Looking to Adopt a New Furry Friend? Helen Could be the Dog For You.

By: Paige Mongon

    With many still sequestered in their houses, there is no better time to adopt a dog. For anyone seriously considering adopting, there are a few shelters located near Sparta, all with numerous animals in need of loving homes, and for those who perhaps cannot commit to permanently adopting, there is always a need for fosters. Among these shelters located near Sparta is OSCAR, a non-profit organization which at any given time cares for around 30 dogs (though this number fluctuates depending on the frequency of adoptions and transports). Many of these dogs are transported up from high-kill shelters in the South, where hundreds of dogs are put to sleep (euthanized) per week. The more dogs that are adopted, the more animals OSCAR (and other shelters) can save from euthanization, so I’m going to highlight a few dogs in need of homes at OSCAR! Keep in mind, there are countless other dogs besides the ones I have the chance to write about, so for those interested here is OSCAR’s website: http://www.oscaranimalrescue.org/. 

As a volunteer, I usually have the opportunity to interact and play with some of the dogs if the days don’t get too hectic. 

    As Helen has been sitting for a few weeks, I’ve had the time to walk her, and I can safely say she is an insanely sweet dog. She’s super affectionate, and has a mild temperament. Not only this, but she also gets along with other dogs, and doesn’t mind kids, so if you are a family looking to adopt she is really adaptable and doesn’t have any specialized needs/preferences. She’s also a younger dog (they estimate her to be around 2 years old) and we think she may be a Coonhound/Plott Hound mix who is of a middling size. 

    Words don’t really do her justice though, so if you are willing to adopt I definitely recommend looking at her on OSCAR’s website for more information and pictures. For those who are seriously considering adopting, there are application forms on OSCAR’s website available to fill out, which if approved may lead to a meet & greet (where potential adopters actually meet the dog to determine if it’s a good fit).

So for those willing to devote the time and energy to a new pet, I highly recommend looking into Helen, or any of the other dogs currently up for adoption at OSCAR.

The Oracle's TV Recommendations

 By Hayley Lane 

In times like these, most days can feel repetitive and boring with nothing to do. But have no fear, because some members of The Oracle staff have helped compile a list of TV shows we know you don’t want to miss! 

Emma McNamara is currently obsessed with “iCarly”. As it just started streaming on Netflix, she loves the show because of its nostalgic feeling and silliness...And Jerry Trainor! (Rated: PG). 

Liv Canova is currently watching “The Mindy Show,” created by Mindy Kaling, A romantic comedy about a doctor living in NYC, “Freaks and Geeks,” about friends navigating high school, and “Nathan for You,” about comedian Nathan Fielder helping small businesses boost their sales! (In order, rated: TV-14, TV-14, and NR).

Kavya Kamath’s current favorite TV show is called “Next in Fashion,” on Netflix! She describes it as a heartwarming competition/reality show, where contests make really beautiful clothes! 

(Rated: TV-14).

As some may know (because I won’t stop talking about it) I’m a little obsessed with “Shameless,” on Netflix and Showtime. It centers around a highly dysfunctional family living in Chicago. It’s definitely not for everyone, as it contains a lot of explicit content. However, I think it has the perfect balance of comedy, drama, romance, and action. (Rated: R). 

Mrs. Deluccia has been watching” Lupin,” based on the adventures of Arsène Lupin. Gentlemen and thief, Assane Diop, sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. The French version dubbed to English can be found on Netflix! (Rated: TV-MA).

Happy watching!

Yes or Snow?

By: Emma McNamara

from: NJ.com

 Just when we thought this year might begin our return back to “normalcy”, we’ve been hit with unexpected snowstorms. Our town has gotten some of the highest levels in snow, but how does our community feel about it? I took to Instagram to see how friends, family, and classmates felt about the recent extreme weather conditions. 

After posting a poll titled “Thoughts on the Snow Storm:”, 76 people responded “hate it” while 77 people responded “love it”. At an almost 50/50 split, I was curious how a large group of people could have such contrasting ideas. When I asked for further opinions, there were many pros and cons shared to explain the varied snow storm preference. 

For example, junior Katherine Smith loves the snow because “It’s so much fun to be able to stay home and watch movies all day!”. Ana Knezevic agrees because “You get to watch your doggies play in the snow!”. A mother added “I do like the snow, and sometimes even the shoveling, but mostly being inside with my family.”

Others had very different ideas. Sparta High School graduate Emily Yarnall said “I have to take an extra 10 minutes to heat up my car and get the snow off of it.” Likeminded middle schooler Jenna flake added “Me and a lot of my friends wanted to have normal snow days to experience a little bit of normal back in our lives. At first it was nice and felt refreshing to have one or two snow days. Now I haven’t liked it as much. We have had more school time off than ever before. And while it can be nice not having as much school, it feels tiring and sad that we aren’t able to live our normal lives anymore, socialize, and overall get the experience of just simply going to school. Everyday is a guessing game whether or not we will have a taste of reality back into our lives”

Some people noted the difficulty in picking a side. Liam rust explained “Though the snow is really atmospheric and nice to look at from inside my warm house, if I actually had to go outside it would be a lot less fun ‘cause it’s cold and hard to get through.” Also admiring the snow’s aesthetics, one Kittatinny student mentions “It’s really both. I love snow storms when they are pretty. I hate them when they literally make you lose power and you are stuck in your house.”

Whether or not you like the snow, the Oracle staff hopes you stay safe and warm during the cold weather!

Get Involved! New Opprotunities through NHS and Key Club

 By Hayley Lane 

Through our newly virtual world, it can seem impossible to get involved through the school and through volunteerism. Luckily, National Honors Society and Key Club announced 2 new opportunities for high schoolers.

NHS Students can sign up through google classroom to have an elementary student tutoring buddy! These buddies would meet from 1:30 to 2:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. SHS students can choose either language arts, math, or both to tutor!

Key Club is hosting their annual conference, virtually! With only a $10 fee, students can join the conference to learn more about Key Club and to gain service hours. This conference is held on April 9th, 10th and 11th. More information about the workshops and speakers can be found on their google classroom. 

International Column 2/10: Afghanistan

 Introducing a new series:The International Column!

Each week will be dedicated to a country around the world. We will go in alphabetical order, so this week's featured country is Afghanistan. 

Afghanistan (known by locals as Afghanestan) is located in the heart of South-Central Asia. More than 30 languages are spoken in Afghanistan, yet only two main languages are recognized: Dari (Afghan Persian) and Pashto (an eastern Iranian language). Kabul, which is the capital of Afghanistan, is the largest city in all of the country. 

Fun Facts 

- Poetry is a cherished aspect of the Afghan culture. This practice of Afghans storytelling has been happening for more than 1,000 years. In the western city of Herat, every Thursday night is considered “poetry evening”, welcoming men, women, and children to share in ancient and modern verse, hear traditional Herati music, and to take pleasure in sweet tea and pastries through the night. 

- The caves of Bamiyan in Afghanistan are home to the world’s first oil paintings.

- Afghans celebrate their new year on March 21, which is also the first day of spring.

- One of the most popular dishes in the country are steamed dumplings known as manti, along with rice cooked in broth called palao. 

- Some surprising native animals are the snow leopard, red flying squirrel, corsac fox, and desert hedgehog. 

- The rugs in Afghanistan are one of the most popular exports found in peoples homes around the world. 

Featured below are pictures from Afghanistan since the 1970 to modern day. Enjoy!

Send a Valentine to a Kid at St. Jude’s Hospital!

 By. Noelle Hanek

There is no better time than Valentine’s Day to spread love and kindness to others, and with the holiday approaching shortly, there are many opportunities to do so. In particular, St.Jude’s Children’s Hospital is collecting virtual Valentine’s Day cards to send to its patients. With a few clicks and customizations, anyone can create a cheerful card for absolutely free, and it will go to a child receiving care at the hospital. Key club members will receive service hours for sending cards. A small act of kindness such as this may seem simple, but it can make someone’s whole day! 

Click this link to make a Valentine’s Day Card! https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/other-ways/valentines-day.html?fbclid=IwAR0quf5qLcGslNuDuyX-T3jeVVjeRhn9WIGSWXlcCQCorRKkVdDRmwnJw7A

from: stjude.org

from:clipart-library.com

Donations Needed!

By: Liv Canova

The SHS community has always been one of giving, and there are 2 recent donation opportunities for you to get involved in bettering out community!

Samaritan Inn and Hope Through Care (Key Club)

Donate to the Samaritan Inn and Hope Through Care with the Key Club! All donations must be at SHS before 2/19 so get your things together soon. Drop off donations in room 415 or at the front office and include a note with Mrs. Kopp's name.

Items Needed:

-Toilet Paper
-Paper Towels
-Body Wash
-Dish Soap
-Laundry Detergent
-Fabric Softener
-Shampoo and Conditioner
-Liquid Hand Soap (refill size)
-Dish Towels/Rags
-Lysol/Clorox
-Toilet Bowl Cleaner
-Disinfectant Spray
-Silverware/Plastic Cutlery (Forks and Spoons only)

Benny's Bodega (Align Wellness Center)

The Align Wellness Center and Benny's Bodega are hosting a Toiletries Drive! The drive will run until April 1st and community members interested in donating should drop off any donations to the boxes in front of the MRC. Consult the poster below for more information!