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| May 19, 2006 Barnstable Patriot |  |
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By Chris Leveroni
Staff Writer
3lass of 07'
The neighborhood handy man, Mr.
Fix It, and the Renaissance man. This is
the person in everyone's life whom they
know they can count on when they need
pretty much anythingto be done. At BHS
we can put a face with this name, our
Audio Visual Department Head Mr. Steve
Harnett. Hamett is the one who is always
there to fix the bulb on the overhead in
math so you can take your notes, and to
make sure the copy machines can make
those double sided practice work sheets
"or when you're done.
Mr.Hamett can relateto allof the daily
;rials and tribulations of students at BHS
oecause this is where he went to high
school, graduating in 1982. "My favorite
part of the job is being able to be around
the kids, it is one of my passions in life."
Hamett felt that hisdoor isalways open
to students and that they are sometimes
more willingto talk to them since he isn't
technicallya"teacher".However,contrary
to thismaybe to the award hehashanging
inhisoffice for outstanding teachingfrom
Emerson College which was sent to him
because of his work with a former BHS
student with video editing.
From his office to his casual clothes,
Mr. Hamett comes to school ready to
enjoy his job. "I love my job, every day is
something new." This is especially true
because Hamett is the sole member of
the audio visual department at BHS, so
He has to be ready for anything each and
every day.
The shining attitude that Hamett
brings to work with him every day is
inspiring for everyone around him. "He
is always there when we need him and
does so much 'extra' stuff to help the
school" said Mr.Michael Gyra, a Science
teacher at BHS.
We all need a little inspiration in our
livesandfor Mr. Hamett hegot enough to
last himalifetimewhenhewent skydiving
a number of years ago. "After that I felt
like I could just do anything, like there
was absolutely nothing that could stand
in my way"
"I'm just here to help the kids and
support the system.Whether that means
fixing VCRs or giving advice on life I'm
just here to help."
Mr. Fix It is always the man who is
there to help people when they are in
need and BHS' Mr. Fix It has an office
in room 2731.
BHS' Go-to Guy Revealed
By Liz Cohen
Staff Writer
Class of 06'
Seniors at BHS are
ready to graduate. Onlya
few daysleft andtheywill
be off to enjoy the prom
and its after-prom party,
Celebration.
There are those chanc-
es where a student can't
move on because they
makepoor choicesfor the
last senior hurrah.
The community run
party is geared to keep
prom goers safe in a fun,
yet alcohol and drug free
environment.
Parents , teachers ,
administrators , busi-
nesses, and students in
Barnstable have been
trying to offer that for
over 11years.
When the dancing
comes to an end at the
Sheraton May 26 the mu-
sic startsthumpingat the
Kennedy Ice Arena.
Starting at 11 p.m.
Celebration begins with
a transformed building
that looks completely
different .There areblow-
up obstacle courses,rock
climbing walls, sumo
wrestling, karaoke , a
dance floor, and a never-
ending amount of food.
Senior Dana LoPorta
has been to Celebra-
tion for the past two
years with other dates
and said, "[Celebration]
was very entertaining, it
sometimes can get too
much whenyou arethere
for the whole time, but
they provide a variety of
activities there."
Plus, there are raffle
prizes given off through-
out the night and huge
grand prizes if you stay
till the end at 4 a.m.
Many stay because the
prize may be acar or even
$2,500.
Celebration coordina-
tor Fran Passios said
that Celebration was put
in place "to give kids
something to do after
prom and keep them off
the streets."
She and Carol Del-
aney are coordinating
it this year with lots of
helpfrom parents,educa-
tional workers, and local
businesses.
It is a non-profit night
withcompletely donated
prizes, games, and food.
For instance Honda of
Hyannis is the biggest
sponsor with a donation
of scholarships.
"I'm looking forward
to knockingpeople off on
the gladiator game and
sumo wrestling,"said se-
nior Brendon Sprinkle.
The best part senior
Kyle Scialdone said, "I'm
lookingforward to spend-
ing time and reminiscing
with friends."
Celebration takesover
ayeartoput together and
two weeks to set up. The
last decoration will be
hung the night of prom
at 7 pm. Anyone is wel-
come to help financially
or physically:just leave a
note at BHS in the mail
room where the Celebra-
tion box is or show up to
help decorate.
Party On: BHS offers a
Safe Celebration
By Liz Cohen
Staff Writer
Class of 06'
What is to be said when a teenager
is involved in a "fender bender"? Most
answersincludecommentslike"they're
inexperienced"or "they'rejust young",
but what if that can be fixed with
stricter driving restrictions and more
time on theroad before teensget then-
license?
The Massachusetts State Legisla-
ture is packed with many proposals
and amendmentsinthe docket before
they break for the summer, including
an amendment to a 1996 law on driv-
ing education and junior operator's
licenses.
On average 29 people between
the ages of 16 and 25 die every day in
drivingfatalities. WhileI think getting
your license at 17 and a half is a little
too harsh, it may give young people
a chance to gain more experience
so they aren't involved in those fatal
accidents.
Isn't a person's life more important
than what age you get your permit or
license?
I believe that a learner'spermit for
a year is worth having and the major-
ity of young people are responsible at
the age of 16to behind the wheel with
supervision.
A proposed law that willbe the first
in the country to increase the age of a
learner'spermitto 16and ahalf seems
harsh, but it is only for the safety of
everyone on the roads.
There were 6,176 young drivers
between the ages of 15and 20 involved
infatal carcrashesin2004.Thisisanin-
creasefrom 5,940youngdriversinvolved
inafatalcarcrashin2002. Now,Idon't
enjoy going to a friend's funeral when
I'm still in high school? Do you?
In the proposal the Transportation
Committee outlines more in-depth
involvement in driving schools and
parent supervision.Thisnewapproach
willbe a better wayto make the roads
safer and increase education from
young to old.
It will put the Registry of Motor
Vehicles in authority over all driving
schools and its instructors. This will
uniform the teachings young drivers
receive and won't confuse others when
John went to Professional Driving
School and Meg went to Grand Prix
Driving School, but they both were
taught different waysto turn.
Also, it will put the parents back
in driving school when they must
complete at least four hours of the
new proposed 30 hours of classroom
training.Not onlywillnew driverslearn
better techniques, sowillexperienced
' drivers.
Thepassengerrestriction forthe first
sixmonthsof havingajunioroperator's
licenseisstillincludedandthemidnight
curfew is still in effect.
Iftheproposedlawkeepsourpenalty
for violations the same with an extra
bonus of driving courses like adults
would receive, I believe young drivers
as a whole would adhere to them bet-
ter and not break the rule with new
consequences.
WhileIstronglyagreewiththemajor-
ity of the Transportation Committee's
proposed changes,howwillit effect the
costs of learning how to drive? Right
now on average it costs about $400 for
driving school, plus a few bucks for a
license and drivingtest.
Anincreaseof drivinghours,andthe
act ofuniryingalldrivingschoolswould
likely cost a good amount of money
and hike school prices. I believe that
less people will be able to even drive
because of the increase in price and
the rising cost in insurance.
Let's find a way to make the roads
safer and affordable for all people.
It isaright of passageto getbehind
that wheel,but alittlemorerestriction,
time on the road and more cautious
drivers could save some needed lives.
The Driving Age Should
Be Raised to 17 1/2
Teachers
Reminisce on
Their Prom
By Brian Klotz
Staff Writer
Class of 06'
You're wearingyour finest outfit ,
a dark blue tuxedo with a raspberry
colored shirt. Asyou drive up to your
schoolyou thinktoyourself,"Michael
Gyra, you've never looked better."
As soon as you step out of the car
with your date, Lisa Greenfield , you
hear Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to
Heaven" blasting from the gymna-
sium. Tonight is it, that night you'll
remember for the rest of your life:
your prom.
Although many students, when
they hear the word prom , immedi-
atelythinkabout howexpensivetheir
dressortuxedo willbe,who'sgoingto
be intheir limo.or who they're going
to take, this amount of stress was
not nearly as common for teachers
who went to prom and, in general,
proms of as little as ten years ago
greatly differ when compared to the
proms of today.
When asked about their proms,
it seems that allteachers have a few
distinctmemoriesthat they canrecall
best. For example, looking back on
it now, Mr. Gyra doesn't think as
highly of his tuxedo. "It was the
ugliest tux." said Gyra, "But I had
a great time."
Other teachers also agree that
their proms weren't allthat majestic
Mr.Harry Morales, Spanish teacher
at BHS, went to his prom in the 60's
but said he hated his.
"Minewasjunk,"said Morales. "I
went to my girlfriend'sprom instead
in 1967 or 68." Although Morales
was worried it would be too strict
because it was a Catholic school,
he enjoyed it much more than his.
"Thenuns would separate us during
the slow dances, but that was it,"
Morales said.
Mrs. Karen Gauthier, guidance
counselor at BHS, went to her prom
in 1986inWeymouthandremembers
exactlywhat her dresslookedlike. "I
wore this black, puffy,satin, Cinder-
ella-type dress," said Gauthier.
Mr. Bernie Beveridge , physics
teacher at BHS, who went to his
prom outside of Schenectady, New
York in 1962 with his senior class of
40 students, could only remember
that boys brought flowers for their
dates.
Ms.JessicaJackson,scienceteach-
er at BHS, went to her prom here in
1995. "It was fun,but kidsnowadays
spend waytoo much moneyon shoes
and stuff." said Jackson.
This brings up an excellent point:
how much have proms changed over
the years?
Mr.GerardWollak,Englishteacher,
who went to hisjunior prom in 1970,
said, "We drove our own cars and I
don't think we even wore tuxes."
The proms teachers attended also
lacked any form of organized after
party such as Celebration. When
Jackson went to prom, there was
no Celebration. Mrs. Gauthierwent
straight home to afriend' shouse after
her prom. Mr. Morales went out to
eat afterwards in New York City
"Ithink Celebration is anawesome
idea and everyone should gotothat,"
said Gauthier.
Of course,themostobviousaspect
ofpromsthat hasdrasticallychanged
is the cost.
"The money is crazy now and
there's a lot more emphasison out-
fits,"saidGauthier. "WhenI went to
prom Igot adress,Igotmyhairdone,
andIborrowed shoesandthatwasit."
Gauthierbelievesthatthepriceshave
gone up exponentially and that this
can be attributed to many students
insisting on takinglimos.
"Nowadays," said Morales, "It's
like a Miss Universe pageant to see
who hasthe best dress."
Gyra and Wollak also agree that
the cost is on a general incline. "It's
sadthoughbecausethat'snot what a
prom is supposed to be," said Gyra.
One more area where our prom
differsfrom those ofthe teachers,an
areathat isofthemostconcern,isthe
fear of students using drugs.
"The fear that we would drink
wasn't there," said Morales. "I had
never heard of pot during my prom
and now everyone knows what it
is."
Gauthiersaidthat drinkingisalso
a problem now and it wasn't when
she was in high school.
Jackson agrees but says that she
didn't need those ruleswhen shewas
in high school. "I didn't need that
structure and it's a shame we have
to do it," said Jackson.
Nevertheless,the teachers did say
they had a lot of fun.
"My friend had a big party the
day after," said Gauthier. "She had
a house on the beach in Falmouth
and it was just a great time to have
fun with my friends."
Mr. Kris Dumas, history teacher,
remembersthefood. "Theyhadthese
wicked good hot wings from DJ's."
Others remembered the dancing
and themusic.Mr.Wollakenjoyedthe
late 60'smusic and Mr. Gyra danced
to Led Zepplin.
Mr.Moralesremembershismusica
little differently. "ThankgodImissed
the disco era,"said Morales.
Another part of the prom Morales
liked was the turnaround dances.
"Every once in awhile the DJ would
say,"Thisone'sfor the ladies,'andthe
girlswould ask aboy to dancerather
than the other way around."
Mrs. Gauthier's music entertain-
ment was compiled of Duran Du-
ran, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Fresh
Prince of Bel-Air, and New Kids on
the Block.
Theone thingthat alltheteachers
agreed upon isthat everyone should
just have fun.
"It's a carefree time and it's very
sentimentalbut you shouldjust cel-
ebrate being with your friends,"said
Gauthier. "Be safe and don't worry
about gettingthe right nailpolish or
the best tux or whatever because it
goes by really fast."
Gyraalsobelievesthat you should
worry less about materials and
components and focus more on the
friendships you have.
Gyra said, "Be inclusive of every-
one there and make sure you attend
Celebration because you'll never be
able to reproduce this time in your
life again."
A Timeless Event
By Kara Griffin
Staff Writer
Class of 07'
The girls have had the glory.
They've held the trophy three years
in a row, confidently declared their
State Championship title, and cel-
ebrated their numerous winnings.
And who can blame Coach Tom
Turco for having"WeAre the Cham-
pions" as his ringtone on his cell
phone? They are the champions,
after all.
But at the beginningof the BHS
spring sports season the gears
shifted and it was the boys' turn to
step it up withTurco'sintroduction
of the new boys volleyball team.
As a sport that is known at
Barnstable for female domination ,
the boys had big shoes to fill. With
no Recreational leagues or camps
for the boys to gam experience, the
skills are usually limited. An inter-
estedor talented maleto be left with
nowhere to turn. Until this year.
A few months ago, Turco held
sign ups, "knowing it would be
kind of a risk for [the boys]" and
those who were in it for the long
haul began training and ultimately
learning the sport
Junior girls volleyball player,
Marissa Pita said at the start that
she thought it would be "tough"
for the boys, but that "with Turco
they'll be good."
Senior Bryce Christian said that
he jomed because he "thought it
would be a good learning experi-
ence" while Junior Sean Caldwell
said he was doing it "just for fun."
Both players
decided to forgo their usual
season on the track field to give
the new sport a try.
Unfortunately, BHS was a little
behind on the boys volleyball band
wagon , for the sport has been
around for years. But with a great
coach andsolid determination,they
have proven their new skill on the
court many times against schools
with wellestablished boysvolleyball
programs.
Turco admitsthat he wasnervous
that the boys wouldn't even winone
game, but he was extremely proud
and glad that they have proven his
doubts wrong with 7-6 record as of
press time.
But it seems that the points,
records, and consecutive games
i
won doesn't really matter. It ap-
pears that the work ethic and the
dynamics of the team are what's
important.
Caldwell, after spending many
years participating in individual
sports like cross country and track
said, "Working together is a major
part of this game"and said that he
has really
gained knowledge about team
work while playing boys volley-
ball.
"[The boys] work every bit as
hard as the girls," said Turco in
regards to practices and games.It's
clear this isn't a simple fluff sport
just to play for the heck of it, but a
serious deal.
Games are intense and have a
different look than the girls'. The
guys jump sky high and spike the
ball with more aggression and
force. They seemto have that extra
"umph." Oh yeah, and no spandex
shorts.
But the big question is whether
there is any pressure from Turco
andthefansofBoysVolleyball'sfirst
season to do aswell as the girls? Of
course not. Turco said, "It's more
refiningskillsat the girls'level and
teachingskillsat theboys'."Inother
words,theboysarestilllearningand
growingas a team, and will maybe
someday climb to their champion
moment.
"Not expecting that much of
ourselveswillmakeus better,"said
Caldwell about the possible pres-
sure to be the best.Thenew team's
record speaks for itself.
Asforyearsto come,Turcothinks
thattherewillabsolutelybeinterest
for the boys volleyballteam, and is
planning on "generating interest"
through promotion and develop-
ment of the programnotjust inside
oftheBHSgym.Hopefully,someday
elementary and middle school
boys willhave the chanceto play
volleyball as much as the girls do
at that age.
Is there another dynasty in the
making? We shall see. Already ev-
eryone is applauding
Turco's efforts and the boys'
hard work, and they will certainly
be waiting on the sidelines to see
what comes of this new team.
Boys Spike Perfection
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