Story by Kouki Yatani

Many senior students seem to ha

Story by Kouki Yatani

Another sports season is heading into its prime time as each team gets closer to their sectional games. Every team has different views and values that build their foundation of the sport. As the season comes to an end, it is important to reflect on each team’s cultures and differences that make them unique.

The first sport is baseball, a sport that not only requires athleticism but also calls for immense vision and skill. Evan Hess, 9th grader, believes that what makes the sport so different is how hard it is to score. Evan explained how putting the ball in play is a lot harder and that, “there is no time to process whether to swing or not.” He also believes that the culture of the team and how the team acts is influenced by the team captains. “The first game is the biggest game,” he said as it helps to build momentum going into the season.

The second sport is softball, another sport that requires the same focus and vision as baseball but a completely different skill set. Their biggest game is the opposite of the baseball team’s and it is their sectional game which is one of the later games in the season. Dena Clark, junior, believes that the culture of the sport is built around the involvement where everyone on the team is fully involved throughout the game. She followed by stating that, “everyone is essential in order to get the win.” She really enjoys the people on the team and the competitiveness which also helps to shape their team. 

The third sport is tennis, a whole different sport that involves rackets. Similar to softball, the start of sectionals is also the most important game when it comes to tennis. According to Noah Heffley, senior, tennis is rather more of a recreational sport. Having lots of friends on the team and being able to stay active creates the culture and atmosphere that he likes. Noah believes that tennis is rather different from a lot of sports played at the school. “It’s a more individual sport and it’s more technical, not about athleticism but more about precision,” he explained. 

The fourth and final sport of the spring season is track and field, a very individual sport similar to tennis. Maddie Levey, junior, enjoys the individualism and competitiveness of the sport. “It pushes me to be better,” she said. Running against teammates in track can really push you to be better and it helps the team as a whole. Similar to softball and tennis, sectionals is the biggest event of the season. 

All spring sports have their uniqueness and differences that creates its own culture around the team. Whether the sport is individual or team, it seems that something they all have in common is a bond between the players that helps push each player past their limits.

Story by Tighe Grigg

The cafeteria has introduced a new option to the arrangement of food students can choose for their daily lunch. The only way one would know this is a new option however is by taste and according to senior Christopher Craft “the shape”. 

This incredible option is the new and improved chicken sandwich that has been all the rage in the student body. The change is that the chicken in the sandwich is now a chicken breast filet instead of a ground up chicken patty. Mrs. Cornell from the cafeteria said “The new chicken is from a company called Gold Kist.” According to her the chicken started arriving “right after spring break” and they hope it will continue to be part of the menu.

Senior Kanye Cumberbatch tested out the chicken sandwich on May 7th lunch and had some interesting thoughts. “The chicken is still kinda dry but it's honestly way better than the other ones I've had.” Cumberbatch’s reasoning for the dish being better is that it is “crispier.” 

The first major new sandwich enthusiast was Senior Christopher Craft who first introduced the way of finding which chicken sandwich is the good one. Craft says “I give it a little squish on the outside, if it has weird angles or weird nubs it's the good one.” Craft has been getting the sandwich as much as he can and he said “I be feeling everyone's chicken sandwich”

  Overall the new chicken sandwich has been “living up to the hype” as students and the lunch ladies definitely enjoy it more than the last. We all hope it will continue to be an option for lunch.

Story by Taylor Flaitz

The financial aspect of college will be overwhelming for almost every freshman in late August this year. Knowing the items that will not be useful when packing up and leaving home will ensure that you save the most amount of money possible. Some items are seen as essential as you start your new life away from home, while others are not a necessity for taking up space or spending money on. Here are some items that will be useful to bring or buy to your dorm and others that you can keep at home or not purchase and save your money for something else. 

Mini Fridge: Do!!

You and your roommate can share a mini fridge and can keep drinks or whatever food you may need to store in a mini fridge. It is useful for little snacks in the middle of the day when you do not want to go anywhere. 

Body Pillow: Don’t!!

Most dorm beds are twin size so you will not have much space in your bed for a body pillow. Do not take up your bed space with one of these or a lot of throw pillows. Get a regular sized pillow that you really enjoy and it will not take up as much space.

Mattress Topper: Do!!

These make your bed higher but a foam mattress topper can really increase the comfiness of a usually hard and uncomfortable dorm bed.

Tall and skinny Laundry Basket: Do!!

A wide laundry basket will take up too much space plus will be difficult to carry down stairs. Getting a tall one that is easier to carry will be more necessary. Getting one with wheels can make it easier to transport or one with a hook that you can hang will decrease the amount of floor space you may take up. 

Fluffy Rug: Don’t!!

Fluffy rugs, especially white ones, will get things stuck in them and become dirty easily. Instead, get a flat rug that is easy to clean up or vacuum. 

Full length Mirror: Do!!

Getting a full length that stands up or you can hang on the back of your door can be useful for pictures or any last minute checks of your whole body instead of just the top half. 

LED strip lights: Don’t!!

Getting strip lights will rip the paint off the walls at the end of the year and could result in a fine. If you need light, invest in or bring a lamp for more light. 

Fan: Do!!

Many dorms do not have air conditioning so a fan will be a life saver. People who like to sleep with noise will also find this essential at night. 

Shower Caddy: Do!!

With communal bathrooms, having an organized way to carry your toiletries to and from the bathroom will be useful and more sanitary. 

Keurig or coffee maker: Don’t!!

Many colleges have Starbucks where many students will purchase coffee instead. A coffee maker can take up a lot of space and you may not get as much use out of it as you would think. 

Sarah Eleshaky, who is attending New York University, and Kaylianna Clark, who is attending Nazareth University in the fall, agreed that they will bring or buy lots of lamps to help them get ready and storage containers and organizers to help utilize their dorm room space. Clark says she will purchase a mini fridge and a new comforter for her dorm. Mariem Eleshaky, 2023 graduate, agrees that lamps and fairy lights were very useful for better lighting and advises “do not get too many pens and pencils because you will take notes on a laptop.” She also recommended an ottoman that has a storage compartment. This will also help you to get on your tall beds. 

  Every college and university has different specifications on what you can and cannot bring to your dorm and this is just a general guideline to help you before you move into your new home. Make sure to check with the college you are attending and find out what is and isn’t allowed in your dorm. 

Story by Kouki Yatani

Many people often set their high school life goals to achieve and receive the honorable titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. This title also happens to be something that only a few can receive each year. This year, three students managed to climb to the top of our class. Introducing our salutatorians Jennie Bensley and Candy Zhou, and valedictorian Sarah Eleshaky.

Name: 

Jennie Bensley

Title: 

Salutatorian

Hardest part of school:

“Staying on top of everything and the work load sometimes”

Favorite school memory:

Musicals

Favorite school lunch:

Mozzarella sticks

What did you do to achieve this:

“Staying organized, working hard”

Favorite bean:

Black beans

Was it worth it?:

Yes

Favorite class or subject:

Music, band

Which bathroom do you like to use more, upstairs or downstairs?:

Downstairs bathroom

What are you going to miss least?:

“The days the bell doesn't work”

Name: 

Candy Zhou

Title: 

Salutatorian

Hardest part of school:

“Keeping myself motivated”

Favorite school memory:

Playing games in last mod study hall in senior area

Favorite school lunch:

Mozzarella sticks

What did you do to achieve this:

“Study smarter, not harder”

Favorite bean:

Edamame

Was it worth it?:

YES

Favorite class or subject:

History classes and AP bio

Which bathroom do you like to use more, upstairs or downstairs?:

Downstairs bathroom

What are you going to miss least?:

“When it's too hot or too cold”

Name: 

Sarah Eleshaky

Title: 

Valedictorian

Hardest part of school:

Not procrastinating

Favorite school memory:

Academic All Stars competition

Favorite school lunch:

Grilled Cheese

What did you do to achieve this:

“Work hard, play hard”

Favorite bean:

Soy beans (edamame)

Was it worth it?:

“It was worth it, got me into the school of my dreams”

Favorite class or subject:

“Math of course”

Which bathroom do you like to use more, upstairs or downstairs?:

Upstairs bathroom

What are you going to miss least?:

How the senior area was not available half of the year

Story by Tighe Grigg

The 2024 Special Olympics Track & Field Spectacular was held on May 3rd 9:15am. The games the event contained were track and field events. The running events ranged from the 25 meter walk/run to the 400 meter walk/run, jumping events, and throwing events.

    They competed along with 300 other athletes from 12 other schools and districts. The seven students were given a send off parade by the entire elementary school as they carried their sign and were cheered onto the bus. Alfred Almond brought seven students to the games this year: Harrison, Cash, Tanner, Colton, Mariah, and Sarah. 

Once the Alfred Almond team set up camp at the track, students went over to participate in an olympic style march around the bend of the track.

After their march all athletes gathered inside the track then dispersed to go to their events. Alfred Almond had an impressive night with nearly all their athletes taking to the podium in their events. Senior Gracen Dusinberre who attended the event with the athletes said “I think the athletes definitely had fun and seemed to like the experience a lot.”

Harrison came in first in the 50 meter dash and second in the long jump. Tanner came in second in the 50 meter dash and second in the standing long jump, Cash participated in the 50 meter dash and tennis ball throw. Colton came in first in the 50 meter dash and second in the softball throw. Mariah came second in the 50 meter dash and first in the softball throw. Sarah came in third in the 50 meter dash and third in the softball throw. 

The event should definitely continue to be an opportunity for students at Alfred Almond. Dusinberre agreed saying “It’s a great opportunity because it gives them something to look forward to throughout the school year.” The day is so great as it also gives several students the opportunity to compete in a welcoming and exciting environment. Dusineberre agrees that the environment is very “energetic and exciting.”

Story By Joey T.

The 2023-2024 school year is coming to an end and with the upcoming break it's time to start mapping out how you spend your summer. Here is how some students plan to spend their summer break.

Senior Benny Jaconski:  Hopefully working and making money, I might take a trip back to Philadelphia.

Senior Jack Deutsch:  I will probably work for most of it. I am going on a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Senior Candy Zhou: I want to travel.

Senior Jake Hall: I am going to take a trip to Montana. 

Sophomore Evan Hess: I will be working and doing summer track.

Freshman Will Levey: I will be traveling to Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, and going to soccer camp.

Junior Peyton Barnes: I will be Working for the Alfred State Grounds crew.

7th Grader Tommy Davidson: I will be going with my brother for a few weeks and taking a trip to Virginia.

7th Grader Tyler Smith: I just want to go outside a lot.

Some people like to plan what they are going to do for summer ahead of time however if you’re the type of person that likes to see where each day takes you that's fine too. If you find yourself bored in need of some fun, try something that you haven’t done before like camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, or just going out for a drive are all things that can break up the daily cycle of laying in bed watching Tiktok. Most important of all, make sure that you are spending your summer the way that you want. 

Story by Abby Hurd 

Under the glimmer of a thousand lights, prom is where every need for magic and wonder is met. On May 4, juniors and seniors came together to enjoy an evening of dancing and entertainment. Most who attended the dance enjoyed the music, food, and   theme. “I had a really good time and the music was better than other dances I have attended,” said junior Ambria Papworth, who attended prom for the first time this year.

Senior Kylie McMichael who attended last year's prom said, “This year's prom was better than last year because more people were dancing and interacting, which made it more fun.” Guests from other schools also had a good time. “I enjoyed prom a lot, it was nicely set up and planned, and was honestly better than most I have attended,” said Genesee Valley junior, Hunter Newman. 

The prom committee and class advisors worked hard to make prom a night to remember for everyone. “The planning that went into the prom was a delightful time. Ms. Carretto helped a lot, which was lovely,”  said Junior Dena Clark. The theme of the prom was Enchanted Garden and Junior Ali Wojtkowiak said the theme was chosen because it wouldn't be expensive and was still a pretty option. Most of the decorations were donated by Mr. Levey and Ms. Carretto. There were some difficulties faced like what food to serve. The prom committee wanted to make sure everyone enjoyed the food along with the atmosphere. The prom committee came early to help set up, and stayed after to help clean up to return the venue to its original state for others to enjoy. 

As the night came to a close, prom left many with smiles and memories they will remember forever. The good times spent with friends were possible because of the prom committee, Ms. Carretto, Mr. Levey, and the chaperones. Everyone who attended this year's prom is excited for next year.

Story by Abby Hurd 

Mrs. Acker, House and Conklin are at their final chapter at Alfred-Almond, and have left a mark on many generations. Each of them have spent their careers teaching and creating safe spaces for each student, and as they step away from their classrooms, they will be missed. Their success is not only in the grades their students have achieved, but in the kind of people those students have become. 

Mrs. Acker has been working at Alfred-Almond for 23 years and says her plans after retirement are to spend more time with her grandchildren and maybe do some traveling. Mrs. Acker is going to miss her time spent at the school, “I am so very thankful for the opportunity to work here and am going to miss it so much. I have worked with wonderful teachers who are some of the best in the profession. I have had the opportunity to help students recognize that doing hard things has value and I have many memories that I will always cherish,” said Mrs. Acker 

Mrs. House has been working at Alfred-Almond for about 15 years off and on, and said she is going to miss it a lot. “My time at the school has been very rewarding and I enjoy it every time I come back,” said Mrs. House. Her plans after retirement are to maybe do more subbing and travel more. After her many years working at the school Mrs. House's most memorable moment was helping a student. “I had helped a student write an essay in 11th grade and he got an A. After his hard work he told me ‘you taught me how to do that,’” Mrs. House said with a smile as she recalled the fond memory. 

Ms. Conklin has been working at the school for 26 years and enjoyed her time at the school, saying it was “for the most part good. I learned a lot, have grown as an individual, and had the opportunity to work with some amazing teachers and students.” Ms. Conklin said some of her most memorable moments have been learning braille and getting to stay with the class of 2024 from Kindergarten to Graduation. 

As the final bell rings on June 13 our retiring teachers step into a new chapter, leaving behind their shared wisdom, memories and legacies that will inspire future generations.