Daily Archives: December 13, 2011

Trying it Out

I have tried many different sports. Softball was a sport I very much enjoyed. I also play lacrosse and have played basketball and even participated in karate when I was younger. This year, I decided to try another sport! My friend had played the year before and encouraged me to try out for the volleyball team at Dodd. At first, I was hesitant because I had never even played before. But, the week of the try-outs my friend had signed me up, so I decided to give it a try.

Volleyball was a lot different that I had expected. There were may positions and I needed to learn how to bump, pass, set, serve and even spike. It was definitely a lot harder than it seemed. After the try-outs I was very iffy on if I would make it or not. But, after the list was posted I had realized I had made it! There were only a few practices until the first game, yet somehow we still pulled through and won. I was not at all the best player on the team, but I tried and my coaches really helped. Throughout the season, I had improved a lot. I was still not the best. Playing volleyball was more exciting than any of the other sports I have played. I enjoy moving around on the court. And I like that volleyball is very different from any other sport.

I am very glad that I did try volleyball. I have learned so much about the sport, and I realize how wonderful it really is. It was great to be a part of the team and it was a lot of fun.  I am planning on doing many clinics and I also plan to practice to improve my skills in volleyball. Next year, I will try out for the high school team, whether I make it or not, being a part of the Dodd volleyball team will be a very memorable experience for me.

~Mairead Peters

Justice Served?

On December 9th 2011, justice was received to William Petit, the only survivor of the Petit family murders. Joshua Komisarjevsky was given the death penalty after being convicted of murder, kidnapping, burglary, and many other charges. He along with his partner in crime Steven Hayes, killed Dr. Petit’s wife and two daughters in this tragic murder. Hayes had already received the death penalty and will now be joined by another evil Komisarjevsky.

In my opinion I don’t think Komisarjevsky should have received a death sentence. This is definitely not because I thought it was too harsh of a punishment, but because it was too easy. Instead of just killing him, don’t you think he should have to suffer for the rest of his life? If he’s dead everything ends. He should have to endure some sort of pain for the rest of his life. Not like any of these punishments would do justice for Dr. Petit though. He still has to live his life upset, without his family and wondering why him and his innocent family had to be effected by these two horrible men.

~Skylar Ardito

Casey Anthony Let Free

Casey Anthony has been in the public eye since June of 2008, when  her precious two-year-old, Caylee, was supposedly kidnapped by her nanny and brutally murdered. The horrific case remained a hit for several years on television shows such as, Larry King Live and Nancy Grace.

Since the beginning of the investigation, many of Casey’s actions were questioned.  She was seen out partying, and dancing at night clubs. She was also accused and arrested for a brief period of time for lying to law enforcement, obstructing a criminal investigation and child neglect. She was later indicted by a grand jury, and was arrested for first degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and four counts of providing false information to police.  Even with 400 pieces of obtained evidence, it wasn’t enough to incriminate Casey Anthony of a crime many Americans believed she had committed. On July 5, 2011, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her daughter.

With the news of Casey Anthony proven not guilty, the public went wild. In many of the American viewers eyes Casey was so obviously guilty, and many people, whether  at home, or outside the courtrooms, began rioting and voicing their opinions on the verdict. Casey was given extra security, for many predicted that there would be threats and appalling behavior aimed at her.

Although a young tot lost her life, there were some positive outcomes of the trial. “Caylee’s Law” was created and instilled in New York, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida. It  would impose stricter requirements on parents to notify law enforcement of the death or disappearance of a child. Also, “Caylee’s Song” was composed by many artists, and was broad casted throughout multiple radio stations and television shows. With all the media attention on Casey Anthony, it is also important to remember the lost soul of Caylee, whose memories will remain in the lives of every American.
~Alexis Giosa

The Dangers of Science

There is a study being done on gene synthesis which is recreating the building blocks of all organisms in a lab. This study could cure many previously incurable diseases. It could also be used for biological warfare by creating a new deadly organism. This would be almost as bad as a nuclear attack because it could possibly spread rapidly and kill fast like in the movie “Contagion”(PG-13). It is like the atom smasher in Europe. This machine would smash atoms apart to find new smaller things. It would be useful about learning more about the building blocks of everything, but it could potentially create a black hole which would kill us all. These useful scientific advancements could help us a lot but kill a lot of us or all of us. Godzilla is the same way with early nuclear science.

I don’t think this is worth it at all. If you kill millions of people just making a few advances in science is not good. This is actually why I am against nuclear technology. Not just the weapons. The uranium stays toxic for 10,000 years and can kill people. This is what happened in Japan a few months back when the tsunami hit and a nuclear plant was broken and people had to evacuate and people died from radiation.

~Dan Light

Winning Ticket: Lost and nowhere to be found

On November 5, 2011 a Sanitation Worker bought a Poweball ticket, playing the numbers 12, 14, 34, 39, 46, and 36. This was his first time playing the power ball ever, and he decided to give it a shot. Rumors have it that this ticket was sold at Belltown Superette, in Stanford, Connecticut.

The Sanitation Worker who purchased the ticket claims that he had lost it, 254 million dollars lost and no where to be found. I would not be able to handle the fact that I won that much money, and not be able to receive it by losing a single piece of paper. I would search EVERYWHERE.

Personally, I think that guy is full of it. Why would you lose a power ball ticket if you knew you had a chance of winning 254 million bucks? I would definitely hold that ticket until I saw the winning numbers. But, if this really is his ticket, he would be the recipient of the largest payout ever in Connecticut. He has until April 30, 2012 to find the ticket and receive the cash.

~Alaina Capasso

The Change

Today, December 7th, the day after a tragedy assembly. On December 6th our school had an assembly for Rachel’s challenge. At this assembly we learned about what had happened on April, 20, 1999 at Columbine High School. You were able to see people giving hugs to everyone. That’s how much this video impacted us.Most will people never forget what happened on April 20. Mothers/Fathers are still suffering about their lose.

The first time I heard about Rachel’s Challenge, I didn’t know how to react. I was surprised about the shooting. Rachel Scott was the first one out of twelve others. She helped others in need. Before Rachel died, she knew she wouldn’t live long. She drew a picture a couple days before the incident.

This picture inspires me to do good things everyday It’s because of this one day, that I changed my way of life.

~Eric Brouette