William Shakespeare

Often times, an English class curriculum consists of at least one book or play written by William Shakespeare. For the past three years I have read multiple Shakespeare plays including Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, and now MacBeth. I personally find them to be extremely hard to understand. Although there are translations to the side which can help very much, it becomes annoying having to look over to the side of the text after reading each sentence. I also do not understand what good it does for us to be able to understand what Shakespeare is trying to say if that was many years ago. It does not apply to today's language, and we will most definitely not use it in our future. The only reason I can think of that it may help us with is the vocabulary on our SAT's. Some words may be directly rooted from other Latin words that may be on the list of words. Other than that one reason, I can not think of any other positive ideas that reading any form of Shakespeare in an English class that will benefit students.

Vegetarian - good or bad?

Most people say in this world only become a vegetarian because they do not want to see the animals get killed, but in the end what are animals used for? Decoration? No, they are meant to be eaten by us, just like they are meant to eat the animals below themselves. Even though vegetarians may think they are saving the animals there are still so many people out there still eating meat that their contributions become so small.

The question I ask myself a lot is how do the people who do choose to go vegetarian have to go and spend even more money on protein supplements because they loose their source of protein by not eating meat. I also wonder how they go out to dinner and just order a salad or pasta instead of a huge steak, it blows my mind. It also takes a long time to get used to from what my friends who are vegetarian have said about it so you would really have to be committed to giving up meat. You would also have to get used to the taste of tofu or basically "fake meat." Which can be a very hard adjustment for some people.

Macbeth

Macbeth is an amazing play write by the one and only Shakespeare. The Thane of Glamis was crowned the Thane of Cawdor, which is pretty much the next step in line to be crowned King. That causes bad thoughts and feelings, now that Lady Macbeth knows he is next in line almost to King. She feels Macbeth should kill the King to be crowned King, and when Macbeth tries to resist she makes him feel like he is immaculate. Then things don't go as planned and it goes downhill from there.

Ten Places to go to During Spring Break

1. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun has it all; beaches, parties, and amazing hotels. The party never stops so be careful on what hotel you pick or else you won't be able to sleep!

2. South Beach, Florida
If you're looking for hot weather, trendy clubs, and amazing music, South Beach is calling. It has beautiful beaches and affordable hotels. Touring in the morning and partying at night.

3. Negril, Jamaica
Negril is the perfect place for everyone. If you want a chill spring break, trust me, this is the place for you. The weather is always nice so you'll be able to enjoy a long walk down the beach during the day and party at night!

4. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
It's a perfect winter escape, the perfect get-away. It's beautiful, relaxing, and cheap!

5. Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is a tropical paradise. It has white-sand beaches, relaxing hotels and amazing parties. It's the perfect escape for spring break.

6. Daytona beach, Florida

If you want to experience what it is like to lead a wild life, go to Dayton Beach. You'll have sun, fun, and surf.

7. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Yes, it is quite an expensive travel destination but for a good reason! In Puerto Vallarta, you will have it all; touring, bullfights, raging parties, and best of all, thousands of students to enjoy it with!

8. Las Vegas, Nevada
In Vegas, the party never stops.

9. South Padre Island, Texas

It's clear water and southern hospitality will make you feel right at home!

10. Acapulco, Mexico

This is party central; go big or go home.

School Societies- Good!

For one week every year, Mercersburg Academy splits their student body into two opposing literary societies - The Washington Irving Literary Society and the John Marshall Literary Society. These two societies are pitted head to head in sports competitions that consists or basketball, squash, volleyball, wrestling, board games, and a formal speaking contest known as Declamation which is the culminating event of the week.

There are those who might say that splitting the school into two teams can make the students become angry at each other and ruin friendships. I disagree. If anything, it brings the school together as one. Irving/Marshall week is a long standing tradition at Mercersburg that promotes school spirit. The school spirit continues to be spread as this week continues today with volleyball and squash. Almost the whole student body and faculty members come down to Nolde Gymnasium to cheer on their peers/students and encourage them to succeed at their goals during the week. Though it may seem like the two societies hate each other during the week, they put all of that aside on Declamation night and come together to eat a nice, formal, family style meal and proceed to the Simon Theatre in the Burgin Center for the Arts to enjoy wonderful speaking. After the speaking contest, the two societies put their differences aside and come together for a school dance. If anything, Irving/Marshall week promotes school spirit.

No Need for Irving VS. Marshall

Mercersburgs Academy is a big family which everyone is true blue. Why are we dividing this peaceful family to two society which are competing with each other. The type of competing game such as wrestling is very easy to break up two people's relationship. Especially when friends who have been divided into different society and competing with each other. For the winning of their society they must hurt their friend. So sometimes after the competition, their relationships are not exist anymore. There are more disadvantages to divided the society. In this past 5 years, Marshall have been winning for 4years and Irving only won for 1 year. This shows that the school did not equally divided the strength between two societies. Which made people think that Marshall is better and people whose been divided to Irving strongly disagree and maybe a little bit upset. Also for the symbols between wo society, Marshall's is a human but Irving's is a pig. Sometimes when a group of people sits together eating meals, two societies are both sneer at others. For this ungraceful enviroment disappear, we dn NOT NEED IRVING vs. MARSHALL anymore.

And talking about breaks...

Spring Break is coming up and students are packing all their clothes to get a relaxing vacation. For some of them is warm weather but for others is just simply snow and sometimes home. The beach, swimming suits, parties, sand, sun and the pool are the elements to get a nice break. The mountains, skiing, snow, and some warmth makes the vacation nice and enjoyable too. The last week is just ending and everyone is stressed out. I guess some teachers gave some last moment work. Having a break after working is good and relaxing. Is there something else I am missing? FRIENDS! or in other cases FAMILY. That's all you need to have a chill vacation.

Get your battery full of energy, the best comes last. Get ready for Spring Term.

enjoy.