ASPIRE Times
March 2016
CAREER DAY!
By: Andres Alvarez
February 12th was an exciting day full of fun! All day, presenters came in and out of
classrooms speaking about their careers. Everyone heard three presenters and had a chance to
go outside and visit the career fair. These presenters came to show students what career paths
they can choose from and what jobs are available for them. Colleges and clubs were also out on
the field talking to students about how to further their education.
One of the main attractions was the Tesla that
was outside by the 8th grade building. This electric car
produces 0 emissions and does not use gas. The car
can go 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds. Made in Fremont,
California, the car company allows buyers to customize
their cars in any way they want.
ASU Sparks also came to debunk some college
myths. They spoke about what types of majors that you
can study in college. In addition, the Sparks discussed
the work ethic needed to succeed in school.
An accountant presented to multiple classes speaking about the importance of math in all
fields of study. He also spoke about STEM and how engineering is a fast growing field and
people are needed to work as engineers. Each classroom heard from a variety of presenters.
For example, a journalist, ER nurse, attorney, sports scout, motivational speaker and baseball
player, Starbucks, engineer, and so many more. Who was your favorite? Are you motivated
to do what it takes to succeed in your future career?
The career fair was a hit among students with multiple Tempe departments such as fire,
police, and the bomb squad. Career day 2016 was an exciting day full of fun!
Seventh grader, Dario
Puente-Reinhardt, on
Career Day
ASPIRE Newspaper Staff:
Aaron Garrett
Abigail E. Naranjo-D.
Andres Alvarez
Benjamin Adelberg
Christian Isch
Gage Dailey
Isabel Warriner
Lenny McGavren
Nancy Vu
Julia Myers
Tristan Burchfield
Mrs. Jones, Teacher
Inside this issue:
Page 1: Career Day!
Page 2: Poetry Now and Then
Page 3: Movie Review, Sports
Page 4: Mother Nature
Page 5: Dear Abbey
Page 6: Philosophy Corner
Page 7: Facts and Games
Page 8: Scholastic Award Winners
Page 9: My Middle School Diary
Page 10: Press Pass Abuse Comic
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Poetry Now and Then
By Tristan Burchfield
William Henry Drummond (April 13, 1854 - April 6, 1907)
was a poet who wrote humorous and delicate poems
which made him one of the most popular in the English
speaking world. Drummond’s poems were among the
most widely read and loved poems in Canada. He loved
poems so much that he had written a whole book full of
poems; it was called The Habitent published in 1897 and
was very successful and created a valued reputation of
delicate topics which have slowly started to fade after his
death. He originally kept his poems in private until his wife
May Harvey and one of his four brothers had encouraged
The Truth of a Friend
him to share his poems with the world. Drummond was
By Tristan Burchfield
elected to the Royal Society of Literature in the United
Kingdom in 1898 and in Canada in 1899. One of his well
A Friend is there when you need help
known poems is A Lament featured below:
You don't need to yelp
They will be there for you
A Lament by William Henry Drummond
But make sure they are true
Friends will cheer you up
My thoughts hold mortal strife;
True friends will provide backup
I do detest my life,
They make you laugh
And with lamenting cries
You don't need an autograph
Peace to my soul to bring
From a true friend
Oft call that prince which here doth monarchize:
You two will really blend
But he, grim grinning King,
Together like two peas
Who caitiffs scorns, and doth the blest surprise,
While
you walk in the breeze
Late having decked with beauty's rose his tomb,
Being there forever
Disdains to crop a weed, and will not come.
There whenever
You meet in a place you never forget
Spring Bereaved 3 by William Henry Drummond
They will protect you from threats
When you need someone to talk to
ALEXIS, here she stay'd; among these pines,
You
feel better when you have the flu
Sweet hermitess, she did alone repair;
When you have a friend
Here did she spread the treasure of her hair,
You two could make a trend
More rich than that brought from the Colchian mines.
As long as you get along
She set her by these musked eglantines,
Both of you will belong.
--The happy place the print seems yet to bear:
Her voice did sweeten here thy sugar'd lines,
To which winds, trees, beasts, birds, did lend their ear.
Me here she first perceived, and here a morn
Of bright carnations did o'erspread her face;
Here did she sigh, here first my hopes were born,
And I first got a pledge of promised grace:
But ah! what served it to be happy so?
Sith passed pleasures double but new woe?
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Movie Review By Benjamin Adelberg
Hail, Caesar was a drama/comedy written and directed by the
Coen brothers who have created many other brilliant movies
such as Fargo and Raising Arizona.
Starring George Clooney as (Baird Whitlock), who is
kidnapped by a group of communists, it’s up to (Josh Brolin) as
Eddie Mannix to find him. This is an hour and 47 minute chase
through the Hollywood sound stages of Capitol pictures. This
features pointless characters that add nothing to the story such
as Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill.
Channing Tatum’s character, (Burt), took up a pointless
10 minute musical to introduce the character. Scarlett Johansson
and Jonah Hill were both side plots that had nothing to do with
the actual movie. The movie lacked comedy and an actual story. The story was simple and
was easy to predict. Guy gets kidnapped, guy gets rescued. The side plots distracted the
audience and took up most of the runtime in the movie. The main characters lacked a
background unlike the supporting roles who seemed to have a bigger focus along with the sub
plots.
The story was dull and tedious. Hail, Caesar was predictable, there was nothing exciting
added to the story or a plot twist, it’s just your average mystery story. Overall this movie was
boring and I found myself not focused on the screen due to it’s lack of interest. I would not
recommend this movie.
Connolly Middle School Sports
By: Aaron Garrett
Connolly Middle School is now in
spring sports. These include baseball and
girls basketball. So far, both teams have
had a very successful season and are
looking to win the championship. They are
a very talented group of students and we
believe in their abilities. Win or lose we’re
still proud of our Connolly Crusaders
teams. Go Crusaders!!!
Mr. Harris and Ms. Vargas are hosting a
March Madness basketball tournament.
To celebrate college basketball Connolly
students can form a team of 3-4 players to
compete in the tournament. All grade
levels are allowed and anyone can join.
The only rules and regulations are that
students show good sportsman like
conduct and must not receive a BIF, ISS,
or OSS during the course of the
tournament. First place winners of the
tournament will receive a prize at the very
end.
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Mother Nature
By: Nancy Vu
Leaves fell on the smooth concrete and the wind howled. There was a girl in golden locks,
with rosy red cheeks who sat on the concrete floor, her hands brushing on the leaves. She
stared out at the midnight sky, admiring the window of stars that spread out before her. The
silence of the night consumed her, yet she felt calm and free of worries. Her thoughts flowed
freely throughout her mind and she felt like there was nothing that could prevent her from her
dreams.
Suddenly, all sounds around her ceased, and time stopped. Her body moved on its own,
and she closed her eyes. She felt as if she was flying, a bird going wherever the wind took her.
When she opened her eyes, they glowed a yellowish light and she felt like she could do
anything. Butterflies were intertwined with her fingers, and they flowed within her veins. Life had
taken the best of her, and now it was time to let her worries go free. The laughing of children
echoed in her mind and she felt deeply warm inside.
Soon, the beautiful images of nature that embraced her started to vanish. Her dreams
and freedom were ending. In only about ten seconds, she was back on the cold concrete in the
midnight. It was about time for her to go back home. Home to the place where she watched her
parents fight over insignificant things, abuse her out of anger, and most of all, to the place where
she was rejected by all people.
Feelings of hatred filled her veins, and she clenched her fists. She didn’t want to go
home. She was already free where she was and she preferred to stay where nature would love
her for herself. Her parents didn’t care about her well-being. All they cared about was money,
love, and their own riches. She was nothing but an obstacle to block them from reaching their
selfish dreams.
Nature was where she belonged. Nature was her home, where she was accepted for who
she was.
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Dear Abbey,
The Advice Column
Dear Abbey,
Last year I had this wonderful friend who I did everything with.
She helped me get comfortable in ASPIRE when I entered last year. Then
when I was moved to a different class she found a new friend and I’ve
felt like a 3rd wheel ever since. Now whenever I have too much time to
think I really miss “the old times.” What would you do in my position?
-Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Trust me, you are not the only person with this problem. I have
received multiple letters stating that they were lonely and their
friends left them. Honestly, you need to reach out to people, even if
you are normally a shy person.
Remember in Kindergarten, when all you had to do to make friends
was ask, “Do you want to be friends?” Trying to get over these things
is difficult, but you also have to accept the possibility that “the old
times” may never come back. I know. It’s sad.
However, there are a lot of people who want new friends; you just
need to approach them. If you’re constantly dwelling on the past, you
won’t be able to move forward. Just go up to someone and strike up a
conversation or maybe talk to a counselor for some extra advice.
Remember, you are not alone with this problem and you are just as
deserving of attention as anyone else.
Hey, by the way, to enter in your “Dear Abbey” questions, short
stories, or poems, put them in the mailbox in front of Mrs. Jones’ room
C-101 in ASPIRE. Feel free to ask for any kind of advice (as long as
it’s school appropriate!) Note that not all stories will be posted in
the newspaper; the ASPIRE newspaper staff will choose the best story
and feature it in the next newspaper!
By:Abigail Naranjo-Dahlgren
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Philosophy Corner
By: Christian Isch
The skies themselves are failing, shattering, falling onto me. I flinch… I’m frozen. I can’t
do anything about this. I can’t… I can’t move and I can’t… I can’t see anymore! This is
impossible but it’s happening. Why? How is the world so cruel? I guess I deserve it… Don’t I?
Or maybe bad things DO happen to good people… But what of karma? I’m so lost I… I can’t
remember anything anymore. I don’t know whether I deserve this or if I’m just unlucky. Laugh
all you want… All the others already do that. I’m too young to feel right? So, it doesn’t matter.
Until I’m older no one will ever consider how I feel to be real… They never do and that’s just
how the world works. They all think I can’t feel true pain, love, hate, anger. They say the young
never scar but it’s easier to make a permanent mark on a young sapling rather than an old,
grand oak. “You’re young,” Mother tells me... I am young but father wants me to be a man. I
don’t want to be a man yet… But I’m not a child. Am I? The world is confusing and cruel and
forceful and it hurts. I must… Grow. Grow out of being a child to show Mother and grow into a
man for Father. I must do this for myself! Not because Father would be proud or because
Mother would realize but because I must grow to face this world. Adults are strong; the elders
are wise, and the youth… Well, we’re young. We’re growing so of course we’ll learn things.
We’re young so of course we’re smaller. We’re growing into true people in society. Even if you
think you’ve finished growing, trust me, you’re not done yet. That’s why we’re placed in this
world. To the older and wiser we’re just children, but they envy us. They envy our youth and
privilege to be oblivious. You may want to learn to be an adult but you don’t WANT to be.
Enjoy your ability to not care about anything else other than chores, housework, and small jobs
your parents make you do. They do a lot… Adults. Good adults. Let yourself grow! Don’t reject
being an adult but never forget being a child. Grow with the flow and let it be. Do what you
want but remember what your parents tell you because they truly are far wiser than you could
imagine. Be young.
ASPIRE & Connolly Students competed in
the Rubik’s Cube Challenge at ASU West
on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Teams
worked to solve 25 Rubik’s Cubes in the
shortest time. Way to represent our school
with your problem solving skills!
Thanks to our teacher sponsors: Mrs.
Johnson and Mrs. Roller. Thanks to our
parent sponsor: Mr. Olsen.
Geography Bee Winner!
During two rounds of the school Geography
Bee, Tom Reisslein came out victorious.
The district Geography Bee was on
February 10, 2016. Tom won 2nd place and
will participate in the National Geographic
State Bee on April 1st at ASU!
Congratulations!
BY: ANDRES ALVAREZ
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Facts and Games
By: Julia Myers
St. Patrick’s Day Facts:
The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.
In 1948, President Truman became the first president to attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
15 million cards are exchanged on St. Patrick's Day. Ten percent of all St Patrick's Day cards
are sold in New York.
There are 33.7 million U.S. residents who are of Irish ancestry. That number is almost nine
times the population of Ireland itself.
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Congratulations to the ASPIRE Students
Arizona 2016 Scholastic Writing Award Honorees
These students will be recognized April 16, 2016 at the fifth annual Young Author’s of Arizona
ceremony. Gold Key honorees are being considered for national awards and will be notified by the end
of March if they are selected. Mrs. Jones would like to thank all the seventh grade students and eighth
grade Journalism PBL students who participated. Please join her in congratulating our writing
honorees. Keep writing!
Name
Victoria Adam
Ali Giunta
Laela Olsen
Award
Gold Key for Science Fiction
Gold Key for Science Fiction
Gold Key for Science Fiction
Billie Briner
Louisa Kaplan
Amanda McAlphin
Jade Teserio
Dylan Worley
Silver Key for Science Fiction & Silver Key for Short Story
Silver Key for Short Story
Silver Key for Science Fiction
Silver Key for Science Fiction
Silver Key for Science Fiction
Angelo Carl Antenor
Olivia Fajardo
Trevor Finnern
Ahmed Gamaleldin
Jorden Hilbink
Lincoln Kokanovich
Maria Lopez
Davis Lu
Eileen Mamaghani
Carter Miller
Alexia Moreno
Abigail Naranjo-Dahlgren
Maxwell Nielsen
Kristen Pigon
Mathias Sanders
Mario Stinson-Maas
Josephine Tougas
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
2 Honorable Mentions for 2 Critical Essays
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Personal Essay/Memoir
Honorable Mention for Short Story
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention for Science Fiction
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
My Middle School Diary
Dear Whoever Happens to be Reading This...
Have you ever come home from a long day,
dropped your backpack on the floor, let out a long
sigh and said the three words you’ve repeated in
your head all day, even possibly all week, all
month, all year...middle school sucks. If yes, guess
what; you are not the only one :).
It’s not very hard to get lost in the anxieties from
school. Due to being the classic “stresser,” it
happens to me all the time. I think it happens to
everyone. Whether it be keeping up with classwork,
finding friends, being bullied, stressing out about
whether or not you have good friends, wondering if
your makeup is blended completely, freaking out
about the pimple that erupted on your face, hoping
that someone is going to actually like your article
that you're writing in the ASPIRE Times (ha ha, see
what I did there. Just kidding it’s not that funny)the list goes on and on.
At some point or another- we’ve all said something,
worn something, done something because we want
to fit in and be accepted. I don’t know about you,
but for me, it sucks. It makes me not happy. I kind
of hate it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure
everyone is insecure about something. In middle
school all of these expectations of what your face
should look like, the brands of clothes you should
wear, the way you can or cannot act, the bra size
you should have (if you’re a girl) are dumped on
you. All of a sudden it’s not okay to be super smart,
but it’s also not okay to not be smart enough. All of
a sudden - if you want to have a “perfect middle
school life” - you must fit into all of these
requirements. If you think about it, it’s pretty
stupid.
I mean, why on earth would anyone want to do
that? To be honest, I think most of us don’t want
to do that. Take a second and think- what is it that
you're insecure about?
●
You’re feeling so ugly, especially when you
see that generic lottery girl or guy walk
down the hall.
●
You absolutely love to write - then someone
calls your stories trash.
●
You need a better body - maybe then the
guy you have a crush on would like you
back.
●
You can't act too weird otherwise your
friends won’t be your friends anymore.
Maybe you’ve had a feeling like this before. Now,
why exactly are you insecure about those things?
It’s most likely because of someone else. Maybe
you’re embarrassed and want to impress someone,
maybe people make fun of you for it, maybe you
read it in a magazine; whatever the case,
insecurity is always caused by everyone else.
It’s pretty depressing, we’re in this tragic middle
school cycle. We all walk around with our own
problems and anxieties that we hate and still gossip
about so and so, make a joke about how someone
is, and even sometimes go as far as start a rumor or
bully someone.
Do you ever just wish you could bake a cake made
out of rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat
and be happy…sorry. Hopefully you’ve watched
Mean Girls and appreciate that, ha ha. But
seriously, why are we so mean to each other? How
come everyone doesn’t talk to the guy or girl who
looks really lonely, and not judge someone because
they look or act different?
Unfortunately, we’re all fighting for a good place in
middle school and maybe the easier way is to push
other people down to get there, but what happens
when you’re the one who gets kicked? I know I
sound like a total cream puff (shout out to
anonymous), but honestly think of all the things
that make you happy. Have you ever sacrificed one
of those things to fit in somewhere? I know I have,
you have, too. My point is, I guess I’d much rather
be myself and really happy than try and be what
the popular crowd says I should be when they don’t
actually care about me.
So as hard as it can be (brace yourself for cheesy
lines) be different, be happy, be yourself, be safe,
be responsible (just kidding about the last two- sort
of). Anyways, you’re always gonna have those
“middle school sucks” days, but if you’re really
yourself, you’ll know when someone makes fun of
you, they’ve got insecurities too. Unfortunately for
them, they haven’t quite figured life out yet- you
should help them out ...nicely. ;)
-Isabel Warriner
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ASPIRE Times
March 2016
Press Pass Abuse
By Lenny McGavren
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