The following is a press release from Mystic Valley Regional Charter School:

“Certamen” is Latin for competition, and it is the name for a Latin trivia game played by schools across the country. There are three levels of questions asked: Novice (Freshmen), Intermediate (Sophomore Latin II students), and Upper Level (Latin III and IV level students). Roxbury Latin School recently hosted a Certamen Competition with a number of teams competing from schools like BC High, Boston Latin School (BLS), Boston Latin Academy (BLA), et al.

We asked the two first-year coaches, Medford’s Rico Dello Iacono and Malden’s Joe Pappagallo, their thoughts going into the Thanksgiving game:

What was the biggest surprise this season?

Dello Iacono: ‘‘I just think the overall attitude of the team, the attitude shift. A team that went 0-11 last year and 1-10 the year before, I expected to take a lot longer than it did to get their attitudes to change. But quickly I saw a change in them the first couple of weeks, not even the first couple of weeks. The first week of camp, their attitude was completely adjusted and they started coming together as a team.’’

John Blanding/Globe Staff
Medford's Rico Dello Iacono and Malden's Joe Pappagallo, both in their first Thanksgiving battle as head coach.

By Maureen Mullen, Globe Correspondent

With the weight of 121 years of history and tradition spanning parts of three centuries and the spirit of thousands of alumni, the responsibility can be enormous.

When Malden and Medford face off today for the 122d edition of their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown, that history will be felt. For the last two years the game’s trophy has resided in the office of Dan Keefe, athletic director for Malden High, which holds the series advantage at 57 wins, 54 losses, and 10 ties in what is either the nation’s second- or third-longest continuous rivalry (depending on whom you ask). The first annual Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Day game was in 1889, and it has been played every year since. Two non-Thanksgiving games were also played in the early years.

‘‘For folks here at Malden High School, we’ve had to educate some of the kids new to the school, new to the city, because they don’t understand the context,’’ said principal Dana Brown. ‘‘But when they hear that they’re participating or rooting for a team in a historic game, it really does take on a different meaning because this really is a rivalry that a lot of schools would love to be a part of.’’

The following was submitted by the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School:

Fallon Bushee, a sophomore from Malden at the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, won second place in the 9th Annual MIAA Student Sportsmanship Essay/Multimedia Contest.

William Gaine, Jr. Deputy Director of the MIAA commented that “the committee was thoroughly impressed by the essay” that she wrote on this year’s topic “How do your choices impact sportsmanship?”

DIVISION 1
Cambridge (0-10) at Everett (6-2) 52d meeting (Everett leads, 39-10-2)
Lowdown: This is about pride for the Falcons, on a 12-game losing streak since November 2008. Everett, again, has the Greater Boston League title heading into the game.
Malden (4-5) at Medford (5-4) 122d meeting (Malden leads, 57-54-10)
Lowdown: Victory would cap a turnaround for new coach Rico Dello Iacono’s Mustangs, winless last season, and give Medford the first above-.500 finish in five years.
Chelmsford (6-4) at Billerica (9-1) 82d meeting (Chelmsford leads, 54-22-5)
Lowdown: This will pit MVC Large champ Billerica and the leading passer in Division 1, Nick LaSpada, against the Lions and the leading scorer in Division 1, Joe Gennaro.
Lowell (1-9) at Haverhill (0-10) 108th meeting (Haverhill leads, 53-46-8)
Lowdown: Hillies haven’t won a game since Sept. 12, 2008; Lowell on seven-game losing streak.
Somerville (3-6) at Matignon (3-6) 2d meeting (Somerville leads, 1-0-0)
Lowdown: A Somerville offense that is scoring 15.1 points per game matches up with a Matignon attack averaging 9.9 per game.
Xaverian (10-0) at St. John’s Prep (4-5) 42d meeting (Xaverian leads 22-19-0)
Lowdown: The Eagles can capture Catholic Conference title with an upset, and a BC High loss to Catholic Memorial.
Andover (6-4) at Central Catholic (7-3) 37th meeting (Central Catholic leads 18-17-1)
Lowdown: The Golden Warriors will attempt to even the series, while Central Catholic will complete its first season above .500 since 2006.

From left: John Strauss, Stephen Strauss, and John Strauss of Pleasant Smoke Shop.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Pleasant Smoke Shop, a Malden Square institution since 1981, has stopped carrying newspapers and magazines after years of declining sales and haggling over bills with drivers from several print outlets, owner Stephen Strauss said.

"It's the most screwed up [billing system] I ever saw," he said, adding that drivers often failed to account for inflated charges, and dropped off papers too early in the morning, allowing for sidewalk theft.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Last week's arrest log includes robbery, drug distribution, and assault charges. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Police booked Brigitte Centola, 32, and Leo Lepage, 39, both of 35 Emerald Street, on assault and battery charges at around 8:20 a.m. last Monday.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe staff

Charlie Baker (left) and Richard Tisei greets greet supporters in Wakefield.

By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

WAKEFIELD - Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker, sending an early signal about the fiscally conservative, socially moderate administration he hopes to build, selected as his running mate yesterday Senate minority leader Richard R. Tisei, a veteran lawmaker who is also openly gay.

Baker’s choice highlighted his eagerness to reach out to Democrats and independents who dominate the Massachusetts electorate and to distinguish himself from national Republicans who have alienated some voters with their party’s policies on gay rights.

From left: Stephanie Lin, Meghan Holden, Joanna McPherson, and Helena Whitlow.

The following is from the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School:

Four members of the Mystic Valley girls’ soccer team were recently named to the Commonwealth Athletic Conference all star team. The individual recognition tops off a very successful year for the team which played in the state tournament for the first time in school history.

The girls named to the team are: Joanna McPherson of Wakefield, Stephanie Lin and Helena Whitlow of Malden, and Meghan Holden of Stoneham.”The four young ladies who were selected to the all star team have all been with our soccer program from the very beginning. It is no coincidence that our all stars are four of the hardest working, dedicated student athletes on the team. Each of the players had an outstanding individual season and this recognition is richly deserved” said Mystic Valley Coach Chris Giles.

Things look good for next year’s team as only Holden is a senior and the remaining all stars are all juniors who will be back to play next season.

By Kathy McCabe, Globe staff

The H1N1 flu vaccination clinic last Saturday was a "resounding success" according the Chris Webb, the city's public health director.

Only about 100 people were turned away during the four-hour clinic at the Linden School. A total of 1,330 vaccines were administered to children aged 6 months to 18 years old; pregnant women; people living with children younger than six months; health care workers; and adults aged 19 to 64 who are at risk for asthma, diabetes, and other chronic ailments.