Baking Tutorial

video by DARBY FRESKE & BECKY HAMMILL

Due to Popular Demand: Garton Opens Up New Period of Anatomy/Physiology

by BECKY HAMMILL

Coming to Mac-Hi second semester is an anatomy/physiology class being taught by Ms. Garton, which is good news for students looking to go into the medical field or students just wanting to get a better understanding of the human body. There was a lot of student demand for the class, so the administration opened a second period. 
“It should be very similar to last year’s class where we will study the different systems in the human body and how they work,” said Garton. She explains that it is a great class for students to take who are interested in going into a medical career field. “The class should allow students to become more sound in their fundamental knowledge of the human body and the science of how the human body works,” she said. Garton then added that anyone thinking of going into a career in a health or medical field would benefit from this, as most colleges and vocational schools require students to take some form of a human anatomy course as a requirement for a degree or certification.

This class will be offered 4th and 5th period, so - if you want in, you’d better get in fast before the classes are filled!

What a Bunch of Turkeys

by BECKY HAMMILL

     When you hear the word “Thanksgiving,” you most likely think of family and a table full of food. And it’s exactly that. Although Thanksgiving goes all the way back to 1621. it wasn’t until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day to be held every November.
   

     The Thanksgiving traditions most Americans have are the serving of a big turkey (with the occasional ham), playing/watching football, parading (the NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1927), making a wish by breaking the turkey’s wishbone, and of course, giving thanks. The whole reason for Thanksgiving was to take a day to just relax, eat good food, and think about all of the things you’re thankful for (hence the word “thanks” in Thanksgiving).

  So, relax on Thanksgiving, and really take the time to be thankful for what and who you have. I know I will.

Halloween History

Getting Into the 'Spirit' of Halloween

by BECKY HAMMILL

     Everyone perceives Halloween as just a random holiday and an excuse to dress up while getting free candy. Little do they know, though, Halloween actually goes back as far as about 2,000 years ago. Started by the Celts, it was originally a festival held on October 31^st called Samhain.  Back then, winter was the season most associated with death.  The Celts believed that on the night that ends summer and brings winter, the world of the living and the dead blurred, which allowed the ghosts of the dead to return to Earth and cause havoc like bring sickness and destroy crops. Around the time of 800 AD, the upbringing of Christianity made its way into Celtic lands.

     Trick-or-treating originates from ancient Ireland and during the Saint Columb Kill Festival. During that time, peasants would go from house to house and gather necessities like cheese, butter, eggs, apples, and bread cakes to prepare for the festivities. The most known Halloween tradition is the costumes. Dressing up and making your way through the town or neighborhood getting free treats goes back to the middle ages.

     Halloween became very popular in America around the time of the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  Other cultures around the world celebrate very similar traditions as we do in America. In England, it is known as Bonfire Night. In Mexico, altars in the homes are decorated with candy, fruit, bread, and flowers. Those are just a couple examples of other Halloween cultures.

     Overall, Halloween has a very long, interesting background. Honestly, I’ve never known any of this until I did my research. Thank you, and Happy Halloween.

 

Welcome To America

by BECKY HAMMILL

America hosts more international students than any other country. There are a record of 900,000 international students in America. Our new additions to the Mac-Hi students are Marie Ecoffey, Candelaria Maguregui, Meggi Hatzel, Vilde Roemo, and Isabel Blechsmidt.

I interviewed all of the lovely new students during school. Here is what I learned.

Marie Ecoffey is from Switzerland. When I met her, she gave me a big smile, and I was very excited. She is one of the nicest people I’ve met. One of her most favorite things about America is the food.  She didn’t get to choose to come here, though. The biggest difference between America and Switzerland is the school system. In Switzerland, Marie has already graduated. Also, they start learning English around age 14, in addition to their native language. She became a foreign exchange student because she wanted to learn to speak English, in addition to French, German and Italian. The hardest part about being away from home, she said, is being away from her family and friends.

Candelaria Maguregui is from Argentina. She is very sweet, and I am glad that I got to meet her. She came to America to learn the language and culture, which she's been able to experience with her host family, the Harmons (Mindy Harmon, her host-sister, is a senior this year). Candelaria told me that she enjoys English despite its difficulties. Many of the people I have spoken to from different countries like English, too. She said that they learn English basically whenever. The classes in Argentina are way different from in America. She has 2 older brothers that she misses.

Meggi Hatzel is from Germany. She’s in my 1st period and 2nd period classes, so I get to see her often. She’s very shy, which I can understand. Meggi had a choice as to which country she got to go to. She wanted to speak English better, so she has to choose between the United Kingdom or the United States. She chose the US because it’s further away. Germany and America are different in certain ways. Here in America, people are more friendly, she said. It’s also somewhat more expensive. She speaks 3 languages: German, Greek, and English. I was surprised to hear that she can speak Greek, especially that she learned it so young. She has no siblings in Germany, so the hardest part for her to be away from her home is being away from her friends.

Next up, is the lovely Vilde Roemo. Vilde is from a small town in Norway called Namdalseid. “I like how all the different cultures are equal, and I like the people. Everyone is so open-minded,” she said. She chose America because she wanted to experience the American way of living. I asked her about how this country differs from Norway, and she told me it's more diverse culturally. She started learning English in second or third grade. “Being away from everyone I love, including my dog,” Vilde said, is the hardest part about being away from home, especially her five older siblings. I couldn’t agree more. Including her native tongue, she admitted to speaking some "pretty bad" Spanish.

Our own Mac-Hi student, Anna Lonai, left to Taiwan to be a foreign exchange student. I messaged her on Facebook and got to catch up with her. I asked her why she picked Taiwan, and she admitted that she wasn’t really sure. She thought it would be pretty cool to learn Mandarin, being so different from English, and she wanted to go somewhere very different from America. Anna loves Taiwan; she says it’s very beautiful and exciting. The people are friendly and there is lots to do. Of course, it’s hard for her to be away from her family. The language is a real challenge for her, as it would be for anybody. Anna’s classmates are awesome, she says, but it’s hard for her to make real friends when she can’t communicate. “My host family is so sweet. I’m the only kid though, which is a little sad.” she says.  

If you haven’t met any of these lovely ladies, you should set out to do so. I enjoyed talking to every single one of them, even if some of the interviews were via Facebook. They are all very sweet. I hope to get to know them more, and you should, too.