Please enjoy the Spring 2014 Silver Scroll. All submissions are linked below.
1. 2014 Art Show by Nicole Masnicak
2. Featured Artwork Collection
3. Featured Photographer Robin Kavangh
4. Music Review: Coldplay Ghost Stories by Nicole Masnicak
5. Movie Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel by Mason Plotts
6. Movie Review: Captain America by Zainab Jaffry
7. Tv Series Review: AMC's Turn by Emily Winters
8. TV Series Review: The Vampire Diaries by Mary McGregor
9. Book Review: A Storm of Swords by Chelsea Korn
10. Spring Sports 2014 Recap by Lam Ngyuen and Annemarie Brook
11. Student Talent Show by Mary McGregor
12. Editorial: Staring at the Audience by Sophia Vicari
13. Instrumental Concert by Paige Glenn
14. Jazz Band Concert by Paige Glenn
The official website of Sterling High School's literary publication. Somerdale, NJ
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Featured Artist: Robin Kavanagh
Featured Artist:
Robin Kavanagh
Please enjoy a selection of photographs from this issue's featured photographer.
"Pink Rain"
"Flower in Sepia"
"Sparkling Leaf"
"Spring Collage 1"
"Spring Collage 2"
Interdistrict Art Show: 2014 Chapter
By
Nicole Masnicak '16
When you picture an art show, many things may surface to
your mind--you might picture a middle school’s “Night of the Arts,” or
something similar, hosted to celebrate the arts and their advocates; or you may
immediately imagine the art show held twice annually at Rittenhouse Square. But
what is art? “Art” is a general term used to describe the action of spilling
your imagination onto paper, molding it into a clay masterpiece, or expressing
yourself and your vision through photography or graphic design. The wide range
of subdivisions included in the art field provide such a broad spectrum of things
to try and play with in order to create your own pièce de résistance.
This year, we came to recognize the multiple forms of art, each different and unique but also one and the same. Small children create giant bugs out of styrofoam and finger paint; they use elbow macaroni and Elmer’s glue to make macaroni art for a parent to proudly hang on the fridge. Older children and adolescents create realistic meals out of modeling clay, paint, glitter; they paint a peaceful landscape onto an eight-by-ten canvas, wishing they could be at the scene that they are painting rather than at school. Teenagers mold likenesses of themselves out of clay, finely crafting each hair on their plastilina head; they use different mediums to create a self-portrait, whether realistic or surrealistic, in an attempt to help others understand their true colors.
When you picture an art show, many things may surface to
your mind--you might picture a middle school’s “Night of the Arts,” or
something similar, hosted to celebrate the arts and their advocates; or you may
immediately imagine the art show held twice annually at Rittenhouse Square. But
what is art? “Art” is a general term used to describe the action of spilling
your imagination onto paper, molding it into a clay masterpiece, or expressing
yourself and your vision through photography or graphic design. The wide range
of subdivisions included in the art field provide such a broad spectrum of things
to try and play with in order to create your own pièce de résistance. |
| Sterling's 2014 Interdistrict Art Show |
Art is a symbol of many different cultures; it is a sign of
life. Back before so-called “civilized” times, the cavemen used to paint murals
on stone--they used pictures of bison and fire and people to tell stories and
pass those tales down through the generations. Ancient Egyptians etched cryptic
hieroglyphs into the inside walls of their great pyramids; Hawaiians, ancient
and contemporary, have carved intimidating tiki creatures out of blocks of
wood, preserving the art of their culture. European masterminds have painted
brilliant murals onto the ceilings of regal castles and stained the glass
windows of churches to tell the story of Christ to preserve their religion. The
delicate styling and elegant simplicity of East Asian art was (and still is)
created with handmade ink, thick-haired, fine-pointed brushes, and silk.
 |
| A selection of art from Kayla Matteo |
This year, we came to recognize the multiple forms of art, each different and unique but also one and the same. Small children create giant bugs out of styrofoam and finger paint; they use elbow macaroni and Elmer’s glue to make macaroni art for a parent to proudly hang on the fridge. Older children and adolescents create realistic meals out of modeling clay, paint, glitter; they paint a peaceful landscape onto an eight-by-ten canvas, wishing they could be at the scene that they are painting rather than at school. Teenagers mold likenesses of themselves out of clay, finely crafting each hair on their plastilina head; they use different mediums to create a self-portrait, whether realistic or surrealistic, in an attempt to help others understand their true colors.
Some of the art forms just described were seen at Sterling
High School’s 37th Annual Inter-District Art Show. It was a fantastic night to
celebrate the arts and all of their shapes and forms, from drawing to painting
to mixed-media to ceramics. There was a wide range of divisions to win awards
from as well (thirteen in all) and these included Painting, Drawing, Mixed
Media, 3-Dimensional Design, 2-Dimensional Design, Sculpture, Printmaking,
Ceramics, Art I, Graphic Design, Photography, Best Individual Display, and Best
in Show. Overall, there were 92 delighted winners that night. (A full winner’s
list can be found on the Sterling High School website.)
The gymnasium was where the art was unveiled and proudly
shown off for all to see. Each piece was tailored to fit, with careful
preparation and cautious handling. There was so much artwork in one place: it
was inspirational (as always), it was a smack in the face, and it was a reality
check. Tables held all sorts of clay formations and paintings were taped to the
bleachers; colorful paper was rolled out onto the floor and more work gently
rested on it. A nice portion of the gym was dedicated to the various middle
schools that our district is composed of (Stratford, Laurel Springs, Magnolia,
and Somerdale).
 |
| A selection of art from Noel Cross |
It’s such a wonderful feeling to walk into that gym and be
surrounded by so many creations. Each is different, tailored to the artist’s
style and preference, and no two pieces are alike. The younger generation also
stepped up their game and showed vast amounts of talent; I even overheard some
women gawking at a piece done by a sixth grader they’d never heard of.
Everywhere you look, you see a vision. It does not matter whether it is a student’s
perspective collage done in class or an individual’s panel--art is felt with
the soul; it is what impacts you and your mind. There’s a quote by Roy Adzak
that I truly adore because it is just so relative and accurate: “Good art is
not what it looks like, but what it does to us.”
I’m a sophomore and therefore I’ve attended Sterling for
only two years, but both years I have had the pleasure of helping set up the
show. It’s actually quite magical, how everything comes together, when you get
see the before and the after. Beforehand, it’s hectic and chaotic and total
hysteria spreads to all four corners of the gym. There were four leaders of
organization present including Sterling art teachers Ms. Maskaly and Ms.
Troutz, and each oversaw the creation of the show, making sure each piece was
in its proper place, each corner of each piece aligned perfectly. After a
school day’s preparation, and much help from art students, the show was put
together perfectly, and it was definitely a very cool sight.
This year, I once again held the honor of having my own
personal panel. I was blessed to stand among the ranks of the winners; there
were twelve of us, and they deserve just as much attention for their hard work.
Kayla Matteo won the Painting division while Maggie Strauser and I tied in the
Drawing division. Devon Marinucci prevailed in the Mixed Media category,
meanwhile John Nagle triumphed in the field of 3-Dimensional Design. Julia
LeBano’s collage earned her a blue ribbon in the 2-Dimensional Design category
and Kylie Young was crowned victorious in the Sculpture division. The
Printmaking winner proved to be Emani Bass and Tracie Shivers came out on top
in the Ceramics division. Charles Naone-Carter overcame the rest in the Art I
category, Enida Selmani dominated in Graphic Design, and Julia LeBano took home
another gold in Photography. Last but not least, Noel Cross’ individual display
was most impressive to the judges, and I, Nicole Masnicak, won Best in Show.
The day & night wasn’t just about the visual arts
though! Throughout the day, Mr. Strauss entertained us with a live broadcast of
popular music through Sterling Radio. In the afternoon there were some jazzy
songs performed by Mr. young's Jazz band for entertainment and to keep the
vibe of the show feeling personal and professional. The Silvertones under the
direction of Mr. Mackes, performed in the evening, singing songs from the
spring musical, Damn Yankees, and beautifully belting the lyrics to
popular Disney movies for all to sing along. The Anime
Club was also there, educating those who ventured near about Japanese culture
and art.
Overall, Sterling put on an impressive show for all to see!
From visual arts to performing arts to the art of conversation with the
teachers, there was constantly something to be up to at the art show. I already
cannot wait for all of the talent and creativity next year, and find myself
counting down the days as I paint away in preparation. It’s a night to be
remembered and celebrated; it’s a night dedicated to the arts, and it reminds
us why we should continue to invest in and support the art department and all
that they do, because hard work does pay off! I’ll wrap everything up with
another quote; it’s just something to leave you thinking.
The “earth” without “art” is just “eh.”
Music Review: Coldplay Ghost Stories
By Nicole Masnicak '16
Coldplay is a band known throughout the world for their infectious melodies and serene vibes. Their songs are as soothing to the ears as lullabies, and send shivers running down your spine with a single lyric. The band first reached a level of international success when they released their debut album titled Parachutes in 2000; the words of the song “Yellow” have reached ears all over the world, and have become an anthem to teenagers everywhere. Since then, Coldplay has unveiled multiple critically-acclaimed albums, with singles such as “Clocks,” “Viva la Vida,” “Paradise,” and their most recent, “Magic,” creeping their way up the charts and into the heads of everyone and their mother. On May nineteenth, the band released their sixth record, titled Ghost Stories, which leaves you just the slightest bit disturbed, but only in the most fantastic of ways.
Coldplay is a band known throughout the world for their infectious melodies and serene vibes. Their songs are as soothing to the ears as lullabies, and send shivers running down your spine with a single lyric. The band first reached a level of international success when they released their debut album titled Parachutes in 2000; the words of the song “Yellow” have reached ears all over the world, and have become an anthem to teenagers everywhere. Since then, Coldplay has unveiled multiple critically-acclaimed albums, with singles such as “Clocks,” “Viva la Vida,” “Paradise,” and their most recent, “Magic,” creeping their way up the charts and into the heads of everyone and their mother. On May nineteenth, the band released their sixth record, titled Ghost Stories, which leaves you just the slightest bit disturbed, but only in the most fantastic of ways.
 |
| The band Coldplay Photo credit: Billboard.com |
The album starts out with a three and a half minute tune titled “Always In My Head” that is just that: it embeds itself into your mind with its soft lyrics and tranquil instruments. It is slow and intimate, a seamless melody to dance a waltz to at two in the morning with someone while still wearing your pajamas. The next song, “Magic”, was released prior to the album as its own single, but it retains its own magic. I listen to it and picture a secret world: fairies dance in the night air as the song plays on, the trees blossom with white, luminescent flowers, the branches smile with content, and you are left in the midst of it all with a charming ringing in your ears and slight feelings of nostalgia and deja vu as you walk back to the campsite, where the song “Ink” is already in swing. However, don’t just focus on the simple elegance of the guitar, or the synthetic firefly harmonies; the lyrics are passionate with an air as sweet as a nectarine.
From there, the album moves on to “True Love”, a song that makes me want to dance around in the darkness in a silk nightdress with my hair in curlers and some sloppily-applied chapstick. It’s a beautiful serenade that leaves the taste of sparkling grape juice in my mouth and results in my physical self stepping outside into the night and craving to stargaze, to discover new constellations, and to find myself. Now it’s “Midnight” and you’re back in the woods, in the deep dark depths of the forest, and more mythical and mystical creatures creep out of hiding as the song goes on. It is darker than the rest of the songs, but likewise it is as light as feather down,rough like sandpaper, yet as soft as duvet covers. The first few chords of “Another’s Arms” literally send you into the arms of an angel: it is compelling and features a soft operatic voice full of mystery. The raw guitar of “Oceans” beckons your name and guides you back to the camp with ease, all the while running notes down your spine and murmuring the lyrics in your ear to numb the pain and introduce your senses to the feeling of wistfulness. The next track, “A Sky Full of Stars”, is the beginning of a bittersweet goodbye; it is powerful in a different sense of the word. It leaves you feeling powerless at the end because you allow your entire being to become one with the song and you feel the full force of the words and the beat. Traces of a tangy taste are all that is left, besides a sweet melody, sweeter memories, and a slight feeling of bliss. “O” is the title of the final track, and it rotates in a perfectly full circle to match the debut track: it is serene, and a piano is offered to you as an ultimate farewell as you find yourself in the kitchen, dancing once again in the middle of the night in your pajamas. Coldplay’s Ghost Stories tells a story, as any great album should, and even leaves you feeling just the slightest bit haunted, suggesting a beautifully enchanting aftertaste.
From there, the album moves on to “True Love”, a song that makes me want to dance around in the darkness in a silk nightdress with my hair in curlers and some sloppily-applied chapstick. It’s a beautiful serenade that leaves the taste of sparkling grape juice in my mouth and results in my physical self stepping outside into the night and craving to stargaze, to discover new constellations, and to find myself. Now it’s “Midnight” and you’re back in the woods, in the deep dark depths of the forest, and more mythical and mystical creatures creep out of hiding as the song goes on. It is darker than the rest of the songs, but likewise it is as light as feather down,rough like sandpaper, yet as soft as duvet covers. The first few chords of “Another’s Arms” literally send you into the arms of an angel: it is compelling and features a soft operatic voice full of mystery. The raw guitar of “Oceans” beckons your name and guides you back to the camp with ease, all the while running notes down your spine and murmuring the lyrics in your ear to numb the pain and introduce your senses to the feeling of wistfulness. The next track, “A Sky Full of Stars”, is the beginning of a bittersweet goodbye; it is powerful in a different sense of the word. It leaves you feeling powerless at the end because you allow your entire being to become one with the song and you feel the full force of the words and the beat. Traces of a tangy taste are all that is left, besides a sweet melody, sweeter memories, and a slight feeling of bliss. “O” is the title of the final track, and it rotates in a perfectly full circle to match the debut track: it is serene, and a piano is offered to you as an ultimate farewell as you find yourself in the kitchen, dancing once again in the middle of the night in your pajamas. Coldplay’s Ghost Stories tells a story, as any great album should, and even leaves you feeling just the slightest bit haunted, suggesting a beautifully enchanting aftertaste.
Ever since my pre-adolescent ears perceived the first notes of “Viva la Vida”, I have found myself more and more enveloped in and obsessed with their music. As cliche as it sounds, the band’s lyrics speak to me; the words wrap around me, around my head, and my subconscious plays the verses on repeat. I’ve joined the ranks of millions of teenagers across the world: the renowned lyrics of “Yellow” creep into my dreams and soothe my thoughts like a cradlesong: “Look at the stars, look how they shine for you.” I find myself fascinated by the words of each tune. I am swept up in every melody; I just want to let loose all of my emotions and run free. It’s adventure music, but it makes you want to stay home; it’s for the clinically senseless and the diagnostically sane; it makes you want to sing along at the top of your lungs, but also breathe the words softly into the ears of a small, sleeping child; it is Coldplay, and it is magic.
Movie Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel
By Mason Plotts '15
Set in a uniquely framed storybook
atmosphere, Wes Anderson’s newest film The Grand Budapest Hotel immerses
you in a truly enthusiastic caper. With quick shots of pictures, words, and
music, the director does not hesitate to introduce the audience to a new
universe of oddity. Imagination and quirk flood every frame along with a
star-studded set of familiar actors in peculiar mustaches and “get-ups”.
The film is set in “Zubrowka”, a
fictional 1930s European nation that Anderson treats as a distinguished
landscape with an array of kingdoms, hotels, castles, and prisons. Antiquated
and compositional, Anderson allows his creation to run wild. The central
character, Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), is a witty concierge at the Grand
Budapest Hotel, speaking in quick blunt sentences while navigating us through
his life as a conman. The Grand Budapest Hotel is the story of a man
with a yearning for more. Fiennes, with his magnificent and earnest
performance, wants us to “like” Gustave beyond all of his unlawful wrong
doings, and he succeeds. Fiennes is able to astound the audience with his
portrayal of a crook compelled by worldly appetite, and by his own abnormal
“code of honor”.
Set in a uniquely framed storybook
atmosphere, Wes Anderson’s newest film The Grand Budapest Hotel immerses
you in a truly enthusiastic caper. With quick shots of pictures, words, and
music, the director does not hesitate to introduce the audience to a new
universe of oddity. Imagination and quirk flood every frame along with a
star-studded set of familiar actors in peculiar mustaches and “get-ups”.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
is a stupendous concoction, adding a fresh perspective to the genre of a
thriller. However, there is not a significant connection to the characters, for
most seem to be one dimensional. Yet, this hardly matters, for the film has no
substantial pretense beyond propelling the audience forward through a vast
amount of comedic and exaggerated predicaments. This lens lightens the film’s
attitude and allows it to be a much more loose contraption of Wes Anderson’s,
unlike several of his other pieces.
The film is set in “Zubrowka”, a
fictional 1930s European nation that Anderson treats as a distinguished
landscape with an array of kingdoms, hotels, castles, and prisons. Antiquated
and compositional, Anderson allows his creation to run wild. The central
character, Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), is a witty concierge at the Grand
Budapest Hotel, speaking in quick blunt sentences while navigating us through
his life as a conman. The Grand Budapest Hotel is the story of a man
with a yearning for more. Fiennes, with his magnificent and earnest
performance, wants us to “like” Gustave beyond all of his unlawful wrong
doings, and he succeeds. Fiennes is able to astound the audience with his
portrayal of a crook compelled by worldly appetite, and by his own abnormal
“code of honor”.
The tale however is told through the
eyes of Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), an orphan-immigrant Lobby Boy who
becomes Gustave's hotel protégé. The older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham,
retells the events of which we are watching to modern day concierge of the
hotel played by Jude Law. The plot of the film revolves around a single event,
in essence. One of Gustave's guests and hidden lovers, the 84-year-old countess
Madame D (Tilda Swinton), passes, and there's a problematic scenario
surrounding the will. She has left Gustave a priceless painting called Boy
With Apple, but her relatives, actors Adrien Brody and Willem Dafoe are
both “so ruthless” that Gustave must to steal it.
Set in the beginning of a grand War
(perhaps alluding to World War II), The Grand Budapest Hotel zips
through gunfire, prison escapes, and even toboggan races - all pieced together
with an outstanding score by Alexandre Desplat. Through the all of the unrealistic
incidents and fast dialogue, Wes Anderson is able to say so much with
such little substance and direct communication.
A-
Movie Review: Captain America "The Winter Soldier"
By Zainab Jaffry '17
Plunge into the action of the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger, with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The new Marvel film brings the audience along on a mission where superheroes Captain America, the Black Widow, and Falcon unite, constructing an unstoppable team.
When everything they have ever known turns out to be a lie, the three must unleash the truths they discover. Hunted by trained assassins and betrayed by who they trusted most, all odds are against them. Together they stand against a mysterious villain, the Winter Soldier.
Chris Evans owns his role of Captain America once again, as does Scarlett Johansson the role of Black Widow. Their talent in the hands of directors Anthony and Joe Russo, I believe this dynamic duo is difficult to match. If you fancy comedic action-thrillers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a great pick! While on the very edge of your seat, you can count on Marvel to sneak in a joke or two to lighten the mood. Overall, I rate the film a 9 out of 10.
TV Series Review: AMC's Turn
By Emily Winters '17
In the midst of the American Revolutionary War, the battle of all battles is feverishly heating up. Every man, woman and child knows that the time is now, the time to choose sides: either rush to become a patriot or remain steadfast to the crown of England. That is, all except humble cabbage farmer Abraham Woodhull (Jamie Bell). He has made himself comfortable in a rather gray area despite any true beliefs that he might have. Why? His father is a strong Loyalist, some of his closest friends are patriots, and through all his own reservations about this war, he has a family to protect. Not to mention, British occupied Long Island is no place to start anything… or is it?
In the midst of the American Revolutionary War, the battle of all battles is feverishly heating up. Every man, woman and child knows that the time is now, the time to choose sides: either rush to become a patriot or remain steadfast to the crown of England. That is, all except humble cabbage farmer Abraham Woodhull (Jamie Bell). He has made himself comfortable in a rather gray area despite any true beliefs that he might have. Why? His father is a strong Loyalist, some of his closest friends are patriots, and through all his own reservations about this war, he has a family to protect. Not to mention, British occupied Long Island is no place to start anything… or is it?
After a band of Patriot troops are ambushed by mercenaries hired by the British, the Rebel leaders soon discover that there are spies among their ranks. How else would the information have leaked out? The next question they quietly asked themselves was: why don’t we have a spy?
Recruited by childhood friends to spy on the British, Abraham soon has his morals tipped over as his world is turned on its head. Turn is the story of the Culper Ring, America’s first spy ring.
Turn takes us on a trip back in time to one of the more turbulent eras in American history with beautiful settings, richly entwined characters and just enough action and suspense. Every week this television show has you, well, forgetting it’s a television show. Living in the suspense, shaking in fear with wide eyes – fear of discovery by the British troops… you notice that your fear is aligning with the characters’ on screen.
This has been me in the last couple of weeks: pointlessly screaming at the television and after the episode is over, DVRing next week’s. There isn’t just one thing about this show, it’s the whole show. Its setting, the fascinating story rooted in our history (not just rooted, it is our history), and also, I find it necessary to mention that once you watch the first episode, beware: you will find yourselves falling in love with these extremely interesting characters.
Turn airs each week and is different from any other show that you will find on television these days, so perhaps you should give this one a try. This show leaves you with no other choice after episode one--so again, beware--once you view the first episode you have no choice but to watch more. Turn is my strange new addiction and with the click of a button it can be yours too.
Tv Series Review: Vampire
By Mary McGregor
Vampires, Werewolves, witches, and
hybrids; a mixture of a vampire and a werewolf, this show has it all! Now I
know the name can be a little decisive and girly and make you think, what could
this show possible be about? A diary all about vampires? Although a very good
guess, and very conclusive, there is more included into the story that is ‘The
Vampire Diaries’.
Since
the pilot was aired on September 10, 2009, ’The Vampire Diaries’ has grown into
a world wide phenomenon, being loved by not only teenagers but young adults
also. Taking place in Mystic Falls, ‘The Vampire Diaries’ tells the story of
Elena Gibert, Stefan Salvatore, and Stefan’s older brother Damon Salvatore, played
by Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder, Elena human while both
brothers are vampires from the 1800’s. Elena meets Stefan on her first day of
Junior year, instantly falling for him. Soon Elena notices that something is
off about this mysterious boy who goes by the name of Stefan when she finds him
randomly at the towns grave yard where Elena writes in her diary about
everything she feels in front of her parents gravestones.
Not
long after Stefan meets Elena his brother Damon arrives, not peacefully might I
add. Damon was ticked off at Stefan and, at the time, we had no idea why! Later
episodes soon explaining his wild behavior. As Elena began to get closer to
Stefan she soon meets the other Salvatore brother, his charm never ceasing to
amaze her. Soon enough Elena falls for both brothers, causing conflict not only
between Stefan and Elena but also between the brothers, both wanting her
affection. But the problems don’t stop there, soon you find out there is a clan
of ‘Original Vampires’, the first generation of vampires who cause conflict all
over the town of Mystic Falls.
With
a total of 5 seasons, conflict occurs with loved ones dying and coming back
from the other side, one of Elena’s best friends, Bonnie, a witch, dying but
comes back as an anchor to the other side, and doppelgängers who cause nothing
but trouble. If you haven’t already, this show is pretty confusing but once you
watch all the seasons from the beginning it all makes sense, I promise! And
your in luck! Netflix has 4 out of 5 seasons, the 5th soon to be added, I
hope! And it doesn’t stop there, ‘The
Vampire Diaries’ just announced another season! So use your time wisely and
catch up on the exciting story of Elena Gilbert and the Salvatore brothers and
join in on the premiere of the 6th season, which is still to be announced, I
know I’ll be watching! And if you want ever more of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ you
can download their app or even go on the CW website to see special features and
exclusive content, along with some of the most recent episodes!
Book Review: A Storm of Swords
By Chelsea Korn Editor-in-Chief
Imagine a world where dragons hatch across the sea and the dead reawaken in the North. Picture a place where power is bought by secrets and gold, the cunning and rich prosper, and placing your trust in someone is more dangerous than going into battle. In this land, when you play the game of thrones, you win…or you die—and nobody is safe. Welcome to Westeros, the world in which George R. R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords takes place. A Storm of Swords is the third installment in Martin’s epic fantasy series, “A Song of Ice and Fire”, commonly referred to as “Game of Thrones”. In this third tome, Joffrey Baratheon still sits on the Iron Throne, while his uncle, Stannis Baratheon, schemes with a mysterious sorceress on how to win the Iron Throne. Robb Stark, King of the North, continues to fight against Joffrey and exiled Queen Daenerys builds her army in the East, waiting to strike and take back the land that was once ruled by her ancestors.
A Storm of Swords is the third book in a series, so naturally it’s recommended that one reads the preceding books (A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings) before tackling it. That being said, the novel is no disappointment for those who have read the first two books in the ASOIAF series. Martin is an eloquent storyteller, weaving intricate plotlines that will leave readers on the edge of their seats with every chapter. Martin tells the story in third person omniscient through the alternating perspectives of different characters. These alternating chapters allow readers to directly connect with many different characters until you are left with the question “Who is the hero, and who is the villain?” Martin’s characters are colorful and extremely life-like, and this book allows readers to gain further insight into the characters’ life stories. The characters in A Storm of Swords are one of the best parts of the series in general, because they feel real. Nearly everyone has such an intricate back story that makes you feel like these people aren’t just characters, they’re as real as you or me.
Besides great characters, Martin does a fantastic job of transporting you into this strange new world. Westeros is a medieval-esque world, and Martin definitely makes you feel like this place could exist. You can definitely tell he has done research and is an expert in all things medieval when reading the book. Martin’s writing style is very detail-oriented, which is quite helpful when a reader is looking for an escape from reality. Because he is so detail-oriented though, almost every book in A Song of Ice and Fire is quite long—A Storm of Swords is 924 pages long! Nevertheless, the length is definitely worth it. However, what truly makes these books so amazing, A Storm of Swords especially, are all of the twists and turns in the plot. You never know what’s going to happen next when reading. As readers or just general connoisseurs of story, we often experience a lot of false tension. When you watch a Disney movie, or an action film, you know the protagonist is going to make it out alive. You know that by the end of a romantic comedy movie, the couple will end up living happily ever after, and when you read many other books you can expect that there won’t be an excessive number of character deaths. None of these expectations apply to George R. R. Martin. He breaks any and all expectations a reader might have when they begin the series. So be forewarned, prospective readers: characters die in this series. Major characters die. You may get to a point in the series where you think a character is safe, and then the next thing you know, they’re killed. Plans change and armies attack and nothing is predictable…just like in real life.
Even though there are dragons flying around and magic and the undead, the Westeros universe feels so real. It’s very similar to our modern day world. You have people trying to make the right choices for their country, innocent lives getting caught up in the follies of leaders, political corruption, children trying to find their place in the world, and people fighting for their beliefs in their own personal ways. While the dragons and magic put A Storm of Swords on the “fantasy” shelves of Barnes and Noble, the story itself is anything but fantastical. A Storm of Swords isn’t just about magic and knights; it’s about real life, and real people. If you like stories that make you think, and you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry and want to write your own epic story, pick up a copy of A Storm of Swords at your local bookstore or library today. And be sure to catch the television series based off the books, Game of Thrones on HBO!
Spring Sports Recap
By Lam Ngyuen '14 and AnneMarie Brook '15
Girls’ Softball had a wonderful season led by Coach Johnson. Their record this year was 13-9. The team was led by seniors Alex Sims and Danielle Leeds. Sterling Lady Knights were seated fifth in playoffs. They won the first round against rivals, Overbrook, but had a heart breaking loss in the second round against Middle Township. Congrats to a great season Lady Knights!
Boys’ Baseball is a team full of determination, under the direction of Coach Hoffman. The team was led by seniors Ryan McGoldrick, Matt Giambri, Chris Talucci, Nick Semiralgio, Tyler Jones, Donovan Casey, Brent Ewald, Mike Gruber, and Justin Ford. They finished the season 14-12. Ryan McGoldrick, Andrew Miller, and Donovan Casey all made first team all-conference. Great job and go knights!
The Boy’s Volleyball team completed another fantastic season, winning the Olympic Conference for the 4th consecutive year. The boys also won the Moorestown Invitational Tournament, beat Eastern High School to become the best team in South Jersey, and are about to play Southern Regional for the sectional championship. Led by senior captains Erik Egan and Arios Pierre-Louis, the boys finished the regular season with a record of 21-1. The strong play of other seniors like Marvin Jones, Paulo Nascimento-Chavez, Ben Muska, Matt Dieterle, and Trey Smith contributed to the Knights’ success. The team was driven by the greatest hype bench in recent history, led by seniors Lam Nguyen and Jason Young, as well as underclassmen like Zack Carr, Dylan Schroeder, and Darius Coppage-Belt whose yeets provided the spark the boys needed to win every game. Their future is promising because of a core of young players who started the majority of the games like Jared Morales, Tony Fedoriw, and Johnny Gorczynski. The team’s success could not have been possible with outstanding individual performances. Jared Morales and Tony Fedoriw received 2nd Team All-Conference honors, and Arios Pierre-Louis and Erik Egan made 1st Team All-Conference. Erik Egan also reached an incredible milestone, surpassing 600 kills in his career, thus making him arguably the greatest volleyball player to put on the Sterling uniform. Congrats and good luck next year, the future is bright.
The ladies’ lacrosse team had another great season, finishing with a record of 8-9. With the senior leadership of Lori Gorczynski, Jenna Scully, Mia Nardone, Emily Falana, and Genessis Garcia, the ladies qualified for the playoffs. Lori Gorczynski had an outstanding season, accomplishing the milestone of scoring 100 career goals. The future is bright for the lacrosse team because of a great group of young and upcoming talent. Great season, ladies, and the best of luck next year.
Softball
Girls’ Softball had a wonderful season led by Coach Johnson. Their record this year was 13-9. The team was led by seniors Alex Sims and Danielle Leeds. Sterling Lady Knights were seated fifth in playoffs. They won the first round against rivals, Overbrook, but had a heart breaking loss in the second round against Middle Township. Congrats to a great season Lady Knights!
Baseball
Boys’ Baseball is a team full of determination, under the direction of Coach Hoffman. The team was led by seniors Ryan McGoldrick, Matt Giambri, Chris Talucci, Nick Semiralgio, Tyler Jones, Donovan Casey, Brent Ewald, Mike Gruber, and Justin Ford. They finished the season 14-12. Ryan McGoldrick, Andrew Miller, and Donovan Casey all made first team all-conference. Great job and go knights!
Boys Volleyball
Lacrosse
The ladies’ lacrosse team had another great season, finishing with a record of 8-9. With the senior leadership of Lori Gorczynski, Jenna Scully, Mia Nardone, Emily Falana, and Genessis Garcia, the ladies qualified for the playoffs. Lori Gorczynski had an outstanding season, accomplishing the milestone of scoring 100 career goals. The future is bright for the lacrosse team because of a great group of young and upcoming talent. Great season, ladies, and the best of luck next year.
The Silver Scroll would also like to congratulate the golf, boys and girls track, and tennis teams on their seasons as well!
Thank you to the tech crew for the photos!
Sterling's Student Talent Show
By Mary McGregor
On May 7th, students, parents, and teachers attended this year’s Talent Show to
watch all 18 act show of Sterling’s many different skills, whether it be
singing, dancing, or reading! Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors, you
name it, all grade levels participated to show off what they’ve got!
The night began with 10 acts, in order: Jasmine Campi sang ‘Monochrome Blue
Sky’, Monica Segeren read ‘Equality’, Lexi Fiore and Avana Seenarine (better
known as the ‘Dynamic Duo’) danced to ‘Fancy’, Mike Ivins and Samantha Witkins
sang ‘Mix’, Tommy Connolly sang ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, Marissa Realdine sang
‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’, Paul McGroarty and Kaitlyn Huesken danced to a song
mash up, Chynna Price sang ‘Beating Heart’, Victoria Miller, Jasmine Campi, and
Brandon Beaupierre sang ‘Only the Good Die’, and finally the first half
finished off with Imani Sulieman and Mawusi Mears rapping an original.
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| Participants of the 2014 Talent Show at the end of the night Photo credit: Sterling tech crew |
After all 10 acts performed there was a short intermission before the talent
kept continuing. Beginning with Bobby Gaffney and Mike Ivins with a song mix of
‘Cast No Shadow’ paired with a lyrical dance, with a performance by Brianna
Hoffman and Breanna Errigo singing ‘Fallin’ afterwards. Both acts followed by
“Native Riff”, a band consisting of Tom Tarcelli, Pat Johnson, and Danny Pease
singing a mash up including ‘Collide’, Paige Glenn singing ‘Pack Up’, Elise
Adcock and Nick DiMattia singing a duet song mash up, James Carman singing ‘You
Raise Me Up’, Maggie Strauser also sing her rendition of ‘Sweater Weather’, and
finally the last to perform was Justin Seenarie and Keith Moffet singing ‘She
will be Loved’.
After all 18 acts performed, it was time for everyone's favorite part, the
results! All acts lined up, ready to see who would take the prize for first,
second, and third place. First up was third place, coming out with a tie
between Paul McGroarty and Kaitlyn Huesken’s and Justin Seenarie and Keith
Moffet, both acts worthy of sharing the title of third. Second place was then
revealed to be no other than ‘Native Riff’. And finally, what we have all
waited for. The winner of this year's talent show was James Carman!
Congratulations to all the winners of this year's talent show and thank you to
everyone who participated and attended this special night!
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