Express Yourself Through Art

by: Advait Suvarnakar ’16

            The Paramus Catholic art department has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. This year saw the implementation of the newest technology, of which included the revolutionary 3-D printer. With this simple, yet futuristic and innovative machine, students are able to literally bring their drawings to life. Together with an art room that would stimulate any one’s mind because of its aesthetic appeal, and the myriad pieces of hanging artwork, the room radiates an aura that lures any person with a sense of imagination. 

            With Ms. Taylor Henshaw at the hull, Paramus Catholic has been able to cultivate and inspire the young artistic minds of the student body. To do this, she used a gamut of techniques and styles to promote the boundless subject that is art. A few of the many techniques that she teaches to her classes, Basic Elements of Design and Drawing and Composition, seem to bring out the best in the young artists. 

 Image by: Kate Li

            In Drawing and Composition, the students were assigned projects to express themselves. In Zentangle Animal Tryptich, the students created intricate designs using repeating patterns, lines, colors, and symbols. For the class’s contour shoe drawing, the students practiced their art of drawing lines and applied them in their drawing of shoes at different angles. The students were also introduced to the Cubism movement which inspired the likes of Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. With a variety of shading, the students were able to create their own Cubism drawings using value.

Image by: Kelsey Hessman

            In the class of Basic Elements of Design, the students studied the works of M.C. Escher and the art of making tessellations, the tiling of a plane using one or more geometric shapes, called tiles, with no overlaps and no gaps. Next, the students used Wassily Kandinsky and music as their inspirations to create their own artwork using various watercolors to enhance their color scheme. Finally, the students learned about the Pop Art Movement which inspired artists none other than Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. Using linoleum block, the students created self-portraits of themselves, and imprinted their outlines on various other textures to create a “pop art” feel in their artwork. 

Image by: Matt Buzziero

Online Schools

by: Vanessa Morin '15

According to Virtual Learning Connections, 51% of families have a child who does not learn well in a traditional school setting due to distractions and loud environments. It has been proven that a great number of children work and receive better grades with parental involvement. Therefore, many families have turned to online schooling as a solution to this problem. There are many factors that attract families and young adults to choose online schooling to receive their educational career.

Beth Werrell, a previous toy designer and enthusiastic crafter, has been currently researching and writing volumes on topics dealing with healthcare, family life, and education. From one of her surveys, she has gathered statistics such as: 43% of families want a change in the learning environment from their current school situation, 42% desire a more flexible schedule, 32% want a more controlled educational system, 16% reported that the child was bullied in his or her previous school, and 7% of students are pursuing arts or athletic careers.

Families want a change in educational environments for health and safety reasons, as well as to ensure their children are properly disciplined. Parents believe their children are less likely to catch germs and illnesses if they are schooled at home. Parents are extremely concerned with the well being of their child; therefore, discipline and safety is also a factor. A number of parents would rather enforce correct moral behavior and discipline to their child rather than a teacher’s influence.

Another big reason students choose online schooling is they may have medical needs, which consist of taking certain medicines or the requirement of specific exercises at odd times during the day.

Online schooling is a terrific option for students who do not work at the same pace as other students. In some instances, a student may find a specific topic more challenging than other students do. Therefore, in a personalized setting, they have the ability to work at their own pace. They can move quicker when learning things they find easy and spend more time on topics they find challenging.

Beth Werrell also supports the fact that many students want a “more flexible schedule.” With home-schooling, this flexible schedule is possible; students can socialize or run errands during the day and take classes at night.

Students dealing with bullying in schools is an unfortunate reality. In order to avoid the harsh cruelty of bullies, families turn to online schooling for their children. Here, these children, are able to regain the social skills and confidence they have once previously lost.

According to Franklin University, online schooling, specifically online college courses, require less money and offer more options in degrees. Online college courses can aid a student by saving them valuable money on their tuition. Some people may fear that an online college degree will not get them a “good enough job.” However, virtual degrees are just as honorable and valuable as university degrees.

If a person’s desired degree program is in another city, county, or state, that is not a problem when considering online schooling. Geography plays a major role in a student’s decision as to where they want to enroll. With online schooling, there is no need to worry about finding a perfect roommate or commuting to a school on a daily basis. Everything is available to a student right at their fingertips (Online Colleges Blog).

As Tom Snyder claims, commuting takes time out of a day for a young student or working parent. It eliminates the quality time that could be spent with family and friends at home.

Greg Botelho, a CNN blogger, has reported, “the movement has taken hold particularly in higher education, where 90 percent of four-year public schools and more than half of four-year private schools offer some form of online education, according to the United States Distance Learning Association.” The Peak Group, which is an education technology research group, also predicts that about one million students will take advantage of "virtual schools" in the upcoming years.

These are a few of the many reasons why online schooling has been a great success.

Christmas Candy Grams

by: Victoria Kobayashi '15 and Advait Suvarnakar '16

The Paramus Catholic Student Council has recently introduced the students and faculty to "Merry Grams."  Merry Grams at Paramus Catholic consisted of a candy cane and a little message from a special someone.  The Merry Grams were sold from Monday, December 15, 2014 through Monday, December 22, 2014.  They were a big hit.  Every morning during homeroom, Student Council members would walk around with nearly full boxes of candy grams for the student body.  

Are Cell Phones Detrimental?

          by: Charly Oscanoa

There are 6.8 billion cell phone subscriptions currently activated, almost covering the total global population of 7 billion. The effects of the cell phone’s emergence have been proven to be ambiguous, thus rendering a society to believe that the impression of the cell phone is beneficial and overlooking its negative consequences. Problems that rise from the use of cellphones range from those that affect health as well as the health of society. The dependence of this telecommunication device has become part of the average modern human being. Without cell phones in our pockets, the feeling of being “naked” emerges into our lives due to its deep integration into today’s society.

According to numerous medical studies, the population of cell-phone users is subjected to health risks related to the usage of cellphones. In fact, a distressing correlation between cancer and cell phones has been discovered indicating that the cause is the radio frequencies that are transmitted from the device. Other drawbacks from cell phone usage are increased stress levels and eye vision deficiency. The latter is caused by the small screens phones have, which lead users to squint and strain their eyes. Stress levels are heightened due to constant notifications, messages and ringing that distracts the cell phone user.

Cell phones through various means evidently affect productivity from their work, thus, decreasing the job efficiency of society.  According to a study conducted by Bill Thornton, a psychologist at the University of Southern Maine, the very sight of a cell phone leads to a weakening of intuitive processes. In this study, students who took a test away from their phones scored superiorly compared to the ones who had their phones in their sight. The cell phone has a negative impact on the social life of a worker because it provides no separation between work and home. Through the devices, the issues of work follow the person at all times. Ironically, the use of cell phones appeared to have benefited the economy by promoting GDP growth. This is caused by the increase in “e-commerce”, the selling and advertising of items online.

Cell phones’ negative effects are not only visible through numbers and psychological studies but also through its contemptible manifestations of its power. They have taken part in many acts of terrorism, often serving as detonators of explosives as well as allowing hackers to breach confidential accounts. Another familiar yet despicable practice is cyber bullying, which is facilitated by the usage of cell phones. Undoubtedly, cell phones have made society “closer” at an enormous scale, however, they have also caused deterioration of people psychologically and physically. The meaning of the word “international” has been diminished by the integration of everything into a small device but this new sense of closeness can only be expressed through materialistic viewpoints.  

PC Faculty Cares: Operation Goody Bag

by: Victoria Kobayashi '15 and Advait Suvarnakar '16

          On December 15, 2014, the Paramus Catholic faculty sent a myriad of non perishable "care packages" to American troops overseas. The packages, which included toothpaste, shaving cream, candy, and other necessities were sent over to troops in Afghanistan and Germany.  To find American troops that were in need of such supplies the Paramus Catholic faculty logged onto the adopt a platoon website and did so, also finding a list of items acceptable to ship to the troops overseas.
          Among the Paramus Catholic faculty are many military veterans.  They include Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Friemuth, Mr. Powers, and Mr. Mulligan.  The Paramus Catholic family values their service as well as all past, present, and future members of the United States military.