The Chomp

This current school year at Gateway seems to be slowly winding down. The end of school means the beginning of summer. Therefore, this month's theme is summer. We have some vacation ideas, an interview with Mr. Gateway, information about summer reading, and some tips for AP summer work. Hope you all enjoy and have an awesome summer!

Work over the summer for AP classes can be tough. Whether you’re taking one AP or four, the summer work always seems to sit on your desk until you’re ready to do it. Then, suddenly, its August 25th, and you’re struggling to fit a summer’s worth or work into two weeks. All AP students have been there and speaking from experience--it’s not fun. So, for me and for all of you guys out there taking AP classes that require summer work, here are a few tips:

• Make a schedule and STICK TO IT. You can fall behind a day or two, but always make sure that you’re never more than a few days behind schedule. It’s just going to stress you out and create more procrastination.

• Don’t procrastinate. In order for you to get this done in the most stress free way possible, don't put it off until the last minute. It might seem like a problem for “tomorrow you,” but eventually, “today you” will be there, and then you’ll be stressing terribly.

• If you don’t know how to do something, try emailing your teacher to see if they have any online references they can give you to help. Most teachers will be happy to help you out.

• If you’re taking math or science, try using Khan Academy. It has great resources on most science and math based courses that can help you not only during the summer for the summer work but also during the year.

• If worst comes to worst, leave a question blank and ask the teacher when you get back to school, or in an email.

Hey Joey! So I've only done stage crew for Mr. Gateway the past two years, but it's a really awesome event that I love being a part of, and I know all the contestants love it, too.

So, how many years have you been in Mr. Gateway?

I have been a contestant for 3 years and did stage crew one year in eighth grade.

Everyone's dying to know: how do the Mr. Gateway contestants choose their months?

Basically, we start with the senior who has done it the longest and then trickle down to the newest senior. Then the junior who has done it the longest to the newest and so on.

Why did you choose to be Mr. July?

I wanted to pick a month that had some sort of meaning to me. The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, and my birthday is also in July. It only seemed fitting to pick this as my month.

How did you come up with the idea for your act?

I came up with the idea for my act actually through something I saw done at Miss Clearview. I saw it and thought to myself, “I love the concept, but I feel that I could make it better,” and that’s exactly what I strived to do.

What's your favorite part about being in Mr. Gateway?

My favorite part about being in Mr Gateway is 100% the relationship created between myself and all the guys.

Who are your biggest supporters when it comes to Mr. Gateway?

The guys, everybody behind the scenes, and my family are definitely my biggest supporters when it comes to Mr. Gateway.

Why do you think Mr. Gateway an important event that sets us apart from other schools?

I think that our effort and hard work sets up apart from other schools. This is one of if not the biggest Mr./Miss competition in our area and this is shown through all of our hard work starting from the beginning of the year. Going to other schools, I see how much more time goes into making our production as amazing as it is and leaves people wanting to come back in future years.

What have you taken away from your experience being involved in Mr. Gateway?

The biggest thing I have taken away from Mr. Gateway is go big or go home. Throughout the last few years very few ideas were “too big” or too much for us to do. If someone came up with a crazy and big idea, we would find a way to make it happen.

Are you going to compete again next year to defend your title?

I am still considering both options for next year. Most likely I will end up defending my title, but anything can happen.

Whether you're a teenager going to tour a college or your family needs an affordable place to spend a few days, here is a list of some budget-friendly spots for families to go on vacation this summer.

1. Known as "Kidsburgh" thanks to all the family-oriented activities in the area, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is an affordable and fun pick for families. Book tickets to popular attractions, like the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, on the VisitPittsburgh website to save up to 50 percent. Take a free guided tour of the Allegheny Observatory and explore Bicycle Heaven, the world’s largest bicycle store and museum. Don’t leave Pittsburgh without taking a ride on the Duquesne Incline for one of the best cityscape views in the country.

2. Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art, including Spoonbridge and Cherry. Stay for 18 holes at the artist-inspired mini golf course. Cross the bridge into St. Paul to spend the day at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to visit with polar bears, giraffes, reindeer and sea lions. Rent bikes from any one of 200+ Nice Ride public bike share stations to explore one of the most bike-friendly cities in America.

3. Orlando and Miami may get the lion’s share of attention in Florida, but kids will love Florida’s Nature Coast on the lesser-explored Gulf Coast side of the Sunshine State. There you’ll find manatees, waterfalls, mermaids, even a hippo named Lu at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Three Sisters Springs on the Crystal River serves as a manatee refuge in the winter months but is a popular spot for paddling, swimming and kayaking in the summer. At Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, a magical twice-daily mermaid show will delight every member of the family.

4. From volcanic rocks and petroglyphs, or fossilized rocks to shrubby bushes and mountains, Albuquerque, New Mexico was made to be explored by children. Start by spending the day at the ABQ BioPark. Save with discounted combo tickets, which include the zoo, aquarium and botanic garden, as well as unlimited rides on the narrow-gauge trains at the park. Join a free walking tour to learn about historic Old Town Albuquerque before popping in the American International Rattlesnake Museum. Also, a hike along the Mesa Point Trail at Petroglyph National Monument is a must-do.

5. Get ready to cross off a bucket list item with a family getaway to Niagara Falls. Start by purchasing a Niagara USA Discovery Pass, a multi-attraction pass that allows access to five popular attractions, including Maid of the Mist and the Aquarium of Niagara, for one discounted price. Take the trolley around Niagara Falls State Park in New York or hike around to experience the falls from different vantage points. Take the kids to the Niagara Power Vista, a free attraction with loads of hands-on STEM-related activities, even a 4-D movie.

6. Dubbed the "Water Park Capital of the World," Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin is the place to go for kids who like to splish, splash, slide and float at water parks. With nearly two dozen water parks, the only question is, which one to visit first? Noah’s Ark is the largest water park in the area (and the country) with two huge wave pools, multiple water slides and four water play areas. Purchase a multi-attraction Passport to Savings card to save on area attractions, including Noah’s Ark and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. Popular Devil’s Lake State Park is a short drive from Wisconsin Dells.

7. Like free family attractions? St. Louis, Missouri has plenty of them, including the St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis Zoo and Purina Farms, a mecca for pet lovers thanks to daily dog agility shows, an animal barn and interactive pet exhibits. Plan to spend at least a half-day at the ever-popular City Museum, which boasts a 10-story spiral slide, a massive ball pit and a 30-foot rooftop Ferris Wheel. As a bonus, look for the grand re-opening of the Jefferson Memorial Expansion Museum and the new grounds of the Gateway Arch in early-July.

8. Hurricanes Irma and Maria may have hit the Caribbean in the fall of 2017, but many of the islands are open for business. Some islands, like the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, were virtually untouched and there are bargains to be had, particularly in the summer months. For example, the Comfort Suites Seven Mile Beach sits right on one of the most well-known beaches in the world and offers rooms as low as $200 per night. It’s easy to get around the island, too. The bus is just $2.50 per ride and makes stops at popular attractions, like family-friendly Rum Point Beach.

Do you love reading? If so, then Gateway Library is just the perfect thing for you! They are open all summer long with the hours of most Tuesdays from 12PM to 2 PM, and you can even participate in the summer reading program to win cool prizes! If you click the link below,

https://gatewayhslibrary.weebly.com/summer-reading-2019.html, you can visit the Gateway Library website that has all the information about summer reading. It gives information about how the summer reading works, help with picking books, the cool prizes you can win, project ideas, and more! I highly suggest that if you have a love of books, talk to Ms.Grandinetti about getting involved with the program! You’ll be sure to love it!

Shout-out to all our readers, teachers, and Gateway administrators for making The Chomp possible. This year marked the first full school year with the newspaper, and it has been great! This school year was great! Sit back and be proud of yourself as you're having an amazing summer!