November 2018

Review = “Kamikaze” by Eminem

Breanna Corliss ~ November 9, 2018

Eminem is an American rapper, actor, producer, record executive, and songwriter. He was born on October 17, 1972, and is 46 years old. He released an album on August 31, 2018 titled “Kamikaze”.

This album was released unannounced and is used to start up old beef and take care of his beef with MGK. The songs on this album are called “The Ringer”, “Greatest”, “Lucky You (feat. Joyner Lucas)”, “Paul (Skit)”, “Normal”, “Em Calls Paul (Skit)”, “Stepping Stone”, “Not Alike (feat. Royce Da 5’9)”, “Kamikaze”, “Fall”, “Nice Guy”, ”Good Guy (feat. Jessie Reyez)”, and “Venom”.

Since Machine Gun Kelly released the song “Rap Devil”, he and Eminem have gone back and forth. Eminem released two songs dissing Machine Gun Kelly after MGK released “Rap Devil”, one of which is on Eminem’s newest album. The song “Not Alike” mainly focuses on how Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly are not similar in any way. The other song that Eminem released as a diss on MGK is called “Killshot”, and the album art features a black backdrop with MGK’s face backed in white with his eyes x’ed out, and being in a scope.

The album “Kamikaze” was produced by Aftermath Records, and most of the songs are similar to the songs from his album “The Marshall Mathers LP” in that they are pretty angry. I really enjoy listening to this album because it has nice beats mixed with modern “mumble-rap” beats. The songs are also very catchy. This album was nominated for the ARIA Music Award for Best International Artist, which is an award given to someone who shows excellence and innovation in all genres of Australian music.

I decided to see what members of the school community thought of his new album. Ms. Lay, an English teacher, said that she hasn’t heard much of the album but she thinks that he is a great lyricist and rapper. When asked what she thinks about the beef that Eminem has with MGK, Ms. Lay said that she doesn’t keep up with things like that with celebrities or artist, and that it seems like it’s more of a personal thing between Eminem and MGK. In response to being asked what she thinks about Eminem, Mrs. Lay said that she likes Eminem’s music and that she grew up in the 90’s so listening to his music is nostalgic because it reminds her of her formative years.

Kodi Bahr (a sophomore) said that he thinks that Eminem is right to have the beef that he does.

Nichole Regnet (sophomore) said that she hasn’t heard of the album, so I showed it to her. After listening to the album, she said that it was “interesting” and that it “portrays what he’s going through and his feelings”. She also says that his word choice is different from other rappers and that this album was different from what she had heard before.

Review = Off-season NBA Player Movement

Parker Norman ~ November 16, 2018

In the 2018/19 offseason, the NBA came down to many trades. It was probably one of the most hectic off-seasons there have ever been. There were three player moves of significance: Lebron James to the Lakers, Demar DeRozan to the Spurs and Kyai Leonard to the Raptors. Demar DeRozan, who played for the Raptors and now plays for the Spurs, did not want to leave the Raptors one bit. In his press conference, he said “Business is business but I'm gonna show them what they are losing.’’

Even though Demar did not want to go to the Spurs, he was forced to. The Spurs have not started out too bad with Demar, going 7-5 at the start of the season. In all, he is having a good season averaging 25 points 6.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. I think the Spurs will finish the season in fifth place. During the playoffs, Demar projects to having a very good playoff run but the team only make it to the second round.

Leonard, on the other hand, did want to go to the Raptors. In the middle of the playoffs last season he just left and did not tell anyone where he was going and what he was doing, so he is glad that he left. He and his team are starting out the season very well with a record of 12-1. Leonard is averaging 24 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. I think that the Raptors will finish second in the Eastern Conference and make it to the second round in the playoffs. Fred, a sophomore, said that the Raptors got the better of the trade because they have a better record and better team in all.

The Epidemic of Vaping and Juuling

Madeline Carbonneau ~ November 19, 2018

Littleton High School, in general, is a safe place. However, recently there has been an epidemic taking over the lives of young people and adults in our community. This epidemic is vaping and Juuling. For many children in our community, it is the new cigarette.

A Juul is a device that heats a cartridge which contains oils, nicotine, and sometimes THC. These devices are small, and they resemble a flash drive. Each “pod” contains the amount of nicotine found in a single pack of cigarettes. These devices are appealing to kids because of their fruitful flavors and “cool” wraps. Many people are unaware of these and how they harm you.

When you see a Juul or even try one, you may not believe it is harmful. Many say, “ It’s only water vapor, it’s not bad for me”; “It can’t hurt me”; “It’s not addictive.” They are wrong.

These devices are also known as “gateway drugs”, which means they can lead to other addictions. You go from Juuling to smoking marijuana to other more harmful drugs, such as opioids.

I recently interviewed EMT Amanda Daine. She works locally and sees children and adults every day who are addicted to these devices and drugs. She said, “When there is a will to obtain drugs, there is a way.” So, young people can’t buy these things legally, but others can, and the youths somehow get these devices and drugs.

I asked her if she thought this epidemic would end. She responded, “With the rapid increase of people using and abusing these drugs, I do not see an end in the near future. Education is the only way to help this. These drugs can and do ruin lives.”

So, if we are getting the education and information about all of this, why isn’t it stopping? Amanda said, “Often times a teacher just stands up and gives lectures about how bad it is and how it needs to be stopped, but they almost never do something engaging that keeps the kids focused on the problem. Talking to the younger generation in a way that resonates with them is extremely important.”

Is education the problem? Maybe. Or is it that New Hampshire’s government has the lowest rate of spending for substance abuse prevention. Whatever the problem is, it needs to be solved, and fast. Would you want your kids growing up in a place where drugs are prominent, and people aren’t taking action to stop it? No, me either.

This epidemic is real, and it is a problem. So, what are you going to do to help stop it?

A Basic Understanding of Tourette Syndrome

Sydney Blake ~ November 7, 2018

Remember I am NOT a doctor. This article is based on research, please don't diagnose yourself. If you think you have this medical condition, please see a medical professional.

Tourette Syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can't be easily controlled. Tics typically show up between ages two-15, with the average being around six years old. Boys are about three to four times more likely than girls to be born with Tourette's.

Although there's no cure for Tourette's, treatments are available. Many people with Tourette's do not need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Tics (sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds) are the main sign of Tourette's. They can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might significantly interfere with communication, daily functioning and quality of life.

The exact cause of Tourette's is not known. It is a complex disorder likely caused by a combination of inherited (genetic) and environmental factors. Motor tics usually begin before vocal tics do, but the spectrum of tics that people experience is diverse. Doctors can make the diagnosis after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least one year. The existence of other neurological or psychiatric conditions can also help doctors arrive at a diagnosis.

Please never bully anyone with Tourette's Syndrome. Instead, treat them as you want to be treated, with kindness and respect.

Review = Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Fred Finkhauser ~ November 19, 2018

“Call of Duty: Black Ops 4” is the newest installment in the long-running “Call of Duty” franchise. This year it’s made by Treyarch, which is most popular for its version of “Zombies” mode. There are many changes that have been made. “Black Ops 4” is the only game in the series to not have a single player campaign. It is strictly multiplayer. Many people weren’t happy about this because “Call of Duty” had some very memorable stories in the past.

To compensate for the loss of the campaign a brand new battle royale mode called “Blackout” was added. This is the first time a battle royale mode was added to a “Call of Duty”. In “Black Ops 4” there are three main game modes: Multiplayer, Zombies, and Blackout.

The multiplayer is mostly the same as all of the other “Call of Duty” versions, but there are some interesting changes. The game now has specialists or special characters that you can play as. No more than one person can play as a certain character in a game. A game call “Rainbow Six: Siege” also uses this mechanic. Each specialist has a different weapon and ability.

For example, one specialist has a grenade launcher and another has a riot shield. This year the game is trying to be more tactical and wants more teamwork to be present. With the popularity of tactical games like “Rainbow Six: Siege and Overwatch”, “Black Ops 4” wants to jump in with tactical gameplay. Even with these changes the “Black Ops 4” multiplayer is still fun to play and it’s even better when you play with friends.

Treyarch’s “Call of Duty” versions are most popular for the “Zombies” mode. The complex story for zombies is being continued from the past games. The game launched with four zombie maps and there are more to come when the DLCs release. Each map has its own story and they have secret cutscenes, but you have to beat the “Easter egg” for that map. The Easter eggs are hidden tasks that you have to find and complete. When you beat them then you will see the hidden cutscene. The Easter eggs are definitely the most challenging part of zombies and it’s also the most popular thing in the mode.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops 4” is a great addition to the franchise. The game is fun and it can be competitive. The game offers more than one game mode so you don’t get bored. The lack of a single player campaign is disappointing, but the multiplayer is still good enough to buy the game. In the end, if you enjoyed other “Call of Duty” games in the past then you will most likely enjoy this game.

Most Experienced Teacher at

Littleton High School - Daisy Bronson Middle School

Nichole Regnet ~ November 16, 2018

Mr. Rick Simmons has been working at LHS as a Physical Education teacher for 31 years. Before that, in 1977, he was the school football coach. Mr. Simmons began he service at LHS in January 1987. Since then, he has been teaching Adaptive PE, Fitness, High School PE and Middle School PE classes.

This year Mr. Simmons says he is very fortunate as he teaches two groups for each class. When asked what he enjoys most about his position he says that teaching students, how much fun it is to move is first and foremost. He said, “We all move in our own ways, and it is very interesting and challenging to help students learn to move in ways that they may or may not be comfortable with.”

Mr. Simmons said it’s like helping students think outside of the box. Mr. Simmons commented that he has worked at the school for so many years because he loves teaching students about life through Physical Education. He loves helping students safely figure out solutions to things and challenges that are present in the classroom. Mr. Simmons used the analogy of a chef reading a recipe and proceeding to make a delicious meal.

“Once the chef has the knowledge and understanding of how to complete the cooking, with trial and error they soon apply their learned techniques to something ‘they’ create.” Mr. Simmons’ philosophy is simple. “We learn from failure.” Mr. Simmons enjoys watching students development of their minds, bodies, and spirit.

The main thing that Mr. Simmons dislikes about his job is that his body no longer moves like it once did, he dislikes how it takes longer for him to complete tasks then it once did. Though Mr. Simmons is thankful that he has been able to grow mentality, allowing him to improvise, adapt and overcome his challenges. He says he must keep a positive mindset. Mr. Simmons wishes that students remember him as once being a boy with similar struggles and obstacles. He wishes for students to recognize that he used those obstacles to drive him forward to become a better father, husband, teacher, co-worker, friend, musician, artist, singer, believer in Christ.

Mr. Simmons knows that God created him to do and be in the service of teaching. He hopes that his life of teaching has helped others grow to be better people. When asked if and when he is retiring, he responds by saying, “For the longest time my answer to that question was ... I have five more years. I smile at that statement now because the time has come to step away from the profession and do something different. What that difference will look like should take shape soon. When retirement comes (in the summer of 2020) my wife and I plan to take those steps in rhythm together.”

When thinking of his plans they include plans of travel to visit his children and grandchildren. Mr. Simmons plans on getting a part time job and staying fit and active. He said that these plans are just the start, he and his wife plan to walk the Christian pilgrimage called “The Way of Saint James,” or the “Camino De Santiago” in northern Spain. “Fun is what we plan for, and our hope in the Lord.”

Sydney Blake says that she enjoys how Mr. Simmons gives us an “energetic and happy atmosphere.” She says that he has a very “go with the flow” teaching style as he always finds a way of making everything fun without making it a joke. When Sydney finishes Mr. Simmons’ class at the end of the year she says that she is going to miss the fact that he was just a cool teacher, he was good at what he did and makes everything fun. Something Sydney would like Mr. Simmons to know before the year is up is that “he should continue what he is doing.”

Along with Sydney Blake is Austin Hastings; a former student of Mr. Simmons. Austin says that he enjoyed being able “to horse around and be aggressive.” According to Austin, Mr. Simmons is “very relaxed and keeps a level head.” Austin says that he misses the physical activity of his class and being able to run around.

For myself, Mr. Simmons is an excellent Fitness Instructor. I enjoy how he is always flexible and understanding on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Simmons’ teaching style is pleasant and endurable, especially for some like myself who doesn't necessarily enjoy lifting heavy things. When I complete Mr. Simmons fitness class at the end of the school year I know I’m going to miss the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Something I would like Mr. Simmons to know is that I am very thankful for his understanding for those who came into his class knowing next to nothing about a fitness room and it’s equipment.

Recycling Update at LHS

Bri Lemay ~ November 20, 2018

Recycling is important because it reduces the amount of landfill waste, which gives us more space in the world. Also, recycling reduces the need to make more products out of virgin material, saving natural habitats and room for new products. Lastly, according to EPA, recycling produces about 757,000 jobs in a single year.

The Littleton Recycling Center truly does amazing in its ways to try to help the community stay green. In 2016, they saved a total of 1,959,662 kWh, 193,750 gallons of oil, and 27.595 billion BTUs of energy by using recycled material instead of virgin material. Those are some big numbers.

When you walk into Littleton High School, you will find paper and plastic recycling bins in just about every room. I talked to the Director of Operations, Mr. Prior, to find out a little more about how we recycle.

According to Mr. Prior, the paper gets put into bins in the cafeteria and is picked up weekly. There are about two-to-three bins full of paper each week. As for plastic, we bag it up and take it to the transfer station weekly/biweekly.

As you can see, this ability to stay green is continued throughout Littleton. In 2017, Don Shosa, the head custodian who has since retired, won the facilities staff recycler of the year, presented by the state of New Hampshire.

Questionable Decisions Over Netflix Content

Jamielee Lamarre ~ November 17, 2018

Whether you’re looking for a classic movie, a new television series, or just something to pass the time, Netflix usually has what customers seek. I say usually for a very specific reason. Netflix has taken off numerous iconic shows just to replace them with things that displease countless people. Series such as The Crown and Insatiable fall into this category.

The Netflix series Insatiable was released months ago, but rumors were circulating before it even came out. This show is under the category of Comedy/Drama, but some people don’t find it very funny. One-hundred-fifty thousand people had come together to create and sign a petition to make sure Insatiable never aired.

If you have never heard or seen what this show was about, here’s a quick summary explaining why people are not fans of it. It is about an overweight high school girl named Patty. She is constantly bullied in and out of school. The last straw occurs when she gets into a fight with a homeless man after he made a rude comment to her. This led to Patty being punched and having a locked jaw. A few months later, she had lost an extreme amount of weight. She becomes a beauty queen and becomes involved with a coach/lawyer who has been accused of sexual assault. And that’s just the beginning. This obviously didn’t go over well due to the topics that were discussed and how they were presented.

The next controversial show, The Crown, didn’t get its hate with the series itself. The controversy arrived with the news release that Matt Smith, who plays Prince Phillip, was paid significantly more than Claire Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth. It is said that Claire was paid $40,000 per episode, which is supposedly a lot less than the male lead role, although the amount was never revealed. Season three is coming out in 2019, but neither Claire nor Matt will be in it. This is due to the next season jumping years forward, meaning they have to be replaced with older actors. The recast is perfect timing because Claire Foy was very angry with the pay gap. The recast as well as the payment aggravated many who have watched the series, especially for people who believe in equality and equal pay, which are most individuals.

Netflix has added these shows, as well as numerous others to replace series and movies that are loved by thousands, if not millions, of people. Shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Forrest Gump, Mean Girls, and Clueless are just a few examples of go to shows to watch anytime at a sleepover, movie night, or to bring back old memories. People I know, including myself, believe that shows like these should be put back on Netflix. At the very least, Netflix should give better consideration of what is brought to the public eye instead.

Should Daylight Savings Time be Abolished?

Devin Houghton ~ November 16, 2018

Daylight Savings Time is when people set back time in the winter and put forward time in the spring. This is to save as much time as possible and use all the sunlight in the day. That's it is in a nutshell. However, where did it come from why is it still used today?

During the 1900s DST was first used by the Canadians, but only in a few provinces. However, in Europe the Germans made in popular along with the Austrians following. They all did this for the same reasons we do today, to save time and energy. Should it still be a thing today? I think yes, because it's very beneficial to us. Why would we work in the dark when we can work in the light and vice versa?

For example, at four p.m. in the summer, it's bright out and people are going about their day. Four hours later there is still be some light out. However, during the winter it's very dark in the early evening. This is because of the winter solstice, but what if you could have it slightly brighter during this time? That might not seem like a big difference in the short term, however long term and really does make a difference.

Consider being outdoors. If you like to hike in the summer then you will have plenty of light to guide you, but without daylight savings time you would have less time to hike because of the less daylight. Also, daylight savings can help people in other ways, as with sleep. If you set clocks back, you gain an hour, and if you set them forward, you lose an hour. This could be good for you if you like to sleep slightly later but it only makes a difference for about two days then it's all the same. Today 75 countries use daylight savings time and approximately 67 countries that do not. That's not a huge difference.

Here are some other facts about daylight savings time. Reportedly, crime rate drops by 10% during this time, while the number of heart attacks increase 24%. In terms of forgetfulness, 27% of people are late or early to their jobs because they forget to change their clocks.

As you can see daylight savings time does change things like human behavior. Why shouldn't we have it? Some people say it can cause problems like make people sick because of our bodies natural clock. Changing the time disrupts it, causing lack of sleep which might cause depression. People have also said that it cost money. There is allegedly a decrease in productivity because people are tired, but the true economic cost is unknown. Regardless, my opinion remains that we should keep it. What do you think?