The Bunker Hill Times
Fall, 2021
The World Culture Club by Naomi Barnes Photographs by Kayla Kalin
The World Culture Club, run by Herr McCloskey, met on Wednesday September 29th. They spent their first meeting this year making pretzels. Not pretzels that can be eaten; they used brown play-doh!
Many people don’t realize that pretzels originated in Germany. In the 7th century, German monks would reward the children who prayed with a twisted bread that resembled the way arms are folded during prayer. pretzel. Who knew that pretzels are shaped the way they are, not because they look cool, but because they are supposed to look like a child praying? Pretzels are usually served during Oktoberfest.
To make their pretzels, the students started off by making a “U shape,” and then they twisted the play-doh at the end about 3 or 4 times; lastly, they folded the part that they twisted over the loops.
Oktoberfest, which lasts for 16-18 days, is a folk festival running from mid- or late-September to the first Sunday in October.
When asked about the origins of World Culture Club, Herr McCloskey responded that originally he wanted to start German club. But when the principal at the time suggested he started a World Culture club he thought that was a good idea. World Culture club has been meeting for seven years now.
World Culture Club is held every Wednesday in room C-14. If you are interested in joining, check out the club’s Schoology group or email Herr McCloskey at MMcCloskey@wtps.org.
The Pawty by Callisto Taraborelli
On September 30th, 7th and 8th grade bulldogs gathered on the fields behind Bunker Hill and enjoyed a back-to-school PAWty! Rotating through stations, attendees participated in various activities including Wiffle ball, basketball, dodgeball, and corn hole. Snacks and refreshments were sold as well. Roughly 300 students attended this yearly event.
The Greenhouse Club by Callisto Taraborelli
Bunker Hill Movie Night
Bunker Hill’s first movie night was a resounding success. More than 100 Bulldogs gathered outside to watch A Nightmare Before Christmas. In addition to the great fun and camaraderie, dozens of canned goods were donated to our pantry. Many students were asking when the next movie night would be. Keep posted!!
Oktoberfest by Max Young
On October 18, German students, under the direction of Herr McCloskey, were treated to a German feast. We spent time tasting traditional German foods with our friends. Some of the selections were:
German potato salad,
chicken schnitzel,
Rotkohl (red cabbage)
Käsespätzle (egg noodle with swiss cheese and onions),
Bauern/Brat/Weisswurst (Sausages), and
Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)
All of this food was catered by Brauhaus Schmitz, a restaurant in Philadelphia. A great time was had by all.
Students of the Month for September and October, 2021
Grade 6
Frank Albright
Nicholas Brigandi
Anthony DiPietro
Dylan McKeever
Michael Pikus
Moly Achuff
Madeline Bodine
Nyla Bradford
Maxemilian Gheorghe
Damien Massa
Kennedy Nesmith
Kylan Reichard
Grade 7
Bashir Banks
Lilianna DeRosa
Victoria Garcia
Chase Quan
Angelo Valentine
Brandon Eggert
Karly Fareri
Sara Ginchereau
Vincent Paramito
Leah Peltz-Robledo
Grade 8
Cali Lacovara
Emma McCarthy
Aryanna Rusi
Christian Rutter
Grant Watkins
Ethan Wechter
Jake Wisor
Joshua DiBlasio
Lilly Mailliard
Jaylen Robinson
Ceren Tural
Book Reviews
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - Reviewed by Sanaa Mehta
“Everything, Everything” is a book about a girl, Madeline who has a disease. This is a disease so extreme, that you get allergic reactions to everything. A disease which prevents you from leaving the house, at all. For your life. So far, she has been content with her home-ridden life, until a new neighbor pops onto the radar. So, 17 years into the quarantine, something changes. What happens when you want to be outside, be with someone. Life is no longer contained to the four walls of her room, but she is. Trying everything to break free, questions arise, and the plot thickens. Find out what happens to Madeline at your school library!
“I would 100% recommend this to anyone who likes a little action, and a LOT of drama!” Sanaa Mehta, an 8th grader who read this book.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - Reviewed by Corrine Myers
My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult, is a book that revolves around the idea of questioning medical ethics and how it affects the relationships of others. Anna Fitzgerald, one of the main characters in the story, often questions if her life is fair at all. Throughout the book, you go on a journey with young Anna and her experience with a loved one having cancer. Imagine your whole purpose of living, being alive, was to give to a sick family member. Imagine having no control of any medical procedure done to you, having to give up something, something you own, with no control of what it is used for. Taking matters into her own hands, the reader follows Anna as she fights for her right to own medical freedom. She knows the right thing is being done, but do others around her know that too?
The author articulated her words to the point my emotions were all over the place; whether it’s the twists and turns of the story, or how the message was wonderfully portrayed. I thoroughly recommend this book to someone eager for an enjoyable read, I promise you will not be disappointed!