The Chieftain - Montville Public Schools
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The Chieftain
Montville High School Oakdale, CT 06370 Issue #1 2022
Uncharted Waters Produce
To Vaxx or Not to Vaxx Rough Seas for Seniors
By: Julia LaFrance
COVID-19 has put an additional
strain on seniors by making their
transition into college less predictable.
The uncertainty created by the pandemic
has made it more difficult to plan for the
future, and it’s unclear what the college
experience will be like for the class of
2022.
Students typically start scoping
out colleges in the summer between their
junior and senior year. Some colleges
are only offering online tours due to
COVID-19 restrictions, which hinders
potential students’ abilities to get well
acquainted with the campuses. I was
able to schedule some in-person tours
last summer, but there were some college
COVID-19 Vaccines: What Seniors Need to Know. Photo By: Stock Photo campuses that I was only able to view
virtually.
By: Isaac B. Bandholtz
Not only has COVID-19 changed
The year 2019 held a surprise before. the search for colleges, it has also modified
pandemic caused by a particularly nasty The vaccination should exempt people the college experience. It’s possible that
virus called Coronavirus, or Covid for from regulations held to unvaccinated some colleges will require students to take
short. A vaccine becoming available in people such as mask mandates and social courses online, replacing the traditional
2021 should have been welcome, but distancing. According to Our World in college experience of learning in person.
there were plenty of people who did not Data, 200 million people in the United According to CollegeData’s 2020-2021
support it. The Pro Vax versus Anti Vax States are fully vaccinated, which totals survey, 56% of college students attended
debate was brought back to life with a around 60.8% of the US population. This fully remote classes on campus, and only
newfound passion. leaves around 40% of the population 8% attended in-person classes on campus.
The introduction of the vaccine unvaccinated, making them the minority However, the 8% of students that were
promoted conspiracies and speculation, here. If this ratio is applied to Montville lucky enough to learn in person didn’t
bringing a wave of social media posts High School, then there is a greater have a completely normal year because of
and buzz along with it. This widened the percentage of vaccinated people than COVID-19 restrictions.
divide in America between those who did unvaccinated people. The uncertainty of the pandemic
and those who did not support the vaccine. When the majority of students has added to the stress of senior year and
Should people who are vaccinated be held are considered safe from COVID-19 due the transition into college, and seniors at
to the mask mandate like those who aren’t to their vaccinations, they should then be MHS are feeling the pressure. One senior
vaccinated? allowed to attend school with masks as felt like she couldn’t go to college in New
The Covid vaccine has been proven an option not a requirement. In the US, York, because she didn’t want to risk the
to be highly effective by not one, but two where freedom and choice is our slogan; chance of being in a highly populated area
CDC studies. According to the Centers for vaccinated people should have more if there’s another spike in the COVID-19
Disease Control and Prevention website, freedom. Should the school reconsider stats. The student also expressed her
the vaccine holds a 90% efficiency rating. its mask policies, or should they keep the concerns about the possibility of colleges
As expected, those who have not been same requirements for both vaccinated or following the hybrid model or limiting
vaccinated are still at the same risk as unvaccinated students? activities due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Page 1 The Chieftain
MHS NEWS
“The Servant of Two Masters by School Store
Carlo Goldoni” By: Isaac B. Bandholtz
The school store at Montville
High Schoolhas had a surprise reopening
and has introduced an easily accessible
way to help fund our school’s events. The
store is located directly next to the library
and is open during most study halls. The
prices of all items, ranging from food and
drinks to apparel, are affordable for any
budget, and a purchase made at the school
store is a demonstration of support and
spirit.
The food available at the school
store has had an upgrade in variety, and
there is something for everyone. Granola
bars, potato chips, Rice Krispies, Fruit
Snacks, and Cheez-Its are some of the
snacks available. In addition, the store
often collaborates with the culinary
MHS Drama Club performs “The Servant of Two Masters” Photo By: Julia LaFrance club and sells items such as homemade
cookies, popcorn, and cereal bars. Drinks
By: Julia LaFrance
are also available, such as juice boxes for
In October, the MHS drama club a servant named Truffaldino who has the students and sodas for teachers. The store
performed The Servant of Two Masters, task of serving two masters without either is constantly updating its selection by
a “fast-paced and physically demanding” knowing that he is serving the other. He adding new items.
comedy based on the original 1700s Italian struggles to keep his masters’ assignments The store sells MHS branded
commedia. The play tells a “classic, but straight, but he is able to successfully clothing, such as hoodies, shirts, hats, and
fun” story of mistaken identity through deceive them. One of Truffaldino’s sweatpants, with prices as low as $25.
slapstick characters and physical comedy masters, Federigo, is revealed to have Purchasing MHS merchandise is a great
When Mrs. Walsh, the drama club a mistaken identity. As the audience way to show school spirit, and the easy
director, started teaching at MHS in 2009, knew from the beginning, a woman access and affordable prices of the school
The Servant of Two Masters was the first named Beatrice disguised herself as her store make it very convenient for spirit
show that she produced. Her confidence in dead brother to collect dowry money by weeks and school sports events. With cold
the current 13 actors and 12 tech workers marrying a maiden with a wealthy father. weather being more common, a purchase
inspired her to produce the play again. This This was a shock to the other characters, of school merch is not only a cheap option
production “call[ed] for actors to be really including Truffaldino, who believed that but a smart one.
out there,” and Mrs. Walsh encouraged Beatrice was Federigo. Whether you need some new
them to push themselves and enjoyed The actors’ commitment to clothes to keep warm or to show spirit,
watching the actors “find their wit.” In their roles allowed them to effectively or you are in need of a snack, the school
rehearsal, the actors were “uncovering execute the characters’ strong and vibrant store is the place for you. Items are readily
the comedy of [the play]” and “making personalities. The actors enhanced the available and the store is open and easily
themselves laugh.” comedy factor of the play and kept the accessible for everyone.
The play features iconic audience engaged by addressing them
characters, such as the penny pincher directly at times and gifting them with
and the young lovers, that are present secrets unknown by the other characters.
in other works performed during the
Italian Renaissance. The play focuses on
Page 2 The Chieftain
MHS NEWS
Remote Learning and Snow Days
By: James Trehy
Remote learning is a new way to the death of the snow day.
learn and attend school via technology, Remote snow days would make
such as Zoom and Google Meet, that it possible to keep the end date of school
allows students to learn from home. It consistent, which would make it easier for
was implemented during the beginning of high school students to get summer jobs
COVID-19’s impact on schools in 2020, and have more free time. Mrs. Pallin says,
and it has made us realize that students can “I know that snow days are special, and
learn from home when they are snowed traditionally kids and parents get a surprise
in. This raises the question: will the snow day to be out in the snow, but holding
day survive? school late in June in non air conditioned
A snow day is assigned when classrooms isn’t as productive as a remote
weather makes transportation dangerous day earlier in the year. But, would you
to transport students to school. Mrs. Pallin learn more on a remote day in January or
says, “Whenever a forecast predicts snow a non-remote day in mid to late June?”
day weather, we would try to prepare Despite the benefits of replacing
for that by telling students to bring their snow days with remote learning days,
devices home and teachers to prepare eliminating snow days would cause us
for remote learning. If people don’t to miss out on quality time in front of the
have power, we’ll have a day off.” The fireplace, making snowmen, sledding, and
introduction of remote learning might be drinking Hot Cocoa. A schoolbus drops students off in the snow.
Stock Photo
Mrs. Grills Is Comin’ to Town
By: Julia LaFrance
Every year, Mrs. Grills, a math on the corresponding wish list. “It takes Grills started the prom closet with Mr.
teacher at Montville High School, a village;” students help wrap the gifts Stone, a retired math teacher at MHS
organizes charity events for the holidays. and organize them into specific wish that has recently returned to teach AP
She relishes the opportunity to “become lists. Many families struggle to finance Calculus. The prom closet “started with a
Santa,” and it’s worth it if she can “help the extra expenses around the holidays, couple dozen dresses,” and has expanded
someone have a little smile on Christmas and Mrs. Grills says that “we’re here to and “saved a lot of people a lot of money.”
morning.” Holiday charities have always help with those little extras.” Project Polar Students can borrow a dress or suit, alter it
been an influence in Mrs. Grills’ life and Express is Mrs. Grills’ main focus for this if they want, wear it for prom, and return
she has fond memories of participating in year’s holiday charity. it for another student to use. In 2017, the
charities with her family as a young child. In the past, Mrs. Grills has been Montville Board of Education included
When her room is filled with toys, she can involved with other charity agencies the following excerpt: “High school math
feel the “excitement in the air,” and the including Montville Social Services, the teachers Mrs. Grills and Mr. Stone are
“Christmas spirit” is very visible. Humane Society of the United States, the getting ready for their annual prom dress
For most of the 34 years that Mrs. BEAR Project, and American Red Cross. closet initiative. Students who cannot or
Grills has been teaching at MHS, she has On several Fridays throughout the school do not want to spend hundreds of dollars
been involved with Project Polar Express. year, Mrs. Grills organizes a wear-jeans- on a prom dress or suit can choose from
She collects about 10 Christmas wish for-charity event for the MHS staff. She a wide selection in the “prom closet” to
lists from the Child and Family Agency has raised money for causes such as Relay borrow for the special night.”
and distributes them to the MHS staff. For Life, Eagle Scout projects, and the
Each participant’s job is to get a few food pantry.
gifts for their assigned recipient based More than ten years ago, Mrs.
Page 3 The Chieftain
OPINION
Horses Get a Painful Leg up on the Weddings Must be Stopped
Competition By: Jesse Bradham
In my lifetime, I have been to two
weddings, and let me tell you, wedding
culture and the societal norms that it
breeds are, quite simply, a plague. It’s
important for me to say that this column is
not an attack on the concept of marriage,
rather the over-the-top weddings that
start too many marriages. Weddings are
good for little more than causing family
turmoil, debt, and overall getting too
many marriages off to a rocky start.
I think it’s important to examine
the mentality that surrounds many
weddings. Many people, from the day
they’re old enough to know what a
wedding is, begin planning their “big
day.” These fantasies follow them in a
toxic cycle until they finally get the ring
Advocates of change in the industry want to see chains and stacks eliminated. Photo by: Clarence Alford on their finger, and suddenly the wedding
becomes more important than the person
By: Julia LaFrance
they´re taking as their spouse. It’s not
Many of us are familiar with the legs or hooves in order to force the horse about love, it’s about the material aspects.
“Devious Licks” that are grabbing the to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait.” If you´re not going to be happy in marriage
attention of news reporters and taking Soring consists of applying “caustic without a wedding, then you shouldn’t be
over schools across the United States, chemicals--blistering agents like mustard getting married.
including Montville High School. But oil, diesel fuel, and kerosene--to the Of course, weddings also take
a similar-sounding issue called “The horse’s limbs.” Trainers rub the chemicals a toll on guests, who are sometimes
Big Lick,” a dangerous Tennessee horse on the horse’s legs and hooves days before forced to travel lengthy distances before
show trick riddled with underground an event, leaving the horse squealing and arriving at the venue and realizing, ¨Oh
animal abuse, seems to be going largely wailing in agony as the chemicals soak hell, we forgot a present¨, so they go to
unnoticed. into its skin. Family Dollar and spend their last $10 on
The Big Lick originated in the Soring is illegal and punishable a gift. They then have to sit through the
1940s and 1950s, and gained popularity by fines and imprisonment under the ceremony, wherein some old codger rants
from Tennessee Walking Horses. The Horse Protection Act of 1970, but “judges about how the couple is so in love before
trick requires horses to lift and curl continue to reward the artificial “Big permitting them to make out. Speaking of
their front legs as they walk, creating Lick” gait, thus encouraging participants which, how is that first kiss an intimate
an unnatural motion that can’t be easily to sore their horses and allowing the cruel moment when you have an audience?
achieved without the trainer’s use of harsh practice to persist.” In 2019, Congress Weddings must be retired.
techniques, such as soring. Teaching introduced the Prevention All Soring The couple is subject to sharing the
horses to perform the Big Lick takes time Tactics (PAST) Act, which will enforce the commencement of their marriage with
and effort, and as the trick became more humane treatment of horses and punish the their loved ones who are then forced
popular, soring became an easier and more unethical behavior of trainers. Congress’ to watch later as the bride’s mother
time effective method, at the expense of haste to finalize this act is puzzling; dog abandons her tears before chasing a piece
the horses. abuse is universally frowned upon, yet of wedding cake down with a shot of
The Humane Society of the the equally torturous methods behind whiskey and drunkenly hitting the dance-
United States describes soring as “the the Big Lick have not been adequately floor as Mambo No. 5 begins playing.
intentional infliction of pain to a horse’s acknowleged or addressed. Everyone present is inconvenienced.
Page 4 The Chieftain
OPINION
Is Santa Real?
By: Mason and Maxwell Westkamper
Max-Now to most of you this when we actually came from the adoption entering, and assaulting children, Elf On
answer is simple, but some people actually center like my “parents” told me when I The Shelf being set in a fascist dictatorship
don’t believe in Santa. I am here to argue was 8? Teachers lie they say, “Your child where Santa works elves to death in the
why Santa is pure fact, and I have brought is so smart,” and you actually flunked! As sweatshops and the lucky few oligarchs
along a stupid Santa denier to debunk his it stands, your first point is wrong. who are able to leave on their own accord,
anti-Claus additude. Max-You make a fair point, but have their lives cut short as kids constantly
My first point is adults who why would parents even lie about Santa? I grab things. These undertones are funny
believe in Santa. Adults are fairly smart mean if I were to give someone a present when you have an audience unaware of
(most of the time). My dad, for one, I would definitely want credit. I mean the dark humor of it. That is why parents
even saw Santa himself, and my mom how would someone even think up the lie.
says that she did too. Even my teachers idea of an immortal fat person that gives Santa-I need you to believe or
believe in Santa. A survey in Iceland says presents? else Christmas will be destroyed; my
45% of adults believe in elves. With these Mason-Why parents lie is simple: clausometer is running low!
testimonies it is obvious Santa is real. the movies. Watching movies about Santa Charles Darwin-Christmas joy is
Mason-I believe that parents use is great for the family, but once kids find running low, together we shall DESTROY
the story of Santa to cover up the fact the truth, it is likely they stop caring. christmas through evolution! Who’s real?
that they are the ones hiding presents. When kids believe in Santa, parents It’s up to you to either save christmas, or
Bringing up their testimony doesn’t prove rewatch movies in a new light. It allows evolve with Darwin.
anything. Also adults are known to be them to pick up on hidden undertones,
liars. For example, remember when they like Elf being about a schizophrenic man
told us that babies came from the stork, hanging out with little kids, breaking and
Wearing Shirts of Artists You Don’t Know: A New Facism?
By: Jesse Bradham
We´ve all probably seen someone thing about what they´re representing. See the flaw there? The person wearing
wearing the iconic shirt with the yellow They have this mentality that ¨Oh, well it´s the shirt is a perpetrator of fashionism,
smiley face and the word Nirvana, the just a cool shirt.¨ Icons like Hendrix and the unjust belief that we shouldn’t learn
name of an iconic grunge band, plastered Bowie are reduced to ¨cool shirts.¨ The or care about what clothing represents
above it. The same can be said of shirts people wearing shirts of artists they don´t as long as it’s aesthetically pleasing.
representing bands like the Ramones or know a thing about obviously, I would Fashionism will ruin the legacy of all of
AC/DC,. However, how often do the hope, aren’t trying to be disrespectful, your favorite musical artists.
people wearing these shirts, objectifying but that’s exactly the problem; they´re In conclusion, the takeaway
them for fashion, know anything about inadvertently disrespecting artists, using here is that the culture of wearing shirts
the artists they’re representing? Too often their image as a fashion statement. of bands or artists you don’t know
they can’t name any songs, they don’t Secondly, I´d like to note -fashionism- needs to stop. Also, while
know anything about the artists´ legacy, another flaw in the ¨it’s just a cool shirt¨ my arguments may have me misconstrued
and in the worst cases, they don’t even mentality, which, going forward, will be as some gatekeeping fool, I am quite the
know what their shirt represents. This is dubbed fashionism. Let’s say a person, opposite; I have no problem with people
becoming more common, and there is no unassociated with any fascist mentality, listening to whatever music they may like,
justification for it. sees a shirt with a swastika on it, and and in fact, I encourage them to do so. But
First, I´d like to bring up how without much thought, thinks it looks cool learn about and listen to the band or beliefs
damaging it can be to the legacies of the and wears it in public the next day. When represented by clothing instead of walking
artists whose shirts are objectified. As someone questions them on why they the halls wearing it with ignorance.
previously mentioned, many of the people would wear something like that, the person
wearing these shirts don’t know a single with the shirt says ¨It just looks cool.¨
Page 5 The Chieftain
MHS SPORTS
A Successful Soccer Season For MHS MHS Welcomes New AD
By: Summer Buzon and Jesse Bradham
The Montville Sports community
has recently welcomed a new member.
We have a new athletic director, Mrs.
Megan Sears. Mrs. Megan Sears is the
third administrator the school has had in 3
years.
When I spoke with Mrs. Sears, she
told me about her past experience and her
goals and aspirations as an administrative
leader. She attended and later graduated
from Springfield College, where she
majored in physical health and education.
She also played field hockey and lacrosse
during her college years, which set her up
to be ready to support a sports team. She
soon began one of her first endeavours as
a teacher when she became a health and
physical education teacher at Haddam
MHS Varsity Soccer Photo By: Art Rich Photography High School, simultaneously. It was two
years after earning her administrative
By: Mason Westkamper, Jesse Bradham
degree that she approached Montville
Montville High School’s Varsity had a scheduled game against the Putnam High School, saying of her experience “I
soccer teams, through much effort, had a Clippers and they beat New London in a came in one Wednesday for an interview,
successful season filled with many wins. 4-1 away game. and was working the very next Monday.”
Coach Occhialini had this to say about The Boys Varsity soccer team, as The school surely saw the potential in
the biggest challenges his team of 18 many know, was able to beat Griswold Mrs. Sears.
faced this season; “Forming a bond with 1-0. This ECE game, according to a player Speaking on what she hopes to
the players would have been easier if on the team, was the defining game of the bring to the table for the students, and
last season wasn’t cut short. Having this season, and won them not only the title, possible changes to be made, she said
season cut short is a possibility we have but the Division. “I haven’t been here long enough to
to be wary of. Ledyard and Stonington Overall, it is evident that these see or experience anything that I could
will be our biggest challenges in terms of teams have had an amazing season this say needed to be changed, ask me next
other teams.” He noted that they needed year and are ready for what the future has Spring.” Mrs. Sears sounds like she will
to improve on the offensive side of things, in store. be a strong advocate for change within
but also praised the team: “Everyone has Montville Highschool, when she sees the
really stepped up to their jobs this year, opportunity arise.
and are really trying their best.¨ Overall, I think it is evident that
Montville High School’s Girls Mrs. Sears will be a beneficial inclusion
Varsity soccer team had a decent start, in the Montville Athletics community.
with their record at two wins and no losses She seems to have a positive attitude that
in league games. In their first home game will carry us toward the future in many
this season, they beat Tourtellotte 1-0, positive ways.
and two days later, they easily defeated
Griswold in a 7-1 away game. Then they
lost three games in a row to Killingly, and
Bacon Academy twice. Afterwards, they
Page 6 The Chieftain
ARTS AND CULTURE
Girls Allowed in the Boy Scouts
By: Chloe Leonardi
The Boy Scouts, as we all know, This change started with a
has long consisted of exclusively males. movement of girls who wanted to have
Girls, however, are now being granted the opportunity to achieve Eagle Scouts
access, starting as early as the Cub Scouts. just like boys. In BSA scouts, girls have
While girls have been able to join co-ed their own troops but still work with the
BSA scout programs, like Venture Scouts, boys’ troop in that same town.
Sea Scouts, and STEM scouts, athere is an Boy Scouts has been around for
age restriction. Interested scouts must be 111 years. Many say letting girls join is
at least 14 years old to join. long overdue and that the gendered Boys’
In May 2018, BSA announced and Girls’ Scouts based on antiquated
the program would be changing and girls stereotypes. Boy Scouts also reportedly
would be allowed to become official BSA received more funding than Girl Scouts.
troops. They would even be allowed to Overall, girls across the globe
reach the highest scouting honor, Eagle are rejoicing now that they have the same
Scout. When they announced girls would adventures and opportunities through the
be joining the Boy Scouts, the name was implementation of Scouts BSA.
changed to Scouts BSA. Scouts BSA has
seven ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second
class, First class, Star, Life, and Eagle,
all of which have certain requirements to Caption
accomplish. Photo By ?
Asian Hate in the Montville Community
By: Gregory Troy Acosta Santos
Since the rise of COVID, Asian- news stories about the recent rise in hate Being in an Asian family myself, I
American citizens have been the victims crimes concerning Asian people and some have experienced some of this intolerance.
of various hate crimes, ranging in severity. of us have even experienced this hate In 2020, when the pandemic started, I
Much of this is due to the conspiracy that firsthand. was trying to get some groceries before
the virus originated in Asia. While Asian I personally interviewed interior quarantine and someone yelled at me for
hate in America cannot be considered designer Elliben Acosta Harris, who says being Asian. Shortly after, my mother and
anything new, there is a history of it she faces consistent verbal hate for being grandmother were in line at a grocery store
going back to Pearl Harbor and perhaps Filipino-American. While she has a high and a lady behind them moved to another,
even further back than that. It has seen position at the company she works in, she longer, line after noticing that they were
an increase in occurrence since COVID gets little respect and consistent criticism Asian.
began. due to the effects of COVID, and the As a community, I think we need
Asian hate can range from simple news and attitudes surrounding the Asian to accept that people of Asian descent
or subtle verbal abuse to physical harm, community. Joel Santos, a card dealer at are not the problem. While COVID is
and, in the worst cases, murder. Stories on the Mohegan Sun, has been rejected by a pressing issue, the blame for it cannot
this hate have become commonplace. The players who ask for another staff member. fall on any specific ethnic group. This
New York Times, for example, reported In addition to the players who convey these hate is nothing more than the product of
that a Chinese man walking home in anti-Asian attitudes, his co-workers often conspiracy, and racism.
Manhattan’s Chinatown was stabbed in make hateful remarks. Jenny Derouen, an
the back. BBC News reported that an Asian-American healthcare worker, said
elderly Thai immigrant died after being that she frequently has patients request
shoved to the ground. We’ve all seen new nurses once they notice her ethnicity.
Page 7 The Chieftain
THE BACK PAGE
Meet the New Teachers
By: Maxwell Westkamper
Mr. Girouard, our new business teacher, was born in 1996 and started teaching in September
of last year. Before he was a teacher he went to UCONN, CCSU, and Endicott College. In
school he learned Sports Management and Business. When I asked him why he became
a teacher, he said that it was because of the impact his teachers had made on his life. A
surprising fun fact about him is that he used to work on a professional hockey team.
Mr. Chase, our new guidance counselor, was born in 1989 and has been teaching for 5
years: first year as a counselor, and before then, he worked as a para and an interventionist.
Before he was a counselor, he went to Wheaton College where he studied Communications.
After he finished college he worked for a marketing company and an insurance company.
He decided to become a teacher because he realized his real passion was helping others
through education.
Mr. Burns, our new special education teacher, was born in 1989 and has been teaching
right out of college since 2006 (now that’s some dedication!). Before he was a teacher he
went to CCI, RICC, and grad schools at UCONN. He went to a non-profit school in 2006
and has been a Special Education teacher ever since. He became a Special Education
teacher because of his high school years, where he taught Zoology to students, many of
whom had disabilities.
Ms. Potter, our new science teacher started teaching in the fall of this year. Before teaching
she went to Sacred Heart University, where she studied traditional Biology and Chemistry.
Teaching is her first career, but she has held positions in other fields. She decided to
become a teacher because she loves science and wanted other people to love science too.
One fun fact about her is that she used to work at the Mystic Aquarium.
Ms. Gawlak, our new history teacher started teaching this year. Before becoming a teacher,
she went to school at UCONN where she studied History and Education. After college
she worked in a day-care and at a retail store until she was able to become a teacher. She
decided to become a teacher because she loves working with young people and the skill
that comes with learning History.
Page 8 The Chieftain
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