DON'T LET TESTING BE STRESSFUL!

 7 Ways to Manage Stress During TEST Season

Elizabeth Enriquez

AP and Testing season is always a hectic time of year. With everyone in a frenzy to cram the last few pieces of knowledge into their brains before their exams, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all. However, it’s at times like these that it is most important to manage stress well. Managing your stress can not only help you feel better in the moment, but it can prevent long-term health complications due to anxiety.

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1. Eat Healthy

Food is fuel! The healthier you eat, the better you’ll feel—the better you treat your body, the better it’ll treat you back. Especially with exams now, it’s especially important to get in a good breakfast to make sure your brain is prepared for the tests ahead. Feeling satisfied and nourished can help you perform your best on your upcoming exams.

2. Decrease Electronic Time

Especially with the prevalence of screens in the studying world today, it may be hard to limit the amount of blue light you consume. Many computers and laptops come with a blue light filter option, which can help reduce the stress on your eyes. Reducing blue light intake helps the brain to be able to “power down” more easily and make rest time more restful, especially when sleeping. 

In addition, another way to reduce stress is to reduce time spent on your phone. The “death scroll” is a truly dangerous thing—especially when you know you have to focus. This kind of procrastination can increase stress by inducing a sense of anxiety once you realize how much time you lost. Some ways I have found to be helpful in avoiding this is powering down my phone, reducing/turning off notifications, or placing my phone somewhere where I can’t see or hear it. That way, I can focus better and make sure that I am making the most of the time I have to review.

3. Exercise

It may seem like there’s no time for anything during AP season, however, making time for exercise is especially worth it during this time of year. Exercising not only allows you to take time away from the books, but it also releases endorphins, which are stress-relieving hormones. Especially now that it’s starting to warm up outside, it’s a perfect time to get out there and get active. 

4. Meditation

During AP season, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce. However, practicing meditation can be a grounding experience which can help increase self-awareness and help you find mindfulness even in stressful times like AP season. Not only does it give you a break from reality, but it also gives you another way to train your mind and be aware of what you are feeling.

5. Deep Breathing

Sounds cliche, but it works! Deep breathing doesn’t take much time and it is a great way to relieve stress. By allowing more oxygen to get to the body, it can help calm your nerves and reduce stress and anxiety. 

6. Reduce Caffeine Intake

It’s easy to turn to caffeine during AP season in order to stay awake longer, however, it can have negative effects on your health. By allowing yourself to stay awake for extended periods of time, the body releases cortisol, which induces stress. Reducing caffeine intake can reduce the release of cortisol, which can help not only reduce stress, but also help you to fall asleep faster and get more effective rest. Without the extra cortisol keeping you up, it may be easier to get a more effective sleep.

7. Sleep

 

We all knew it was coming. Sleep deprivation is a serious issue, and as stated above, it can cause an increased release of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Being constantly exhausted can mess with your circadian rhythm and make it difficult to stay awake or focus during the day. Getting enough sleep is a huge factor in being able to focus and do well. Even though it may seem like it’s better to stay up for a few more hours per night, it’ll come back to bite you in the end. 

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AP week is perhaps one of the most stressful times during the school year. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry and let anxiety take over, however, it’s important to step back and make sure you’re doing what’s best for you. Managing stress is important, but the process may be different from person to person. Take a few deep breaths, get in a few good bites, and just remember: you know more than you think you do.

Good luck on your exams!

Sparta High School Goes South

 Sparta High School Goes South

By Rachael Berghahn and Alicia Gaines

On Thursday, March 23rd, forty-five choir and jazz band members arrived at Sparta High School at 2:15 AM for the upcoming trip to New Orleans. 

The perks of the trip included first class treatment at the back of American Airlines planes. And New Orleans, of course, which we saw after half-a-day of traveling.

The first (and most important) thing on the schedule was food. Specifically, Louisiana fried food. Other stops included the World War II Museum, dinner at the classic cajun restaurant Mulate’s, and the famous Cafe du Monde in the famed French market.

On Friday, we toured the Garden District on the American side of New Orleans, where many famous people live. We ate lunch in a mall by the Mississippi river and enjoyed classic American mall food. Then we toured Mardi Gras World, where many of the Mardi Gras floats are made. Dinner was at Crescent City Brewhouse, where we had, shocker, more fried food. The highlight of the day was the Vampire and Ghost tour of the French Quarter, where we learned about the history of the quarter and, of course, ghosts.

On Saturday we visited a clinic at Tulane University, which was super fun and enriching. Lunch was at the French Market, where we enjoyed local food. Afterwards, we toured historic buildings in Jackson Square, the Cabildo and Presbytere. Street performers lined the streets, and we were surrounded by tourists, restaurants, and fun shops. After enjoying that area, we had dinner on the Steamboat Natchez Jazz Dinner Cruise. 

Sunday, the final day of the trip, had one of the most exciting activities of the trip. We went on a swamp tour, complete with a swamp and many alligators. It was also the concluding event of the trip, which could not have been a better finale. 

The trip was tiring, but everyone had a great time seeing the beautiful city of New Orleans and enjoying everything it has to offer. 

Jackson Square (stock photo)

Charity Concert THIS FRIDAY!

 Sparta High School Charity Concert

By Charlie Diamond

This Friday, March 31, 2023 at 7PM Sparta High School will hold its annual Charity Concert. The event will be supporting Sparta Community Food Pantry by charging $10 admission and donating the proceeds to this local charity. Sparta Community Food Pantry is dedicated to help those in need within our community from supplying food and essentials.

The lineup is led by Sparta’s own Joe P, a super talented touring artist who writes and produces his own music. Sparta High School has some great performers as well, including:

 

Lifeboat

You, Changed!

Paul Denmead and the Trash Pandas

Ella Simmons

Sarah Kosker

Amaryllis

 

I was able to get Sarah to talk about her music. “I write music out of catharsis! If I’m going through anything, writing songs is usually a great way I can vent and put my feelings into words! I like to say it’s one of the best forms of therapy, and when people hear it and relate to you it helps you realize that you’re not alone in it and that’s pretty cool! It’s also sweet when people come up to me and tell me that one of my songs got them through something and all of a sudden that song becomes so much bigger than it was when I was sitting at my piano and writing it it’s just super cool to see how my music has worked in so many people’s lives! I have people from around the world reaching out to me as well so that’s pretty awesome too! I’m excited to release “Split.” It's one of my favorite songs I’ve written and I’ll be playing it at the concert so I’m pumped!”

All these performers are excited to put their talents on display to contribute to this amazing cause. I invite you to come and support them on Friday.

MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

 

Women’s History Month 

By Annika Noel

March 2023

March is Women’s History Month! Because the month is coming to a close, here is some more information about what Women’s History Month means and what you can do around the school and area if you want to be more involved in women’s issues. 

Women’s History Month began in 1987 and it is a celebration of the contributions that women make and have made to the world which have historically been ignored or been hard won. This is usually expressed by highlighting historical women and important women now who have done amazing things. It is also a time for education about the historical battles women have fought to get increased rights like learning about the Suffragettes and the Women’s Liberation Movement. March also has International Women’s Day which celebrates women on a global scale on the 8th. 

The Girl Up Club at SHS hopes to facilitate a better environment for women in Sparta and to educate them. In their own words, “Girl Up is a club devoted to facilitating critical conversations with members of our school about representation, identity, and social issues. Our goals as a club are to: Create a safe, welcoming environment that encourages girls to voice their concerns and opinions & Identify ways the club can foster positive changes in our community. New members are always welcome! Come to a meeting: every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 pm in room 414. Join our Google Classroom for updates by using the code: onx6kpi”  The link to their website is: https://sites.google.com/students.sparta.org/girlupclub/home 

There is also the Sparta Women's Club, a nonprofit service organization for women to help their community, organize, and learn. The Junior Women's Club of Sparta is an organization that helps organize volunteering and helping the community. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan voting rights organization that was originally created for educating female voters after suffrage in the US. 

To finish off Women’s History Month, here are some remarkable women:

Clarissa Barton- the founder of the Red Cross. She was an American nurse during the Civil War and a teacher as well as one of the first women to work for the federal government when she worked for the US patent office. More Info 

Malala Yousazfai- an activist for women’s education from Pakistan. She is also a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the youngest one ever. She has been an advocate for many years and was even shot in the head in pursuit of her goals, but she survived and has been an inspiration for many since. More Info

Harriet Tubman- an escaped slave who made missions back to the South to free others. She was an integral part of the Underground Railroad and personally freed around 70 people. More Info  

SHS DECA IS HEADED TO ORLANDO!

 SPARTA DECA SENDS 29 STUDENTS TO NATIONALS

By Kelly Groome

The SHS DECA club had yet another successful year at the annual States competition in Atlantic City with 29 students heading to the National competition. 

The SHS students who prepared twenty page business papers traveled down on Sunday, February 26th to prepare for presentations the next morning. The remaining students joined their peers on Monday night, in time for the Open Ceremonies to take place at 8 pm. 

The following morning, students who qualified for their role plays at regionals or composed ten page papers presented to judges for their respective categories. After the preliminary rounds, students who made it to the finalist rounds competed again to determine whether they would place at Nationals. 

The competition came to a close on Wednesday morning as the Grand Awards were announced. SHS students waited in anticipation as their categories were called to the stage. Below is a list of the students who qualified or received leadership positions for the Nationals trip in April. 

Finance Operations Research Paper

• Quint Flannery

• Jordyn Kelly

Apparel & Accessories Role Play event

• Katrina Furgeson

Career Development Project

• Abbey Pierson

• Ella Ryan

• Sama Elhamouly

Community Awareness Project

• Goldie Ancis

• Liv Stehle

Financial Literacy Project

• Gabrielle Heim

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Sales Project

• Gabi Lindner

• Emily Reina

Start Up Business Plan

• Landon Tanyeri

• James Weisbeck

Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research Paper

• Dan Maher

• Dillon Caswell

School Store Gold Certification

• Jeremy Schon

• Leah Moore

• Marcella Hill

Stock Market Game

• Isabella DiGoia

• Leah Geety

• Tahg Herbison

• Parker Hein

• Luke Silvey

• Jake Koerner

• Anthony Dionisio

• Stone Herbison

Community Service & Promotional Campaigns

• Sydney Giroux

• Jane Bleakley

• Emily Kruger

The Nationals Competition will be held at the end of April in Orlando, Florida. 

SPARTA'S GOT TALENT!

Sparta’s Got Talent!

March 20. 2023

by The Oracle Staff

Sparta High School has the privilege of having so many talented students. Whether it is jazz or singing or the visual arts, the Spartans really run the gamut in arts expertise.

Every year, each NJ county offers students an opportunity to perform, compete, and be evaluated by professionals in a specific art field. Teen Arts is held at Sussex County Community College-  and this year, Sparta High School had many students compete in many events. Those who qualify will advance to the state level of evaluation in May.

Congratulations to all Spartans who participated and have qualified for the next level!

Large Instrumental Selections 

• Sparta HS, Jazz Band 

Small Instrumental Selections 

• Sparta HS, Rowan Mendel, “Allemande” 

• Sparta MS, String Ensemble 

Small Theater Selections 

• Sparta HS, Paula Aldaz, “Shadow of My Mind” 

• Sparta HS, Daniel Perez, “The Genius” 

Large Vocal Selections

• Shacaopella    

Small Vocal Selections 

• Sparta HS, Ella Simmons 

• Alternate- Julia Kadar 

*Visual Arts Results:

Delaney Ekeman- Mixed Media

Millen Duberry- 3D Wood

Ashley Potter- Scratchboard

Kimberley Bellamy- Digital Photography

Kaitlyn Cioc- Digital Photography

READING HAS COME FULL CIRCLE- ALPINE AND SHS PARTNER IN LITERACY

 First Meeting of the SHS Literacy Project!

By Kelly Groome 

The first meeting of the SHS Literary project successfully took place this past Monday! 

During lunch, kindergarten students from Alpine Elementary listened and watched as Ms. Deluccia read aloud this week's book, Swimmy by Leo Lioni. The story of Swimmy centers on the project's theme for this week, leadership. 

Throughout the meeting, SHS students were gathered around the screen and helped weigh in on what traits make a good leader. Alpine students also contributed by offering their thoughts on leadership and asking SHS students questions about high school. 

The next meeting will take place Monday 2/13 where SHS students will read The Little Blue Truck to the Alpine students. Any and all students are welcome to join the project which will tentatively take place every Monday during lunch.