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SENECANewsEDITIONB E K I N D . B E H O N E S T . B E H U M B L E . B E Y O U R B E S T1STC I R C L ED E S I G N S T U D I OE S T D 2 0 1 2M I D D L ES C H O O LSenecaB EH O N E S TB EY O U RB E S TB EH U M B L EB EK I N DB EH O N E S TB EK I N DB EY O U RB E S TB EH U M B L EB EH O N E S TB EY O U RB E S TB EH U M B L EB EK I N DP R I N C I P A LA S S I S T A N T P R I N C I P A LA S S I S T A N T P R I N C I P A LG E M M A S A L V I AH E A T H E R S T U M P FC O L E E N F L A N A G A NWeAREAREARESENECASENECASENECA2024 - 2025

BE YOUR BEST!BE KIND.BEHONEST.BEHUMBLE. Seneca’s MottoS E N E C AM I D D L E S C H O O L

As a 7th grader at Seneca Middle School, I had the opportunity tovolunteer at the 6th grade orientation this summer. It was my turn togive back to the school community because I was so thankful to havethis opportunity as an incoming 6th grader last year. This day is for thenew middle schoolers to get a chance to tour the building and see oldfriends while making new ones. I decided to interview some of these 6th graders to really get toknow how they felt about the 6th grade orientation. I asked, “What wasone thing you liked about the 6th grade orientation?” Gino Passarellianswered, “We got to see our lockers and the tour around the schoolwas pretty fun.” I also asked, “What was one thing you enjoyed aboutthe 6th grade orientation?” Brianna Licona-David responded, “We gotour ID’s and decorated our locker.” My last question was, “What didyou think about the 6th grade orientation?” Kalie Serbu stated, “Ithought it was very helpful and definitely thought it helped me knowwhere my classes were.” As one of the volunteers of the 6th grade orientation, I was happy towelcome new students who may have been nervous. The activitieswere very fun and had everyone working together. This day was agreat use of time to also practice their lockers and decorate them. Ithink they had a good experience at the orientation and hope thistradition continues!Welcome to the Nest: SixthGraders Soar into Seneca withFun and Adventure!Mason Romanowski7th GradeSeneca Middle SchoolWeAREAREARESENECA!SENECA!SENECA!

S I X T HG R A D EO R I E N T A T I O NS E N E C AM I D D L E S C H O O L

S E N E C AM I D D L E S C H O O LB EK I N DB EH O N E S TB EH U M B L EB EY O U RB E S T

B EH O N E S TB EY O U RB E S TB EH U M B L EB EK I N DWeAREAREARESENECA!SENECA!SENECA!

Seneca Tackles Social Media: Think BeforeYou Post! On Media Monday, Seneca welcomed Suffolk County PoliceOfficers Mueger and Ventura to speak with students about the seriousrisks of social media. They highlighted how posts and messages onplatforms like Snapchat and Instagram are never truly deleted. Thisbroadcast kicked off Seneca’s "Think Before You Post" campaign,promoting awareness of the long-lasting consequences of whatstudents share online and encouraging them to be mindful of theirdigital footprints.SENECA students Officers about the dangers of social media. interview Suffolk County Police

THINK BEFORE YOU POST! Social media has started to become a large part of people’s everydaylives. It is especially having an influence on teenagers and young adults.Social media has helped many people throughout the world, but it also hasbecome a platform for one of teenager’s biggest problems: Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is defined as the use ofelectronic communication to bully aperson. In the past, the two main formsof bullying have been verbal andphysical. The use of cyberbullying addsanother category entirely. It is mucheasier to type something onto a screenthan it is to say it to someone’s face.Also, people can’t always tell whether ornot someone is joking through a screen. Seneca students sign “The Commitment”poster to “Think Before They Post!” Seneca students can help make a difference by always making sure tothink before they post. It will never hurt to make sure that no one will benegatively affected by what you are posting. Before posting, ask yourselfthese three simple questions: Would I say this to someone in person?1. Will this make anyone feel bad about themselves or others?2. Is this helpful to anyone?3.If your post meets these criteria in a positive way, then go ahead and post.Social media should be a place for people to express themselves and tohave fun. However, we should remember that it should also be a safe spacefor everyone. Cooper Berger 8th GradeSeneca Middle School

(9/30)Mismatch Monday:Pause Before You Post!Mismatching may make you second-guess your fashion, but on Monday,wear mismatched socks, sneakers, or amix-and-match outfit to highlight theneed for pausing before posting. Showthat being thoughtful and intentionalwith your words is always in style!(10/1)Reverse It Tuesday: Flip YourThinking Before You Post!On Tuesday, wear your favorite hatbackwards to symbolize looking at yourdigital actions from a new angle.Challenge yourself to pause, reflect, andmake positive choices on social media!(10/2)Future Forward Wednesday: See Clearly and Sign theCommitment!”On Wednesday, rock your favorite sunglasses tosymbolize clear vision in your digital interactionsand sign a poster during lunch, pledging to bemindful of your online actions. Show yourcommitment to creating a positive digitalfootprint and inspire others to do the same!Think Before You Post!Seneca’s Social Awareness Campaign

On November 4th, Seneca hosted its first-ever Home-Run Derby! During the event, teachers and students from6th, 7th, and 8th grades stepped up to the plate to hithome runs—all for a great cause. The derby and thehomeroom challenges raised over $1,300 for Paws ofWar, a local charity that supports veterans and rescuesanimals from war zones, helping them find peace in theireveryday lives. Seneca's First Home Run Derby Smashes It,Raising Funds for Paws of War The derby drew a fantastic crowd of students who came out to cheer ontheir friends and classmates. By the end of the event, three students—6thgrader Ryan Buderman, 7th grader Matthew MacDonald, and 8th graderDerek Hansen—and one teacher, Mr. Harvey, emerged as the winners!Cooper Berger8th GradeSeneca Middle School

Unleashing the Power: The Hidden Heroesof Therapy Dogs Therapy dogs are not just regular dogs. They help people with specialneeds, such as those with disabilities, disorders, dwarfism, or other healthconditions. Therapy dogs can even sniff out certain diseases, including cancer.While some dogs wear a leash, others may have a digital collar, especiallyif they’ve been trained for a long time. In less crowded areas, some therapydogs don’t need a leash or collar at all. A therapy dog typically wears a harness that says either, “Don’t pet,”“Working dog,” or “On job, don’t pet,” which helps identify the role thedog plays in assisting the person. Most of the time, it’s important not to pettherapy dogs while they have their harness on because doing so candistract them from their job. If you ask permission first, there’s a chance youmight be allowed to pet them, but it’s not guaranteed. While not always the case, most therapy dogs are labs (like black labsor white labs), though other breeds such as German Shepherds andBernese Mountain dogs can also serve as therapy dogs.

Therapy dogs undergo specialized training to help people with specialneeds. This training takes time and effort, much like a person attendingschool. Even though they are trained, these dogs still get to be regular dogs—they simply have extra responsibilities to help their owners with dailytasks and ensure their well-being.Therapy dogs are truly amazing, aren’t they? They play a vital role inhelping people with special needs, and I hope you’ve learned more aboutthem today. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this! Paws of War is an organization that supports therapy dogs and helpsraise funds to assist people with special needs. They sometimes organizelarge fundraisers, and all the proceeds go to supporting the therapy dogs.They even sell merchandise to raise money! At events like the Home RunDerby, Paws of War allows therapy dogs to attend, and if you’d like to petthem, be sure to ask for permission first.For more information about Paws of War, scan the QR code below.Jeanette Bittler6th GradeSeneca Middle School

The first annual Sachem Day was a time to celebrate our unification as adistrict. Many fun and exciting things happened throughout the day. The cheer teams from North High School and East High School joinedforces to deliver an outstanding performance. This symbolized the unitybetween the two schools and showed that Sachem isn’t just North or East—every one of us is represented by the Sachem colors and values. The 5K and Fun Run were the main events of the day with people fromall across the district competing in the 5K and enjoying themselves in theFun Run. The pep squads from every elementary school performed proudly, eachpresenting a short routine to highlight the talents of their schools.Moreover, the mascots from each school participated in a fun 100-meterrace on the track with everyone cheering loudly for their team’s mascot. The main purpose of Sachem Day was to celebrate the 70thanniversary of the Sachem district, showcasing our unity, strength, andSachem spirit.Sachem Strong: Celebrating 70Sachem Strong: Celebrating 70Sachem Strong: Celebrating 70Years of Excellence!Years of Excellence!Years of Excellence!1st EditionSENECA NEWSBrayden Firth7th GradeSeneca Middle School

Seneca’s National Junior Honor Society Every year, some eighth graders at Seneca are inducted into theNational Junior Honor Society. The National Junior Honor Society, NJHSfor short, is a program that recognizes students for their hard workand involvement in their school. This program, while rewarding, is alsovery hard to get into. So, how do students get accepted? To get accepted into the NJHS, students need to meet manyrequirements. For elaboration, students are required to have anoverall average of 92.5 or better in both grades 6 and 7. Studentsalso have to complete at least 10 hours of community service betweenthe beginning of 6th grade and the fall of 8th grade. Students canget hours from the Sachem Public Library, as well as localorganizations that offer volunteer hours. S E N E C AC h a p t e r

Sometimes students might not get a letter even if they have goodgrades. The reasons for this may be the result of a disciplinaryreferral, which led to ISS or OSS. To be considered for Seneca’sNational Junior Honor Society, a student cannot have any disciplinaryactions on his or her transcript. As said before, this is a very hard, yetrewarding, program to get into. However, the requirements do notstop there! If a student manages to meet all these requirements, they shouldreceive a letter over the summer of 7th grade. This letter details therequirements that students should have met, along with additionalrequirements to get inducted. These include writing an essay,completing an application, and completing the teacher evaluationform. Optionally, if that student also wants to be a speaker in theinduction, they have to write an additional essay. As one can tell, the requirements for the NJHS can be a bit harsh attimes. That doesn’t mean that this club isn’t worth trying out for. Inmany cases, it makes it much more rewarding once students getinducted. Over the school year of 8th grade, students in the NJHS alsocomplete a project. This project is usually a fundraiser for a charity.For instance, last year the NJHS created the “Almost Home”fundraiser. This fundraiser collected donations like food and beds forbeloved pets. In all, even though the requirements to get into NJHSmay seem demanding, it is worth giving it a shot. To learn more, visitSeneca’s Student Handbook. Kathleen Bittler8th GradeSeneca Middle School

On November 12th, our National Junior Honor Society studentswere officially inducted in a special ceremony. Speeches weredelivered by Mrs. Salvia, our school principal, and Mrs. Weitz and Ms.Polito, the coordinators of this elite group at Seneca. The core valuesof NJHS—scholarship, leadership, citizenship, community service, andcharacter—were highlighted through student speeches. CooperBerger spoke on scholarship, Emma Ponticelli on leadership, SophiaPrimavera on citizenship, Alexander Brecht on service, and NoahPhaez on character. After reciting the official oath, the students were formally inductedand celebrated with refreshments to mark their achievement. If yousee any of these outstanding students, be sure to congratulate them!Stay tuned for their first initiative!Seneca Honors Excellence: NJHS InductionShines Bright!Zaynab Rana8th GradeSeneca Middle School

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Seneca’s Halloween Dance Exclusive! Seneca kicked off the year with its first dance: the HalloweenDance! The event was organized by Mrs. Curran, who did anincredible job planning and coordinating all the fun activities. Fromhenna tattooing and axe throwing to dancing and delicious food,there was something for everyone. And, of course, one of the bestparts was seeing almost all your friends there! The dance was open togrades 6-8, and everyone had an amazing time. The costumes wereabsolutely awesome—spooky, creative, and fun! One of the highlights was your favorite treat truck, which broughtsome exciting new items to the menu. In addition to fried Oreos andzeppoles, there were tasty apple puffs, fried Twinkies, and cottoncandy. Talk about a sweet treat lineup!

The Sachem East High School Drama Club added to the fun,leading the crowd in dances like the Macarena, "Day-O," and manymore. They brought great energy and helped everyone show off theirSeneca spirit on the dance floor! We also asked a few students what they thought about the dance,and here’s what they had to say: Nick Eberson shared, “The dancewas great, but I felt bad that the football posts had ribbons on them.”Anthony Davis added, “The dance was fun, but I wasn’t thrilled aboutthe price of the zeppoles. However, the songs were awesome!” Now, who’s ready for some cheesy Halloween jokes? No one? Well,too bad—here we go!Why didn’t the vampire attack Taylor Swift? Because she had badblood!Where did the ghost go on vacation? Mali-boo!How do you know a skeleton is sick? It’s coffin!Okay, okay, maybe that’s enough bad jokes for now. All in all, theHalloween Dance was a fantastic event! It was exciting, fun, andfilled with laughter. We’re already looking forward to next year’sHalloween Dance—let’s make it even better!Vincent LaRocco 7th Grade Seneca Middle SchoolMichaela-Jane Laigo 6th GradeSeneca Middle School

Seneca’sDance!Halloween

Did you ever want to go back in time? Well, I have wanted to, too. Thecommon question paired with this is, what would you do? And that’s thepart that stumps the majority of people. For a long time, I have been apart of this group. But now, that has changed. My answer to this questionis simple, if I could go back in time, I would want to meet Mary Shelleyand ask her some of my own questions about her work. Now, I’m sure I justgave you more questions than I did answers. In this paper, I hope toanswer those questions, too. Without any more interruptions, I will tell youabout Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley was born on August 30, 1797 in London, England to WilliamGodwin and Mary Wallstonecraft. Her mother was an advocate forwomen’s educational and social equality, as well as being a writer. Herfather was a social philosopher, political journalist, and a religiousDissenter. Since her parents were both writers of sorts, their social circleincluded Thomas Paine, William Blake, and William Wordsworth. This wouldlater help her make her way into the literary scene. In 1816, when Mary was19 years old, she married Percy Bysshe Shelley in France. They would bemarried for only four years with a son, Percy Florence Shelley, until herhusband committed suicide in 1822. This caused Mary to move back toEngland with her son. There, she would go on to write many stories. Frankenstein's Mastermind Unleashed: A Tributeto Halloween

Of these stories, the best known is Frankenstein or The ModernPrometheus (published in 1818 and revised in 1831). This book is commonlyconsidered an early example of science fiction as it involves a collage ofhuman body parts brought to life and the many consequences that comewith it. As you might know, this book has many adaptations of it and haseven influenced pop culture today. This shows that Mary Shelley was agreat author despite being born in a time when women didn’t have all therights and equality that they have today. As you can see, Mary Shelley was, all around, an amazing person. Hermother was a women’s rights activist. And she even got to meet ThomasPaine, the writer of Common Sense. But, that wasn’t my only point in writingthis. If you can recall, I also wanted to ask Mary Shelley some questions if Idid ever get to travel through time and meet her. So, what are thosequestions, then? Well, one question I have for her is, what motivated her topublish her stories? It being the early 1800’s and all, women writers didn’thave the same respect as they do today. Also, she did end up losing herhusband too. Additionally, another question I have for her is, how did she come up withher characters and their worlds? I’m a big fan of science fiction myself so itwouldn’t be that hard to create a world and some characters. But, in MaryShelley’s time, the science fiction genre wasn’t that much expanded upon.So, she would’ve had to think of a concept on her own. She wouldn’t havebeen able to take bits of inspiration from lots of other authors. In her time,that would have been a difficult endeavor.

A final question I would want to ask is, did she have any unfinishedbooks? The reason I’m wondering is, with any good composer or artist ofsorts, there always seems to be an unfinished piece. For an example, justlook at Beethoven, or Mozart. In short, even though Mary Shelley was agreat writer and a resilient person, she still has some sort of mysterysurrounding her. And, if I ever do meet her, I would hope to clear some ofthe mystery up by asking her these questions. Putting it all together (not literally, might I add), throughout this paper,we discussed Mary Shelley’s childhood, her love life, her stories, andquestions that I have about her. This experience was really fun for me, likefinding out all these interesting facts about Mary Shelley that I didn’t knowbefore, and I hope you share in my love, too! So, to end things on one finalquestion, have you ever thought about the mastermind behindFrankenstein’s monster? You probably haven’t before, but I hope thispaper made you. In a good way, of course.M A R Y S H E L L E Y ' S F R A N K E N S T E I N H A S B E E NT R A N S L A T E D I N T O O V E R 1 0 0 L A N G U A G E SS I N C E I T S P U B L I C A T I O N I N 1 8 1 8 .Kathleen Bittler8th GradeSeneca Middle School

What exactly is “Fright Club?” It might not be what you’reexpecting. So, no, it’s not related to any club at Seneca. Instead, it’sa writing contest introduced to us by Mr. Hamilton. I know this mightsound weird but hear me out. Fright Club is a contest hosted byYoung Writers USA, which is a branch of a much better-known entity,Scholastic. Every year, Scholastic hosts a contest. This contestrequires participants to write a short story based off of a designatedtheme. What’s the catch? The catch is that this short story has to bewithin 100 words. That means it has to be really short, but it stillneeds to have a beginning, middle, and end. For comparison, this isalready more than 100 words! So, what’s in it for you, you might be wondering? The winner of thiscontest receives a $50 Amazon gift card. Also, the winners’ storygets to be published in a book, along with a few others. This year, asyou can infer from the title, the theme is to write a scary story. So,give it a shot! See if you can write a spooky story in 100 words orless! It’s harder than you think! Read the next page to see a couplethe entries of some talented Seneca writers and an inspired teacherwho wanted to take the challenge!Kathleen Bittler8th GradeSeneca Middle SchoolFright Club: Things You Should KnowFright Club: Things You Should KnowFright Club: Things You Should KnowA H A L L O W E E N W R I T I N G C O N T E S TA H A L L O W E E N W R I T I N G C O N T E S TA H A L L O W E E N W R I T I N G C O N T E S T

Millie had a horrible day. She overslept and was late. While walking to school, she sawan old house. Instead of continuing, she decided to enter it. It was like her house, exceptfalling apart. Curious, she went upstairs. Each step was creakier than the last. When shewas at the top, she fell and blacked out. When she awoke, she was outside of the house.Confused, she went in again, it was the same thing. When she had enough, she walked toschool. In school, she felt like a ghost. She looked down and screamed. No one heard. by Kathleen Bittler (99 words)Stop While You’re AheadStop While You’re AheadStop While You’re AheadWhispers From the Dark TreesWhispers From the Dark TreesWhispers From the Dark Trees Here I was at the edge of the dark trees, which seemed to whisper in my ears,luring me in. I started walking. Ten steps later, I stopped. I looked behind me,expecting to see the dim street lights. Instead, I saw the same view as the one infront of me. I ran the way I had come. I stumbled through what felt like millions oftrees. Everything looked the same. I ran until something grabbed me. Before I couldlook down, the thing pulled me deep underground, like how my scream sunk downinto my throat. by Cooper Berger (98 words)Numbed by FearNumbed by FearNumbed by Fear Nick, alone and terrified, sat by the creek, waiting for the creature that would strip himof his powers. He knew he should run, but his feet refused to move. The night’s eeriestillness lulled him into sleep, filled with nightmares of losing everything. He awoke with astart. The creature was there, hovering above him, eyes cold and unblinking. With asingle swipe, it reached for him. A flick of its finger, and Nick’s body went numb. Hecouldn’t scream, couldn’t move. And in that moment, he realized—he wasn’t justpowerless; he was forgotten. by Mrs. Giglio (95 words)

SENECA’S 18TH Annual TURKEY TROT Seneca’s 18th annual Turkey Trot was a tremendous success! Aheartfelt thank you goes out to all the students and staff who generouslydonated money or canned goods to support our charity, Seneca Cares. The event kicked off with Mrs. Giglio, our world-famous turkey,leading the way. This 1-mile run put our students to the test, and thisyear’s top overall finisher was none other than Chase Albrecht, clockingan impressive time of 6 minutes and 25 seconds. Congratulations, Chase,and great job to everyone who participated! Following the Turkey Trot, a bake sale was held, and it was a hugesuccess. Once again, thank you to all the students and staff who madethis fantastic event possible! Aubrey Hochadel7th GradeSeneca Middle School

PJs, Cocoa, and Cheer Take Over Seneca’s EndlessCereal Breakfast! The Pajama Breakfast was a huge hit! With plenty of Christmasmusic to enjoy, endless cereal, and hot cocoa, it was a morning full ofholiday cheer. Plus, everyone who attended received a free homeworkpass! Even a bunch of teachers joined in, proving just how much funthe event was. If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry! Seneca has plenty of upcomingevents for everyone to enjoy. Make sure you don’t miss out on the nextbig event!Angelina Gilio6th GradeSeneca Middle SchoolAdriana Landkammer

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Seneca Newspaper isproud to feature prominent individuals who have made significantcontributions to Hispanic culture. From trailblazing leaders to cultural icons,these key figures have left an indelible mark, inspiring generations andfostering pride within the community. Read on to discover exclusivehighlights of the extraordinary people who have shaped history and pavedthe way for others to follow.Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month:A Tribute to Influential Figures

Frida Khalo Frida Kahlo is known as one of the first famous European-Mexicanpainters, but her journey wasn’t easy. When she was a child, she gotpolio, which caused her to walk with a limp for the rest of her life. Shespent a lot of time with her father, who was a professional photographer,and she loved to draw in her free time. However, science was her truepassion, and she dreamed of becoming a doctor. During school, she metDiego Rivera, her future husband, while he was painting a mural in theschool’s auditorium. Everything changed when she was in a terrible bus accident that left herseriously injured and needing more than 30 surgeries. While recovering inbed, Frida started painting and focused on self-portraits that showed bothsides of her culture. Some of her most famous paintings include The TwoFridas, Frida and Diego Rivera, The Broken Column, and Henry FordHospital. Even with all the challenges she faced, Frida Kahlo became an amazingartist who still inspires people today.Zaynab Rana8th GradeSeneca Middle School

Celia Cruz Celia Cruz grew up in Santos Suárez, which is a district of Havana,with an extended family of 14 people. After she graduated from highschool, she attended a school for teachers in Havana, wanting to be aliterature teacher. After she won a talent show, she re-interpreted thetango piece “Nostalgia” in bolero temp. She continued her studies topursue a singing career. Hey there! Celia Cruz is known as “The Queen of Salsa Music.”She is known as The Queen of Salsa Music because she always electrifiedher audiences with her wide-ranging soulful voice and inspiring style.

After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Havana’s nightlife all butdisappeared. As a result, along with other members of La SonoraMatancera, Celia Cruz left for Cuba for Mexico. She later left Mexicofor the U.S.A (United States of America), eventually settling in NewJersey (NJ). In 1962, she married Pedro Knight, the first orchestratrumpet player. Pedro became Celia’s musical director, and evenmanager, three years later! Celia eventually became a solo artist. Despite recording severalalbums with a bandleader Tito Puente, however, Cruz was slow to finda larger audience in the United States during the 1960s and early1970s. Success came after Cruz identified Salsa, a Hispanic dancemusic that eventually evolved from musical experiments with Caribbeansounds. She recreated herself for a younger generation of Hispanicpeople by singing the Latin Opera Hommy in 1973, which was anupdated version of The Rock opera, Tommy, in New York's CarnegieHall. Celia Cruz was a very talented and amazing person. She is animportant part of National Hispanic Heritage Month. I dearly hope youenjoyed this. Jeanette Bittler 6th GradeSeneca Middle SchoolCelia Cruz and husband, Pedro Knight

Pele Pele gets the ball, he shoots and… he scores! Behold! Pele, the legendof Soccer, was born on October 3rd, 1940. Pele was raised in povertyin Bauru in the State of Sao Paulo. Pele was the eldest of 2 siblings.Their names were Zoca and Maria. His parents are Dondinho andCeleste Arantes. Pele as a teenager and child worked at tea shops as a servant toearn extra money. Because Pele couldn’t afford an actual football, so hemade one by himself out of a sock, newspaper, grapefruit, and string.Pele played on a lot of advanced teams in his old days, like Sete deSetembro, São Paulinho, Canto Do Rio, and Ameriquinha. Pele ledBauru Atlético Clube Juniors to the São Paulo championships at a youngage also! In his mid-teenage days, he played for an indoor football teamcalled Radium. Did you know that Pele was the youngest player to win a world cupat just 17 years old?

Pele was a part of the first indoor football competition in the regionand won the first indoor football championships! He said he was a lotfaster on grass, and that other players are supposed to think fasterbecause everybody is very close to each other on the pitch. However,he credits indoor football for helping him think better. Pele was also allowed to play with older people when he was 14years old! In one of the tournaments he played in, people said he wastoo young to play but ended up winning and was the top scorer with14 or 15 goals! Pele said, “It gave him a lot of confidence.” He alsostated, “I knew not to be afraid of what might come.” After that life changing tournament, Pele went on to win many otherchampionships and competitions such as three FIFA World Cups in arow. He also became a FIFA World Cup golden ball Winner, and aFIFA World Cup Golden Boot Winner twice in a row! That's a lot! By 1958, Pele was named O Rei which means “The King" inEnglish. However, in 1974, he retired because he was disappointedwith a particular game’s outcome. But he didn’t stay retired for long!In 1975, he agreed to a 7-million-dollar contract for 3 years. Peleofficially retired in 1977 after leading the Cosmos after winning by 37goals! After his retirement, he wrote books about himself, made music, andserved as Brazil's Minister of sports for 4 years. He also appeared ina decent number of films. Unfortunately, Pele died on December 29th,2022 in Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital at 3:27 p.m. due to manyorgan failures and colon cancer. One famous quote by Pele is “Success is no accident. It is hardwork, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, loveof what you are doing or learning to do.” Pele has inspired so manypeople in so many different ways. Rest in peace, The King of Soccer! Michaela-Jane Laigo 6th GradeSeneca Middle School

What is native American Heritage month? Native American Heritage Month is a month dedicated to thecontributions from Native Americans, the culture of Native Americans,and remembering the struggles the Native people went through.November 2024 will be the 34th year of Native American month.History At first, the celebration was only one day long. The first NativeAmerican day was in May of 1916. In 1990, president George H.W.Bush approved the month of November for Native American month.The first month celebrated was in 1990. Each year forward, there havebeen yearly celebrations. NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Important Native Americans Sitting Bull, born "Jumping Badger" in 1831, was from SouthDakota. His parents were Jumping Bull and Her-Holy-Door, and he waspart of the Hunkpapa Lakota family. Sitting Bull joined his first warparty at the age of 14. During his life, Sitting Bull had many disputes with the United StatesArmy. His biggest was the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876.This battle, also known as "Custer's Last Stand," was a major conflictbetween Native American tribes and the Army. One of thecommanders, George Armstrong Custer, was defeated by Sitting Bull’sforces, leaving 53 soldiers dead. Sitting Bull died in 1890 after being shot at the Standing Rock IndianReservation. Throughout his life, he never stopped fighting for hispeople. He will always be remembered as a hero.

Crazy Horse Crazy Horse was born in 1840 in South Dakota. In 1866, thediscovery of gold in Montana led to forts being built throughout thearea. Crazy Horse began leading small attacks on these forts. During his life, Crazy Horse married three women. His first twowives, Black Buffalo Woman and Black Shawl, sadly passed away.Later, he married Nellie Larrabee. Crazy Horse played a significant role in major battles, including theBattle of the Little Bighorn alongside Sitting Bull. He and Sitting Bullalso fought in the Battle of the Rosebud, where they successfullyretaliated against an army attack. Crazy Horse surrendered to the army after some of his people werekilled during a meeting. His decision to surrender was made to protectthe lives of his fellow Sioux. Tragically, Crazy Horse was arrested anddied in 1877 at just 35 years old. Today, a memorial in South Dakota honors Crazy Horse.Construction on the monument began in 1948, and work continues tothis day. Addison Croce 7th Grade Seneca Middle School

Voices That Matter: Our Stories, OurImpact Our reporters at Seneca News are not only dedicated to coveringthe highlights that make Seneca great, but they also bring theirpersonal passions, voices, and experiences to every story they write.From local events to community challenges, our team is here to tell thestories that matter. Our mission is to cover not only what makes Seneca special but alsothe issues, ideas, and experiences that matter most to our reporters andour readers. Our stories are more than news—they’re the heartbeat ofour community. Continue to flip through the pages and dive deeper into the storiesthat shape our school and community. Each new article offers a uniqueperspective, revealing the passions and experiences that fuel ourreporters. Whether it’s a powerful interview, an in-depth look at aschool event, or a spotlight on a student or teacher, our stories reflectwhat matters most. Stay with us as we share the moments that makeSeneca unforgettable, and let the voices of our reporters guide youthrough the impact we’re making, one page at a time.

Highlights On Some Of Seneca’s These are the highlights about some of Seneca's teachers who teach elective classes in sixth,seventh, and eighth grade. You might already have one of these teachers, or you might haveone of them in the future. So here is some more information about them, and their class!ELECTIVE TEACHERSMODERN LIVING- MRS. BARNESHEALTH- MR.METZQ: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TEACH THIS SUBJECT? A: “I played sports in college. When I was in college I was studyinghealth, so I decided to be a professor for health, but I decided to workwith younger students, so I moved to the middle school.”Q: OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR TEACHING CAREER, WHAT TOPICS WEREMOST INTERESTING TO YOUR STUDENTS?A: “Learning about mental health, learning about substanceabuse, and students also like getting CPR certified.”Q:WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING QUESTION YOU’VE BEEN ASKEDFROM YOUR STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS?A: “It was something about the human body, but I can’t say it on the newspaper.”Q: WHAT IS YOUR MISSION/GOAL HERE AT SENECA?A: “To help students to make healthy and positive decisions in their lives.”Q: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TEACH THIS SUBJECT?A: “I choose to teach this class because I want to be creative while teaching life skills.”Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES THAT YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WHATYOU TEACH?A: “A Lot of my hobbies coincide with what I teach, and I bring a lot ofthe hobbies into the classroom to make it fun and exciting to thestudents, I also like to travel.”Q: OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR TEACHING CAREER, WHAT TOPICS WERETHE MOST INTERESTING TO YOUR STUDENTS?“All the topics are related to their everyday life and future,so I think they have fun learning these life skills.”Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE MODERN LIVING CURRICULUM?A: “I truly enjoy them all.”

Q: OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR TEACHING CAREER, WHAT TOPICSWERE MOST INTERESTING TO YOUR STUDENTS?A: “Students like the projects that are competitive, so I try to turn alot of projects into competitions.”Q: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TEACH THIS SUBJECT? INNOVATION LAB- MR. LUNDSTROMA: “I have always liked technology, and I volunteered in the highschool Robotics competition program at the high school.”Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT SENECA?A: “I like the atmosphere, it’s very close to my house, and I likemy coworkers, especially Mr. Dreyhaupt.”Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES THAT YOU ENJOYOUTSIDE OF WHAT YOU TEACH?A: “I play Dungeons and Dragons.”ART- MRS. RAMSAYQ: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TEACH THIS SUBJECT?A: “I chose to teach art because I was an art major in college, and once Igraduated, I still wanted to be involved with art, and I felt teaching was a naturalchoice for a career for me.”Q: WHAT ARE THE COOLEST ART PIECES YOU'VE SEEN MADEBY STUDENTS?A: “Clay. Students make amazing things out of clay. They make clay food,masks, and all sorts of sculpture type things. I am always very impressed atwhat the students can do when they get their hands on clay.”Q: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS?A: “To pursue what makes you passionate. There are lots of differentways to express yourself through the arts, and every person has theability to find the art medium that they enjoy most.”Q: WHAT IS YOUR MISSION/GOAL HERE AT SENECA?A: “It is always my goal for students to come to my class, tohave fun, and to learn something new.”Written by Aubrey Hochadel7th Grade StudentSeneca Middle School

2024 Election1st EditionSENECA NEWS The United States is getting ready for an important election. ElectionDay is on November 5th, 2024. The candidates running are Donald Trumpand Kamala Harris. In the U.S, citizens who are 18 years old and oldercan vote. They will choose their favorite candidate from a list of peoplerunning for president. Although Election Day is November 5th, the 20thamendment to the constitution says that the term of each elected Presidentof the U.S begins at noon on January 20th of the year following theelection.

The Democratic Nominee is KamalaHarris. Kamala Harris was born onOctober 20th, 1964. She is the VicePresident. Kamala wants to create politicsthat promote fairness in education,healthcare, and housing for all Americans.She plans to focus on fighting climatechange by investing in renewable energyand creating green jobs. Kamala alsoaims to expand access to affordablehealthcare.Savannah Amorello6th GradeSeneca Middle School The Republican Nominee is DonaldTrump. Donald Trump was born on June14th, 1946. He was the 45th president ofthe U.S. Trump wants to promote jobcreation through tax cuts and reducingregulations on businesses. He plans toenhance border security and reformimmigration policies to better control whoenters the country. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(the independent candidate) has endorsedDonald Trump. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are running for president this year.Election Day will be on November 5th, 2024. It is important for everyoneto learn about the candidates and their goals so they can make informeddecisions when voting.

ResultsThe results of this election show Donald Trump as the new president of theUnited States of America. However, he will not take office until the 20thof January, 2025.Key StatesDonald Trump won all seven of the Swing States. These states are NorthCarolina, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, and mostimportantly, Pennsylvania.What Is a Swing State?Swing states are the states that experts cannot predict the winner in.While most other states have already been predicted before the election,“Swing States” are not predicted until during, or after Election Day. Thereason that these “Swing States” are so important is that they will decidethe election. Pennsylvania is the largest swing state with 19 electoralvotes.Election 2024: Presidential Results

What is the Electoral College?The Electoral College is not your typical college. In fact, you can’tattend it or even visit it. Then what is it? The Electoral College is thegroup of people that represent your state. When your parents/guardians cast their vote, the vote is counted and the Elector for yourarea is informed of the total for their group. After this, their votematches the vote of their area. Every state has a different amount ofvotes. (see map below) For example, California has a total of 54Electors for the state. Most of the people in California voted for KamalaHarris, so she won all of the 54 Electors, even though many peoplevoted for Donald Trump.Brayden Firth7th GradeSeneca Middle School

If you see these things somewhere, IMMEDIATELY DESTROY THEM! Assome may know, these Lycorma Delicatula species, better known as “TheSpotted Lanternfly,” are a threat to crops, and trees and some scientiststhink they have a sense of vibration, better known as “Achilles Heel.” These Spotted Lanternflies were first found in Pennsylvania in 2014 andnow have spread to more than 13 other states! Yes, in adult form, theylook beautiful. However, these Lantern Bugs are VICIOUS! These bugsfeed on things that can affect our environment. Even though they are notharmful to humans, they eat trees that we get our oxygen from, and feedon crops and plants that we need to live! It's not only the oxygen we aretalking about. When they eat the trees, the holes that they make drip sapfrom the tree and leave a sticky substance that can grow mold and cancause fungal diseases. The crops and plants can be damaged, and if wehumans have no food, it may lead to starvation, low energy, difficultyconcentrating, illness, and even DEATH! And if you’re wondering whether or not these Lantern Bugs have anypredators... Well, the answer to this is very disturbing. The only predatoror bug that can stop these species are the Praying Mantis, and there arebarely any of those left! Oh wait, I missed two other species that canstop these bugs which are Chickens and some birds such as Cardinals. The Lantern Bug Crisis

You may think there is no other way to end the damage theseLanternflies produce. However, there are some things we can do to stopthis dangerous species from harming our livelihood. For example, theyhate the smell of Apple Cider Vinegar, Neem Oil, and essential oils likepeppermint, lavender and eucalyptus. So, if your neighborhood smellslike either of these, you won’t be seeing these Spotted Lanternfliesanytime soon. These species are most active in September through June which is along time. These Lanternflies are most attracted to roses, grapes, blackwalnuts and butternuts, river birch, willow, sumac, red and silver maple,and Tree of Heaven, which can be any tree. The most accurate thing youcan use to kill these Lanternflies instantly is vinegar and soap, like Dawnsoap, but there is one more thing you can do. It’s the easiest thing youcan do and if you can’t, you, yes you, are an extreme couch potato. Juststep on them! That’s the most efficient way! The best part about these Spotted Lanternflies is that they only liveone year from a tiny egg to an adult. And if you see these eggs, spraythem with soap or vinegar. These are Spotted Lanternfly eggs. It isbrownish gray and looks like wax or mud when just made by the females.Old ones are brown and look like scales. So even though these Lanternflies are a real danger to the way welive, we can all put an end to these environment damaging monsters.Even you! Michaela - Jane Laigo6th GradeSeneca Middle SchoolAubrey Buckley 7th Grade

Lately, scientists have been playing with their food. They were ableto genetically modify a strawberry to combine with a fish. You must be wondering, why would they even think of doing this?Well, you’re not the only one. Many people are questioning the ethicsbehind GMO. They have questions like, “Is this safe?” and, “What’s thefuture going to look like if we keep doing this?” So, let’s take a closerlook at what it is. GMO stands for genetically modified organism. The first timesomeone ever genetically modified something was in 1973. TheBiochemists Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen were the first to do this.They genetically engineered human insulin, also known as Humulin. Theydid this by taking a plasmid (bacteria’s nucleus) and removing a sectionof it. Next, they took out a bit of human’s DNA , specifically the partabout making insulin, and put it into the plasmid. This Humulin wasmeant to help treat diabetes (when your body doesn’t make enoughinsulin). Humulin wasn’t approved by the FDA until 1982. I know what you might be thinking. You’re probably wondering whythey used bacteria. They used bacteria because bacteria reproduces veryquickly. When bacteria reproduces quickly, it to gets into the body fast. The Controversy Surrounding GMO Foods

There’s also been a number of GMO foods that you might see in yourlocal grocery store. The first ever GMO food available in the U.S. was atomato. This tomato was called the “FLAVR SAVR Tomato.” Theyengineered this to slow the rotting down and keep the tomato fresher forlonger. This product isn’t available on shelves any longer, though,because the tomato cost a lot and the company producing these tomatoesdidn’t have enough experience engineering these, either. GMO is really interesting. You can help treat diseases like diabeteswith GMO foods. However, you could also do a lot of weird stuff withthis. There’s a scientist out there, named He Jiankui, who created the firstgenetically modified baby. The thing is, he just got released from prison.Why? Scientists made a pact to not experiment on humans. So, Jiankui’sexperiment was very dangerous and was illegal. So, GMO can be used for both the good and the bad. Let’s just hopeour future is pointing in the good direction because there is some prettyscary stuff out there.Kathleen Bittler 8th Grade Seneca Middle School

TO BE, OR NOT TO BE: THATIS THE QUESTION.2nd EditionSENECA NEWSHomeworkSeneca Reporters Debate Homework!THE CONTROVERSYBEHINDHOMEWORK...Seneca News has looked into thepros and cons of homework. Onthe next couple of pages, you willfind the advantages anddisadvantages of homework. Weask you Seneca to keep an openmind until you have read bothsides. Then, you can decide foryourself: “Is homework trulybeneficial?”

I know that my opinion is not going to be common, but I say no togetting rid of homework. There are millions of reasons why. First of all, whenmy class came back from winter break, (which had no homework that day)they didn't remember a thing that we learned, and they struggled horriblywhen my teacher tried to reteach them the unit. Some students are blessedwith great memory retention, but I still recommend homework. It is one of themain ways we can remember important information, and, if you agree,committing to nightly homework will lessen the amount of confusion youexperience during the next day’s lesson. Another reason is that I have noticed that homework is more challengingthan what we have learned in class. Many of the homework problemschallenge the curriculum and ask us to think differently about what we arelearning. The best part is that we get to do this on our own timeline. Notimers. No time constraints. We get to think about what we are learning inour own comfortable settings. Moreover, research has shown that students learn better throughrepetition. Homework provides the repetition that we need to build on ourunderstanding without the daily school distractions. Let’s face it, sometimesour friends distract us during class. When we are home, we can reallymeasure what we understood from the day’s lesson by completing thehomework assignment. If we are confused by the homework, then we cango to extra help or ask more questions the next day. Once again, you may dislike this point, but homework engages yourbrain to take on new challenges and succeed. Plus, children needresponsibilities in life, and homework teaches us to be responsible andprepares us for the real world. Homework: To Be, or Not To Be?Rodney Fallon 7th Grade Seneca Middle School

Homework. It can mean many things to different people. However, to us, itmeans more work after 6 hours of school. This has been especially true since westarted middle school! Some people believe homework is good for students, and that it improvesgrades. Despite this, we think it is just another thing to do when we get home. Inelementary school, it was simple! Maybe some math and ELA homework. Sometimes, we would get social studies and science homework here and there.However, in middle school, the amount of homework is different. We getbombarded with math, ELA, science, and social studies (not to mention studying).When you think about it, it really is a lot. This may surprise some people, but in Ireland homework is not required. Infact, the president of Ireland said: “I think, myself, that the time in the school is aneducational experience and it should get finished during school hours. Peopleshould be able to use their time at home for other creative things.” We asked Mrs.Barnes what she thought of homework, and she said, “It’s not good.” Homeworktakes away from family time. There is a reason why we don’t get homework onFamily Connect Night. This is because we have so much homework that we losemuch needed time with our families. By the time homework is finished, we have togo straight to bed or attend any recreational activities that we are committed to. Moreover, homework is not only a lot on students, but it can be a hassle forparents and guardians because they have to help their kids with homework. Thisbecomes especially hard for parents considering the new type of math that we arelearning is very different from the math that our parents and guardians learned. California high school polled students and found that 59% thought they had toomuch homework. 82% of respondents said that they were “often or alwaysstressed by schoolwork.” In addition, 63% reported that the amount of work theyreceived often or always made it challenging to spend time with family andfriends. Similarly, and most shocking, 61% percent of students indicated that theyhad been forced to drop an activity they enjoyed because of their homework. In the end, one should really consider whether this extra baggage ofhomework is worth the added stress or the difficult choices of quitting activities thatcould add to our quality of life. We believe that students should be free to spendtime with their families and keep our home life separate from our school life!Naomi Morah and Aubrey Buckey7th GradeSeneca Middle SchoolHomework: To Be, or Not To Be?

TO BE, OR NOT TO BE: THATIS THE QUESTION.You’ve Read Both Sides, Seneca!HomeworkWhat’s your opinion? The Debate on Homework

HIDDEN ROOMBESTSECRET STASH BESTHELD SECRETBESTA N E X P O S E B Y A D D I S O N C R O C EA D D I S O N C R O C E W E N T D E E P U N D E R C O V E R T OU N V E I L T H E S E C R E T S H I D D E N W I T H I N S E N E C A . THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF SENECAR E A D O N A N D U N L O C K T H E M Y S T E R Y !

Did you know there’s a basement in Seneca? Near the band and orchestrarooms, there’s a door that leads down to the basement. What’s in there? Well,mostly extra and old supplies. There is sports equipment, as well as a freezer inthere, too. But what’s interesting about the basement was that it was originally builtas a bomb shelter. During the time when Seneca was being built (back before theyear 2000), a bomb shelter was also built as a precaution in case anything like adisaster happened. Currently, the basement is just used for supplies. Addison Croce 7th Grade Seneca Middle SchoolSecrets of SenecaHave you ever wondered if there are any secrets hidden within Seneca? Some studentshave spent close to three years at Seneca. Yet, as adjusted as these students are, onemust ask if they really know the “ins and outs” of the place some of us call our secondhome. If you are brave, read on to explore the secrets that are hidden deep withinSeneca Middle School. 1) SENECA’S BASEMENT2) SENECA’S ELEVATOR Another thing that is cool about Seneca is that our school has an elevator! Thiselevator carries freight from the main floor to the basement. It is located near thecafeteria. If there is something that the janitors cannot carry to the basement or tothe main floor, they’ll use the elevator. 3) SENECA’S CONTAINERS OUTSIDE Everyone has always wondered, “What are those white containers outside nearrecess? What are they for?” Well, they are containers from the Red Cross. The RedCross is a non-profit organization that helps people around the world when there isa crisis. While we at Seneca are not at crisis, these containers store food insidethem in case a disaster was to ever happen. They supply foods that are canned anddon’t spoil. Sometimes you will see workers inside the container checking andmaking sure the food and water are okay. Other things that are in there includeblankets and bed cots. There are definitely a lot more secrets of Seneca that we don’t know, but theseare ones that look the most interesting. Thank you for reading!

2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 52 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 52 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5DRIVEDRIVEDRIVEDEDICATIONDEDICATIONHARD WORKHARD WORKBE KIND. BE HONEST.BE HUMBLE. BE YOUR BEST.S E N E C AM I D D L ESchoolBESTBESTBESTEFFORTSEFFORTSEFFORTSSENECA MIDDLE SCHOOLSENECA MIDDLE SCHOOLSENECA MIDDLE SCHOOLMONTHMONTHMONTHO F T H EO F T H EO F T H ES T U D E N T SS T U D E N T SS T U D E N T SF E A T U R EF E A T U R EF E A T U R EWeAREAREARESENECASENECASENECA

SOPHIA TACKETTCHRISTIAN KAISER6TH GRADEMARIANNA PITKEWICZ7TH GRADELINSON LIN8TH GRADESEPTEMBERSEPTEMBEROCTOBEROCTOBERCAMDEN COLLINS6TH GRADEARIZU SARDAR7TH GRADE8TH GRADE

B EH O N E S TB EY O U RB E S TB EH U M B L EB EK I N DS E N E C AM I D D L E S C H O O LStudents of the MonthS O , W H A T ’ S T H E B I G D E A L ? Each month, Mrs. Salvia announces theStudents of the Month. But what does thathonor truly mean? Well, Seneca, let’s do themath. Only one student from each grade levelis given the title of Student of the Month. That’s three students per month. If voucalculate September through May, then thereare only 27 students who receive this title. To honor these remarkable students,teachers write up a speech that summarizesthe reasons these students deserve this reward. Moreover, parents and siblings are invited tohear the kind and magnificent words that theteachers have put together to honor theStudents of the Month. Not only does each Student of the Monthget a celebration where their parents cancome to, but each Student of the Month getsfeatured on our very own Seneca NewsChannel for all of Seneca to see. In addition tothe media outlet and their names on thebulletin board by the library, the SenecaStudents of the Month get to enjoy a lunchparty at the end of the year with all of theirfellow honorees who also achieved the title ofStudent of the Month. It seems that Seneca Middle School goesout of their way to reward top academicperformance! Seneca Middle SchoolNewpaper Club

NOVEMBERNOVEMBEREMILY DALTONEVAN JOHNSONOLIVIA ROBERTS6TH GRADE7TH GRADE8TH GRADEDECEMBERDECEMBERMICHAEL KUSTIN6TH GRADEMAKAYLA BEAUCHINE7TH GRADEEMMA PONTICELLI8TH GRADE

The Seneca Newspaper Club isfull of talented writers, editors,and reporters who haveworked diligently to spreadinformation about the amazingschool we call Seneca. Wehope you enjoyed our SecondEdition. It was brought to youwith so much love and pride! Seneca’s Newspaper Club willcontinue to showcase all of thewonderful events happening atSeneca. We welcome anystudent who would like to writearticles for our newspaper. Ifyou are interested in becominga writer, editor, reporter, orphotographer, please see Mrs.Giglio in Room 12. WHAT TO EXPECT?THANK YOUFOR READING!First Edition: 2024WE ARE SENECA!S E N E C AM I D D L E S C H O O L