A Very Weedsport Christmas... - Weedsport Central School District

December 2011 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2
A Very Weedsport Christmas...
Bre Soutar
Staff Writer
Ricky Swientowski
Favorite Christmas Memory:
“When my dog ran around me
in one of my Spiderman socks
and I had to chase him.”
Austin Bates
What’s On Your Wish List?
“A new bass guitar.”
Alex Fudo
Favorite Family Tradition:
Chinese Christmas (gift exchange
game)
Bre Soutar
Favorite Family Tradition:
“At 5A.M. my mom runs in
my room and wakes me up
by jumping on my bed yelling
“Santa Came!”
Ashley O’Bryan
What’s On Your Wish List?
“The iPhone”
Tyler Burt
Favorite Christmas Memory:
“My cat jumped into the tree,
knocking it over and getting
tangled in it. It couldn’t get out
until my parents helped it out.”

pg. 2
Thanks Mom!
A Weedsport Student Shares What She is Thankful for This Holiday
Hannah Zehner
Staff Writer
I see the looks, it’s
almost impossible not to.
That initial flash across a
person’s face the first time
they see me pushing my mom in her wheel chair.
First, there is a moment of that person feeling
completely uncomfortable with the
situation. Then, curiosity comes
into play, almost like they’re trying
to figure out exactly why she’s
in the chair. Then finally you
see that look of pity. That’s the
look that gets to me the most. I
don’t want random strangers to
pity me, my family, or my mom’s
situation. To me it’s just another
obstacle that life has given us.
My mom has a disease called
Marble Bone Disease. She was
diagnosed when she was about
18 years old. Only recently this
year, it started to take a turn for
the worse. For those of you who
don’t know, Marble Bone Disease
is a rare disorder where your
bones become extremely brittle
and extremely dense. The worst
of it has affected her back and
hips. It is extremely hard for my
mom to walk around and sit in
places such as restaurants or movie theaters for
long periods of time. She also can’t drive very far
without experiencing pain.
This can be very hard for me at times. I’m
Editors:
Managing Editor: Zach Walton
Design Editor: Lucas Fitzgerald
Sports Editor: Biz Chirco
Assistant Sports: Pat Farrell
News Editor: Aly DeNardo
Arts/Activities: Cheyenne Chauvin
Assistant Arts: Kaylee Walker
Photo Editor: Amy Dilallo
used to having her present at all of the shows
I do and events I cheer at, but this year it was
completely different. She couldn’t make the drive
to the Odyssey of the Mind competition. Sitting
in the bleachers for two hours and watching me
cheer just wasn’t possible. My mom has always
On her first day of school as a child, Hannah and her mom shared a special moment
that she remembers to this day. (Photo courtsey of The Zehners)
been my number one fan and has supported
anything I ever wanted to do. Luckily my dad was
able to come to some of these events and record
them for her so she could watch them lately, but it
Writers:
Finn Moore
Bre Soutar
Kim Cieri
Kathleen Romano
Alyssa Burt
Denise Dolph
John Cirillo
Becca Whitman
Jim Sterling
Justin Files
Austin Napolitano
Hunter Bowden
Dan Sears
Omneya Aboushanab
Jordan Lally
Cori Moore
Rachael Randolph
Abby Marsden
Caitlin Jones
is still very hard to adjust to.
This has also affected our family because
my mom is no longer able to work. She had been
a social worker with the Syracuse City Schools
for over 25 years. She devoted her whole life to
helping these kids and trying to make their lives
better. Call me biased here but
she was amazing at her job! All of
the kids loved her. I know in those
25 years she must have changed
so many kids’ lives. It makes her
so sad most days that she can no
longer go in and do something she
loved so much.
Lately, I’ve really been starting to
think of what I am thankful for. In
past years, it has been my friends,
making the cheerleading squad, or
even the new makeup I just bought
and how awesome it’s going to
look. This year, however, I realize
just how thankful I am for my mom
and how much she has done for
me. She refuses to give up. She is
always so strong even though most
days I can tell she is in pain. She
always pushes through the pain.
Even I have made numerous adjustments
to my lifestyle due to this
disease. I love my mom so much
and I admire her for everything she has done.
She is truly my hero and I know I will continue to
say how thankful I am for her.
Photographers:
Seth Baker
Jordan Lally
Aly Denardo
Amy Dilallo
Check out The Johnny Green Online
(IN COLOR!) at http://www.
weedsport.org/HighSchool.
cfm?subpage=101

Caitlin Jones
Staff Writer
Editor’s Note: The world is constantly changing. Everyday a new battle
seems to break out somewhere. For the teens, the war is not in the Middle
East. The war is every day at school for some. Life is hard, why make it
more challenging? This letter was sent to us here at The Johnny Green, in
hopes of spreading the word about issues not otherwise faced in daily life.
If you feel that you need to bring something
to our attention, we encourage you to do so.
Please send your letter to wcsjohnnygreen@
gmail.com or deliver to Mr. Hay in Room 244.
The L.G.B.T. Community
L.G.B.T. stands for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals,
and Transgenders. We are as equal as
everyone else. This past June, New York State
passed the Gay-Marriage Bill in New York City.
Ever since then, people have been saying bad
things about the L.G.B.T. Community. Last year,
Senior Year: The End is Near...
Senior Year: it
means several lasts,
just as many firsts, and
all sorts of emotions.
Life as it has been for
the last 13 years is
about to change. For
some of us, it’s time to
find a full time job, while
others will go into the
military, and a large
number will continue
their education.
In order to do this,
many students have been on a college search
for several months to find the perfect fit. The
mail from colleges are a big help, but visit days
are what really give you a good feel for how a
college is run. Everything you need to apply is
laid out for you along with their expectations.
Usually at these visits, the admissions
office sets up a time during which they conduct
interviews. These are more to get to know what
kind of student you are, and what your personality
is like. They ask questions about your grades,
what kind of classes you take, how you go about
time management, community service, what your
interests are outside of school, where you want
to be in 10 years, and other questions along
those lines. All they ask of you is to be honest
because they can look back on your transcript.
Letter to the Editor
pg. 3
Filling out the application can be the most stressful
part of the process. Just take it in pieces and
it won’t be so bad. Most colleges have gone to
online applications, so if the common application
is used, they are the same. Once you fill out one
application, the rest are easy.
Another important pieces of advice in
this process: get a jump start. Start looking your
junior year so things don’t all pile up on you at
the end. Make sure someone proofreads your
application before you submit it and look foolish.
Spellcheck can’t fix everything. Homophones
can make you look foolish. Also, make sure you
beat deadlines. Early decision and scholarships
are very strict about these deadlines.
Would You Rather? Some Questions to Ponder
Omneya Aboushanab
& Marisa Thomas
Staff Writers
Editor’s Note:
In the past, The
Johnny Green
has given our
opinions in the
“Would You Rather” articles; but this issue we
wanted to add something new - we want the students
to decide. So have some fun and discuss
with your friends: which would you rather do?
- Would you rather live in Antarctica, or live
in a jungle?
- Would you rather live in the sky, or under
the water?
- Would you rather go to a small school
like Weedsport High School, or a huge school
like Liverpool High School?
- Would you rather be able to breathe underwater,
or be able to fly in the sky?
- Would you rather eat another human be-
ing, or starve to death?
- Would you rather graduate high school
and go to college, or go back to kindergarten?
- Would you rather sleep outside in the
rain, or not shower for one week?
- Would you rather walk down the hallway
in your grandmother’s clothing, or walk down the
hallway wearing a banana outfit?
- Would you rather
cut five acres of
grass with a pair of
scissors, or lick your
toilet?
- Would you rather
drink five gallons of
ketchup, or eat ten
fried worms?
- Would you rather
embarrass yourself
in front of the whole
school, or physically get hurt?
- Would you rather be a scrawny wimpy
boy, or a tough manly girl?
- Would you rather be human, or an animal?
- Would you rather live in the city, or in the
country?
- Would you rather shop with the psychotic
black Friday shoppers, or sleep in?
- Would you rather eat a home cooked
meal on Thanksgiving, or go out to eat?
- Would you rather fight a gorilla, or fight a
bear?
- Would you rather ride a tiger around, or
ride an ostrich?
- Would you rather travel into outer space,
or travel by submarine to the deep depths of the
ocean?
2010, there were many deaths of gays and lesbians, because people that
are against the L.G.B.T. Community were putting us down. The people
that put us down will only get weakened. We will get stronger because of
what they say. L.G.B.T.’s feel targeted because of who we are. I know that
this will never stop, but it’s worth getting the word around. The L.G.B.T.
community is no different from anyone else in
the world. Just because you people who put us
down for who we are doesn’t mean we aren’t
going to be happy about who we are. Most of us
are proud and free and strong feeling, because
we are born this way. This is who we are. Love
between a man and a woman is just as real and
strong as love between a man and another man
or two women. We are born this way! Paws up!
- Written by an anonymous WHS student

pg. 4
Once Again, USO Show Entertains the Crowd
Jordan Lally &
Abby Marsden
Staff Writers
At 7:20 on a Wednesday
morning, as most students
were scrambling to get
ready for school, the Senior
Government class was
scrambling to get ready for
the highly anticipated USO show. At ten o’clock,
students piled into the packed gymnasium, where
they sat waiting for the Master of Ceremonies,
Zach Walton, to commence with the show.
This year’s show contained everything
from hilarious acts-like Joey Adams starring as
Bob Hope, cracking up the crowd with his corny,
yet amusing jokes, to serious serenades such as
Karie Van Slyke’s “House of the Rising Sun”
An example of Adams’ crowd pleasing humor:
Q. What’s the difference between the swine flu
and the bird flu?
A. To treat the swine flu all you need is “oinkment”
but for the bird flu you’re going to need some
“tweetment.”
“Matt and Matt” Starring Matt Wilson and Matt
Hollfelder was also quite a spectacle, as seen
with jokes like:
“My wife said she’d go thirty days with out talking
to me.”
“And why is that a bad thing?”
“Because today’s the last day!”
Weedsport would like to thank Mary Perry for
her 70 years of service in the USO orginization,
the senior government class for another great
show and Mrs. Woodworth, Mrs. Weston, Mrs.
Austin, Miss Leonardi, Mr. Franco and every one
else who helped make this year’s performance
extraordinary for the extraordinary people who
served our country. It’s always nice to give back.
Of course students and faculty were introduced to some of the greatest hits of all times. Songs like…
Songs Performers
Please Mr. Postman Libby Marsden, Carijo Taro, Gabby Barrigar, Trisha Schlegel, LeAnn Spingler, and Ben Wasilenko
The Name Game Brittany LaForce, Michayla Matuszak, Jessica Miller, and Erin Reilley
It’s My Party Keirsten Mac Nabb, Emily Treat, and Nicole Tabone
Stupid Cupid Jocelyn Perrault, Denise Dolph, Alyssa Burt, and Jessica Dec
House of the Rising Sun Karie Van Slyke
He’s So Fine Eva Poupore, Marlana Colella, and Stephanie Leone
Battle of New Orleans Devin McCarthy, Matt Hollfelder, Matt Wilson, and cast
Mr. Sandman Denise Dolph, Alyssa Burt, and Jessica Dec
One Fine Day Chandler Fitzgerald, Kathlyn Tyson, and Caitlin Jones, also on saxophone
My Girl Zach Walton, Brandon Musso, Pat Farrell, and Sam Davies
Stand by Me Zack Huttar, Drew Lane, Andy Panetta, Ben Wasilenko, and Cody Babiarz

pg. 5
Ask Aly! She’s Got Your Advice Right Here
Aly DeNardo
News Editor
& Maddie
Ouderkirk
Staff Writer
will she understand?
Question: My friend can’t
seem to move on from a
guy who treats her badly. I
want to say something, but
I’m afraid she’ll be mad.
Should I say what I think,
and if so, how? I know I
have a good intention, but
Aly D: Being treated badly should never be a
reason to stay with someone. In most cases,
abusive relationships have a long shelf life due to
the fear that is presented from leaving the significant
other. The friend is probably scared that if
she moves on, the guy will become a monster- no
matter if that entails emotional or physical abuse.
Situations in which a third party is involved into a
relationship will always have a presence of anger
and sadness. If you believe the circumstances between
the two are unsafe and reaching a breaking
point, you should speak up to and for your
friend. This could simply be done by asking to sit
down and talk for awhile about what’s happening
and what is best. Another idea might be pointing
out things that happen that are negative- she may
not even know that they are happening. You must
be careful through whichever path you choose.
When it comes to matters of the heart, cracks are
inevitable. One can help others by helping themselves
first; if you sit down and do this successfully
for your friend a new found respect will come
in the favor of you. With issues such as these, an
advice column is much less than what is needed
to help your friend. Counselors are avalible at
school or even online to help. Parents also need-
Dan Sears
Staff Writer
ed to be added into the equation. Although they
may be blindslided by this information, the wellbeing
of your friend is at stake.
Question: My parents are thinking about getting
a divorce. They questioned me about how I felt
about it and I just blew it off. I know this is for
the best, but I can’t help myself from feeling like
maybe I should tell them to try to work it out. I
really want my family to be okay again and I know
that it’d be really hard to do. Is getting a divorce
really the only way to solve what’s happening?
Aly D: Every problem has multiple solutions, and
every solution causes problems for someone
else. The cycle never ends. Over 50% of marriages
in the United States today end in a divorce
or separation. Most commonly, the sources of the
change in dynamic are stated as money altercations,
adultery, or irreconcilable differences. It is
sometimes forgotten that our parents are a couple.
Think about a relationship you have perhaps
had, what was the reason you aren’t with that
person anymore? Everything is not always what it
seems. What is best for you may be what is worst
for your parents, i.e. them staying together may
add additional stress to everyone in the family.
Playing “Big Happy Family” is one of the worst
things you could do, due to the false hope which
is presented. They asked you what you thought
about the situation, this shows that they value
your opinion. Expression of said opinion might
help to encourage or discourage the outcome of
the situation. Helping your parents through this
rough patch is what they need. Neither of them
are sure of what is best, and need a little nudge
to stay on or jump off the path. One idea you may
want to consider before getting in too deep- do
not pick a side. Stay neutral and supportive of the
judgment calls made and it will all be okay; it is
just a matter of time and cooperation.
Your future is in your own hands, which may be
left up to the choices and decisions you make
within your daily life. The only thing that cannot be
forgotten is the ability to control the lives that we
live. Sometimes we hit rough patches in the road,
but the only thing you have to do is grab control
of the wheel, or ask for a little help. For this issue,
freshman Maddie Ouderkirk made up the questions,
but we are looking for YOUR questions in
the next issues. So, if you have a question you
would like Aly to answer in the next issue,
please send it to wcsjohnnygreen@gmail.com
or deliver to Mr. Hay in Room 244.
Get There Safely: Hallway Walking Advice
There are many dangers when you’re in high
school, a dodge ball to the face, being shoved in a
locker, or getting your head put in a toilet. One of
the most overlooked dangers is the hallway. If you
don’t pay attention for a second, boom you’re on the floor.
The point of this article is to give everyone some
basic rules on how to walk in the hallways at
school.
1. Dear seventh graders, four minutes is a
lot of time and I know it doesn’t seem like it but
trust me, it is. There is no need for a full out
sprint down the main hall because all you’re
asking for is pain.
2. When you’re walking down the hall, do
not all of a sudden come to a screeching halt
because you are just asking to be rear ended by
another student.
3. Next, if you know that you are a slower
walker, make sure that you stay off to the side
of the hall. People have places they need to be,
and being stuck behind you for five minutes is
not one of those places.
4. The next rule is very basic, but if it is not
followed the halls become a very dangerous place. Make sure that you
stay on the right side of the hall because one person on the wrong side
can create a catastrophe. Especially if you are the one on the wrong
side, you will end up darting from side to side trying to dodge oncoming
traffic.
5. No reckless walking in the halls. No one wants to be walking down
the hall and all of a sudden have the heel of their shoe stepped on and
end up face planting into someone’s locker.
6. When you and your gang are walking
down the hall, make sure you don’t form one big
line across the hall because then everyone is
walking your speed.
7. Make sure you stay in your lane and don’t
swerve, because if someone is trying to pass
you it becomes very difficult.
8. Don’t be an aggressive walker, I’m sure
the person didn’t mean it, so there is no reason
to unleash all of your fury on them.
9. Middle schoolers, if you see a very large
senior walking down the hall towards you, it
would be in your best interest to get out of the
way because if there is a collision you will most
likely not be on the winning end of it.
10. Don’t stop to have a conversation in the
middle of the hall because then everyone has to
walk around you.
Those are some of the main rules for high school hallway traffic.

pg. 6
By Denise Dolph & Alyssa Burt
Staff Writers
C
O
S
M
E
T
O
L
O
G
Y
BOCES SpOtlight
Teacher: Ms. Savino
Assistant Teacher: Ms. Kopec
Weedsport Students: Sierra O’Hora, Valerie Mero,
Brittany LaForce, Cheyenne Chauvin, Omega Martin, Katelyn
Montgomery, Mollie Pelton
Class Size: 25 students
Open To: Juniors in the afternoon and Seniors in the
morning
Type of Program: BOCES
Certifications: The students will get their licenses to
practice cosmetology
Instructor’s Name: Chef Fitzgerald
Weedsport Students: Dan Marleau, Anna DiMatteo, Jon
Mathews
Program Description: The Culinary Arts program at BOC-
ES prepares students to work in any culinary field. Students
are educated in cooking, baking, preparation and menu planning.
The program begins in the students’ junior year. The first
year the students learn the simpler aspects of the arts. They
become educated with the books and learn to prepare simple
food like cookies. The following year the students participate
in a more hands on approach to Culinary Arts. They begin
to learn about restaurant management and the preparation
of a menu. In addition, they learn to make more challenging
entrées such as lasagna. The skills that the students obtain
Cosmetology
Junior Year: Nails, Haircutting, Facials, Waxing, etc...
Senior Year: Mainly Hair Coloring
Approval: “I love the class!!” -Sierra O’Hora
Surroundings: The students have a typical classroom and
they also have an area called the “floor,” that is modeled upon
an actual salon. Stations that are fully equipped with the different
tools and equipment that they need to practice the skills
learned as best as they can are also provided.
Real World Experience: The students even have a day
where citizens of the community can come in to get their hair
done. This provides the students with the experience that is
needed to be able to go out and apply their skills into the working
world.
Weedsport Senior Dan Marleau takes time out from the Culianry Arts’ program on a recent day at BOCES.
Culinary Arts
after the two years in the program prepare them to work in
any aspect of Culinary Arts.
Future Plans: Marleau plans to further his education
through the Culinary Restaurant Management program at
OCC next year and have a job working in a restaurant while
at school. The following year he intends to join the Army and
after go into the restaurant business.
Favorite Aspect of Program: Cooking for the teachers
and instructors at BOCES has been Dan’s favorite part of the
program. “Receiving the good comments from (the teachers)
makes me feel good” he says.
C
U
L
I
N
A
R
Y
A
R
T
S

Kathleen Romano
Staff Writer
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
is a commonly asked question.
A ghost is defined as the
apparition of a dead person
that is believed to appear or
become manifest to the living.
Descriptions of ghosts vary
from just feeling a presence to
full bodied apparitions. Personally,
I’ve encountered both
in my house.
The first time this
happened was when I was
seven. I woke up early in the
morning when it was still really
dark outside, I saw a woman
standing at the foot of my bed.
Her hair was long and she
was dressed in period clothing.
Her expression was blank and she seemed
solid, except for the fact that I could see the wall
through her. She never moved or spoke. We just
She Waited
For Him
By Kim Cieri
Staff Writer
She waited for him.
Not for months but
years.
She waited
for him,
Through silent
tears.
Does he think
about me?
She would
always think,
But then she would stop
Do You Believe In Ghosts?
stared at each other and after a few minutes, she
faded away.
Another strange occurrence that both my
mom and my sister-in-law experienced was hearing
the sound of a child crying. Later on, after
The Johnny Green Poets
When her cheeks turned
pink.
She doesn’t feel worth
The love from his heart,
She always misses him
when they’re apart.
But he
doesn’t
think
Of her
when
they’re
apart.
She has
no place
inside
His heart.
Flaws
By Cheyenne Chauvin
Arts and Activities Editor
Amateur, the first word uttered,
When I walk into the studio,
The boards of the floor
creaking,
Almost to say I’m tired,
He yells at me to start,
I begin,
He yells (More!)
Perfect, Perfect, Perfect
He claps as the middle of
my routine ends
I need perfect, I stop frustrated
My First Fatal Flaw.
pg. 7
doing research at the historical society
here in town, we found out that a
one year old child died in the house
in 1870. We also found out that the
daughter of the man who built the
house in 1869 was born there, got
married in my living room, and died
there in 1964. My family and I believe
that she is the one who visited
me that night.
Since that night, my family and I
have had many other experiences.
Unexplainable things such as knocking
on doors and when you open it,
nobody is there. Also, hearing footsteps
and doors opening and closing
when there is no one else around.
Being touched on the shoulder, and
feeling someone push past you when
nothing is there. The experiences
have occurred frequently over the
years and continue to this day. However, I have
yet to encounter that woman again. Of course,
that doesn’t mean I won’t...
So, do you believe in ghosts?
You need to be conjoined
With the movements he
screams,
A blossom,
It’s for my benefit
I look around
I see mirrors winking at
me,
Dance bars Swaying with
the music
A grievance he says.
I walk onto the stage,
Ready to begin,
To perform,
Through the entire hour,
The suspense slowly kills
me,
I see the audience,
Their smiling faces
After a stampede,
Of people praise me,
What a triumph,
They say,
But all I remember is,
That First Fatal Flaw

pg. 8
Christmas Fun With
Music To Ask For This Christmas
Forza Motorsports
4 was created by
Microsoft Studios
and Dolby Digital-
what a breakthrough in racing games. Perfect
graphics and detailed performance create a
real driving experience, except with a controller.
Every car and car type you could possibly
dream of, they have it. Along with a new
function in the game that slows you down to
view the cars in detail, in a program called
Autovista. Autovista allows you to view every
speck of detail in a car accompanied by a narrator
that could tell you everything you need
or want to know about the car of your choice.
Unlike every other racing game, the cars you
purchase are given the option to upgrade in a
store. Interchangeable parts have the ability
Kaylee Walker
Assistant AA Editor
With Christmas just around the corner, everyone’s asking what
you want. The standard “I don’t know” answer usually means
you wind up with something like an ugly Christmas sweater, or if
you’re lucky you’ll get a gift card somewhere. You’ll probably end
up with at least $20 worth of iTunes cards. Do you even know what you’ll spend it on? Maybe
you’ll get the latest Angry Birds, but most likely you’ll settle for an album you don’t have.
So here are some of my favorite albums, maybe one of them you’ll consider spending that
extra $10 you don’t know what to do with.
• 21 - Adele, with hits like “Someone Like You” and “Rolling in the Deep” what could go
wrong?
• Infinity on High- Fall Out Boy. If you’re into modern rock music there is no excuse
for you to not have this album, it just has a great feel and sound to it all. Plus, there’s a couple
radio hits on there that everyone is familiar with.
• The Colour and Shape -Foo Fighters. Classic 90s alternative rock, do I need to say
more?
• Greatest Hits I & II- Queen. There is no excuse for you not to know these songs.
• Doowops and Hooligans- Bruno Mars. You’re lying if you say you don’t like at least
one of his songs. Personally, I love his voice.
• A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out- Panic! at the Disco. I don’t have words to describe
how I feel about this album. Pop/punk with a synthesizer thrown in for good measure (and
everyone knows “I Write Sins, Not Tragedies” whether they know it by name or not)
These might not be for everyone but if you’re into rock or pop music maybe these will help you
find a band you’ve never heard of before. Happy Holidays!
Add Forza Motorsports 4 To Your Wish List
John Cirillo
Staff Writer
to change handling, speed, and performance to
make it better or worse.
Once you’re done “pimping out” your
ride, you can choose any racing track around
the world against a variety of different competitors.
You also can paint your car in any way you
like and place a variety of decals (symbols, numbers,
meaningful images, etc.) on your vehicle.
Once you’re done and have picked the track, it’s
time to see what you and your car are made of.
Once you begin, it’s like looking out a window.
Every area you pick the details are superb, and
the racing is extremely realistic. If you get
in an accident or hit by another racer, the
damage accuracy is perfectly calculated.
Basically-if you damage your car it shows
for it. You also have to pay for the damages
caused. This game is absolutely a
must have for car lovers. The game maps
are long and high quality in detail, the cars
are sleek, and the game will keep you
busy for days. This game definitely deserves
a solid five out of five stars.

The Johnny Green
Rebekah Barbaglia
Creative Writing
“The Only Thing I Want For Christmas”
‘December 24, 2010,
another Christmas
spent without mom,’
I thought to myself
as I put the star on the top of Grandma’s tree.
Four years ago my mom was commissioned
over to Afghanistan and we haven’t heard from
her in over three months. Papa tells me that
she’s so busy protecting everyone else she can
only send her messages through thought. He
also tells me that even though I can’t see or hear
those messages, they’re still there; I just have to
use my imagination to see them.
I could hear Grandma in the kitchen
baking her sugar cookies, and Papa down in
his wood shop assembling the last bits of the
nativity set for the Christmas play at our church.
They did their best to raise me, but there are
just some things that grandparents can’t do that
parents can. I love my grandparents but really
all I’ve wanted for the past four years for every
special occasion, especially my birthday and
Christmas, is to have my mom back.
By now you might be wondering where
my dad is? The answer is, he’s dead . . . he died
two months before I was born in a drunk driving
accident. Apparently the light was green but the
guy coming into the intersection slammed into
my dad, and he was found dead on arrival along
with the other driver. So yeah it’s kind of safe to
say that I don’t have the best of luck with people
in my family, but everyone has to die eventually
so I guess it was just his time.
Hunter B’s Crazy
Christmas Cartoon
Anyway, for the past three weeks my
Grandma has been working nonstop making
costumes, cookies, pies, cakes, basically any
sort of baked good and design for this Christmas
play. When she found out that it was our turn
to direct the play she got rid of everything, even
the script and started from scratch. Papa wasn’t
too thrilled but it gave him an excuse to stay in
his woodshop as Grandma went into Christmas
mode. I do have to say though I’m not that
pleased with my Grandma . . . she casted me as
the Virgin Mary. But like Papa, it has given me
Cori’s Christmas
Cori Moore
Staff Writer
Getting
into
that
Christ-
mas swing of it all, let’s start this
segment with some Christmas
traditions. In my
family we have a
little thing called
“the pickle hunt”
where we put an
ornament of a
pickle in our tree
and whoever finds
the pickle in the
tree on Christmas
day gets a special
present.
This pickle
search is not
Corner
pg. 9
something to do.
On December 25, 2010, I woke up at
three this morning with the contented thought
of “It’s Christmas, Merry Christmas Mom . . .
wherever you are.” Something felt different
though, it almost felt like something was out of
place but I ignored it and I laid back down until
five. When I heard the five chimes from the
Kuku-clock I rolled off of my bed and opened
my door. I looked down at my door handle and
saw my stocking hanging by the little string that
my Grandma attached it to. I then walked out
to the kitchen and saw that the traditional tray of
Grandma’s sugar cookies and egg nog had been
eaten. That made me smile a little bit, just knowing
that some things don’t have to change like
our traditions. Then I walked out into the living
room and turned on the Christmas tree lights. I
looked at the tree and all the brightly colored
paper wrapping our presents. I then turned
to sit on the couch and warm tears started to
stream down my face. A smile broke my lips and
I blinked about ten times to make sure I wasn’t
dreaming.
There sitting in front of me on December 25,
2010 was my mother, dressed in her uniform.
I jumped on the couch and wrapped my arms
around my mother as I cried and tried saying
“MY WISH CAME TRUE! MY WISH CAME
TRUE!” My mother wrapped her arms around
me and cried as she stroked my hair. All I had
wished for, for the past four years was to have
my mom back. I finally got my wish.
uncommon and is actually a
German tradition.
My family also has a day
where we all get together and
bake cookies. In other words
the dads all go in the living
room to watch
TV, the moms
bake cookies,
while all
the kids hover
around waiting
to prey upon
any unattended
bits of
cookie dough
and cookies
cooling on the
cooling racks.

pg. 10
Try Something New: Join the Empire of the
Finn Moore
Staff Writer
Like acting? Do
you like combat with
padded weapons or
archery? Have an
interest in Live Action Role Playing (LARP)?
Perhaps a fascination in the Renaissance time
era and/or Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)? Then
the Empire is for you! The Empire of the Imperial
Magistracy was started in 1977 in Weedsport
to portray an ever expanding fictional realm in
the New World. Events
generally occur on a
five acre piece of land
outside of Fulton, New
York where we have
buildings for our feasts,
an authentic looking
tavern and a tournament
field, but gatherings
can be hosted in
other locations throughout
Central New York
by our members. The
members of the Empire
gather around five
times a year for various
activities and to have
a good time. When
members are not together
in person, they
access the Internet to
continue their stories
and relay messages to
one another. There is
something for everyone
at these events, called
“gatherings”: an Imperial
Knights’ Festival
dedicated to tournaments
and fighters,
Imperial Magistracy
though various games are held year ‘round; for
the political side, an Imperial Senate convenes
every gathering to discuss important concerns
within the group much like the Model United
Nations; for those wanting to learn more about
the time period and its culture or how to make
things, there are guilds or the clergy; and for the
kind who like hanging with friends and meeting
new ones, there are many people who feel the
same within the group!
The Empire also participates in community
events, such as fund raisers for charities
conducting performances at elderly homes.
AND THAT’S NOT ALL! It’s free to join and free
to visit as a “guest” at a gathering! That’s right,
FREE! All that is asked is that you try to come in
a costume appropriate for the time period. And,
for guests, the feast is free as well (members
contribute food for snacking throughout the day
and for the feast). THE EMIPRE IS ACCEPTING
NEW MEMBERS!
And if you’re
not sure if you
want to join, but
have an interest
in experiencing
what this group
does first hand,
then come as a
guest! For more
information, feel
free to contact
me via email, Facebook,
or if you
see me throughout
the day! My
email is elementfinngrand@gmail.
com, or look
online at http://
eimtome.wikidot.
com for more
details.
AND REMEM-
BER, IT NEVER
HURTS TO GIVE
IT A TRY!!
Members of the Empire of Imperial Magistracy (including freshman Cori Moore, bottom row second from right, and Ian
Moore, top row far right) pose for a photo during a recent gathering.
How Well Do You Really Know Your Teachers?
Jordan Lally
Staff Writer
Have you ever
wondered what
your middle school
teacher’s deepest
darkest fear is? Perhaps you’ve wondered
about what stunts your science teacher pulled
when they were a kid. Here’s your chance to
find out some crazy and funny facts about your
teachers!
Did you know?
Miss McDowell almost failed her 8th grade
math class. She didn’t even start to like math
until her 11th grade year in high school.
Mr. Ward is afraid of heights! But he’s okay if
you push him out a window? “I would be okay
if I was falling, but standing on the edge of a
tall building or something would make me a
little nervous.”
Mr. Anderson is a comic book fanatic. His
favorite comic is Iron Man!
Mrs. Austin ate frog legs at a fancy restaurant
just to be able to say, “I’ve eaten frog legs!”
Mrs. Brown’s worst class was chemistry. “I
could never see the board and I set a cabinet
on fire with a Bunsen burner!”
Mrs. Haynes, if given the money and resources,
would build a roller derby rink in the school
and pass on her knowledge of her beloved
hobby.
Mrs. Lally’s nickname in high school was
“Spindles” because she had really skinny legs!
Mrs. Woodworth was on the Archery Team in
high school and was State Champion!

pg. 11
Bored in Study Hall? Challenge a Friend to a
Coloring Contest With The Holiday Pages Below
pg. 11

pg. 12
Caitlin Jones
Staff Writer
The Winter Sports Rivalry
During the winter
sports season,
the varsity teams
feel the need to prove themselves to each
other. Some would say that we have an interscholastic
rivalry going on, and to be honest,
I agree. Here is what some representatives
of each team had to say about this:
Q: Why does your team work the hardest?
Danielle Utterback (Swimming): “Our coach
pushes us to the limit every day, everyone is
determined, and our coach is so dedicated he
coaches another team after ours.”
Biz Chirco (Girls Basketball): “We start out
practices with agility, stretching and running.
Then throughout our practices we do three different
sets of conditioning. We don’t waste any time
at practice by utilizing every minute to run and
get better. Our sprint workouts are very tough
and we also get in the weight room at least one
a week. All of our drills are specialized not only
to work on our skill, but to condition us as well.
Stand at the gym doors and look at our faces
when we get out of practice and that will tell you
everything you need to know.”
Taylor Lukins (Volleyball): “We have to be constantly
thinking when we are on the court; where
do I need to place the balls and at what time?
Who do I need to serve at? Do I need to switch
with someone? We also have to predict what our
teammates will do. Not only this, but, we have to
play the game and focus on getting the ball over
the net in a way that the other team will have a
hard time defending it.”
Erin Reilley (Cheerleading): “Cheerleaders
work the hardest because we do the basic run-
ning and other workouts like every other team,
along with lifting our own girls into the air and
running a 2 1/2 minute routine(all practice long)
with lifts, dance moves and jumps.
Austin Ashby (Boys Basketball): “It’s not a
question of the hardest working. I feel that each
team works hard in different ways, but I do feel
that we are the most athletic in terms of speed
and jumping ability.”
Q: Why do you believe the rivalry is happening?
DU: “We don’t have a rivalry.”
BC: “The rivalry is happening because we are
all so competitive and we have a love of each
of our individual sports so we want to prove to
everyone how great our sport really is. Tenacity
is a virtue, but it is not always necessary to show
others how hard you work.”
TL: “I believe this rivalry is occurring because we
don’t appreciate what the other teams do. Cheerleaders
need to get their timing down to a science
when doing their stunts; volleyball players
need to know where to place the ball and how
they are going to get it there using their reaction
time; basketball players need to know plays, how
to dribble the ball, how to shoot as well as handle
the ball and be conditioned; and swimmers need
to be physically fit to beat their own times and
scores as well as those around them.”
ER: “This rivalry happened because people only
like to follow what the state says to put us down.
They don’t realize and respect the hard and tiring
work that is put in to cheerleading”
AA: “I think that people just want everyone
to know how hard they work. I don’t think you
should need the recognition; you should just go
out and do what needs to be done. Also, many
people fight over sports because they don’t
necessarily like or get along with some people on
the other teams.”
Q: Why do you fight for your team?
DU: “Swimming is really good for you and works
all of your muscles.”
BC: “I love basketball and everything it stands
for. The fact that it isn’t over until the last buzzer
sounds, how you need to throw your whole body
into the game and that you have to use not only
your physical strength, but mental and emotional
as well; that you need to work as a team and that
basketball can’t be just about the individual person.
The game teaches more than just basketball
skills, but skills that you need in life.”
TL: “I defend my sport because I love it. There
are many necessities one must have to be a
good player and these good players make up a
solid team. I’m with some of my closest friends
when I’m playing and we know how to be a family
without letting everyone else get to us.”
ER: “I will defend cheerleading as a sport because
of the hard work that’s put in. People think
it’s all “looking pretty,” but it’s not during practices.
At competitions or games we only show
what’s perfected and makes you think it is easy.
Just because the state doesn’t consider it a sport
doesn’t mean we don’t work as hard as every
other sport.
AA: “I’ll defend my sport because it’s the fastest
paced sport and requires both speed and stamina.
But when it comes to other sports, you need
a certain set of skills as well.”

What to Expect from WHS Winter Sports
Pat Farell
Assistant Sports Editor
Girls Basketball
The Weedsport girls’ basketball
team feels they have a great season
ahead of them. After finishing
9-10 a year ago, they feel confident
that this year the Patriot league
is theirs for the taking. The Lady
Warriors finished fifth in the league
standings last year with only one
senior on the roster (Sarah Scida).
This season they return three of
their top scorers from last season
with seniors Brittany LaForce and
Allison Chase, along with junior
Gabby LaForce. Even with the top
scorers returning, Coach Vargason
says all nine players on the roster
must provide leadership every day,
and every game. Personally, when
I talk to people about Weedsport
sports, they talk about Football
and Track. In my opinion the girls’
basketball program here is going
to be a big topic for years to come.
When Vargason was asked how the
program has changed recently for
the better he replied, “We are being
provided with opportunities from the
board, superintendent, teachers,
principals, and mostly the parents.
Parents are totally involved in our
success. They take their kids to
AAU games, camps, and cheer us
on.” Vargason also praised the jobs
being done by Mr. O’Connor, Coach
Blask, Coach Anderson, as well as
Coach Sgarlata for their dedica-
Swimming
Swimming Coach Ben Nabewaniec
hopes to lead yet another
impressive season for
Weedsport Swimming this
season. Coach Nabewaniec
expects his squad to have
a winning league record, as
well as a strong number of
swimmers qualifying for sectionals.
Coach is looking for
leadership from juniors Seth
Baker, Lucas Fitzgerald,
Nick Ouderkirk, and Brandon
Blake. Baker says success
will come from working hard
in practice. Fitzgerald feels
the team needs to improve
each day, admitting the
team isn’t as big as a year
ago due to a strong group
led by Nate Earl graduating.
tion. Part of the girl’s success is due
to Coach Vargason pushing them
very hard each practice. As far as
conditioning goes, Vargason holds
a philosophy that every girl on his
team needs to be conditioned to a
point where they could play every
minute in a game. “My hope is by
the fourth quarter we are wearing
teams out while we are still standing
strong” said Vargason. Senior
forward Allison Chase also encouraged
the philosophy as she believes
part of this season’s success
is going to be based on what kind
of shape the team is in. Both Chase
and senior guard Brittany LaForce
believe rebounding is going to be a
big factor that determines success.
Coach Vargason says the depth of
the team will determine their success.
“Winning a title is very difficult,
but this year our bench players
are our key to being successful.”
Chase and LaForce both believe
the team is very capable of winning
a league title. It’s been 35 years
since a league title has been won
by our girls’ basketball team. With
great quickness and senior leadership,
this could be the year. “I’m
looking forward to putting a banner
up in the gym” said LaForce.
Coach Nabewaniec looks
forward to having a group
of hard workers that want to
push their limits. Both Baker
and Fitzgerald are hoping to
improve their times throughout
the season. With a core
of the team being juniors,
leadership is going to be a
big factor. Fitzgerald is excited
to watch the freshmen
and sophomores improve as
the season goes on. Despite
the loss of members from
a season ago Baker and
Fitzgerald expect to have a
good season and compete
with larger teams like CBA
and Jamesville Dewitt.
Boys Basketball
Coach Matt Lipiska is entering
his seventh season as varsity
boys’ basketball coach with
another team full of potential. In
order for his team to reach that
potential, Lipiska says the team
must remain consistent and productive
offensively. “This means
we make our open shots, capitalize
on free throw opportunities,
and value the basketball,” said
Lipiska. The wins will outweigh
the losses if the team plays hard
and competitively every practice
and game according to Lipiska.
Leaders of the team are seniors
Austin Ashby, Kyler Brown, and
Zach Forbes. Ashby and Brown
are two premier returning players
and started a majority of games
last year. Forbes is bouncing
back after breaking his wrist
last season and is going to be a
key component for the Warriors
perimeter game. Coach Lipiska
is looking to get positive contributions
from all 12 players on
the roster. Lipiska stated, “The
biggest thing is getting guys to
play together, and to play with
consistency every time they take
the floor.” Austin Ashby and Zach
Forbes also think the team needs
to play together in order to be
Coach Sandy Donahue and
the varsity volleyball team are
concentrating on making the
upcoming season very successful
both on the court and
off it. Donahue, along with
seniors Chandler Fitzgerald,
and Taylor Lukins, are stressing
the importance of the team
staying together. Donahue
says the only way the team will
be successful is if they work
together as a team. “We need
the entire team focused on
what the goal is”, said Donahue.
Fitzgerald and Lukins
both said the team needed to
remain close throughout the
season. Coach says the lead-
successful. “We have the talent,
we just have to put the pieces of
the puzzle together,” said Ashby.
As far as games to circle on the
schedule, Lipiska circled them
all. Coach stresses the fact that
every game matters this season.
Crucial games for Weedsport are
back to back to start off the season
as they will face off at Central
Tech and then at Syracuse
Academy of Science who was
15-0 in league play last season.
Lipiska, Ashby, and Forbes all
say they are excited to play Port
Byron in the first round of the
annual Christmas tournament.
Both Ashby and Forbes expect
a good season that will put the
Warriors into sectionals for the
second consecutive season. In
order to make a run at sectionals
the team must stay healthy.
The team was hit hard by injuries
a season ago, and Lipiska
realizes the importance of his
team remaining healthy. Lipiska
compares the teams season to
a hazy crystal ball. “The picture
is hazy, but clear enough to see
this year’s team competing with
anybody we play against.”
Volleyball
ers of the team are going to
be middle hitter Sierra O’Hora,
settler Natalie Gilfus, and
Senior captains Lukins and
Jessica Dec. Offensive hitting,
between strong serving and
hitting is the focus of improvement
for the team. Fitzgerald
says she expects sectionals as
long as the team’s chemistry is
up to par.

pg. 14
Mike Chirco
Opinion
In history, there is a
rise and fall to everything.
This is very true
in sports programs as
well. Teams have their
ups and their downs.
Look at the Boston Red
Sox for example, they
won four World Series
Championships in seven
years in the early
1900s, but then went
on an 86 year drought after
winning their first world series
since 1918 in 2004. Coaches also have their ups
and downs. Some coaches start out terrible, and
grow to be amazing, while others do great things
and tumble, sometimes bringing their programs
with them.
Just recently, the head coach of Penn
State University football, Joe Paterno was fired
from his position that he has held for 45 years.
Throughout his career he always taught about
the “Penn State Way.” These are Paterno’s rules
to winning with modesty and honor. With these
rules, he has been very successful with 24 bowl
game wins in 37 appearances. He leads both
categories as the highest amount of any coach in
history. He has also led the Nittany Lions to two
national titles and five undefeated seasons. In
the last few months, Paterno and his staff have
been accused of some serious wrongdoings, and
put the whole college in controversy. Paterno
was accused of trying to cover up allegations of
child sexual abuse charges within the Penn State
program.
Jim Tressel has also been removed from
his position within the past year. Before this,
Tressel was a very successful coach at Ohio
State University. Tressel went to 10 bowl games
in 10 years as head coach of the Buckeyes. In
addition, he went to three national champion-
Great Coaches Who Have Fallen
ships, but only came away with one, in 2002.
In early 2011, Tressel was suspended for the
first two games for not telling the NCAA about
Ohio State players being involved in a tattoo-formemorabilia
deal with an owner of a tattoo parlor.
Tressel resigned a few weeks later because of
the accusations against him.
Terry Francona, previous Red Sox manager,
recently was fired from his position in the Sox
Clubhouse. Francona has brought the Red Sox
Nation a good amount of success over his managing
career. He helped bring them to two World
Series wins and two American League Pennants.
After this season’s agonizing collapse in September
to end up not even making the playoffs, Francona
said that he lost control in the clubhouse,
and parted ways with the Red Sox organization.
Throughout the course of sports history,
there have been scandals, bad choices, successes,
failures, and the falls of some of the greatest
coaches ever to coach their games. As we have
found in the last few months, failures of coaches
and sports teams no longer revolve around the
athletic ability of a team, but also around the
indiscretions of humans.
Peezzy’s Place: J.P. Gives His Take on
JP LaFleur
Opinion
This year many
things have happened
in sports.
First we had
an NFL lockout
that went on
for a long time,
but fortunately
ended well
and the players
came to an
agreement on
the money issue which is
why the lockout happened in
the first place. Now we have
Recently Fired Coach of Penn State Football Joe Paterno, he coached there for 62 years and 44
of them were as the head coach
the World of Sports
just finished having an NBA lockout, which you
probably know about, but I mean really come on.
They are getting paid
to play, so just play and
don’t worry about the
money you are getting
paid. Did you notice
after three superstars
are on one team there is
an NBA lockout? (Miami
of course) It ticks me off
because I already had
my fantasy basketball
team set for the season.
Now, it’s your turn tell me what you think of the
NBA lockout:
Brandon Hall: “It’s stupid because they are the
highest paid athletes in the world and they still
want more money. It’s just plain stupid.”
Xavier Kunkle: “It should have been over by
now and they should have been playing.”
Hunter Bowden: “I don’t really care because
people really don’t watch the NBA.”
Andrew Rude:” The lockout is bull because they
are fighting over money when they can be making
more money by playing.”

Humans weren’t designed
to fly, swim or
explore space but we do
anyway because we’re
rebels. Why should a
sport that seems doomed
to fail get some recognition
in the mayhem of
winter? We have had
countless sectional titles
and we routinely win
meets against much larger
class A and B schools,
but still have a tiny fan
base.
Coach Griffin once said that half the work
Jimmy Sterling
Opinion
is already done when you step on to the blocks.
Anxiety before a meet makes this true. Swimmers
have found the third half of the sport. (I
never said we were good at math) This forgotten
half lies before and after practice along with
everything in between; it’s the character.
Our character is not only shown in our
workouts, but in the games we play as well and
how competitive we get when we play them.
Last year around this time the swim team introduced
me to the affectionately named sport of
turkey bowling. A frozen turkey was bought and
paraded throughout practice until it was time to
hurl it at a pyramid of water bottles. The winner
got nothing but bragging rights for the next year
Becca Whitman
Staff Writer
What Makes Swimming Special?
One of the
hardest tasks on
the cross country
team is staying
focused and concentrated on Sectionals,
simply because of how long the season is.
Although the regular season starts in August
and ends in November, we start training
long before the regular season. This year,
we began having practices in the end of
June, continuing on throughout the whole
summer. In the middle of August, the team
took a week-long trip to the Adirondacks to
train and have a break together as a team.
This trip really helped the team bond, and
we successfully completed workouts that earlier
seemed impossible. We woke up early every
morning to a pounding on the bedroom door and
shouts of “Five minutes!” Usually, we were woken
up at about 5 or 5:30 AM, quickly got dressed,
and were expected to be outside for a morning
workout. These morning practices consisted
mostly of core exercises, sprints, and conditioning.
Afterwards, we would all drag ourselves back
to our rooms to shower before breakfast. During
the day, we were assigned several “tasks” that
we had to complete, such as drawing a map of
the farmhouse property, creating a song about
the team, or developing “tribal names” for each
but that’s enough to drive
the fierce competition.
An even more extreme
game that is adored is
water polo.
On a Monday
practice you might hear a
rumor that we are going
to play water polo the
following Friday which
instantly makes that week
ten times better. Shady
rules lead to a scene that
better resembles a fight,
with both teams savagely
trying to score a goal
on the other. Not all of
these amusing events are
games though.
Finishing an
impossibly hard set with
all of your teammates
invokes a sense of pride
not found in most sports.
Last year the Swim-a-thon began uneventfully,
and then in came the snow. Buckets of the stuff
were carted in from outside to be dumped on the
participants as they swam their laps. Our very
tolerant coach also got covered in snow.
In the end, everybody leaves together as
a huge family regardless of who won or who was
other. In the afternoon, we went on either a hike
or a run in the surrounding trails, eventually coming
home to a dinner prepared by our wonderful
mothers, Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Brown. Trying
to fit everyone at the dinner table was quite
a task; we were lucky if we had enough elbow
room to pass the potatoes! Following dinner, we
would gather in the living room for a few games,
the presentation of our tasks, and an “inspirational
movie”, hand picked by our coach (a few
of these were “Prefontaine”, “American Flyers”,
and “Cinderella Man”). As we all went into our
separate rooms to go to sleep, the farmhouse
would echo with the calls of “Good night Coach!”,
“Good night Bethany!”, “Good night Zack!”
At this summer camp, everyone on the
Junior David Hoppough takes some time from a recent practice to show the effects
of chlorine on the eyes, just another obstacle that makes swimming so demanding.
(photo by Aly Denardo).
pg. 15
faster. Instead of leaving the season with a few
acquaintances that you can call “Friends,” you
leave with 30 real friends who will still be there
months and years later, even after graduation. It
would be crazy to say that this never happens in
other sports, but it’s an absolutely huge part of
swimming.
It Was a Great Year: A Look Back at the XC Season
team worked extremely hard, and we arrived
home not only in peak physical condition, but
also as a much closer cross country family.
Living with the team for a week in an isolated
area, with almost no outside communication,
really helped strengthen our abilities to
work together and problem solve. If someone
needed help completing a task, they could
simply walk into the kitchen and ask one of
the other runners for some help. Also, we all
realized that our hard work was paying off,
and would really make a huge difference in
the long run.
Our goal this season was to keep up the
hard work and remain in good physical condition.
Based on our results from meets, invitationals,
Leagues, and Sectionals this year, we pulled
together as a team and had a very successful
season. If it wasn’t for Coach Josh Baker’s
impressive coaching, and always pushing us to
“strive to beat yourself, not others”, we wouldn’t
have had such an outstanding season this year.
One of our coach’s best skills is his ability to create
really interesting and motivational speeches
for us, and with his help, we have all been able to
push ourselves to the limit and beyond; to strive
to become the best runners possible.

pg. 16
Giancarelli vs. Giancarelli: A
Kaylee Walker
Assistant AA Editor
(drum) battle for the ages
How many people
want to be famous in
one way or another?
Tons, but how many
actually get to live their dream? Only a fraction
of people dreaming about being a professional
musician actually make it. Joe “Sal” Giancarelli is
proof that you can live your dream.
Joe Giancarelli started as a drum tech for
the rock band Staind twelve years ago. For those
of you who don’t know what that means, basically
he set up the drum kit for shows, served as
a roadie, and filled in for the drummer as needed
(Rock Stars aren’t immune to sickness after all)
on tour. As of seven months ago, Staind’s drummer
decided to leave the band, and who better to
take the drummer’s place than the drum tech?
“I don’t think it has hit me yet,” Joe says.
“But I’m getting more comfortable being in the
position now and playing in front of a larger
crowd. I’m just glad that they chose me.”
Before returning to Weedsport, Staind
was on a two and a half week tour of Europe,
playing places like Glasgow, London, Paris, Berlin
and Munich, all major cities across the pond.
VS
Zack Giancarelli Joe Giancarelli
Crowds overseas are different than the crowds
in America though. “The crowds outside the U.S
are very different; they appreciate so many different
kinds of music. You can play a festival and
have jazz, rock, pop and they just love it.”
That’s not all that’s different though -
when asked about crowd behavior, Joe responded
with “They also don’t hoot and holler like we
think of concerts here. They ‘ll clap, which is
weird to us, but if they like something they’ll clap
over their head.” It’s weird, right? How do you go
to a concert and not scream in excitement?
As a Weedsport Music Hall of Fame inductee,
Joe returned to Weedsport High School’s
75th annual fall concert to drum battle his nephew,
WHS Junior Zack Giancarelli, during the
Jazz Band’s performance of “Wipeout.”
“It’s a great experience [to come back
and play with the jazz band] especially playing
with Zack, my nephew,” says Giancarelli. “This is
where it all started for me. I went from playing in
front of a couple hundred people to a few thousand.”
Mr. English awarded Mr. Giancarelli his
plaque, while getting nostalgic about his time
teaching him. It was really quite amazing to hear
how even in middle school, Mr. English knew Joe
was special, moving him up to high school jazz
band early and always having faith in him.
After a couple songs from the jazz band,
Zack dragged his drum set from the green
corner of the stage out on a rug and got ready
to battle his uncle. With Joe’s set already in the
blue corner of the stage, the guys flipped a coin.
Since Zack won the toss, he decided to let his
uncle start, and with that, the battle began. It
was a close match, but you have to decide for
yourself you who think won. The video is up on
The Weedsport Jazz Band’s YouTube channel, if
you weren’t there to witness what happened for
yourself.
A Few More Things about Joe:
• His favorite song to play live is “Paper
Wings” off of Staind’s newest self-titled album.
• His Rock Idol growing up? Everyone from
Peter Criss of Kiss to Tommy Lee of Motely Crue.
• Staind’s newest self-titled album is his
favorite.
• He considers Staind’s music to be hard
rock, but not quite metal.