The THS Academic Decathelon Team heads to Yale

Eight Sophomores and Juniors from Trumbull High School are taking pride in competeing in a national Academic Decathelon at Yale University on February 20, 2010 for the first time in Trumbull High School history. The competition provides students with the opportunity to experience challenging academic questions and promote higher-level thinking. There are eight events that take place such as an essay, language and literature, art, music, math, social studies,science, economics and a Super Quiz, which is the final event of the night. One team from each state will go on to compete at the National Finals in Omaha, Nebraska. Trumbull High School advisors, Mr. Monaco, Mrs. Elkins, and Mr. Pelligra are hoping that Connecticut will finally defeat California, the state that always won the competition and flew to Washington, DC to meet the President. Even if the students of THS do not win the competition, they will leave the competition with integrity and a great academic experience behind them.

The Practice SAT

Well the time has come and gone again in which an expected three hundred students poured into Trumbull High School for a four hour exam. Yes, the practice SATS recently took place. This annual event, which happened on Saturday January 30th, attracted students from each grade as a way to practice sitting through the lengthy test. There were even a few ambitious 8th graders present that morning to get an early start with the complicated college process. With a number two pencil and calculator in hand, the teens were ready to take the test, regardless of the early hour. The test began at 8:00 am and concluded at approximately noon. The practice SAT, planned by the PTSA, is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the organization. According to PTSA member Myra Connolly, “The SAT practice test is a great opportunity for everyone. Students get the benefit of having the chance to experience the SAT.” During the test, students are asked to complete three major sections: mathematics, critical reading and writing. While this particular test date does not count, the scores students receive allow them to get a better understanding of their success with the SAT and a chance to improve their skills. Although the test is a tedious task for the majority of students, it is a vital step to success for college.

Aquaculture VS. Agriscience

As a prospective THS, you have the option to enter two amazing programs which offer a variety of different science classes. Both the Aquaculture and Agriscience programs offer science courses which are directed in one focus of study. For the Agriscience school this is plants and animals, and for the Aquaculture school is marine science. For many students who chose to go to one of these special schools, the choice is easy because they are only interested in one of these topics; however for some the choice is more difficult because they are interested in both subjects. When I myself was entering high school, I had to make a choice: Aqua, Ag, or being a full time THS student. In the end it came down to what I was most interested in, and at which school I would perform best at. Some of the things I looked into when applying was each school’s admission, academics, and the intensity of their classes. When it came to admissions, these schools were more or less the same. At both, they looked at your grades, behavior, attendance, CMT scores, letters of recommendation, and your personal reason for wanting to attend their program. Both of these schools admit mostly students who were honor students in middle school, and rarely got in trouble. For academics, both of these schools’ courses are extremely intense. At the Agriscience school, they teach honors classes, and according to the principal, Mr. Cicero, if you do not apply yourself, you will fail out. While this is true as well at the Aquaculture school, the Aqua school has something else to offer as well, ECE classes. ECE classes are early college experience. Basically, you take a class in which you pay a small fee for, and you take it as if you were at UCONN. You receive a UCONN college credit for the class which is transferable to almost any school. For many students, this is a big plus because they are able to get many classes out of their way before ever stepping foot on a college campus. Both of these schools are superb, and are top ranked in the country for doing what they do. Moreover, both of these school’s standings give students a leg up in college because when colleges see the school’s name on an application, they know that student is extremely bright because she/he was able to successfully make it through the intense class and work load at both of these schools. To go to either of these schools is a privilege that we as: Trumbull, Shelton, Monroe, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Orange, Easton, Stratford, and Milford students are lucky to have.

Ayla Hundley

Advance Placement (AP) testing is just around the corner, and registration is in B House Guidance. You can register for AP tests from 7:45 am to 12:30 pm only, by February 5th. Each exam is $86; checks can be made out to Trumbull High School AP Testing. Make sure to keep your receipt; if you would like to cancel your exam, refunds will be made in June. There will also be a Mandatory Pre-Administration Session for AP testing on Wednesday, April 28th during Period 1 in the commons at 7:30 AM. Please keep in mind that the school will not order extra exams, in order to remain within the policies of College Board.
For a complete list of test dates, click on the link below:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/cal.html

Getting Involved Feeding the Shelters (GIFTS)

Helping the homeless is an issue that is often ignored within Fairfield County, Connecticut. Many people feel as if there are few underprivileged families within our community and that it is unnecessary to make a contribution for the cause. Trumbull High School junior, Stephanie Schwartz, however feels differently however. The Founder and President of the newly introduced club, Getting Involved Feeding the Shelters (GIFTS), Stephanie is eager to increase the amount of attention this issue receives. She plans to conduct many fundraisers and also visit local shelters. A large group of students have already committed their time and involvement to the club, a surprising factor considering the first meeting has yet to be held. Lily Etemad says, “I know the club will be a great success. I can’t wait for it to fully start up!” Many students feel like the club will make great strides in helping the local community and they cannot wait for the fundraisers to begin.
The first meeting has suffered minor setbacks due to the unexpected volume of snow received on Thursday, January 28, 2010. The next meeting date has been rescheduled Wednesday, February 3, 2010 after school. Updates will be given via the school announcements, the Facebook page (see link below), and by directly asking Stephanie Schwartz who can be found around school. Please join us for the first GIFTS meeting!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=262098613146&ref=ts

By Mackenzie Regent
EE Staff Writer

'Music Man' come to THS

We don’t live in Gary, Indiana, or have a librarian named Marian, and maybe we don’t have seventy six trombones. However, we will have all of those things on March 18th through March 20th when Trumbull High school will be performing Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. The fun filled musical tells a tale of con man Harold Hill (Jack Rhodes) claiming he can teach the children of River City, Iowa to play in a marching band. Marian Paroo (Katelyn Matuska) the local librarian and piano teacher doubt his ability to teach the children. The long adventure of finding out whether or not Harold can actually teach the students will keep you entertained the entire time. The musical is filled with ideas about growing up, falling in love, and of course, and music. Admission to the musical will be $10.00; tickets will be sold at the door or by order. The performance will be on March 18th through the 20th and will be in the Trumbull High School auditorium.

Grace Barney

"From Osama to Obama"

Osama bin Laden is the most infamous man of the 21st century. The Saudi jihadist has led al-Qaeda in acts of terror against the US since the late 1980s. On January 23rd bin Laden spoke for the first time since the botched Christmas day bombing. His message was short and concise with an unexpectedly new theme: Palestine.

It started by praising Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and his attempted attack on the US before transitioning and showing a newly kindled interest in the Gaza strip predicament. He made it clear that Palestine now has the full support of al-Qaeda and warned, "America will never dream of living in peace unless we live it in Palestine. It is unfair that you enjoy a safe life while our brothers in Gaza suffer greatly. Therefore, with God's will, our attacks on you will continue as long as you continue to support Israel."

Bin Laden's address of Palestine is sure to reverberate throughout both the Arab and Muslim worlds. This support will only continue to heat the coals that fuel the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. For now though, both sides wait to see what happens in the aftermath of bin Laden's most recent declaration.