Spotlight on Staff: Mr. P

By: Sydney, Brielle, and Lucy

A few weeks ago, the Hoffman News Team's research staff learned that Mr. P used to play music throughout New Jersey and New York. We decided to ask him about this cool other side!

Question 1: When did you start working here?

A: As you know, this is my first year at Hoffman. Before that, I was at Northbrook Junior High, and an elementary school in New Jersey.

Question 2: Lucy: At News, everyone is telling me and Sydney about you being a rockstar. (By the way, you have a low voice) What do you think about everyone knowing this?

A: Well, I'm impressed that you're using all of those research skills we've taught you, so [gives applause]. I don't mind at all. Playing music was a huge part of my life, and hopefully always will be.

Question 3: What is your favorite song you wrote???

A: I should ask you that! There are some I like more than others, the things I've written more recently mean more than some of the things I wrote when I was much younger. That said, when Logan ran into the LRC the other day singing one of my songs, that was pretty cool.

Question 4: Why are you a librarian if you could be a ROCKSTAR??

A: Can't I be both?

Question 5: Do you have any other hobbies??

A: Sure. Besides music and reading, I love exploring new places, watching sports, hanging out with my girlfriend and friends, and playing with our dog, Wendy.

Question 6: What is your favorite sport??

A: Baseball, for sure. I'm glad the Cubs are playing a lot better than they were the first week of the season.

Question 7: What’s your favorite song, in general?

A: Good question, that's tough. That can change on an hourly basis, depending on what kind of mood I'm in, or what I want out of a song. My favorite artists, though, are Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, James Brown, and Prince.

Question 8: Were you annoyed with these questions??

A: Not at all. You're great interviewers!

Question 9: Ok bye! (What do you have to say to that?)

A: [Looks very confused]

opinion: effects of smoking

By: Sonam and Ema

Although tobacco is a large portion of the U.S. economy, smoking can lead to many disorders and diseases that can badly affect the user. The people that smoke permanently damage or destroy their lungs, increasing the risk of cancer and other diseases.

To begin with, tobacco use may have many disastrous consequences on your health. It can lead to emphysema, a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged or enlarged. More than 4,000 chemical substances are present in cigarette smoke and at least 50 of these can lead to cancer. Some of these substances include tar, arsenic, and carbon monoxide. In addition, amongst these toxic products is nicotine, which causes psychological and physical addiction to tobacco. All of these occurrences can reduce your quality of life significantly.

Secondly, apart from the deadly consequences your body is faced with, the smoke doesn’t only harm your body, but bodies around you. When someone breathes in secondhand smoke, their lungs are also damaged. Sadly, their lungs will begin to shrivel up and turn black if they are exposed to too much secondhand smoke. Furthermore, the smoke contains a variety of harmful chemicals that will affect a bystander as it does a user with only a few breaths.

Children suffer the worst of all. Children are exposed to the risk of respiratory issues including asthma when they breathe in secondhand smoke. Exposure to cigarettes is a big risk factor, so you should always be alert when around people who smoke tobacco.

Lastly, nicotine also interferes with chemicals in your body called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters carry messages from one nerve cell to another. This is not the only consequence that occurs after smoking. A third of all cancer cases are caused because of smoking. These include Esophageal (Esophagus) Cancer, oral (mouth) cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, uterine Cancer and pancreatic cancer. Smoking can also give you severe heart disease. Regardless of age, smoking dramatically increases the risk of cancer and disease, so try your best to stay away from cigarettes.

In conclusion, decreasing the use of tobacco will decrease the risk of cancer and other illnesses. Keep your body safe and healthy by discouraging the use of tobacco. You can also try and encourage others around you to quit.

Don’t contribute to this harmful thing; instead, say the two letter word (no) that will change your life.

Literally.

opinion: Animals deserve respect

By: Lulu

Squish. Another ant dead.

Boom. Another dear murdered.

Boom. Another turkey dead.

Imagine you were an ant and you were out collecting food for your family and friends. Minding your own business. Then you look up and see a giant boy. He laughs and the last thing you see is the bottom of his shoe.

Now, you’re a doe. Peacefully prancing through the woods looking for food. Then you see a man. Holding a gun. You run. Then you are dead. But, not just you, but your little fawn.

Animals have feelings too. They may not have as complex feelings as we do, or the ability to express them, but they have them.

I believe hunting is killing. Squishing an ant is murder. Just because animals can’t talk to us, doesn't mean their lives are any less valuable.

For example, animals have kind hearts. Once, I saw a baby bird in my garage and it couldn't fly like an adult bird. So its mother came and led it out.

That was what any mother would do. What your mother might have done for you.

Animals may not be as smart as us, but they do deserve anything and everything that humans deserve.