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Book Review

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

As a New York Times Bestseller, I’d say that Kristen Cashore’s debut novel, Graceling, has done pretty well for itself. This book is full of adventure and action. Though it isn’t one of the main themes, there is a glimpse of romance in there as well.

Although my reading of this particular book was completely by chance, I have easily fallen in love with the characters and the storyline. The main character, Katsa, has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight. She’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece to the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. There are several different Graces, really one for anything you could think of as a skill. Cooking, hunting, fighting, and anything else. A Graceling is identified by their unusual eyes. One eye is a different color than the other. When Katsa first meet’s Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, she has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that’s hidden far away in another kingdom.

I could not put the book down, and although this book has 471 pages, I finished it in two days. The number is formidable to some, but it is a good read and is highly recommended.

Jake Buhler’s outstanding performance at ALL STATE NYSSMA Conference Makes Sachem proud

Biography

I will never forget the day I first brought home my violin when I was in fourth grade. Playing an instrument seemed so novel at the time that I enthusiastically opened the case and attempted to play it. While I had no idea how to even hold the violin or read music at the time, I still managed to try and play the first few exercises in the practice book that came with the instrument. After 45 minutes, I had already taught myself how to play a two note passage in the book. The excitement I had from teaching myself how to play even such a simple little song fueled me to keep on playing to this day.

As I began to play in the school music program, I was introduced to the string orchestra. I had never seen a group like it, and it was very fascinating to me. I was very excited to play in such a unique ensemble and began to practice for hours on end. While some students may have not enjoyed it at such a young age, I always enjoyed practicing and have found it so great that after even just a few minutes of slow intonation work, I could play music that earlier that day would not have assumed I could.

It was in middle school that I decided I wanted to do more with music than just take it a few times a week in school. I began to do other programs, including MYO and USDAN; both have provided me with growth as a musician and what seems like lifelong friends who share similar passions with me. I have also been extremely lucky to have such supportive teachers in all of my endeavors, from my middle school music teacher, who encouraged me to jump from level 2 to level 5 NYSSMA (a solo competition) in sixth grade to my first private teacher who helped me refine my technique, to the conductor of my MYO ensemble, where I have recently been named Concertmaster.  Every person who has helped me while I learned to play has inspired me to further progress, and I cannot be more grateful for that.

Entering high school, I began to do even more to expand my appreciation for music. I first went to the Kinhaven Music School, a six week long summer camp in Vermont, where I

have made friends with musicians of such a high caliber that I am proud to collaborate with them.  I was honored to work with many talented musicians, some members of professional orchestras, while others recognized as exceptional collegiate professors. It is through Kinhaven that I really started to appreciate classical music, which is not something that I would have ever have imagined myself doing as a fourth grader! In addition to Kinhaven, I also joined the New York Youth Symphony this year, where I have been awarded the honor of working with many virtuosic musicians, many being students of Juilliard and the Juilliard pre college.

This year I have went to New York’s All State festival, which hosted hundreds of high school musicians who have received the highest All State scores in the state. Going in, I did not know what to expect as far as how I would rank up with the others through auditions. I would have never have guessed that I would have been awarded with the prestigious distinction of being Principal Second Violin of the Symphony Orchestra! Next year, I hope I can do just as well as I did this year in the first violin section and be concertmaster, but I know I will just have to make sure I practice even harder than I ever have.

In the future, I plan to apply to many conservatories for music performance, but as far as I go I will always remember that Sachem was the first place that helped me find such a passion, and for that, I will always be thankful.

by Jake Buhler

NEXT MEETING

There will be a Northwind Newspaper Club Meeting on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9th during 9th period in room H111.  All students are welcome to attend and contribute to the school newspaper.

Do I Need a Date to Prom?

Ah yes, that is the ultimate question during this time of the school year. Prom fever is just about beginning, and not just Senior Prom. To me, “Junior Cruise” is basically the same thing as Junior Prom. Now a lot of my friends have asked me and a lot of other people that question, and I always tell them the same thing. “Why? What makes you believe that you need someone accompanying you to Prom?” This goes back into the beginning of the end, also known as, “When the Media took over the World!” From being exposed to television and movies, we always see the boy asking the girl. Over time, it changed to where a girl could ask a boy. Now in our present day, we see that anyone can ask anyone and we are not limited to the same gender roles. But the problem with this is now everyone thinks you have to have a date, which is not necessarily true. If you don’t feel comfortable attending an event by yourself, then you don’t have to go. But if you have a group of friends attending, then there should be no reason why you shouldn’t be in that group! Three’s a party, right? So the answer is: It depends. Would you be more comfortable with one person rather than a group, or would you rather spend time with all your friends and not be limited to one person throughout the night? It really depends on how you feel and whatever makes you comfortable. A lot of people I’ve spoken to are afraid they will be judged if they don’t have a date, and truthfully there will always be at least one person to have those thoughts. But so what?! Why let one person ruin your good time? Heck, you spent over a hundred bucks on this event, at least make it count! It’s YOUR Prom, and what you make of it.

A Pleasant Surprise

The Sachem North family was treated to a lovely surprise this  Friday morning.  Thank you to the GSA club for your inspirational words!

DUSK FLOWERS: Chapter Five - a novel by GEORGIA RIVERA, 9th grade

It was so warm and comfortable in her bed. Eliza never wanted to get up. Ever.

But even with her eyes closed, she could tell it was late. She knew she would have to wake up and make herself food and finish that program. She tried to move, but something held her down. She tried struggling, but then she remembered.

Uso.

Last night, the issue of sleeping arrangements had kept Eliza awake. "But it's a couch, and it's got cat hair all over it!" Uso had whined the minute Eliza suggested she sleep on the sofa. "Well," Eliza retorted, "Can't you just magic it off or something?"

Uso huffed. "It doesn't work like that. I have limits, and right now my strength is really low. I don't want to burn up all my energy on something unnecessary. Besides, why is it such a huge deal? Your bed is pretty big, so space isn't an issue."

Eventually, Eliza had given in. And now, she was trapped underneath Uso, who was dead asleep and suddenly very heavy. Eliza yelled. She wiggled and poked and prodded, but to no avail. Uso wouldn't wake up. Eliza groaned. She would be trapped here until her dying day!

Faintly, Eliza's cell phone began to ring. Uso jerked awake, pushing the covers off the bed and landing on the floor. Spinning she began to growl. "Where is that noise coming from?" The display reminded Eliza a bit of a dog chasing its tail.

She resisted the urge to jump up and down with joy. She was free! But where was her phone?

Following Uso, Eliza leapt out of bed. The ringing seemed to be coming from nearby, or underneath her, rather. Diving triumphantly under her bed, Eliza snatched the phone from where it lay among the cobwebs, picking it up just in time."Good morning," Said an automated voice, "This is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, calling for a Miss Eliza Panik."

Eliza froze. The college had never called her before. When she gave the number during registration, she'd thought it would only be used in an emergency. Maybe this was one.

"Hello," Came the voice of her professor, obviously a recording, "I'm just letting you know that the assignment that had previously been due on Monday is now due today at four o'clock, in my office. You have just about two hours to get it to me. Thank you." Beep.

Eliza was bewildered. Assignments were never re-scheduled. And why would the office call to tell her? Regardless, she now had a half-finished project due in less than two hours.

She was dressed and ready and about to turn the doorknob when she remembered Uso. The woman leaned against the wall, looking bored. Eliza couldn't just leave her in the house! God knows what would happen if she happen if she did!

She pictured herself leaving, closing the door, and the entire apartment bursting into purple flames behind her. She shuddered.

"You're coming with me!" Eliza commanded.

Uso shrugged. "Alright, but I'll have to change clothes first." Eliza quickly turned away as Uso clenched the hem of her ragged black tunic. "You don't have to turn around." Said Uso, amused. As she tugged upwards, running her fingers over the fabric, the material morphed into a long, purple peacoat. Light flashed over her legs and bare feet, and suddenly she was wearing dark blue pants and high, lace-up boots.

Eliza was slightly embarrassed. She should have known the witch wasn't going to actually remove her clothes to change outfits.

Together, the two left the apartment and made their way to the Tech-Shuttle stop. The day was overcast, but not stormy, and the air was balmy.

"I mostly take the Tech-Shuttle when I want to go anywhere." Eliza explained. "I don't have my own car, and walking to campus takes a long time, so this is easier."

After boarding the shuttle, Eliza sat in silence. It wasn't that Eliza didn't want to talk. She just couldn't think of anything to say. She knew so little about Uso's world, which, in a way, was now hers, and only believed half of it.

She settled for watching the woman out of the corner of her eye. Uso was striking, her features young and old at the same time, all contrasting heavily.

Eliza knew what to say. "You said you've been alive for a long time. Exactly, how old are you?" "Only 1015. That's relatively young you know." Eliza felt like laughing. The idea was absurd! At best, she herself would only live to be 90!

They got off the shuttle at the MIT Student Center. The Student Center was a large, grey, rectangular building, constructed almost entirely from concrete and glass. "So tell me, why are we here?" Uso asked.

Eliza pushed open the double doors. "Mostly just because they have free Wi-Fi. I have a project I need to finish today. Also, I'm hungry, and Anna's Taqueria has really good burritos."

Inside the Student Center, there was a multitude of comfy chairs and small tables. Further in, there was an assortment of shops and a staircase to the second floor. It was quite empty, especially for a weekend.

Eliza ignored the chairs and the shops, instead heading down a flight of stairs that led to a small Mexican take-out.

She sat down at a table near the windows, gesturing for Uso to join her. Once settled, she whipped out her laptop, signing on the the Wi-Fi network. "I'm gonna go buy some food. You stay here, alright?" Eliza dictated, searching her pocket for a few crumpled bills.

"You're not planning on paying for it, are you?" Uso questioned incredulously. "Well, of course..." Eliza started. But she froze when she saw the crisp 100-dollar note in Uso's outstretched hand. she opened her mouth, then closed it again. "You should know by now," She scolded, "Counterfeiting is illegal!"

"How dare you! Accusing me of breaking the law! I'll have you know, my behavior is exemplary!" Uso cried in mock agony. "Relax Eliza, it's real. But whoever used to own this no longer possesses it!"

Eliza rolled her eyes. "So it's not fake, just stolen."

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Seriously though, it's real money, summoned directly from the U.S. Treasury. I'm sure they can just make more, right?"

Eliza, knowing deep in her soul that what she was about to do was wrong, reached out and took the money. No one, besides Uso and herself, would know, and she was rather low on cash at the moment. She handed the cashier the bill and bought her beef burrito with extra sour cream. She told the girl at the register to keep the change, then thought better of herself and asked for her $90 back.

Sitting back down with her food, Eliza geared herself up for the task ahead. Opening the terminal screen, she began typing a string. It wasn't easy, even for one as smart as she. After a while, her fingers beginning to cramp, she looked up, only to catch sight of a familiar figure in the distance.

"Hey Missy!" Eliza called to her friend. Missy, noticing, strode over to the table. "What's up Eliza?" Missy asked, green eyes gleaming as she pulled over a chair.

Missy was Eliza's best friend at the college. They both majored in computer sciences, so they went to all the same classes. Missy was kind and loyal, if a bit over-enthusiastic, and Eliza greatly enjoyed spending time with her.

"Oh, nothing," She answered, "Just working on this project. Are you done with it yet? It's due today you know." Missy frowned. "I thought it was due tomorrow." "Didn't you get a voice message or something?" "Uh, no."

"Well, maybe they just expect more out of me." Eliza joked.

Missy laughed. "As if." She cast a look at Uso, the woman intently observing the conversation. "Who's this?" Missy asked. Eliza thought fast. "Um, this is my new roommate, Uso. She's foreign." Uso quickly caught on to the act, smiling blithely at Missy. "Don't worry," She said in an unnervingly convincing Polish accent, "I can speak English."

She paused. "Have we met before? You look very familiar." Missy shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not, but it's nice to meet you now! My name's Missy Grey." Suddenly, she let out a small groan, sinking down in her chair. "Speaking of roommates, Hunter is driving me up the wall!" She addressed Uso again. "Hunter is my older brother. We share part of a duplex."

"I really think he's finally lost it. He's always been weird, only a little more so for the past few weeks, but up until now, nothing drastic happened. He just wandered off and passed out sometimes. But last night, he assaulted Mr. Raye's cat with a fork. It was only a rescue cat, thank god, but when I had to drag an unconscious Hunter off the front lawn and apologize to poor Evan at the same time, I felt like I wanted to crawl into a hole and die! When Hunter finally woke up, he claimed not to remember a thing. He's nuts, but I guess that's my problem."

She threw her hands up in frustration. "I'm actually considering getting him chipped, like a dog, so I can tell where he is when he leaves the house. Sometimes, I think the universe made a mistake, and I'm supposed to be the older sibling, not him."

Uso seemed interested. "How long did you say he's been acting like this?" Missy thought. "A month at least. But like I said, he's my problem. I don't want either of you worrying about him, got it?"

Both nodded. Missy played with her long, black braid. "You guys seem pretty well-suited for each-other, " She went on, "You're so lucky you don't have siblings with mental problems."

Pushing her glasses up on her nose, Eliza threw a glance at the clock. It was already 3:48! If she didn't hurry, she would be late to turn in her assignment! She typed in a few last lines of code and closed her laptop, sliding it back into her (hideous yellow) messenger bag. She desperately wanted to rid herself of the bag, but it was the only one she had, and she just didn't have the money for a new one. Even though it clashed with all her clothes, she had to bear with it.

"Missy, I gotta run. I'll see you in class tomorrow!" Missy blurted, jumping up, "Come on Uso, we need to be on time!"

Missy cheerfully waved goodbye. "Alright!" She called,"See you later!"

It was a good thing the building Eliza had to get to was right across the street. She made it to the crosswalk, but just as she was about to race across the street, the light changed. "Uso, come on, help me out!" She begged the woman, gesturing to the traffic signal.

Uso grinned. "Sure thing." With a snap of her fingers, the light was green again. Eliza put on a burst of speed, rushing across the road, Uso beside her. "Wow," Uso remarked, "You're pretty fast for your size. Tiny, I mean."

"Soccer," Eliza replied, annoyed, "Middle through high school. And don't call me little." Uso seemed to ponder that as they ascended the steps, dodging a few large pillars and columns. "Makes sense to me. And I'll do what I want."

They went through the doors, across the atrium, and down a few hallways. Eliza gradually slowed to a stop. The Professor's office was around here somewhere. Uso glanced around. "Hey, is that him?" She asked, pointing to a small plaque on one of the doors. "Professor Stevens? Lucky you have me here, am I right?"

Eliza sighed, a mixture of relief and exasperation, stepping to the door and knocking. Strange; there didn't seem to be any other people around. Maybe they were all slackers, she thought, and forgot about the whole thing.

She heard the professor's voice echo from within the room. "Come in!" She was about to turn the knob when Uso grabbed her hand. Eliza jerked her head up in surprise. Uso's eyes were fierce, the body tense. "Eliza, do not go in there. We have to leave, right now."

Eliza shook her off. "Okay, now you're acting crazy. As far as I know, the professor is a perfectly respectable man. Now quit it!" She reached out again, opening the door.