Ski trip is talked about year around by those who take part in the event.

“I start preparing for next year after the last one starts,” says a four year veteran of the trip, Bobby Waggoner.

Not the best skier or snowboarder?  That doesn’t mean that you don’t have a chance to go on the trip.  There are different rates that cover different packages for this trip.  For example, you can get a deal where you have lessons and rentals for around $300 dollars.  If you don’t need lessons and just rentals there is a deal for that too.  Don’t need lessons or rentals?  Then you are paying the lowest price of around $200 dollars.  All of these prices are flat rates that are paid once you sign up.

This fee also includes a bus ride up and back which is equally as fun as the skiing and snowboarding itself.  They are coach buses where you can sit comfortably with all of your friends, eat as much as you want, and watch a good movie or two.  Things have been known to get out of control once in a while but it’s all out of good fun.

Here are a couple of tips if this is your first time on the ski trip.  First, bring your own food!  They have a cafeteria there that serves delicious food, if you are willing to pay a lot of money.  You are allowed to eat on the buses like I said before so if you want to just bring a couple dollars for a snack that is fine.  Just don’t rely on their cafeteria if you’re trying to save some pennies.

Also, dress as warm as possible!  In case you weren’t aware this is the middle of winter.  Not only that but it is night time when you are skiing or snowboarding down these slopes.  Goggles, a face-mask, gloves, jackets, and snow pants are a must if you want to avoid frost bite.

“Hand warmers and under armor are what help me stay warm every Friday night,” says Jenna Poist, a third year veteran of the trip.

Last but not least, make sure you are always with a friend.  Being out on a mountain like Berkshire East, it is very easy to get lost.  If you are with someone it will reduce the chance of getting lost.  Also if you get hurt, being with someone will make it easier to notify ski patrol and get you to safety faster.

If you keep all this in mind than you will have some of the best Friday nights of your life.  The memories will stick around for years to come and if you’re lucky you’ll make a new friend or two out there.  If you’re too late this year, but are still interested come November 2010 you can sign up at the building located in the center of Henry Park.

Have fun and happy skiing!

After the contestants had entered with their lovely escorts the show opened up with the nine contestants shimmying and schmoozing to win the audiences and judges’ affection.  The boys all moved in step with one another to a dance choreographed by three escorts.  Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Beyoncé’s “Diva” set the mood for their incredible pizzazz and flashy jazz hands.

The next portion of the evening’s entertainment was Swimwear.  While Jeff Stone ran Baywatch-style across the stage, Patrick Crane burned under the intense lighting, and Timothy Smith paraded around in a bikini top and itty bitty shorts.  Claude Ziehbrunner played up his status as the Swiss exchange student by coming out in a full snow suit, snowboard in hand.  It was definitely not a sight seen every day.

Though the previous segments had been crowd pleasers, nothing is ever as anticipated as much as the Talent bits.  Kevin Anton’s act was definitely one to be remembered; a fully choreographed dance and skit where boys wore Jabbawockeez-esque masks.  Nathan Ouellette impressed everyone by playing his violin and stomping out a beat with his fiddle.  Jesse Sullivan showed off his musical skills as he played “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer on his guitar, and Mike Tucker did a contemporary dance.  The act that brought down the house, however, was Kyle DeCarli’s.  The contestant teamed up with Preston Coombs for a duet dance to “Beauty and the Beast” from the Disney flick.  DeCarli donned a tutu and tiara as Coombs wore a giant furry mask; the pair pirouetted and leaped into the judges’ hearts for sure.

“The competition was tough this year and everyone did extremely well.” Kevin Anton, one of the stand out contestants commented on the Talent section, “My favorite talent to watch was Nate playing his violin.”

The Question portion consists of the contenders picking two questions out of two different hats; one silly and one serious.  Each boy answered his question to the best of his ability, as this section is often seen as the one that makes or breaks the judges’ final decision which comes directly after.

As we all waited anxiously for the crowning, Mike Stankiewicz and Mike Wieliczka (commonly known as “Mike and Mike” our phenomenal RHS MC team) kept us entertained as they had during every section break.  These two helped the audience laugh through every lull in the show; Stankiewicz even led the crowd in what has become a trademark of his, “The Rollercoaster.”  The boys were awesome additions to the show.

Finally, it was time for the results.  Contestants and escorts lined up on stage as Mike and Mike listed the prizes and started the awards.  Ouellette was named second runner up and Ziehbrunner was named first runner up, and the winner of the title of Mr. RHS 2010 was (drum roll please) Kyle Decarli!  The audience, as well as all those on stage, cheered for the boys and the night ended on a cheerful note.

Sullivan claimed he would do the show again “in a heartbeat” and continued to say, “It was a great time.”  Though DeCarli ended up with the crown, all the boys put on a fantastic show which really made them all winners.

English teacher Ms. Matyseck enjoyed the event. “I was surprised at how well it went this year. I was impressed with the dance team, step team, and cheerleaders. I thought that the students were well behaved considering being in the auditorium,” she explained.  Other teachers agreed with Ms. Matyseck. “It was much better then last years,” said Mrs. Reilly, a Childhood Education teacher. Although the Pep Rally turned out great, Mrs. Reilly explained that she was confused because, “[the Pep Rally] was never announced. Teachers didn’t know what was going on.” When asked about what she would  have changed about the Pep Rally, Mrs. Reilly explains “ I would have really liked to have heard each player introduced individually. Also, they could have mixed it up a little.  Maybe first off, they could have them dance and cheer, then introduce the players.  Overall, I really enjoyed it.”

Of the event’s two emcees Mike and Mike, Senior Preston Combs said,  “Both Mikes did a really good job. I think that they could have made it so the audience was a little bit more into it and included. But otherwise I think it turned out pretty good.”

“This year is a learning experience for everyone, and it is our goal as team to represent Rockville as best we can,” Archambault said.  He was attracted to the job by the strong and positive tradition at Rockville High School, and appreciated the strong support from the administration at Rockville.

The team captains include two seniors, Liendra Siedor and Janna Benn, and a junior, Melissa McCann.  The key players for the girls’ team are the captains along with another junior, Abrianna Crowe.  Siedor leads the team in points, averaging ten a game, Crowe leads the team with six rebounds, and Janna Benn is averaging three assists a game.

There is not just one important game circled on the team’s schedule, because all games are of equal importance, and Archambault is looking forward to their matchups against perennial top teams such as Southington, Manchester, and East Catholic High School.

This season, the coach looks for his girls to compete and give their best and represent the school with class, in a positive manner.  Archambault’s long term goal is to give every girl who wants to play hard an opportunity to be a part of something special.  He wants to make this program attractive to all student-athletes, and hopes to start his campaign with a successful first season

“It [the schedule] will test both our physical and mental toughness as we try to overcome some pretty tough odds,” stated Manville’s coach, and RHS teacher, Christian Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson has been head coach since 1998 and is dedicated to the sport of hockey, which he has played since he was 4 years old. The 2010 team is very young, having lost 23 seniors. Some people see this as a disadvantage because they are inexperienced, but Coach Stevenson sees this as an advantage.

“We are young and are rebuilding a very solid program,” said Coach Stevenson, noting that the team is back to square one. One piece of advice that is stressed to the team is “if you give 100 percent during practice and games you will sleep a whole lot better whether you win or lose.”

The goal that was set for the season is to never give other teams the opportunity to take is easy no matter what the score was, and that they just keep sticking it to them for 45 minutes. When asked if this season will be as successful as the 2008 season was, Coach Stevenson replied, “It all depends on how you define success. Success to us will be about creating top notch student athletes with the will to prepare and succeed at life’s challenges. Will we win as many games?….that does not really matter.”

We all are looking forward to the season, as of now Manville started the season off with a loss, and

“Her positive attitude is infectious, and she is one of my best teachers,” says Owens.

All of the girls are work hard during practice. Practice is usually a series of workouts where the team is divided into squads including short sprinters, long sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, hurdlers, and throwers, and although it’s very tiring, the girls bring a fun vibe to the team.

When asked if Mr. Owens is hard on the team, he answered, “If weight training, sprinting, distance running, skill and technique, as well as plyometics is considered ‘hard on them’ then yes, I’m hard on them, so that everything else in life may seem a little bit easier.”

The 2010 winter season is not as intense since there is a severe shortage of high level of competitive athletes at RHS, but the new and inexperienced athletes have made coaching rewarding for Owens. Get ready for new rivals this season, too. With the removal of South Windsor from our school’s conference, Fermi has become the new, but very friendly rival.

“Since the Fermi girls’ track team has improved, and our team has become so young and inexperienced,” explains Owens, “I can see Fermi outscoring us at this year’s conference championship meet.”

The coach also has some goals for the team this year. Their goals over the past few years has been to work up to their potential, which placed them at the top of the conference and among the best girls’ track teams in the state. While keeping this goal, Owens wants to make the girls more devoted track and field athletes that will be committed until they graduate, regardless of their current skill level.

Coach Owens’ last thoughts were, “Loyalty and commitment are qualities often lost in today’s high school student athletes in any aspect of their lives. Wasteful activities have become more attractive so convincing young women that running, jumping, and throwing is fun is the boulder that I push up the never ending mountain. Rockville once had this loyalty and commitment… I would like to get it back.”

Also, the team has had to overcome many challenges they did not face last year.  Key members quit, and some became academically ineligible.  Half of last year’s starters have not returned for 09-10 season.  As a result of this, younger wrestlers have had to step up and be a part of varsity before they were ready.

“Keeping everyone healthy and motivated will be the main focus to have a winning and enjoyable season,” said Coach Ramos.   The players have proven their motivation by working out in the off season and many participated in off-season clubs and camps.

Ramos’ outlook for the season is to follow the leadership of his seniors and to have his underclassmen keep improving with every match.  He believes Rockville can compete with any team in the state, and that the Rockville team will continue their strong success.

The idea came to Mr. Borofsky and Mr. Forte as they brainstormed activities for the student council to hold.

“We were at breakfast at the Cosmic Omelet when the idea just came to us.  You could say it was an epiphany” stated Borofsky.  “We wanted a way to raise money for scholarships in the town for kids in recreational activities but also have it be drug-free fun” he continued.

The Arctic Splash proved to be successful as thirty students participated in jumping in the icy water, and about seventy five students contributed in total by just showing up to the YMCA and donating money.

To take part in the event, a student was required to raise a minimum of $10.  Students alone raised about $1,000 and the town added another $1,000 to the fund.

Senior Class President, Kelly Falkowski, partook in the event.  “People were definitely excited but nervous at the same time because we had to break ice on the pool before jumping in.  It was the single most painful thing I have ever done, yet I still had so much fun!” she exclaimed.  Luckily, no medical attention was needed during or after the plunge took place.

To bring the school together again, she hopes the Scrabble speed race, taking place sometime in March, will be just as successful and exciting.

However, the two have been able to pull things together.  The Student Council purchased an iPod Nano and a docking device to play the music through over the intercom a few times each day.  “I’ve been enjoying it.  It gets me pumped and ready to go every day,” says senior Kelly Falkowski.  Some days even have themed music.  “Who doesn’t want to hear Loverboy’s “Everybody’s Working for the Weekend” on a Friday morning?  Who doesn’t want to hear Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” right before they have to take an exam?” reasons Forte.  Entirely logical.  And the school seems to agree.

According to the Foodshare website,  “[the organization] will work to end hunger as a part of the overall community effort to alleviate poverty in Greater Hartford.”

Foodshare is located in Bloomfield, CT. Their purpose is to end hunger by collecting and distributing food to pantries in the area. They collect their food from local farmers, restaurants, stores, and individuals. This food is taken to the warehouse, sorted, and redistributed. Money raised by Empty Bowls is given to Foodshare which is used to pick up and drop off the food items. Every dollar donated is ten dollars worth of food provided to people in need.

The purpose of holding Empty Bowls is to raise money for community hunger. Mrs. Bengston’s class provided the bowls, while Mrs. Gilmore’s class provided the soup and bread. Several batches of eleven different soup recipes were handed out in the bowls as take-out, in the classroom; which was turned into a “restaurant”, and refills.

Rockville’s Empty Bowls event raised just over $1100. $500 of that will go to Hockanum Community, and the balance to Foodshare to be used to help other communities in the state.

“It was steady. Many people were repeat customers. I think there is greater potential to include more staff.” comments Mrs. Gilmore when asked about the turnout.

Check out the Foodshare website at www.foodshare.org.