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.

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.

New Years Resolutions Survey

Written and Conducted by: Lauren Groff

This Week’s Poll Question: What is / was Your 2017 New Year’s Resolution?

As many of you probably have experienced yourselves, New Year’s resolutions are broken almost as fast as they were are decided. This year, we decided to ask you what your goals were - or are, if you're disciplined enough to follow through with your resolution - for 2017.

Featured Answers

“Watch less Netflix” - Autumn Nady

“Eat healthier”- Erin Finnegan

“Exercising more” - Noelle Vallario

“Survive my time as a freshman” - Maddie Sager

“Stop wasting my time binge watching Netflix” - Jessica Berghofer

“To work out more” - Ashton Martini

As shown clearly above and in other answers not featured to avoid repetitiveness, the most popular resolutions included “to exercise more” or “watch less Netflix” . Let's see how many of you keep up your resolutions! Till next week.

POLL: WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS BREAK?

Conducted and Written By: Lauren Groff 

With the holiday break drawing nearer and nearer, the students of Sparta High are starting to get antsy. Winter break, the most anticipated recess of the year aside from summer, is here. Here is a survey conducted this week to all students of Sparta High.

Of the students surveyed , 86% answered that they were staying in Sparta this break, and 14% recorded going away. Regardless of whether you're staying home or not over this next week, enjoy yourself and make sure to spend time with your friends and family. Happy holidays and New Year from everyone at the Oracle. Until next week!

POLL: SHOULD STUDENTS HAVE MORE TIME TO GET TO THEIR BUS?

Conducted and Written by: Lauren Groff 

   With the school year in full swing, one thing pretty much any Spartan can tell you is that they feel rushed to get to their busses after the dismissal bell. As a matter of fact, most students do not visit their lockers after their last period class, leading them to carry all of their books for not only the second half of the day, but their homework from their morning classes as well. Out of the students interviewed, 93% of students agreed that the time allotted between the last period of the day and bus departure should be increased.

When asked for her stance on the issue, freshman Camryn Gundry quoted, “I leave my coat in my locker and I have to run back to get it. The process is unnecessarily stressful.” Most likely, Camryn is not the only student who faces this issue… who wants to lug around extra books and coats for the entire second half of the day just to catch the bus in time? The statistics have proved themselves - Spartans should be given more time to get to their busses after dismissal. Until next week!