BY RILEY CLIFTON

Lifeatstart.com Reporter

It has gotten cold outside and we all know what that means, sitting inside watching TV. If you are fortunate enough to have Netflix, I have just the show for you.

Parks and Recreation aired on NBC but was put on Netflix. If you like the show The Office then you will love Parks and Recreation. It has a single camera look to it, as if someone is filming with a camcorder. The show has an amazing cast including Aziz Ansari, Amy Poehler, and Chris Pratt.

The basis of Parks and Recreation is the life of the workers in the parks department of the town Pawnee, Indiana, a fake town in a real state. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, the upbeat, enthusiastic parks department worker. She puts a little too much into her job while her boss, Ron Swanson, strives to make their department as ineffective as possible. Throughout the show you see the cast go through some pretty funny situations.

My favorite thing about Parks and Recreation is that you don’t need to watch the episodes in order. Anyone could pick up the remote and start watching at any time.

If you’re looking for a good laugh to get you through the winter slump, the seven seasons of Parks and Recreation should help you out.

Contact Riley at: [email protected]

By Julianna Ruiz

LifeAtStart.com Reporter

Start High School has had a lot of competitions between the classes, but none of them are as important as the one happening right now. The students think they’re just trying to outdo each other, but the money donated goes to helping fight hunger in poor countries.

A group of Contemporary World Studies students have adopted a huge challenge, raising money for Heifer International. Specifically, $2,000 for a package called “Joy to the World Basket”; this basket includes four goats, two sheep, two llamas, and a heifer. These animals will help sustain an entire village, from money for food to wool for clothing, and milk for the families, donating to this cause could save lives.

Everyday this week the students and their very persuasive teacher, Kenneth Crosley, have been in the cafeteria getting students to throw their coins into the class jars. Pennies are worth points in favor if the class jar they’re put into, but any silver coins are worth negative points against the class jar they’re put into. But, ultimately the goal is to help others.

If you have any more questions on donating you can check out their twitter page @RoyCproject, their Facebook page Start High School Fights Hunger, or you could go straight to www.gofundme.com/ftch9o and donate more than a few coins. And lastly, you could visit room 149, to speak to Crosley himself.

Please join in and help these students fight hunger!

Contact Julianna at: [email protected]

By Julianna Ruiz 

LifeAtStart.com Reporter

This past Friday Start High School tackled another musical, White Christmas, and it was great. And, again, my expectations were high after seeing their rendition of The Drowsy Chaperone, which will never be topped. And, like that musical, White Christmas met my expectations fully.

This version of White Christmas was absolutely charming. Everything about this musical was cute, from their tap routines to the affection you could feel between the couples. It had the air of Christmas and was lovely to get to attend.

The only thing that made this musical better was the casting. Jack Smolenski was adorable enough for the entire cast, with a huge grin on his face the entire time. And, his counterpart, Justin Hockman was cute right alongside him. Kaitie Serres and Melissa Zahs, who played singing-dancing sisters, blew the audience away with their powerful voices.

Although most of the attention was on the four aforementioned leads, some of the better performances of the play had to be Victoria Rinker, who brought a tough spunk and sassiness that was seriously needed, and Hayle Pant, who always seems to steal the show with her bright smile and cutesy attitude.

Another standout of the musical was the orchestra led by Rob Steirman. They executed the music flawlessly, and needed a bigger mention at the end of the play.

The only problem I had was not being able to hear over the roar of students that were only there to get out of class. But, any noisy crowd can be silenced by the power of a great 1950s musical number.

Overall I loved this play and can’t wait to attend another.

Contact Julianna at: [email protected]

By: Riley Clifton

LifeAtStart.com Reporter

Now that Halloween is over, we all know what we‘re waiting for, Christmas. I’m not talking about the fun and excitement of Christmas; I’m talking about the stress of it all and to be more specific, the shopping.

There’s something about gift giving that makes us so happy. We just want to make sure that gift is perfect and that’s where the stress comes in.

This is extremely difficult as kids. We have a limited amount of money, time and some of us are in need of transportation.

Shopping for your mom or dad shouldn’t be too difficult because most likely anything you get them, they will love. It’s your friends that might be a little trickier, especially if you want to get them clothes. You then have to figure out the perfect size, but that goes for anyone. You never want to get someone something too small but also getting something too big might be insulting. Maybe try to go shopping with them before hand and see what sizes they pick up. Being extremely observant around this time of year is key.

Just keep in mind that the holiday is coming quick and it’s never too soon to start shopping.

Contact me at: [email protected]