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The Last Word 2009 “bringin’ the headz to you” Page 1
SPRING IS HERE:
THE ANNUAL ARTS & HUMANITIES SHOW
by Samara Densmore
Every year SBHS hosts our
very own Arts and Humanities
Festival. This year the art show
was held Wednesday, April
15th. As always, there was an
opening for students during all
lunches and a second showcase
during the evening. This event
is a culminating appreciation of
the year’s work done by art and
music students. For years this art
show has had a positive turnout
with a wide variety of spectators.
Teachers and students from
elementary schools, FHTMS and
SBHS show up to admire the
creative achievements displayed.
Individuals are recognized for
their talent and hard work, but
the art show also lends something
to the art and music departments
as a whole. The showcase is a
unifying experience built by the
preparation of every art student
and art teacher that goes beyond
the pieces themselves. They
all spend days setting up and
organizing for the events of the
evening showcase.
Among the hard work and the
appreciation generated by the
fine arts show, there is also a
sense of shared passion felt by
each person involved. Everyone
is there for the same love of
creating and looking at art. In
addition, all of the students and
teachers that are involved in
any of the fine arts classes, from
grades K – 12, have been part of
a common assessment project.
This assignment has a theme that
can be interpreted and portrayed
in countless creative possibilities.
Visitors enjoying the Arts & Humanities Show.
This year’s theme was going green.
The participation of the students,
and their “green” creations, unifies
a collective involvement of artists of
many ages.
The event is only one day of the
A sampling of the art on display.
year, yet the amount of viewers
attracted is rather high. There
has always been a consistent
current of interested students
moving from piece to piece. The
Arts and Humanities Festival
has something to offer everyone,
from the uninvolved first timers
to the life long avid artists. If you
connected with art show you
should take it as an open door.
Let that connection lead to your
participation in art, and set aside
any reservations you have. One
of the art teachers, Mrs. Kimball,
said, “There are many awesome
art students. In fact, all students
can learn these skills. What sets
some apart is the personal interest
and commitment to the “work”
part of creating artwork.”
Taylor Brandes, Moe Parent-
Sabett, Leah Smith, Alexandra
Smith , Sam Cowey, Hannah
Maynard and Alex Leonard
are just a few of the many
hardworking and talented art
students that were showcased.
Taylor Brandes had many
exceptional pieces. He was
announced as first place in the
category of “Most Original Idea”
for his Dr. Seuss painting. His
charcoal drawing of “Landscape
with a Lighthouse” received first
place for “Artwork You Would Like
in Your Home” as well as “Best
in Show.” Moe Parent-Sabett
earned first place for “Artwork
That Speaks to Your Heart” for
his painting of Barack Obama.
Students who received honorable
mention include Leah Finnegan for
her pottery, Alexandra Smith for
her charcoal landscape drawing,
Sam Cowey for his Jimi Hendrix
painting, Hannah Maynard for
her polar bear painting and Alex
Leonard for his charcoal drawing
of Church Street.
CLASS OF
2009
ROCKS!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2009!!!
Important Dates:
WHAT’S INSIDE . . .
June 3rd, 12-2pm, Caps & Gowns handed out in lobby during lunches.
Thursday, June 11th, 3:30-5:30pm Graduation Rehearsal, Ross Center & McCarthy Art Center, St. Michael’s College
Thursday, June 11, 5:30-8pm, “Senior Family Celebration BBQ” @ SBHS
Friday, June 12th, 10:00am, Graduation!!!! Ross Center, St. Michael’s College
CLASS OF
2009
ROCKS!!!
SWINE FLU
page 3
SENIOR STUFF
pages 4 & 5
1st NIGHT GAME
page 5
MUSIC & MORE MUSIC
page 9

Opinion
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 2
WHO SCREAMS FOR ICE CREAM?
by Miranda Hewson and Olivia Wing
The Rebel
WORD
“Bringin’ the heads to you.”
The Rebel WORD is
written, edited and designed
by students from
South Burlington High School.
SOUTH BURLINGTON
HIGH SCHOOL
550 Dorset St.
South Burlington, VT 05403
Patrick Burke, Principal
Kendra Rickerby, Editor
Philip Galiga, Art Director
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Zach Davidson
Samara Densmore
Miranda Hewson
Evan Kaczmarek
Krista LaForce
Kyle Lemieux
Kate Murray
Pat Myers
Varick Parizo
Emily Perley
Kendra Pillsbury
Aaron Rovner
Deven Savage
Layne Schwab
Jason Shepard
Andrea Smith
Camarie Spear
Ryan Teixeira
Daniel Tolan
John Wetzel
Olivia Wing
Kara Woodard
LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS
Molly Bessette
Chamilla Charlebois
Chesney Caote
Shaine Driscoll
Katharine Gravel
Alex Johnson
Deven Savage
Kim Schroeder
Eric Simindinger
Hiro Soga
Camarie Spear
Kara Woodard
Cartoon by:
Jackie Stevenson
The WORD welcomes your opinion.
Opinions may be expressed in
letters to the editor addressed to:
Kendra Rickerby
English Department
(krickerby@sbschools.net)
or
Philip Galiga
Technology Department
(pgaliga@sbschools.net)
All opinions expressed in this
publication are those of the
individual writer and neither
of the WORD staff nor of the
administration of
South Burlington High School.
Now that spring is here and
summer is on the way, more and
more people are screaming for ice
cream. We did a survey asking
males and females in our school
what their favorite ice cream
flavor, brand, and place were.
The most popular flavor was
cookie dough. The runner up was
mint chocolate chip, strawberry
and vanilla tied for last. We
assumed that cookie dough would
be the winner. Olivia thought that
strawberry would be more of a
winner just because she finds that
to be her favorite flavor. We were
wrong but not surprised by the
favorite brands.
Ben and Jerry’s was obviously
the favorite brand. Ben & Jerry’s
won 80% of the votes. The
remaining 20% said that their
favorite place to go was Al’s with
Friendly’s not far behind.
In the 1980’s Ben & Jerry’s
was invented by Ben Cohen and
Jerry Greenfield. They started
out by renting a small space in a
bobbin mill on South Champlain
Street in Burlington. They began
packing their ice cream in pints.
Last week I took a survey of fifty
kids in our school to record the
eating habits of SBHS students.
I surveyed twenty five girls and
twenty five boys. This way I could
see whether girls or boys have
healthier eating habits than girls.
The majority of girls and boys
eat three meals a day, a couple
of those meals they eat at home.
A few people said two meals a
day, and nobody said that they
eat one meal a day. Also, the
majority of girls said they never
eat fast food, where as more boys
said that they have it a few days
a week. Only one person from
each gender group said they eat
fast food everyday. So most of
the kids surveyed are pretty good
about how often they eat fattening
fast food. Home cooked meals are
healthier.
So if the kids at are school
aren’t eating fast food for every
meal, how many of them are
following the guidelines of the
traditional food pyramid? Well the
majority of girls said that they get
at least one serving of fruit and
vegetables everyday. For the boys,
about half said they get a serving
of each as well, but half said they
don’t. And surprisingly, only one
person out of both gender groups
– 50 people total – said that they
In 1981 the first Ben and Jerry’s
franchise opened in Shelburne,
Vermont. Ben and Jerry’s ice
cream is bought all over the
world. They are also known for
their socially responsible mission
statement. They aim to do
more than just serve ice cream.
Another corporate favorite was
Friendly’s.
When you go to Friendly’s,
do you go for the food or the ice
cream? We say the ice cream and
their ice cream cakes. Friendly’s
has sold ice cream sundaes
for over 75 years. They make
everything homemade for the
sundaes except the cherries.
Friendly’s was
ranked in the top
100 restaurant
chains in the nation.
Friendly’s was
founded in 1935 by
two Massachusetts
brothers. The first
shop that opened
sold double dipped
cones for only 5
cents. Friendly’s
and Ben & Jerry’s
FOOD THAT HITS THE SPOT!
by Emma Skorstad
were a vegetarian. Both groups
mostly said they get at least one
serving of dairy as well.
I also asked everyone if their
family shopped at a normal
grocery store or a health food
store. The majority said a normal
grocery store. Most of the kids
said that they only eat candy a
few times a week. Then I asked
everyone if they knew how to cook
their own meal and how often they
made food for themselves. All but
one person said that they in fact
can cook,, and most everyone said
they make their own meal a couple
times a week.
When kids don’t make their
own food, where do they go to eat
and how much do they spend?
Most boys said they spend $25
or more a week on food, and the
girls had ranged between $5-15
and $15-25 a week. The majority
of the boys said that their favorite
differ from local favorite, Al’s
French Fries because good ‘ole is
locally owned.
Where do you go when you
want the best french fries in
town? Al’s French Fries! Now that
their ice cream stand is open, it
makes you think of summer. In
the last 1940’s Al and Genevieve
Rusterholz started this restaurant.
The first building was opened in
South Burlington which is where
the former Al’s is now. Not much
about Al’s is online; to experience
Al’s you have to go there yourself.
Where ever you decide to
purchase your ice cream, have fun
and enjoy your summer.
place to go out to eat was a tie
between Wings Over Burlington
and Moe’s. Second place was
Olive Garden, Marco’s and Burger
King. A few people said local
places in South Burlington as
well. For the girls, it was a tie
between Quizno’s Sub and Al’s
French Fries. The girls had even
less fast food places written down
then the boys.
So basically, what I found out
is this: boys and girls pretty
much have the same eating
habits. Almost everyone goes out
to eat a couple days a week, and
the places they go to are usually
not even fast food places. Some
choose healthier foods but overall
the choices are similar between
genders. One difference is that
the majority of girls said they
prefer water over juice and soda,
and boys said they prefer juice.

Current events
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 3
OBAMA’S REPORT CARD
by Daniel Tolan
As the 29th of April was
President Obama’s 100th day,
the following is an assessment of
this time period. Seeing as we’re
in school what more suiting an
assessment than a report card?
The assessment will be broken
down into the following sections
Economy, Foreign Policy, Domestic
Policy, and Leadership.
Economy: After inheriting a
failing economy President Obama
has stopped the bleeding for the
time being. Obama’s plan was
to pump money into the banks,
which has worked so far. The only
problem I have had with this is
that there have not been enough
regulations on this money. Instead
of investing in, and trying to
repair the mortgage crisis, banks
have been sending the money
elsewhere. Out of the funds that
were supposed to go to help the
US economy, 8 billion USD have
gone to Dubai through Citigroup;
7 billion USD to China through
Bank of America; 1 billion USD to
India through JPMorgan Chase.
By throwing money
at the problem
the national debt
is being run up;
hopefully the
country will not go
bankrupt and be
unable to pay off
external debts. Due
to this I am giving
Obama a C- on the
economy.
Foreign Policy:
Obama has done
an extensive
amount of visiting to other
countries. He is working to heal
the image of America that the
past administration has created.
He has also reached out to Cuba
and Venezuela hoping to improve
relations with countries in our
own hemisphere. Though the
U.S. has had an embargo against
Cuba since 1962, Obama is lifting
restrictions in hopes of improving
relations. Though some have
been concerned by Obama’s out
reach to fascist dictators, I see
no reason why we should not be
on speaking terms with other
countries in our hemisphere. As
for Iraq, Obama has set the end
of 2011 as a withdrawal date,
putting an end to a war that
has dragged on for the past six
years. However, to withdraw too
quickly could be detrimental to
the rebuilding of Iraq. President
Obama has proposed more troops
in Afghanistan to combat the
Taliban. So for foreign policy I give
him a B.
Domestic Policy: President
Obama has managed to quell the
hysteria that was caused by a
collapsing stock market. He has
dolled out lots of money towards
projects that rebuild America’s
infrastructure. Obama has
promised the creation of Green
Jobs, and energy independence.
This all may sound rosy, but
there is a national debt that
needs balancing, and setting a 3.6
trillion dollar budget is not how
to go around settling the national
debt. Obama’s proposed policy
is for a transparent government,
but if the government is to have
a 3.6 trillion dollar budget the
last thing I want is a transparent
government. Obama has proposed
capital gains tax to be raised to at
least 20 percent. He has promised
to raise taxes on those earning
more than 250K a year while
banishing all of their allowable
tax deductions. The hike in taxes
will most likely knock into the
middle class. This is the last thing
citizens need during the mortgage
crisis; individuals need money in
their pockets to spend where they
see fit, not in the government’s
hands.
Furthermore, during 2007,
Obama was quoted as saying “I
am absolutely determined that
by the end of the first term of
the next president, we should
have universal health care in this
country.” This program would
cost $50 billion to $65 billion a
continued on page 12
WHAT
DOES SB
SENIORS
THINK?
If you could ensure
that one thing about
the school never
changes, what would
it be?
“Marabella”
Catherine Young
“Senior lobby”
Kai Girourd
“Melinda in Caf 3”
Kate Murray
“Pep Rally”
Isabelle Monticolombi
“School colors”
Rob Cole
“Senior privileges”
Zach Warsaw
“Marlene”
Caroline Weaver
“School Name...‘Rebels’ ”
Taylor Stout
“The fish (in the aquarium)
never die”
Evan Cassidy
“The math”
Beatrice Kwan
THE SWINE FLU
by Andrea Smith
H1N1 is the proper term for
the flu that has everyone crazed,
when really it is just another
flu. Is the recent outbreak of
this unfamiliar virus something
we should consider a worldwide
pandemic, or are we simply
scared of the unknown? Starting
in Mexico City, it killed over two
dozen people. It has now spread
to over 72 countries and many
states in the US. Texas, California
and New York have documented
cases of the Swine Flu. Is it really
necessary to get an update on
CNN every hour?
Japan is requiring entry visas
for all Mexican visitors because
of the virus. In Shanghai,
71 Mexican nationals were
quarantined to their hotel, and in
Egypt government officials ordered
the slaughter of 350,000 pigs
despite the fact that this virus is
spread from human to human.
The name swine is misleading. A
pig cannot transmit to a human;
eating pork is fine. Some the
drama surrounding this flu is
unnecessary.
The origin of this new strand
of flu is unknown. World
Organization of Animal Health
did isolate this virus in pigs,
although it can only be transferred
from human to human. It causes
normal signs of the flu like
dizziness, fatigue, runny nose,
and nausea. H1N1 can also cause
respiratory disease.
About 63,729 people in the
United States alone die from the
“regular” flu every year. According
to the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention that is 5,310 a
month, 1225 per week, 174 per
day, and 7 per hour. The swine flu
has only killed 22 in Mexico out of
the 568 infected cases.
ReStockIt.com claims that
Purell and other hand sanitizers’
profits increased 200% after this
“outbreak” hit the media. What
ever happened to using regular
bar soap? Do we all really need
a chart to show us how to cover
our mouths when we sneeze or
properly wash our hands? The
answer is no, things like this
should be common sense.
This has all been taken too far,
even the President had to cut in
and say “This is obviously the
cause for concern and requires
a heightened state of alert, but
continued on page 12

School News
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 4
SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! NOW WHAT?
SENIOR FUTURE PLANS
by Krista LaForce and Layne Schwab
As the end of the year
approaches, high school seniors
begin to get ready for their final
days at South Burlington High
School. Praying to pass PIWA and
fulfill all of the graduation, these
requirements weigh heavily on the
minds of the seniors. Some seniors
are more excited than others, and
some have no idea what’s in store
for their futures. Although the
overall consensus is quite clear,
people are ready to be done with
high school. Senior Morgan Soule
said, “It might be difficult to leave
my friends, but overall I’m really
sick of high school and I’m excited
to leave all of the drama behind.”
Most seniors are excited for the
leap from high school to college,
the change from structured
learning to freedom and
independence. For some students,
this means their first time living
away from home, for others the
transition will be smooth. Senior
Kristen Ignaszewski admits “I
don’t know how to do my own
laundry or iron, but I think I’ll be
able to survive college alone.”
Senior Aaron Rovner will be
attending University of Southern
California in the fall. He was born
in Manhattan, but has spent
most of his life in Vermont. He
has always felt a desire to live in
a city once again. Aaron chose
USC, not only for its city location,
but because “USC was the best
option for me and my major in
animation.” When asked if he was
prepared to move cross-country,
Aaron replied “I’m prepared as
I’ll ever be. I’m ready to leave
Vermont.” In the eyes of Aaron’s
parents’ the greater challenge for
Aaron will be living independently
and specifically, doing his own
laundry. Aaron claims to be a
“good adaptor” and insists that he
won’t suffer the “rude awakening”
his parents speak of.
When we spoke of Vermont,
Aaron wiped away a tear as he
reflected on his time here, and
said that he will miss most “the
Vermont greenery.” He also spoke
of how he will miss his friends
and, in a way, he is sad to leave
the place he has called home for
seventeen years. Looking to the
future, Aaron is excited about
“warm weather, rollerblading,
and surfing.” Yet he seems most
eager at the prospect of “living
among innumerable amounts of
exceedingly attractive women.”
Whether moving to a big city
or staying in Vermont, next year
is going to bring several changes
for all seniors. Senior Kyle Nolting
will be attending the University of
Vermont next year, he hopes to
major in Environmental Science.
He stated that, “Even though I
will remain in South Burlington,
UVM is a completely different
world from this high school. I will
be meeting new people and will
not be around the same people
that I have been with for the past
four years.” Students attending
colleges in Vermont will be staying
close to familiar surroundings,
but their transitions to being
college freshmen will be parallel
to those leaving. Seniors who will
be working next year or those
who are taking a year off will also
experience a major shift as they
take their first steps towards
adulthood.
For many students, the
progression from life as a
dependant high school pupil to
life as an independent college
student or high school graduate
will not be easy. Seniors will be
presented with new challenges,
opportunities, and responsibilities
following graduation. From
learning how to balance a
budget to gaining better time
management skills to finding the
best laundry detergent, next year
will be a time of learning. As
Kiersten Robert said “I will miss
the South Burlington community,
but I am excited to close this
chapter of my life and open a new
one.” The following is a list of
where the Class of 2009 expects to
be in a few months. Remember if
you see them in the halls just say
‘hi.’
VERMONT
Burlington College
Nick Reynolds
Castleton State College
Adam Farmer
Austin Fay
Catherine Young
Evan Cassidy
Evan Kaczmarek
Isabelle Monticolombi
John Roeder
Jonathan Gauthier
Justin Lynch
Steven Bolger
CCV
Benjamin Abbott
Briana Chambers
Christina Paquette
Jason Shepard
Jerall Sinclair
Jordan Young
Kai Girouard
Miranda Hewson
Sarah Snow
Sean Spear
Tyler Bolduc
Champlain College
Christopher Cote
Gregory Patch
Kara Woodard
Lindsay Bowers
Nikki Cox
Rachel Weisburgh
Robert LeClair
Ruston Fettig
Ryan Teixeira
Samantha Armstrong
Thomas Turnquest
Lyndon State
Dan Ta
Taylor Stout
Kyle Lemieux
Marisa Harris
Scott Blanchette
Middlebury College
Rob Cole
Johnson State
Adam Wing
Chelsea Giroux
Daniel Brigham
Jordan Neary
Joseph Cousino
Sean Wisowaty
Shannon Edmonds
St. Michael’s College
Alexander Leonard
Daniel Tolan
UVM
Alex Judge
Andrew Tranmer
Ariel Lieberman
Armin Coric
Ben Lidofsky
Dana Liu
David Manago
Elizabeth Bernier
Erica Tamayo
Gabriela von Turkovich
Haleigh Gill
Hannah Prescott
Jennifer Crabtree
Jennifer Eldred
Jennifer Sweet
Julie Waldron
Kaitlyn Morrissey
Kyle Nolting
Meghan Yandow
Mia Perrin
Midori Eckenstein
Morgan Soule
Nicole Rocheleau
Sebastian Ventrone
Sophie Mench
Sydney Sharpe
Tony Jiang
Tyler Vock
Zachary Warshaw
Jennifer Thurgate
Lindsay Brunner
Maria Hatgen
William Guillen
VTC
Shameera Rafeek
NORTHEAST
Kate Murray-Boston College
Krista LaForce-Boston University
Tenzin GGT-Boston University
Ethan Martin-Bridgton Academy
Sam Phelps-Brown University
Eric Simendinger-Clarkson University
Layne Schwab-Colby College
Patrick Myers-Connecticut College
Tucker Abbott-Drexel University
Naa Aku Addo-Emmanuel College
Hilary Kozlowski-Fashion Institute of
Technology
Michael Gaffney-Fordham University
Caroline Weaver-Harvard University
Hannah Worthley-Ithaca College
Mallory O’Reilly-Keene State College
Peter Fraser-Keene State College
Jamie Wetzel-Lasell College
Ty Myers-Lasell College
Taylor Brandes-Lehigh University
Annie Mora-Maine College of Art
Robert Benar-Maine Maritime Academy
Kelsey Beynon-Marist College
Andrea Smith-Maryland Institute College
of Art
Woody Giffin-Mount Ida College
Kasey Loyer-New Hampshire Institute of
Art
Connor Griffiths-Northeastern University
Emily Aloi-Roger Williams University
Kiersten Robert-Saint Anselm College
Karen Krupa-Salve Regina University
Kathryn Gingras-Smith College
Megan Porter-Smith College
John Wetzel-SUNY Binghamton
Chelsi Parker-SUNY Canton
Kayla Persons-SUNY Canton
Laura Khouri-SUNY Canton
Samantha Olio-SUNY Canton
Alan Lei-SUNY Stony Brook
Michelle Coles-Susquehanna University
Austin Travis-Syracuse University
Dylan Novelli-Trinity College
David Knoff-University of Connecticut
Jackie Craig-University of Maine Orono
Samantha Dombi-University of
Massachusetts Amherst
Andrew Thompson-University of New
Hampshire
Isabelle Carter-University of New
Hampshire
Thanh Ngugen-University of New
Hampshire
Tucker Bean-University of New Hampshire
Alex Zhang-University of Pennsylvania
Brittany Horton-University of Pennsylvania
Ryan Sauer-University of Pennsylvania
Heather Pariseau-University of Rhode
Island
Amsal Karic-University of Rochester
Lane Kisonak-Vassar College
SOUTH
Austin Young-American University
Samantha Gagnon-Clemson University
Catherine Romagnoli-East Carolina
University
Lauren Keefe-East Carolina University
Katie Neff-Eckerd College
Kristen Ignaszewski-Elon University
Samuel Huckstep-Full Sail University
Sydney Stevens-James Madison University
Ryan Prue-Louisiana State University
Samuel Kellner-University of Miami
Varun Gonuguntla-University of North
Carolina Chapel Hill
Samara Densmore-University of North
Carolina School of Art
Ryan Corey-Virginia Tech
MIDWEST
Michael Goldberg-Northwestern University
Alice Peng-University of Chicago
Vishwas Wesley-University of Wisconsin
Madison
CANADA
Kelly Herrmann-McGill University
Marie-Andree Beauvillier-McGill University
Kristen Schuppe-University of Guelph
MILITARY SERVICE
Denroy Nedd-United States Army
Nathanael Lee-Singapore Army (then
Boston University)
OTHER
Jared Martinez-Taking a year off
Peter Dwyer-Taking a year off
Ryan Benitez-Taking a year off
Aline de Oliveira-Undecided
Emily Corbiere-Undecide
Emma Skorstad-Undecided
Francis Delisle-Undecided
Hannah Maynard-Undecided
Jordan Sawyer-Undecided
Josh Patch-Undecided
Keanna Dumont-Undecided
Kirsten O’Donnell-Undecided
Kyle Desseau-Undecided
Linh Do-Undecided
Marc Hayes-Undecided
Margaret Quinn-Undecided
Matthew Manfredi -Undecided
Ryan Norton-Undecided
Sanganyi Lubula-Undecided
Sarah Jaques-Undecided
Sean McDonald-Undecided
Tyler Loesch-Undecided
Alden Gray-Working
Amber Tye-Working
Dana Lawrence-Working
Erik Plosila-Working
John Savage-Working
Kayne Burdo-Working
Olivia Wing-Working
Owen Palombo-Working
Samuel Varney-Working
Thomas Mora-Working

School News
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 5
SENIOR TRADITIONS
by Kate Murray
With May quickly coming to an
end and June sneaking around
the corner, there is one word that
is on the minds of every senior at
South Burlington High School,
graduation. On June 12 th of 2009
at 10 a.m., the Class of 2009 will
officially become SBHS Alumni.
However, there are many events
leading up to this day that also
signify the ending of the senior
class’s high school career. Events
such as Senior Banquet and
Senior Celebration become a time
to celebrate with our peers and
our families. On top of this, the
whole school anxiously awaits for
the day that the infamous ‘senior
prank’ will be pulled. In just four
months the Class of 2009 will be
spread across the country, many
students going far, and many
staying in Vermont. The last
month of school becomes a time
Every teacher, student, and
adult I’ve talked to over the past
four years, as a member of the
class of 2009 (woot woot!), agree
that we are one of, if not the most,
competitive class in the history
of South Burlington High School.
Nevertheless, that’s about the
extent of agreement on this topic.
Many would agree that we, as
students, have been blessed to
be surrounded by so many ‘in
tune’ peers and feel thankful that
our class has the highest respect
for academic rigor, trial, and
challenge. It is clear what an effect
this has had on so many of us now
looking forward in our academic
careers. For goodness sakes, look
at the sheer number of us that
have turned to the Ivy League for
further education! Think for just a
second how unbelievably cool it is
to have some of your classmates,
whom you sit in class with
every day, achieving the golden
platform, the epitome, and the
most selective in college education.
that the senior class truly comes
together before moving on to the
next step in our lives.
One of the classic SBHS
senior traditions is the Senior
Banquet. Held on June 1 st at the
Sunset Ballroom, it is a time for
celebrating the last four years with
entertainment, a slideshow, and
many pictures to remember the
night. Superlatives play a large
part in the evening. At the end of
May, the senior class will vote on
Superlatives, from “Best Hair” to
“Class Clown” to “Most Likely to
Succeed.” “Everyone is looking
forward to the superlatives, it’s
one of the perks of being a senior,”
says senior Lauren Keefe. The
Senior Banquet is specifically for
the senior class. Our principal,
Mr. Burke, along with a few other
teachers will be attending the
night, but it is truly a night for the
Our school’s emphasis and our
own class’ energy for academic
rigor have reflected boldly in both
national and statewide tests.
Members of the class of 2009 have
set records right and left, noting
their academic achievements (Not
to mention the extreme GPAs we
have witnessed as of late).
As seniors, we prepare to leave
this point in our lives forever, and
I would like to leave you all with
a thought. In Plato’s Apology,
written of Socrates, he notes
his late master’s search to find
the wisest man in the world. He
travels from the politician, to the
poet, to the artisan, and finds
that he is still wiser than they,
for he knows what he does not
know, while they are consumed
by ignorance. I for one see
how Plato’s beautifully crafted
words directly apply to our own
successes. Have we lost track of
why we seek further education?
My friends, the academic rigor of
the class of 2009 has become a
students. The Senior Celebration
follows just ten days later, the
night before the big day. The
senior class and their families
come together for a night very
similar to the Senior Banquet;
however, it is open to student’s
families, no matter the number.
These two events allow for closure
before graduation, a time to sit
back and remember all of the
great moments from the past four
years.
The Senior Prank is not only
on the minds of the senior class,
but on the minds of the whole
student body. Every year, within
the last few weeks of school a
“prank” is organized by the senior
class. Some are more memorable
than others. What current senior
doesn’t remember walking into the
lobby freshman year only to see
a large pool and many members
of the Class of 2006 in bathing
suits?
The Senior Prank is not only a
SBHS tradition; it is a common
joke, and we have dirtied our own
name. We have lost our way in
the search for academia and have
found the mist of prestige blocking
our sights.
When is competition good?
When it represents student
striving to achieve their
academic potential. Just like
steroid enhanced athletes who
have harmed their sport, ultracompetitive
students have harmed
our notion of scholarship.
Competition unchecked by
integrity, honor, and discipline
harms everyone involved. Those
who reach their goals by dishonest
means truly know nothing,
while they believe they know
everything. Less competitive
and less aggressive students
have been tricked by such false
pretences of wisdom and become
unsure of their own abilities.
Teachers receive false praise for
their students ‘achievements’,
and altogether the system of
education, and our search for
theme seen throughout many
high schools. From cars parked
in the lobby and stealing the
principal’s wig, to putting animals
in the school, senior pranks are
pulled nationwide. In only a few
weeks the senior class will try
and top past pranks. Senior Evan
Kaczmarek says, “In the past years
there has been a lot of hype for the
pranks, but they’ve always seemed
to come up short. Maybe this year
it’s time for a change.”
For the past four years the
Class of 2009 has been waiting to
call themselves ‘second semester
seniors’, and now the day is here.
With the end of the year coming to
an end, it is a time to remember
all that we have accomplished
as a class since we were merely
freshman and a time to wonder
how many things are going to
change in just a few months. The
bittersweet goodbye to SBHS is
right around the corner.
COMPETITION, THE GOOD AND BAD OF IT.
by Pat Myers
knowledge breaks down.
As I penned these words, I
found myself worrying about
how they would be received by
some students. I hope they are
considered carefully, for these
words are not an attack, they are
a warning. As a wise man once
said, “I pity the fool”, and I myself
pity the fool that falls prey to the
temptation of dishonesty and its
false promise of success. For are
we truly the wiser, ignoring what
we don’t know?
The best advice on the subject
of the subjugation of peers in
the quest for prestige may be
provided by Bernard McFarland
(recent subject of an episode of
Extreme Home Makeover House
Edition). As a man living in a
decrepit house, with three sons
that he demands go to college and
a volunteer organization he build
himself from the ground up; the
motto he lives by is “lift as you
climb”.

School News
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 6
PLANTING HOPE IN NICARAGUA
by Emily Perley
San Ramon is a small, poverty
stricken village in western Nicaragua,
about 30 minutes south of
Matagalpa. In coordination with
the Planting Hope organization,
and a People’s Academy exchange,
Scott Britt, Sara Weinberg, Andrew
Thompson, and Hannah Kay,
traveled there under the guidance
of Mr. Shields. Their goal was to
create a documentary to chronicle
and complement a book written by
Nicaraguan students about their
village.
While there, the students spent
a lot of time at the local schools,
working with the children in the
village. They delivered donations,
including new baseball and soccer
uniforms. At the library built
by Planting Hope in La Chispa,
the children learned to tie-dye and
make bracelets.
Students stayed with families
in the village, sharing meals and
homes. They played soccer, visited
local landmarks, and learned
about the culture. The weather
was oppressively hot, 95 degrees
at night and well over 100 during
the day. But that didn’t stop them
from going on a zipline tour of the
forest canopy, and swimming in
a volcanic crater. A favorite treat
was chocobananas, frozen bananas
dipped in chocolate to create a
Popsicle.
Joining the students was a set
of South Burlington camera equipment.
With loving names like
“Percy” and “Gretta,” these cameras
were responsible for capturing
the experiences. All the film taken
on the trip will be cut and edited
into a documentary corresponding
to the book written by Nicaraguan
students. This video should be
complete sometime next fall.
Andrew Thompson and Scott Britt.
Andrew Thompson, Sara Weinberg and
Scott Britt out on a shoot.
Hannah Kay
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAYS ITS FOUNDATION AT SBHS
by Kendra Pillsbury
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit,
Christian housing ministry.
Habitat’s main goal is to eliminate
poverty and homelessness
from the world. By providing
housing for those in need, they
seek to make decent shelter for
all a matter of conscience and
action. Habitat has built more
than 300,000 houses around the
world, providing more than 1.5
million people in more than 3,000
communities with safe, decent,
affordable shelter. Habitat was
founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller
along with his wife, Linda.
A common misconception is
that Habitat just gives houses
to people. The families that
are chosen to receive a home
must contribute a $500 down
payment. They must also take
homeowner classes to make sure
they can maintain the home they
purchase. The families must
also put in 300 to 500 hours of
work on their home or someone
else’s home. The houses are
built through volunteer labor
and donations of money and
materials. Throughout the world,
the cost of houses varies from as
little as $800 in some developing
countries to an average of nearly
$60,000 in the United States.
Habitat has a presence in more
than 90 countries, including all
50 states of the United States,
the District of Columbia, Guam
and Puerto Rico.
This year was SB’s second
trip to volunteer for Habitat
for Humanity. Both times SB
traveled to Rocky Mount, North
Carolina over April break. Rocky
Mount is seven hundred and sixty
three miles away, which is about
14 hours by bus. 23 SB students
and three chaperones volunteered
for this year’s trip. Junior class
member Megan Titus said, “It was
a really fun but rewarding way
to spend my April vacation.” On
our first day we met at the school
at 7 a.m. to travel to Washington
DC where we would be staying the
night. We woke up early the next
morning and started driving the
rest of the way to Rocky Mount.
After getting settled in we started
our work at the work site. We
worked on three houses while
we were there. The first house
we painted. The second house
we installed a door, put up trim
and caulked where necessary.
We did mostly finishing work on
the second house because the
family needed to move in soon.
Meghan explained that it was
great to meet that family. She
appreciated witnessing their
gratefulness toward all of SB’s
hard work and generosity. The
third house the group worked
on was just walls when they got
there. The SB group installed
windows, put up siding, worked
on roofing, and landscaped. The
work on the third house showed
the most improvement. Seeing
it go from looking like a work
site to a home was the greatest
feeling ever. Senior class member
Ty Myers recalled, “I know that
the person who moves into that
house will appreciate our work.”
When we were done with our four
days we all felt good about what
we had accomplished. David
Manago also a senior leader on
the trip said his favorite work site
experience was that, “No matter
continued on page 7

School News
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 7
ARE YOU INTERESTED?
by Kyle Lemieux
Are you tired of courses where
you sit for 80 minutes listening to
a teacher talk? Do you wonder at
the end of
that class
“will I ever
use this
information?”
Or, do
you often
ask yourself
how could this
knowledge possibly
be used in real
life? If you are an
underclassman then
your answer could be as
simple as taking Interest
Based Learning. Learning
has been the same for a very
long time with lots of texts
and big heavy books. IBL is
a new opportunity that will be
presented for students next year.
This course will revolve around
the students interests rather
then the curriculum itself. Unlike
most courses, IBL will have no
traditional grading, assignments
and classes. Advisors will act
more like coaches then teachers in
front of class. IBL will have three
major sections to it. A weekly
schedule will have two full days on
Tuesday and Thursday. Students
will be expected to participate in
an internship for an organization
that they have chosen. Students
will also spend a lot of time with
an assigned mentor as well as
three days weekly in an advisory
group on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday. There will be
community service attached to
this course, from a local person in
need, to a week long major project
set in another part of the country.
Learning will be based on
“doing” rather then sitting in a
class. People in this course will
need to keep a quarterly portfolio,
and will have an exhibition in
order to show their learning to
a team of people who can in
turn help them by giving advice.
This will be based on completing
learning goals that will cover
math, science, social studies,
English, as well as self awareness.
The course is part of a larger
organization called Big Picture
Learning. A variety of schools
around the country are becoming
Big Picture schools. This is an
important advancement for South
Burlington High School, as we
will be the first school in Vermont
to become a Big Picture School.
On Big Picture Learning’s website
Marc Ecko explained that “Big
Picture Learning is the ‘Iphone’ of
education to the ‘walkman’ of old.”
If you are planning to get into
college after high school then this
is a great course for you. You
will gain better writing skills as
well as a sense of creativity and
independence. While taking this
course students will still enhance
core subjects needed in college.
This very much could become the
future of schooling, the future of
education. For more information
on this exiting opportunity please
go to the guidance office.
WHAT IS THE PILOT PROJECT?
by John Wetzel
PILOT is an acronym for
Program to Inspire Leadership
Opportunity. The Pilot Project
has been in our school for three
years. This program is sponsored
by Link and Learn to Life and
by the Champlain Chamber of
Commerce. The program aims
to inspire young leaders in the
business community in addition it
exposes them to a variety of local
issues.
Champlain Valley Union,
Burlington High School, and
South Burlington are currently
hosting The Pilot Project. Five
students are selected from each
school. They are then exposed
to different activities that help
develop leadership skills. The
project gives students career
exposure as well as access to
leadership opportunities.
Most of the activities are located
in Burlington. These activities
include visiting Fletcher Allen, the
courthouse, and going to State
House in Montpelier. Students
also get the opportunity to meet
the Governor, and to see a bill
being debated. This year the
issues addressed were health care,
human services, criminal justice,
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
service project, government and
politics, Job Shadow Day, media
& communications, in addition to
community service & graduation
initiatives.
During the spring of sophomore
year, orientation takes place and
continues for one day a year
until junior year Students are
selected for Pilot Project based
on teacher recommendations.
The students that have the most
total recommendations from
all teachers are then invited
to participate. The program
chooses a balance of male and
female students. It also puts an
emphasis on diversity within the
group. Some of the factors which
are considered in a student’s
nomination are: responsibility,
curiosity, initiative, and ability
to work with others, concern for
others, and interest in community.
Pilot Project students Deven Savage and Alex Johnson
Habitat, continued from page 6
where, or what someone was
working on, it was appreciated by
the entire group.”
The group credits their
ability to work together for their
accomplishments. Chuck Soule
who was the head chaperone
explained, “It’s all about building
community. The world can be a
pretty dark place at times and the
best way to respond to that is to
build community and do something
for someone else. That’s what
changes the world. We built
community amongst ourselves
and gave to another community.”
Steph Ogilive a junior said, “The
biggest surprise of the trip was
seeing the different personalities of
people that you don’t usually see in
school.” And Junior Lindey Gloyd
said, “Getting to know really great
people I otherwise wouldn’t have
known was really great.”
On the trip everyone was able
to relax and just be themselves.
The bonds formed were lifechanging,
and will last forever.
The group worked hard every
day and changed people’s lives.
Going on Habitat is one of the
most rewarding experiences any
high schooler can have. There is
no better way to spend vacation.
If you want to make a difference
in the world then apply for
the Habitat trip next year. The
experience is highly recommended.

Arts
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 8
ALL STATE
MUSIC FESTIVAL
by Aaron Rovner
For those who are not
familiar with the workings of the
educational music programs in
Vermont, please let me inform
you. Outside of each school’s,
music departments and classes,
there are numerous competitions,
festivals, and gatherings. These
events promote, reward, and
celebrate young musicians
around the area. The District
Music Festivals, All State Music
Festivals, and New England Music
• Anna Lidofsky (band)
• Qianyue Liu (band)
• Jen Sweet (band)
• Sarah Robear (band)
• Aaron Rovner (band)
• Ben Lidofsky (band)
• Peter Dwyer (orchestra)
• Jon Lee (orchestra)
• Kelly Herrmann (orchestra)
• Brad Ohlson (orchestra)
• Andrew Mercier (jazz)
• Nina Rosen (jazz)
After auditions are over,
students are assigned to their
separate bands. They are then
introduced to their respective
directors and rehearsal begins.
The caliber of All State Music
directors is always outstanding,
and so the same level of
expectation is placed on the
students in each group. Given
only two days to practice the
music selected by the directors,
rehearsal time can add to as much
as eight to nine hours each day.
The jazz band begins rehearsing
on Wednesday for their Friday
performance. The concert band,
Festivals are the most commonly
known. Students wishing to take
part in these festivals must go
through an audition process, each
with their own set of expectations.
The All State Music Festival is
considered the most competitive
of these festivals. Those who make
it past auditions are deserving of
much praise. Below is a list of all
the students from our school who
made it to the May 8th-9th festival
this year.
• Sierra Marcy (chorus)
• Katie Gingras (chorus)
• Katie Neff (chorus)
• Sam Phelps (chorus)
• Kate Kendall (chorus)
• Morgan Soule (chorus)
• Connor Kendall (chorus)
• Eilish Anderson (chorus)
• Karolina Ramos (chorus)
• Lucy Walker (chorus)
• Asa Carter (chorus)
the symphonic orchestra and the
chorus begin on Thursday for their
Saturday performance.
Kevin Wang, Kelly Herrmann
and Sierra Marcy were recognized
as being among the most
distinguished musicians in the
state. They were recipients of
scholarships indicating that
they were some of the best in
the All State Music Festival. All
State Music Festival is a unique
opportunity to celebrate the
musical talents of high school
students. Watch the box offices,
as these names are likely to be in
bright lights someday.
NEW YORK!
NEW YORK!
by Laura Khouri
On the morning of April 3rd
the Concert Chorus and Chamber
Singers went to New York City for
a singing competition. At 7:00 AM
we all arrived depart by bus. We
filled two buses with SB choral
students and chaperones. On
the bus we watched movies and
talked. We later stopped at a rest
stop for lunch. The bus ride took
about 6 hours in total, once we
arrived to our hotel in Teaneck,
New Jersey we unloaded the
busses and waited to be checked
in. After we checked in we got
ready to head into the city. We
rode the busses into the city and
were dropped off in Time Square
to go to dinner with our chaperone
groups. After dinner we all met
in front of the New Amsterdam
Theater to see Mary Poppins on
Broadway.
The Broadway musical was
surprisingly entertaining but long.
Everyone was tired. After the show
we headed directly to the bus and
back to the hotel. Once we got
the hotel lights were out because
we had to get up early the next
morning to sing.
We had to be at the Riverside
Church at 8:15 in order to sing at
8:30. We arrived at the Riverside
Church late, and had to go to the
warm up room right away. After
we warmed up we were called to
the nave (the very large chapel.)
I have never seen anything like
the nave with its high ceilings
and large stained glass windows.
It was time for the Concert
Chorus to perform three songs.
The acoustics were amazing, we
sounded like we never have before.
We had a short clinic with one of
our judges after we sang. Once the
clinic was over it was Chamber
Singers turn. Chamber Singers
performed in a smaller chapel but
the acoustics were the same as
the nave. The Chamber Singers
sounded great, and their voices
echoed through the room. They
got an amazing reaction from the
judges. The judge that ran their
clinic didn’t have much for them
to work on. After that we got on
the busses and headed downtown.
We had the rest of the day to
site see and shop. Later in the
afternoon we met the busses in
Time Square to head back to the
Riverside Church for the reward
ceremony. The Concert Chorus
earned a silver 3rd ranking and
Chamber Singers were in the
silver category but didn’t place.
That night we had a dinner dance
and cruise, we were on the circle
line boat with a few other schools
that were also in the competition.
The boat went through the harbor,
under the Brooklyn Bridge and
around the Statue of Liberty.
The next morning it was time
to pack our bags, eat breakfast,
check out of the hotel and get
on the busses to head home.
On the way back we stopped
at the same rest stop for lunch
and got home at about 6:00 PM.
From the experience we learned
how competitions work and how
we would do against other high
schools from around the country.
We learned how to take criticism
and improve upon it.
CLASS OF
2009
ROCKS!!!

Arts
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 9
POETRY SLAM
by Jason Shepard
In the mid 1980’s Poetry
Slamming began in Chicago. Marc
Smith, the founder of Poetry
Slamming made it popular
in his jazz café, The Get Me
High Café. As he conversed
with other café owners Slam
Poetry quickly became popular
in Chicago. From there it spread
from there. Mr. Darling’s Poetry
class hosts a yearly SLAM. In his
Poetry Slam though much smaller
than a regular slam; the purpose
is to entertain. Bringing Slams
to SBHS has given this school
that much more culture to the
district.. In the end reminisced
about the poems, what was so
funny and great about them.
I hope that in the poetry class
keeps up its tradition.
All classes at SBHS try to do
something original, something
that gives the class a highlight
that works for both teachers and
students. Nothing tops the SLAM
we had. We saw poems of love to
works of hillbillies getting blown
away by propane. SLAM Poetry is
fun and educational all at once.
Many other schools also teach
and practice Poetry Slams. YALSA
is an organization that goes
around teaching students about
Poetry, Artists, Authors, and
teaches Poetry Slamming.
How a Poetry Slam works:
first there will be a very
experienced poet called
“sacrificial poet”
to
read
poetry
to the judges. The
judges are randomly
selected from the
audience so the sacrificial
poet can act as a scale
of judging for the other
poets. Most slams are just for
fun but some hold competition.
8 poets dwindle down to 4 poets
and then to eventually 2 poets
are left standing. SLAMS are
nothing formal, it’s all about the
presentation and the poem, and
anything goes. Winning over
the judges is what counts. This
isn’t too hard since they were
picked from
the
audience.
Each
judge
will
rank
a poem
on a 0-10 scale (10
being good). There
may be a random number
of judges, but usually 8. When
the judges critique the poem the
worst score and the best score
are taken away so there is a max
score of 30 per poem. In most
slams no props are allowed. If the
speaker chooses to beat boxing,
tap dancing, and even acting
out the scene are encouraged in
general slams. SLAMS are taken
pretty seriously though, there is
an even world wide competition.
The WoWPS stands for Women of
World Poetry. This organization
was founded in Chicago 2007.
A famous poetry activist named
Bob Holman and the M.C. of the
Nuyorican Poet Café once said,
“The spoken word revolution is
led a lot by women and by poets
of color. It gives a depth to the
nation’s dialogue that you don’t
hear on the floor of Congress. I
want a floor of Congress to look
more like a National Poetry Slam.
That would make me happy.”
Famous modern poets such as
Holman and the WoWPS winner
Rachel McKibbens have become
more well-known. They are slowly
but surely been emerging on the
public scene. Every event held
becomes better known to everyone
everyday and is slowly creeping
into the media. From a one
thousand man event to classroom
students’ poetry slamming can
only do one thing, grow. It is
great fun.
CLASS OF
2009
ROCKS!!!
LIGHTS, CAMERA, FANS!
by Camarie Spear
The air is calm, all around are
cheering fans, the players are
glowing with light. I’m talking
about the night games this year
under the lights! The stands
and lights which were completely
finished during the fall, weren’t
able to be used by any fall sport
because there weren’t any night
games scheduled. By the time
spring came around, everyone was
anxious to see a game under the
lights. This season, there are 3
sports that are played under the
lights. The boys and girls lacrosse
teams as well the ultimate Frisbee
club have all enjoyed games under
the lights, on the turf, in the
brand new stadium.
When games are played
under the lights the feeling is
different. The games are more
exciting and more intense. Most
people are used to only playoff
or championship games being
under the lights where the overall
atmosphere makes the people
ecstatic to the minutes prior and
during the game itself. Varick
Parizo, who is part
of our South
Burlington Boys
Lacrosse Team,
prefers games
under our lights
to games during
the day. Parizo
commented that
sportsmanship
under the lights
is more intense.
The experience
is all around
better than
during the day.
Varick explained,
“When the sun’s
setting it blinds
the players, so it’s hard to pass
and catch. Under the lights it’s not
hard to see at all.” When asked
about the intensity of the team
Parizo said, “The intensity of the
team is much higher under the
lights. There are fans going nuts,
and we’re isolated
under the lights
and you get into the
game more.”
Many people in
our school have
been to an away
game which was
under lights. When
it’s at our school,
it’s a different
feeling though,
because those are
our lights and our
stands. A home
game is preferred to
many as opposed
to an away game
at night. Deven
Savage, a fan at many of the home
Boys Lacrosse games under the
lights, enjoys attending night
games. Savage prefers our turf
and lights to any others that
he’s been to, because it’s our
home field. There’s a feeling of
pride. Savage is also a part of
the South Burlington Baseball
Team, and says, “During the day
I can’t go to the games because I
have practice, so I have to miss out
on all the fun.” Sports practices
are usually either after school or
around 5 P.M. When games start
at 4:30 P.M. no students involved
in sports are able to attend the
full game, because of their own
practice. When asking Savage
his emotions during the night
games, he responded by shouting
“PUMPED!” and added that he’s
always ready to cheer with others.
The new lights are a great
improvement to our athletic
department. It has made more
people want to go and enjoy the
games. The lights made the
intensity of the games in the
players eyes increase as well.

Sports
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 10
SPRING SPORTS
by Varick Parizo
The spring sports season brings
hopes, dreams and highlights.
Players strive to do their part
to make their team the best. At
our school we have a very proud
sports tradition. We’ve always
been known to be competitors.
South
Burlington
is full of
respected
sports teams.
In the fall,
football
and soccer
shine. During
the winter
hockey and
basketball
hold it down
and in the
spring it is
all about
lacrosse and
baseball. The
main goal in
sports, other
to have fun,
is to win. This is exactly what we
here at South Burlington High
strive to do.
The Boys Lacrosse team has
started off hot. As of mid May,
they are 7-0 in D-1 Vermont
lacrosse and 8-2 over all. The
future
looks very
bright.
Evan Cassidy
With
knocking
off last
years state
champs
Essex they
got heated
up and
carried
their
momentum
into the
bulk of
their
season.
continued
on page 12
BASEBALL
by Deven Savage
South Burlington has always
had a strong baseball program.
Like every season, this year they
are a competitor. After last years
frustrating extra inning loss to
Essex in the Semi-Finals, the
returning seniors want to lead
their team to the top and a victory
at Centennial. The pitching staff
is strong. Seniors Ethan Martin,
Tri-captain Andrew Tranmer
and Austin Fay led the pitching
efforts. Also junior right hander’s
Ben Jenkins, Deven Savage, Jeff
Newman and south paw Charlie
Cobb staff the Rebel bullpen well.
As for hitting, the team has the
potential. They struggle to string
together a few hits when the
pressure’s on. Tri-captain Alex
Judge and Austin Fay lead the
hitting lineup with their speed.
The Rebels appear to have all the
components required to dominant
the competition. As for power,
Ethan Martin, Andrew Tranmer
and Deven Savage make up the
3-4-5 sports in the Rebel lineup.
The Rebels celebrate another victory.
continued on page 12
SOFTBALL AND GIRLS LACROSSE
by Evan Kaczmarek and Zach Davidson
As the girl’s softball season
came to an end last spring, the
upperclassmen leaders were
very disappointed with how
their season turned out. This
year captains Emma Fitzgerald
and Meghan Porter came into
the first week of tryouts with
a different attitude. When we
interviewed Coach Glen Button,
he acknowledged that this year’s
team was much more athletic,
“The team being more athletic gives
us a much more even chance with
the competition.” Coach Button
then went onto talk about the
competition in Vermont softball
Kim Schroeder fires one to the plate
being down the past couple of
years. He told us he wants is his
girls to be very competitive in
all of their games regardless if
they feel they can win or not. r
Button said, “I really think that
one win could be contagious.” He
said, “The girl’s fitness levels this
year are a lot stronger than last
year. This in return will help them
tremendously.” The girl’s softball
team has strong upperclassmen
leadership.
Ace pitcher Kim Schroeder has
been a talent on the hill for the
last 2 seasons. Schroeder hopes
to keep things going this year.
Co-Captain
Emma Fitzgerald
who plays 3rd
and also pitches
is making herself
into a great
captain. Captain
Fitzgerald said,
“This year’s team
has a lot more
talent than last
years.” She then
went onto say,
“Our goal this
year is to win
the games that
we know we can
win and to be
competitive in all
the others.” Additionally she was
enlightened by the fact that, “The
underclassmen are really fired up
and provide a lot of skills that we
didn’t have last year.”
The shortstop Captain,
Meghan Porter has been
encouraging the troops for
much higher expectations this
season. Freshman pitcher Kate
Fitzgerald,Alyssa Gamelin and
Michaela Rivers, the two second
basemen, are among some of the
underclassmen who are stepping
up. Their positive energy is
helping the team, and we are
know that their season will end
strong. Good luck
SB softball!
GIRL’S
LACROSSE
The girl’s lacrosse
team is always
very competitive.
They are led
by Coach Anjie
Soucy. Coach
Soucy has built a
legacy at our high
school for both
the field hockey
and girl’s lacrosse
teams. Coach
Soucy said, “Our
team has tons
of potential and come play-offs, I
don’t think that any team is going
to want face us.” Soucy made it
clear that the team is improving
day in and day out as they strive
to the ultimate goal of a state
championship. Coach Soucy has
been known to take teams like
this one to win state titles. When
teams think “The Rebel’s lacrosse
team is in a rebuilding year,”
Soucy somehow finds a way to
surprise everyone. Girls lacrosse is
known for surprising everyone by
continued on page 12
Natalie Wimett tracks down the ball

Sports
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 11
BIKE POLO?
by Ryan Teixeira
Polo was originally a training game for cavalry units. The current
incarnation is usually played on horses with mallets. Despite its long
history it isn’t a very popular sport in America. There’s also water polo,
which has the same general idea minus the horse and players use
hands instead of a mallet. A not so well known variation is called bike
polo. Bike polo is on the rise.
Unlike water polo the motions resemble regular polo. Two wheels
replace four legs and the rules stay pretty much the same. Because a
horse is a large animal and has a mind of its own, polo is played in a
strict vertical format. The players can’t just zip in any direction. Bikes
are much smaller and more mobile, like hockey the players move in all
directions.
A group of Vermonters have been playing bike polo for18 years
Our very own Mr. Galiga has been playing for 8 years. He first played
the sport with his friend in Chicago. Then, when he moved to Vermont
he heard abou a local team and started playing again.
Due to complaints of the tires ruining the grass, the players have had
to “switch” fields a few times. While a reasonable problem, soccer cleats
on the field do more damage. Right now the players use the South
Burlington Fields.
Mr. Galiga assures me bike polo is quite safe. There’s the occasional
stray mallet. Every once in a while a player loses control of their bike;
they spill or cause someone else to spill. It really is like any other sport.
The sport of polo has evolved over the years and has now modernized
into bike polo. Polo may not be played very much in America but bike
polo may be able to bring the legacy of the sport back.
Up for grabs!!!
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
by Aaron Rovner
Ultimate Frisbee has been a sport that is enjoyed by many, but loved
by few. I myself have been hucking disk since I was a lad. I was not
formally introduced to Ultimate until high school. South Burlington
High School’s interest in hucking starts many years back. Loosely
organized Ultimate Frisbee games took place after school at Dorset
Park. For many years though, no legitimate club or organization was
created to accommodate the school’s ever growing appetite for disk. The
times have changed. This is a story of two men whose passion drove
them to challenge the leadership of a board of educators and follow
their dreams.
It all started with AP chemistry. It was the year 2008 and the
students of the class had just completed the AP exam. They returned
to school where they were greeted with Marcos pizza and Frisbee. The
class continued to play games of Ultimate until it was forbidden by the
administration for being “too distracting.” During that brief time, one
student discovered his passion for the sport. His name was Sebastian
Ventrone. Unfortunately it was not until the start of the next school
year that he could really put his passion to good use.
At the onset of 2008-2009 school year Sebastian immediately decided
to take on the administration, he needed help. Fortunately Steve
Bolger, an extremely accomplished Ultimate Frisbee player was there
with the same burning desire. Together they confronted the heads of
the school and the Ultimate Frisbee Club was formed. With little to no
budget, it was hard getting the club off the ground. Finding a coach
came easily as teacher Eric Stone was happy to volunteer. The club
was even privileged with the knowledgeable Steve Philbin of UVM fame
as an assistant coach.
At the first meeting, it was decided that the Frisbee club would
accommodate both a competitive team with regular Wednesday
practices, and leisurely pickup games on Fridays for anyone wishing
to play Ultimate. Tryouts were held, and cuts were made for the
competitive team, who has played three official games since that time.
With a 2 and 1 record, the future is looking bright for the team. Maybe
in time, Ultimate Frisbee will be made into a varsity sport, it certainly
requires a tremendous amount of athleticism.
Bike polo in South Burlington!!!
Ultimate...growing in popularity at SBHS
each year.

The Back Page
The Last Word 2009 The Rebel Word Page 12
Obama, continued from page 3
year. Things need to happen fast
as the unemployment rate hit
8.9% in April, unemployment has
not been this high since 1982.
On May 11th The White House
increased its forecast of the U.S.
budget deficit for this year by
$89 billion. The new deficit is a
massive $1.84 trillion making up
12.9% of the GDP. On top of all
this, Obama has been trying to get
funding to close Guantanamo Bay.
The senate voted overwhelmingly
against this, as they do not want
some of the most dangerous
individuals in the world to be in
jails in our communities. Due to
the culmination of many factors I
am giving President Obama a D on
domestic policy.
Leadership: Coming after Bush,
Obama has been embraced by the
global community. Domestically
his composure and eloquence has
served him well. He has taken over
at a very turbulent time, and he
has introduced some very radical
ideas. Since Obama has stepped in
as our figure head of the nation he
has achieved rock star status, for
this I give him an A.
Baseball, continued from page 10
Ben Jenkins, tri-captain Will
Guillen as well as sophomores
Tyler Lord and Connor Pecor
round up the bottom of the hitting
order.
The defense for the Rebels is
anchored by catcher Will Guillen.
The midfield is solid with Fay at
second and Martin holding down
the shortstop position. Third base
is shared between Ben Jenkins
and Andrew Tranmer who also
will play first on occasion. There
is yet to be a set first base or right
fielder. Cobb, Newman, Garret
Hiatt and Tranmer rotate in and
out of this position. As for right
field it comes down to who wants
it more between juniors Andrew
Vinci, DJ Farrel, and Jordon
Lieberman. This year’s team
has strong athletic personalities
which we believe will shine in the
State playoffs. Good luck Rebel
Baseball!
THE MAN ON THE
STREET ASKS:
If you only had two day left to live,
what would you do?”
Ralph Kucharek
“Go to Vegas”
Mr. Cannon
“I would spend every minute
with my wife and children.”
Isabelle Carter
“Fly somewhere sunny.”
Jordan Butterfield
“Go on an international
crime spree.”
Swine Flu, continued from page 3
it’s not a cause for alarm,” says
President Obama. The government
is closely monitoring the outbreak
and preparing for further spread.
The Center for Disease Control
is distributing swine flu test kits
to many states so you can test
yourself at home. It is a relief for
many that the government has
gotten so involved in this case.
Somebody must try to calm us all
down.
All in all, the swine flu outbreak
was over dramatized. More people
were infected with fear than the
actual virus. And, as President
Franklin D. Roosevelt once said
“The only thing we have to fear is
fear itself.” When you look at how
many people die or are affected by
other strands of the flu compared
to this new strand, it puts this so
called “pandemic” in perspective.
Don’t get me wrong, the deaths
that have come from this flu are
tragic. These lives and should
not be forgotten or dismissed, but
they should not be used as a fear
tactic.
The more information we can
get on this virus the less we will
see it on the news as a world wide
pandemic. This is not something
we should all run and hide from.
If we all practice methods of
preventing the flu, like washing
our hands or taking vitamins, I
think we can conclude we will get
through this alive and in good
health.
GLAX & Softball, continued from
page 10
winning when other team’s count
the Rebels out. Soucy’s teams are
not a force to reckon with.
Captain Sydney Stevens is an
outstanding all-around player
who can put the ball in the net.
Tri- Captain Kristen Ignaszewski
has been a great defenseman for
the team throughout her years.
Recently, Kristen has played
offense to generate more scoring.
Tri-Captain Haliegh Gill has been
a valuable midfielder during her
short lacrosse career (this is just
her second year). She does a good
job of playing in both the offensive
and defensive ends of the field
The Rebel defense is anchored
by junior defensemen Alie
Cunavelis who marks up on the
opposition’s best players and
makes it very hard for them to
score.
The Rebels are 5-4 overall and
5-2 in the metro division. The girl’s
had huge wins over powerhouses
Essex and CVU. The final score
against Essex was 17-5. Everyone
was scoring and sophomore
goalie Ashley McDonald was
unbelievably strong in the net.
The final at CVU was 13-6. In this
game the Rebel Defense stepped
up yet again. If the girl’s can play
team defense and junior stand
out Crystal King can put the ball
in the net then the Rebel’s will be
hard to beat. This team is a young
team with a lot of potential.
Maria Dustira
“Go skydiving in Australia.”
Sarah Kjelleren
“Write a book about my last
two days.”
Spring Sports, continued from page 10
Then, running over Middlebury
and BFA only made their
confidence grow. With only a little
more then half of their season
left, they don’t have much more
to accomplish, besides winning
the state title. They are anchored
with a rock solid defense and high
powered offense that is good for at
least ten goals a game.
The Rugby Team has also
started off on the right foot. The
veterans do an excellent job of
holding the team together. Due
to lack of numbers, our Rebels
were forced to call a truce and
team up with our long time rivals,
Mike Kneen
“Go to Japan.”
Audrey Brueckner
“Get human size hamster
ball and race them with my
friends.”
CVU. South Burlington’s David
Knoff holds down the men’s squad
while Jules O’brien of CVU leads
the girls. Even though they play
in separate games, the boys and
the girls practice together. “We
definitely have great potential
and when we’re on, we can play
with anyone,” says Nick Outly.
Rugby requires a great amount
of physical sacrifice and players,
almost more then other sports.
Rugby players truly perform for
the love of the game.