Abbie Koch

May 10,2017

Senior Interview

Anthony Alexander

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with North Quincy High School senior Anthony Alexander to ask him a few things about his experiences at North Quincy High. I started out the conversation by asking a few questions about his freshmen year. Anthony vocalized how it felt to be a freshman and what he was like as one. He started by stating how it felt to walk into his first day of high school, “ It was a little scary, but I felt confident at the same time because I knew most of the seniors at that time.” He further explained how this was a helpful thing for getting comfortable in his new learning environment. When asked to describe his freshman year self he responded with, “I was a chunka who was a little shy but at the same time was outgoing.” When discussing freshmen year self he stated how he is no longer that same boy.

Anthony is one of those standout students who simply does it all. Anthony participated in many clubs and teams throughout his four years of high school. Specifically football, lacrosse, band, student council, and even drama. There is no doubt that his involvement in these organizations have made an impact on the North Quincy community. Along with his own impact he exclaimed the impact some had on his life while attending North. Anthony talked about english teacher Noreen Holland, and the positive impact she had and continues to have on his everyday life, stating “She was always there for me, and kept  me laughing with her great sense of humor.” Along with teachers Anthony said how fortunate he was to make some great friends that he will have for a lifetime. His favorite memory included meeting new people while dancing in the Sound of Music sophomore year.

When asked about what he will miss the most about North Quincy High, his response was simple, “The atmosphere, the support, and positivity that is given by all.” Anthony concluded with some advice for incoming freshmen students, “Get involved with everything and don’t be influenced in a negative way by others, be yourself.” Over all it is clear that Anthony Alexander had a positive influence on the North Quincy community, and the North Quincy community had a positive influence on him.

Four Years Too Fast

Abbie Koch

May 9, 2017

It was the morning of her very first day she could barely breathe, backpack packed, outfit precisely picked, ready to seize the day. Waving goodbye to her parents as if they were sending her off to the military. One foot in front of the other she carried on her way, her first walk into her new world. A new place with many new faces. Who will she be? Homeroom 439 the young reserved girl takes a seat. Her new adventure had now begun…

Two friends are all she has, Tom her twin and Kerin her best friend. Never did she think she would enjoy this place, lost and confused, too big to even think. Each corridor is like a new planet, unfamiliar, long as if it’s never ending. She turned left, then right, not knowing where she may be. Lost in this space with absolutely no trace just wishing to go home. She did not know why she needed to spend all of her time in this scary place. Just a freshman with nothing to look forward to besides a world of anxiety with no expectations. She thought the next four years of her life would be the worst, but she was wrong.

As her days went on she felt as if she belonged, like it was her new home. Each night she went to bed in hopes of waking up bright and early for her day at North Quincy High. She never expected to enjoy a place as much as she enjoyed her high school. From the classroom, to the field, to student council, and everything in between. Busy as a bee and happy as she could be. Her days flew by, but memories were always made.

Her classes get tougher but the teachers always give her a chance, a chance to prove herself inside the classroom and out. Even when she thinks she can not succeed they believe in her. Every teacher she ever had taught her something. Some teachers were stricter than others, but always taught her something about herself and the world around her. In math she learned to never give up, throughout her years she has always struggled with understanding math. Always having low confidence and not believing in herself. She will never forget her teacher Mr. Healy, he sat with her every single day of her junior year of Algebra 2, helping her to better understand the world of math and teaching her to believe in herself and to never give up, and that in itself was one of the greatest things she carried with her through her high school career. This idea of believing in herself was not just something that could be associated with math but her everyday life. Some teachers do not realize the impact they truly have on a student and how greatly they are appreciated. Even on the worst of her days they were there for her. One time the girl was having one of the worst days of her high school career and truly felt alone. Tears were streaming from her eyes and she was ready to give up. She passed a teacher who immediately took notice asking the girl if everything was okay. The teacher was there for her when she thought nobody else was, and that in itself meant the world to her. The teacher ended up being one of her favorite teachers. Mr. Jorgenson he was not only a spunky guy, but caring and compassionate always looking out for the North Quincy community. These were just two of her teachers that made an impact on this girl's life and may have not even realized it. Along with the teachers and staff she met so many great people she now calls her friends.The time goes by fast and each day flashes before her eyes.

6:45 strikes and it is time to wake up, she brushes her hair picks out an outfit. Mom makes a pancake breakfast,  her teeth are brushed and Kerin waits at her door. It's the last first day. Her last three years have passed in a blink of an eye. Shes ready to seize the day yet again, but this time with confidence, excitement, but she is also filled with sadness knowing this will be her forever last first day at North Quincy High. Her last year with her friends, her teammates, her teachers and the school that has taught her so much more than academics.

She sent college applications,in hopes of trying to discover who she will be beyond North Quincy. She knows she will be able to accomplish anything and everything no matter where the future takes her knowing how far she has come from that first day of freshmen year to the first day of her senior year.  A journey filled with so many memories and lessons learned. The place where she could be whoever she wished. Her world without North Quincy High would simply be incomplete. Four years that went too fast.

So if you are ever lucky enough to be that girl enjoy it because it will pass before you know it. That girl is me, and not a day goes by that I do not think about my incredible experiences these past four years and how I would do absolutely anything to get them back. Without North Quincy High I would not be the person I am today. I certainly will never forget my North Quincy High School family.

As Winnie the Pooh once said,“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Hamlet

As performed by Bay Colony Shakespeare Company

Written by: Anthony Alexander, Abigail Koch, and Samin Charepoo

On February 17, 2017, seniors at North Quincy High School piled into the Peter J. Chrisom Auditorium for a live performance of Hamlet, performed by the Bay Colony Shakespeare Company. Being apart of the NQHS Journalism class I was able to sneak in before the show began and watched some of the talented actors and actresses rehearse. The actors and actresses of the Bay Colony Shakespeare Company rehearse as if the are performing in front of a crowd. When the doors of the auditorium finally opened, students and teachers alike came piling in hoping for goods seats to witness Hamlet. Before they began their performance, English Department Head, Michael Jorgenson, strolled right up to the stage and urged the students to show respect and give their attention solely to the members of Bay Colony Shakespeare Company. The professionals wowed the audience with their ability to step into another person's personality and act with ease. In many movies, television shows, and other live plays there are action scenes. A majority of these action scenes will be created with fake fighting sequences in which the viewers are left to believe the sound of a man’s jaw breaking under a baseball bat is real. However in this production of Hamlet by the Bay Colony Shakespeare Company, the actor playing Hamlet allowed a real, hand to cheek slap. This not only left the audience shocked, it also caused each viewer to inch just a little bit closer to the edge of their seats to see what was to come next. As a student, reading Shakespearean plays in class has always been difficult to do because of the intense and confusing language used. However, seeing the play live has changed how students think of Shakespeare and his many great pieces of work. Bay Colony Shakespeare Company performed Shakespeare’s Hamlet with such ease that many students were able to fully comprehend the story of Hamlet. Thank you Bay Colony Shakespeare Company for their amazing performance!

Photographs Courtesy of Abigail Koch ©2017

York Days

The tree blows in the wind like a soft cotton sheet hanging from the line.

The sun is setting producing a sky like never before,

blues and pinks as if it's a sea of cotton candy.

The chair rocks on my old creaky porch as the wind swirls off the ocean creating

a light calming breeze that soothes my soul.

Another day over but a

new beginning to come,

the sun will rise again.

The days are long but go by fast creating memories that will never fade as the sun does.

-Abigail Koch

     We Are With You

  When all is lost and you can't seem to go on,

when the world comes crashing down on you and you do not know where to turn.

 A stray cat longing to be loved

you become invisible

when your light begins to fade with all of your hopes, dreams, and desires as if

     this is the end.

The end of all you ever were, all you are, and all you will ever be…

     but there is hope

With us you can believe,

turn around and walk with us out of the darkness.

When the end seems so near and the future seems so far

walk with us

through the raging storms and sleepless nights we will walk with you.

We are the answer the lonely souls stumble upon when needed most,

through the good and the bad never turning our backs we will walk with you.

Written about The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

By Abigail Koch

Blackbird Doughnuts

Abigail Koch

Located in the bustling city of Boston, Blackbird Doughnuts is no stranger to the bostonians and visitors who pass by daily. A tiny, cozy shop located on Tremont Street. The black and white decor gives it a modern but classic aesthetic. The wooden countertops add to the very precisely decorated interior.

Very tight would be the perfect way to describe Blackbird Doughnuts. No seating or tables to relax and eat your delicious doughnut at. Although there are no places to sit back and enjoy, you would be missing out if you did not stop by and try one of their amazing flavors. The flavors range from vanilla glazed to cranberry lime to the classic signature Blackbird doughnut. The flavors can change daily but there will not be one that will disappoint. Bursting with sugary goodness and bigger than your typical doughnut.

While experiencing a Blackbird doughnut you will get to taste something so fluffy, decadent, and delicious that will not disappoint. I recommend trying as many flavors as possible because they all have their own unique textures and tastes that are like no other. Although it is not your average doughnut it will be sure to satisfy your taste buds. If you are feeling extra sweet they have their signature ice cream sandwiches served on your doughnut. Not only could you eat one for breakfast but even a snack or lunch or even a dessert because it will be sure to fill you up.