The Hunger Games Review
By: Jordan Shinn
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has been a hot topic for a while. In this fast pace novel, Katniss Everdeen is forced to take part in the 74th annual Hunger Games. In these games, contestants between the ages of 12 and 18 must fight to the death to ultimately find one victor. Contestants are composed on one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts of Panem, the country that cultivated from the remains of what was once North America. Katniss and her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark are now in the games and have to win against all odds. With the help of their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss and Peeta may just survive.
However along the way Katniss learns just how much she doesn’t know. Through adversity, Katniss learns that there is more to life than just getting by. Afraid to love, Katniss must reconsider her emotions about Peeta and her best friend Gale. Through all this Katniss becomes a different person as she works to save herself and Peeta from death in the arena.
I am a huge fan of the series. Collins is a brilliant author and has remarkable ideas. In fact, many others enjoy the series just as I do. The movie comes out on March 23. It features Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Josh Hutcheron as Peeta Mellark.
Need a Good Read???
Goodreads.com
By: Jordan Shinn
Recently, many Southern students have joined goodreads.com. This social networking site for readers feature books, authors, quotes, quizzes and much more. The site gives recommendations of books for each person based on books previously read and rated. Site members can also have book discussions with friends or even see what their friends are reading. Users can join groups and have major book discussions or catch up with friends. It even has its own app.
One of my favorite parts of the website is the book recommendations. I personally have over a hundred books in my to-read column and know someone who has five times as much as I do. So far, almost all of the recommendations have been spot on and I really enjoy the books. This is a great site for those who find themselves reading into a corner. By basing their suggestions on the ratings of books you’ve read, members get very accurate responses.
Another great part of the website is the book discussions. People can talk with their friends about possible book suggestions or have talks about your thoughts on a book. This is a nice way to have a mini book club over a long period of time. This is really helpful if you are reading a series and takes you a long time to read. You don’t forget anything because you type it onto the website right away for your discussion.
Game Review: Super Mario 3D Land
Super Mario 3D Land
by Rosa Ziegenfuss
Past Mario games have let the blue-suspendered hero roam around fully rendered 3D landscapes. Now, for the first time, players can see true depth of their environment without the need for special glasses. Super Mario is a 3D evolution of classic Mario plat forming featuring new level designs and challenges.
If you’ve owned a Nintendo 3DS since launch, you have undoubtedly noticed that it hasn’t exactly become a must-carry device for your day-to-day activities. The sad fact is that the handheld has not had the sort of software support that fans had hoped. Those eager for entirely new experiences haven’t had a whole lot of options. That changes with Super Mario 3D Land, a brand new Mario adventure that is easily the best game on the 3DS so far.
The concept behind Super Mario 3D Land is to take the core game play of classic Mario titles (question mark bopping, goomba stomping, coin collecting), but give Mario the ability to travel in three dimensions instead of just two. Super Mario 3D Land is more focused. Instead of sprawling levels with multiple objectives, it’s all about getting from the start to the ending flag pole in one piece. There’s occasionally some minor exploration when it comes to finding hidden coins, but for the most part it’s a point A to point B affair. What that leaves you with is a very classic-feeling plat former, where well-timed jumps are the only way to succeed. This is not a complaint. Retro Mario fans will feel like this is a return to form, while the added dimension allows for considerably more level variety than was seen in New Super Mario Bros.
Another common observation 3DS owners have made is that they hardly ever play games in 3D. Because, really, why would you? Apart from looking cool, the 3D adds limitations on your viewing angle and makes the screen darker. The developers of Super Mario 3D Land must have realized this, as the game frequently gives you reasons to turn on the 3D. Brain-bending levels play with perception in such a way that an ordinary cube is actually a multifaceted octagon when viewed from another angle. There are non-3D ways to finish these puzzles, such as blocks that shift the camera around, but if your 3D is turned on, you’ll likely get through them a lot faster.
Songs That Still “Rock”
Song Review: Rock
by Steffan Batullo
I am writing this review on the famous song “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. I am expecting that most of you have heard the song but to those who haven’t, it is considered one of the greatest songs in music history. Some of the band members are Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham all great artists of their time. This song, playing on for 8 minutes and 2 seconds, starts off with a slow acoustic folk song and by the end it turns into high-tempo rock. If you have never heard this song, I highly suggest you should. That is my review on “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.
Running to Glory
Running to Great Heights: Girls Cross Country
by Carolina Maholik
This fall season, the girls cross country team proved that they could hold up to the hype. Southerns’ motto is “committed to excellence” which is just what the girls put in at every meet they had this year. With top runners at every meet, the teams were top competitors throughout the entire county. The team once again came out on top, and they have made their way into the record books.
With Saidie Harigle and Mariah Marino leading the team, all the girls had outstanding performances. Team managers Caitlin McCabe and Meghann Hargis let us in on all that happens with the team. From summer to after school practices, the girls are more than dedicated to winning, but also to each other. “We all have so much fun, but doing well at meets is an added perk.” commented Caitlin. To say the least, the girls made us fellow rams very proud.
“We had a great season, that’s for sure” runner Becca Pallen stated. And, it’s true. All of the girls had their part in making the team what it was, so the individual run times were more like a team effort. Nonetheless, the team had a record season, one to be proud of.
The Living Museum
8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
by Jordan Shinn
On average, about 15 million people visit Washington D.C. each year. Southern Regional Middle School eighth grade students are a contribution to the number. Every year, the eighth grade class takes a life changing journey to one of our nation’s greatest cities. Teachers and students alike, walk the museums and monuments of our nation’s capital.
Every year, students make the trip their own. The things such as the dinner dance, chaperones, tour guides, and roommates really affect how the trip plays out for each student. However, so does the monuments and museums that we see. This year, a main highlight was the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. We were the first class of eighth graders to see the memorial. The MLK memorial contained quotes by MLK himself and the mountain of despair & stone of hope, inspired by one of his many speeches.
Another key part of this trip was the Holocaust museum. After learning about this event in school through a novel or from textbook, students were able to see some of the real things from the time period. There was hair, shoes, and suitcases. All of which was taken from the people who lived in the concentration and death camps. This experience made students grateful and stunned. How could such a thing happen to a whole people just because of their race or religion?
Student favorite was the dinner dance. This was where students could hang out with all of their friends, even ones from other teams. This event was way for students to communicate to their peers about what they had seen that day and to altogether just talk, dance, and have a good time. With a packed dance floor, students were tired by the end.
This year, the trip to Washington D. C., was a memorable one for both students and teachers. Everyone experienced something interesting that spoke to them or touched them. Whether that be the Holocaust museum or the MLK memorial. Maybe that special thing was the dinner dance or even the First Lady gowns at the American History Museum. This trip was special to everyone. None of this would have been possible without the chaperones for giving their time or Mrs. Airey for organizing the trip. This trip will be remember because of them.
Book Review: Skeleton Man
Book Review: Skeleton Man
by Chris Wojciehowski
This may be one of the creepiest books you may be wondering how this was possible.
It starts with one man who has his family coming over for dinner. As he was cooking, he burns his finger from the stove. He starts to suck on it to make the burn feel better. But as he sucked on it, his finger didn’t feel the same. He takes it out and finds a bone for his finger. He figured he could’ve made a real story for the people, so he eats himself alive!!!
He had no idea what he was thinking. The bad news is that as he ate himself, his thoughts changed. It’s like the mind of a zombie, he eats his family leaving behind nothing but bone fragments. This guy was going to be a real threat to the town until his niece comes to save the day, and her parents who were held hostage.
Hey! Watch This!
“Hey Watch this” – Once Upon A Time
by Monet Elgawly
“Once Upon a Time” is a show that can be enjoyed by all ages that I would recommend for anyone. It’s the classic story of Good and Evil told through fairy tales. It has characters we all know and love, most of them are from Disney movies.
In the world where fairy tales and the modern-day are about to collide, nothing will be the same again. A 10-year-old boy, Henry, found his mother Emma Swan, who abandoned him when he was a baby, and believes that she comes from an alternate world. According to his book, the epic battle for the future of both worlds is beginning and they need her help.
Once upon a time is a fantasy TV show where fairy tale characters like Snow White and Evil Queen live in present time…and their fairy tale world is combined with real world. I have to be honest, when I first heard about Once upon a time I thought that the idea was a bit too silly and that nothing good will came out of it. I was very wrong! We only had a chance to see first two episodes and both of them were amazing. I like the way the story goes, it is interesting and mysterious and I think that the cast of this TV show is fantastic. Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin and Robert Carlyle are just part of the cast.
It’s really entertaining and very exciting. The characters are familiar as fairy tale characters, but they are new in the real world. Most of the characters have two roles in the show to make it more interesting. There are two stories to follow that coincide. “Once Upon a Time” can be seen on ABC Sunday on 9pm.
What’s Hot, Hot, Hot…
What’s Hot Hot Hot in the Cold Cold Cold
by Christa Steiner
Brrrrrrr! Winter is just around the corner, which comes one of my favorite times of the year, WINTER FASHION!!!!! Just because you have to be bundled up doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of style. On the contrary, winter fashion is where you can play around the most with fashion. And if you chose the wrong outfit for the day, just put on your coat and tell people you’re cold. Always works.
Boots
Boots are a must-have for the winter season. Two Reasons: they keep your feet warm and they are super cute. What’s hot now are lace-up booties 
, and thigh-high boots. Another thing that is popular in the boot world is boots with some faux fur. Fur and boots are two of the most popular winter fashion items, and when you combine them, you get an ultimate fashion “do”.
Sweater Dresses
Ok, so we all know when Grandma brings out the old knitting needles, a terrible sweater is bound to follow. Fear not! Designers have tackled the tacky sweater and have come out with…the sweater dress! It is a cute and casual dress that keeps you nice and cozy! However, some sweater dresses have short sleeves, which will result in your jacket becoming your best friend.
Pea coats
Nobody wants to wear the plastic, insulated, ski coat when they don’t have to, right? We have been saved by a fashionable coat called the pea coat. (Don’t ask me why it’s called a pea coat, I don’t know.) The coats are usually made of wool, and come in many styles. They do tend to be a little pricey, but with all the holiday sales going on, there are bound to be some that are affordable.
I searched the internet for proof that these were some of the top winter fashions. Of course, the same styles were all over every website, but that would be boring. So I found some pictures of celebs wearing these styles.
Jennifer Aniston wearing black calf-high boots.
Taylor Swift wearing a black pea coat.
Now you’re all set for winter! Just remember, fashionistas, you don’t have to match to make it match.
Free Apps of the Week
Free Apps!! Why Not?
by Christa Steiner
You turn on your iPod. You look at your apps. They all seem boring to you. Not to worry. Keep reading this column and you will get the best of the best free apps (while still being school appropriate). So sit back, relax, and enjoy the digital bliss.
Dream Park
Ever dream you could run a theme park? Sure, everyone has! You can do just that in the app “Dream Park” by Beeline Interactive, Inc. There are many fun choices you can make for your park. You can choose from themes like Medieval, Space, Prehistoric, and Carnival. You can also sell things like lemonade, hot dogs, ice cream and snacks. You can even choose the pathways your guests walk on and the bushes they see. It’s all right here, in “Dream Park”!
Magic Piano
Whether you play piano or not, you will love this app. “Magic Piano,” by Smule, gives you all 88 keys at your fingertips. With songs ranging from “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to “Grenade,” you are guaranteed not to be bored. Also, most songs you play on this app are free. You can also play freestyle on a variety of comical keyboards. So get playing, virtuoso!
So there you have it! Both of these apps are free forever, so no hurry to get them. Stay “appy” my friends.
Most apps provided by “Free App King.”
