November 18, 1998
Dear Readers,
The second issue was a big success, just like the first. This issue, we tried to have more pictures so AMSTIGER will be more reader-friendly. Tell us if we did a good job by e-mail at amstiger@yahoo.com, in our website's guestbook, or just simply to one of our faces (hopefully you'll say something nice).
Right now we are working on getting publicity so people other than just AMS students will go to our webpage. Do far we have succeeded, having people from Canada, Kansas and Texas come to our site and sign the guestbook (what they wrote in our guestbook is displayed on the next page in the Mail section). Also, the webpage URL will be listed in the "web addresses" part of the Classified section of the Amherst Bee for the next six weeks. Tell your relatives and out-of-school friends that have the internet about our site, at www.angelfire.com/ny/AMSTIGER.
This issue we have a lot lined up for you, such as our first ever theater review and sports section. Also, we have put everything that would go in our "upcoming events" section in our "news & commentary" section because the two sections seemed so alike. This issue, we have an all new layout (tell us if you like it), and so does our webpage, now with sound in the backround to make it an even better site. Also, Megan Smith and Kristina Raab have joined our staff.
If you would like to write for AMSTIGER, contact one of the staff members, e-mail us, or just simply give us your article by next Wednesday.
Until next issue,
Nick Baer, the editor and a staff member of AMSTIGER
Here is mail we received from people through our guestbook and e-mail system. If you have any mail for us, please send us your comments at amstiger@yahoo.com, or give it to one of the staff members of AMSTIGER.
"KUDOS to the staff of AMSTIGER. This is WONDERFUL and really showcases our great school."
-Mr. Phillips, 6th Grade Teacher at AMS
"NICE work."
-William Zuonta, Houston, Texas
"Your site ROCKS."
-Warren G. Harris, Canada
"I would like to say that yours is a GREAT webpage for your school newspaper. Keep up the GOOD work everyone."
-Amber Stieben, Kansas
"After reading your first to hardcopy issues of AMSTIGER, I knew that I had to check your website out. You are to be COMMENDED on both efforts. I admire your INITIATIVE and DEDICATION. Good luck on your future issues.
-Mr. Ferraina, 8th grade teacher at AMS
Here are the results to the first issue's survey:
The question was, Do you think President Clinton is doing a good job? Of 153 respondants:
14% said "yes", 78% said "no", and 7% said "I am not sure"
Thank you to all who participated.
This issues survey question is:
DO YOU THINK THE BUFFALO ZOO SHOULD BE MOVED?
E-mail us or put your response in the box in the main office. The results will appear in a future issue.
Kids Voting '98-By Nick Baer
This year, thousands of Western New York kids went out on Election Day, November 3, to vote with the non-profit organization Kids Voting.
A pilot program of Kids Voting was started in Phoenix, Arizona in 1988. In 1990, the AZ program became statewide. From then on, in 1992, Kids Voting branched into 11 states, then to 20 states in1994. In 1996, Kids Voting branched into New York along with 40 other states. Finally, in 1997, New York became the first state to hold local elections through Kids Voting for kids.
Kids Voting's goals are to educate children about the importance of voting and to create lifetime voters out of us kids for the future, and to increase adult voter turnout immediately. The major reason that Kids Voting New York started is because in the 1996 elections, only 49% of the nation's eligible voters went to the polls, which is the lowest level for a presidential since 1924. Also, less than 14% of eligible young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 vote, and less than 40% of the age group even register to vote. Finally, fewer than 30% of registered voters participate in most local and state elections.
Kids Voting has proved to have a major impact on adult voter turnout. In a post-election survey from 1997 conducted by Goldhaber Research Associates, 11% of those surveyed cited Kids Voting NY as the determining factor in their decision to vote, and one out of four voters with children voted because of the program. Also, in a recent U.B. survey, 98% of teachers feel that Kids Voting increased students' knowledge of the electoral process, and 90% of students would like to see the program continue.
Overall, Kids Voting was a big success this year, and I'm sure next year will be even better.
AMS Winter Sports
by Khrista Trerotola
At Amherst Middle School, we have a variety of sports to choose from. Many of the sports are only available to private schools at our age level. With fall sports just ending a few weeks back, it's time to kick off the winter with a new sport. This winter we have some exciting sports to choose from.
The girls can choose from co-ed swim team or girls basketball. For swim team, the coaches divide you into an A and B team, but everyone practices together. For the basketball team, the coaches usually divide you into an A and B team or split you up by grade level.
For boys, the choice is co-ed swim team, boys basketball, or wrestling. Basketball is divided by grade level, and wrestling is usually divided up by weight class.
This winter, the sports at Amherst Middle School will make the Tigers roar. Good luck to all athletes participating in sports this winter and supporting our school.
Also, for all you 6th graders out there, your turn to be on a winter sports team will come next year, but for now, don't forget intramurals!!!
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Sports & Academics
By Kristina Raab
School isn't just about learning new things in the classroom. It is also about learning new things outside the classroom, being involved in extra-curricular activities like sports. Amherst Middle School supports athletics, and there are a number of sports teams and intramurals* each athletic season. Some students may think that sports interfere with school or that they are not good enough to make a sports team, but both of these assumptions are wrong.
First off, sports help keep students focused. They know that if they do not get good grades and keep up with their homework that they may lose their position on their team. Also, participating in a sport requires dedication and hard work, both of which needed to do well in the classroom.
Secondly, to those who don't think that they will make the team, don't think, "I won't make it, I'm no good, so I shouldn't even try out." To make a sports team you need enthusiasm and a good attitude just as much if not more than you need skills. Nothing impresses a coach more than an athlete who comes to tryouts and practices ready to have a good time. I believe that anyone who puts forth their best effort can make any team they want to.
Remember these things when you go to the tryouts for winter sports! Good Luck!
*Don't forget intramurals! They are a fun way to practice a sport without the pressures of a sports team.
The Internet
by Danielle LeGare
The Internet
By Danielle LeGare
These days, many kids have access to the internet. Many people use it just to do research for homework, but there are fun sites that you can enjoy! If you have access to a service, I suggest you get online and take a look around. If you don't, the computer center is open most days before and after school. Here's a list of some great sites and what they're all about:
MTV ONLINE-There are so many parts to this web site, I can't keep track of all of them. Exciting features are often added to keep us "eager teens" updated on our favorite music and TV shows. There are chat rooms, message boards, and all sorts of neat things to look out for. I recommend looking at the "Real World" and "Road Rules" sections of the web site for the scoop on these two popular shows.
URL: http://www.mtv.com
Your personal salon- Sorry guys, but this site may only please the girls. This is a cool place for babes who like to have fun deciding what hairstyles work for them. It also gives tips on different hair types and what shampoos and conditioners work with them. This awesome site is run by Salon Selectives and is sure to keep your hair an A+ image!!
URL: http://www.yoursalon.com/salon/menu.html
Teen-Net-The Web for Teens- This site may seem old-fashioned and boring at first, but once you get into it, it provides an excellent advice feature for guys and gals. This amazing virtual handbook for teens clears any confusion you may have. Got a question? Go to this site ASAP!
URL: http://www.teen-net.com/
Personal Publisher- Do you have an interest or hobby that you want everyone to learn about? Ever think about dedicating a home page to reviews (done by you) on movies? Want to make a cool place about you and your friends? Well, fortunately, now you can do all of these things and more! With Personal Publisher, an easy to learn, fun, homepage maker, you can create your own place to express yourself however you wish.
AOL Keyword: Personal Publisher
J Crew Online- Considering that most of AMS's students are just a tad on the "preppy" side, I thought most of you might be interested in a web site that has all the preppy basics and must have items for winter! J Crew is a bit on the expensive side, so if you don't have the cash to burn, it's still fun to just look around. Anyway, if you're like me, you'll just love the awesome clearance sections that AREN'T in the catalogs!!
URL: http://www.jcrew.com
GAP ONLINE- Okay, okay. Yah, I just had a shopping site…But how many of you can resist the great pleasure of cruising through Gap online? I must say, this is a kick butt web site. Even if you aren't into shopping, you gotta admit that getting your nails painted online is cool. If you don'f fall head over heels in love with that, then try dressing up the models in Gap apparel.
URL: http://www.GAP.com
SONY ONLINE- Music is a big part of most people's lives. If you like rap, you can find out about JZ's latest CD. If you like that "poppy, bubble gum" stuff, check out the news on the Back Street Boys or Hanson. No matter what you're into, you can find it here. This site provides a nice feature that allows you hear clips of CDs!!
URL: http://www.sony.com
There are many different types of web sites and pages. If none of these interest you, then take a visit to Net Find and type in what YOU want to learn about. There are billions upon billions of places to visit, so take a chance and look around. You'll love it. Happy Surfing!
Video Review-
"Can't Hardly Wait"-3/4 stars-
by Danielle LeGare
I am a big fan of second-run theaters, for they're great. At them, the food and tickets are a lot cheaper. At the second-run theater, I saw "Can't Hardly Wait," which is in release on video currently.
I strongly recommend "Can't Hardly Wait" to all teens and pre-teens out there. It's a sweet movie with a good plot. I really liked it because it covers a lot of stuff in a mindless way. The movie portrays all of the stereotyped students, like the popular girls, jocks, smart nerds, unpopular kids, "wiggers", and druggies or spaced-out kids.
This movie stars Jennifer Love Hewitt (currently in "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer") as a popular girl, Catherine O'Hara (an aunt on "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch") as a mother of a kid, and Ethan Embry as a high-school student.
Overall, "Can't Hardly Wait" might not be fabulous, but it is definitely one of the best teen movies of 1998.
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Movie Review-
"Rush Hour"-3.5/4 stars-
by Nick Baer
"Rush Hour" is probably the best action film of the year. The plot of it is a Chinese girl is kidnapped, so the whole FBI is trying to find her. Jackie Chan, the legendary stunt-master, and Chris Tucker, who plays a self-centered, fast-talking man, are hired to stay away from the city so they won't cause trouble, for Chris' character is a LAPD officer notorious for blowing up half of city blocks, and Jackie hasn't earned his respect yet in America. Both of these men decide to disobey their commands, and try to find the missing girl.
The whole movie is hilarious, whether it's Chris Tucker's lines, Jackie Chan's ignorance of American culture, or just the whole idea of it all. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish, and while it probably won't win any Academy Awards, it really deserves one.
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Becca's Report-Movie Review-
"Practical Magic"-3.5/4 stars-
by Becca Elkin
When I went to see "Practical Magic," I was surprised to find that this movie is not just another light romantic comedy like the commercials portray. "Practical Magic" actually had some quite scary elements, which made the movie even more interesting to watch. The acting by Sandra Bullock as Sally and Nicole Kidman as her wild sister was great. The chemistry they seemed to have just made this movie even more enjoyable!
"Practical Magic" 's plot isn't too hard to understand, even though a few parts are confusing near the beginning of the movie, it all gets cleared up later. Sally and her sister, Jillian, are witches and the movie is basically about the frightening troubles they conjure themselves into while trying to escape Jillian's insane boyfriend. The romantic parts come in when Sally falls for the police officer who was investigating the strange behaviors around Sally and Jillian's house. Telling you any more would give away some of the surprises in this film, so you'll have to go to the movies yourself to find out what happens.
"Practical Magic" made my friend and me laugh, cry, and even cover our eyes at parts. Although the commercials for this movie may be slightly deceiving, I think that if you see it, you won't be disappointed. I give "Practical Magic" 3.5 out of 4 stars.
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Theater Review-
"In De' Beginnin'"-4/4 stars-
by Nick Baer
Theater doesn't seem to be too popular amongst kids, but it is a great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night. I went to see "In De' Beginnin'", playing from now until the 29th at the Ujima Theater on 545 Elmwood Avenue in downtown Buffalo, and I loved it.
"In De' Beginnin' is a re-telling of the story of Adam and Eve. It is about the "lawd" (a lady, played miraculously by Beverly Love), the debil (also played extremely well by Philip Knoerzer), and the creation of us all. The "lawd's" first creation is Adam (played by John Campfield Jr.). Adam them is lonely, so the "lawd" creates for him the first female, Eve (played by Roslyn Ruff). This story explains how we were created, in an original and creative way.
It might sound a bit too religious for you, but it isn't. The play was directed by Lorna C. Hill, based on the story by Oscar Brown, Jr. The Ujima theater, currently celebrating its 20th birthday, is extremely small, fitting in no more than 50 people in it, although it is planning a renovation project right now. But the good thing about having a small theater is that the people on stage are closer to you, making you feel as though you are part of the play. I happened to be sitting in the front row of the theater, and the actors' great costumes brushed me at least one time.
"In De' Beginnin'" contains many songs, twelve to be exact, all great, sung by a or more characters and the choir of four women and two men, with Percy Jones on keyboard, and Jordy Rogers on drums in the backround, moving to the gospel beat.
This excellent play is the first of the season for Ujima Theater, and it got extended twice from popular demand, forcing the other plays to move back a month or so.
Overall, "In De' Beginnin'" is a great play, with great music and great acting. I highly recommend this play to all adults and children, and trust me, you won't be disappointed.
Hunter's Cabin
By Sarah Tarquini
About twenty long years ago, there was a place called Hunter's Cabin. It was right in the middle of Seven Hills, which is a Girl Scout Camp. It's usually cold at the camp because it's on a lake. The camp is enormous and very mountainous. The camp is still there today but Hunter's Cabin was torn down some years ago. It was torn down because of something terrible that happened there one night.
It all started when a man, who was in prison because of murder, escaped! The man had a hard face with a strong jaw. He was young but beginning to go gray. The state prison was just down the road from the camp, so it was extremely easy place to escape to.
He came upon a little one room cabin with no electricity. It was the Cadet's camping weekend and two of the girls decided to go for a short walk around the campsite. The girls were about thirteen and they both were tall and skinny. Neither of them had ever been in Hunter's Cabin and it look deserted, so they decided to go in. Little did they know that the murderer was lurking inside.
The next day at about seven-thirty in the morning the two girls were no where to be found. The camp counselors had everyone looking for them because they had not come back from what was supposed to be a short walk. The counselors had looked in every cabin and they were on their way to Hunter's Cabin. Hunter's Cabin is usually vacant so they were almost positive the girls would be inside. They opened the door slowly because of the way it creaked like nails on a chalkboard. The counselors were so stunned from what they saw that their feet were cemented to the ground which was only dirt. The two girls were sprawled out on the floor with an empty bottle of poison next to them and foot prints walking out the door.
The whole camp and all the families were stunned. The girls' murder was on every news station and in all of the newspapers. Hunter's Cabin was torn down about six months later. The police eventually caught the murderer. He went to court and was found guilty and given a life sentence.
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Football
By Patrick Lang
I see my receiver all alone,
in the back corner of the end zone.
I know it will be a difficult throw,
but the rush is coming both high and low.
My fullback gets knocked flat on his back,
that leaves me, the quarterback, the only one left to attack.
I scramble and scramble,
and get hit on the run.
At this point I'm thinking "Boy this is fun,"
then all of a sudden, he appears,
the big inside linebacker, with big droopy ears,
He's flying right at me, with a bad grin on his face,
I thought to myself, I wish I had some mace,
the ball left my hand, it had a golden glow,
but all of a sudden, I was buried in snow,
my receiver caught the ball,
and we won the game,
I ended up putting that linebacker to shame,
We went undefeated, a perfect 8 and 0,
we were so good we went on a TV show.
That concludes our unbelievable season,
I hope we do the same my senior year.
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