Typhoon Rolls Through the Philippines, Death left in its Wake.

Typhoon Haiyan is the name of the deadly typhoon that hit the Eastern Philippines shores on Friday, November 8th. The dead littered the streets along with completely destroyed buildings and homes. This typhoon reached 170 mph when it first it but the winds died down when it got into the central area of the Philippines to about 74 mph. The government’s main priority is to restore power and communications in isolated areas and make sure relief groups are reaching the people that need it. There is an estimated more or less than 1000 people dead, but since time has passed since the article I read, it is most likely to have climbed a few thousand more as rescuers could get to the cut off areas by flooding.

I have had some time to watch home video footage of tsunamis and tornadoes off of YouTube, and let me tell you I have seen how scary it is to be in a situation like this. People hear stories like this all the time, but not many have actually experienced a real live situation. The video I watched was about a man and his wife and daughter, hiding in a closet as a tornado ripped up their house. The woman was crying the entire time, and thank god none of them were hurt. He showed the viewers the aftermath of his home, and showed how cars and other pieces of houses were blown up into their house. Their entire house was destroyed, and it was truly a scary experience for me just watching what they went through. I now have a better glimpse of what happened and how these people dealt with Typhoon Haiyan.

~Colin

Knockout

A dangerous game called “knockout” might of reached Connecticut. In this game, usually young boys in their teens go up to strangers and punch them extremely hard in the face attempting to knock them out. The first assault that occurred in Connecticut was in West Hartford. The man was walking on an overpass and was accosted by 3 young men. Suddenly one of the boys sucker punched him right in the face, knocking him out.  The police say that the only objective of this game, or ruthless assault is for the attacker to knock out the victim in one punch to be crowned the “knockout king.”

The first time I heard about this incident happening, I thought it might’ve been between two different gangs. However, when I read through the article and watched the video, I realized that it wasn’t involving gangs at all. It was just a teenage kid walking up to a man he’d never met and punching him right in the face, knocking him out cold. I’ve been in West Hartford before and to know that there is a group of teenagers running around punching people is an odd feeling. If someone I know gets assaulted like this I would be so angry. I would want the police to look into the case immediately and bring the kid to justice. I think that the police should patrol the streets and install security cameras around the cities to prevent, or decrease the amount of these attacks.

~Ben

 

Annual Cheshire Tree Lighting Ceremony This Sunday

A night of festivities year after year with family and friends gathered on the town green, lights for people to fawn over and cocoa and cookies to warm you up.  Each year dozens of people spend their night at the Cheshire town green to watch the marvelous christmas tree that towers upon us be lit with hundreds of lights at once. The night is always kicked off by a session of caroling where anyone may choose to join in, it isn’t about how beautiful it sounds, but, how people of the town are coming together to celebrate this enjoyable occasion. For years the giant tree has symbolized the giving season and spread Christmas cheer throughout the town.  The Tree Lighting on the town green has been a success in the past and it is hoped to become an even larger event for this year and further years.

In past years the event has been very exciting and filled with cheerful family and friends.  It is always a chilly night so for the ones attending it might not be a bad idea to wear some layers, but don’t let the temperatures keep you away because there is hot chocolate and cookies to keep you toasty warm.  The Junior Women’s Club does a phenomenal job on putting it together and they even include a Santa Claus who comes to entertain the children which makes it a family event! I have gone for years and every year have found it very fun.  I hope to carry it on as a tradition in my family and bring my kids there when I’m older.

~Lauren

Helping Hand

Every Monday after school I go into Waterbury to volunteer for the Special Olympics Program. I teach children with special needs to play many sports game. Some of these games include Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer. These are just a few of the sports that are offered. Students participate in many sports from skiing to softball. It runs all year round and is a very popular organization. The PAL (Police Activity League) association is open to all kids ages 8-18. We work with the children, and help them to play in tournaments against other towns for championships, titles and medals.

 I find this organization to be very inspiring. PAL is a great way for kids with special needs to get involved in their community and play sports with other kids. This last weekend I was able to participate in a volleyball tournament for Special Olympics. Most of the kids in this program are not exactly capable of serving a ball, or passing the ball over the net. This experience has really made me be grateful for what I have, and the things that I am capable of. I enjoy this experience so much, because I feel that if I can help them, I am helping the people who are unable to do many things.

~Karly

Amazing Gift for Bat Kid

 

The city of San Francisco raised approximately $105,000 for a little boy named, Miles Scott, who is suffering from leukemia, a dangerous cancer. Much of the money was used to buy sound systems and video screens so that the huge crowd could see and hear Miles. Miles had one wish and that was to be a Superhero.  His favorite Superhero was Batman so “Make A Wish Foundation” took notice and planned a special day for him. On November 15, 2013 the foundation rented out a part of San Francisco and replicated it to look like Gotham City. The crowed gathered to see 5 year old Miles Scott, aka, “bat kid” receive a giant chocolate key for the city. Soon this amazing event captured national attention and “bat kid” became a star.

After reading this article I felt a  very heartwarming feeling which I am sure the people in the city of San Francisco felt as well. I hope this story is noticed by others who will be inspired to then want to help sick people in our world. It is special moments like Miles experienced that mean so much to a person who is struggling to live and may not live long enough to enjoy a full life. I am very grateful for what “Make A Wish Foundation” did for this young boy and to cross the line by making even San Francisco look like Gotham City and raised all this money just to make a kids wish come true. Not only was this a great thing to do but imagine how happy Miles must have been to feel like a superhero and save the day.But I also hope he is saved from cancer himself. This story was so cool and amazing that my family and I made a donation to the “Make a Wish Foundation” so they could continue to make these special days for young children suffering from cancer. Now, what can you do?

~Davis

 

Walking on a half day? Good or Bad Idea

Dodd Middle School gets a lot of half days, well at least so far in the year, and this is a problem for some people. As you might already know a large amount of the students walk around after school gets out on these days. Many of the students head to the Maplecroft Plaza in town because its so close and it has a variety of places to eat. When there are a large amount of kids all together it can’t come to a good outcome. Kids go through stores knocking things off shelves and making a giant mess within the stores and also disrupting residents. And businesses have had enough, some of the smaller stores kick kids out before they get a chance to do anything. For example last half day on the 21st of November,  I walked. Subway kicked me out when I walked in to say “Hey” to a friend. They were asking kids if they were gonna buy anything when they first walked in. If the response was no, you were out. But places like Rite-Aid and Stop and Shop can’t do anything about it, and just end up cleaning up after us.

I think that everyone’s fuss about it is legit, I’ve seen it happen, kids wrecking stores. I’ve been there when it happens and I completely understand why this is a problem. The other day I was sitting in Froyo after the rush left with two of my friends, and we were just sitting there talking, and the manager started sweeping and from under one of the tables out came a donut with one bite taken out of it. My friends and I laughed ‘cause we didn’t expect that to really be there. After we laughed the three of us started to talk to him. We asked what kinda stuff he finds and he said all types of crazy stuff. I then said “well with all the kids from the school you must do pretty well on these types of days” He then said “We always do well, these days we just need to do more clean up”. I thought that the stores might be a little happy because they make so much on those days but it seems they think of it as more work at the end of the day. I think it’s fun walking with friends but in the end it’s just stupid to go to Maplecroft because everyone goes there and you’re more likely to get in trouble there than anywhere else. So, if you’re going to walk, go somewhere else.

~Eddie

JFK’s Legacy Lives On

Jacqueline Kennedy, Robert Kennedy

November 22, 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK).   JFK was the 35th president of the United States, but was assassinated before he could even finish his first term.   JFK was in Texas that day to start campaigning for a second term.   He was riding in the back of a convertible with the First Lady and the Governor of Texas as part of a motorcade in downtown Dallas.   Gunfire rung out just after 12:30pm as the motorcade was passing the Texas School Book Depository.  The president’s neck and head were struck with bullets.  He was pronounced dead only 30 minutes later.

            Lee Harvey Oswald was accused of the crime and was brought in by police that evening. Only two days later, a local nightclub owner named Jack Ruby shot and killed Oswald before a trial could take place.  This happened on live television!  While there was overwhelming evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald was the killer, there were many theories about why he killed the president and whether he acted alone or with others.   Many of the stories about the anniversary of JFK’s assassination are about these different theories.  One theory is that there were multiple gunmen who fired at the president.  Another theory is that Jack Ruby was involved and killed Oswald in order to keep him from talking to the police. Some people believe that Oswald was working for the Russians, while others think that the mafia or the CIA itself was behind the plot to kill the president.

            Instead of spending too much time arguing about the conspiracy theories about the assassination, I believe it is more important to remember JFK’s legacy and all of his positive accomplishments.  He is the founder of the Peace Corps, he made progress toward international peace with the International Test Ban Treaty, and avoided conflict with the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Even though he made many mistakes, such as the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, his presidency inspired many Americans and people all around the world and offers important lessons even for today.  The advice he gave during his famous inauguration speech- “My fellow Americans; ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do your country” – is still an important message for today.

~Luke