Friday, June 19, 2020

News Knows No Distance: Oracle Editor Passes the Baton

All good things must come to an end. As a graduating senior, this concludes my two-year tenure as The Oracle’s Editor-in-Chief. While I always knew that this would be a bittersweet goodbye, the unconventional end to my high school experience makes it even more so. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future, I am excited to pass the baton to three very deserving staff writers: Liv Canova, Editor-in-Chief, Emma McNamara, Co-Editor, and Noelle Hanek, Junior Editor.  

In the conversation below, I reflect on my last four years as part of The Oracle staff with Liv, Emma, Noelle, and Ms. Deluccia, our advisor, while also discussing the future of The Oracle under a new editing team: 

Liv: What are you going to miss the most about The Oracle
Kanita: I’ll miss the people! I’ve made great friends all four years from all different grade levels. Also, I know that college and professional journalism are much more structured than high school journalism. Not to say that it was always easy, but I’ll miss leaning on my connections for assistance with articles and ideas. I know it’s a cliche, but I’ll miss being the “big fish” in a small pond. What inspired you to join The Oracle
Liv: At the beginning of the year, I realized that I wanted to pursue journalism as a career path. I figured that The Oracle would serve as a solid stepping stone. 
Emma: Ms. Deluccia was the driving force for me to join. She pulled me in, but I enjoyed it and stuck around!
Kanita: Those are two completely different experiences! Noelle, you joined last year as a freshman. What drew you to The Oracle?
Noelle: In middle school, I was a part of the Publications Club. It was a mini-newspaper, consisting of a compilation of student work. I found The Oracle website when I was looking for clubs to join in high school. It was different, but I ended up loving it!
Emma: How do you plan on continuing journalism in the future?
Kanita: I’m not sure what I want to major in, let alone what kind of career I want to pursue, but I’ve always loved writing, and I know that that is something that I want to do forever. I plan on joining my college newspaper, and I would love to become a journalist. However, I have a lot to learn and can’t wait to nourish my inner writer outside the walls of Sparta High School. What has been your favorite part of being on The Oracle staff?
Liv: I love writing articles. When we were still in school, I liked talking to people and getting to have a moment with them, asking questions I wouldn't traditionally ask them. Most of my interviewees were people I knew but not well, so it was interesting to get to know more about them. 
Emma: My favorite part was meeting my fellow writers. I would never have been able to have a conversation with you before, but at the end of the year, I consider you all friends!
Noelle: Being a part of The Oracle, I feel more connected to the school community. Before joining, I was missing out on a lot of school activities. Now, I am contributing by writing and informing students about the happenings of the school. How did joining The Oracle make you the person you are today?
Kanita: Your answer is a perfect segue for this question. I am a completely different person than I was in my freshman year, attending my first Oracle meeting. I have grown up so much as a person. Finding my place in high school was very difficult, and The Oracle was one facet of SHS that never discriminated. Over the last four years, I have been on staff with football players, artists, musicians, actors– people I would never have interacted with outside a classroom. Second, I have become much more confident– whether it’s taking center stage at meetings, setting up and conducting interviews, or even writing better emails– which believe me, is not something that comes naturally. Through The Oracle, I am proud to say that I found my voice and seized opportunities to write about what is important to me. Finally, as Noelle said, it instilled some much-needed school spirit in me. As someone who once disassociated with “Spartan Pride,” through writing for The Oracle I have moments and memories to be nostalgic about, a part of high school that I will always miss. What is something that you wish you knew before joining The Oracle?
Liv: I learned that there are a lot of topics that you wouldn’t think are interesting, that readers end up loving. For example, I wrote an article about TikTok at the beginning of the year. I didn’t expect it to become one of our most-read articles, but it was!
Emma: There is nothing I wish I knew about the club that would have prepared me for it. I learned a lot as I went along. Honestly, whether or not you join with prior knowledge, you're never left behind. 
Noelle: It is helpful to know that there is no need to be a perfect writer. You continuously improve the more you write. 
Liv: What was your favorite part being Editor-in-Chief?
Kanita: Holding meetings and getting to know the staff was the highlight. Back when I was a staff writer in my freshman and sophomore year, I kept to myself or talked to my Editor-in-Chief or Ms. Deluccia, so it was nice to connect with everyone. The best way for me to do so was through their writing. One singular memory of an Oracle initiative, which we kickstarted while I was Editor-in-Chief, was reading to kindergarteners from Alpine. It was so fun to organize and experience that. I’m glad that that’s one thing I can always attach to my experience as Editor-in-Chief. 
Ms. Deluccia: We’re planning on starting early with this initiative next year, in September. By the end of the year, we hope to add a writing element with the students, something that we missed out on because of the school closure. 
Kanita: What else can new readers look forward to next year?
Liv: In addition to the quality content already put out, we're adding a letter-to-the-editor feature, which will make The Oracle a more interactive platform for students.
Noelle: Readers can look forward to a wide range of information on a variety of topics– sports, academics, polls, and more. 
Emma: What advice would you give to the new Oracle editing team or Oracle writers in general?
Kanita: To all Oracle writers– use your platform to your advantage. In this day and age, people underestimate the power of the news and the written word. Those students who feel like they don’t have the opportunity to express themselves should use The Oracle’s access for this purpose. 
Noelle: What was your favorite article to write?
Kanita: There are so many, but my all-time favorite was one I wrote in my sophomore year. We were lucky enough to interview the famous "Woroworld," and I had the opportunity to write the article. When I sent it to members of my family, they thought it read like a professional interview. It felt like a rite of passage for me as a journalist. In that same year, I covered an Oracle-led panel discussion about diversity during the holiday season, which was also received very well. An honorable mention goes out to one of our most recent articles, a collaborative effort to combat injustice by providing educational tools and resources to our audience. Overall, I am very proud of my growth as a writer. 
Liv: What is something you’ve gained during your time as part of the Oracle staff and/or as Editor-in-Chief?
Kanita: I have gained newfound confidence in myself. I would never have thought that I would be able to go up to a stranger and talk to them about anything, especially an unfamiliar subject. The Oracle gave me the courage to explore outside of my comfort zone. As a freshman, I wrote articles that were in my lane. I am so grateful to have expanded upon that every year. As Editor-in-Chief, having the opportunity to be a leader was an incredible experience, challenging me in different ways.  Why do you think students should consider joining The Oracle staff? 
Liv: As a staff member, you get to work with new people and publicize untapped information. 
Emma: In so many clubs, there is a sense of competition. In The Oracle, you only have to do your part, and you're accepted. It’s a unique experience to be in a setting where everyone is working together for the same purpose. 
Noelle: This club is rewarding. It improved both my writing and speaking skills. If there is a student who, like me, is on the fence, consider going to the interest meeting. You may end up liking it! 
Kanita: I agree. As someone who loves to write, The Oracle was the perfect club for me. If you’re someone who does not consider yourself to be a good writer, there is still a place for you! We don't just take writers. We take photographers, advertisers, social media managers, and club sources. 
Emma: Would you recommend The Oracle to anyone interested in joining?
Kanita: Yes, I 100% recommend The Oracle to anyone who even has the slightest interest. You have the opportunity to be yourself. Beyond the experience, it made me a better writer. I have had friends who joined not because they're interested in pursuing journalism, but for the sole reason of improving their craft. In life, no matter what you do, writing is such an important skill to have and one that you should constantly work on, no matter how good you are or how old you are. Whether you join the staff or not, you should consider reading our unique content. I am confident that it is only going to grow from here on out. Read The Oracle, subscribe to The Oracle, and join The Oracle staff!
Ms. Deluccia: The growth in participants, even within one year, is tremendous. Communication skills– writing, speaking, listening– are essential, no matter what you plan to do with your life. As Kanita said, you don't have to be a writer. Whether you are a social media guru or a photographer, there is a place for you. As the advisor of this club for fifteen years and counting, that's what I love most. Every year is different, with students from every situation and social group. Everyone finds their niche. You work together, whether you are the athlete, the artist, the musician, the actor, or the unattached student. With this mindset, we will continue to grow as a club. 

Four years ago, I was a bright-eyed freshman who just wanted to write. Today, I am an enthusiastic, incoming college student who is eager to share my ideas. On a concluding note, I want to thank Ms. Deluccia and SHS alum Elise Kerim for recognizing my potential, entrusting me with this responsibility, and for their consistently unfiltered advice. Thank you to my incredible staff for being a great team, and for being great friends. Finally, I want to thank all of you for reading, interacting, and inspiring both myself and countless other students to use our voices. 

Signing off one last time, 
Kanita Tariq 
Editor-in-Chief

Friday, June 12, 2020

"We Are the Dream": Spartans Stand Up Against Discrimination

Written by: Sawsan Srour

"We Are the Dream" is a group of students from Sparta High School who have come together to change the status quo. The club is built upon dreamers and allies of all races, creeds, colors, ethnicities, national origins, religions, sexes, sexual orientations and  gender expressions. All are eager to bring about change for the better of all people.

It began with student Maia Albuquerque, who is of Latinx descent, and has experienced years of discrimination and hate. She expressed her frustrations to Mrs. Brennan, her freshman English teacher, who has always made it clear that she will never tolerate any form of hate and or discrimination in her classroom. After hearing Maia's stories, Mrs. Brennan agreed that she wasn’t alone, having had other students who had experienced similar acts of discrimination and hate. From that conversation stemmed the idea for "We Are the Dream," a lunch meeting group of now over 50 students and teachers who have come together against discrimination.

Originally the group started off by wanting to raise awareness to the racism that minority students in Sparta schools experience. However, it has now transformed to not only raising awareness but to creating real change within schools and the Sparta community at large. As stated by Mrs. Brennan herself, “Their voices need to be heard. Their stories need to be told. Their struggles need to be validated through reform. We need long-lasting, meaningful change, and I am confident, with the collective voices that this group speaks through, that change is going to happen”. In addition to Mrs. Brennan, the group is also very fortunate to have Dr. Saskia Brown, the school district's Supervisor of Guidance, on board as well.

During "Dreamer" meetings, students don’t have to worry about fitting in because their varying stories are what connect them to each other. You don't have to have experienced racism and discrimination to be a supporter of the group. There are many allies who have pledged to be a part of change and to listen and amplify the voices that have long been ignored and silenced.

If you are wanting to be a part of the discussion, Mr. Rivers will be holding a discussion in film club about the 13th, a Netflix documentary that explores "intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States".

“United we stand, divided we fall” and remember to stay #SpartanStrong!

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"Dead to Me" Review: A Humorous Take on How Grief Brings People Together

Written by: Emily Fitzgerald

Summer vacation is around the corner, and it is safe to say that we have been watching more Netflix than ever. The show Dead To Me stars Christina Applegate, known for playing one of Rachel's sisters on FRIENDS, and Linda Cardellini, best known from Freaks and Geeks. The two-season show follows a friendship between Jen (Applegate), a recently-widowed real estate agent, and Judy (Cardellini), who met in a support group for bereaved family member.

With a storyline full of plot twists and hilarious characters, its most appealing aspect is the friendship between two women– complete opposites that still manage to connect with each other and have a great time. Jen deals with the death of her husband with anger and resentment, while Judy maintains a sunny disposition. Despite the sometimes-crude humor, Dead to Me is a great pick for fans of female-centric television.

Source: tvseriesfinale.com
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Thursday, June 11, 2020

2019 Sparta Graduates Share College Stories and Advice for Future Students

Written By: Emma McNamara

Since it’s opening in 1959, Sparta High School has witnessed thousands of students come and go. Within their four years of high school, teenagers are fixated on their work, clubs, and school-related events, but what happens after graduation? Five graduates from the Class of 2019 were able to share their post-high school experiences thus far.


Each of the following former SHS students chose to seek further education from colleges and universities:

*Sylvia Kloian studies Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and Communications at the University of California Davis.
*Juleanna Green is a theater major at James Madison University.
*Will Theilacker is studying Animal and Veterinary Services at Clemson.
*Jenson Scott attends the University of New Hampshire, studying Business ADMN/Entrepreneurship.
*Stephanie Downes is studying Nursing at the University of Connecticut.

When asked about their best college experiences this year, some students had similar stories. Juleanna Green shares, “My best experience in college so far has been meeting and getting to work with a lot of wonderful people, especially the people in my major who I have had the chance to work closely with as we all navigate our educational and career path.” Green’s appreciation for her new acquaintances at JMU is something many college students expect and look forward to. “Having shared experiences really shapes your relationships with the people you meet, and I have loved watching my new friendships blossom as I have shared more and more experiences with those around me,” Green adds. 

Regarding her own best experience, Sylvia Kloian states, “It’s definitely been meeting new people. It’s so awesome to meet someone and just click with them. Almost everyone is so nice and willing to talk to anyone.” Stephanie Downes, former member of Sparta High School’s Shacapella, says “My best experience in college so far has been joining an a cappella group! It’s given me a chance to do what I love and meet some of my best friends at the same time.” Both students express a high degree of positivity regarding their opportunity to meet new people and to discover more each day! 

Forming new friendships is a common theme amongst these students, and Jenson Scott is no exception. Scott says his best time yet was “when I first rushed for my fraternity Sigma Chi. I never thought I would have even considered fraternity life, but after introductions to a small man named Turbo and an absolutely ginormous man named Sunshine, I was in.” While new experiences often involve meeting memorable people, the opportunities themselves are worthwhile too. 

This speaks true for Will Theilacker, who shares “My best experience was getting to train a year-old cow last semester!”

The wonderful memories these students have made over the past year have truly been ones to remember. Although college life may be exactly what they wanted, at some point everyone had an unexpected experience that was less than stellar. It’s no secret that not far into 2020, a pandemic began, sending home students from everywhere in order to keep families quarantined and safe. This meant a critical year of adjustment and learning was cut short for the freshmen. “It goes without being said that my worst part of college would have to be losing the second half of my freshman year. Although many have it far worse than I do, it’s still been a lot to process,” Scott reflects. 

Similarly, Green elaborates: “My worst college experience so far is definitely the fact that COVID-19 caused a show I was supposed to work on to get cancelled– it wasn't a regular 'college experience,' to have something cancelled like this, but it was still heartbreaking to not be able to do something I love with people I love in a place I love,” she explains, “I know a lot of students, no matter their grade or school or major, are having these same experiences, but I also know that the fact that everyone is going through this does not make it any easier.” 

Downes, on the other hand, reveals that her “worst experience in college so far was surprisingly the first week or two after move-in. Adjusting to a brand new environment with all new people can be so scary and lonely, but I promise it gets better!” These words are reassuring for any incoming college students worried about their own initial move!

Soon-to-be college goers will be delighted to know that common misconceptions describe college classes as more difficult and college professors as more tough. While that may be true in some cases, these SHS grads were relieved to have opposite experiences. Kloian mentions “I was honestly super intimidated by the workload and academic caliber of my classes, but it turned out to not be much worse than the classes I took in high school. If you really apply yourself in high school, you should be pretty well prepared for college!” 

Likewise, Downes expresses not expecting “how accommodating some of the professors can be! In high school I feel like we’re always told how strict our college professors can be, but all of my professors so far have been super helpful and they really want you to succeed!” Theilacker agrees, revealing that he “wasn’t expecting how eager professors are to help you succeed. They were always made out to be so ruthless by high school teacher’s descriptions.” 

Scott gives more insight into encounters at college she couldn’t have expected. “I wasn’t expecting all of the incredible characters I’ve met so far at UNH nor how simple (and random) meeting them would be.  For instance, had it not been for a class scheduling hiccup, I would have never met my rather large German friend Konstantin who plays D-1 football and has an entire foot of height over me. Nor would I have met one of my most loyal friends affectionately known as Tan Tan. It’s remarkable the range of people you’ll meet in such a short amount of time.”

Each of these young adults have had quite an interesting freshman year. Through their recent adventures, they were able to compile advice for incoming students wishing to follow a similar path. Downes encourages “the seniors at SHS to not be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved in stuff that you’re passionate about whether it’s music, volunteer work, or athletics. Not only will it feel good to be involved on campus doing something that you love, but it’ll also give you the opportunity to meet people with the same interests as you.” Scott says, “To the current seniors: I want to thank you guys for proving to all of us seniors of last year that it can in fact be even worse than we had it. Though things are tough right now, your future is open. College is a new world of opportunity that gives you platforms to create whatever image you wish to portray yourself as. This is your chapter to write. Make the most of it.” Theilacker simply states, “My advice would be to take advantage of as many new experiences as you can at college, and try new things!” Kloian advises “if you can choose your roommates, make sure you have compatible living styles as well as similar interests. And don’t just text people; I’d strongly suggest FaceTiming them before deciding to be roommates. Even if you like them over text, they might be very different face-to-face.” Lastly, Green voices that “[her] advice for current seniors is two-fold: first, be open to anything! You never know how talking to a professor may create new opportunities for you, or how going to an event or talking to someone new may shape your experience! In short, be open to any new ideas, people, or experiences, because you never know how much you'll be able to learn and grow. Secondly, and, in my opinion, most importantly, follow your heart! Do what YOU want to do to make your time in college the experience that you want it to be. Whether this means your major, your extracurricular activities, or anything in between, always remember that these years are for you to discover who you are and who you want to be!”

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You Scream for Ice Cream: Students Share Their Favorite Flavors

Written By: Liv Canova 

It’s almost summertime which means many more people will be seeking a refreshing ice cream cone! Whether you’re standing in line (six-feet-apart) to get a scoop from a shop, or just going to the grocery store to buy a pint, ice cream is a beloved, warm-weather treat. Of course, we had to find out what flavors Sparta students love the most! Of the forty-three students who were asked, there were certainly some standouts:
  • Strawberry
               6
  • Vanilla
               2
  • Mint Chocolate Chip
               6
  • Green Tea
               1
  • Rocky Road
               1
  • Cookie Dough
               8
  • Chocolate
               3
  • Cookies and Cream
               1
  • Raspberry Truffle
               1
  • Caramel
               1
  • Peanut Butter Oreo
               2
  • Cotton Candy
               2
  • Coffee
               3
  • Rum Raisin
               1
  • Pistachio
              1
  • Black Raspberry
               2
  • Bubblegum
               1
  • Superman
               1
By Spartan standards, cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, and strawberry are the favorites. But no matter what your favorite flavor is, now is the perfect time to go and enjoy some ice cream! (while observing social distancing of course).

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Wednesday, June 10, 2020

What Games are Spartans Playing Right Now?

Written by: Olivia Giralt 

Many people are finding some spare time thanks to quarantine, and video games are without a doubt a great way to use this time for fun! Here are some of the video games that Spartans are playing during the quarantine:

1. Animal Crossing (recommended by Noah Fisher)

   
Source: GameStop

This is a popular Nintendo game that has been released not too long ago. In the game, players build and design their own world while befriending adorable animal villagers.


2. The Sims 4 (recommended by Kristen Bradish) 

 
Source: ea

In this classic simulation game, players are able to create and design their own “sims.” Players can build and design homes while controlling their Sims’ lives.


3. Breath of the Wild (recommended by Olivia Giralt)


Source: Amazon

In this action packed game, play as Link and explore Hyrule. Battle monsters, explore dungeons, and make your way to fight Calamity Ganon in Hyrule Castle.


4. Minecraft (recommended by Hannah Williams)


Source: xbox

In this classic game, players can build, explore, and learn how to survive in this infinite world.


5. Space Engineers  (recommended by Tanner Mell)


Source: eurogamer

Players become space engineers who explore and build throughout outer space. Players are able to build space stations, ships and more. 


 6. Civilization VI (recommended by Jon Poret)



Source: polygon

In this historically themed game, players create their own civilization, building a city where they expand their borders by military conquest.

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How Music Makes Quarantine a Little More Fun

Written by Liv Canova

If quarantine’s got you down, you’re definitely not alone! Tons of us are stuck at home, meaning that we don’t get to see our friends, all of our upcoming activities have been canceled, and the days seem to melt together. But despite all of those seemingly disheartening things, there is one thing that never fails to make things just a little bit better. Music! So here are the top ways to incorporate music into your life.

Listen to music.
This is the easiest one! Connect the headphones, or pull out a speaker and boom! You’re in the music loop. Whether you tune in to more popular artists, broadway show-tunes, or even just straight up classical, music is proven to make you happier. So go watch a movie and try to catch some of the orchestra’s underscore, or listen more closely to the credits song. Play a study playlist to finish your classwork or prep for tests. Crank the volume all the way up on a drive, roll your windows down and pretend to be in one of those cheesy teen movies. Have a dance party with your family! There are a million ways to listen to music in your daily life that can improve your mood, energize you, and motivate you.

Create music. 

This one may be a little more difficult for those who don’t play instruments or sing in the choir, but there are still many ways to create music at home. For those that are in music classes, go practice for your playing and singing tests, or just improve your craft. For those who aren’t, tons of people have unused instruments in their homes. Many families have a piano, so mark down the notes on the keys and look up chords for a song you like.  Some families have random drums. Go hit ‘em and make up a cool rhythm. Or seek out your 4th grade recorder! Become the recorder master that your 4th grade self knew you would become. Even without instruments creating music is easy. Slap your tables and use them as makeshift rhythm makers, whistle or hum, or sing! You don’t need to be a world class singer to belt out your favorite song with a karaoke track or a cappella.

Write music.
This one is probably the hardest, but that doesn’t mean it’s not completely doable. When you’re able to show your friends or family what you’ve made, they’ll be impressed. You can write your own songs with lyrics and piano or guitar or ukulele notes and take a video of yourself performing an original. Or you can just come up with a cool melody that you base a song around on an instrument or on your voice.

With music, a world of possibilities open up. So go turn on your Spotify playlist, go strum your guitar or blow into your trumpet, go write the next Grammy winning song. And just like that, a quarantine that seemed bleak is now one with a million melodies.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2020

SHS Gym Teachers Answer: How to Stay Active During Quarantine

Written By: Noelle Hanek

Exercise has been proven to be beneficial in numerous ways. Not only does exercising help us stay in shape, but it improves our health and overall well-being. With many of us having extra time to spare during quarantine, this is a perfect time to start improving our active lives– and the SHS gym teachers know exactly how to help! Here are some helpful tips from the gym teachers on how to stay active!

First off, what exercises can students do over quarantine? 

 Ms. Wille explained how students have been advised to exercise for a minimum of three times per week, for at least 30 minutes each day. “We would like them to combine cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance and flexibility.” she added. She also provided a great range of ideas on how to accomplish all three goals:

Hiking Trails
Walking/Jogging/Running
High Intensity Interval Training
Yoga
Abs
Meditation
Dance Cardio
Beginner Dumbbells
Circuit Workouts(such as pushups, squats, and much more!)

Where can these workouts be accessed? 
It is important to note that students in Sussex County have the unique advantage of having easy access to nearby hiking trails and parks. According to Mr. Tobin, workouts can be easily accessed through the downloading of fitness apps like Peloton or Beachbody. Additionally, many workouts are available for free on internet sources like YouTube! 

“There are many fitness options available to help everyone work out. There are numerous streaming workout classes available via the internet that provide a variety of different workouts to choose from.  From Yoga to HIIT classes, stretching, weight training, pilates, kickboxing, ab classes, dance, aerobic and circuit classes plus more!” Ms. Reese noted.

What if students do not have access to exercise equipment? 
“Not to worry,” Ms. Reese stated, “you can use water bottles, detergent jugs, books or whatever you have access to for weight resistance. Use a staircase for aerobic exercise and toning. Walk or run up the stairs, take two steps at a time, perform quick step taps, step knees, glute presses, etc. So many options!”

How can we make the workouts most effective?
Ms. D'Amelio gave a few helpful tips on this topic, suggesting “to do something that makes you happy, even if you start small.” This means that starting small can help students build themselves up to their goals. For Ms. D’Amelio, this meant starting with walking, then hiking, and eventually building up her endurance up to run miles again. She personally enjoys listening to music while exercising. She advises to “pick something you look forward to every day” because a workout you enjoy will end up with more results. 

Ms. Reese advises to switch up your exercises to keep it interesting and fun. “Keep the thought that whatever movement and activity you perform throughout the day is positive and will help to improve your fitness. The key is to make time for movement. If you do, it won't be too long before you begin to see and feel the many benefits that come from working out on a consistent basis,” she explained.

Lastly, How can we stay motivated? 
According to Mrs. Reese, having a workout partner or family member can help boost your motivation. You will push each other and help stay on track together. 

Mr. Tobin added that organization is also key to exercise success, “Staying organized and managing your time can help you with your school, work and exercise goals.” he explained.

There are tons of different exercises to choose from, and various ways to get active during this unusual time at home. If you needed that extra boost of motivation, here it is! Now is a great time to start exercising!

Thank you Sparta gym teachers for all of your efforts to keep Spartans active and healthy during this time!
A Beginner Workout Plan for Your First Week in the Gym | Planet ...
Source: Planet Fitness
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'After Hours': The Weeknd Album Review

Written By: Marguerite Bysshe

For fans of The Weeknd, the release of After Hours was extremely exciting as it was his first album released since Starboy in 2016. Featuring fourteen tracks, the artist combines his signature chill trap beats with a new 80’s synth vibe to create a balance between light and dark sounds. In case you haven’t listened to the new album yet, or are just interested in the opinion of someone who absolutely adores The Weeknd, below is my personal ranking of each song on the tracklist. 

1) Save Your Tears
2) Heartless
3) In Your Eyes
4) Too Late 
5) Faith
6) After Hours
7) Blinding Lights
8) Until I Bleed Out
9) Alone Again
10) Repeat After Me
11) Hardest To Love
12) Scared To Live
13) Escape From LA
14) Snowchild

Overall, the album slows from beginning to middle and picks up approaching the end. The album concludes with “Until I Bleed Out,” which is a soft and meaningful conclusion to such an emotional album. The top hit has proved to be “Blinding Lights,” popularized by its more pop sound and catchy lyrics. However, tracks such as “Faith” and “Too Late” tend to be overlooked by listeners who aren’t familiar with The Weekend’s unique R&B sound.

The album exposes a darker side of the artist than his previous album Starboy and is filled with personal struggles and experiences, as his songs usually are. Plus, if you’re looking for the perfect album to match the vibes of driving with your friends late at night in the middle of the summer or dancing in the rain at sunset, After Hours is perfect. As a whole, the project certainly differs from The Weeknd’s other albums and adds a new, nostalgic feel to his overall work.

Review: The Weeknd talks personal issues in the "After Hours" of ...
Source: Daily Titan



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Monday, June 8, 2020

SPARTANS UNITE AGAINST INEQUALITY


SPARTANS UNITE AGAINST INEQUALITY

Written in collaboration by the ORACLE STAFF


For those who are feeling lost during these times, It’s okay to not fully understand. You may not know how others are feeling or how they’ve been treated/perceived, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for not having that perspective. However, what we all must do is educate ourselves on the history, on the movement, and what we can do to help support equality for all people. There are many ways to be an agent of change– and that all starts with education. You can donate if possible, sign petitions, attend peaceful demonstrations (after talking to your parents and guardians), vote (if you’re 18 or above), and then, share your information with others. 


Sparta is a beautiful place. Sparta High School offers a competitive course load and myriad co-curricular activities that prepare its students for the future. We, as students, are the future. It is our duty to acknowledge that there is a lack of diversity in our town and in our school. With that in mind, it is also our duty to acknowledge that under-represented people need a voice. We must not be colorblind, but rather we must do more to embrace the differences among us and learn together. 


This is the time to make our voices heard, and this is the chance for us to unite and to set the bar high. We stand for equality. As human beings, it is our job to spread love, kindness, and awareness.  Many may feel that civil unrest does not apply to them; however as we gain more exposure to the world around us, and learn the hardships of others, it is no longer a distant situation, but a serious issue that from which many of us have been shielded.  We have much hope for better days ahead, where equality will be achieved, one day.  But first we all must continue to work together and learn. 


There are a variety of resources readily available to start learning. 

Books: 

  1. Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde 

  2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 

  3. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo 

  4. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibrham X. Kendi 

  5. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 

  6. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston 

  7. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin 

  8. Redefining Realness by Janet Mock 

  9. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander 

  10. If They Come in the Morning: Voices of Resistance by Angela Davis 


Film/TV: 

  1. 13th (Available on Netflix)

  2. American Son (Available on Netflix) 

  3. When They See Us (Available on Netflix) 

  4. The Hate U Give (Available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu)

  5. Selma (Available on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video) 


Links:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/131D1luhxfT6W7ZCYc-MJlT4hLxncc6jdNhSzsRfGOmM/edit

https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/shslibrarymrc/equity-equality?authuser=0

http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/TT%20Difficult%20Conversations%20web.pdf

https://www.tolerance.org/

http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/oct19/vol61/num10/How-to-Be-an-Antiracist-Educator.aspx

Don't Say Nothing



Let’s take this opportunity to foster relationships, educate each other, and affect change. 

Now is the time to band together and focus on creating a better tomorrow. As teenagers, following the herd feels safe for many of us, but now is the time to speak up. We must become our own leaders. Step out of your comfort zone and have an uncomfortable conversation with a friend or family member. There is no debate, equality is a human right. Knowledge is key to the success of the Black Lives Matter movement and to giving agency to all underrepresented people. Learn about it, teach about it, speak about it, sing about it, draw about it, paint about it. Spread the word any way you can. 



Monday, June 1, 2020

How to TikTok Your Way Through Quarantine

Written By: Eric Dau

Throughout this quarantine, kids and their families thought up a plethora of creative activities in order to provide fun for the whole family. They've recorded themselves doing a variety of activities such as having their own Olympics, competing in challenges, battling it out in the sports world, and much more. These families cleverly record it on video, too. Where can we find these videos? Well, TikTok is your answer. TikTok has been the home to some of the most comical videos on the internet, and through quarantine it has only gotten better. However, this app has done surprisingly more than make people laugh.

These videos are receiving massive amounts of views and likes, and are encouraging others to make their own. One family TikTok trend was the "parent-kid question game," serving as family superlatives that are guaranteed to be fun for everyone.  Also, many different families have put their own twists on this game, spraying their kids with hoses and throwing pies at them to point out the answers! 

TikTok has achieved the unthinkable: uniting families, through the use of technology! Ironically, technology has always served as the culprit of disrupting quality time between parents and children. Many families can relate to the common scenario: everyone texting on their phones at dinner time instead of talking to the people in front of them. However, TikTok has challenged this norm by bringing families closer together instead! The app is inspiring families day by day to create fun and entertaining videos together for the world to watch. Luckily, the videos that families are creating are easy to do on your own. It is a simple way to have fun with your family with minimum time expenditure. TikTok could be used to make quarantine a more positive experience while reconnecting with your family.

TikTok is a great platform for individual activities as well. Singers like Jason Derulo have massively blown up on the app, and now he's got well over ten million followers. Not everyone is a celebrity– many teenagers have made funny, entertaining, or informational videos which get millions of views and likes, and now they are on Derulo's level!  Since there is only so much one can do during quarantine, go for it!

TikTok's rise to the top drastically increased and ever since the lockdown started in March, TikTok became the #1 entertainment app in the iPhone app store. It turned average teenagers such as Charli D'Amelio into millionaires just by posting fifteen second videos everyday!  Most importantly, TikTok has brought families together and helped people make it through this long, unprecedented quarantine.
What to Know About TikTok, Chinese App Gaining Global Appeal | Time
Source: Time.com


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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind– Not as Helpless as We Think We Are

Written by: Sawsan Srour 

COVID-19 has brought hardships upon millions of people around the world. For students in particular, the challenge of distance learning has been a struggle. Students are not receiving the quality of education they would have in school,  despite the efforts from teachers and administrators. That being said, the story of William Kamkwamba will inspire and encourage students when there are hardships and circumstances out of our control occur. We are not helpless.

Based on a true story, the Netflix documentary The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind illustrates the journey of William Kamkwamba, a thirteen-year old school boy living in Wimbe, Malawi. He tends to spend his time looking through a junkyard for potential electronic components to use. As he turns thirteen, he is finally eligible to pay his school tuition. However, shortly after, he got suspended because his parents couldn’t keep up with the fees. This shortcoming did not stop William, as he spent time in the library to learn about electrical engineering and energy production. In the mid-2000s, the villagers of Wimbe suffer a severe drought season, resulting in a famine, as people can no longer sufficiently provide food for their families. The situation got really devastating as riots against government rations and resulted in William’s family's meager grain store being robbed. This had led to many people abandoning their home for better opportunities, even William’s sister who left a note stating that there was now “one less mouth to feed” for her family.

William, desiring to help his people, came up with a plan to produce a windmill to power an electric water pump. Shortly after, a full-size wind turbine stood right in front of them providing water to the crops.


William’s story is a reminder that no matter how young you are and how bad the situation might be, the possibilities are endless and you just have to think outside of the box.


The Boy who Harnessed the Wind' is memorizing and worthwhile ...
Source: Tribal Tribune





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