Volume 58 Issue 2

In thisIssue:

NOVEMBER 2014

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Southern Lehigh High School5800 Main StreetCenter Valley, PA 18034

by Talia Trackim

The Halls of Solehi are Alive With The Sound of Music

The Spotlight

Are you interested in saving energy? Find out about a new club on page 2.

Pennsylvania Keystones are now something you need to graduate. Turn to page 6 to get the full details.

Do you like good hair? Do you like good music? Check out Hozier’s new album on page 13.

Melody Portnoy and Michael Figler were crowned at homecoming. Read more about it on back page.

ThoughIamnotmusicallyinclinedmyself,IcansafelysaythatSouthernLehighHighSchool’stheaterandinstrumentalstudentssuremade“myheartcomealive”withtheirproductionof“TheSoundofMusic.”TheshowranfromWednesday,November12thuntilSaturday,November15th. “Throughouttheweek,aswegotmorecomfortableinourroles,theshowsgotsignificantlybetter,”sopho-moreGiulianaAugellosaid.“Althoughtherearecertainthingsthatwentwrongatsomepoints,suchascertainsetpiecesbeingmovedlate,orpropsnotmakingitontothestage,theperformanceswentverywell.” “TheSoundofMusic”tellsthetaleofanAustrianpostulateatNonnbergAbbeynamedMariaRainer,who,encouragedbytheMotherAbbess,becomesthegovern-essofthevonTrappfamily.ThesevenvonTrappchil-drenleadlivesofobedienceanddisciplineundertheirfatherGeorgvonTrapp,anAustro-HungarianNavysub-marinecaptain.Throughhermotherlycompassionandenthusiasm,Mariafindsawaytobringmusicandlovebackintothefamily.WhenWorldWarIImakesitsbrutalattack,Maria,Georg,andthevonTrappchildrentapintotheirbraverytofleeAustriaandescapetheNazis. “Ithinkthestoryisheartwarmingandinspiring,oneeveryonewouldlove,”sophomoreLexiBrownsaid.AugelloplayedtheroleofMariavonTrapp,whilejuniorChrisSmithplayingherlover,GeorgVonTrapp,andBrown“climbedeverymountain”astheMotherAbbess.SophomoreLaurenJardineplayedElsaSchraderand

juniorLukeSimmonsplayedMaxDetweiler,accompa-niedbyseniorOctaviaFitzasLieslvonTrappandseniorAustinPielasRolfGruber. “ThethingImostenjoyedabouttheshowwasthecast,”sophomoreMadelineHoffertsaid.“Ithoughtallthepartswerecastednicely.” Thecastdeliverednothingshortofexcellenceintermsofbothsingingandacting,withpiecessuchasAugelloandBrown’sheart-warmingrenditionof“MyFavoriteThings”andtheplayfulandcheerfulnumber,“Do-Re-Mi”performedbyAugelloandthevonTrappchildren.Theadvancedandskillfulopeningnumber,“Preludium”sungentirelyinLatinbytheNunswasequallymesmerizingandbeautiful. “Thevocalsweredoneverywellandaddedagreatlevelofimmersionintheperformance,”seniorJakeStat-telsaid. Inadditiontothetalentpresentedonstage,theorchestra,whichincludedhighschoolstudents,addedawholenewdimensionofcharmandsentimenttotheproduction,provingthatthere’salwaysmoretoashowthanmeetstheeye. “Itwasalittlerockygettingallthedifferentinstru-mentstobecomeacoherentunit,”sophomoreAlexandraCurtissaid,“butoncewedidthatIthinkweperformedverynicely.” Thesets,thecostumes,andtheonandoffstageac-tionblendednicelytocreateanexcellentfallmusical.

Photo Credit: Christmas City Studios

Southern Lehigh High School

5800 Main StreetCenter Valley, PA 18034(610) 282-1421 x7122

slsdspotlight@gmail.comhttp://slspotlight.com

The Spotlight is published in print and online by the student members of its staff. Its purpose is to present news concerning Southern Lehigh High School and the Southern Lehigh School District, as well as to provide a forum for student opinion. Edi-torial content of The Spotlight expresses the view of the paper and not necessarily that of the Board of Education, administra-tion, or faculty of the Southern Lehigh School District. Bylined editorial content and letters to the editor represent the opinion of the writer only. All contents are copyrighted by The Spot-light. Sponsorship rates are fur-nished upon request.

Faculty AdviserMrs. Marlo Spritzer

Editor-in-Chief Dana DiGiovanni

News EditorAshley Zamichieli

Features EditorTalia Trackim

Entertainment Editor Nicole Schroy

Opinion EditorKatie Cole

Sports EditorCody Heffelfinger

Our World EditorAshley Zamichieli

In-Depth EditorKylie Schmitt

Photo EditorCasey Asman

Video EditorEmily Kasarda

Web EditorsKylie Schmitt

Robyn Somers

Copy EditorLizzi Thom

NEWS2 SPOTLIGHT

Disconnect to Reconnect With CEI

SouthernLehighathletesarenottheonlystudentswhocompeteforawardsandhonors.SeveralSouthernLehighstudentshavesuccessfullyauditionedforandbeenofferedspotsinthe2015PMEADistrict10chorus,comprisedofthebesthighschoolsingersfromBerks,Carbon,Lehigh,Monroe,Northampton,Pike,andSchuylkillCounties. Studentsfromtheseareascompeteinvocalauditionstowinaspotamongthetop25singersfromeachsectionofthechoir:tenor,bass,soprano,andalto. “Auditionsarealwaysnervewracking,”juniorChrisSmithsaid.“Fromthemomentyouarriveatthevenue,thecompetitionison.” Fourofourveryownchoirmembershavesecuredtopspotsintheirrespectivecategories.Smithfinishedeighthinbass,whileseniorDrewSchellplacedeighthintenor.Amongsopranos,sophomoreLaurenJardinefinished17th,

followedcloselybyjuniorFionaBultonsheenwhoplaced19th. “IfeltveryaccomplishedwhenIlearnedthatImadeitin,”Smithsaid.“Atthesametimeitcomeswithasenseof

responsibility,butitisallpartoftheexperience.” ForseveraldaysinJanu-ary,thestudentswillrepre-sentSouthernLehighattheDistrict10choruseventinReading.FromThursdaytoSaturday,thestudentswillmeshtogetherinpracticeeachday.Attheconclusion

oftheweek,theDistrict10choruswillperformaconcertoftenpiecespilotedbyaprofessionalconductor. “IenjoyDistrictchorusbecauseIamsurroundedbythebestsingersinthearea,whoareallverygoodatblendingsoundandmakinggoodmusic,”seniorDrewSchellsaid.“Itisbasicallynon-stopsingingandrehearsingallweekend,whichismyfavoritethingtodo,soIlovebeingthere.”

by Preston Amato

“Disconnecttoreconnect,”juniorandpresidentofthenewCEIclubSamBadersaid.ThisisthemottofortheCon-tinuousEnergyImprovementcommittee,atwenty-memberstudentorganizationsupervisedbyphysicsteacherMr.DavidDougherty. Latelastyear,formerphysicsteacherMr.GregoryCol-linsappliedforagrantfromPPL,andSouthernLehighwasawarded50,000dollarstofindwaystoreduceourcarbon

footprint. “Wedecidedthebestcourseofactionwastomakeastudentrunclubforit,”Badersaid. ThepurposeofCEIistocomeupwithmorewaystoconserveandimproveourenergyconsumption,soweuseenergymoreeffectively.Mr.Dougherty,whoinheritedtheclubwhenMr.Collinsresigned,seekstoencouragestu-dentstobothsaveenergyandspendmoretime“inthehereandnow.” “Ourhighenergyusageisasymptomofusalwaysonthego,neverbeingpresent,”Mr.Doughertysaid.“Soifyouteachpeopletorelax,toenjoyeachotherandbeinthenow,yougetridofthosesymptoms.” Makenomistake:CEIstillseekstocutdownontheschool'senergyuse,andtoalsohelpallofusfromusingmoreenergythanisneeded. “Rightnowwe’reintheplanningstages,”Badersaid.“We’replanningongoingtofieldtripsinthearea,[toschools]whohavealreadyusedthisinitiativetobecomemuchmoreenergyefficientthanus.” CEIhasafewplansintheworks,oneofwhichisanassemblytogetstudentsmoreinvolved,aswellasmoreinformedoftheclub’sexistencetohopefullygetmorestu-dentsinvolved. “[We’re]talkingaboutmeasuringthedaylightineachclassroom,”Badersaid.“Andusingthelightsensorstobal-ancetheinsidelightandoutsidelight.” CEIalsoparticipatedintheHealthandWellnessExpoonNovember19th. TheclubmeetseveryDay3duringSpartanPeriod.Tojoin,interestedstudentsshouldtalktoMr.DoughertytohavetheirSpartanPeriodsswitched. “Noneofthisishypothetical.Iftheywantarealworldexperience,comehere,”Mr.Doughertysaid.“Thisiswhererubbermeetstheroad,buthopefullyit’srecycledrubber.”

Supervised by Mr. Dougherty, the new Continuous Energy Club aims to come up with more ways to conserve and improve energy efficiencyby Allison Borelli

Mr. Dougherty and Sam Bader research energy saving techniques together. Photo Credit: Allison Borelli

Southern Lehigh Will Represent In the 2015 PMEA District 10 Chorus

“IenjoyDistrictchorusbe-causeIamsurroundedby

thebestsingersinthearea...”seniorDrewSchellsaid.

Four Southern Lehigh choir members secured spots in the PMEA District 10 Chorus, where they will perform in an all-weekend event in January

3NEWSNOVEMBER 2014

by Robyn Somers

Poetic Students Attend Festival at DeSales

Metaphorsandsimiles,personificationandrhythm.Whatexactlymakesupgoodpoetry?AgroupofSouthernLehighstudentswenttotheannualDeSalesPoetryFestivaltofindout. ThefestivalwasheldonOctober31statDeSalesUniversity.TwelveSouthernLehighstudentsattended,ledbyEnglishteachersMrs.SherylCiottiandMrs.KellyHowsare.Over150Pennsylvaniahighschoolstudentswereinattendance. “Studentsweregiventheopportunitytoexpresstheiropinionsandcreativeideasinanon-judgmentalenvironment,”Mrs.Ciottisaid.“Manystudentsdon’thaveaplatformtopresenttheirmaterials,andthisgavethemanopportunitytodoso.Itgavethemavoiceinthecommunity.” ThefestivalwastheculminationofapoetrycontesthostedbyDeSalesUniversity.Studentswereallowedtosubmituptothreepoemsofanylength,topic,orstyle.Thewinnerswereawardedatthefestival. SouthernLehighfreshmanDestinyCastillo-MerolareceivedanHonor-ableMentionawardforherpoem,“FittingIn.”

“Iwasactuallycompletelyshocked,”shesaid.“Ididn’tthinkIwasgoingtogetanythingatall.” Aftertheprize-winnerswereawarded,thestudentslistenedtothekeynotespeaker,acclaimedpoet,RossGay.Theyalsoattendedvariouspoetryworkshops,runbyotherpublishedpoets,andparticipatedinanopen-micseminar. “Ilikedhearingotherstudents’poetryandhearingRossGaygivealecture,”sophomoreAlexandraCurtissaid.“Hewasmyfavoritepartofthewholeexperience.” Overall,thestudentsinattendanceagreedthatitwasaenjoyableandeducationalfestival. “Ireallyenjoyedgettingtohearthekeynotespeaker,aswellasexpe-riencingadayoutsideoftheschoolwiththestudents,”Mrs.Ciottisaid.“Iwasabletoseeadifferentsideofthem,makingitaveryenlighteningexperience.”

What’s in the Mysterious Red Buckets? LastMay,LibertyHighSchoolwentintoalockdown,andstudentswerestuckinclassroomsforhoursduetoapossibleinsidethreat.Withoutanyformofbathrooms,theyhadtomakedowithwhatwasprovidedforthem.Studentsalsolackedessentialslikewater,food,firstaid,andlightsources. UsingLibertyasalearningexperience,SouthernLehighSchoolDis-trictcameupwithanidea--bucketscontainingsuppliestouseforseriousemergencies. “Thebucketsareemergencysupplybuckets,”schoolnurseMs.Mer-rilynPyshersaid.“Insidethereiswater,alightsource,toiletpaper,candy,abathroom,atarptocreateaprivatearea,firstaidkit,andanythingelsestudentsandteachersmightneedduringalockdown.” Thesebucketswillprovideaprivatesanitarywaytodealwithissuesthatmightcomeup.Abucketwillbeplacedineveryareawherestudentsandstaffmightbeduringanemergency. “[Thebuckets]willhelpeliminatesomeofthestressinthesechaoticsituations,”OfficerBrianMcLaughlinsaid.“Wewanttoteachawarenessinallaspects.” SouthernLehighEducationFoundation(SLEF)isaparentgroupwhorallieddonationsfromvariouscompaniesforsupplies,becausethebuck-etswerenotproposedintheannualbudget. “Thebucketsprovideallnewsafeschoolemergencypreparedness,”Of-ficerMcLaughlinsaid.“Theyareforkidswhoreallyneedsomethingdur-inganemergency.”

by Talia Trackim

A look inside a red bucket. Photo Credit: Robyn Somers

A group of students who attended the DeSales Poetry Festival. Photo Credit: Mrs. Sheryl Ciotti

FEATURES4 SPOTLIGHT

Students Tap into Their Inner CreativityBy Izza Choudry

Manyhighschoolstudentsfeelthatthereisnowheretofreelyexpresstheircreativity.NowatSouthernLehighHighSchooltheycan.TheLiter-aryandArtSocietyisanewstudent-runclubstartedthisyearbysopho-moresTaliaTrackimandNicoleSchroy. “Iwantedtogivestudentsanoutletofselfexpression,happiness,andstressrelief,”Trackimsaid.TrackimandSchroygainedthesupportofEnglishteachersMrs.MarloSpritzerandMrs.SherylCiotti,whoco-supervisetheclub. “WhenTaliaandNicoleaskedmetosupporttheirclub,Iwasexcited.There

wasasimilarclubabout10yearsago.Itwasaniceidea,”Mrs.Ciottisaid.“Thisclubprovidesanoutletforstudentstoexpressthemselveswithoutcriticism.” Themainpurposeofthisclubisforcreativewritersandartiststosharetheirworkinasafeenvironment,freeofjudgement.TrackimandSchroyaimtopublishaphysicalmagazinecontainingstudents’artandwritingpiecesattheendoftheyear. “Sofarwehaveagoodbaseofstudents,butrightnowwe’rejustworkingonthebasesandgettingmorestudentsinterested,”Trackimsaid. Allclubshavetostartsomewhere,butTrackimandSchroyarehappywiththeirprogress.Sofarthemajorityoftheclubconsistsoffreshmenandsophomores. “Lastyear,therewasaclubcalledPoetrySocietywhichwasonlyNi-cole,agirlwhograduatedlastyear,andme,”Trackimsaid.“Wewantedtocreatesomethingsimilartothat.” Manystudentsagreethattheyoftenfindschoolstumpingtheircre-ativity,andthattherearenotmanyplacesforstudentstoexpressthem-selves. “TheoverallimpactIwantwiththisclubistoprovideastimulatingenvironmentforstudents,andaplacefortheircreativitytoshine,”Mrs.Ciottisaid.“InEnglishyouhavetowriteacertainway,buthereyoucanfreelywrite.” Sofarmembersarehappywiththeclubandareexcitedforitsfutureprogress. “It’sagreatwaytopromotetheartsinourschool,”freshmanclubmemberSavannahTaborsaid.“It’sagreatfeelingtoshareyourworkwithfellowstudentsandgetpositivefeedback.” TheclubmeetsduringSpartanPeriodeveryDay3inRoom122andisopentoallwhoneedaplacetoembracetheircreativity.

Imaginewakingupat5a.m.onaSaturday,trudgingthroughthecoldinablazerortie,thenboardingabus,whilepreparingforalongdayout.Forsomestudents,thismayseemliketorture.Tomembersofthespeechanddebateteam,thisisanaveragecompetitionday. Whileforensicsisofferedtoanyone,manypeopledon’ttypicallyunderstandwhatit’sallabout,andimagineitassimplyhavingrapid-firedebateswithotherstudents.Whilethiscanbetrue,italsoinvolvesotheractivitiessuchasspeechandinterpretation,whereyoumaydoanythingfrompresentinganoriginalspeechoractingoutaportionofaskit. Practicesareheldeverydayafterschool,whenteammemberscanworkonyourtheirpiecesandgetconstructivecriticismfromeitherspeechanddebatecoachMr.DavidLong,orothermemberswhoarewill-ingtohelp.Itisherewhereyoucanoftenfindmembersworkinghardorjustbonding. “Weareafairlycompetitiveteam,andbyfarthemostobnoxiousatawardceremonies.Wearealwayssupportiveofourteammates,”juniorNaomiLisaid. Afteralotofpracticeanddedication,studentscompeteatdifferenthighschoolsonSaturdaysallthroughouttheschoolyear.Atthesesome-whatnearbyschools,theteamspendsnearlythewholeday,presentingtheirpiecesmultipletimes,beforeawardsarehandedouttothetopcom-petitors.Attheend,theygohome,exhausted. Speechanddebateisdifferentfromanyotherclubanddoesinterestitsowncrowd. “Thegreatthingabouttheteamisthatthereisnotypicalstudentintheclub,”Mr.Longsaid.“I’vehadstudentswithstrongacademics,weakacademics,jocks,bandkids,andpeoplewhoonlydospeechanddebate.There’snotypicalmember.” Tosome,thismayseemlikealotofunnecessaryeffort,butstatisticsproveitisn’tallinvain.Stateornationalawardwinnershavea22to30

percentbetterchanceofgettingintotop-tiercolleges,andcaptainshavea60percenthigherchancetodothesame,accordingtospeechgeek.com.Theyalsodevelopimportantpublicspeaking,analytical,andteamworkskills. “Thespeechanddebateteamgivesawelcomeenvironmentandmakesyoufeelpartofafamily,”juniorAngelaJustinsaid. Forensics,orspeechanddebate,isahighlycompetitiveclub.Studentswhowouldliketotrysomethingnewanddon’tmindworkinghardcanvisitMr.LonginRoom207tolearnmore.

Students line up to recieve their awards at a Forensics tournament. Photo Credit: Talia Trackim

Talia Trackim, Nicole Schroy, and Madeline Hoffert advertised the Literary and Art Society at the Healthy Living Expo. Photo Credit: Talia Trackim

A Look Inside the Speech and Debate TeamBy Savannah Tabor

Supervised by English teachers Mrs. Spritzer and Mrs. Ciotti, the Literacy and Art Society provides a free and open sanctuary for students to express their creativity.

5FEATURESNOVEMBER 2014

Mr. SieskoBy Jonathan Kopinski

Mr.ThomasRuhfwashikingontheVatnajokullGlacierinIcelandonhishoneymoonwhenhereceivedthecalltosetupaninterviewatSouthernLehightoreplaceMr.IanBeitler,formerhighschoolgiftedcoordinatorandsocialstudiesteacher.

Priortohisrecentmarriage,Mr.RuhfattendedMoravianCollege.Inadditiontoearninghiscertificateinsecondaryeducation,hemajoredinhistorywithaminorinpoliticalscience.Heiscurrentlyworkingtowardhismastersincurriculuminstruction.

ABethlehemnative,Mr.RuhfisfamiliarwiththeLehighValley.HespentthreeyearsatworkingatFreedomHighSchoolandanotherthreeyearsatWilsonHighSchoolbe-forecomingtoSouthernLehigh.TheimpressiveamountoftechnologyavailableatSolehiisjustonethingluredhimintothisdistrict.

“Ithinkthatthisjobpresentsuniqueopportunities,suchasworkingwithstudentsthathaveanabilitytochallengethemselvesbeyondthetypicalschoolday,”Mr.Ruhfsaid.

Mr.RuhfteachesCivicsandGovernment,UnitedStatesCultures,andafewgiftedseminars.Heenjoysthegiftedseminarsbecausehefeelsitismoreenrichingtoconducttheclassroominalternativemannersratherthanstickingtotraditionalmethods.

AsGiftedCoordinator,itisMr.Ruhf’sresponsibilitytomeetwithgiftedstudentsandtheirparentstodevelopsplansthatwillexpandtheirlearning.Theadviceonpostgraduateplansandacademicinformationheprovidesen-courageshisstudentstosucceed.

“Ilookforwardtoworkingwitheveryone.IthinkI’map-proachableandheretohelp.”

Outsideoftheclassroom,Mr.Ruhfenjoyshiking,cooking,andbeingwithhiswife.

Mr. RuhfBy Lizzi Thom

Afterasix-monthleaveofabsence,mathematicsteacherMr.BradSieskohasreturnedtotheclassroomandisreadytoteach.Heandhisstudentsareallexcitedforhimtobeback.

BecauseMr.Sieskoteachesbothmathandcomputersci-ence,itwasachallengetofindonesubstitutewhocouldteachbothtypesofcourses.ForthedurationofMr.Siesko’smedicalsabbatical,substitutemathteacherMrs.HeatherCrayfilledthepositiontoteachpre-calcandcollegealgebra,whilemathteacherMs.JustinaViolajuggledherschedulelastspring,andtechnologycoachMr.JosephBreischsteppedinthisfall,tomaintainthecomputerscienceclasses.

“Havingtochangeteachersinthemiddleoftheyearisalwaysaninconvenienceinmyopinion,”seniorRickyFrablesaid.“Sincealotofteachershavedifferentteachingstylesitcanbedifficulttotransitionfromoneteachertoanother.”

Mr.SieskoisnowbackintheclassroomandreadytogetbacktoworkafterbeingtreatedforLymediseasewhichhecontractedthreeyearsagowhilehikingontheAppalachianTrail.

“IwasaffectedinsuchawayIwasunabletoperformsimpletasks,suchasloggingintomycomputeranddrivingtowork,”Mr.Sieskosaid.“Thesabbaticalallowedmetogetcor-rectlydiagnosedandproperlymedicated.”

Mr.Sieskosaidhistransitionbacktotheclassroomhasbeensmooth.“Mr.Breischgotmeuptospeedonmyfirstdayback,andthenIwasabletoplanmysecondday,”hesaid.“ThethirddayItookover,anditwaslikeIneverleft.”

ThestudentbodyandfacultyallwelcomeMr.Sieskobackandwishhimthebestofluck.

Some New and Familiar FacesAmong the Southern Lehigh Faculty

Photo Credit: Nicole Schroy Photo Credit: Nicole Schroy

OPINION SPOTLIGHT

LET’S BE HONEST:

Varsity Sports vs. Gym Class

By Ashley Zamichieli

Let’sbehonest:gymshouldnotbearequiredclassforvarsityathletes.Withthecompetitivenatureofvarsitysportshereatthehighschool,gymisjustacauseforunnecessaryinjurytoathletes. MaybeI’mstillbitterfrombe-ingoncrutchesthreedaysbeforemysenioryearofdistrictvolleyballplayoffs,allthankstoaninjuryincurredduringgymclass. Nonetheless,thisfallseasonaloneSouthernLehighwonthreeColonialLeaguetitles,aswellasthreeDistrictXItitles,andthewin-terandspringseasonsportsareprojectedtodominatealso.Eachteamreliedonitsfullvarsityrostertoadvanceinleague,district,andstateplayoffs. Duringtheheightofanysportsseason,practicesbecomemoreintenseandgamesconsumebothweeknightsandweekends.Some-timesgamesareanhourorsoaway,andthebusridetoandfromcutsfurtherintothelimitedtimeonehasinaday.NotonlyamIphysicallyexhausted,butI’mmen-tallyexhausted,andhomeworkisthelastthingonmymind. Thus,varsityathletesshouldhavetheoptiontoselectstudyhallinplaceofgym. Asavarsityathletemyself,I’mnotusinggymasacopoutsothatIdon’thavetoworkout.Igetmorethanmydailydoseofcardioduringpractices.Gymclassisonlyaddingmoreexertion(andlet’snotforgettomentionthe“gymclassheroes”whotryunnecessarilyhard). Don’tgetmewrong,however.I’mextremelycompetitive,andI’mthefirstonetoparticipateinspeedballorhandball.ButgiventhechoiceastowhetherIcouldtakestudyhallorgym,Iwouldchoosestudyhall. Thereareonly24hoursinadayandrequiringathletes,whode-votemuchoftheirtimetoacom-petitivesport,totakegymclassisirrational.Athletesdedicatealotoftheirtimetosportssoshouldn’ttheadministrationdedicatemoretimeforathletestofocusontheirstudiesaswell?

Ah,theshoulder.Whataprovocativesightitis.Orsoitseemsthatwaywhenobservedaccordingtothetermsoftheschoolhandbook. Hearing“shouldersmustbecovered!”isnowsomewhatofabrokenrecord.Wehearitoverandover,infaculty’shopesforstudentstoconcealtheirscandalousshoulders.However,thereseemstobeathinlinebetweenwhatisappropriateandwhatisadistraction.Atassembliesandothervariousocca-sions,studentshavebeentoldtocoverupsotheyarenotadistraction. “Girlsdonothavetodressforamoresatisfyingenvironmentformales,”sophomoreAllysonYanegasaid.“It’snotlikeaspaghettistrapisprovocative.” Timeandtimeagain,girlshavebeentoldthattheyneedtodressappropriatelyinordertorefrainfrombeinga“distraction.”Wardrobeshouldnotignitedesire,andsomefeelasifthedresscodeistoolimited. “There’sathinlinebetweenslimmingandslea-zy,”freshmanAnthonyCampoleisaid. Moststudentsfollowthedresscode,somewithreluctanceandsomewithease.Despitethedresscodeavoidingtheterms“girlsorboys”inorderto

refrainfrombeingsexist,somefeelasifgirlsarevictimized. “Idon’tthinkgirlsshouldhavetodressacertainwaysothatguysaren’tdistracted,”freshmanGabbyStaubsaid. However,somefeelthatthedresscodeisappro-priate,fair,andreasonable. “Thedresscodedoesnot[victimizegirls],”soph-omoreJackZamichielisaid,“butweonlyseegirlsgettingcaughtbecauseguysdonotdressinappropri-atelythatoften.” Atthebeginningofeveryyear,administratorsgatherstudentsintheauditoriumtoreinforcethedresscode.Italwaysseemsthatgirlsaretargetedasstudentsarelecturedaboutproperattire. “ThetoneandattitudeonthedresscodeinSouthernLehigh[is]shamefulandquiteembarrass-ing,”sophomoreIsabelOberlandersaid.“Afterleav-ingeachannualassemblytoreinstatethedresscode,Ihavenevernotfeltinsultedandvictimized.Ireallydon’tseewhatissohilariousaboutisolatinggirlsintoonestereotype,degradingthempublicly,andtryingtopassthisoffaslighthumor.”

By Nicole Schroy

ThePennsylvaniaDepartmentofEducationrequiresstudents,beginningwiththeClassof2017,topasstheKeystoneExamsinBiology,AlgebraI,andLiteratureinordertograduate. “Thestatewantedtoensurethatallstudentsacrosstheentirestate,regardlessofwhatschooltheywentto,wasgettingacertainminimumeduca-tion,”assistantprincipalMrs.BethGuarriellosaid.“ThestateusestheKeystonescorestorateteachereffectivenessandschoolperformance.Schoolsarejudgedonavarietyoffactors,includingKeystonescores,studentgrowthandprogress,attendance,graduationrate,andsomeothers.” DespitehowtheKeystoneshelpshowthatstu-dentsarelearningcertainimportantinformation,theexamsplaceunnecessarystressonstudents. Inordertopass,studentsmustscoreeitherprofi-cientoradvanced.Thosewhodonotpasswithintwotrieshavetocompleteaprojectbasedassessmentor

retaketheexam. Manystudents,however,feelthattheKeystonesshouldnotbemadeamandatorypartofstudent’sgraduation. “Ithinkyoushouldn’thavetopasstheKeystonetograduate,”sophomoreMichaelMoyersaid.“Ev-eryclassaheadofusneverhadtopassthem,andbecausewenowhavetoworryaboutpassingthesetests,itcouldaffectothergradesbecausewearestressingaboutthesetests.” Othersagreethatwhiletheexamprovidesanac-ceptableassessmentofwhatstudentshavelearned,itmaynotbeeffectivewhenimplementedasare-quirementforgraduation. “Iunderstandthevalueofthetestsandassessingstudents’knowledgeofthecurriculumtheylearninschool,butI’mnotsurethatitisnecessarytomakeitagraduationrequirement,”EnglishteacherMrs.AmyBaushersaid.“IpersonallyfeelIhaven’thadenoughexperiencewiththeKeystoneExamyettodetermineifitshouldbeagraduationrequirement.” Ontopofthesestate-mandatedstandardizedtests,studentsstillhavetocompletethegraduationprojectinCTA. Inmyopinion,howstudentsperformwithinclasses,ratherthanhowwelltheyareabletoper-formonastandardizedtest,shouldnotdeterminewhethertheygraduate.Theyshouldnothavetoworryaboutpassingastandardizedtestthatmaypreventthemfromgraduating. “Studentsmaybestressedaboutpassing,de-pendingonwhotheyare,”Mrs.Baushersaid.“ButItreattheKeystoneExamlikeanyothertestorexam.SoIencouragemystudentstotrytheirbest.”

Another Standardized Test?: Keystone Exams

PhotoCredit:www.pgsd.org

by Alex Baca

6Is the Dress Code Gender Biased?Southern Lehigh’s dress code is questioned once again, this time over whether or not females are being specifically targeted.

7OPINIONNOVEMBER 2014

WANT TO SEE MORE?

FOLLOWUSONTWITTER@SLSDspotlight

“That’ssogay,”astudenterroneouslymuttersbeneathhisbreath,cursingthehomeworkhe’sbeengiven.“What’swrongwiththat?”youmaybewondering.Toputitsimply:everything. “Theissuewiththe[negative]useoftheterm[‘gay’or‘fag’]isthatpeoplearenotreallyawarethatthey’reevenusingitattimes,letaloneitsnegativeeffect,”GSAadviserMs.KateSchartelsaid.“SowhatIusuallydoisthatItellthemthatunlessthey’rereferringtoabundleofsticksoracigarette,theyneedtomakeabetterwordchoice.”

Toomanypeopleuse“fag”and“queer”asaderogative.Icouldrambleonandbreakintoamilliondifferentvariouspoints,butI’mjustgoingtostickwiththebestwaytosolvetheproblem:awareness. “I’mkindagrossedoutwhenpeopleuse[gay]asaninsult,”juniorAdaStewardsaid. Callingsomeonegaytohurtthemiswhat’swrong;thiscreatesnega-tiveconnotationsforpeoplewhoidentifyaslesbian,gay,bisexual,ortransgender(LGBT).There’snothingwrongwithbeingLGBT,yetcallingsomeonegaytohurtthemhelpspromotethisfallacy. “AtonepointIwillpleaseaskthemtowatchwhatthey’resaying,”sophomoreKataunnaSellsaid.“Therearecertainpeoplethatdogethurt.” Insteadofcallinghomeworkorsomethingelse“gay”becauseyoudon’tlikeit,useamorepreferableandaccuratewordchoice.You’reget-tinganeducationforfree,souseit. “Themainthingiseducatingaboutthepotentiallynegativeeffectsofusing‘fag’asaninsult,becauseinmostcasespeoplewillsay‘well‘I'mnothomophobic,I’mjustsayingit‘causeit’sjustathingthatpeoplesay,’”Ms.Schartelsaid,“buttheissueis,itshouldn’tbeathingthatpeoplejustsay.”Tousewordssuchas“gay”and“fag”asderogativesdamagessocietyandpeopleinunseenways.Whetherit’shurtingsomeoneemotionally,orlayingdownadangerous“monkeysee,monkeydo”behaviorfortheyoungergeneration,thisbigotedandunfairpatterncan’tcontinue.

Putting an End to Derogative Name CallingBy Allison Borelli

TheGay-StraightAlliance(GSA)club.PhotoCredit:AllisonBorelli

So,yourseniorseasonended.Youalwaysknewitwasgoingtohap-pensomeday,butyoudidn’tthinktodayyouwoulddropthelabelof“highschoolathlete.”Sure,you’reallowedtobesadnow,andweallhavetogetoveriteventually,butthere’snoneedtodoitalone.Here,takethesetipswithyou!

1. Look to your fellow seniors for comfort. Lookaroundyou.Thereareotherteammateswhoaregoingthroughtheexactsamethingasyou.Youcanreflectonallthememorabletimesyou’vehadinthesefouryearstogether.Atfirst,youcanbesadtogether.Butlater,youcanbehappytogether.Iknowit’ssuperlameandcheesytosay“don’tbesadthatit’sover,smilethatithappened,”or“allgoodthingsmustcometoanend,”butthey’reactuallykindoftrue.2. Go to the diner. There’snothingtheCoopersburgDinercan’tfix.Justimagineastackofchocolatechippancakes,homefries,andasideofbacon.Breakfastcanmendbrokenhearts,turnthatfrownupsidedown,curecancer,uncoverthemeaningoflife,andsavetheworldallwithinyourbudget.3. Wear a sweatsuit all week. Enoughsaid.4. Don’t forget about the banquet. Whileyourseasonisover,youstillgettoreuniteasateamonelasttimeatthebanquet.Yougettodressup,relax,andreminiscewithyourbestfriendsandfamily.Andsinceyou’reaseniornow,youwillmostlikelygetatonoffreestuff.Freestuffisthebeststuff(besidesbreakfast,ofcourse).5. Think of the positives you still have in your life. Yes,onehappythinginyourlifecametoaclose,andthatissad,but

youhavesomanyotherhappythingstosmileabout:puppies,rainbows,walking,running,dancing,Netflix,summer,Target,PopTarts,socks,sun-flowers,air,andSpotify.Whileitmayseemliketheendoftheworld,trustme,it’snot.6. There’s still college. Ifcollegeisinyouragendaforthenextfouryearsofyourlife,youwillmostlikelybeabletocontinueplayingyoursport.Andyoudon’thavetobeaDivision1athleteforthistohappen.Fortunately,manyschoolsoffercluborintramuralteamsthatwillallowyoutoplayonafterhighschool.

6 Ways to Help You Get Over the Bitter End of Your High School Athletic CareerBy Dana DiGiovanni

Playingsportsincollegeisanoptiononceyourhighsschoolsportscareerhasended.PhotoCredit:RoshanYadama

CENTER SPREAD SPOTLIGHT8

Put your ice cream in a big Zip Lock bag before freezing it. This will keep it soft like when you bought it, and will never bend your spoon again!

LIFE HACKS #1 LIFE HACKS #23

Do a google IMAGE search for “Atari breakout”. You’re

welcome.

Icy sidewalks or steps? Mix 1 tea-spoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and half gallon of hot water. Pour over icy areas and it won’t refreeze or

eat/chip the concrete like salt does.

LIFE HACKS

LIFE HACKS

On PizzaCodes.com if you input your location, they’ll give you a discount code to the nearest

pizza places!

Can’t find anything to watch on Netflix? Try using NetflixRoulette.net. Enter your interest, click spin

and they’ll give you something awesome to watch.

LIFE HACKS #381

You can stop music from playing on your iPhone after a certain period of time. This is especially helpful if you want to go to sleep with music,

but not wake up to it. Go to Clock --> Timer, set a duration and select the

option “Stop Playing.”

LIFE HACKS

Find a lost driver’s license? Drop it in the mailbox and USPS will deliver it to the intended recipient. Plus you

will get some good karma.

LIFE HACKS #05

Adding “gif” before the word “you-tube” in the URL allows you to

create your own gif with the video.

LIFE HACKS #77

#144

Use ice cubes to remove gum from your hair. It will harden the gum, making it much easier to remove.

You can also use this method for get-ting gum off the soles of your shoes.

LIFE HACKS#44

It’s hot chocolate season again, but if you really want to make the best hot chocolate this year try warming

up milk with Nutella.

LIFE HACKS

On PrivNote.com you can write someone a text message that

will self-destruct after they read it.

LIFE HACKS #18

If you ever get caught being chased by a Crocodile run in a zig zag pat-tern. They have trouble making any

kind of sharp turns.

#90LIFE HACKS

Need to quickly solve a math problem? The PhotoMath app will solve it by simply pointing your camera at the problem.

LIFE HACKS

LIFE HACKSWake up with a sore throat? Mix hot

water, 2 TBSP honey, 2 TBSP vin-egar, dash of cinnamon, and 2 TBSP of lemon juice. Mix well and drink. You’ll feel better within the hour.

#96

Roommate’s phone alarm go-ing off? Call their phone. It

will turn it off.

LIFE HACKS

CENTER SPREADNOVEMBER 2014 9

Icy sidewalks or steps? Mix 1 tea-spoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and half gallon of hot water. Pour over icy areas and it won’t refreeze or

eat/chip the concrete like salt does.

LIFE HACKS #93

When doing sit-ups if you place your tongue on the roof of your

mouth it will stop you from straining your neck.

LIFE HACKS #300

#174LIFE HACKS

On PizzaCodes.com if you input your location, they’ll give you a discount code to the nearest

pizza places!

#38LIFE HACKS

Need to cite a quote from a book? Don’t bother looking through every page to find it, simply type it into Google Books. It will tell you the

page number automatically.

LIFE HACKS

Psychologists say that when meet-ing someone for the first time, you

only have about 7 seconds to make a powerful first impression. So make it

count!

#51

Here’s a list of website where you can get textbooks for free.

1. TextbookNova.com2. eBookee.org

3. ManyBooks.net

LIFE HACKS #03

LIFE HACKS

Have a package on it’s way? On BoxOh.com you can track it’s ex-act progress and route on Google

Maps simply by entering your tracking number.

#72

#10

On Musicovery.com you can find new music based on

your current mood.

LIFE HACKS#145You can stop music from playing on your iPhone after a certain period of time. This is especially helpful if you want to go to sleep with music,

but not wake up to it. Go to Clock --> Timer, set a duration and select the

option “Stop Playing.”

LIFE HACKS

Need to quickly solve a math problem? The PhotoMath app will solve it by simply pointing your camera at the problem.

#16LIFE HACKS #102

Have a paper due? Need to not get distracted by the internet? KeepMeOut.com lets you block sites for certain periods of time, so you’ll stay focused on the task

at hand.

LIFE HACKS

Need a speaker? Put your iPhone in a glass cup it will

project the sound.

LIFE HACKS #31

If you write a letter to a Disney Character, they will send an au-tographed 8 x 10 picture back.

Here’s the address.

LIFE HACKS #254

Roommate’s phone alarm go-ing off? Call their phone. It

will turn it off.

LIFE HACKS #222

OUR WORLD SPOTLIGHT10

InOctober,SouthernLehighHighSchool’sGlobalNomadsparticipantswontheGlobalCitizensinActionYouthMediaFestival2013-2014withtheirfilm,“FightingIgnorance-AShortDocumentary.”ThroughalivebroadcastinKabul,Afghanistan,itwasannouncedthattheeight-minutedocumentarymadebySLHSstudentswonthecategory,“Media,Diversity,andTolerance.” TheGlobalNomadsGroup,whichconnectsstudentsinNorthAmericatostudentsinPakistanandAfghanistan,hostedthecompetition.During

thespringof2014,theorganizationaskedover520participatingstudentsfromaroundtheworldtosummarizewhattheylearnedfromtheirexperi-encevideochattingwithstudentsfromothercountries.Ateamof26SLHSfreshmen,leadbysocialstudiesteacherMrs.KatieQuartuch,enteredthecontest. TheshortfilmfocusesonthewallofstereotypesthatseparatestheUnitedStates,Pakistan,andAfghanistan.Inthevideo,manyparticipantsfromtheunderclassmengroupexpresshowthemultiplevideochatsex-pandedtheirunderstandingandknowledgeoftheMiddleEast.StudentsexplainhowmediaaltersinformationandcontrolswhatAmericansthinkaboutothercountries. “[Thefilm]isabouthow[thestudents]feltthattheywereignorantaboutpeopleinAfghanistanandPakistanandhowmediahelpedfuelthisignorance,”Mrs.Quartuchsaid.“Theyreflectedonhowmuchtheylearnedfromtheexperienceandhowmuchtheychangedasaresult.”SophomoreIsabelOberlendervolunteeredtomakethedocumentary,despitenotactuallyparticipatingintheGlobalNomadsprogram.Forher,thisexperiencewasawaytoexpressherpassionforfilmmaking,whilealsolearningagreatdealaboutMiddleEasternstereotypesfromher26peersinGlobalNomads. “ThevideoIcreatedforthisprojectwasfromaverypersonalvantagepoint,”Oberlendersaid.“TheUnitedStatesmediagearsindividualsto-wardsMiddle-Easternbias.” Forwinninginthe“Media,Diversity,andTolerance”category,theschoolreceivedacertificate,andwasmentionedonthelivebroadcastinKabul,Afghanistan.AccordingtotheGlobalNomadsstudentsatSouthernLehigh,thecertificateisnotthemostimportanttrophy.Thebestawardistheexperiencetheytookaway,breakingstereotypicalbarrierswithchil-dreninMiddleEasterncountries.

Fighting Ignorance Helps Global Nomads WinLast year, Southern Lehigh freshmen teamed up with Mrs. Quartuch in an effort to interact with students from the Middle East and their documentary won its respective categoryby Emily Oberlander

Photo Credit: Emily Oberlander

Students and Teachers Talk Smart Phones by Sarah Trebicka Forsomestudents,spendingadaywithoutacellphoneisabsolutetor-ture.Forothers,it’saregular,everydaything.Isacellphoneanimportanttoolforstudents,orisitjustatime-wastingdistraction? Justlookaround:sayingthatonlysomestudentshavesmartphoneswouldbeamassiveunderstatement.Manystudentsgottheirfirstcellphonewhentheywerejust11yearsold. Textingappearstobethemainuseforcellphones,raisinganaddition-alquestion:whytexting?Whynotface-to-faceconversations,orphonecalls? “Talkingonthephoneiswaymoreawkward,”freshmanSarahOlsonsaid.“It’slikeyouhavetocommittotalkingtothemthewholetime.IfI’mjusttextingthem,Icanbelike,‘Oh,Ihavetogotakeashower,’andthenjustgotextotherpeopleandtheywouldn’tknow.” “It’slikehidingbehindawallofprivacy,”sophomoreKayleyHartzsaid.“Youdon’thavetolookpeopleintheeye.” Thirty-sevenpercentofteensaged12-17ownsmartphones,accord-ingtoa2013studyconductedbyPewInternetandAmericanLifeProject.Thispercentagevaluehasshowna14-percentincreasesincethesamestudywasconductedin2011. “Theycanbedistractions,butthey’resuperuseful,”freshmanTempleColdrensaid.“Youhavetheworldatyourfingertips.” “Byowningasmartphone,youhaveanawfullotofaccess,”socialstud-iesteacherMrs.KatieQuartuchsaid.“Oftentimes,that’seitherhelpfulorempowering.” “There’ssomuchtodowithasmartphone,”sophomoreCodyChandlersaid.“Youcaneasilycontactpeoplebysendingoutatext,oryoucanjustgoofaroundwithfunapps.” Seventy-fourpercentofteenswhoownsmartphoneshavemobileac-cesstotheInternet.Smartphonesmayquicklybecomeareplacementforcomputers,furthercausingthenumberofteenagerswithsmartphonestoskyrocket. “Ifyouhaveyougoonyourlaptopstolookthingsupinclass,Idon’treallyseethedifferenceofhavingyougoonyourphones,”Mrs.Quartuchsaid.“Also,sometimesIthinkbecauseofproblemslaptopscancause,phonesarerelativelygoodalternatives.”

Whilesomeseetheprosofsmartphonesasusefuldevices,aswellasafunwaytokilltime,othersseetherearecons,too. “Smartphonescanbebothdistractingandaddictive.Itseemslikemostpeoplewouldratherbeontheirphonesthaninteractwiththeactualpeoplearoundthem,”EnglishteacherMrs.KellyHowsaresaid.“Thisisespeciallytrueforstudentswhomightpreferplayingagameorchattingwithfriendsthanlisteningtoateachergivinginstructions.Thelattertakesmorediscipline,effort,andconcentration,thingsnotusuallyrequiredwithasmartphone.” Studiesshowthatit’sphysicallypossibletobelegitimatelyaddictedtoyoursmartphone.AccordingtoastudyconductedbytheprofessorofleadershipattheHarvardBusinessSchool,44percentofmanagersandprofessionalssaidtheywouldexperienceagreatdealofanxietyiftheylosttheirphoneandcouldn’treplaceitforaweek.Seventypercentsaidtheychecktheirsmartphonewithinanhourofwakingup,and58percentsaidtheyalsocheckitwithinanhourofgoingtosleep. “Ithinkwe’readdictedtooursmartphonesmainlybecauseofsocialmedia,”freshmanJeanneHaverhillsaid.“Youcaneasilyjusttapafewthingsonyourscreenandseewhatyourfriendsareupto.” “Peopleareuncomfortablewithsolitude.Mostpeoplewouldn’tbeabletojuststandthere[andwaitforafriend]andlookaroundaimlesslyormakeeyecontactwithotherspassingby.It’sjustuncomfortable.”Mrs.Quartuchsaid.“So,[havingasmartphone]makesiteasy,becauseyouhavetheoptiontojustgoonyourphoneanddistractyourselffrombeingalone.Peoplefindcomfortinbeingonsocialmedia.” “Ithinkstudents,andadults,areaddictedtosmartphonesbecausetheyprovideinstantgratification.Peoplecanlookupanythingorcon-tactanyonebyhittingabutton,”Mrs.Howsaresaid.“Usingsuchadevicedoesn’ttakemucheffortorconcentration;it’seasy,whichisn’talwaysagoodthing.” It’sdefinitelynoexaggerationthatsmartphonesaregrowinginpopu-larityamongteenagers.Butaretheydistractionsthatcondonelosingthemeaningofface-to-faceconversations,oraretheyusefuldevicesthatprovideaccesstotheworldatourfingertips?

11OUR WORLDNOVEMBER 2014

What’s IN and OUT?

Winter CoatsBean Boots

SnowBasketball SeasonBlanket Scarves

School Keeps AC OnCultris

Rainy DaysFall Sports

Ariana Grande

Fountain Hill Elementary Homework Club

by Ashley Zamichieli

National Honor Society has initiated a homework club at Fountain Hill Elementary school where giving back to the community counts in more ways than one

OuTIN

MembersofNationalHonorSociety(NHS)havestartedahomeworkclubatFountainHillElementarySchool,helpingstudentsinfourthandfifthgrade.EachTuesdaymembersofNHSmeetwiththesestudentsfrom3:30until4:45assistingthemwithhomework,completingcrafts,andplayingvariousactivities. Thehighschoolstudentsfirstassistthekidswithmathorreadinghomeworkassignments;oncetheirhomeworkiscompletetheyusuallycompleteacraft.Iftimepermitsthekidsalsoloveplayingquickgamesofkickball,foursquareorheadsupsevenup. Sincethehomeworkclubmeetseveryweek,NHSstudentstrytopairupwiththesamechildeachtime,sothereisalevelofcomfortbetweenthepairs. Helpingthesekidseachweekmeanstheworldtothemandit’sagreatwaytogivebacktothecommunity.

Photo Credit: Ashley Zamichieli

Solar Roadways Are the Newest Energy Saver

Haveyoueverthoughtthatmaybeweashumanswasteenergy?Ener-gyisofcoursethefoundationofwhatkeepstheworldrunningnowadays.But,whatifthesolutionwasrightunderourfeetandwheels?SolarRoad-waysiswhatthey’recalledandtheirpresenceisbeginningtobediscov-ered. SolarRoadwaysprovideamethodofconvertingthesun’slightintoelectricitybybuildingsturdypanelsthatcanbeputtogethertoformroad-ways,parkinglots,andotherpavementsites.

Thesepanelsarenotthecommonlyknownpanelsseenonroofsofbuildingsorinsolarfields;theyarehexagonalpanelsthathavestrongLEDlightsbuiltintothem.TheseLEDlightscanportraytheyellowdrivinglines,parkinglines,warningsigns,andevensportslines(likeonabasket-ballcourt)--prettymuchanythingyou’dseeonnormalpavement. SolarRoadwaysareindividualpanels,soinsteadofhavingtorepaveentireroadsorpatchuplittleareas,makingitallbumpy,eachpanelcanbeindividuallyreplacedifnotfunctioningproperly. Thesepanelsarealsoself-poweredandmaintainatemperatureafewdegreesabovefreezing,whicheliminatesproblemslikesnowandstickingtoroadsanddriveways,andeliminatestheneedtoshovel. Thisisarelativelynewideawhichisgoingtotakealotoftimeuntilitisupandrunningeffectivelyandefficiently,withmorework,wecouldexpecttoseeinstallationinlargedistrictsinthenextfewyears. TheSolarRoadwayindustryhasputalotofemphasisontheyoungergenerationneedingtotakeonthistaskandgettheroadwaysgoing. “ThisisareallycoolideaandIthinkthatitcouldhaveamassiveim-pactifitcatcheson,”juniorJacobSteirersaid.“IsupporttheideaandI’mallformakingithappen.” SomesaythatifalltheroadsintheU.S.werereplacedwithsolarroad-ways,wecouldproducethreetimesasmuchenergyaswehavetoday. “Avastmajorityoftheenergywehavecomesfromthesun,soitonlymakessensetouseit,”scienceteacherMr.DavidDoughertysaid.SolarRoadwayshavereceivedcriticismregardingtheratioofcosttotheamountofenergybeingproduced. “Wearetooconcernedwiththeimmediateeffects,”Mr.Doughertysaid,“thatweareblindtowhatcouldbeinstoreforthefutureofourplanet.”

by Robert Bloss and Mitchell McColl

Solar Roadways provides a method of converting solar energy into electricty through sturdy panels which are to be placed along roadways, parking lots, and more in the future

Photo Credit: SolarRoadways

ENTERTAINMENT12 SPOTLIGHT

An A Cappella Group Worthy of an A+By Brandyn Berean

On the Rise Artist: Chris WebbyBy Preston Amato

Photo Credit: listentowebby.com

FanscanfollowChrisWebbyonTwitter(@ChrisWebby)orvisithiswebsite(ListentoWebby.com)tostayupdatedon

hislatestmusic.

Undergroundhip-hopmogulChrisWebbyhasgatheredanaudiencefromacrossthecountrywithhisuniquerapstyle.Withheartestablishedinhiswork,hisstoryisonewithupsanddownsthatcanattractanarrayofpeopletohismusic. WebbystartedhiscareerafterbeingkickedoutofHofstraUniver-sity.Asaresult,ChriswasabletofocusonrappingprofessionallyandlaunchedthepersonaofChrisWebby. Exactlyamonthafterbeingexpelled,Webbydebutedhisfirstmixtapetothepublic,andinstantlybecameanotableartistwithhishitsong“LaLaLa.”Sincethen,Webby’sstardomhasonlygrownwiththereleasesofeightmixtapesandtwoEPs. Forthepastfiveyears,therapperdidnothaveastudioalbum,butonOctober27th,ChrisWebbyreleasedhisfreshmanalbumentitled“Chemi-callyImbalanced.” Thealbumstartsoffwithatracknamed“Nice2BeBack”inwhichWebbystatesthathewillneverselloutinresponsetolabelswhowanthimtochangehisstyle.Thisiswhateveryfanwantstohear,thathewillalwaysbetruetohisstyleandhisfanbase. Oneofthebesttracksonthealbumis“R.A.D.”Webbyuseshisuniquestyletocreateabeatandsmoothvocalsthatforcesyoutonodyourhead.ThecatchytuneandpunchlinesaresimilartothemusicofEminem. Themostmeaningfulsongofthealbumisthetitlesong“ChemicallyImbalanced.”Webbyrecallsseveralinstancesofhisrockypastwhichturnedhimintothepersonheistoday.Theendofthefirstverseisverypowerful:“Nowthesecardsaredealt,toldmyselfIdon'tneedhelp,numbmyselftoeverything,andkeeponrunnin’frommyself.” Overall,thealbumexceededmyexpectations.ThehardworkanddedicationculminatingwithWebby’slifestoriescreateanextremelydiversemeltingpotofsongs.Afterhearingthealbum,fanscanbereas-suredthatWebbyhasnotsoldouttoalabelandwillcontinuouslybringushisuniquestyleinthefuture.

Whatisthedefinitionofanacappellagroup?Itisagrouporsoloactthatsingsasongwithouttheaidofanyinstruments.Multiplevoicesmakesacombinationthatisamusthear. Pentatonix,originallyfromArlington,Texas,isafive-memberacap-pellagroupthatconsistsofthreesingers,abeatboxer,andabass.ThemembersareScottHoying,MitchGrassi,KirstieMaldonado,AviKaplan,andKevinOlusola. Thegroup’smainsingers,Hoying,Grassi,andMaldonado,grewuptogetherandattendedthesamehighschool.Kaplan,afriendofHoying,hassuchadeepvoicethathemimicsthebassforeachsongwhileOlusola,discoveredonYouTube,doesthebeatboxing. In2011,thegroupwonanacappellasingingcompetitioncalledTheSingOff.WhatsetPentatonixapartwasthatmostothergroupshadmorethanfifteenmembers,whiletheyonlyhavefive. Sincethen,Pentatonixhasreleasedsixstudioalbumsincluding“PTX

Vol.3,”releasedonSeptember22,2014.Theirlatestalbumincludesseventracks,varyingfromoriginalsongstocoversofpopularsongs. Theirhit“Problem”isthefirsttrackonthealbum.Itisacoverorigi-nallyrecordedbyArianaGrandefeaturingIggyAzalea.Inthissong,Hoy-ingisthefeaturedmainsingerbecauseofhispitchsimilartoGrande. TwoothergreatpartsofthesongarewhenGrassirapsandwhenOlusolaandKaplanperformthechorus.Olusolabeatboxesandsingsthewords,“onelessproblemwithoutyou,”whileKaplanlaysdownagreatbassvocal. ThegroupalsorecordedcoversofCleanBandit’s“RatherBe”andamash-upofNaughtyBoy’s“LaLaLa”andDisclosure’s“Latch,”whichthegroupnamed“LaLaLatch.”ThesongsoriginallyfeaturedBritishstandoutSamSmith. Onthisalbum,however,Pentatonixdidsomethingcompletelydiffer-entthatanythinghavedonebefore,recordingasongentirelyinFrench.Thesong,called“Papaoutai,”wasoriginallyrecordedbyStromae. Forthissong,themembersofthegrouphadtolearnhowtospeakthedifferentvowelsoftheFrenchlanguage.PentatonixalsogotalittlehelpfromviolinistLindsayStirling,whotheyalsorecordedwithpreviously,tocreateanelegantviolinbacktrack. Thealbumincludesthreeoriginaltracks:“OnMyWayHome,”“SeeThrough,”and“StandingBy.”Ofthethree,“OnMyWayHome”isthebestbecausethechorussoundslikeanAfricanchoirinthebackground,whenreallyitisonlythemembersofPentatonix. Oneachtrack,Pentatonixdoessomethingalittlebitdifferent.Wheth-eritisthesinger,melodies,orsoundsproducedbyKaplanandOlusola,Pentatonixseemstotrytobeuniqueincomparisontootherartistswithintheirgenre. “Theyhavechemistrywiththeirvoicesandtheyseemtoworktogeth-erverywell,”seniorTeaganBuhoskysaid. Thisalbumistheirthirdregularstudioalbum.PentatonixalsolikestotaketheiracappellatalentsintoChristmassongs,andreleasedtheirholidayalbum,“That’sChristmastoMe,”onOctober21,2014. Ihighlyrecommendedallofthealbumsbecausetheyarealldifferentfromanythingyouwouldlistentoonadailybasis.ThejudgesfromTheSingOffcalledPentatonix“theacappellagroupofthefuture.”Andfortheseartists,thisisjustthebeginning.

Photo Credit: itunes.com

13NOVEMBER 2014 ENTERTAINMENT

Borderlands: The Pre-SequelBy Ryan Santos

Hozier: Good Hair, Even Better MusicBy Emily Oberlender

Coming Soon...

The Imitation Game Antartica: A Year on Ice Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

December 19December 19November 28November 28

Photo credit: imdb.com

Submerseyourselfintoanew,yetfamiliarfeeling--“shootandloot”entryintheBorderlandsfranchisewith“Borderlands:ThePre-Sequel,”releasedonOctober14th.ThePre-Sequelisthethirdinstallmentintheseries,setaftertheoriginal“Borderlands”andbefore“Borderlands2.” Thegamewasdevelopedby2KAustraliaandGearboxSoftware.Gear-box,foundedin1999byRandyPitchford,isknownforcreatingiconicgamessuchasthe“Borderlands”series,“BrothersinArms,”“DukeNukemForever,”and“Aliens:ColonialMarines.” “ThePre-Sequel”takesplayersonasci-fi-esquetriptoElpis,Pandora’smoon,bringingarefreshingbreathofairintotheseriessinceplayersexploredPandorainthefirsttwogames. Inaroleplayinggame,thecharactersareoftenamainfocusfordevel-opers.In“Borderlands:ThePre-Sequel,”playersareabletoplayasAthenatheGladiator,whowieldsaKineticAspisshield;WilhelmtheEnforcer,whoisdronesWolfandSaintassistincombat;NishatheLawbringer,whoseshowdownskillcantakedownaroomfulofenemies;orClaptraptheFragtrap,whosevaulthunter.exeactionskillwillrandomlychooseanactionbasedonthecombatsituation. IplayedthroughnormalandTrueVaultHuntermodesasAthenatoreachlevel50,thehighestlevelattainableatthistime.PlayingasAthenafeltsmooth,fastpaced,andsimple.IfoundherKineticAspisshieldtobeagreathelpwithtakingoutlargetargets. Althoughthegameoccasionallyfeelslikeacut-and-pasteversionof

“Borderlands2,”andtherearestillafewbugs,it’safunexperienceforanyfirst-personshooterfan.Ihighlyrecommendthisgame.AsGearboxcampaignsalwayssay:“mayhemawaits,bringfriends.”

Irishartist,AndrewHozier-Byrne,other-wiseknownbyhisstagenameHozier,releasedhisdebutalbumtitled“Hozier”inAmericaonOctober7,2014,withtheRubyworkslabel.ThepreviouslypopularmusicianfromYouTubestartedhiscareerwithmanysinglesincluding“CherryWine”and“LikeRealPeopleDo”beforereleasingthispremieralbumfeaturingmanyotherpopularsingles. Therisingartistwasbornintoamusical

familyinBray,CountyWicklow,Ireland.Hozierdecidedtofollowinhisfather’sfootstepsandattendedTrinityCollegeinDublinformusic.HedroppedoutoftheschoolduringhisfirstyeartostartrecordingdemoswithUniversalMusic.Forthreeyearsbeforestartinghiscareerasanindependentartist,HozierwasapartofanIrishchoralgroupcalledAnúna. ThisalbumisareflectionofHozieronaper-sonallevel.Throughsymbolismandexperience,Hoziersingshisdeepemotionsloudenoughforusalltohear,yetquietenoughforustobehauntedwiththequestionshismusicbrings.Heusespoeticlanguagetotranslatepowerfulmessages.Throughthe13originalsongsonthisalbum,Hoziergiveshisfansadosageofhimselfandhisbeliefs. Forexample,inhishitsingle,“TakeMetoChurch,”Hozierpreachesaboutgayrights.Inthelyrics,“Iwasbornsick,butIloveit,”themusi-cianspeaksoutaboutthediscriminationho-mosexualsfacebecausetheirloveisconsideredunnaturalbysome.Accordingtoaninterviewwithfashionblog,TheCut,Hoziersaidthathegrewupina"culturallandscapethatisblatantlyhomophobic." Thisisn’ttheonlypopulationhestandsupfor.“WorkSong”alsoexposesHozier’sempathytowardsthepoorlytreatedAfrican-Americansintoday’ssociety.

Hozier’snewalbumisanecessityforbothrainydaysandsunnyafternoons.Whilesomemusictakesyoubacktothepast,thismusicmakesyoufeelsomethingnew.ThefirsttimeIlistened,Ifeltcomfortedbythebeautyofthesound,butshakenbythehonestyoftheartist. Ontheindierockalbum,classicinstrumentssuchasanacousticguitar,piano,anddrumsmakeanappearancealongwithuniquesoundslikeclapping,stomping,andevenchirpingbirds.Thecalmingmusicissubtle,yetoverflow-ing,withdeepemotionsthatarebeggingtobeheard. Comparedtoothersimilarartists,Hozier’ssoundsarenotverynewororiginal.However,hisstyleismodernandrefreshing. The24-year-old’sindierock,soul,andbluesmusicisuniqueformanyreasons,onebeingthattheartistwritesallofhisownmusic.HoziersaidinaRollingStoneinterviewthateachsongtakesaboutonetooneandahalfyearstowritebeforeitfeelsathome,andeachisreleasedatjusttherighttime. Whetheryourmusicaltasteorbitsaroundgenreslikepop,metal,rockorgospel,Hozierisforeveryone.Listeningtakesyouonajourneythroughdifferentperspectivesofboththeworldaroundyouandyourownlife.Thebarredguitarandsmooth,steadydrumswillmakeyoufeelbothcomfortedandvulnerable.

Photo Credit: nydailynews.com

Photo Credit: gearboxsoftware.com

SPORTS14 SPOTLIGHT

by Townsend Colley

AftersufferingaheartbreakinglossintheColonialLeaguefinals,South-ernLehighHighSchoolboys’soccerwentontodefeatthetopthreeteamsintheAAADistrictXItournament,destroyinganydoubtsaboutthequalitywithintheteam. TheteampushedmightilythroughtheColonialLeague,defeatingSalis-burytosecureaspotintheplayoffs,andthenbeatingPalisadesinthesemi-finals,onlytofalltoMoravianinthefinals,thankstoalatepenaltykick.SouthernLehigh thenmovedon todistricts as the sixth-seedunderdog inAAA.TheSpartanshadneverwonaAAADistrictXItitleandwerenotexpect-ingtoomuch,buttheystillwentinwithhighhopesandhungerforawin. SouthernLehighdefeatedBangor1-0inthefirstroundandmovedrightontothethirdseed,PoconoMountainEast,inthetournament.TheSpartanspulledoffa surprisingvictorybookedat1-0,advancing themto thesemi-finalsagainstthesecondseed,Parkland. Thestagewassetat J.BirneyCrumstadium,andSouthernLehighwassettoplaytheEPCgiants,ParklandHighSchool.Thegamewasintense.TheSpartansstunnedParklandwithanearlygoalandthenfinishedthemofflateinthesecondhalf.TheyhadnowpulledofftwomassiveupsetsandwereontheirwaytotheAAAfinals. TheSouthernLehighboys’soccerteamnowhadashottograsptheirfirst-everAAADistrict final, and toaccomplish this task theyhad todefeat thenumberoneseed,Emmaus.TheSpartanspulleditoffinanexcitingandsus-pensefulmatch,withafinalscoreof2-1infavorofSouthernLehigh. Theplayerswereecstaticandwereoverjoyedwiththeirvictory. “It’s theclassicunderdogstory,” juniorcaptainJacobCasselsaid.“Ihadneverfeltbetter,anditwasthebestfeelingofmylife.” SeniorcaptainLoganKochsaidtheteam“reallysteppeditup”tobouncebackfromthedefeatbyMoravianintheColonialLeaguefinal. “Ithinkwepracticedharder,focusedmoreduringwarmups,andplayedthegameswithnothingtolose,”Kochsaid.“Beingtheunderdog,weknewwewouldhavetoplayourbesttocompetewiththebigschoolslikeParklandandEmmaus,andIthinkwedidjustthat.It’sanincrediblefeelingtobeDistrictXIAAAChampionsandmakeschoolhistory.” The2014teamisthefirstColonialLeagueandSouthernLehighteamtowinaAAAtitleinDistrictXI. Throughout the playoffs, the team received strong and consistent sup-portfromthecommunity.Therewasastudentsectionateverygame,alwayscheeringforSouthernLehigh. “Theatmosphereat thegames [was]unbeatable,” juniorRyanHeurich,aregularmemberofthestudentsectionsaid.“Ilove[d]watchingmyfellowpeersadvancethroughdistricts.”

OnOctober16,SouthernLehighboys’soccerwashandedacrush-ingdefeat in theColonialLeaguechampionshipgame.TheSpartanslost2-1indoubleovertimeatthehandsofMoravianAcademy.JackMcCambridgedeliveredthepenaltykickafterbeingtwoforfivethisseason. The Spartanswent into the final as the third-seeded team afterbeatingPalisadesinthesemifinals.Previously,MoravianAcademyhadupsetthenumberoneteam,SauconValley,tomakeitintothechampi-onshipgame. “IalwaysfeelthatMoravianAcademyhastoplayagreatgametobeatSouthernLehigh,”MoravianAcademyHeadCoachBobHartmansaid. AsexpectedbyCoachHartman,thegamewasveryclose.ThefirstgoalofthegamecameoffofareboundattemptbyseniorRyanFowler.TheSpartansmanagedtoholdontotheir1-0leadthroughoutthefirsthalf. ThetempoofthesecondhalfwassetwhenMoravianstrikerRyanPeslissenttheballjustpastseniorSpartangoalkeeperRyanHardingfortheequalizer.Throughouttherestofthegame,thetwoteamsbat-tledbackandforth,bothmissingseveralscoringopportunities. Thegame-winninggoaloccurredwhenMoravian’sJeffBrownwastrippedupona rush toward thegoal andMoravianwasawardedapenaltykick. “Ithinkwecamesofar,anditwasarealletdown,”leadingJVgoalscorerfreshmanNateMorrissaid.“Onthebusridehomeyoucouldhearapindrop,”Fowlersaid.“Itwasquiet,youcouldhearpeoplecrying.Itwasbad.” Fowlerwasamenaceto theMoraviandefense.The last timethetwoteamshadfacedeachother,hehadscoredtwice. “StoppingRyanFowlerfromscoring[wasourhardestchallenge],”coachHartmansaid.“Hescoredtwoagainstusintheregularseasongameandoneinthefirsthalfofthechampionshipgame.Iwasn'tsurewecouldkeephimfromscoringanothergoalandwinthegame.” “WhentherefereeblewthewhistleforthepenaltykickIthinkev-eryonejustfelttheirheartssink,”Morrissaidaboutthepenaltykick.“Ourkeeper[RyanHarding]hadagreatgamebutusuallythepenaltykicktakergetstheadvantageoverthekeeperinthatsituation.” TheSpartansendedupwinningDistrictXIbybeatingtwotoughmatchupsagainstEmmausandParkland.TheSpartanslostinthefirstroundofstatestoaverygoodGreatValleyteam.

Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team Rebounds to Win District XI Championship After Devastating Colonial League Loss to Moravian Academy

by Mitchell McColl

A Spartan player lays on the field after the tough loss against Moravian Academy. Photo credit: Stephen Flood of lehighvalleylive.com

Ryan Fowler attacks the ball in their game against Northampton this year. Photo Credit: Jie Qian

15SPORTSNOVEMBER 2014

Girls’ Soccer Team Shows Promiseby Cody Heffelfinger

Athletes Of The Issue

Name: Ryan FowlerSport: SoccerStats: • 22 goals scored• 52 points scored• 8 assistsRyan Fowler was selected as male athelete of the issue for his spectacular performance for the soccer team this year during the regular season and the playoffs.

Name: Nina DeLunaSport: Tennis & Cross CountryStats: • 17-2 as single tennis

player• .895 win percentage • 3.1 miles in 21.19

milesNina was selected as fe-male athlete of the issue becasue of her outstand-ing performance in tennis and cross-country and earning herself league honors in both sports.

Witharegularseasonrecordof12-6-1,theSouthernLehighgirls’soccerteamwentintotheDistrictXIplayoffslookingtoupholdtheirprevioussuc-cess,butfelltoNorthwesternLehighinthesecondround. “Weworkedreallyhardtogettowhereweneedtobe,butwe[didn’t]finishstrong,”seniorcaptainMackenzieKozielsaid.“Weneed[ed]toputitalltogether.” TheSpartanswontheirfirstdistrictgameagainstBlueMountainina2-0shutout. SeniorMackenzie Koziel and sophomoreKaitlynO’Brien scoredthegoalsforSouthernLehigh.SeniorgoalieAlysonMoyerhadthreesavestokeepthehopeofwinningtheDistrictXItitlealive. TheirseconddistrictplayoffgamewasagainsttheNorthwesternLehighTigers(18-1).SouthernLehightrailed in the firsthalf,2-0.Northwesternscoredanothergoalinthesecondhalftoputthegirlsdown3-0.However,theSpartansneverquit and scored twogoals to give the teama fightingchance.Unfortunately,thegirlscouldnotscoreagainandlostaheartbreak-ertotheTigers,withafinalscoreof3-2. “Wehada young team this year,” senior captainAbbeyCerciello said.“I’mproudofhowalltheunderclassmensteppedupandhelpedtheteam.” TheSpartanswilllosefourseniorsnextyear:goalieAlyMoyer,outsidemidfielderLizzyLievendag,forwardAbbeyCerciello,andcentermidfielderMackenzieKoziel.

OnMonday,November3,SouthernLehigh’shockeyteamdominatedQuakertown’s.Witha final scoreof5-2, theSpartansplayed thebesttheyhaveallseason,afterlosingmostoftheirearlygames. Attheendofthefirstperiod,theSpartanswerealreadyup2-1withgoalsfromjuniorJustinTaylorandseniorcaptainNoahSargent. “Wemovedthepuckreallywell,andplayedaphysicalgame,”Sar-gentsaid.“Intheendwepulledoutthewin,butweneedtokeepwork-inghardifwewanttohaveawinningseason.” BytheendofthegameSargentscoredtwogoals.FreshmanCullenHawkscoredonegoalandoneassist,andanothergoalwasscoredbyAndrewSpidel. OnlyoneQuakertownplayerscoredfortheteamduringtheentiregame. “WeplayedagoodgameagainstQuakertown,”seniorassistantcap-tainSeanGrossmansaid.“Butweneedtokeepworking,andtakelesspenalties.Wealsoneedtopayattentiontothebendersontheteam.” Inpreviousgamesthedefensehadreallystruggled,butgoalieJohnFloryandtherestofthedefenseworkedhardtokeepthepuckonQuak-ertown’sside. “Ourdefensewasprettysolidoverall,thebackcheckwasourstron-gestpartofthatgame,”seniorAndrewOstrowskisaid.“Whattheteamreallyneedstoworkonisourforechecking,hitting,gettingshotsonthenet,andskating.”

Puck Yeah!by Robyn Somers

OnFriday,October31st,attheSalisburyHighSchoolstadium,16-year-old Tyler Strauss scored his first touchdown in a football game againstSouthernLehigh.Touchdownsareacommonoccurrenceinfootballgames,butthisonemeantmuchmoretotheSalisburyfootballteam. Strauss, a sophomore at Salisbury High School, is the football team’smanager.Hehas fragileX syndrome,agenetic condition that is themostwidespreadcauseofintellectualdisabilities,andaknowncauseofautism.TheCenterforDiseaseControlandPreventionestimatesthatoneinevery5,000malesisbornwiththedisorder.Thereisnocureforit,buttherearetreatmentsavailable. Strausshasalwayslovedfootball,buthisconditionmakesthesporttoodangerousforhimtoplay.AspecialeducationteacheratSalisburysuggest-edthatTylermanagetheteam,sohecanbearoundthesportheloves. The Salisbury players, led by seniors Teddy Denver andWes Maron,alongwithjuniorNateDavidson,approachedtheircoachwiththeideaofgettingTylerintotheseasonfinaleagainstSouthernLehigh.SalisburycoachAndyCercothenbroughttheideauptoSouthernLehighcoachJohnToman,whowentalongwiththeplan. “Ididn’tknow itwashappeninguntil theplaybefore,” senior footballmanagerKimPaniksaid.“[Thecoaches]saidtheywereputtingaboywithautisminandhewasgoingtoscoreatouchdown.” With8.9secondsleftinthegame,theannouncer’svoicecamethroughthespeakers,shouting,“Number44isinthegame.44isinthegame.” Thecrowdquickly found44onthe fieldandwatchedhimreceivetheball.Ashestartedrunningtowardstheendzone,playersfromSouthernLe-highdoveoutofway.Mostoftheteamfoundoutaboutthissecondsbeforeithappened.AfewSouthernLehighplayerswereunawareoftheplanandwereveryconfusedastowhynoonewasstoppinghim. TheSalisburyteamranalongsideTylerashescoredan82-yardtouch-downtomakethescore42-34inSouthernLehigh’sfavor. Despitelosingthegame,theSalisburyplayerscheeredandchantedTy-ler’sname.Thewholestadiumjoinedin. “Itwassomething that Iwill remember for therestofmy life,” juniorMichaelRicciosaid. TheFalconplayershavealsocomeupwithaplantosell"TogetherWeAre1"t-shirtstoraiseawarenessforFragileX,andforallstudentswithdis-abilities. “Youhearstoriesaboutthisallthetime,”Paniksaid,“buttoactuallyex-perienceit,it’samazing.”

A Touchdown to Rememberby Kylie Schmitt

The ice hockey teams during their game this year. Photo Credit: Allan Sargent.

ODDS AND ENDS SPOTLIGHT16 NOVEMBER 2014

Homecoming Queen: Melody Portnoy

Thecrowningofhomecomingkingandqueenisapopulareventinmosthighschools.Thisyear,seniorsMichaelFiglerandMelodyPortnoyweredeemedroyalty.Traditionally,theboyonhomecomingcourtwhoraisesthemostmoneyforcharityrisesvictorious.Figlerclaimsheraised(giveortake)afewhundreddollars. “Iwouldn’thavebeenabletoraisetheamountofmoneyIdidwithoutmycompassionatefamilyandfriends.Iwalkedaroundmyneighborhoodandafewsoccergameswithmycutegirlfriend,Hanna,”hesaid.“MakesureyouwritecuteorI’llwalkoutofthisinterview.” Figlerpulledthroughwiththewin,butwhoishewhenhetakesoffthecrown?Mikeymanagesthegirlssoccerteam,playsguitarinaband,andispartoftheemerginghealthprogram.Hewouldprefertobearockstarinthefuture,butwillalsosettleonamorerealisticcareerinthemedicalfield. “I’masimpleman,”hesaid.“Ilikevinylrecords,pugs,andtaquitos.” Naturallygiftedinthefieldofmusic,Figlerboastsanimpressiveresume.Guitar,bass,mandolin,ukulele,drums,piano,saxophone,andharmonicaareallinstrumentsheclaimstohavemastered.Hisfavoriteinstrument,however,ishis2014AmericanDeluxeFenderTelecasterbythenameof“Sha’Dynasty.” “EveryonethinksI’marough,tough,sportydudejustbecauseIrunmyowngrass-cuttingbusiness.Thisisnottrue,”Figlersaid.“Deepdown,I’masensitiveguy.Ipetkittens.Ivolunteer.Iplayacousticguitaroutsideintherain.Nobodyunderstandsme.” Onamoreseriousnote,Figlerhascomealongwaysincelastspring’scontroversialpromnight,andatthepeprallyheeventhankedourschoolforgivinghimasecondchanceatthecrown.

“Honestly,Iwentoutthereandtriedmybest.IhadfunraisingmoneyforagoodcauseandIjusthappenedtoraisethemost,”Figlersaid.“AmIthemostworthy?Probablynot.” Attheendofthenight,kingandqueenarejustlabels.ThereallessonthatHomecoming2014hasprovidedisthateveryonedeservesasecondchance.

OnFriday,October17th,seniorcheerleaderMelodyPortnoywaspulledfromherusualspotonthesidelinesandawardedthetitleof2014HomecomingQueen.Portnoycouldn’thavebeenhappier. “IhadnoideaandIwascompletelysurprisedbythewin.Alltheoth-

ersgirlsonthecourtweresodeserving,”Portnoysaid. UpagainstPortnoyforthetitleofqueenwereseniorsKylieSchmitt,MadisonHallman,AbigailCerciello,andMackenzieKoziel. Inadditiontoreigningasthecurrenthomecomingqueen,PortnoyisanactivememberofStudentCouncilandparticipatesinvarsityandcom-petitioncheerleading. Shehasbeenamemberofbothsquadsforallfouryearsofhighschool.HerlastyearwasmademorespecialwhenshewasawardedtheprivilegeofbeingnamedcaptainalongwithHallmanandseniorsKellyBoydandSaraZook. Portnoyhasleftanimpactthattheunderclassmencheerleadershopewillremainfortheseasonsahead. “Melodyalwaysshowspeoplehowtobehappyandhowtofeelgoodaboutyourselfevenwhenyoumakemistakeinacheerorstunt,”fresh-menAutumnKandtsaid. Portnoycan’tbelievethatthisisherfinalyearonthesquad.Shehascreatedmanymemoriescheeringonthesidelines--herfavoritepartisflyingforstunts--andhasgainedfriendsthatshehopestokeepforlife. “Iwillmissallofmyteammembers,aswellasthefootballboys,”shesaid.“WehaveallbecomesuchafamilythatI’msadtoseeitend.” Outsideofschool,Melodylovestolistentoherfavoriteclassicrockre-cordsincludingthosebytheiconicbandTheBeatles.Shesaidtheirsongshavesuchempoweringandinspiringmessages.Infact,Portnoysaidalyricfromthesong,“DearPrudence”inspiresherdaily:“thesunisup,theskyisblue,it’sbeautifulandsoareyou.” Herloveofmusicstartedatayoungagewithalittlehelpfromherfather,MikePortnoy,whohappenstobealegendaryrockdrummer.Withmusicrunningthroughoutthefamily,Melodyfoundaloveforplayingthepiano.Heryoungerbrother,Max,isalsoinarockbandcalledNexttoNone. PortnoyhashadtheopportunitytotraveltheworldandrecentlytookherfirststepsintoFinland.ShealsolovestotakelocaltripsinherblueVolkswagenbeetletotheCoopersburgDinertogetCooperbunswithoneofhercheer“besties,”SaraZook. Aftergraduation,Melodyhopestoattendafour-yearuniversity.Dur-inghertimeincollegeshewouldlovetogettheopportunitytostudyabroadinParis,France.

by Anna Esposito

Melody Portnoy and Michael Figler smile wide after being crowned. Photo Credit: Christmas City Studios

Homecoming King: Michael Figlerby Dana DiGiovanni

2014’s homecoming court. Photo Credit: Christmas City Studios