The Rebellion staff traveled to Boston University for the 62nd annual Scholastic Press conference. For the second consecutive year the SKHS student paper received the Superior Achievement Award, which honors students for their hard work in journalism.

Bill Matson and Seth Noon both received individual awards for pieces they had written early in the year. Matson received the award for his piece “Dance Committee Considers Ban on Grinding” and Seth Noon for his piece “Bass Population Increase Hurts Local Fishermen.”

  The staff was proud of their work and hopes to improve on that  success next year.

  Hamill has showed time and time again that he is among the top athletes in the state Rhode Island, dominating both the gridiron and the hardwood.

  “He seemed to be able to take over games at will,” said Matt LeValley, who played beside Hamill on both the football and basketball teams.

  When Hamill arrived at SKHS as a scrawny 5’6” 140 pound freshmen, many would have never predicted his athletic career would bring him this much success.

  “I just took everything as it came,” said Hamill, a Rhode Island Football All-State Quarterback.

  What sets Hamill apart from other great athletes, is his will to compete, whether it be a card game or wrestling in the backyard.

  “He’s one of the best wrestlers I’ve seen,” said Justin Favreau, who has played football with Hamill since grade school. “But he’s not good enough to beat me,” Favreau added.

  Hamill has always been a good athlete. Hamill has been a superb basketball player since he was young. He always played with his friends and his brother Sean, a former SKHS halfback, but football was something that Hamill didn’t consider playing until he was older.

  “I wasn’t really interested in football,” said Hamill, the two time Division II State Championship quarterback.

  “One day my mom went and signed me up and it’s a good thing she did.”

  At the beginning of Hamill’s high school football career, as a halfback and safety, he got a decent amount of time on the junior varsity team. Then as Hamill entered his sophomore season he was expected to make the jump to starting varsity quarterback.

  The Rebels were coming of a season in which they made the Division II Semifinals, and lost their starting quarterback to graduation. Heading into the 2007 season former Head Coach Bruce Tardiff placed Hamill at the helm.

  “I was scared, I was nervous, I was just afraid to let everyone down,” said Hamill. He certainly did not disappoint. Hamill led the Rebels to a Division II State Championship, displaying phenomenal leadership, despite being the youngest player on the field.

  During the final regular season game in 2007, the Rebels were playing on the road against a Cranston East team many thoughtwould win the championship. Early in the game the Rebels lost their left tackle to an injury early in the game and Hamill rallied together his teammates, who responded by getting the win.

  “It was the turning point of the season,” said Hamill. “It let everyone know we were championship contenders.”

 Hamill has displayed leadership in so many games on the gridiron. Not only has he led the Rebels to two state championships, he has stepped up multiple times to rally the troops and lead the Rebels to victory.

  “He was the glue that held our team together,” said LeValley.

  Prior to this football season, expectations for Hamill couldn’t be higher. Entering his third year as the starting quarterback, he was expected to lead the Rebels to their third consecutive State Championship.

  “I worked out a lot with the guys from the football team to prepare,” said Hamill. Although Hamill and his teammates fell short in the semifinals to the Mount Hope Huskies, 13-12, Hamill had a tremendous season as the team’s quarterback and safety.

  Hamill was selected as a Rhode Island All State selection, having passed for 1700 yards and 22 touchdowns, as well as rushing for seven touchdowns. Despite falling short of expectations, Hamill was not disappointed with the loss.

  “It wasn’t as much disappointment as just reality setting in that I’ll never play the sport again with all my friends,” said Hamill. “It wasn’t just football that I loved, it was being with guys.”

  “He was one of the best teammates ever,” said Favreau. Hamill’s legacy as a great player and teammate will never be forgotten on the football field. After football, Hamill hung up his helmet to take on the challenges that waited for him on the hardwood.

  Hamill entered the basketball season ready to establish himself as an elite player on the hardwood. “I played a lot of pickup basketball at Old Mountain Field over the summer,” said Hamill with a laugh.

  Hamill had his work cut out for him as the Rebels entered the basketball season having lost three senior starters. The Rebels were inexperience and lacked size or depth and many thought they would struggle to get wins. Hamill’s play on the basketball court was outstanding and the Rebels did not disappoint finishing the season with a respectable 10-9 record and a playoff appearance, in which the Rebels lost on the road to a tough Mount Pleasant Kilties team 68-59.

  Hamill was second in the state in scoring and put himself on everyone’s radar with a remarkable 47 point performance against the Chariho Chargers, with 24 of those points coming from three pointers.

  “That was just something else,” said Hamill. “It was a special night.”

  Hamill led the tenacious Rebels to respectable wins over Central and North Kingstown, teams that clearly had superior talent. In those wins, Hamill was able to tear apart defenses with his tremendous shooting ability and knack for getting to the basket. For the most part, Hamill didn’t always necessarily consider himself the best player on the court.

  “I just try to work hard and play smart,” said Hamill.

  Hamill will leave South Kingston having left behind a great legacy as one of the better athletes to walk these halls. He was South Kingstown’s dominant athlete of this generation and will always be remembered as someone who played with a tremendous passion.

  As for Hamill’s future, his career as an athlete is likely over. If he wishes to continue competing he will likely attend Stonehill College in Massachusetts. When asked where he stands among the great SKHS athletes of all time, he replied modestly, “That’s not for me to decide.”

  “It just doesn’t cut it for me,” she said, “but if you want to be ‘in fashion’ then that is what you should go for I suppose.”

  Recently it was discovered that Neanderthals from 50,000 years ago created and wore jewelry made of shells, beads and teeth perforated and strung to be worn as necklaces and pigmented for color.

  This new discovery has scientists questioning whether Neanderthals had the ability to think socially, as their accessories were worn to exhibit status to other Neanderthal groups.

  Perhaps these ape-like people were not so different from teenagers today. The clothing, accessories and overall outside appearance of a person could be, whether subconsciously or not, a message said person is attempting to convey to others regarding social status.

  Sophomore Christina Belov believes that one’s clothing has to do with one’s mood, not status.

  “If someone looks more dressed up than usual,” she said, “then they are most likely having a good day since they had that extra time in the morning.”

  All throughout history, however, people have shown status through colors or styles of clothing.

  In ancient Rome, purple was considered a royal color, which only senators could wear. In a traditional Hawaiian society, only chiefs were permitted to wear feathers and whale teeth.

  There are countless examples of historic societies exemplifying the importance of clothing, accessories and overall appearance.

  In an article by Nina Jablonski in Scientific American Magazine, the author compares animal’s fur to human’s clothing.

  Tattoos, clothing, and other decorations, she says, are used to “convey group membership, status and other vital social information formerly encoded by fur.” 

  Today in our society, there are no rules against people of a lower status wearing so-called “high-status” clothing. Some say today one cannot  judge another based solely on what they are wearing.

  “I think everyone wants to be ‘that hot girl,’” says sophomore Cam Delmonico.

  Delmonico feels strongly about the lack of variety in female apparel at SKHS.

  “They’re trying to create a certain style to look cool,” he said. “I can’t stand how most girls feel the need to fit in and all dress the same.”

    So whether you’re a teenage girl and wake up in the morning and want to say something to the world or a Neanderthal finding a place in ancient society, one’s clothes and accessories are sure to make a statement.

  When the final school bell sounds, some students proceed onto buses or into their cars and head home. Some stay after for extracurricular activities or clubs while others return later that evening for their respective team’s practice.

 “Due to changes in technology we are seeing higher risks in having health issues,” said Mrs. McGuire, a SKHS health teacher who has been trying to teach her freshman health classes the importance of staying active.

  Recent studies have linked those who spend ample amounts of time sitting still have the same risks for high blood pressure and high cholesterol as smokers and those with unhealthy diets.

  A study carried out by the University of Hong Kong Department of Health reported that a sedentary lifestyle can be more dangerous than smoking. In this study, researchers looked at the amount of physical activity that a given person took part in and found a correlation between a given person’s physical activity level and their risk of dying.

According to the University of Hong Kong study, 20 percent of all deaths of people older than 35 are due to a lack of physical activity. Perhaps the most shocking statistic was that the risk of dying from cancer increases by 45 percent in sedentary men and 28 percent in  sedentary women.   

     “Some people spend way too much time sitting around,” said senior  football

and basketball player Ty Stromley. 

Those who are not a member of a sports team at school may exercise on their own. Then later in the evening most students will wind down by watching television, playing videogames or surfing the web.

  For some students, walking through the halls may be the most physical activity they do all day.

  Currently today’s generation of teenaged Americans is the most at risk of suffering from some sort of health issue. In 2009, nearly 30 percent of the citizens in 14 states were overweight. Not only are

Americans is the most at risk of suffering from some sort of health issue. In 2009, nearly 30 percent of the citizens in 14 states were overweight. Not only are Americans getting bigger on the outside, they are experiencing even bigger problems internally.

“1 in 6 teens are overweight. By remaining sedentary they are increasing their risk of having diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease,” said Mrs. McGuire.

  A recent study done by the American Heart Association looked at health data of 8,800 men and women age 25 or older and asked the participants to record their hours spent watching television.

  The study showed that those who watch more than four hours of television a day have an 80 percent greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease than those who watch less than two hours a day.

 “There are definitely some students who should engage in more physical activity,” said McGuire. This applies to everyone, whether they are underweight, overweight, or obese.

  Technology has simplified our lives so much in the 21^st century that humans no longer need to lift a finger. Elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, and automobiles, critics say, have virtually turned society idle. People now rely on machines for transportation more than ever before.

  The rates of obesity of people who live in cities have historically been lower than those who do not simply because they must walk everyone.

“People have become lazy because there are so many new electronics,” said Stromley.

  One hundred years ago people washed their clothes with a washboard, washed dishes by hand, walked to the majority of their destinations, and even grew their own food and gardened.

“Many older people still don’t have a dishwasher,” said McGuire. Perhaps they know something that we don’t.

 “We need to be more active rather than it just being part of our work routine,” stated McGuire. “If (being active) is not part of your lifestyle you need to make it.”

  Checking the time on my cell phone provides no justice for my ‘tardiness.’  Why?  Because every other clock in this school is on a different time schedule.

   I am peeved that I can’t waltz into a classroom and know exactly what time it is; most clocks aren’t even within the same hour of the actual time.  What adds to my frustration is that these clocks remain untouched.  Half of them haven’t even been changed since before Daylight Savings.

  Our agendas are the only piece of paper that gives students a rough estimate of when classes will end.  The work to figure out what time it is in class if one does not have a watch can often be tantalizing.

  Most classes line up at the end of the day where anxious students stand there fidgeting.  The clock on their watches says the time is 2:10 or 2:11 p.m., yet the bell is supposed to ring at 2:09.  Why can’t our school show consistency with correct clock times and bell signals? 

  The bell schedule and incorrect clock times can take away a student’s focus as well as interfere with their punctuation to their classes.  This is proving to be problematic and with enough voices speaking out, a change will be made for the better.

  The wild and out-of-control Sam Johnson is always an annoyance to guard. Committing an abundance of fouls, though he will never foul out because his brother Dan will make sure that he refs all of his games. Ryan Sherman and Phil Campo provide a solid front court for this team, while Pizol is simply there for intimidation.

2. Team 7: Coach Ron Agostini

  This team could beat you from anywhere on the court. From the rebound-crashing LeValleys, to the ball handling of Jeff Booth, and three-point shooting of Nick Greene, this team will be hard to stop. Also you can’t count out Sean “The Microwave” Eden, a solid player who could come off the bench to provide a spark.

3. Team 8: Coach Brian Maxwell

  Team 8 is solid all around. Childhood friends, Ben Gross and Nate Finnegan have grown to become leaders for this team. Also don’t sleep on the URI Basketball Camp attending Mike Mulroy. Although this team is ranked third, don’t be surprised, however if they struggle due to lack of a true big man.

4. Team 2: Coach Jerry Favreau

  With veterans Justin Favreau and Ben Roberts this team should be competitive. Also along with Zach Noka, who’s known to not do anything all game except net three’s at the buzzer. Coach Linc Almond told everyone at the Rec. Press Conference that, “this team is all three and no D.”

5. Team 4: Coach Lincoln Almond

  Never doubt a trio of Almonds. This team is all about physicality and grinding out games. Realizing Campos’ family was descendent from wolves, coach Linc Almond picked John up in the off-season, predicting Campos to be the next Teen Wolf. With a Jackie Moon mentality, this squad could surprise many teams in the long run.

6. Team 5: Coach Brendan Fogarty

  The much improved Andrew Hedglen is showcasing his skills this year in ways you can’t even fathom. With the departure of Brandon Daley, don’t be surprised if the team picks up a player from the waiting list. With free agent Patrick Gee still available, look for this team to make a move if they want to make the playoffs. Coach Fogarty has dubbed “Dub” as team captain, due to his grizzled beard and musky smell.

7. Team 3: Coach Dan Hagerty

  With the one-two punch of Rookie Ryan Haggerty and Veteran swingman Dan Shea, look for this team to cause problems in the front court. The Murphy twins will continue to develop into solid forwards this season. Regardless, Dan Shea is and will always remain the heart and soul of Recreation Basketball worldwide.

8. Team 1: Coach Mark Higgins

  No Lessard? No Dan Higgins? Coach Mark Higgins has his work cut out for him with this new cast and new attitude. Last year’s runner up will look to make a run on the heels of Big Peters and Chris Alb. Mike Matthews still has the ability to bank in threes which could pay dividends to this team late in games.

“He was at the entrance trying to get someone’s attention,” said Officer Montafix Houghton. “He got discouraged and was going to leave. He turned around though and got a student’s attention and they let him in.”

On Wednesday November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, a suspicious man entered South Kingstown High School after a student opened a door for the intruder at the bus entrance facing the Hazard School.

The man was later seen on the third floor after he poked his head into Mrs. Kennedy’s English class. The intruder stopped in three different classrooms during his trespass at the school.

Assistant Principal Mr. Cronin and Principal Mr. McCarthy got the call and immediately walked around the school trying to find the offender. When they could not find anything, Mr. Cronin made the decision to put the school into a lock down.

“Mr. Cronin handled the situation well,” said McCarthy.

Cronin is head of the crisis control at SKHS. 

“We never want a lock down,” said McCarthy, “but you always have to err on the side of caution.”

Local authorities later apprehended the intruder on Main Street.  Trespass charges were dropped, however, and the early 20’s male was issued a warning.     

During his trespass at the school, the intruder “had a conversation with a substitute,” said Principal Mr. McCarthy, and “he tried to solicit drugs from the substitute.”

His final stop came in World language teacher Mrs. Wojciechowski’s Spanish IV class. The class was holding a fiesta when the intruder stopped in before leaving the building.   

“He seemed to be intoxicated or disoriented in some way,” said McCarthy.

Video recordings showed that the intruder entered the building drinking out of a cup, which authorities believe contained alcohol.

 “He was not a threat in terms of a violent offender,” said Officer Monty. “He was in police terms HBD (has been drinking).”

Officer Monty and Principal McCarthy both emphasized that students should not let strangers into the building.

“Don’t be nice, let them get in on their own,” said Officer Monty, “Same goes for wedging the door in auditorium with book bags or rocks. It creates opportunity for intruder to come in the building, even though they may have good intention it could bring negative results.”

“There is a reason the doors are locked,” said McCarthy. “It’s to follow protocol.”

With the school’s dance policy, there are three different chips to choose from.  The white chip means you’re okay to enter the dance with no trouble at all, the blue chip means you get a refund on your dance ticket, yet, if by chance you pick the red chip, you are taken into another room to take a breathalyzer test.

Choosing chips does not seem to be a big deal to many but gambling with how your night could turn out is.  Many of us are lucky to get the white chips, yet the unlucky few who pick the red ones end up wasting more than a half hour of valuable dance time proving their sobriety. 

Picking chips at random is not how the school should be running its dances.  As an alternative to random breathalyzer tests, Mr. McCarthy, or another administrator, should greet each student at the door so he is able to judge whether or not that student should be tested.  If a student appears to be under the influence of alcohol then test the student. 

Testing students who are not under the influence of alcohol because they happened to pick the wrong colored chip is careless and a waste of time.  Meanwhile those students who are truly endangering themselves are slipping past administrators.  In addition, the police officers who are there all night need to be paid for their time administering breathalyzer tests to students who turn out to be sober.  Everything costs money and our school is using its money carelessly when it comes to student dances.

Perhaps at the next dance Mr. McCarthy and his administrators can change it up a bit and use a more effective way of going about deterring students from attending dances intoxicated. A new policy may also save money by eliminating many unnecessary breathalyzer tests.

QB:  Jason Campbell – he’s coming off of a 3 TD performance, and this week he’s playing Oakland at home

RB:  Laurence Maroney – scoring 8 TDs in the last 6 weeks and playing home against a terrible Carolina run defense, Maroney is a safe bet to start this week

WR:  Lee Evans – playing against Kansas City’s terrible pass defense, look for Edwards to find Lee Evans in the end zone

TE:  Jermichael Finley – a new, young player that nobody knows about… or perhaps now they do after a 2 TD game last week, this guy is an absolute beast physically, and has soft hands – now a solid target for Aaron Rodgers

K:  Shayne Graham – for the past 2 weeks, he’s been nailing field goals… he’s in the Metrodome this week, against the stout Vikings defense

DEF:  New England – has been inconsistent, but look for them to make a statement and take advantage of Jake Delhomme’s mistakes.

Zach “The Punisher” Almond’s Week 14 Sleepers:

QB: Jason Campbell- His performance against the Saints was impressive and look for him to build off it.

RB: Fred Jackson- The Chiefs have had tons of problems on defense this year.

WR: Roy Williams- The Chargers have given up a lot of big plays.

TE: Dustin Keller- He will serve as Mark Sanchez’s security blanket against the talented Tampa secondary.

K: Robbie Gould- He has made 45 consecutive field goals from under 40 yards.

DEF:  New England- The Panthers have struggled on offense all season.

Patrick “Son of Barry” Gee Week 14 Sleepers:

QB: Alex Smith – Didn’t get his first start since week 7, and since then he’s been putting up more than solid numbers.

RB: Knowshon Moreno – He’s really been picking up his game lately. Facing the undefeated colts, it should motivate him to play better than usual.

WR: Santana Moss – He’s due for a breakout game soon; with Jason Campbell at his best, expect Moss to rack up yards and grab a couple TDs.

TE: Jermichael Finley – His confidence sky rocketed after last weeks game; lighting up a strong Baltimore defense, he will not be hesitant facing a similar Bears defense.

K: Nick Folk – He should get many opportunities to kick field goals against the Charges of San Diego.

DEF: Denver Broncos – I know you may think I’m crazy for picking them; after all they’re facing the Colts. But don’t be surprised if Denver stumps their offense.

QB: Alex Smith – coming off of a great performance last week, I like him against Seattle’s 25^th rank pass defense

RB: Carnell Williams – will run all over Carolina, he’s a heavy option for Tampa

WR: Laveranues Coles – Detroit will be draped over Ocho Cinco, Coles is due for a big game against the worst pass defense in the league

TE: John Carlson – playing against San Francisco, he’ll be targeted a lot by Hasselbeck – the 49ers defense can’t defend him

K: Neil Rackers – playing at home in the dome against Minnesota’s great red zone defense = lots of opportunities

DEF: Cincinnati – playing against Detroit at home… good luck Detroit

Zach “The Punisher” Almond Week 13 Sleepers:

QB: Alex Smith- The Seahawks defense has been struggling all season.

RB: Fred Jackson- He’ll get a good amount of the carries against the Bills.

WR: Andre Caldwell- He has caught a lot of key passes for the Bengals.

TE: Mercedes Lewis- The Texans have given up a lot of points to tight ends.

DEF: Denver- The Chiefs offense will struggle against the Broncos.

K: Rian Lindell- He kicked 3 FGs against the Jets earlier this season.   

Patrick “Son of Barry”Gee Week 13 Sleeper Picks:

QB: David Garrard- He’ll play great against Houston Defense; not only do I stand by it, but I guarantee it.

RB: Knowshon Moreno- A solid player, he’s been improving.

WR: Kevin Walter- HE goes under the radar as all the attention is on Andre Johnson.

TE: Benjamin Watson- Brady will redeem himself against Miami hitting a variety of targets, including Watson.

K: Olindo Mare- He should have plenty of opportunities to kick field goals this week.

DEF: San Francisco- They should shut the Seattle offense down.