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Saint Worked to Heal the Sick

by Reporter Thomas Murickan
St. Joseph Catholic School

St. Alphonsa is the first saint from India. She was born in a small town called Kudamaloor in 1910 and died in 1946, one year before India got independence.

Alphonsa’s mother died in childbirth so Alphonsa’s aunt and her family, the Murickans—one of several noble families converted to Christianity by the apostle St. Thomas—raised her. This was the reason that she was born a Christian. She followed the teaching of Jesus Christ and became a nun at age 18. She prayed and was willing to accept the sicknesses of others so that they could get healed.

Children were strongly drawn to her. Students from the school adjacent to her convent shared their problems and hopes with her. After her death, the children visited the grave of their “friend,” pleading for her intercession. It was the children who were the first to talk of her as a saint. Numerous adults reacted positively to the testimonies of their sons and daughters. Alphonsa’s reputation as a mediator for favors spread rapidly and widely.

In 1953, the church began the process to make Alphonsa a saint. In 1986, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her the “blessed Saint Alphonsa” when he visited India.

The official canonization ceremony took place at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Oct. 12, 2008.

It was a very special occasion. We had received an invitation from Rome to attend the ceremony. We got there very early in the morning, but there were already lots of people at the side entrance to St. Peter’s Square, waiting to go inside. We had to go through security screenings by the Papal Swiss guards before we went to the square. There were huge TV screens around the square for people to see the ceremony much closer.

St. Peter’s Basilica, and the square, is made of marble. There huge, marble pillars around the square. There I saw the biggest statues that I have ever seen in my life. Pope Benedict along with bishops and other priests from India celebrated a mass in Saint Alphonsa’s honor. Her life story was read and she finally was proclaimed as Saint Alphonsa. After the ceremony, the Pope came to the wave to the crowd from his Pope mobile. I saw the Pope go by, and I waved to him. Because of the crowd, I climbed up a lamppost to see him closer. I will never forget that day in my life.

Meet Author Brande at Bookfest!

by Reporter Gizelle Rodriguez
Wakefield Middle School

Have you ever had the privilege of interviewing an award-winning author? I interviewed Robin Brande.

Brande has written “Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature” and her latest novel, “Fat Cat,” published in October! In this book she talks about a girl who does an experiment on herself during science project time—she is her science project!

“Looking at National Geographic pictures of prehistoric people gave me ideas of writing ‘Fat Cat,’ and because I was an overweight teenager,” explains Brande. It took her a year to finish writing the book, which included doing research and finding evidence, and two more years to get it published.

“I wanted to be a writer since I was in fifth grade, but my classmates convinced me I could not make a living out of it,” Brande remembers. Now she has published two books she loves.

She also has had many other jobs—like being a lawyer for a couple of years, owning her own business, and working as a teacher and a yoga instructor. She has a dog she loves and enjoys hiking with her husband.

I have always wanted to know how I can become a better writer. Brande gave me a practical and trouble-free recommendation: “Read as much as possible and write something every day in a journal.”

Interviewing an author was a great experience! You can meet Brande and many other great authors at the Tucson Festival of Books March 13–14 on the UofA campus.

‘Old Dogs’ Unleashes a Lot of Laughter

by Reporter Rachael Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy

An awesome family friendly movie came out last month. “Old Dogs” stars Robin Williams and John Travolta as best friends and work partners. In the middle of a big marketing deal, Dan (Williams) finds out he has 7-year-old twins! But not only that, Dan has to take care of the twins when their mother is sentenced to two weeks in jail. With the help of his partner Charlie (Travolta), he has to complete a marketing deal and still watch the kids!

This movie was great! It got laughs from anyone 5 and up. One of my favorite scenes was when Dan goes to a tanning salon so he’ll look good when he meets someone whom he thinks he is still in love with. But Charlie starts flirting with the tanning salon host, who gets side tracked while Dan is stuck in the tanning booth! You can imagine what he must’ve looked like when he came out! That’s not the only funny scene, though. So make sure to go see “Old Dogs.”

Portal to North Pole Opens in AZ

by Reporter Kylie Newman,
Round Valley Middle School

Have you ever wanted to visit the North Pole? Now there’s an easy way to get there! All you have to do is go to Greer, Ariz.

A portal at the Molly Butler Lodge takes you to the North Pole, where the Candy Cane Express Trolley picks you up and takes you to Elf Orientation. Alabaster Snowflake, the head elf, will tell you what you are about to experience. Then you will enter the factory where everything is authentic.

While in the factory, children can sit down with an elf and make a toy! You also go to Mrs. Claus' bakery for some Snowman Soup (hot chocolate), wrap your toy at the wrapping station and see the elf classroom, mudroom and sleeping quarters (where you might encounter an actual sleeping elf)!

Now we go to the main part—Santa's command center. Here’s where you see Santa! Of course, you get to tell him what you want for Christmas, but you also give him the toy you made, which will go to a kid in need. The trolley takes you back to Molly Butler Lodge, where you can write a letter to Santa.

Although I did not get to go through the factory, I did get to interview Santa and Mrs. Claus!

“The true meaning of Christmas is when you don’t want anything for yourself,” says Santa. “You want something for others.” He wants to remind people that Christmas is about giving, not getting. Mrs. Claus works hard to support her husband’s role at Christmas.

“While he’s gone, I bake gingerbread and oatmeal raisin cookies. I even sew Santa’s everyday clothes,” she says. “Before he leaves, I check out his Santa suit and make sure it is in top shape. My favorite thing to do, though, is read Christmas stories.” Her favorite story is “'Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

You can have this magical experience, too! Just go to Greer, and your wishes will come true!

Comedy Spreads Xmas Cheer

by Reporter Rachael Weinstein,
Tucson Hebrew Academy

A great way to start the holiday season right is to go see “On the Road to the North Pole,” playing at The Gaslight Theatre. It’s about a group of people who want to spread Christmas cheer by traveling around the world and performing “The North Pole Follies” while on their way to do the Annual Radio Christmas Broadcast in the North Pole. On the way, the cast has many adventures, including a run-in with a gangster. Plus, there’s a villain who wants to steal Santa’s Christmas List.

The acting was amazing, once again! Scat, one of the Follies, was played by Todd Thompson, and Fearless was played by Mike Yarema. The chemistry between them was amazing! The singing and dancing also shined thanks to Linda Ackerman and Nancy La Viola.

The costumes, made by Renee Cloutier, were another great asset. My favorite was gangster Max Pomade’s zoot suit. The show’s sets were amazing thanks to Tom Benson. One of my favorite sets was when Scat and Fearless were locked on a boat. The boat looked so real.

The olio was “Happy Days,” with all the characters ranging from Fonzie to Richie. Everyone sang different Christmas songs, including “Christmas Time Pretty Baby” and “Run Run Rudolph.” It was so cute! “On the Road to the North Pole” is playing until Jan. 2. For tickets you can call The Gaslight Theatre at 886-9428.

See Savvy Sleuth on Cinema Screen

by Reporter Mea Chiasson
Green Fields Country Day

The new movie “Sherlock Holmes” is coming out on Dec. 25! It stars Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes, the great detective from the mystery series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The movie was made because the books are so famous. The story is about Holmes and his partner, William, who are trying to stop a deadly plan that could destroy the country. In this movie, Holmes shows his lethal physical skill along with his legendary intelligence and cleverness. This show is definitely for mystery and adventure lovers. But it’s rated PG-13, so ask your parents for permission.

Science Sizzles at Tech Festival

by Reporter Meena Venkataramanan
Manzanita Elementary

I recently visited the Math Science & Technology Funfest at the Tucson Convention Center. It was so fun! From making kaleidoscopes to learning about air pressure, the amazing activities seemed to have no end.

One of my favorite activities was the DNA extraction. We swished saltwater in our mouths for one minute and spit it into a cup. Then someone on the staff poured the liquid into a vial, added a powdery substance to make the DNA reveal itself and then transferred the DNA to a smaller vial. We attached the vial to a piece of ribbon and strung on colorful beads to make a DNA necklace!

Another favorite was the glider activity. We taped a toothpick onto paper and then taped a strip of wood onto the toothpick. After that we attached a propeller to the strip of wood and hooked a rubber band on. We were supposed to twist the propeller and then throw the glider up in the air. Some kids’ gliders touched the roof, but mine only flew a few feet up.

I really enjoyed the Math Science & Technology Funfest! I can’t wait to go next year!

Music and Art Mix at Festival

by Reporter Margaret Zheng,
BASIS Tucson

On Nov. 8, my sister and I performed at the fifth annual Tucson Sonatina/Sonata Festival.

A sonata is a piece of music that has three or four compositions in contrasting tones and keys; a sonatina is just a shorter version of a sonata. The Sonatina/Sonata Festival is an event during which piano students learn and memorize a piece of music, specifically a sonata or sonatina, and perform it in front of a panel of two judges. Performers earn gold, silver or bronze medals based on how well the repertoire is delivered. Unlike many other competitions, the event is designed to provide students with encouragement and a positive learning experience.

Thanks to the efforts of Nancy Ostromencki, a music education veteran and director of this year’s contest, the event took place at the Steinway Gallery, a wonderful place not only for the showing of Steinway pianos but also for the display of modern paintings. Some of the pieces depict the mesmerizing beauty of the Sonora Desert.

We were lost in the amazingly blended eccentricity of the paintings and the quiet elegance of the pianos.

more Saint!

It was a very special occasion. We had received an invitation from the Vatican to attend the ceremony. Only those who had invitations were permitted to attend the ceremony in the square. People from all over the world came for the event.

I went to the ceremony with my parents and paternal grandma from Chicago. There I met my maternal grandma and my aunt, who traveled from India, and another aunt and a few cousins, who traveled from Washington, D.C., for the event.

We got there very early in the morning, but there were already lots of people at the side entrance to St. Peter’s Square, waiting to go inside. We had to go through security screenings by the Papal Swiss guards before we went to the square. There were huge TV screens around the square for people to see the ceremony much closer.

St. Peter’s Basilica and the square are made of marble. There are huge, marble pillars around the square, and I saw the biggest statues that I have ever seen in my life. Pope Benedict, along with bishops and other priests from India, celebrated a Mass in Alphonsa’s honor. Her life story was read and she finally was proclaimed as St. Alphonsa.

After the ceremony, I saw the pope go by in his Popemobile, and I waved to him. Because of the crowd, I climbed up a lamppost to see him closer.

I will never forget that day in my life.

Refugees Need Helping Hand

by Reporter Emily Kehl,
Homeschool

Imagine if you had to flee your home for fear of your life. You pack all you can in a suitcase, and anything you can’t fit in your luggage you must leave behind. You’re on an airplane for several days. You land at a place you’ve never been to before—a place where there are strange people, clothes, noises and food. You’ve arrived at your new home.

This is what happened to a family I met in June. Habib and his wife Sahar (not their real names), and their two children, Jafar and Batool, are refugees from Iraq.

“A refugee is someone who is being forced out of their country because of persecution,” says Cherie Gray, director of Tucson Refugee Ministry. Gray, who has worked with refugees for seven years, says that there are three types of persecution: religious, ethnic and political. A person who feels persecuted must go to a different country to apply for refugee status from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, or UNHCR. Those who qualify go to a resettlement country, such as the United States, Australia or the Netherlands. UNHCR also helps people get their plane tickets, but the refugees must pay the organization back.

Once they are in the U.S, one of ten agencies will help refugees get housing, food and other things a family might need. Three agencies in Tucson do this: Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Social Services and International Rescue Commission. Their employees, called caseworkers, work with many refugee families. Volunteers can give extra care that caseworkers might not be able to give.

“Refugees need more help,” says Gray. Volunteers can show them places such as the library, the grocery store or the post office.

As volunteers, my family met Habib and his family at the airport carrying signs saying, “Welcome to America.” We have taken them to doctor’s appointments, helped them apply for jobs and assisted them in signing up for English classes. We have visited them many times and have had them over to our home to celebrate holidays. It has been really interesting to experience traditions, clothing and food from a different country. I’ve also learned several Arabic words.

Refugees face many challenges. They move to a place where they don’t know anyone. They have no friends or family nearby, no belongings but the things in their suitcases and no real place to call home. They must get used to a new language, foods, ideas and neighbors.

“The hardest thing was leaving a few of my family and friends,” remembers another refugee I ment, 8-year-old Fatima. She and her family, who are from Russia, have lived in Tucson for three years. Despite all a refugee must go through, Fatima says that Tucson is good and she likes it.

People like Fatima, Habib and Sahar are very brave to have endured all they have gone through. It has been an honor to get to know such strong, courageous people.

New Fire Station Worth a Visit

by Reporter Toby Chivers,
Homeschool

Tucson has a brand new fire station called Fire Central. It’s a huge, 67,000-square-foot building that houses the old Fire Station #1, formerly on Church Street, and the Fire Prevention Offices, formerly on Ajo Way. Captain Trish Tracy gave me a tour!

Assistant Fire Chief Jim Critchley is in charge of training new firefighters. He says there are three keys to being a firefighter: Get lots of exercise; eat lots of vegetables; and obey authority!

When the fire station receives a call, which can happen at any hour of the day or night, you hear a long, loud beep. Then all the lights kick on and the call comes through the loudspeaker. The firemen slide down the pole, get in the fire truck and put on their suits and equipment on the way to the fire!

A call came in while I was there, and it only took about a minute from the time the call came in to the time the fire truck tore down the street with lights and sirens on! Now that’s speedy delivery! The goal is to arrive at the scene in four minutes or less.

The emergency isn’t always a fire, however. In fact, 80 percent of the calls are medical. A firefighter is also an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). If someone has a heart attack, six EMTs respond—one to get the patient breathing, one to get his heart going, one to take his blood pressure, one to get the equipment out, one to do the paperwork and one to drive to the hospital!

Outside the station, there’s a giant memorial for fallen firefighters, a neighborhood park with a gazebo and a wall mural painted by people in the neighborhood. Fire Central is located southwest of the Tucson Convention Center.

Sorry, no State Scoops this month.