Year in Review: 2012

Mike McCauley accepts the title of Mr. Rockland

Danielle Oliver, Macayla Sheehan, Dawn Bille, Shannon Gray, Brooke McDonald and Leah O’Bryan were nominees for Miss Rockland with Shannon Gray selected for the title.

With the beginning of a new year, RHS Journalism students looked back at the year 2012 and selected national, international, and local headlines including important events that took place in the Rockland Public Schools for the Veritas’ year in review.  Thanks to Journalism student, junior, Tyler Quam for compiling all the submissions.

January
Joe Paterno passed away on January 22nd, at the age of 85. Paterno led the Penn State football team to win the most games in major college football until he was fired in November of 2011 after it was alleged that he failed to report former asst. coach, Jerry Sandusky’s child sex abuse.

February
SuperBowl: The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 on February 5 much like in 2008 when they also beat the Pats. Eli Manning was named the MVP after he led the Giants in a 4th quarter comeback.
Diamond Jubilee: Queen Elizabeth celebrated 60 years on the throne of the British Commonwealth. She became Queen on February 6, 1952. Her reign of 60 years is currently the second longest of a monarch. Only Queen Victoria has reigned longer at 63 years.

Whitney Houston, a legendary singer and actress, died on February 11th, at 48. Houston is widely celebrated for her performance in The Bodyguard and her soulful hits such as I Will Always Love You.

March
The Hunger Games-March 23 2012 starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth made $4.08 million at box office

April
Facebook bought Instagram on April 2 for 1 billion dollars in cash and stock.

Fenway Park celebrated 100 years on April 20th lost to Yankees 6 to 2, notable visitors before the game were Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastrzemski ,Dennis Boyd, Bill Lee, Bill Buckner, Luis Tiant and Nomar Garciaparra

Most famously noted for his countdown on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”, Dick Clark died of a heart attack on April 18th. He was 82. Clark also revolutionized rock n’ roll in the television phenomenon “American Bandstand.”

Mike Wallace died at age 93 on April 7th. Wallace’s 60 year career is noted by his intense on-air confrontations on the legendary “60 Minutes”.

May
Facebook IPO( Initial Public offering)-May 18. it was the biggest IPO in internet history. Facebooks peak market capitalization is over $104 million.

June

Mr. Sangster retired this year as RHS Principal

June 1: Principal Stephen P. Sangster presided over graduation of Class of 2012, his last graduation as RHS principal. Mr. Sangster retired after 42 years in the Rockland Public Schools.

The Los Angeles Kings beat out the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to win the Stanley Cup in 6 games on June 11. Jonathan Quick took home the prestigious Conn Smythe award for his outstanding play in net for the Kings.

Lebron James led the Heat to their second NBA championship on June 21. They beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in 5 games, giving Lebron James his first NBA ring. Lebron took home the MVP averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in theFinals

Jerry Sandusky- received the maximum sentence of 60 years for dozens of child molestation charges. He was convicted in June.

June 28th: The Supreme Court upheld the individual mandate of the Affordable Health Care Act, disappointing those who had hoped to disable Obamacare.

July
On July 3rd, actor Andy Griffith peacefully passed away at age 86. Griffith charmed America as a sheriff in “The Andy Griffith Show” and a lawyer in “Matlock”.

Celtics star, Ray Allen signed with Miami July 11th, 2012 in a 3 year deal worth 10 million. Rejects Celtics deal of 2 years worth 12 million

Ernest Borgnine died on July 8th at the age of 95. Borgnine was honored with an Oscar for best-actor in 1995 for his performance in “Marty” but is most famous for McHale’s Navy TV show from 1962-65.

Gangnam Style: a K-pop single by South Korean musician PSY was released on July 15, 2012. As of December 5, 2012 the video had gained over 889 million views on YouTube.

July 20th: James Holmes opened fire during a midnight screening of The Dark Night Rises in Aurora, Colorado. 12 were killed and 58 injured.

August
The USA brought home 104 medals from the London Olympics. Winning 46 gold, that’s the most the US has ever won at a non American Olympics. The Olympics began on July 27, and ended on August 12. Swimmer Michael Phelps who won medals at the Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Beijing and London, accumulated a total of 22 medals—18 gold, two silver and two bronze—and set the record for the most medal wins of any Olympic athlete. Phelps announced his retirement at the London Olympics.

August 25th: In a blockbuster trade, the Red Sox traded Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Becket, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto to the Dogers for James Loney and four prospects

Astronaut Neil Armstrong died August 25 at the age of 82. He was spacecraft commander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar mission, and — ever since July 20, 1969 — the first man to walk on the moon.

Rogers Middle School opened-The grand opening was on August 25. After a long, strenuous building project, the two schools are connected, the high school being renovated and a new middle school built.

September
Terror Attack in Libya-On September 11th: A terrorist attack was directed against the US embassy in Libya. First reported as a reaction to a Youtube trailer mocking Muslims, it was later confirmed to be led by Al Qaeda terrorists. Four US citizens were killed, including the US ambassador, Christopher Stevens.

Iphone 5: The new series of touchscreen based smartphone developed by Apple. It is the sixth generation of the Iphone and succeeds the Iphone 4S. The product began to sell on September 21, 2012 in the United States.

Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, was laid to rest on September 18th, after battling brain cancer for over a year. He was 69. Sabol and his father worked together to impact NFL broadcasting.

Grenade at Tedeschi’s- On September 28 the Tedeschi’s on Union Street was robbed. The robber was armed with a hand grenade. A Pembroke man was arrested on October 2 on charges armed robbery, possession of explosive device, and threats.
October

The San Francisco Giants swept their World Series opponents the Detroit Tigers on October 28, 2012. Pablo Sandoval won the MVP after he batted .500 and hit 3 homeruns in his first 3 at bats.

Lance Armstrong: October 22th, 2012 stripped of 7 Tour de France Titles for illegally doping

Mike McCauley and Shannon Gray were named Mr. and Ms. Rockland.

Chris Herren visited RHS- September 26. Part of the Rockland CARES Week of Hope, Chris Herren who was once a Celtics basketball player visited Rockland High School to tell his story about his life that went into turmoil when he sunk into the addiction of drugs. Herren is now a public speaker, trying to keep at least one person off the path of addiction.

November
Ipad mini: Ipad Mini is a mini tablet touchscreen computer that was released to the public on November 2, 2012 worldwide.

November 6th: Elizabeth Warren beat out Republican incumbent, Scott Brown, for the Massachusetts Senate seat on November 6.
Medical marijuana legal in Massachusetts as voters approve Ballot question 2.
President Barack Obama was re-elected on November 6th. Surpirsingly, Obama won the popular and the electoral college vote against Republican Mitt Romney.

November 7: CIA scandal: General Petraeus resigned: Petraeus was confronted about affair with Paula Broadwell.

Twilight- Nov 15. 2012 starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner Made made $254.6M and ended the Twilight series.

Cheerleaders won State Championship in their division. They now will go on to the Nationals next spring.

December
Javon Belcher December 1st, 2012 murdered his girlfriend, then drove down to his team’s stadium ( Arrow Head Stadium) and commited suicide infront of head coach Romeo Crennel and Owner Scott Pioli

Prince William and Princess Kate announced they were expecting a child.

Fiscal Cliff: The U.S Government usesd this term to describe difficult financial issues that they will have to face at the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013.

Elementary School Shooting: December 14th: The entire nation is shocked after twenty year old, Adam Lanza gunned down twenty elementary school children and six teachers at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Lanza killed himself as police arrived. Many calling for stronger gun control laws.