Embedded Files
Diane Elliot in her bus.
Photo by Cassie Long
Diane's Retiring!
Diane's Retiring!
by Cassie Long
Diane Elliot is a bus driver by day and custodian after dark. Diane, as she prefers to be called, is one of the beloved sports bus drivers and has been driving every sport across the state throughout the seasons. After 20 years, she is retiring and moving onto the next phase of her life.
How long have you been a bus driver?
“Since 94”
What is your favorite memory as a sports bus driver?
“Going to Dartmouth College with the track kids was a good one…there has been other ones too its hard to say”
What is the furthest you have driven for a sport?
“White Plains New York for outdoor track”
What is your favorite sport to drive?
“Hockey. The only reason why is because it was the first sport I ever drove before I drove for the town of Pembroke”
What will you miss most when you are retired?
“Probably just the kids in general”
How will you spend your time in retirement?
“Camping, watching my grandkids. I will still be driving a bus, I ain’t retiring fully, I am just retiring from Pembroke. I might be driving a bus for First Student. I don't know yet.”
Why are you retiring?
“20 years in and I've had enough. I want to do mornings and afternoons, I really don’t like the nights.”
Tree Lighting
Tree Lighting
by Kathryn McPhee
On December 6, the Pembroke Community Center held a tree lighting ceremony. There were around 10 trees lit up. The area was flooded with people, around 300! Lots of fun decorations, and fun activities such as, gingerbread house making, dancing, singing, face painting, and more. Also a special surprise from Santa!
A student volunteering as event staff at the tree lighting, Junior Noah Kennedy said, “It was a great time because I got to see Santa and see everyone together for the tree lighting.”
Another student, also event staff at the tree lighting, Junior Brenna Woodworth claims, “It was so much fun seeing all the kids so excited to see Santa light the trees.”
Mr. Shannon Set to Retire
by Colin King
Guidance counselor, Mr. Shannon, is retiring from PHS after winter break. He is admired by all and his help will be missed.
Mr. Shannon said, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with students and families for just about 28 years. I’ve met some amazing students and families and I’ve made my career enjoyable and life-changing.”
Students have stated their love for Mr. Shannon as he has helped everyone with the last names starting with the letters G-P. A few students have decided to share one last statement.
Senior Jacob Harnden said, “Most chill and helpful guidance counselor ever, I’m lucky to say he was my high school guidance counselor.”
Senior Layla Galligan said, “Mr. Shannon is awesome. He is great and he is always there to help.”
Senior Benjamin Logan, who was really distraught about this news, had this to say: “Mr. Shannon was very helpful throughout my scholastic career. I am very thankful for him and his expertise in future planning, and I am more confident in my post graduation situation because of him. When you’re the best guidance counselor in the world, they don’t call you a great guidance counselor, they call you Mr. Shannon.”
Seeing Mr. Shannon leave has really upset us here at PHS. He made life here very easy through providing help in stressful situations, switching classes so that nobody is left out, and helping students apply to colleges so they can achieve their dreams. He is more than a guidance counselor, he is a leader, a mentor, and a friend.
Mr. Shannon poses for The Titan Times
Photo by Colin King
Digital Arts Students Promote Pembroke Tree Lighting
by Will Pellagrini and Logan Rogers
Digital arts students created posters to be entered into a competition for the Pembroke Tree Lighting. The posters are meant to advertise the festivities of the tree lighting and the ride with Santa on December 6. Students were asked to create designs that would appeal to younger audiences and effectively get a message across to help increase the volume of the food drive. Mrs. Lazarus expected her students to utilize different digital effects in the poster. These aspects include: A firetruck with Santa, a golden ticket, canned goods, and a variety of visuals that give a winter vibe to the reader.
She stated, “I wanted people to have a sense of the wintertime, the snow, the fire truck, those aspects that the kids would be really excited about.” After the abundance of posters were complete, the Pembroke Tree Lighting Committee voted on three winners.
First place winner, sophomore Bronson Berg said that his “main inspiration for his poster was a Christmas theme.”
Second place winner, senior Kevin Holmes said that his inspiration was to “make a poster that appeals to a younger audience and is simple.”
Third place winner, senior Aylla Rodovalho said her inspiration for her poster was “a design that consisted of Christmas trees.”
When asked what aspects of their posters they thought would be most appealing to judges, Berg told us that he “thought the judges would like the vibrant colors and decoration on his design.”
Holmes added, “the simplicity and bright colors would encourage the judges to choose his design over others.”
The prizes for the winners were $50 to first place, $30 to second place, and $20 to third place. The winners also got certificates of accomplishment.
Showcase of all the posters created for the competition
Photo by Will Pellagrini
Bronson Berg and Mr. Kennedy shown with certificate and first place poster
Photo by Will Pellagrini
Kevin Holmes and Mr. Kennedy shown with certificate and second place poster
Photo by Will Pellagrini
Aylla Rodovalho and Mr. Kennedy shown with certificate and third place poster
Photo by Will Pellagrini
Ladies Clinch Powder Puff Win
Ladies Clinch Powder Puff Win
by Nick Carbone
The annual Powderpuff flag football game was held Wednesday, November 17th. Pembroke was the home team facing off against Silver Lake. The game showcases the athletic talents of the female students in a fun competition.
The home team's offense started off strong with Junior Violet Rioux with a touchdown pass to Junior Jenna Waterman.
“When I caught the touchdown it was the best feeling ever celebrating with my teammates,” said Junior Jenna Waterman.
The defense was led by the Senior corner Alissa Marcella with a pick to seal the game, “I was very nervous but I got it done and scored for my team, it felt great.” The Pembroke defense proved to be a tough challenge for the Silver Lakes offense.
Silver Lake put up a good fight, but Pembroke’s teamwork and determination led them to victory. The score was 21-21 and Maeve McCafferty sealed the game on her game winning field goal. She secured MVP with that kick. “The feeling I can't explain It felt so good kicking that field goal and winning the game for all of my teammates," McCafferty said.
Powder Puff Seniors
Photo by Andyilles
Game winning kick by Maeve McCafferty
Photo by Andyilles
Powder Puff Coaches Nick Carbone, Nick McCarthy and Mikey Giese.
Photo by Andyilles
Toys bought by Student Council Members for the Toy Drive
Photo by Allie Goff
Students Embrace the Holiday Spirit in Local Toy Drive
by Patricia O'Brien
Pembroke High School students are sharing the holiday spirit this month as the student council members are raising money for the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, annual Holiday toy drive. The students council has been working non-stop to ensure that all of the local families in need will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas.
Student council members, including Junior Lorcan Finnigan and Junior Allie Goff, have been working with advisors Mrs. Talbot and Mr.Clapp. Together, they have organized fundraisers, and made shopping lists, to ensure that the holiday toy drive is successful.
One of the main fundraising events for the toy drive was the PHS annual girls Powder Puff. A significant amount of the money raised from the game went toward the student councils funds for buying gifts. The money collected plays a huge role in the holiday toy drive.
“We are raising money for the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless which is a place for families, and what we’re doing is a toy and gift drive,” Mrs. Talbot said. “The student council members will be going out to get the toys and we will be able to buy over $1100 worth of toys”.
With this money, the student council is focusing on buying a variety of different, and popular toys, to ensure that the children of local families will have gifts to open on Christmas day. Goff states “This week we are using the money that we raised to buy all sorts of toys, mainly LEGOs and Barbies as well as other small things and wrapping paper for the families.
NHS Inducts New Student Leaders
by Addison Nee
The annual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held November 13, celebrating a new group of 35 students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and character. Families and friends gathered to recognize the hard work and dedication that earned these students one of the highest academic honors in the school.
There are four pillars of NHS which are scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Inductees need four events and students already in the club need to do 5 events of community service. To get into NHS students need a minimum of a 3.7 weighted GPA and can only be juniors and seniors.
Junior Cammie Snyder said, “I have demonstrated the pillar leadership through student coaching the mites youth cheer program.”
Mr. Baker said, “The induction was an exciting night to see many great students inducted and I would say the board did a great job running the event.”
There were 35 students inducted to NHS not just because of their grades but the dedication and leadership they will continue to show.
Current NHS officers contributed with helping around at the community center and being at the tree lighting in the center of town. Students in the club will also be helping students around the school with tutoring lessons on any subject needed.
Inductees seen on stage November 13.
Photo credit Margaret Jasie
PHS Students Earn Adams Scholarship
by Lauren Perry
This month, 40 members of the Class of 2026 earned the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students based on their MCAS scores during their freshman and sophomore years. To qualify, students had to earn a score of "Exceeding Expectations” in at least one of their three MCAS tests (ELA, Mathematics, and Science) and a score of “Meeting Expectations” in the other two while also scoring in the top 25% of their class on their MCAS exams.
The scholarship provides full tuition credit to all Massachusetts state colleges and universities for eight undergraduate semesters.
Senior Nicole Makarwicz received this award and says it, “Helps make college more affordable.” Makarwicz was “Shocked” to receive this scholarship and says it will be beneficial as she plans to attend a state school and study neuroscience.
Senior Bella Palino received this award as well and is, “Planning on attending a state university and majoring in psychology.” Palino says she is, “Exited to get more money off of school.”
Students will receive recognition for their accomplishments towards the end of the school year regardless of whether they plan on extending their academic career or not.
Seussical Musical Fun
Seussical Musical Fun
by Leah Workman
To start off the holiday season, “Seussical” Musical ran from December 4-6. The show featured characters and songs that relate to Dr. Seuss’ books. The leads were Jojo, Cat in the Hat, Gertrude, and Horton the Elephant.
The musical featured a cast of 25 high school students, and a Whoville chorus of 12 students in grades five and six. The crew involved 20 students.
One of the characters from the play, Keira Garvey, a sophomore, was playing as a “Who, Cadet and Fish.” She said that she practiced “rehearsing the dances after school.”
Garvey says that the play was “very magical.” Although she added, “If I didn't accidentally drop the water well playing as the fish then the play could have gone a little better.”
Mackenzie Armstrong, a sophomore who went to watch her friends perform, says that the play was “very good, everyone did a good job.” She said that “the mics kept cutting out a little every once in a while.” Her favorite part was “watching my friends perform up on stage.”
DECA Preps for Districts
by Matt D'Angelo and Logan Rogers
Winter is here and that means it is a busy time for the DECA club. DECA prepares students for real world business through role plays and presentations that encapsulate several categories from business law and ethics to marketing and entrepreneurship just to name a few. Students are preparing diligently through practice tests, going over vocabulary and rehearsing their roleplays. All 115 members will head to the Marriott in Quincy on January 8th for the district competition.
Senior, Anton Gadalla feels ready for the district competition. He said, “I am ready for one last district competition, I hope to perform well and make states”.
Senior Evan Williams added, “With the practice tests and skits, I feel ready for a major improvement this year.
DECA students pose in 2024 after a successful competition.
Titans Fall Short in Gravy Game
Titans Fall Short in Gravy Game
by Colin Macdonald
What better way to start your Thanksgiving than waking up and going to watch the gravy game. The Pembroke Titans football team traveled to Silver Lake to face the Lakers on Thanksgiving. The game started at 10am and both teams were very excited to play each other. The Lakers beat the Titans 29-22 in a hard fought game. Senior Captain Mikey Giese rushed for 105 yards and added a touchdown in the Titans loss, Sophomores Liam Cullinane and Jayden Doyle also had touchdowns in the loss.
Senior fan Mason Arsenault said, “The Thanksgiving football game is my favorite game to go and watch, I get to go watch my favorite sport then go home and eat food.”
Senior Owen Rushing said, “Mikey Giese was the standout player, he was the go to guy all season and ended the season strong with a touchdown.”
Senior lineman Chris Smolinsky said, “This isn't the way we wanted to end the season but we played hard all season and are very proud of ourselves and I am excited to come back and watch my teammates play next year.”
Photos taken by Photo by Jackie Mahar
No More Phones In School?
No More Phones In School?
by Kathryn McPhee
A statewide proposal could soon have all public schools in MA ban students from personal electronic devices. Our school already has our own policy that phones must be “off and away” during class, also followed by the teachers' discretion. If this is approved, schools now must have a formal policy that prevents students from physically having their devices in hand when they are in classes.
At PHS, some teachers are currently trying to put together a cell phone policy. Principal Talbot sent out an email on 12/15 for students to fill out. It is a survey on the phone policies we currently have and some questions about why students need phones at school.
Junior Leah Workman said, “I feel like they shouldn’t take our phones, if there is danger people might want to contact their parents.”
Mr.Tinker, who is Director of Educational Technology, says, "The next phase is to send the survey out to the parents. Right now I have about 603 responses, it will most likely double. Next step is to get the data from the parents."
When talking about the survey Mr.Tinker said, “The last question is most important. He said, "Some families rely on cell phones for urgent communication with students. How might the school respect that need while minimizing distractions? What's the best way we can be respectful but also prioritize time on learning, I this is a way for us to come together as a group.”
Student Spotify Wrapped
Student Spotify Wrapped
by Alex Anninos
Spotify Wrapped has just come out in the month of December and everyone’s been wondering so many questions, like what was their favorite songs, artists, albums? The Titan Times interviewed some Pembroke High School students to see what their Spotify Wrapped looked like the whole year!
Jayden Chartier
Top 3 Artists
1.) Playboi Carti
2.) Travis Scott
3.) Lil Uzi Vert
Favorite Song: FOMDJ by Playboi Carti
Jacob Harnden
Top 3 Artists
1.) Alice in Chains
2.) Radiohead
3.) Nirvana
Favorite Song: Bound for the Floor by Local H
Colin King
Top 3 Artists
1.) Radiohead
2.) Stone Temple Pilots
3.) Gorillaz
Favorite Song: Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead
HMs: S*x Type Thing, On Melancholy Hill, and Space Junk
Michael Madden
Top 3 Artists
1.) Lil Ugly Mane
2.) Aphex Twin
3.) Radiohead
Favorite Song: Cursor by Lil Ugly Mane
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