By Angel Rivera
 
 What better way to show Veterans our appreciation for their service, than to dedicate an entire day to them? A veteran, someone that has served in the United States Armed Forces, is special. They have risked their own lives for ours, and can proudly say that they survived whatever they encountered. This annual celebration can sometimes be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who have lost their lives while serving in the military.
 
A lot of benefits come from this celebration, as veterans countrywide are praised and thanked for their services. East High has a few veterans and Mr. Neal is one of them. He served 20 years in the Navy, and has flown multiple aircrafts, including the F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, and the A-4 Skyhawk. He appreciates this day because he says, “It is a day that recognizes what it means to serve.” Veterans around the country can appreciate how this special day shows our support for people who have served in our military.

By Leanne Garcia
 
On Friday November 3rd, Principal Blocker and guidance counselors along with some of the staff, welcomed the seniors who ranked Top 10% with a small ceremony in the senior cafeteria. After the scholars were seated, the counselors named the students one by one, handing them their awards. Shortly after announcing the Class Valedictorian, Alejandro Cruz-Goebel, they all gathered up to take a picture and celebrate their success.
 
According to College Board, “Class rank is a student mathematical summary of a student's academic record compared to those other students in the class.” There are many advantages and opportunities for the top 10% students. Admissions officers will see by your high class rank that you were one of the best students in your grade, and this will strengthen your application. Some states offer high school students guaranteed admission to state universities if they have a certain class rank. Yet that is not always the case. More and more schools have stopped using class rank, simply because they believe that students who miss the important percentile, may be unfairly disadvantaged for scholarships and college admissions.
 
Congratulations to the seniors who ranked Top 10 in the class of 2018. Also, seniors if you want to know your class rank, check your most recent report card or transcript. It you can't find the information there, you can always stop by the main office or ask your guidance counselor.

By ZyeAnne Thompson
 
Introducing Real Care Babies! East 9th grade health classes now have instructional robotic babies. This graded project helps kids understand the responsibility of raising a child and also possibly makes them realize its best to wait to have children.
 
The baby comes in multiple ethnicities so no one is left out. Upon receiving your baby you get a car seat and a diaper bag.  Inside your diaper bag there is a bottle, two diapers, a onesie, a two piece jumper and pajamas. The baby responds to a bracelet so it knows when their mommy/daddy is there at all times. You can do a variety of actions like rock, feed, burp, and change the baby's diaper.
 
I had the pleasure of experiencing the baby first hand for my research. My beautiful baby Lee was a menace; I didn't realize how hard it was to have a baby. Half of the time he cried I didn't know what he wanted. I found myself stressed out and frustrated by the end of the day and that was only the beginning.  Throughout the night baby Lee woke me up twice: once at 1:50am and another at 5:40am. At this point I couldn't wait to bring him back to the health teacher. I'm not the only one who dreaded their experience as a mother.  Sannicka James said, “I didn't have any help and it was terrible. I thought it was going to be a cute experience to have baby but I feel bad for all the single mothers out there.”
 
I feel that this project is doing exactly what it’s meant to do.  Kids are now experiencing responsibilities they never had and developing new respect for parents, especially single parents.  And maybe it will make them think twice about having a child of their own before they are ready to handle the insanity of having a baby.

By Katherine Gomez Acevedo
 
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play chess and be a master at it? For those who don’t know what chess is, it is a board game of strategic skill for two players, played on a checkered board. Each player begins the game with sixteen pieces that are moved and used to capture opposing pieces according to precise rules. Learning strategic skills is valuable, and having fun playing with your friends and beating them in priceless. Also, if you join the chess club would also look good on your college application.
 
The Chess Club will meet twice a month on Thursdays after school. Snacks and bus passes would be provided for who attend.  If you need a bus pass you must let Mrs. Conroy know ahead of time so she can get you one. The first meeting is on Thursday, November 16th at 3:40pm-4:45pm in room D238.
These are the days that we will meet: Mark your calendars!

• 11/30                           1/18
• 12/17                            2/1
• 12/21                            2/15
• 1/4                                3/1 and 3/15

                           
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to play chess; Mrs. Conroy will teach you. If you are interested you can also bring a friend so you have a partner to learn and practice with.
 
For more information visit Mrs. Conroy in room D238, or contact her via email at [email protected]. 

By Jaquayla Young
 
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for the things you have and need and also about giving to others. It’s about caring and love. A time for family, friends, and fun. Many people are thankful for many different things or maybe even the same things.
Here are some things East High students are thankful for:
“I’m thankful for my mom, my dad, and my grandma.”
“I’m thankful for food.”
“I’m thankful for technology, sleep, and food.”  
“I’m thankful for my family.”
I know I’m thankful for all the above. Think about what you have that others may not. Think about what you take for granted on a daily basis. Be thankful for everything you do have no matter what it is. As the holiday approaches, think about what you’re most thankful for, and remember the best attitude is gratitude.

By Xavier Smith
 
It’s a new season, which means there is a new set of sports you can try out for if you would like to be more involved at East High School. The athletic director has set times for the students to prepare for this season by giving everyone the opportunity to be requalified from October 17th to November 17th.
The sports being offered this winter are basketball (boys and girls), indoor track (boys and girls), swimming (boys and girls), wrestling, and also bowling. This is an interesting season to participate but if you weren’t able to join, it doesn’t mean you can’t come and support all of your friends. Either way, get ready to cheer on our teams at our winter sporting events.

By Joel Alicea
 
Bowling is a winter sport at our school that is for both boys and girls who are interested in playing. Coach Paul Eckert began coaching the team in 2015.  Eckert says, “My favorite part about coaching is seeing the success of my athletes and seeing their skills improve after they have worked really hard.” 
 
Bowling is a very fun activity to play but there is more to it. Coach Eckert states, “You have to break the game into smaller parts and work on each part one at a time. Celebrate and enjoy every accomplishment no matter how big or small.” Bowling can be a very strategic game and when you’re capable of attacking every part of the game, you will not only have fun but also improve your skills.
 
Senior bowler India Quick has been bowling for two years and she says “the sport is very fun to play and instead of an expressive sport it’s pretty relaxing.” She enjoys the sport a lot and the reason she continue to come back every year is “because every year I improve my score and improving my skills.” She is going to bowl again this year and hopefully build from past seasons and get even better.
 
The bowling season begins in November and last until February and their practices are held at Radio Social on Carlson St. and everyone is welcome to join. For more information see Coach Eckert in the E wing. 

By Anthony Fuentes
 
Turkeys are a part of many Thanksgiving traditions. Although they aren’t made by everyone there are still many ways to prepare a turkey for your family on Thanksgiving. Turkeys can be made in all types of preparations. Math teacher Mr. Wilson likes to prepare his turkey by brining it in a brine for 12 hours. “I leave it in the brine overnight,” states Wilson. Then he covers it in butter and cooks it in the oven.
 
Science teacher Ms. Weber has used a different method in the past, including frying it. She gets a really big pot, fills it with oil, and heats it up. The oil has to be 400 degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s really dangerous. You deep fry it for like an hour and it takes longer for a bigger turkey,” says Weber. Ingredients many people use include several quarts of peanut oil, dry rub of creole seasoning, and some people may even put onion inside it.
 
Have you ever heard of Garbage Can turkey? If you would like to try this dish, according to Allrecipes.com, you need “Aluminum Foil, 15 inch Wood Stake, 1(12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed and a new 15 gallon metal garbage can with a lid. To make this dish you need to prep it for 30 minutes.” To learn more and get the full recipe, go to http://allrecipes.com/recipe/72410/garbage-can-turkey/.
 
No matter how you cook it, turkeys are the delicious star of many
Thanksgiving dinners. Happy Thanksgiving.

By Bijaya Thapa
   
Thanksgiving is a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the proceeding of the year. It’s a day of giving away things to others in need and being thankful for what you have. The traditional way of celebrating Thanksgiving is by eating turkey and other seasonal food with your family and being happy for what you have. Another way of celebrating Thanksgiving is by giving away food and donating items to others in need so everyone can be happy and appreciate what they have.
 
According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel in Florida, a local business gave away 3,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving to help the people in need and appreciate what things they have. "What started out years ago as a gesture of goodwill to gain some acceptance of our business has grown into personal gratification for all of us," said Greg Jarmon, the Hallandale club's general manager and organizer of the annual giveaway. "It's grown over the years from 100 turkeys to 3,000 turkeys this year.”
 
This shows that you get back things that you give out to others and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give out things to others in need. People should appreciate what they have because they don’t realize that a lot of people don’t have what they have. 

By Rosa Soto
 
Turkey? Mashed potatoes? Are you tired of the same old recipes? This Thanksgiving why don't you mix it up a bit? Why not step out the box and try some new recipes that will make your family and friends come up for seconds? All you have to do is go to a simple website that can brighten your Thanksgiving dinner and wow your family and friends.
 
What's for Thanksgiving dinner? Well at http://allrecipes.com/recipes/16861/holidays-and-events/thanksgiving/quick-and-easy/ you can find quick, and easy recipes that your family and friends will love. My suggestions are bacon wrapped stuffed turkey breast, roasted sweet potatoes, with a dessert dish of pumpkin mousse. That's not even the half. At this website you can also see what other people are cooking, and get the directions on how to make it. If you want, you can even save it for later if you create an account. But wait there's more! This websites allows you to see other recipes for other holidays and events. So if you're tired of scrolling through Google looking for new and improved or old and traditional recipes for a special occasion, then this website is for you. Lastly, if you're trying to eat healthy, a vegetarian, maybe you’re diabetic, enjoy gluten free products, or even want something that's low in calories, you're all set! This site even has recipes in those areas that are quick, easy, and satisfying for everyone at the table.
 
This website is great for all holidays and events. Need something easy or out of this world delicious? 
The Allrecipes website is your answer.