Rants and Raves

Rants ands Raves

CBA Literature's Rants and Raves section features art and photography, book and movie reviews, a question and comment section for students, and monthly contests.

25 Things Every CBA Student Learns

By: Aidan Pacifico

When you need to go to the main office, you had better do it "With the quickness".
When you hear those keys jingling down the hallway, you immediately panic to put your phone away.
BRASS ON BRASS!
Stories of the alumni when they were students from teachers. BONUS POINTS: Hearing stories of Mr Agan or Mr Groelz when they were students.
Stories of old teachers from the teachers, specifically Mr Atkinson (WHO ARE WE?).
How to react to people thinking you're in the military when you wear your blues out in public.
Chef Nate is a master of the culinary arts once he gets his fancy hat on.
The Hack team student section is the rowdiest in the 518.
‘The Battle For The Sabre’ is the most important game of the year.
You never ask Mr Stanton to go anywhere if class has just started because you should've went on the way.
The divide between Team Green Dailys versus Team Blue Dailys (Team Blue Dailys for the win).
The divide between Team old middle school uniforms versus Team new ones (Blue Sweater for the win).
We bleed purple and gold, no matter who you are and where you're from.
CBA Albany > All Other CBAs (Yes there is more than one).
“Cliques” don't really exist, we're all brothers here.
Never be afraid to join a new club or to try something new in the school.
Always keep extra name tags. Always.
Always bring multiple extras of writing utensils and loose leaf just in case.
The number one priority of everyone is to find an organizational system that works for them.
Leader selection is the most stressful part of the year for every junior.
A knowledge of quotes from everything from Spongebob to The Incredibles is the quickest and easiest way to make someone laugh.
Save your favorite electives for senior year but make sure you check to see if they're offering it next year.
CBA has its own language that no one understands until you're officially a CBA Brother.
None of us know the Alma Mater unless we have it in front of us.
The best $5 dollars you'll ever spend is on a dress down day.

Student Questions

Do you like High school better than Middle school?

I definitely like High school better than Middle school because as you get older you get more privileges both in school and outside such as learning to drive and the senior privilege regarding phones. In my experience I felt as though something prevented me from seeing clearly in Middle school but now that i'm older I can see clearly and can understand pretty much everything better.
-Anonymous

What is your favorite thing you have done at/through CBA?

My favorite thing i’ve done was go on the Lasallian Youth summer retreat. You go to a specific college for a week do community service, meet fantastic people, foster your faith, and have an all around great time. -Anonymous

What is your least favorite subject?

Personally my least favorite subject is Math. I have nothing against Math teachers I just happen to not understand it very well and generally don't like it. -Anonymous

Is it worth it to try to get a good rank?

As a student with the second highest rank in the school, yes. You get so many privileges such as having a merit/demerit pad and you get to be in charge of other people plus the metal ranks look amazing. If you get high enough you will have a chance to become the leader of the entire High school or half of it as a Battalion commander! -Anonymous

Is the military stuff hard or fun?

At times JROTC can be hard such as in your junior year when you have to take the cadet challenge and when you first join the Brigade but you’ll get the hang of it very quick. JROTC is very fun, being able to acquire new rank, medals, ribbons, and arcs to make your blues jackets look amazing and girls love a guy in uniform. -Anonymous

Do honors classes affect your average depending on what you get?

Yes each honors and A.P. course has a weight attached to it because the courses are accelerated.These help students to achieve higher honors such as Brothers list and first honors so you aren’t penalized for taking harder and more challenging courses.
-Anonymous

Are honors classes the same as the grade above you?

Honors classes start to be same as the grade above you in eighth grade. Before that in fifth, sixth, and seventh grade they are just accelerated courses that everybody can take if they choose. -Anonymous

Is History fun?

I personally do find History fun especially Greek and Roman mythology. -Anonymous

How is Chemistry?

Chemistry is awesome! It explains why many things happen in our world. Put a little bit of water on your counter. Observe it, then add a bit of soap. What then happens is chemistry! -Anonymous

How is engineering?

Engineering is complicated and can be very hard. Don’t be discouraged! With some studying and homework, you'll get the hang of it in no time. -Anonymous

Do you get harder and more homework as you get older?

Homework is harder but on average, the homework load will be the same. The difference is that every once in awhile, you’ll have a few tests, a couple essay deadlines, and a bunch of homework that are all due in the same week. Time management is key.
-Anonymous

What is a class that you take in high school that you don't take in 5th or 6th grade?

The best part about being in high school is that you have more options. If you want to branch out and take an accounting or programming class, you can! -Anonymous

Is CBA actually better than other schools?

The best part about CBA is that you will get out what you put in. If you look for it, opportunity is around every corner. At many other schools, it is harder to get involved. Actively try to volunteer and try out new activities or groups! -Anonymous

Do you play football? Do you start?

I play football and start on both offense and defense. It is a great experience and I encourage you to join the team. The is nothing like the tingles that run up and down your body when you are playing under the lights on a Friday night. -Anonymous

What are the most fun clubs or after school activities?

There are so many great extracurriculars so I’ll only name a few. There are clubs such as the Theatre program, we are presenting Shrek this year; Forensics speech and debate, where people can get over their fear of public speaking; Lasallian Youth, where students can grow their faith and help people through various service projects, and Student council; where students can represent their class in a government-type environment to help make the school a better place. -Anonymous

I am moving up from 6th grade to 7th grade and I want to know how the changing of classes is different. - Anonymous

Changing grades was a huge transition for me. Luckily, the teachers were very helpful with the transition and always were available if I had any questions about assignments. -Anonymous

The high school seems huge to me. Is it really that big, and how do you get to your classes on time? -Anonymous

After one week of being in school, the high school does not seem big at all. We have three minutes between classes which is more than enough time to go from class to class. If you feel that it is not enough time, stop at your locker the before you go to your first class and pick up books fro two of your classes and then you don't have to worry about not making it to class on time.
-Anonymous

I am not sure if I want to join the JROTC program. What should I do? - Anonymous

I would recommend you join the program and see if you like it or not. You don't know if you don't like something if you don't try it. -Anonymous

What subject do you spend the most time on in the high school?

I spend the most time on English this year but, previously it has always been Math. -Anonymous

How do you maintain a balance between sports and education?

Personally, my sport season is in the spring, as I play baseball (Go Brothers) so the fall and winter months are not as challenging time management wise as during the March, April, May, and June months. During those four months, AP tests, Regents, and finals start to creep up, so it is important to stay on the ball (no pun intended) for the duration of the season. The practices and games six times a week are difficult to balance with the workload, but if you are willing to work, you will have no trouble pushing through your schedule. -Anonymous

Should I take AP classes, and what are your favorites?

I have taken several AP classes, and I strongly recommend them. They allow you as a student to learn more than regular or honors courses because of the accelerated rate of which we go through a topic. That being said, the workload is not overbearing even if it is more than one may be used to. In addition, they add to your weighted GPA and will boost your class rank, and look awesome on college transcripts. I have enjoyed all the AP classes I have taken for many reasons, the teachers are generally more relaxed and focus more on teaching the subject than making sure kids are paying attention. -Anonymous

What are the funnest activities that CBA has?

High School Sports are some of my favorite activities to attend and participate in. Lots of students go to the football, basketball, Soccer, and Hockey games and it's an awesome atmosphere. Opportunities come up often for fun events, just last week I went to the University of Albany to watch a music group perform from Nigeria with some other students and faculty members, it was very fun. -Anonymous

How dope are the swords? How dope is the JROTC program?

Really Dope. Pretty Dope. -Anonymous

Book and Movie Reviews

Written by students, written for students.

The Sandlot

The new kid in town, Scottie Smalls is taken under the wing of Benny “the jet” Rodriguez, who is the star baseball player of the town. The team they play on together forms a close bond and go on many adventures and eventually run into trouble when Smalls borrows a ball, signed by the great Babe Ruth, from his step dad and they lose it when it gets hit over the fence. A classic movie with an interesting plot line. 8.7/10 Must See

Bad News Bears

Alcoholic Morris Buttermaker is forced into coaching a little league team that is downright horrible, and right before he gives up due to their winless record, he recruits the help of a stud girl pitcher to help the ranks. Will it be enough to get back in the playoff hunt? Made in 1976, this movie showcases comical characters who enhance the plot and movie as a whole. 7.6/10 Should See

The Pianist

Wladyslaw Szpilman is a Polish Jew during Nazi Germany, who was very well known radio pianist. He is forced into the Jewish Ghetto with his family, but is soon separated from them amid the chaos and fighting. The movie depicts a vivid, sadening, yet very realistic portrayal of life during the holocost, and how The Pianist attempts to navigate it and hope to survive. An gripping, outstanding film. 9.4/10 Must See

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris has a knack of skipping school and getting away with it,. He devises elaborate plans to make sure he has a great time at Cubs games, five star restaurants, and in Ferrari’s. The principal, Rooney, is itching to catch Ferris and goes to extravagant lengths to catch him skipping school. This film is a classic, with multiple quotable lines and scenes, and plays off the clever kid/dumb parent routine. 9.9/10 MUST SEE.

Castaway

Tom Hanks stars as the sole survivor of a plane crash and washes up on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with only the FedEx packages he was delivering. After his calls for help fail, he learns to survive on his own, befriending a volleyball he appropriately named, “Wilson.” While this movie plot may not sound interesting, the movie is expertly crafted and is incredibly entertaining. 7.9/10 Should See.

Good Will Hunting

Matt Damon is a janitor at MIT with the brain that rivals Einstein. He is a troubled young man but chooses to stay with his small group of friends and work meaningful, physically rewarding jobs rather than pursue his potential as a genius. When he solves a question in a matter of minutes that took years to prove, he is discovered by a professor who attempts to recruit him to help advance the modern world. He is forced into it because of his bad decisions which put him up in jail. This movie is tremendous and will forever be an all time great. Matt Damon captures the audience's hearts and rooting for him to succeed with Robin Williams comes naturally. 9.6/10 MUST SEE.

The Other Guys

One of the funniest movies ever created, Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell dominate this movie as cops who are taken as a joke and want to prove themselves. Their different personalities make them clash heads and always ends in a laugh. They try, without orders, to bring down a multi millionaire and have many mishaps along the way. Possibly the most quoted movie in my vocabulary, this film gets better every time you watch it. 9.8 MUST SEE.