Cockpit Crazies
Have Themes, Cheer Teams
By BRITTENY NOLING
The Red and Blue
They might be a little crazy, but they are great leaders. The Cockpit Crazies are always showing their school spirit, in the way they dress up and paint themselves, and in the way they are always pumped for school sporting events.
They get the other students pumped, too, with themes such as toga night, neon night, black out, white out and other creative ideas.
“My favorite was last year when we did the Christmas theme for basketball,” said senior Michael Unckrich, the Crazy in Chief. “Pretty much everyone participated in that one.”
“I’m very spirited and I like doing this type of thing,” he said. “It’s a fun way to get people involved and to cheer on all our different teams.”
“My favorite theme was Malcolm Sampson for the first game of the year against Southeast,” said senior Trevor Gibbons, referring to theme honoring their classmate and teammate who was injured this past summer.
“Everyone should be part of it,” said junior Grant Clunk, who will be in charge of the Cockpit Crazies next year.
Junior Carson Parmenter said his favorite theme was toga night for the game against Minerva.
“We are looking good. supporting the school and showing A-Town pride,” he said.
"I liked doing neon night against Ellet,” said junior Sam Notman. “The best part is seeing how we all act crazy and unite and yell and scream for our sporting teams. The more kids we have, the louder we can get at football games.”
The Red and Blue
They might be a little crazy, but they are great leaders. The Cockpit Crazies are always showing their school spirit, in the way they dress up and paint themselves, and in the way they are always pumped for school sporting events.
They get the other students pumped, too, with themes such as toga night, neon night, black out, white out and other creative ideas.
“My favorite was last year when we did the Christmas theme for basketball,” said senior Michael Unckrich, the Crazy in Chief. “Pretty much everyone participated in that one.”
“I’m very spirited and I like doing this type of thing,” he said. “It’s a fun way to get people involved and to cheer on all our different teams.”
“My favorite theme was Malcolm Sampson for the first game of the year against Southeast,” said senior Trevor Gibbons, referring to theme honoring their classmate and teammate who was injured this past summer.
“Everyone should be part of it,” said junior Grant Clunk, who will be in charge of the Cockpit Crazies next year.
Junior Carson Parmenter said his favorite theme was toga night for the game against Minerva.
“We are looking good. supporting the school and showing A-Town pride,” he said.
"I liked doing neon night against Ellet,” said junior Sam Notman. “The best part is seeing how we all act crazy and unite and yell and scream for our sporting teams. The more kids we have, the louder we can get at football games.”
History, English, Biology, Chemistry
“War Horse” project teaches many lessons
By OLIVIA VOSHEL
The Red and Blue
“The book is always better than the movie” is a common saying. Sophomores in the Blue Angels honors academy got the opportunity to decide that for themselves.
First, they read the book “War Horse” by Michael Morpurgo in Ms. Barbara Mudrak’s English II-H classes. Then they watched the movie directed by Steven Spielberg.
But they didn’t just sit and eat popcorn. During the movie, groups got up and gave presentations that they had prepared in Mr. Frank Mancini’s American and Modern World History II-H classes, where they had been learning about World War I.
The topics of some presentations required knowledge of World War I, but also other subjects like the biology of horses, or the chemistry of mustard gas. Others required groups to get creative, like writing a group poem about the horrors of trench warfare, or researching a famous horse race and acting it out.
“The ‘War Horse’ project was a really nice way to get the students involved in the book, and a good way to make students look forward to reading,” Mr. Mancini said. “I thought the presentations went well and the students seemed to have a good time interacting.”
Back in English class, students wrote a paper arguing whether the book or the movie was better based on literary elements like plot, character or theme.
“Comparing and analyzing two different treatments of the same subject is a skill that high school students are supposed to have according to the Common Core standards,” Ms. Mudrak said. “This project gave students an opportunity to think and to learn about different subjects at the same time they were enjoying the book and the movie.”
Though they may not have said so in their papers, most of the sophomores I talked to said they liked the movie better than the book.
“It was an awesome movie and a great way to get kids involved with the presentations,” Adam Tucker said. “It made me realize how much horses benefit people.”
“It was a phenomenal flick, a five-star flick, actually,” Keith Smith said. “There were nice special effects, good acting, beautiful horses, and it was very realistic. I enjoyed the people presenting and I learned a lot about World War 1.”
“The movie was cool and had a great point to it,” said Xavier Terrell.
His only complaint was that some of the presenters were a little too quiet.
“I liked the movie so much better than the book,” said Morgan Mikes. “Yes, the groups presenting could have been louder, but they were talking to a lot of people at once, and to some people that’s a little scary.”
The Red and Blue
“The book is always better than the movie” is a common saying. Sophomores in the Blue Angels honors academy got the opportunity to decide that for themselves.
First, they read the book “War Horse” by Michael Morpurgo in Ms. Barbara Mudrak’s English II-H classes. Then they watched the movie directed by Steven Spielberg.
But they didn’t just sit and eat popcorn. During the movie, groups got up and gave presentations that they had prepared in Mr. Frank Mancini’s American and Modern World History II-H classes, where they had been learning about World War I.
The topics of some presentations required knowledge of World War I, but also other subjects like the biology of horses, or the chemistry of mustard gas. Others required groups to get creative, like writing a group poem about the horrors of trench warfare, or researching a famous horse race and acting it out.
“The ‘War Horse’ project was a really nice way to get the students involved in the book, and a good way to make students look forward to reading,” Mr. Mancini said. “I thought the presentations went well and the students seemed to have a good time interacting.”
Back in English class, students wrote a paper arguing whether the book or the movie was better based on literary elements like plot, character or theme.
“Comparing and analyzing two different treatments of the same subject is a skill that high school students are supposed to have according to the Common Core standards,” Ms. Mudrak said. “This project gave students an opportunity to think and to learn about different subjects at the same time they were enjoying the book and the movie.”
Though they may not have said so in their papers, most of the sophomores I talked to said they liked the movie better than the book.
“It was an awesome movie and a great way to get kids involved with the presentations,” Adam Tucker said. “It made me realize how much horses benefit people.”
“It was a phenomenal flick, a five-star flick, actually,” Keith Smith said. “There were nice special effects, good acting, beautiful horses, and it was very realistic. I enjoyed the people presenting and I learned a lot about World War 1.”
“The movie was cool and had a great point to it,” said Xavier Terrell.
His only complaint was that some of the presenters were a little too quiet.
“I liked the movie so much better than the book,” said Morgan Mikes. “Yes, the groups presenting could have been louder, but they were talking to a lot of people at once, and to some people that’s a little scary.”
Students, Teachers Like Backpack Policy
By BRITTENY NOLING
The Red and Blue
A new policy this year allows students to carry backpacks to class.
The idea started last year. Boys who got in trouble for carrying backpacks pointed out that girls were allowed to carry big purses.
“We listened to the kids and realized they were right,” said Principal Shawn Jackson. “It was a fairness problem.”
”This past summer, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Schlueter and I looked at changing the student handbook,” he said. “The high school is a big school and students were being late to class because they had to run back to there lookers.”
Students say they like being able to have their books with them.
“I like not having to go to my locker all the time,” said junior Josh Hammerton.
“It makes it easier to study,” said sophomore Adam Tucker.
“I like having all my stuff with me in class,” said freshman Dylan Keyser.
Mr. Dan Oberhauser, who teaches freshman English, agreed.
“Students are benefitting from using backpacks because they don’t have to go to their lockers and they have their materials ready,” he said.
The Red and Blue
A new policy this year allows students to carry backpacks to class.
The idea started last year. Boys who got in trouble for carrying backpacks pointed out that girls were allowed to carry big purses.
“We listened to the kids and realized they were right,” said Principal Shawn Jackson. “It was a fairness problem.”
”This past summer, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Schlueter and I looked at changing the student handbook,” he said. “The high school is a big school and students were being late to class because they had to run back to there lookers.”
Students say they like being able to have their books with them.
“I like not having to go to my locker all the time,” said junior Josh Hammerton.
“It makes it easier to study,” said sophomore Adam Tucker.
“I like having all my stuff with me in class,” said freshman Dylan Keyser.
Mr. Dan Oberhauser, who teaches freshman English, agreed.
“Students are benefitting from using backpacks because they don’t have to go to their lockers and they have their materials ready,” he said.
Costumes, music are “Spooktacular”
By ARIANA CALLOCK
The Red and Blue
What’s even better than the Alliance City Schools orchestra? The Alliance City Schools orchestra dressed in spooky costumes, playing creepy music!
On Oct. 24, the orchestra held their annual Strings Spooktacular. The orchestra members - including director Ms. Crystal Sabik, the high school students and the eighth graders - wore Halloween costumes for the concert.
The student musicians were psyched about the opportunity to dress up.
“I’ll probably be Austin Powers,” said Ryan Miles, a junior.
“I like getting to wear costumes because then we don’t have to be dressed in our orchestra shirts,” said Aryah Buckmon, a freshman.
For the concert, the orchestra played “Goblin Dance,” “Waltz of the Wicked” and “Two Scenes From The Hollow,” which is based on Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
The Alliance High School band had its fall concert on Oct. 22. The band played a few of their stands tunes such as “Can’t Hold Us,” “Runaway Baby” and “Iron Man.”
The band played all the songs from its YouTube halftime show, including “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift and “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.
They also played a mash-up of “Here It Goes Again” and “This Too Shall Pass” by OK Go, and “The Epic YouTube Medley” which was written especially for them. It features songs like “Thrift Shop,” “Numa Numa,” “Friday,” the “Trolololo” song, and much more.
The Red and Blue
What’s even better than the Alliance City Schools orchestra? The Alliance City Schools orchestra dressed in spooky costumes, playing creepy music!
On Oct. 24, the orchestra held their annual Strings Spooktacular. The orchestra members - including director Ms. Crystal Sabik, the high school students and the eighth graders - wore Halloween costumes for the concert.
The student musicians were psyched about the opportunity to dress up.
“I’ll probably be Austin Powers,” said Ryan Miles, a junior.
“I like getting to wear costumes because then we don’t have to be dressed in our orchestra shirts,” said Aryah Buckmon, a freshman.
For the concert, the orchestra played “Goblin Dance,” “Waltz of the Wicked” and “Two Scenes From The Hollow,” which is based on Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
The Alliance High School band had its fall concert on Oct. 22. The band played a few of their stands tunes such as “Can’t Hold Us,” “Runaway Baby” and “Iron Man.”
The band played all the songs from its YouTube halftime show, including “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift and “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.
They also played a mash-up of “Here It Goes Again” and “This Too Shall Pass” by OK Go, and “The Epic YouTube Medley” which was written especially for them. It features songs like “Thrift Shop,” “Numa Numa,” “Friday,” the “Trolololo” song, and much more.
Freshmen fear, look forward to high school
By SHYLOH COLEMAN
The Red and Blue
It probably happens some time during the summer after eighth grade: Freshmen start wondering - and maybe worrying - about what high school will be like. Will it be easier or harder than middle school? Will it be better or worse?
Personally, freshman year has been my best year of school so far. But I asked some fellow freshmen how they felt about the differences between high school and middle school and got many different answers.
“There’s a lot more homework, but the food’s better, actually,” Camryn Ellis said of high school.
“You have more freedom and I think it’s easier,” said Breanna Creel.
Some admitted to being a little nervous about coming to high school. Paige Storesina said she worried about “the older kids because I thought they were going to be mean to me.”
“I was scared of getting lost,” said Audrey Hall.
Jarryn Wright said he was also scared of getting lost, “but I didn’t get lost and it was better than I thought.” Devontay Nickson said he was looking forward to becoming one of the Cockpit Crazies.
“I’m mostly excited for the games and the cockpit during basketball season because we didn’t have one of those at middle school,” he said. “It seems fun to be that close to the game.”
The Red and Blue
It probably happens some time during the summer after eighth grade: Freshmen start wondering - and maybe worrying - about what high school will be like. Will it be easier or harder than middle school? Will it be better or worse?
Personally, freshman year has been my best year of school so far. But I asked some fellow freshmen how they felt about the differences between high school and middle school and got many different answers.
“There’s a lot more homework, but the food’s better, actually,” Camryn Ellis said of high school.
“You have more freedom and I think it’s easier,” said Breanna Creel.
Some admitted to being a little nervous about coming to high school. Paige Storesina said she worried about “the older kids because I thought they were going to be mean to me.”
“I was scared of getting lost,” said Audrey Hall.
Jarryn Wright said he was also scared of getting lost, “but I didn’t get lost and it was better than I thought.” Devontay Nickson said he was looking forward to becoming one of the Cockpit Crazies.
“I’m mostly excited for the games and the cockpit during basketball season because we didn’t have one of those at middle school,” he said. “It seems fun to be that close to the game.”