NEWS STORIES Empty Bowls Now Filled by Steven Leon New Addition to WHS by Kate King What Is A Snow Day? by Avery Hopper Health Month at WHS by Alisa Vasquez Share Your Poetry During Poetry Month by Trevor Toussaint

EDITORIALS Can Barcelona Do It Again? by Will Sutton Social Media by Sarah Alers Walking Dead Season 6 Finale Leaves People Hanging by Quinn Garvey Zero Is Not A Size by Joel Perez

ATHLETICS Leaving It All On The Field by Briana Monroe Swinging For Sections by Nick Tual

IN THIS ISSUE…

EEKLYEMPTY BOWLS,

NOW FILLED BY STEVEN LEON

Last week the first annual Empty Bowls at Washingtonville High School occurred. Empty Bowls event was held by the National Art Honor Society and Ms. Held's Clay Class. Bowls for the event were created either by students in class, teachers and parents during a bowl making event, and lastly professional bowls were donated by profess ional companies from around the Hudson Valley.

The idea of Empty Bowls was established by Imagine Render which is a non-profit organization, the organization created Empty Bowls to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger. Our Empty Bowl event was held to raise money for the Food Bank of Hudson Valley, and the Country Kids food pantry located right next to Saint Mary’s Church. The events success wouldn’t have for some helps as it “gather of a lot of attention from companies around orange county who provided the event with Foods and Services,” explained Mrs. Constable.

Volunteers were not only students, b u t n u m e r o u s t e a c h e r s a n d parents from the community also lent a hand and helped. Before the e v e n t s t a r t e d , volunteers worked on arranging the bowls, slide show d i s p l a y , a n d w r a p p i n g t h e t a b l e s u p a n d writing statements o n t h e t a b l e s d i s c u s s i n g t h e s t a t i s t i c s o f hunger.

April 8, 2016

IZARDSWWRenée Cedeno a Sophomore at Washingtonville High School explain her reasoning for volunteering “... I feel that this event is very important to the community as so many now are impacted by hunger due to food prices that are now on the rise.”

Another volunteer named Cassi explained, “Instead of doing nothing this Friday evening I’d rather help out the community as much as I can”. Volunteers of the event helped during the event by directing attendees of the event into the cafeteria, handing out beverages, and lastly volunteers took shifts handing out the food inside the “fast food” line.

The event ran from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with over a hundred people from the community and surrounding areas showing up to support the cause. The outcome of the event resulted in great musical performances throughout the event, great food and desserts that was “finger licking good” as described by Kayla Guida. Overall the Empty Bowls fundraiser made over $4,000 and was a huge success. With the success of this year's Empty Bowls, next years will most likely set a even higher bar than the one set by this years event.

A display of the handmade bowls. Photo by Steven Leon.

Volunteers looking over the display of bowls. Photo by Steven Leon

WANT TO HELP ANOTHER GREAT CAUSE? COME TO

WACC’S CUTS-FOR-A-CURE on MONDAY APRIL 18

2:30-5pm! SEE MS. LYNCH OR MS. CONSTABLE WITH

QUESTIONS!

TURN TO PAGE 3 FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY POEM OF THE WEEK:

“AN UNHAPPY HAPPY” by HANNAH ALPERT

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NEW ADDITIONS TO WHS BY KATE KING

Washingtonville High School is getting some new additions: a brand new track, new tennis courts and a new gym floor. One project that is finished is the girl´s Varsity Softball got new dugouts for their fields.

Last fall Washingtonville was given a building bond to help update its sports facilities. The track , tennis courts and the softball fields are used by the community as well as the middle school and high school. These facilities are used heavily by the community, and needed to be re-done, such as the track which is used mostly all year round.

The track renovation is taking place sometime next year. Mr. Vyskocil (the Athletic Director for Washingtonville High School) doesn’t know the specific days it will start. Mr. V. said the renovation will start with taking away the old track and putting down a brand new track also adding new lights for the field, and new bleachers for the community when they come to events at the track and football field.

The newest addition to Washingtonville High School athletics is the Varsity Softball team got brand new dugouts for their field over by the Middle School. When Mr. V came to Washingtonville last year as the new Athletic Director he stated “I was shocked to see how poor conditions the softball dugouts were in, the damage that had been done to the dugouts, the floors had holes , rotten wood from previous years.

So we thought it would beneficial and also safety reasons to take down the existing dugouts and then put new dugouts at a reasonable price”. Also they are re-doing the gym floors Mr. V. hasn’t said a time when they are doing to reinvention. So look out for new additions that are coming to Washingtonville High School.

WHAT IS A SNOW DAY? BY AVERY HOPPER This past Monday we experienced some unexpected snow on Monday morning, and unfortunately did not receive a snow day, while other schools like Pine Bush received as much as a two hour delay. Some students (and teachers) may have questions like, “What determines a snow day?”, or “How many snow days do we get?”

Mr. Sullivan, the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, is the man with the answers. When asked what or who determines a snow day, he stated, “There could be multiple reasons a snow day could be called, such as inclement weather or ice on the roads. If we use a snow day or run out of snow days, we would take time from holidays that we would normally have such as Memorial Day, and Spring Break.”

The conversations held by the Superintendent and Mr. Sullivan could be as early as four o'clock in the morning determine whether there is a snow day or not. Mr Sullivan has talks with his head mechanic and the Department of Blooming Grove to check on the roads. He also looks at what other districts like Goshen, Monroe Woodbury, Chester, and Valley Central decide to do. If you want to get further information about snow days in the future you can tune in your local tv or radio stations.

NEWS STORIES

UPCOMING EVENTS

4/2 - Track: Wizards Track Invitational @ Home 4/2 - Softball: Vs. Wallkill @ Home

4/4 - Girls Lacrosse: Warwick Vs. Wizards @ Warwick 4/4 - Baseball: Cornwall Vs. Wizards @ Cornwall

4/5 - Boys Lacrosse: Wizards Vs. Burke @ Home (Middle School) 4/5 - Boys Tennis: Wizards Vs. Liberty @ Home (Middle School)

4/5 - Track: Wizards Vs. Valley Central @ Home 4/5 - Girls Lacrosse: New Paltz Vs. Wizards @ New Paltz

4/6 - Gold: Wizards Vs. Monroe-Woodbury @ Mansion Ridge 4/6 - Softball: Wizards Vs. Warwick @ Home (Middle School)

The track will be replaced at some point next year. Photo by Kate King.

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HEALTH MONTH AT WHS BY ALISA VASQUEZ

Living a healthy lifestyle is essential for a long life, and WHS is emphasizing the significance of health this month. I spoke to Mr.Powers, Coach Lee, and Coach Vyskocil about how they stay healthy, and the importance of sports in a teenagers life.

Mr. Powers explained that it is important to not only be healthy physically, but it is also important to stay healthy mentally. He gave great advice on keeping a positive mindset, surrounding yourself with the right people, and taking time for yourself to do what you love. When it comes to food, He advised teenagers to focus on the ingredients of food instead of focusing on calories. He encourages the students and faculty at WHS to eat “real food,” where you can understand the ingredients and know that it came from nature.

Coach Lee spoke about how he goes to the gym about four or five times a week and focuses on a different body part each time. In addition to the gym, he also believes in incorporating the proper diet. As a former wrestler and athlete in high school and in college he has maintained a high level of fitness.

Our Athletic Director Coach Vyskocil understands the importance of health and positive impact of sports on a teenager’s life. Sports help students stay in shape, spend quality time with friends, and grow as an individual. A student’s participation in a sport can also help their mental state because it can be used as stress reliever.

Whether you are on a sports team, attend a gym, or run around your block, exercise is such an important part of living a healthy life. Eating “real food” is also key because the right foods give you energy, great skin, and make you feel great! Happy Health Month!

SHARE YOUR POETRY DURING POETRY MONTH BY TREVOR TOUSSAINT

National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.

Here at WHS poetry month is a big celebration. Many of the english teachers encourage students that write, to be evolved and submit their work. Mrs. Todaro, English teacher, is in charge of poetry month in our school. “There are several kinds of ways students can get involved in this celebration,” said Mrs. Todaro. You can submit your poetry and have it recognized by the fellow wizards who walk the hallways each day!

Senior Sam Santos has been writing poetry for 5 years, “In 5th grade i was given an assignment , where i based it on the passing of my grandfather. I discovered that expressing my feelings in words was a talent i had” said Santos. She has been writing poetry ever since. “Poetry is my outlet to go to when things are rough, i enjoy it heavily and i see myself continuously writing poetry five years from now.”

If you would like to participate in Poetry Month by either partaking in the contest or by submitting your poems, see the poetry board across the hall from room 134, Mrs. Todaro’s room, or speak to Mrs. Todaro for more information.

AN UNHAPPY HAPPY BY HANNAH ALPERT

I guess you can consider my thoughts a bit loud My feelings are beginning to form one big cloud. I always knew getting attached was the wrong thing to do There wasn't just one; there happened to be two. Both kissed me goodnight and managed to make me happy Even when I felt the most scrappy. I sometimes feel like everything is my fault Things are happening so fast I wish time would come to a halt. One after one I find out more bad news All I have on repeat now is the blues. I heard a song once that said “I thought I would be happy by now” I’m trying to be okay but that’s something my brain won’t allow. I have to try my best to brush these types of things off my shoulders Instead it's rolling down a mountain like millions of boulders. Is it me? Am I the problem? Was it so bad that you lied instead of making any effort to solve them? I tried as hard as i could to be the best for both of you guys I’m starting to connect the dots with the tears that fell on my thighs. There's someone you care about more than me Why do you think I’m too oblivious to see? I’m at the end of the peak Go ahead! One more thing and i'll fall down and show I’m nothing but weak. Are you two happy? Is this really what you wanted? You're both living your lives and I’m in bed broken hearted. I didn't think heartbreak would hurt this bad plus I have it on the double There's so much on my mind it feels almost uncontrollable. I wake up everyday terrified what the day will hold By the hour the story will unfold. Everyone goes through things they can’t control Even if you feel like one half of a whole. It's pointless to waste your time crying over things. You just have to get up and tie the loose strings Put on a smile even if it's crappy. I guess you can call my life an unhappy happy.

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LEAVING IT ALL ON THE FIELD BY BRIANA MONROE

The spring season of the school year marks a few key moments, especially for the seniors who are getting ready to graduate in little over two months. For two out of the three captains of the Wizard’s Boys Lacrosse team, it’s a time to look back at their athletic careers.

Lacrosse, one of the many games that has developed from stickball games played by American Indians at the time of European interaction. The main point of the sport is using a netted racquet, pick the ball up from off the ground, throw, and throw it into a goal to score a point. For Washingtonville, lacrosse was introduced to the youth around eight years ago.

It all started in the fourth grade for current seniors Spencer O’Grady and John Milmore, when they were some of the first athletes to participate on the youth travel team that represented their home town. “I think it’s really cool because we all basically played together since the fourth grade so we know one another very well,” commented Milmore. Similarly, they both aren’t looking into playing at the collegiate level, looking to focus more on their academics. O’Grady has committed to attend Monmouth University, a private university located in West Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey. “It’s a relatively smaller school, but I do like the size of it. It seems like a really nice campus to be a part of.” For Milmore, he will be attending the University of Massachusetts, a public U n i v e r s i t y l o c a t e d i n Amherst, Massachusetts. “I like that it’s kind of close to home. I can make the drive pretty easily, and it’s also a big school which is what I was looking for. They also have a great program for my major.”

Focusing back on high school lacrosse, their responsibility as captains is to assume a responsibility to help assist and watch over the younger players. “This year, we have a lot of older players. So the weight and pressure isn’t all on us, but also with the help of the seniors and juniors who’ve been in the program for a long time. So we all try and do what we can” adds O’Grady.

Compared to last year, one of the major weaknesses for the team this year is how they have a smaller team. With their being a JV program implemented this year, many of the players that would’ve been on Varsity this year, are now members of the JV team. “Even so we have a lot of committed players who love the game, and also a lot of older players which help” adds Milmore.

With having the responsibility of balancing both staying on top of their school work and being committed to attending practices and games, Milmore and O’Grady just want to end their season and senior year on a high note.

SWINGING FOR SECTIONS BY NICK TUAL

The Washingtonville varsity baseball team - coached Bob Bauer and assistant coaches Matt Martirano and Stephen Frey - hope to have a successful season. After coming up short after a 3 day game against Minisink last season, they have been working harder than ever to make a run for sections.

Senior captains Brian Picone, Joey VanRiper, Mike Disalvo have been playing baseball with each other since they could throw a ball. Their senior season means a lot to them and they have been working very hard this season.

The team opens up against Kingston at home on Monday the 11th. They hope to open up strong and start of the season right with a win and keep the positive outcome through the season.

Continue on to next page

ATHLETICS

Captain John Milmore during practice. Photo by Tom Taft.

The baseball team during practice. Photo by Tom Taft.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BY SARAH ALERS

Social media has become an illogical source of utter waste. We frivolously scroll through our feeds, unaware of how much precious time we are wasting away.

The minds of today’s youth are replete with the constant curiosity of what's going on in other people's lives, rather than worried about living in their own. This constant fear of missing out causes susceptible teens anxiety and depression.

In addition to being a major distraction, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram also dramatically hinder all aspects of reality- leaving easily impressionable teenagers seeking the fantasies they view online. This artificial view of reality p o r t r a y e d t h r o u g h s o c i a l m e d i a i s significantly lowering the self esteem of adolescents.

The public figures that today’s youth “follows” are mostly made up superficial celebrities that b a s k i n t h e i r u n e a r n e d opulence. And of course they publicly boast about their i d e a l i s t i c l i v e s w h e r e society’s most vulnerable p e o p l e c a n v i e w i t . Teenagers look at these images of luxury cars, and designer clothing, left feeling unsatisfied with their own life.

“Media influences the way teens see themselves. Their mental perception of what they look like can become distorted, leading them to engage in risk behaviors when they feel they don’t measure up to the impossible goal set in front of them. Self image issues can lead to eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, cutting, bullying and sexual addictions”(Knorr). The measures that adolescents are going through because of social media are alarming. Clearly, social media is very destructive to teenagers. Body dissatisfaction should not be caused just by looking at your phone. “Studies prove that social media can have a negative impact on self image. TV, movies, magazines and the internet all bombard teens with images and pressures about what their bodies should look like. The problem is, their version isn’t realistic. These images are airbrushed versions of models who weigh 23% less than the average woman. Nevertheless, millions of teens believe the lies and resort to unhealthy measures to try to fit themselves into that impossible mold”(Knorr).

Truly, nothing good comes of refreshing our feeds. The average person spends one hour and forty minutes on social media daily. I can guarantee when you look back on what you did over the course of a lifetime, scrolling through Instagram won´t be a memory you’re proud of.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 6 FINALE LEAVES

PEOPLE HANGING BY QUINN GARVEY

On Sunday Night, The Walking Dead really messed with its viewers in the season 6 finale. The season wrapped up the most recent season by welcoming its most anticipated character; Negan, the sinister leader of the Saviors. This character did not disappoint and many say he lived up to their expectations in his debut. Jeffrey Dean Morgan did a great job at portraying the characters brawny, malevolent

charm. Now, let’s get into the episode.

Viewers’ patience was truly being tested this season with Glenn’s non-death earlier on

and now Negan’s anonymous homicide. The scene was shot from a first point

of view which makes his or her identity a mystery. Many took the arrival of Negan as an opening of a new chapter as the battle-tested heroes face off against someone worthy of their formidable might. The NY Time says, “Whoever got it, the arrival of Negan signaled the dawn of what should be a welcome new chapter to “The Walking Dead,”

as our battle-tested heroes face off against an opponent worthy of

their formidable might.”

T h e r e ’ s m a n y t h o u g h t s a n d unanswered questions that viewers will

be thinking of until next season. Sunday’s finale did not answer two big questions that

were on everybody’s mind going into the week. First being, who will Negan kill? This is something

that has been floating around on social media that fans are begging for the answer of. This question can not really be answered until next season, but another thought was, will Maggie’s baby survive? Fans assume she is still in medical distress but they seem to be worried about the worst case scenario which is her possible being dead.

Well fans have crossed another finish line, only to be told that the real finish line is actually situated at a different track that hasn’t even been built yet. They will all have to wait until the show returns with season 7 so they can have all their questions answered and their mind blown… again.

OPINIONS

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ZERO IS NOT A SIZE BY JOEL PEREZ

Amy Schumer has absolutely nothing against plus-size women, which is good, because she keeps getting classified as one.

On Tuesday, the Trainwreck star posted an Instagram photo that she said was from Glamour magazine, showing her name alongside those of Melissa McCarthy, Adele and Ashley Graham.

"I think there's nothing wrong with being plus size. Beautiful healthy women...Plus size is considered size 16 in America. I go between a size 6 and an 8." The actress explained, then stated “[that Glamour had] put me in their plus size only issue without asking or letting me know and it doesn't feel right to me."

Glamour said in a statement, "The cover line on this special edition -- which is aimed at women size 12 and up -- simply says 'Women Who Inspire Us,' since we believe her passionate and vocal message of body positivity IS inspiring, as is the message of the many other women, of all sizes, featured," the statement said. "The edition did not describe her as plus-size. We are sorry if we offended her in any way."

Although Glamour magazine doesn't directly attribute the word plus-size to Amy Schumer on the cover, placing her name on an all-plus-size issue does associate her with the term. Many people will pick up the copy of the magazine with the expectation of opening it up to spreads of only plus-size women.

Surprisingly this isn’t the first time Schumer has been termed as such, in February of 2015, Jeffrey Wells, film critic for Hollywood Elsewhere, wrote that "With 'Trainwreck,' director Judd Apatow is once again introducing a chubby-cheeked, not conventionally attractive, neurotically bothered female comic to a mass audience -- first Melissa McCarthy in 'Bridesmaids', then Lena Dunham in 'HBO's Girls' and now Amy Schumer, the star and writer of 'Trainwreck.'He went on to write that there was "no way she'd be an object of heated romantic interest in the real world."

Schumer responded to his comments by tweeting a picture of herself on social media with the caption "I am a size 6 and have no plans of changing. This is it. Stay on or get off. Kisses!" By stating this Schumer not only stands up to those trying to put her down, but empowers women who are told that they are “too big” because they don't adhere to the media's definition of beauty.

CAN BARCELONA DO IT AGAIN?

BY WILL SUTTON

This season, Barcelona has been nearly unstoppable.

Their run of 39 games unbeaten was dashed on Saturday April 2nd when they suffered a loss 2-1 to their rival club Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. But the game did not mean much for their title run. In fact, the loss may have been because they were looking towards their more important Champions League fixture vs Atletico Madrid.

That competition is now their focus. They are 6 points ahead in the league and it looks like neither Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid will be able to catch up to them. Their Copa del Rey final is not until May 21, so their main focus is now on defending their Champions League crown.

They have a good chance at doing it. Their quarter final opponents are previously mentioned Atletico Madrid. The problem with Atleti is that they are incredibly well organized, but Barcelona have beaten them in their two previous meetings in La Liga this season. They should go through.

After the quarters, things will get tougher. Their most likely opponents are Bayern Munich, PSG, or Real Madrid. Although all are tough opponents, none have the firepower that Barcelona has.

The front 3 of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez have a combined 107 goals this season in all competitions. This is more than the top three scorers of those three previously clubs. It’s not even close either. Real’s top three have 85 goals, PSG’s have 73, and Bayern’s have 73.

They have the best squad in Europe at the moment, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were the first team to win consecutive Champions League trophies since AC Milan did it in 1990 and 1991.