FEATURES
There are students who come to school to learn, and there are students who come to hangout with friends and have fun. Ibrahim Mourad (more commonly known as I.B.) does both. Mourad is a senior at Salem High School.
Mourad is a role model in and outside of the classroom: he’s always active and participating in the classroom, and his classmates can always count on him to bring a smile to their face.
Nader Sabri said, “I.B. is a great friend. He always listens to what I have to say. He has an outgoing attitude and is easy to talk to. Every person who knows I.B loves him and admires him as a friend.”
I.B is a standout athlete as well. He played freshman and JV football for the Rocks. He is also a captain on both the track and cross country teams which he specializes in the 800m and 1600m.
Griffin Skaff, a Salem senior, and also a captain of Salem Cross Country said, “I.B. is a great role model for the younger groups of kids on the team. He always gets them focused for practices and meets and always knows to say the right thing at the right time.”
I.B. is also part of several extracurricular activities. He is a member of both the diversity council and the Muslim Student Association.
I.B. prides himself in being part of Diversity Council. He said, “It's a great place to meet new people at the park and I've been helping at the COD and IASA show since sophomore year and those shows are great to go out and see all the cool performances from around the school.”
Student of the Month: The Athlete, The Student
By: Hamoudy Turfe
Staff Writer
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what’s in and what’s not. Not to mention how expensive new clothes can be, so students can’t necessarily afford to buy new outfits all the time. If you still want to look nice and stylish without breaking the bank, there are little things you can do to spice up your look.
Jewelry: Adding a piece of jewelry is a great and easy thing to do that will brighten your look. It doesn’t have to be diamond earrings or a pearl necklace. Whether it’s a simple bracelet, some hoop earrings, or even just a dog tag, jewelry goes great with everything from a t-shirt to a prom dress. Canton senior, Arijeta Demiri, said, “Wearing jewelry makes you look so much better. When I don’t wear it I feel plain and boring.”
Nail polish: You don’t have to go to the salon and get a French manicure to do this. Painting your nails can brighten your outfit and even your mood. There are hundreds of colors to choose from, whether you want a subtle cream or neon green, there’s something out there for you. “Even if I’m just wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, I feel better if my nails are painted to match my outfit” said Lauren Keyes, Canton senior.
Scarves: Scarves are the perfect thing to add to your look, especially during the cold months of winter. They go great with dresses, sweaters, and even t-shirts. A solid colored scarf works well with patterned clothing, and patterned scarves for solid colored shirts. Alexis Berent, a senior at Salem, said, “Scarves are fun! I can wear them with almost anything.”
Hats: There are all sorts of hats you can wear to add to your look including beanies, snapbacks, and baseball caps. If you feel like going casual to school, wearing a hat is perfect to make your look just a little better. “My favorite hat to wear is baseball caps because I don’t have to do my hair in the morning”, said Chase Johnson, a Plymouth sophomore.
Watches: Watches add pizzazz to any outfit. They can be worn by anyone and look great with anything you decide to weaer, whether you’re going fancy or wearing sweats. Ibrahim Mourad, Salem senior said, “Watches make you look fresh and classy.”
Simple Things to Do to Strengthen Your Look
By: Miriam Sponsler
Editor-in-Chief
Photos by Miriam Sponsler
Models: Ayah Shuaib (scarf), Arijeta Demiri (hat), Kayla Ripton (necklace), Alison Grayshaw (nails), Natasha Pietruchka (watch)
Studying Tips for Everyone
By: Allison Pascalo
Features Editor
No matter what grade you are in, whether it’s encountering your first year at P-CEP as a freshman, or just barely hanging on at the seams as a senior, finals will creep up behind you and nip you in the rear if you haven’t properly prepared for these exams. Nothing is worse than getting that bubble sheet and realizing that even though the questions are multiple choice, you are still drowning in your own poor choices of not taking the required time out of your day to study, study, and study some more. Listed below are some techniques that are sure to suit any individual and his/her preferred way of memorizing that sacred material.
Speak out loud instead of just simply reading. Studies have shown that you are 50 percent more likely to remember something you have repeatedly said out loud. That could make quite the difference when something is stuck on the tip of your tongue. Plymouth sophomore, Judah Washington, finds speaking out loud a technique that works. “My mom is often more than happy to go over my study guides with me so I can easily speak to her. Making note cards and reading them aloud while I’m alone also works for me.”
Teach what you have learned. Not only does this way of memorizing give you an opportunity to bug your parents and siblings by introducing them to what you’ve learned, but teaching the material allows you to make connections to remember the information to the best of your abilities. Senior at Plymouth, John McInnes, says, “This is the perfect opportunity for me to annoy my sister while reading my material aloud.”
Create mental associations. “Creativity is just connecting things,” Steve Jobs once said. Using things such as mind maps are a quick and easy way to intertwine your ideas in a visual diagram.
Here’s something you probably haven’t thought of before: Times New Roman is the fastest font to read! When studying something online or typing up a guide, you can notice that the default font is Times New Roman. Without even realizing it, this makes the words easier to read and easier to comprehend.
Take study breaks. When your brain is working in overtime trying to store everything you’re piling into it, breaks are a necessity to help it act like a sponge and absorb all of that key information. Websites like examtime.com suggest taking a short resting period after about 45-50 minutes of continuous studying. Dorian Thompson, Salem senior, explains how vital breaks really are. “I cannot study without taking a break. I will drive myself insane with giving my brain a chance to breath.” Your focus and attention typically becomes impaired this time and anything new retained will not get assimilated after 1 hour and 30 minutes. It’s OK to treat yourself when studying.
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All of these tips are meant to aid in your memorization and help you get that passing grade. Waiting until the last minute doesn’t give you the opportunity to be thorough with your study guides, so go back to Chapter 1 as soon as possible and get to studying.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
Photo courtesy of Ibrahim Mourad
Ibrahim Mourad wins an award in his varsity sport.