CentralPantherPress

December18,2015
Volume3,Issue2

I
nternational Christmas!
by Isabella Martinez

Have you ever wondered how

Christmas was celebrated in different
countries? Maybe, maybe not? I hope
you enjoy reading International
Christmas!
Colombia
Colombia is a beautiful
country located in South America.
Like the U.S.A, Columbia celebrates
Christmas as a religious holiday, but
also mix it in with fiesta! Also, 90% of
Colombians who believe in the Roman
Catholic religion , begin December by
having a special ceremony to honor
the Virgin Mary. Colombians also
decorate their Christmas tree, like the
U.S.A. The most popular Christmas
meal in Colombia is bunuelos, even
though is is originally from Arabian
and Jewish culture.

Poland
Poland is a very nice country,
too! Poland is also located in Europe.
In Poland, Advent, is the very
beginning of Christmas. It is the time
in which people try to be respectful
and peaceful to others, and remember
the real reason of Christmas! Advent is
similar to Lent, in which
you give up

something you like. For example, if

you like cookies, and you eat them a
lot, when Advent or Lent comes, you
can give that up! During this time,
people clean their houses, because in
Poland they have

come believe that everything has to be

clean for Christmas! Also the smell of
tangerines in schools, or homes mean
Christmas is right around the corner!
Also, the main Christmas meal is
Kolacja wigilijna which is Christmas
Eve Supper.

Brazil
Brazil is located in South
America near Columbia. Christmas in
Brazil is one of the most important day
of the year! Since Brazil is the first
portuguese colony, its official language
is Portuguese. Like the U.S.A, Brazil
also has the freedom of religion, so
Christmas is very religious to them, too.
One example of traditions that Brazil
does is building a amazing Nativity
Scene. Their main Christmas meal is a
roast turkey, vegetables, and fruits!
Also, it not uncommon to find wine or
beer from Europe next to the feast, in
which they show an European
influence! Unfortunately, some kids
who have prayed and asked Santa
Claus for present will not receive any
on Christmas Day.
Although, charities try to raise
money to buy presents for poor
children/ families, there are still some
kids who wont receive presents.

Merry Christmas and a Happy

New Year!

ChristmasJingle
ByJaneDoran

W
hitesnow
I
nandaboutinthesnow
N
aughtyornice
T
icktockthetimeisticking
E
ekingovertheexistence
R
udolphtheRednoseReindeer

W
elcomeeveryonetocome
andplay

O
necandycaneforeveryone
N
onaughtiness
D
eersareclicking
E
njoyingthecheers
R
eadyfortheholidays
L
aughingandsingingtryingto
havefun

A
llarehavingfun
N
ooneshouldenduponthe
naughtylist

D
ontgiveup

CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2

Christmas Kindness
by Alyssa Purvis
Once upon a time there was a girl who
loved Christmas. She looked forward to this day
every year. She would make decorations for the
house and spread her Christmas cheer
everywhere. This girls name is Jessica. She had
sparkly blue eyes and red hair flowing down to
her shoulders. She was always kind and never
asked for things in return. People had thought
she was this kindhearted person who always
saved Christmas. Last there was a hurricane
that had hit this town. The hurricane had wiped
out all of Blossom City and left everyone
heartbroken from lost family members to no
place to stay. But that didnt stop Jessicas
happiness that was contagious throughout the
city. She would give everyone a gift that was
small but meaningful to the person. She had
given family things that their family cherished
the most. Which had brought the family
together? She had built homes for many people
and didnt ask for anything in return. Of course
she didnt do all of the good deeds alone. She did
have a family who helped her. She had two
siblings whose names were Claire and Dylan.
She also had a mom and dad who helped her do
her good deeds every step of the way.

Many people thought they were the

heroes of Christmas, and others had thought
they were kind people. What everyone might
have thought didnt stop the Patterson family.
As years passed by, there were many
Christmases shared with happiness of many
people. 20 years had passed and Jessica was 28
years old. She had moved out of her parents
house and was now living on her own. She also
had family of her own with two children. She
Christmas Kindness (continued)

had one girl and a boy. She named her daughter

Alivia. Her husband had named their son Tyler.
They were both as sweet as Jessica. They
always had helped friends, family, and everyone
else that needed it. Alivia had freckles and red
hair that cascaded down to her shoulders with
beautiful brown eyes. Her brother Tyler had
brown hair with blue eyes as sparkly as the
ocean water like his dad. The other family
members of the Patterson family had moved
away to another state because of budget
problem just as Jessica moved out. Jessica's
family was another generation of the Patterson
family except their name isnt Patterson
anymore. Their last name was now the Smiths.

This year something terrible had

happened to the Smith family. Usually everyone
was cheerful and full of love but not on
Christmas Eve. Alivia was cheerless and no one
knew why. Alivia wouldnt talk about it and she
wasnt as happy as she usually was. She would
give a few laughs and talk to people but usually
you would find her in her room. She didn't put
her Christmas decorations on the walls and she
didn't help put the Christmas tree up. Then her
brother had gone into her room that day and
asked her why she was so sad.

Hey Alivia, Can I come in? said Tyler.

Sure, said Alivia with sorrow.
Tyler had walked in and left the door only
cracked. Then he sat next to Alivia on her bed.

Then asked, Why are you so sad?

Alive turned to faced Tyler and said, I
dont want to talk about it.
Continued on page 3.

by Alyssa Purvis
Tyler wasnt going to take that as an answer so
he asked again but softly.

Alivia, everyone is
worried about you what is wrong
I dont know I just dont want to celebrate
Christmas. I guess.
That cant be true you always loved Christmas.
Well maybe I dont this year.
Why?
Because.
Because what?
Because I feel like our kindness doesnt
help anyone.
What do you mean kindness always
helps people.
Like who? Give me an example.
Like Bethany down the street. She was
so happy when we helped her find her favorite
teddy bear the other day.
Yeah you're right but what about Cassie?
We helped her find her brothers toy and that
didn't do anything.
Yes it did. She is nicer to us now.
Yeah thats it.

Then Alivia had looked out her window

staring at the snowflakes that landed on the
freshly laid snow. Then she turned around to
face Tyler with a worried face. Then an idea
struck Tyler, but first he had to make sure
Alivia was up to it.

I have an idea, said Tyler

Let's go to all the people we helped and
asked them how our kindness helped them.
That would surely make you feel better.
Okay, said Alivia not knowing anything
else to say.

Soon, Alivia was putting on her red and

white plaid coat. Tyler told their parents his
Christmas Kindness (continued)

plan to help Alivia feel better. Jessica wanted

Alivia to be happy again so she agreed to it and
so did their dad. Tyler grabbed his blue hoodie
off the hook and ran to the door. When Alivia
and Tyler walked out to the streets the first
thing they felt was the wind blowing past them.
The Tyler had started to walk to the house next
door with Alivia following. Tyler had climbed up
the stairs with Alivia and rung the doorbell.
After a minute or two the two kids heard a
person say Hold on one minute.

Then suddenly a little girl opens the door.

At first Tyler and Alivia didnt know who the
little girl is or what her name was, but she
remembered Alivia and Tyler. She first smiled at
them then ran out to hug them. Then Alivia and
Tyler remembered her name. Her name was
actually Stacey. They helped her when she ran
out of food in their house. Tyler and Alivia gave
them food to last them until they could get
enough money to get back up on their feet. They
both hugged Stacey and then Tyler asked her a
question.

Hi Stacey, can I ask you a question?

Sure Tyler you can ask me anything you
want!
Great! Did our kindness help you any
way?
Of course it did!
How? asked Alivia.
Your kindness showed me to be kind to
everyone because your kindness can change a
person's life.
Wow really? asked Alivia.
Really, said Stacey happily.
Thanks, said Tyler.
Welcome, said Stacey Merry
Christmas!
Merry Christmas, said Tyler and Alivia in
unison.

Continued on page 4
3

by Alyssa Purvis
Alivia was quiet but seemed happy as they
were walking down to the next house.
See, I told you kindness changes things.
I guess you are right, but lets see what
they think.
Okay.

Then Tyler rang the doorbell again and

this time a little boy came to the door. He had
blonde hair with a wide smile.

Hi Alivia and Tyler,

Hey Dylan, can I ask you a question?
Sure!
Thanks, what has our kindness done for
you?
Well lots of things! I really appreciate
what you did for me. Now I want others to feel
the same as I did when you helped me! Thanks
again!

Youre welcome and thanks we are glad

we helped you find great presents for your
family!
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Dylan.
Tyler and Alivia had gone to many homes
looking for answers for their questions. By the
end of their quest around the neighborhood,
Alivia felt better than ever. When they finally
came home after 6:00 she went straight to her
bedroom and locked her door.

By 9:00 Alivia came out with beautiful

decorations covered in glitter and sparkling
wonderfully. She had no problem putting them
up. Jessica and Tyler were so happy all they
could do was smile. Then Alivia spread her
Christmas joy all throughout the neighborhood.
Christmas finally did come the next day. The
tradition of the Pattersons was now passed
down to the Smiths.
Merry Christmas!

SportsCorner
The Blackhawks
By: Jimmy Lenza & Tadgh Scanlon
here havent been many predictions made
T
for the Hawks, but as of right now the Hawks
are 15-9, and the coach of the Hawks is still Joel
Quenneville. Patrick Kane has broken Bobby
Hulls record of 22 games with a goal. "It's not
your usual point, I guess, but I think the
exciting part was just how into it the crowd was

when the announcement was made about the

record, and hearing how excited they were,"
Kane said in an interview with the NHL
reporters. Jonathan Toews is still the captain
for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane is the leading
point scorer with 16 points; behind him is
Artemi Panari with 11. The Hawks are currently
ranked 12th in the league. The Blackhawks will
hopefully win the Stanley cup two years in a
row.

CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2

Positivityornegativity
byGraceDwyer

JohnDuffy

WasintheArmyfrom
IfIwasbeinghonestbeing
19591961
positivemeansdifferentthings.
Therewasalotofchanges
Beingpositiveisnotjustbeing
mainlyincustomsduringthe
nicetopeople.Itswhenyou
war.
fall,andyou'reabletogetback

up.Ifyoulookatitthisway
SteveHorosinski
everythingisachoice.There
Wasintheservicefrom
By:LoriWilsonandMakenzie
aresimplechoices,butthere
19431945
Telstad
alsoveryhardchoices.Being
WasintheU.S.AirForce

positiveisachoice.Youcan
VeteransDayisNovember11 Ifhewasntdraftedintothe
alsothinkpositive.Italways
military,hewouldstillwanttobe
andonNovember10CMS
goesbacktoachoice.My
inthemilitary.

providedbreakfastforour
experiencewithpositivityhelped

veterans.Wewantedtothank
methroughalotofthings.You
RichOrelik

ourveteransforallthatthey
keepontellingyourselfits
Servedfrom19651967
havedoneforourcountry.They
goingtobeokay,calmdown,
Didntreallyexpectanything,
gaveusourrightsandour
andyoustarttogetintotheflow
withit.IwillhavetoadmitIhave freedom,theydeserveallofour hewasjustcurioustobeapart
oftheservice.
respect.Ourveteransareatthe
brokendownbefore,butIm
highestlevelofrespect.Lets
onlyhuman.Everybodywill
seewhatwelearnedabout
havetheirfaults,butthat
themwithour.Q&A.
doesntmeanyouhavetogive

uporgetupset.Dontletitget
JohnCotan
thebestofyou,becauseitwill
Servedfrom19501952
changeyourwholelifestyleand
KoreanWar
remembersomeonealwayshas
Wasariflemanweapons
itworse.Lookatyourlifelike

companyfirstMarine.
you'reblessedwiththethings
Waswoundedbadlyand
youhave.Takewhatyouhave
evacuatedtoJapan
bepositiveandhappywithit.

ChuckFerrini

Servedfrom19531957
WasintheU.S.Navy
Afamilymemberthatwasinthe
Armywashisuncle

VeteransDay
Breakfast

CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2

Book Review
By: Grace Murphy

The Hunger Games

- If you are
a Hunger Games fan and are
counting down the days to
see the movie, you have
probably been going on and
out about it for months. If you
havent read the books now is
the time to read them! The
three part book series by
Suzanne Collins will leave you
crying, laughing, and wanting
to keep reading. If you have
seen the movies, but you
havent read the books you
should read the books
because remember, the book
is always better than the
movie!

A Diary of a WImpy Kid

- If you
havent already read it I highly
recommend reading
A Diary of
a Wimpy Kid
series. You will get
lost in the world of Greg
Heffley with his two brothers
Manny and Rodrick. Everyone
loves these books and author
Jeff Kinney is still making new
books!

Harry Potter
- If you are a fan
of magic and adventure, you
should read the books of the
Harry Potter series. Join
Harry and his two best
friends Ron and Hermione
while they are in Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. Have fun reading
about quidditch and having a
laugh but beware of evil Lord
Voldemorts wrath.

Percy Jackson and the

Olympians-If you are a fan of
mythology you will love this
five book series involving
monsters and tasks at Camp
Half-Blood. Join Percy, Grover,
and Annabeth as they battle
through tasks and defeat
monster after monster. You
will love these books if you
love fictional books!

TheHungerGames:
MockingjayPart2
AreviewbyMorgan
Markowicz

*DONOTCONTINUEREADING
UNLESSYOUWANTSPOILERS*

Mockingjaywasanamazing
endingtoabrilliantseriesof
movies.Theyfollowedtheevents
inthebookalmostspoton.Isay
almostbecausetherewerea
coupleofthingsthatInoticedthat
werentlikethebook.Ireadthe
bookwhenIwasinfourthgrade,
soIdontremembereverysingle
keydetail,butIremembermostof
thestoryline.Acoupleofthethings
Inoticedthatwereoffinclude
Peetasleg,Katnissstrialforkilling
PresidentCoin,andthattheydidnt
focusasmuchontheRealorNot
RealgamethatPeetaandKatniss
playtohelpPeetaremember
things.Peetaslegisamputated
andreplacedwithaprostheticone
inthebook.Therefore,theymust
givehimextraattentionbecause
he
hasanewleg.Allofthedeaths
wereveryheavyandverymoving.
Iwouldnotrecommendthismovie
forayoungerkidwhoisvery
sensitivetoloudnoisesand
explosions.Thismoviewasvery
emotionalandverywelldone.
Overall,Iwouldratethismovieas
a4.5/5becauseitwasjustalittle
bitlongbutIlovedit.


CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2
Pokemon:SuperMystery
Dungeon
GameReviewby:Annabel
Viravec
Thisgameisverywelldone,
inmyopinion.Thegraphicsarea
reallybigimprovementcompared
tothe
graphics
fromthe
firstgame,
Pokemon
Mystery
Dungeon
.
Iliketheformatofthedialogueand
howyoubefriendyourpokemon
partner.Ialsolikehowyoustart
fromalittlevillagecalledSerene
Villageandjourneyalongwayto
LivelyTown.Thecharactersinthis
gamealsohappentobeeither
reallyweirdorhilarious.Ifyou
seeminterestedorlikeagood
storylineandcrazycharacters,
thenthisgameisforyou!

newperson.Someonethatsa
winner.
Nowmyopinionsonit:Itsa
shortandsimpleplot,likeIsaid
before,Ilikeitbecauseitseasyto
follow.Alsoitisaniceideato
makeamovieof
ThePeanuts
becauseitsabelovedthingfor
manypeople,anditsbeenaround
foralongtime.IfIcouldgiveita
numberonascaleof1to10of
howgooditis,Iwouldsaya
perfect10!Ifyouwanttowatch
ThePeanutsMovie
,gotoyour
nearestmovietheaterandwatchit
now!

cut.SomeofthestuffincludedLuke
beingfromafamilyofdwarfs,Han
Soloasabiggreenalien,andC3PO
wasgoingtobeasleazycar
salesmantype.Yeah,itskindofa
goodthingallthiswasleftonthe
cuttingroomfloor..Eventhenthe
originalcutbyLucaswasadisaster.
HehiredaguynamedRichardChew,
whopracticallysavedthemoviewitha
newedit.With
StarWars
beingabig
hit,sequelsweremade.Lucasdidnt
actuallydirectanyofthesequels,he
justwrotethestories,whichthe
directorsalsohadasayin.Whenthe
prequelsrolledaroundLucaswas
givenUNLIMITEDPOWER!!!(read

inthevoiceoftheemperor).Heboth

wroteanddirectedthethreemovies

andtheresultsweredisastrous:

incoherentstory,directionlessacting,

theyhadalltheproblems.Ifyougo

backandlookatallbehindthescenes
ANewHopeinTheForce
footageofLucasdirectingyoull
Awakens
noticesomethingverypeculiar
Byaidanbobel
NobodygoesagainstLucas's

decisions.NotoncedoyouhearHey
MovieReview!
Inthehistoryof
S
tarWars
,

the
George,thatdoesntmakemuch
By:DaneBik
franchisehasdefinitelyhaditsups
sense,or,HeyGeorge,thatwasnta

anddowns.Fromthesuccessofthe
verygoodtake.Everybodyjust

ThePeanutsMovie
:thisoneI
originaltrilogytothedisasterofthe
smilesandapplaudstowhateverLucas
wantedtodoareviewonsinceit
prequels.Withanewmoviethat
says,thinkinghecandonowrong,but
cameout.SoIdecidedtogosee
hedefinitelycan.Luckily,withJ.J.
thismovieandIhavetosay,itwas comesouttoday,Ivebeenthinking:
Whatmadetheoriginalsworkandthe
Abramsinthedirectorschairforthe
prettygood!Theplotisveryshort
prequelsplummetinfailure?Welllets
newmovie,wellhaveafreshnew
andsimple,soitsaloteasierto
gobacktothefirstmovie,
S
TAR
start.Hesexperiencedwithallthis
understand,whichImfinewith.
WARS
from1977.AyoungGeorge
scifistuffwithhisworkon
StarTrek
.
ThewholeplotisthatCharlie
Lucasin1973wroteascriptforStar
Thefuturefor
StarWars
isbright,and
Brownwantstofinallybecomea
Warsandpresentsittoseveral
ImdefinitelygoingtoseeitonceIget
winnerafteranewkidcomesto
producersandcompanies.Itseemed
outofschooltoday.Maytheforcebe
town.Hedoesntwanthertoknow
thatnobodywantedtotakethescript. withyou,
himasaloser,sowiththehelpof
always.
Snoopy(CharlieBrownsdog)and Hefinallygotthegreenlightfrom
20thCenturyFoxandhestarted
someofhisfriends,hetriesto
filming.Filmingthemoviewasa
becomea
7

nightmare.Therewerebudgetcuts,
andalotofLucassideashadtobe

CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2

A
dvicefromtheThreeSisters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q:
Ihaveafriendwhowantstobecomeabadgirland
wearblackclothes,blackmakeup,anddieherhairblack.
Shethinkspeopleareteasingherbycallingher"Goody-
Two-Shoes".Sheistryingtobebad..HowcanIfixher?
WhatcanIdo?

Sister1A:
!
Youcan'treally"fix"her,butyoucantryto
guideherthroughtherightpath.Ifyou'reherfriend,you
shouldknowwhatshe'susuallylikeandwhatshe'slike
whenshe'sherself.Tryandtalkheroutofanythingthat
mightgetherinbigtrouble.Peoplewillalwaysfind
somethingwrongwithyou,soifyoucan'tmakethem
happy,mightaswellmakeyourselfhappy,becausethat's
whatreallymatters.Besides,changingclothesdoesn't
changewhoyouare!
Sister2A:
Wellyoucantellherbeinga
"Goody-Two-Shoes"isagoodthing.Peoplewhoarebad
getintrouble.GoodLuck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q:
Ineedhelpstayingorganized!Idoallofmyhomework,
butIalwaysleaveitinmylockerorathome.HowcanI
keepallofmystufftogether?

Sister1A:
Well,insteadoftryingtoraceoutofschool,
slowdownandthinkaboutwhatyouneedtodofor
homework,orwhatyouneedtobringhome.Andmake
surethatduringstudyhall,youareusingyourtimewisely,
gettingyourhomeworkdone.Beforeyougotoschool,
take10or15minutestomakesureyouhaveeverything
doneandinyourbackpack,readytogo.Hopethishelps!

Sister2A:

Keepafolderwithyoutokeepallthe
importantstuffinsoyouwon'tforget.

RiddlesandJokesChristmasEdition
BY Grace Beyer
Tryingtothinkoftheperfectriddleor
joketofoolyourfamilythisChristmas?Ive
gotyou.Herearesomeawesome(yetcheesey)
jokesandriddles,CHRISTMASEDITION!!!

Whatdoyougetwhenyoucrossan
applewithaChristmastree?
APine-apple.
WhydomummieslikeChristmas
presentssomuch?
BecauseTheyrewrapped.
HowdosheepinMexicosayMerry
Christmas?

FleeceNavidad.
Ifathletesgetathlete'sfoot,whatdo
astronautsget?
Missle-toe.
WhatisSantaClaussfavoritesandwich?
PeanutButterandJolly.
WhydoesSantaClauslikegoingdown
thechimney?

Becauseitsootshim!
Knock,Knock
Whosthere?

Mary.
Marywho?

MaryChristmas!!

Well,hopeyougetsomelaughsoutofyour
familythisChristmas.Isuredid!!

My Opinion on Gymnastics

By: Aryianna Bibbs

To me, gymnastics is the best sport ever created( next to Cheerleading )! Gymnastics is a way of art.
This sport helps kids be active and away from obesity because instead of sitting on the couch and eating
8

cheese puffs, kids would stay healthy by exercising. Gymnastics is fun because you get to flip around all over
the place. My favorite event is the balance beam portion.
CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2

The Frost Flower

by Brooke Scanlon

A Myth and some Fiction

PreviouslyonTheAdventuresofMotherNatureandLighting
Bolt:
AbbyandRebeccagottheirpowersandlearninghowtheir
powerswork.
Every time the winter came to an end and spring

would begin, beautiful flowers would begin to pop up from the

ground. More properly, they would pop up from the

underworld, where Persephone, the goddess of flowers and

the queen of Tartarus, pushes flowers up into the mortal

word, making spring. They

would last and last, all the

IcancontroltheweatherandRebeccaisfasterthanthe
way until the first frost
speedoflight.Wewerewalkinghomeonedayandwesawa
would fall. As the ground
cometandthesethingscameoutofit.Theywerelikemonsters
grew colder, Persephone
ofsomesortandweknewwhatthismeant,ourfirstmission.
grew sadder. She would
Rebeccatookushomerightaway.Afterwegothome,we
changedintooursuperheroclothesandleft.Whenwegotthere
start pulling the flowers back down into the underworld,
making them ready for the next spring to come. But, as luck itwasblackeverywhere,whenwegotcloser,thethingscameout.
Theywereblackstickythingswithgrossstuffonthemselves.It
would have it, she was very good friends with Khione, the
threwslimeballsatusRebeccawasfastsoshewasnthit
goddess of snow. Khione hated to see Persephone so upset, so withit,butIwas.Rebeccatookthethingdownandshetookus
she hatched a plan.Every winter as she laid out the first
home.Athomewemadeourselvesnames:LightingBoltand
frost, she would create beautiful snow creations that were
MotherNature.TodayItriedtousemypowerbuttheydidnt

named Frost Flowers. They were created in honor of the

beautiful flowers that Persephone had to pull out of the world work,IaskedRebeccaandshestillhadherspeed,soIdont
knowwhattodo.Ah-ha,itwastheblackslime.
each winter.

BYKellyScanlon.Therewillstillbemore.

CentralPantherPress
December2015Volume3,Issue2

A Tribute to a wonderful teacher,

Mrs. Mulchrone, you will be missed by all of your Central
family.

ThenextissueoftheCentralPantherPresswillbe
comingtoyouinFebruary!

10