuge and training ground for children of the Greek gods,
who are still around and causing trouble for humans. He discovers that his dyslexia is caused because his brain has
been hardwired for Greek, and his hotheadedness is because, well, he's a hero. All too soon he discovers which god is his
father, and that he is a pawn in a titanic battle between the gods that may ignite World War III. Accompanied by a
daughter of Athena and a young Satyr, Percy is sent to retrieve Zeus' lightning bolt from Hades, who supposedly stole it.
But things are even more complicated than he and the gods imagined, and there are dangerous plots afoot.
By: John Rini, Grade 7
I saw a saw that could out saw
any other saw I ever saw.
Black bug bit a big black bear.
But where is the big black bear
that the big black bug bit
A big bug bit the little beetle but
the little beetle bit the big bug
back.
I thought, I thought of thinking
of thanking you.
I wish to wish the wish you wish
to wish, but if you wish the
wish the witch wishes, I
won't wish the wish you
wish to wish.
Sounding by sound is a
sound method of sounding
sounds.
A sailor went to sea to see,
what he could see. And all
he could see was sea, sea,
sea.
Which watch did which
witch wear and which witch
wore which watch
No need to light a night-light on
a light night like tonight.
Does this shop sport short socks
with spots
I wish I were what I was when I
wished I were what I am.
The king would sing about a ring
that would go ding.
One black beetle bled only black
blood, the other black beetle
bled blue.

P A G E 6
By: Peter Patrizio and Leo Deserio,
Grade 8
Q: If you could choose a career
besides teaching, what
would it be
Mrs. D. Azzaretto: An interior
designer.
Ms. Bruns: A florist, because
I love flowers and
plants and I enjoy creating
floral designs.
Mrs. Armento: I think I
would be in banking. I
used to work for a bank
when I was in college and
I enjoyed going to work
every day.
Mrs. O’Brien: I would
choose to be a flight attendant
because I enjoy
flying and would have the
opportunity to travel and
see many places around
the world.
Mrs. Gaeta: A rock star!
Mrs. Sullivan: I would be
a famous singer.
Mrs. Crystal: I probably
would have become a
nurse. I love helping people.
Miss Amanda: A Broadway
star.
Mrs. Silva: A personal
shopper!
Miss Henderson: I would
be the weather girl for
Good Morning America.
V I L L A 4 1 1

Original poems by Emily Buss and
Maggie Dybas, Grade 7
Summer’s Calling
The end of the year is coming soon
It is excitingly almost June
The sun is up, it’s everywhere
The sun excites the Villa bear!
Get out your flip flops
Buy some ice pops
Put down your textbooks
Start reading your nooks
Get ready for an awesome summer
This summer won’t be a bummer.
Father’s Day
A day for the guys
Who have been so wise
They show us their love
That has put us above
Where we all say
Happy Fathers Day.
Page 7

By: Catherine Zerbo and Juliana Patrizio, Grade 6
Find all the hidden objects in the picture below.
Page 8

V O L U M E I V E D I T I O N 4
P A G E 9
By: Maggie Dybas and Emily Buss, Grade 7
How to draw Snoopy
How to draw Hello Kitty
First Step
First Step
Second Step
Second Step
Final Step
Final Step

By: Emily Buss, Grade 7
Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy
Synopsis: RIO is made by the marketers of the hit movie “Ice Age.” Rio is a
comedy adventure about taking a walk on the wild side. Blu is a domesticated
Macaw who never learned to fly, he lives a comfortable life with his
owner and best friend Linda in the small town of Moose Lake, Minnesota.
Blu and Linda think he's the last of his kind, but when they learn about another
Macaw who lives in Rio, they head to the faraway and exotic land to
find Jewel, Blu's female counterpart. Not long after they arrive, Blu and
Jewel are kidnapped by a group of bungling animal smugglers. With the
help of street smart Jewel, and a group of wise-cracking and smooth-talking
city birds, Blu escapes. Now, with his new friends by his side, Blu will have
to find the courage to learn to fly, even though the kidnappers are hot on
their trail, and return to Linda, the best friend a bird ever had.
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Synopsis: The epic adventure THOR spans the Marvel Universe from present
day Earth to the mystical realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is
The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions
reignite an ancient war. As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is
forced to live among humans. When the most dangerous villain of his world
sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a
true hero.
Page 10

By: Angelo D’Angelo and Mark Ward,
Grade 7
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________
Do you know where
these objects are located
Page 11

By: Jasmine Cira, Grade 8 and Deven Markase, Grade 7
1.) Why are they called marbles if they are made from glass
2.) Why are they called “apartments” if they are connected
3.) How do you plan a surprise birthday party for a psychic
4.) If your seat can become a floatation device, why can’t the airplane become a boat
5.) Why do people say it’s a nice day in the summer but complain it’s way too hot
6.) If a Smurf is choking, what color does he turn
7.) Why is a completed building still called “building” since it’s already built
8.) Why sterilize the equipment used to administer a lethal injection
9.) If a 24 hour convenience store is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, why are
there locks on the doors
10.) Are vegetarians allowed to eat animal crackers
By: Angelo D’Angelo and John Rini, Grade 7
Villa Baseball
Unfortunately the baseball team did not win any baseball games at ALL, and they
are not playing anymore A division games.
Villa Track
Track was the total opposite of baseball. They were great. The last track meet
was on Saturday, May 21. Runners from Staten Island and other boroughs competed.
On Monday, June 20 The Roadrunners club met at Villa
and everyone had a blast! Page 12

By: Jasmine Cira, Grade 8 and Deven Markase, Grade 7
Scrambled Words:
1. Gtscnaoe:_______________________
2. Pomladi:________________________
3. Ghih hoclos:_____________________
4. Ryaokboe:________________________
5. Eyercmno:________________________
Page 13

Interview with Mr. Butler, continued:
6. Q: Were you ever part of an after school activity
A: As far as after school I mainly played sports in elementary school and in high
school I was busy with band rehearsal after school. However my normal rehearsal
time was 7:30 a.m so I guess you can say it was a before school activity.
7. Q: What is your favorite movie of all time
A: My favorite movies of all time would have to be the Back to the Future series
which I watched over and over again as a child. I also enjoyed watching My
Cousin Vinny and Short Circuit.
8. Q: What instruments do you play
A: I have played a variety of instruments since I was a kid and they all are so
much fun like the piano, percussion, drums, Tri Toms, Timpani, Triangle, bongos,
congas, the xylophone and many others as well.
9. Q: What was your favorite TV show growing up
A: My favorite TV show growing up was hands down Perfect Strangers. Unfortunately
most kids of today probably have never heard of this show before because
only the first two seasons are on DVD.
10. Q: Who is your favorite musician
A: My favorite musician was my college professor Morris Lang. He retired from
the Philharmonic to teach students and even though he retired he could still play
at such an incredible level. He wasn’t a teacher who had everything go his way
and he respected our opinions and our interests. His standards were extremely
demanding, but I do admire his passion for music.
********************************************************************************
Happy Summer from the Staff of the Villa 411. We will be
looking to add to our staff of reporters next year. See you
in September. Listen for our announcements.
Page 15

Velia Warner Academic Effort Award for the Month of May
Olivia Buss Gabriel Garcia Adriana Licitra
Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade
Gabriella Meringolo Francesca Compagno Gabriella Sasso
Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade
John Bonaventura Mark Ward Federica Bruno
Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade
By: Catherine Zerbo, Grade 6 and Simona Bruno, Grade 5
Congratulations on a job
well done !!!
Page 14