Sparta DECA Hosts First Breakfast with Santa Event

Written by: Elise Kerim 

On Saturday, December 16th, staff from the district brought the youngest members of their family to Sparta High School's Media Resource Center for the opportunity to tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas.

Chemistry teacher, Mr. Brady with his wife Mrs. Brady and their grandchildren,
posing with Santa.

Sparta High School's DECA Chapter hosted its first annual Breakfast with Santa to allow the entire community of Spartan educators to come together with their families to mingle for a festive holiday gathering. With holiday music playing, photo opportunities available, and holiday treats being consumed, the event kicked off with a blast.

The cookie decorating station was a big hit with the kids.

Bagels, treats, and a hot chocolate and coffee station were set up for attendees to munch on. Other than taking photos with Santa, children enjoyed the following activities: face painting, making a reindeer ornament, creating a recipe for reindeer food, a Santa mask craft, and cookie decorating.

The event was an overwhelming success; DECA is very grateful for those who not only attended, but personally truly expressed their gratitude. DECA wishes to make this an annual event due to the amount of joy it brought the Sparta community. Admission was free, as DECA wanted to create a feel-good event for the holidays, however attendees were asked to donate gloves, hats, and other personal items for senior citizen homes  - graciously, the attendees did just that. DECA thanks staff from all schools for attending and wishes them a happy holiday season.

2017 - 2018 DECA Officers. Left to right, back row: Danielle Francescutto,
Kelli Vogel, Shelby Kapp, Kate Nash. Front row: Bayleigh Takacs, Hannah
Fagersten, Elise Kerim, Daniel Baker.

Student Council's Tradition, Deck The Halls

Written by: Elise Kerim 

   Every year, Sparta High School's Student Council puts consideration into the holiday season. This year, the group donated funds to the American Red Cross and kept up with their annual tradition, Deck the Halls.

   The goal of Deck the Halls is to get students to come together and plan a decorative theme for their respective hallway to make the halls of SHS merry and bright. Decorating the hallways after school is a withstanding, fun tradition - holiday music plays, pizza is ordered, lights are strung and the friendly competition to see whose decorating skills are the best is on! The senior grade has always gone above and beyond in their efforts the past four years of decorating - even staying in their hallway up until 10pm to finish. On one end of the hallway, a cozy fireplace setting is set up... and on the other end,

Senior hallway

Christmas in July takes place. Executive Board President Jamie Rennie says, "Seeing the hallways decorated definitely brightens the mood in school for students and teachers. Our hallway [senior hall, upstairs] always gets a lot of attention because it really looks special. Overall, it's fun! It makes the weeks leading up to winter break exciting and shows the creativity of the different grades."

   The rest of the grades decorate their hallway in a way that creates a change of scenery. The freshman class is known for their intricate, three-dimensional snowflakes that hang from the ceilings. The sophomore class can be credited for recycling - they used scrap paper and coffee filters to create snowflakes which they affix on the wall in the pattern of a snowman, along with wrapping old boxes before attaching them to the top of their lockers. The junior class strings lights and garlands across the ceilings in different patterns.

   Student Council is comprised of student representatives who serve their school through communication with the administration, planning events that promote Spartan pride, and fundraising. Each grade elects four officers and other interested students serve on the board as an important asset to continue bringing different ideas and perspectives in.

Christmas Tree outside the MRC donated by the
Executive Board and Senior Class

DECA Hosts Successful Fundraiser

Written by: Elise Kerim 

   With the stress to keep grades up, maintain positive relationships, and being actively involved in extra-curriculars, high school students need to treat themselves once in awhile. Thanks to Sparta High School's DECA Chapter, that happened!

   DECA hosted a Krispy Kreme donut fundrasier to support their chapter, successfully selling over 550 dozen boxes of donuts. The purpose of the fundraiser was to offset the cost of competitive event trips, especially on the state level and national level. Students who qualify will attend DECA's State Career Development Conference in Atlantic City, and further, the International Career Development Conference which will take place in Atlanta, Georgia this year. DECA members sold boxes to friends, families, and staff members. About two weeks later, lines were out of the door as students retrieved their donut box(es).

  "The fundraiser was great," said junior Taylor Brady who jumped at the opportunity to purchase donuts. "There was such a positive feedback throughout the entire school. High school students are always hungry...so if you can sell us food, it's going to be successful."

   Luckily for students like Taylor, the Krispy Kreme fundraiser may be returning in the spring time! Due to the overwhelming success, chapter advisor Mrs. Chiappini suggests running the fundraiser once more - so if you missed out or have a craving, just wait!

School store staff preparing to hand out donuts.
From left to right: Victoria Heim, Jesse West, Danielle Francescutto,
Elise Kerim, Matt McAndris.

Sparta Celebrates Diversity Amidst The Holiday Season

Written by: Kanita Tariq 

   There are countless holidays celebrated in the winter season all around the world. As families light their menorahs and decorate their Christmas trees, it's important to remember and respect cultures that are different than yours. Whether it's a completely different holiday or a banter between real and fake trees, everyone celebrates the holiday season in a way that is unique and special to themselves and their loved ones.
   I don't celebrate Christmas, but my family and I are sure to ring out the year and join in on the winter festivities as much as we can. Whether it's a breakfast at iHop, lunch with friends, or Santa themed pajama pants, my sister and I definitely don't miss out on any of the signature holiday traditions. I happily wish my peers a Merry Christmas, and don't mind one in return, either.
   Not everyone celebrates Christmas at Sparta High, and those families either join in on holiday festivities or spend the day just like any other one - with all the stores closed and a day off from school, of course.
   Freshman and proud Palestinian Sawsan Srour isn't one to miss out on Christmas celebrations with her family. "My family is full of people from all cultures and traditions. Christian, Jewish, Muslim...we have it all. We have a Christmas tree, we open and exchange presents and spend time together. Even though we aren't all Christian, we are all still a family. Even though we have differences, it's about coming together and respecting one another's traditions. We all love each other."
   For sophomore Sue Hassan and her family, Christmas is just another day. "We just stay home," she says.
  It's Christmas time and the media is a frenzy - we can't help but wonder why other holidays celebrated by religious and cultural minorities aren't represented more. Audrey Talon believes that the media plays a little role in these cultural divisions. "There are so many resources that people can use to educate themselves on other cultures. Schools should do more to ensure that all students feel included."
   It seems that this year most of all, students who don't celebrate Christmas tend to feel the most excluded. It gets us thinking - what would make it better? What can be done to ensure no student feels isolated from his/her classmates?
   "Muslims are always represented negatively in the media. I wish people would just treat us as people," Sawsan says.
   Sue agrees, sighing, "I wish we were just included."
   So, should schools 'normalize' celebrations for holidays such as Ramadan and Eid?
   "It's hard," says Sue. "It seems like people just don't care."
   "I think it's important to start the conversation, though," says Sawsan. "When Ramadan comes around, let's talk about it."
   There may be a long way until all students feel completely comfortable representing their cultures and religions. In order to make that happen, we here at SHS can start the conversation. Ask questions and educate yourself. Make new friends and learn new things. Until then, we as a student body can be the best versions of ourselves to stand as a united front to make sure no student ever has to be ashamed of who they are.

 
   

Thank you to these two lovely ladies for meeting with us!
Sue Hassan and Sawsan Srour with Elise & Kanita.

Books For The Holidays + The Oracle Staff's Favorite Books of 2017

Written by: Chloe Maher 

Winter vacation is coming up in less than a week! What better way to get in the holiday spirit than to curl up by the fire with a good book? These wonderful books that take place around December are sure to warm 
your heart….

Books seven through twelve can be found in the school library.

1.Let it Snow

A collection of short stories written by a variety of best-selling authors such are perfect if you’re in the mood for a joyful, easy read to pass the time.

2. Ex-mas

Lila has what some would consider a perfect life. She’s the second most popular girl in school and is oh-so close to cementing her social status by throwing the party of the year. Not so fortunately for Lila, her little brother Cooper embarks on a mission to save Santa Claus from global warming having its effect on the North Pole! On her weekend mission to find Cooper, Lila reconnects with Beau, her troubled ex-boyfriend, and realizes life isn’t as perfect as it seems.

3. Kissing Snowflakes

For those who are staying in Sparta, New Jersey but are dreaming of a whirlwind vacation romance this is a lovely read!

4. Isla and the Happily Ever After

Though not specifically a Christmas book, it does take place partially during Christmas time… it’s a must read for romantics. Josh and Isla’s fairytale romance will make you swoon, especially the chapters that take place at Christmastime!

5. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

For readers searching for a bit more adventure, this is worth the read. Lily leaves a list full of dares in a bookstore at Christmastime...the rest is filled with a hectic journey! Though not wholly realistic, it’s a story of fate, love and two strangers brought together at the most wonderful time of the year.

6. Eloise at Christmastime

A total childhood classic! Read this one to your little cousins at Christmas dinner. If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, this might be the spark that you need!

7. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

This is the perfect choice for fans of the Audrey Hepburn movie! It consists of a similar plot as the movie and is a wonderful choice for fans of throwback stories. It’s the whirlwind story of a flighty woman, Holly Golightly, searching for a wealthy husband in New York City.

8. Winter Garden

This a heartwarming tale of two sisters who reunite in hardship. Meredith and Nina Whitson are absolute opposites, but when their father is on his deathbed the two women must come together. On his deathbed, their father invokes a promise, that their mother will tell them a love story that spans continents and started years and years ago. After Nina’s persistence to discover the truth, this tale uncovers an earth-shattering secret..

9. Little Women

Little Women depicts the lives of the four March sisters growing up and dealing with hardship. It’s a heartwarming novel every girl should read at least once in her lifetime. Winter break is the best time to pick this one up if you haven’t already.

10. A Christmas Carol

Who doesn’t just adore a Christmas Carol? The movie is perhaps the most renowned Christmas movie of all time and the book is sure to measure up!

11. Silent Night

This book is an absolute thrill! It’s December and Brian Dornan and his family travel to New York in an effort to help Brian’s father, who has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. But when Brian spies a thief stealing his mothers wallet which contains a family heirloom, a dangerous adventure ensues for the young boy...

12. Gingerbread

After getting expelled from her elite boarding school, rebellious Cyd returns, along with her beloved rag doll Gingerbread, to San Francisco to live with her mom and step-dad.  When proved to be too much of a handful, she’s sent to New York City to get to know her real family. This book would be wonderful for anyone who enjoyed The Wrong Side of Right.

We clearly foster a love of literature at The Oracle - we spend our free time writing and/or reading! Here are some of our staff members favorite books we read in 2017, whether it was something in English class we found intriguing, or something we could pick up for leisure -- when we aren’t bombarded with school work and writing articles.

Elise Kerim: “My favorite books of the year? Oh boy… I highly recommend The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson that will keep you on the edge of your seat - my mouth was gaping when they solved the mystery. Just get past the first 80 pages or so that describes the history! I need to pick up the rest in this series. Another book that I couldn’t put down when I really should have been studying was The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult - it’s a bit unlike her other novels and is filled with secrets and an ethical dilemma. Over break, I’ll be reading Principles by Ray Dalio.”

Kanita Tariq: “As part of summer reading for my English course this year, I had to read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and really enjoyed it! It’s a World War II novel whose perspectives were very interesting to me and unlike the ones I’ve ever read before. We had to write an essay about it when we began the school year and I for sure wasn’t complaining about that assignment!”

Brandon Drapeau: “The best book I read this year was 11/22/63 by Stephen King. It was an incredible book that reflected on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and what could have been done to prevent his early death.”

Sarim Awan: “The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and 1984, George Orwell.”

Sara Collver: “Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell was so good! My favorite of the year without a doubt.”

Sarah Dioneda: “Some books I fell in love with this year were: Call Me Your Name by Andre Aciman, The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis, and of course, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Over break, I’ll finish my current book, 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.”

Your Guide To (Last-Minute) Gifting!

Written by: Lauren Groff 

There’s one more week of school left until winter break and the holiday spirit has hit us over the head with a hammer! Christmas commercials are flooding television and Christmas songs are appearing once again on the radio. With the overload of holiday time commercialism, it's time to start wrapping up presents for all of your friends and loved ones. Is the stress of finding the perfect present leaving you wondering if it really is the most wonderful time of the year? Have no fear! The Oracle is here to help you find the perfect presents for everyone on your list.

For your teacher: Mugs

This may seem like the classic teacher gift, but mugs are often a nice and practical gift for your teachers. Many decorative mugs that include quotes or designs, so if you know that a certain teacher has a love for a television show, find a mug related to that! (It’s easier than you would think, trust me.) If you're looking to spice things up, you can always add candies, cookies, or hot chocolate mix in the mug and tie it with a bow for decorative presentation.

For your friends: Gift cards to local restaurants or their favorite store

Gift cards may seem impersonal to many, but if they are tied to local businesses or restaurants, they will be of much more use. Some gift card ideas for around town include Nail Q, Cloveberry, Krogh’s, or the Sparta Diner. Giving out gift cards to any of these places is also a good excuse to find some time to hang out with people you haven't spent time with in a while. Benefit your friends and help support local businesses all in one by giving gift cards this holiday season.

For your parents: A Parent’s Night Out

You have creative liberty with this gift idea: Pick your parents’ favorite restaurant and offer to watch your younger siblings for the night. Let them have a night out for dinner together without the stress of worrying about hiring a babysitter. Adults value time with each other greatly: when you think about it, they spend most of their time taking you and your siblings to and from your own sports and activities all of the time! This simple gift idea will be very appreciated and remembered for years to come.

For your coach: New cones or more equipment

Have a favorite sports coach in mind? For a useful present this year, try gifting cones or equipment that can be used in practice. Not only will your contribution serve as a Christmas present for your coach, but it will benefit the whole team - coaches love a team player. For inexpensive options and a wide variety of colors and sizes, check Amazon, Model’s, or Dick’s Sporting Goods for packages of cones, balls, ladders, etc.

For your Grandparents: Homemade Crafts

With most all Grandparents, home made and from the heart always wins. Try browsing Pinterest or simply Googling “DIY Christmas Gifts” for a plethora of how-to guides on how to make something amazing for that Grandma or Grandpa that you have in mind.

Whether you’ve had the perfect gift in mind since November 1st or find yourself in need of help, hopefully this list gave you some good ideas!

Sparta Sophomores Share Their Holiday Traditions

Written by: Kanita Tariq 

Winter break is near, and joy is in the air! Although every family celebrates the holidays in a different way, Christmas traditions have become staples in American culture. Nevertheless, holiday traditions vary greatly from household to household. The differences in holiday celebrations are apparent, even in a small survey of only Sparta’s sophomore class. 

Jessica Fenners and Emily Opresnick share similar and more universally common Christmas traditions. “I personally go to my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve and we decorate the tree together. Then the next morning, we eat pancakes and open presents,” says Jess. 

“I used to sleep in my sister’s room and read ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ We usually get new PJs.” Emily adds, “Always start with the stockings!” 

Christmas trees are the most common decoration pieces in Christmas-celebrating households, and the ongoing debate has remained for generations: real trees or fake trees? Some people, like Natalie Krudys, get to celebrate with both - a fake tree with her dad and a real tree with her mom. “My favorite ornament is a glass snowflake,” she notes. 

Olivia Finkeldie has her own favorite ornament, and a sad story to go along with it. “My favorite ornament was the one I immediately broke after taking out - it was a glass Rudolph that I was so excited to hang up!” 

It’s 2017, and the world has no shortage of Christmas movies for families to come together and watch. Ryan Ventresca and his family have an annual favorite. “Every year, my family and I watch ‘The Polar Express’ together in our living room. Great movie!” 

Ande Wittenmeier has a unique tradition, dating back decades. “My mom saved all her notes from Santa, going back as far as the 1960s in a small Santa boot. We read them before Christmas and put our own new ones in the boot each year.” 

Many students celebrate Hanukkah, like Jade Criso. “We go to my grandma’s, eat potato pancakes and donuts, and we pray,” she recounts, much like her classmates’ Christmas traditions. 

Stay tuned to The Oracle for students who come from different cultures and have other traditions. Happy Holidays from all of us.

A Look Into AP Seminar, One Of Sparta High's Newest Courses

Written by: Elise Kerim

What theme does the binary system, Mardi Gras, and a tattoo have in common? Give any one of the seven AP Seminar students a second and I guarantee you, they’ll come up with something.

Left to right: Ms. Mauriello, Rebecca Sehnert, Nicholas Mawtisky,
Taylor Muse, Luke Kurian, Mohammed Awan, Elise Kerim, Alex Roy

Based heavily on synthesizing different ideas, lens, and perspectives, AP Seminar is one of the newest classes to the Sparta district. The class is coming out of the English department as a part of the AP Capstone Program, showcasing achievement in college-level research. With two seniors, the remaining five students will go on to take AP Research in the 2018-2019 school year, where they conduct a year-long research investigation and will work with an expert advisor in the field relating to their research topic. Students who complete AP Seminar and the subsequent class, AP Research and get a 3 on both AP exams will get an AP Capstone certificate - further, those who get a 3 on four more AP exams of their choosing will earn the AP Capstone Diploma.

In the unit that they had recently finished, the class split into two groups and came up with a narrow, open-ended research question. With the broad topic of identity, groups came up with questions such as, “To what extent does an American woman’s marital status affect her personal identity?” and, “How has mainstream media in the 21st century perpetrated racism in white people in America?” Each student was assigned their own lens to narrow their focus on the topic (such as economic, historical, social, psychological, technological, etc) and from there, students set off to find scholarly information pertaining to their specific lens on the topic. Each student wrote an Individual Research Report (IRR) where they elaborated on their findings before coming together. Laying out what they had found with their group members, they synthesized their different points to come together and to make their group presentations. This is practice for part of their AP Seminar exam grade, known as Performance Task 1. In the next unit, mirroring Performance Task 2, students will be working individually. They will compose an Individual Written Argument (IWA) and follow-up with a multimedia presentation of their choice.

For this course, the AP Exam comes in three parts. In late January, students will begin their AP portfolio. In their first performance task, students will be working in groups to come up with a research question on any topic they choose. CollegeBoard will be grading their IRRs and watching their recording of their group presentation, which is graded by the AP teacher but audited by CollegeBoard. Each team member is responsible for answering two oral defense questions, given to them at random at the conclusion of their presentation. When that is wrapped up, they will conduct Performance Task 2, mandated by CollegeBoard in a similar manner. In the physical sit-down exam in May, students will be viewing stimulus material and answering three common analytical questions. All three components will be averaged to give them their final exam score. With a fresh mind, the AP Seminar students are motivated to do their best for this program.

Up next in the class: a formal debate on whether food deserts are the primary reason to American obesity.. boys versus girls. Will the quantity of four boys out rule the quality of the three girls?

Nick Mawtisky and Becky Sehnert 

Taylor Muse 

Sparta German Students Shine At Annual German Christmas Market

Written by: Kanita Tariq 

On Saturday, December 2, students from all of Sparta High’s German classes came together on the boardwalk to serenade onlookers with authentic Christmas carols in the language. 

Students had prepared extensively for the event as practice began immediately after Halloween. Performed were some well-known classics, like “O Tannenbaum” and “Rudolf mit Rotem Näschen” (renditions of “O Christmas Tree” and “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer), as well as original German songs such as “Kling Glöckchen” and “Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet.” 

“The German Christmas Market is the opportunity for our students to showcase their singing skills as well as their language skills,” German teacher Frau Wessels says. “It gives students the opportunity to experience an event that is so typical for German-speaking countries in the month of December.” 

The annual German Christmas Market was celebrated for the sixteenth year in Sparta, and much like years prior, the event was a success. “The Sparta Christmas Market does a fabulous job showcasing [authentic German experiences] here in Sparta,” says Frau, adding that, “It even smells like Germany!” 

Much to the enjoyment of the crowd, the young Spartan singers put on an unforgettable performance. “It’s nice to see the students give back to the community and to contribute to the enjoyment of everyone,” reflects Frau Wessels. 

As the German students celebrate another success, there is no doubt next year’s show will be just as incredible! 

JUSTICE LEAGUE REVIEW

Written by: Brandon Drapeau

On Friday night, I had the opportunity to finally see the long-awaited Justice League. If you remember, last week I told you that I would see the movie and tell you if I liked Justice League or Thor: Ragnarok better.

This movie picks up right after Superman’s death and the big fight with Doomsday. Batman, who finally has some faith restored in the world and a regret for his feud with Superman, encounters a battle with a bug-like feature who leaves a symbol he has been seeing all across the world in similar scenarios. After a battle in Wonder Woman's homeland with a villain known as Steppenwolf, he steals one of three cubes, which holds the power to infinite life. Wonder Woman and Batman meet up and realize they need to form a team to take down this powerful super being, who with all three cubes would destroy and rebuild Earth as his own planet. Wonder Woman and Batman travel the world, eventually gaining the allegiance of Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman. Having one of the cubes in their possession, they use it  for a secret - which won’t tell you because it will ruin the movie! It has a really intriguing ending - if you watched Batman vs Superman, you would love it.

Comparing both movies, it is very difficult to choose the best . Just the two mixtures of Hulk and Thor, and Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman were just too much fun to watch to really choose a side. But if I had to choose, it would most likely be Thor. I overall thought that Thor had a better story line and funnier characters, and the actors executed their roles better. Also, I personally like the Marvel movies more which may have a bias. Anyway, if you see me in the hallway, let me know which movie you liked better! There are not many good movies I see coming out before December 15th, AKA the day the new Star Wars comes out and I can’t wait to see it. I will definitely be letting you know how I feel about that.

For Better or For Worse, 80s Trends Have Risen From The Grave

Written by: Lauren Groff

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future… the list of iconic movies goes on and on, but one thing is for sure: the iconic fashion of the 1980's is the same. It is said that history repeats itself… well, roughly twenty years later we've found ourselves in the same spot we were before, filled with hauntingly similar styles. In case you haven't noticed the rebirth of 80's culture blossoming, here's a complete list of 80's trends that have made a resurrection.

1. Scrunchies

We like to wear them on our wrists and in our ponytails today, but because we think they're “vintage”... secretly, we all want to live in the time when these were in style, for real!

2.  Leggings

They may not be in neon shades and bold prints as they were before, but leggings - particularly black ones - are running rampant… who doesn't own a pair?

3. Chokers

We thought they were gone for good… until Forever 21 brought them into their stores. Chokers began popping up all over the internet and now, they're a daily accessory for many.

4. High-waisted Jeans

High-waisted jeans, or “mom jeans” are in, as are high-waisted shorts and bikinis. We're not quite sure why we like them so much - maybe just because they're so comfy!

5. Oversized Jean Jackets

Oversized jean jackets now sell for a high price at retailers such as Pacsun or Urban Outfitters, which is an odd thought considering how they were not meant to be such a high-priced item in the 80's. The things we do for fashion.

6. This half-high ponytail hairstyle

The 2017 version may not be as teased, but the simple half-up half-down hairstyle is reappearing on the internet and in the hallways of SHS. Sometimes, ironically, girls will even tie up the do with a scrunchie!

7. Off-the-shoulder tops

Again, a very popular and sought-after style sold in popular retailers such as Urban Outfitters, H&M, Hollister, American Eagle… for a much higher price.

8. Bodysuits

Though they aren't worn as workout clothes as they were back in the day, bodysuits are often worn with high-waisted jeans, shorts, and skirts

9. Lace Tops

Lace is back and better than ever! But did it ever really go out of style…?

10.  Converse

Converse, white in particular, are back in style. White may have not been as popular in the 80's, but at least we're taking our own spin on things.

While it seems that 2017 has a style of its own creation, we must not forget to credit the fabulous 1980's for its contribution to innovation in fashion. The only downside is that now, everything seems very overpriced for being “vintage”. Maybe our best bet for now is to save our wallets and just go shopping through our parents old clothes.