The Insider is an ALC student publication.  The articles reflect the opinions of students and

do not necessarily reflect the views of either the ALC or of Independent School District 518.

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The Worthington ALC

Insider

Volume 4, Issue 16                   March 15, 2007

Saturday is a day to party!

Do you know why?

 

By David Dawson

 

    St. Patrick is very famous for removing the snakes from Ireland.  But there aren’t any snakes in Ireland, not because of good ol’ Patrick but because there never were any in the first place.  So then how did he remove snakes that weren’t there? He abolished an old Pagan Religion in which serpent symbols were worshipped.

 

     St. Patrick is also said to have baptized the Warrior Chiefs and Princesses of that Pagan Religion  in the holy waters of the Holy Wells that bear his name to this day.

 

     So how did this even become a holiday?  Well March 17th is the supposed day of death of  St. Paddy.  They decided to honor him by cramming anything Irish into one day, such as the color green, shamrocks, gold, and luck.  Some cities even dye rivers green. No kidding – check out the picture!

 

(Continued à)

 

No kidding!!  The Chicago River is

dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day!

 

    For many Irish, St. Paddy’s Day is a Holy Day where they attend a large mass.  It is a day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers.  So how did the rest of the world get in on the fun?  Check out Wikipedia and look up Saint Patrick’s Day, or simply click here.

 

     So on Saturday, when you do your thing and celebrate, remember who the great fun is about and how it was brought to you.

 

 

The ALC Insider                          March 15, 2007                             page 2

 

Students entertained by Brulé

 

By Priscila Garcia

 

     ALC students were entertained by the band Brulé last Tuesday.  Brulé is led by Paul LaRouche, originally from Worthington.  Other members include his daughter, Nicole on flute, son Shane on guitar, and Moses Brings Plenty on drums. Nicole is their lead instrumentalist. She started playing the flute at the age of ten. When Brulé is performing you can really see the passion for their music as well as their culture.

 

     Paul was known as Paul Sommers when growing up in Worthington.  While growing up, Paul knew he was adopted but didn’t know his birth parents.  He learned in 1993 that he was adopted off the Lower Brulé Reservation in South Dakota.  He also learned that he had a brother, a sister, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews still on the reservation. Paul, Shane and Nicole are enrolled members of the Lower Brulé Tribe.

 

     Since learning of his roots and reacquainting himself with his birth family, Paul has embraced his Native American roots, and has tried to use his music to bridge the gap between cultures.

(Continued à)

 

     His drummer Moses is a member of the Oglala Sioux Nation of Pine Ridge. He is a direct descendant of both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse!   He was raised in one of the poorest counties in South Dakota. Moses mentioned that their poverty level is at 85% if not greater now.

 

     Moses has long hair and pierced ears. This has been his “look” virtually his entire life. As he was growing up he was picked on quite a bit because of this. Many times he said that he wanted to leave the reservation and change the way he looked. He didn’t, and now he’s very proud of his heritage.

 

     ALC students expressed these opinions about the show:

….. “They played really good music. I think that native is really cool.” —Ana Bergara

….. “I thought it was cool”— Will & Sergio

….. “Their music isn’t bad. I think the music is peaceful.” — Kayla Vega

 

     Brulé has played throughout the world.  They recently won a Grammy Award for best Native American Band of the Year.  We are happy they came to play for us.

 

 

The ALC Insider                          March 15, 2007                             page 3

 

From our Archives…
    The History of

 St. Patrick’s

          Day!!!

By Teresa Lugo

 

    Ever wondered how St. Patrick’s Day started?  Well, it all started with Saint Patrick, who was born in the late fourth century. He was a slave for six years until he escaped and undertook religious training.

 

     He later became the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.  He is known for driving the snakes from Ireland, even though there never have been snakes in Ireland.

 

     St. Patrick’s Day is associated with everything that is Irish, for example: green, gold, shamrocks and luck.  Most important of all is the traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

 

(Continued à) 

Click on the laughing frog to take an online quiz on St. Patrick’s Day…

 


Patrick, patron saint of Ireland

     It is celebrated March 17th, because St. Patrick is thought to have died on that date.  It started out in Ireland and now it’s worldwide, especially in large American cities that have large Irish-American populations.

 

    Some of the customs and traditions of St. Patrick’s Day are:   If you don’t wear green, then those around you who are wearing green are allowed to pinch you.  Pub-hopping at various Pubs that serve green beer and Irish music to go around.  Making blessings and toasts that give you the opportunity to bless loved ones whether they’re family or friends.

 

     On the evening of St. Patrick’s Day many recite a popular blessing that goes like this:   “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”

 

 

 

The ALC Insider                          March 15, 2007                             page 4

What’s up with St. Patrick’s Day?

 

By: Ana Bergara and Agustin

 

     St. Patrick is known as the patron of Ireland.  There are lots of parades and events going on around the world. It is an Irish National holiday and one of the public holidays in the Republic of Ireland. 

 

     This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on Saturday March 17th.  In the United States it is widely celebrated, even though it is not an official holiday.

 

     Some people who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day wear green on that day.  I guess wearing green on this day gives you the right to pinch non-green wearing people without retaliation.  What’s up with that? 

 

     So! If you don’t want to get pinched by people all day wear green.  If you need extra luck on this day look for an Irish shamrock.  It is a small leafed plant with three leaves, but if you come up with a four leaf one…buy a lottery ticket. 

 

     Every year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, there is a big parade.  I guess everybody is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!  People from all around will celebrate Irish heritage by attending the 28th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade followed by a city-wide celebration that goes well into the night. If you join this group you had better be ready to sport your green attire and search and destroy victims who don't sport the green.

(Continued à)

 

This Irish half-penny bearing the image of St. Patrick sold for $215,000 at auction!

 

     After the parade it is time to find an Irish dish such as corned beef and cabbage to eat.  If you get thirsty, it is a custom to slosh down some green beer (if you’re over 21).   Well enjoy the holiday and the following favorite St. Patrick’s Day sayings:

 

·            May the road rise up to meet you.

·            May the wind be always at your back.

·            May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

·            May the rain fall softly upon your fields. And the sun shine warm upon your face.

·            Top of the mornin' to you.....(and the rest of the day to 'me self!)

·            May there always be work for you to do.

·            May your purse always hold a coin or two.

·            May the sun always shine on your windowpane.

·            May the hand of a friend always be near you.

·            May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you

                   

 

 

 

The ALC Insider                          March 15, 2007                             page 5

 

The History of Little Green Men

 

By Tasha B.

 

     The phrase “little green men” to describe aliens dates back to 1908. It was found in the Daily Kennebec Journal of Augusta, Maine. The little green men were supposedly Martians.

 

     Edgar Rice Burroughs, who later gained fame as the author of the Tarzan series, referred to the “green men of mars” and “green Martian women” in his first 1906 science fiction novel A Princess of Mars.

 

     Movie gossip columnist Hedda Hopper used the term “little green men” in 1939 to refer to the small cast members of the Wizard of Oz (the Munchkins).

     The Los Angles Times used the term “little green men” to refer to camouflaged Japanese soldiers during World War 2.

 

(Continued à)

 

     Marvin the Martian was a Warner Brothers cartoon character in the late 1940’s. Marvin was a small creature with big eyes. He dressed in a mostly green uniform. Millions of kids were then familiar with this version of the little green man.

     During the 1950s, the term little green men came into popular use to refer to aliens. In August 21, 1955, two rural Kentucky men described an encounter with 3-4 foot tall greenish, humanlike aliens. Many newspapers used the term little green men when reporting the story.

 

    Before its modern reference to aliens, the term little green men was commonly used to describe various supernatural figures in old legends and folklore, such as fairies, gnomes, trolls and, of course, leprechauns.

 

     Read more about little green men on wikipedia…

 

Animationlibrary.com

 

 

 

The ALC Insider                   March 15, 2007                          page 6

Horoscopes

By Tasha B.

 

Aries- (March 21- April 19)

This weekend you will you turn into a mad Irish man or women. You will end up infecting your friends and family.

 

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This weekend will be pretty boring for you because your friends will leave you out of the St. Patrick’s Day party. But don’t fret, they might invite you over for Easter.

 

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

Let your inner twin be released and have lots of fun this week. Just don’t go to0 crazy.

 

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You will be the life of the party this week. Take full advantage of it for it may end soon.

 

 Leo (July 23 – Aug 22)

You will go to a party filled with magical Leprechauns. One will offer you something special.

Virgo (August 23 –September 22)

You will receive a special message from a special person sometime this week. You may have a future together.

 

Libra (Sep 23- Oct 22)

This week will not be the best week for you. Try and avoid the little people.

 

Scorpio (Oct 23- Nov 21)

Watch out for the little Leprechaun under your bed.  He’s out to get you. Maybe if you clean your room he’ll let you off easy.

 

Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21)

You will be attacked by a bunch of four leaf clovers. Try and avoid grassy areas or consider traveling by lawn mower.

 

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)

Watch out for the pot of gold. You may trip over it on your way home. You are the treasure it wants.

 

Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)

You will end up turning into a Leprechaun every full moon. You will roam the streets looking for your treasure.

 

Pisces (Feb 19-March 20)

Watch out!  The Leprechaun, four leaf clovers, and a pot of gold are after you.

 

 

 

 

 

Separated

at Birth

 

 

 

 

 

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