Text Box: The Quill Text Box: GHS Welcomes Principal McGinley! By Nancy Bautista and Anabel Delacruz Text Box: Welcome back to a brand new and enthusiastic school year! While many of us are recovering from summer vacation, some feel overwhelmed by the tremendous workload. As many of us upperclassmen have noticed, our lovely school has undergone many changes this year. For one, the new dress code policy has been enforced. A second major change is the coming of our new principal. We are all excited to welcome Principal McGinley to the Garfield School District. Because this is his first year as principal, not many of us know much about him. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know a little bit abut him! Mr. McGinley was born in Scotland and moved to Union City at a very young age. He grew up with seven brothers and sisters. As a young man he really Text Box: didn’t like going to school but found joy in attending when he joined the cross-country team. He said, “being involved makes school more pleasant.” It also encouraged him to be a more disciplined individual. But more importantly, it motivated him to do well in school. Mr. McGinley was accepted to Jersey City State where he majored in English. Upon Graduating, he found himself coaching cross-country where he was very successful. As he says, “You must be a student first and an athlete second.” He taught English in Newark and was a high school vice-principal and an elementary school principal in Fort Lee. There are several other things about him that we just needed to know! Quill: Why did you want to be Text Box: principal at GHS? Mr. McGinley: It is a very diverse school, and coming from two distinct towns where the students have different attitudes and nationalities, I feel that this school is the perfect fit. Q: What are some of your major concerns about the school, and what would you like to change? MM: I definitely am in favor of the new dress code policy. It avoids students the hassle of having to worry about what to wear in the morning and allows students to focus on more important things. I would also like to implement policies and improve academics at this school. Q: Any words of advice that you would like to give our seniors? MM: Realize that time goes by very quickly; make wise decisions Text Box: Ever wonder where you can find a book that can leave you wanting more? Considering I get really picky with books, I wasn’t interested at all by the idea of reading a book about vampires. I thought it would be another Harry Potter series, where I would need to read every page three times to understand it. However, I Text Box: was wrong. The idea of reading this book came when I made a bet with a friend. I had to read a book she liked called Twilight before school began. Who knew I would actually come to enjoy the book? It opens with a 17 year old girl named Isabella “Bell” Swan. She’s your Text Box: average teenager with a bit of an edge. Bella is extremely intelligent and clumsy, and is a bit of a loner. So when she Leaves Phoenix, Arizona to live with her father in Washington State she crosses paths with the extremely attractive and dazzling Edward Cullen. Text Box: Quick facts about Mr. McGinley: Birthplace: Scotland High School: Union Hill High School in Union City, NJ High School activities: cross-country, winter and spring track College: Jersey City State (English) Professional experience: Coached cross country and track Teacher in Newark School System Assistant high school Principal and elementary principal in Fort Lee Speaks Spanish! Words of wisdom: Education is a great equalizer!

Also, inside:

· Prepare for senior year

· Meet Ms. Knudtamarn

· Who will be champs? Phillies or Rays?

· Miss Pep-Rally? Read all about it here.

· Get the scoop on Obama, McCain and how they compare to Bush.

 
Text Box: Twilight: a Perspective on the Gripping Phenomenon: by Diana Oliveira (Warning: Spoilers!!) Text Box: Happy Halloween Garfield High School! Text Box: Fall 2008 Text Box: Volume 7, Issue 1