BLOOMSBURG HIGH SCHOOL / V. 86 / MAR. 2011

March 14, 20112

Many spend sleepless nights working on gaining the advantage over classmates and competitors. It’s what they have been working for over their academic careers and what they will be working with for the rest of their

lives. The winning ways of senior swimmer Zachary Stephens are not handed to him from his coach or parents. He puts in those tough hours each day to obtain the success he has received and will continue to strive for something better when he dives into Rolfs Aquatic Center at Notre Dame University. Like Stephens, seniors Mackenzie Yordy and Courtney Sabo have also won themselves countless awards as well. Their creativity and attention to detail landed them recognitions through their technological advancements in design and layout making. Remington Weigle secured a state tournament birth for the first time in his high school career as a senior focusing on making an impact on the struggling wrestling team. After gaining weight only to have to slim down later, his focus and strive to punch his ticket to Hershey allowed him to achieve just that. National Merit Scholar Rachel Boy has earned tops academic honors through the PSATs taken in the fall. But while awards add something to strive for and provide achievement when it seems the work being put in isn’t worth the stress and exhaustion, not all students have such a direct path to their success. Kids in the musical may never grace Broadway, but their on stage talents will surely pay off in other ways. Confidence, poise and teamwork have been sharpened throughout the many practices, work days and rehearsals. Their passion and devotion to succeed in their work, whether it be sports, academics or hobbies is perhaps the greatest award found within and can only be measured by themselves.

It’s that time of year when competition heats up and student recognition seems to accelerate from their hard work and effort put in during the early months of school. Colleges are sending acceptance letters and athletes are signing contracts to play sports for the next four years.

CONGRATULATIONS ALL

RECOGNITION

EDIT

ORIA

L“Don’t write an editorial to be liked. If you want to be liked, get a puppy. They will even lick you.” - Journalism professor John Kupetz

Cover designCover photograph by Samuel Calhoun.

News Editor Casey Ward

Features Editor Ilea Franklin

Sports Editor Lauren Ball

Specials Editor Seth Loff

Design Editor Courtney Sabo

Staff Samuel Calhoun, Emily DuBartell, Mitchell Fornwald, Christina Gulliver,

Kylie Hastings, Avery Keefer, Billie-Rae Michael, Katherine Mullen,

Maria Polanco, Samantha Royer, Talia Sainclair, Sarah Scheib,

Brianna Shannon, Emily Stewart and Emily Tolan

Adviser Sam Bidleman

Editor-in-Chief Brittany Karpinski

Bloomsburg High School 1200 Railroad Street Bloomsburg, PA 17815 March 2011 V88 N6

The Red & White is the magazine serving the students, faculty and administration of the Bloomsburg High School community, written, designed and published by the Journalism I and II classes.

Views expressed in the Red & White represent those of the writer, not necessarily those of the high school. Unsigned commentary represents views of the Editorial Board.

Find us on the web @ http://my.highschooljournalism.org/pa/bloomsburg/bhs and on Issuu.com.

The Red & White is printed by the Press Enterprise, 3185 Lackawanna Avenue, Bloomsburg, PA 17815Kathy Malkoskie, PE Customer Service Representative

Letters PolicyThe Editorial Board welcomes all comments and letters. Please sign and send all letters to room 215. The Board does not condone abuse deviated from the subject matter directed at one or more individuals.

PA School Code 22 Chapter 12.9Students have the right to express themselves unless the expression interferes with the educational process, threatens serious harm, encourages unlawful activity, or interferes with individual rights. School officials may not censor material simply because it is critical of the school or its administrations

The Red & White is a proud member of the Pennsylvania School Press Association.

March 14, 2011 3

THE BUZZKNOW YOUR SCHOOL

friends or familyWHO KNOWS YOU BEST?

Photos by Brianna Shannon

COLLECTED BY BRIANNA SHANNON

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT SPRING?

ANITA BUCHER (12)“I like how it’s just getting warm and how school is ending soon.”

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS (11) I love being able to run outside in shorts, the start of baseball season and Easter.”

REBECCA BEITZ (11)“I like how it gets cold enough to wear a sweatshirt but still getting the warmth of the sun.”

RICKY KLINGERMAN (09)“I like the baseball season”

MICHAEL ZOPETTI (10)“What I like about spring is the sun.”

COLLECTED BY BRIANNA SHANNON

Urban Dictionary

Laura

Facebook

Chapstick

Patrick

Snakes

Laura

Facebook

Chapstick

Spongebob

Spiders

Her middle name

Chapstick or Lip gloss

What scares her the most

Favorite Website

Favorite SpongeBob character

In this issue, older sister Cara Mensinger and best friend Emily Mesenburg find out who knows Miranda Mensinger best.

CARA MESINGER (12) MIRANDA MENSINGER (09) EMILY MESENBURG (09)

A TIE. 3-2

LYELL HINTZ (09)“I like the temperature, mid 60’s and I also like the transition into summer”

Laura

Chapstick

Patrick

Spiders

A TIE. 3-2

Although soda isn’t the healthiest drink a student could choose, if given a choice plenty of us would select soda over water. We interviewed 78 students asking, “What’s your favorite soda?” and here are the results.

March’s Survey

Collected by Seth Loff

March 14, 20114

MAKE A NOTE

Sabo earns state, national journalism awardsStudents know her this year as the Editor-in-

Chief of Memorabilia, but senior Courtney Sabo’s work ethic and talents have earned her much more. Sabo was selected as the 2011 Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) Scholastic Journalist of the Year, and her 46-page portfolio has been sent to the national Journalism Education Association (JEA) for scholarship consideration at their national conference in Anaheim, CA. “You can not begin to imagine how she has changed student publications,” says Memorabilia and R&W advisor Samuel Bidleman. Along with trend-setting yearbook designs, the former R&W editor-in-chief has continued to create eye-catching pages in this publication. Two of her layouts were awarded Keystone Awards by the PA Newspaper Association which will be presented this week at their

annual trade show in Hershey. “I spend hour after hour sketching and then designing whatever work I have on my iMac. Whatever I do needs to be perfect. No regrets,” says Sabo. But that honor was overshadowed when Sabo was announced at the state’s SJOY. Her portfolio was a collection of over 50 layouts, photographs, illustrations and editorials that showcased her best efforts. Judges noted the diversity of her work, her dedication to community service and the attention to detail that highlights every entry. JEA national winners will be announced on April 17. Sabo plans to use her graphic designing skills in the future, but has yet to decide on a career. After all of her accomplishments, Sabo has received nothing less that her well deserved praise. “Obviously I’m incredibly proud,” says Bidleman.

Like most kids her age, senior Mackenzie Yordy spends the majority of her time tinkering with electronics. But unlike others, Yordy has won many awards and praise for her tinkering. As well as being a part the highly successful robotics team, Yordy has been recognized for her own personal talents. She participated in the 2011 PETE&C (Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo & Conference), designed the robot Axium and helped rebuild Executor. Not everyday consists of sparks and explosions. “Basically you have to be good with computers for the designing process,” says Yordy, whose interest in robotics has matured since a young age. “I actually watched Battlebots on TV when I was eight,” says Yordy. After meeting with industrial technology teacher Kirk Marshall for a career day, Yordy discovered her true passion. Soon after stumbling upon the robotics team that Yordy did not know existed, she joined the team and has since positively represented the group.

FIRST NEWS TO USE

Yordy’s design top 6 in PETE&CBY KYLIE HASTINGS

BY KYLIE HASTINGS

BY KYLIE HASTINGS

Senior Courtney Sabo holds her first two PA Newspaper Awards. She will accept her third consecutive at the PNA luncheon in Hershey this Wednesday. Sabo was also recognized as the best scholastic journalist in the state.

After finishing reading Emma by Jane Austen, the book club will be picking their next book to read.

Spanish Club is taking a fundraising break after the success of the Zumba Fiesta. Their profit consisted of over $460 for the Spanish Club.

For all Pennsylvanian smokers trying to become tobacco free, the Department of Health has a FREE nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) kit available to anyone 18 and older. NRT kits are part of the “Quit for Love” campaign, which began February 15 and encourages smokers to put the needs of their loved ones before their own and highlights resources for developing a plan to quit. The 4-week starter kits includes nicotine patches and related information for applicants who qualify. To qualify, you must answer a series of questions to about medical conditions to prove the NRT kits can be used safely. Along with setting up an actual quit date, participants must also agree to enroll in a cessation program which consists of three to six phone sessions. For more information on quitting go to DeterminedToQuit.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

State encourages smokers to quit

Regional Band accomplishment

Prometheus into production

Class of 2013

Book Club

Spanish Club hosts Zumba Fiesta

BY KYLIE HASTINGS

The induction ceremony will be held April 14 in the high school auditorium. The guest speaker will be Mike Turlis, who is the director of the Ronald McDonald House in Danville.

A meeting will be held sometime this week. They will be discussing plans for next school year.

NAHS will be making preparations to take their field trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the beginning of May.

Order forms and fliers are now available for the class T-shirts. The shirts will be dark grey with yellow lettering, featuring “2013” on the back, containing all sophomores’ names.

Future Business Leaders of America plan on selling T-shirts and running a bake sale some time in the near future.

Any students interested in helping out with Prom decorations should talk to Mr. McGarry or any class officer.

Class officers are in the process of putting together a class T-shirt sale.

Future educators bloom

NHS inductions

FEA will be delivering daffodils. They raised over $659 for the American Cancer Society.

Sophomore Michaela Martz was the lone band member to qualify for the 2011 Regional Band, which will take place at Central Columbia High School on March 23- March 26.

The Prometheus entry deadline passed last week with over a hundred writing and art entries. Judges are now working on selecting the best from them for use in the magazine which will be distributed in mid-May.

Class of 2014

Art honor society

Business leaders planning sales

Class of 2012

Class of 2011

March 14, 2011 5

STATE CHANGES GRADUATION ASSESSMENTS

PREPARING FOR KEYSTONE EXAMS

Students are now aware of the new standardized tests they will soon be taking: the Keystone exams. These exams will transform what both students and teachers need to know, learn, and change about their education and curriculum.BY EMILY DuBARTELL

The field tests of these newest state exams, which will assess students on Algebra II, Geometry and English Composition, are scheduled to premiere in May. This year,

students will also be given the exams for Algebra I, Biology and Literature, with these tests counting towards graduation starting with the Class of 2013.

As the Keystones are now a required part of every school system, the state has offered district personnel several different options about how to administer this

exam. BHS chose the stand-alone option. If a student passes a class but fails the Keystone for that course, he or she will have to complete a project that will count toward graduation. If a student fails a course but passes the Keystone, he or she will retake the class but will not retake the Keystone. With these new exams on the way, adjustments in the classroom will have to be made. “I think there’s going to be a change in the curriculum. I think we have to look at how our curriculum is written and how it is aligned with the state standards and the Common Core standards,” says Superintendent Dr. Cosmas Curry. Jennifer Oiler, the Director of Elementary and Secondary Education, also sees the differences that will eventually alter how information is given to students. “The fact is that Pennsylvania is adopting the Common Core standards and we need to align our curriculum so it is ready if any curriculum change comes,” says Oiler. The Common Core standards are educational guidelines of what students should know in order for them to be successful later in life. “Essentially what we have with the Keystone exams is a transition to the Common Core standards,” says Social Studies teacher Philip Burrell as he describes the addition of the Keystones.

FACING NEW CHALLENGES When taking the Keystone exams, students should anticipate new demands with the testing formats that are based on subject content rather than a test of problem solving skills. “They are very challenging, and they are very rigorous,” states Oiler. A good way to prepare for this test is to be dedicated to school work. “Take your education very seriously. Prepare, take good notes, review often and be disciplined,” says Dr. Curry. Oiler believes the difference between these two tests is what they focus on. “The Keystone exams are subject

specific, whereas the PSSAs are more general in its content, its reading, its writing, its science. The Keystones are specific within it so it’s Algebra I, it’s Algebra II, it’s Biology.”

FOR FUTURE CLASSES Currently, the PSSA remains more crucial for the current freshman,

sophomore and junior classes than the Keystone because of the instability of the Keystone

exam. However, for the classes of 2015 and beyond, the Keystones will be more significant. These exams play a heavy impact on a student’s future. “I think the way the Keystones are tied into graduation is where it’s going to affect students,” says Oiler.

March 14, 201166

LIFE-THREATENING

6

Sophomore K

iaya McFadden rec

ently

stumbled across t

he group tw

o

element in

her attic

looking for ya

rd

sale ite

ms for R

elay for Life.

“It w

as excit

ing for her t

o find them,

but as a m

other I was f

reaking out. I

don’t know why I didn’t ca

ll 9-1-1. I

didn’t think of it

at the ti

me, I was j

ust

like ‘Oh my go

sh, what the heck

is

this?’” say

s Kiaya

’s mother, N

ancy

McFadden. Nancy’s

concern lev

el

fit the sc

enario, due to

the fact

of the prolonged

health issu

es

radium prese

nts.

“You’re m

ore concern

ed about

the prolonged exp

osure, it

mutates ce

lls which can

then

become ca

ncerous. If

you’re

exposed

to a lot of it

in a

short perio

d of time it

can make yo

u throw up,”

says sci

ence teac

her

James D

odge, who

was first

presented

with the glowing

disks.

Dodge q

uickly

shared the

unknown

no radiation was spilling out of the two disks

brought in and it was not a safety hazard to

the students.MYSTERY UNFOLDED

It is no surprise to the McFadden’s as

to how the radium ended up in the

house. The previous tenant, 82 year old

Robert Lukes, worked for US Radium

and often collected weird objects he

found lying around.

“I don’t think his intentions were

malicious when he brought these

disks home. This was his home

for almost his entire life, and we

just happened to stumble upon

them,” says Nancy.

While Nancy and Kiaya

are happy to have the

hazardous materials

around their house,

this experience will be

unforgettable. “It was

bizarre to find radium

in my house,” says

Kiaya. “It was not

what I thought

I would come

across in my

attic.”

element with chemistry teacher Todd Davis. “When I saw them, I recognized the distinctive glow that radium has and when I used the geiger counter it showed extensive radioactive activity,” says Davis.

TAKING PROPER PRECAUTIONS Radium does not give off radiation unless it is found in large amounts and there were only seventeen disks found in the McFadden household. But that number could have still caused harm if left inside the house. “It’s radioactive and it will destroy proteins and DNA,” says Davis. “I was concerned for her family’s safety.” Once the element was identified, Dodge and Davis quickly isolated the material in the back of Davis’ room and abruptly removed the radium from the school. “I contacted County Communications to explain the situation, and they had people from the Radium Corporation come to collect the disks,” says Davis. Since the radium disks did not have any cracks,

CIRCUIT CHECK

0

1

2 34

5

BY CASEY WARD

ACTIVEIt is not everyday that a person comes across radium outside of a science lab, but for one student, she came across the

element in her own home.

March 14, 2011 7

$22.570 million

7

MONEY MAN

7

With a budget under $25 million, Bloomsburg is making the best of having less money to spend, while maintaining sound educational programs. To help in that matter, teachers have already

taken steps to work within the anticipated financial limits. Math department chair Billee Horn is already anticipating reduced funding. “The math budget is fairly low compared to a lot of the other departments so we really haven’t felt the impact of budget cuts,” says Horn. “However, we will be needing new books soon, so we’ll see how that goes.”

DIVIDING UP MONEY The district dishes out $10,305,884.12 for salaries, which accounts for 45.68% of the total budget. Business administrator for Bloomsburg Area School District Michael Upton explains the complexity of the budget. “Most of what we have can’t be changed. We’ve got contractual obligations and we have contracts with the teachers on salaries and benefits,” says Upton. Teacher salaries, property services and professional services will always be accounted for in the budget, but issues such as

transportation and student activities can be affected. $932,000 is set aside in the budget for student

transportation, paying bus drivers and the gas to fuel the

vehicles. But Upton may have even less money to work with based on a new state budget and changes in federal spending. “We’re getting about 25% of what we used to get three years ago,” says Upton. This effects his financial bottom liine, which has shrunk $1,557,814.39 since the 2007-2008 school year. Bloomsburg will only be receiving $22,636,919 next year, an increase of only $65,196, yet Upton feels confident looking into the future. “The budget is only a guide, and I think our school has a pretty good one,” says Upton.

IN GOOD SHAPE Since the 2007-2008 school year, the district lost close to $93,000 from the state yet continued to progress through financial issues without altering the educational experience of students. Other districts have not been so lucky. Detroit school districts have consolidated schools and now have classrooms of sixty plus kids, with fewer teachers and staff Wisconsin teachers are up in arms due to school and state budget issues, and this trend is finding voter support in manyother states. Yet the Bloomsburg district continues to anticipate a steady financial standing. By all that can be planned, Bloomsburg will manage well and the region comes out of an unsteady national economy.

BY SAMANTHA ROYER

While Wisconsin schools have teachers on strike and Detroit is consolidating classrooms to deal with state debt, the Bloomsburg Area School District is managing in these time of

economic constraint.

District Business Manager Michael Upton

sits at his desk, the virtual control center, of the school

districts’s budget and financial planning.

DISTRICT INCOME: 2010-2011

55.63%Local Income

41.57%State Income

2.28%Federal Income

DISTRICT EXPENSES: 2010-2011

47.01%Salaries

17.04%Benefits

3.97%Professional

Services

3.71%PropertyServices

6.18%Supplies

22.09%Other

BUDGET PLANS

March 14, 20118

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

March 14, 2011 9

VICTORYBY CHRISTINA GULLIVER

Practices in the natatorium will no longer consist of the usual work outs. “We’ll taper down like we did for districts,” says four event State qualifier Stefan Szilagyi. Not only is Szilagyi making

an appearance at the State meet, but teammates Jonah Chamberlain (9), Colin Warren (9), Forrest Bennet (10), Mitchell Fornwald (10), Samuel Calhoun (10) and Zachary Stephens (12) are as well.

SWIMMING WITH A CHAMPION With the returning State champion in the 100 breast [Stephens] still on the team, the environment in the pool is filled with motivation and inspiration. “Having a state champion swim before me is reassuring,” says fly swimmer Chamberlain, a state qualifier in 200 medley relay. “I’m following a kid who’s about to swim for Notre Dame.” With the pressure of maintaining his champion status, Stephens has been pushing himself harder than ever. “Notre Dame is a really fast swimming school,” says Stephens. “I want to be able to help them at their championship meets and that means I have to get a little bit faster.” During the week, Stephens only practices in the high school’s pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The remainder of the days are spent swimming at the Sunbury YMCA. “There’s not too much of a difference,” says Stephens. “Some days I’ll work on stroke, IM or distance free sets, but that’s also what we do in high school.” Although Stephens only practices at the high school pool twice a week, he still managed to make every pool record his own. “I was really happy when I got the 100 backstroke record,” adds Stephens. “I put about 15-20 hours a week into swimming, but that’s the one record that I thought, ‘Wow, I could get all the records, except for that one.’” Stephens’ flawless technique and driven mindset has done him nothing but good, leading him to his best time of 1:52.0 in the 200 IM at the YMCA Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last April.

MOVING TO THE STATE MEET The pressure riding on the 200 medley relay team affects each member differently. “I think if anything it will make me swim faster,” says Chamberlain. “I would really like to win that state medal and be a state champion, so I’m thinking it will push me and I will swim my fastest time at Bucknell.” Not only is Chamberlain confident about his upcoming performance at Bucknell University and hoping to earn a medal, but other swimmers are hoping for the same thing. “My goal is to medal in my fly and the relays,” says Szilagyi, who has a personal best of a 53.0 in the 100 fly. With the State championships taking place this week in the Bucknell Natatorium, the team has high hopes of taking home individual and relay championships as well as a team championship to follow their previous third place finish last year. “Because of the hard work they’ve put in all year long, the kids don’t deserve anything less than a state championship,” says head coach Mark Barnes.

With the State meet just a few days away, seven swimmers have been tapering, eating healthy and making sure they get the proper amount of sleep.

Photograph by David Leberfinger

Senior Zachary Stephens currently holds every swimming pool record in Bloomsburg and nearly every team record.Photograph by Avery Keefer

March 14, 201110

STUDENT HEALTH ISSUES

CONCU SSEDThe number of high school age athletes

that sustained a concussion in a team sport more than tripled from 1997 to 2007. “A concussion is a bruise to your

brain and you don’t actually have to suffer a blow to your head to get one,” says athletic trainer Gina Marotta. Concussions are often mistreated and can cause serious results. “Long terms effects of untreated concussions can include frequent headaches and trouble sleeping,” says Marotta. “If they take another hit soon after the initial injury, they can have Second Impact Syndrome.” According to Time Magazine, less developed brains have more of a risk of suffering from second impact syndrome, which increases the swelling of the brain rapidly because the brain did not heal from the first injury.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS Even people not involved in sports can suffer from head related traumas and may not be aware of the dangerous aspects that follow the injury. “It can cause, in extreme conditions, bleeding on your brain, or just a headache dizziness and mild symptoms that could last from a few minutes to a few days or months” says Marotta. While treatment is a major part of the healing process, taking proper precautions is important as well. “The biggest thing is stopping when you do not feel right,” says Marotta. “Also properly

training and practicing safe techniques in your sport is important.” Many victims of concussions feel the first step to recovery is reporting your concussion. “With all the news, and concussions getting a lot more attention, there has been a lot more people saying, ‘hey, I don’t really feel good’,” says Marotta. Time Magazine stated in a recent study conducted from 2005-2008, that more than 41 percent of athletes suffered a concussion and returned to playing their sport too soon. This means that 41 percent of high school athletes that experience a concussion put themselves at unnecessary risk for Second Impact Syndrome. Teenagers are at an even higher risk because of their developing bodies. “I was dizzy for a few weeks because a girl fell on my head during a soccer game and even after the dizziness stopped I could not play for a month to be on the safe side,” says sophomore Brianna Rainier. Between 1998 and 2008 Girls soccer recorded the most concussions of any girls sport evaluated in a study overseen by Andrew Lincoln, director of the Sports Medicine Research Center at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

AGE CAN INCREASE RISKS High School athletes are not the only ones at risk. Younger athletes that play midget football, little league or AYSO are at a increased risk. A new study from Hasbro Children’s Hospital was conducted by numerous doctors including James Linakis,

who is a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Hasbro Children’s Hospital and its Injury Prevention Center. “Our assessment highlights the need for further research and injury prevention strategies into sport-related concussions and this is especially true for the young athlete,” says Linakis. “Prevailing expert opinions suggests that concussions in this age group can produce more severe neurologic after-effects, such as prolonged cognitive disturbances, disturbed skill acquisition and other long-term effects.” While Linakis highlights the effects of early age concussions, he also mentions the importance of proper rest and healing. “Children need not only be physical, but rest, and a slow-graded return to play and school after such injuries,” says Linakis. “As a result of this study, it is clear that we need more conservative guidelines for the management of younger children who suffer concussions.” Concussions are not a joke and one hundred percent of them reported can be treated. Unreported concussions cannot receive the proper medical attention that could potentially save lives. Make sure to tell someone about the injury, whether it be your coach, doctor, school trainer or parents especially if you feel any of the symptoms of a concussion.

BY SAMUEL CALHOUN

COLLECTED BY AVERY KEEFER

PROTECT YOUR HEAD

Any athlete can vouch for the physical and dangerousaspects that come along with competing in sports. The most common injury among athletes are concussions and there has recently been a dramatic increase of cases among younger athletes.

Xenith X- $399.00 The Xenith X1 features unique shock absorbing air bubbles throughout the inside of the helmet. Unlike traditional padding, the air pockets release air slowly on impact reducing stress on athletes.

Riddell Revolution Speed- $243.99 The Riddell Revolution Speed has been a four year process for researchers and designers. It has been completely re-done from its previous models, featuring a newly designed shell and a push button removable facemask which allows quicker assess to the player.

Schutt ION 4D- $275.00 Schutt has introduced the ION 4D, which is equipped with thermoplastic urethane (TPU) cushioning systems. This is a material that is less likely harbor bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus; as well as reducing impact of hits by 41%.

!

March 14, 2011 11

COMPETING ON A NATIONAL STAGE

THE WORLD OF EXTREME

CHEERYartz competes on a national and internationally ranked

cheerleading squad, rated first in the United States and third in the world. “Being a champion is amazing, but most people don’t know about it,” says Yartz.

The championship status that Yartz achieved is due to her dedication to her practices four times a week. “The drive to Baltimore takes about three to three and a half hours depending on the traffic, and then practice is supposed to be three hours, but runs longer around big competitions,” she says. Yartz practices in Maryland for three teams: the Maryland Twisters, Superstars and F5. Traveling is not the only expense that Yartz goes through for cheering. The sport and uniforms cost a large amount of money. “Each month the cost is about $260 for the gym and that includes her team cheerleading fee. They also have Olympic trainers to pay. The uniforms costs $300 each and she has two for each team,” says mother Suzanne Yartz.

Many have a connotation of high school cheerleading as a set of plastic pom-poms and pleated mini skirts, cautious lifts and few if any dangers. But for freshman Logan Yartz, cheering is a challenge that demands time, money and risks worth taking.

The cheerleaders on the squad also have to be tan for competitions. “If other girls get a spray tan, and they are not dark enough, then my coach will tell them that they need to go again,” says Logan.

RISKY BUSINESS Logan knows about the dangers of competitive cheering. During the autumn of 2010, she fell out of a stunt and broke her ankle in three places and could not cheer until January 2011. “Being injured was really difficult. When I made the team, it meant a lot to me. It was my dream team,” Logan says. Other cheerleaders understand the safety risks as well. “Putting people over your head and having other girls below you isn’t normal or safe,” says competitive cheerleader Tyra Heeter (9). Varsity cheerleader Carly Smakulski (9) agrees with Heeter. “Stunting is really dangerous. If you don’t get it right, you can get hurt. A girl could get dropped on you, and you could get kicked or hit.”

IN THE END Being in an elite cheering program also takes away from time with friends. “On the weekends, I’m either at practice or competitions. Sometimes, they throw either a Friday or a Saturday practice in, and I can’t spend time with my friends,” says Logan. Even with all of the challenges, being able to reach a score of 97.3 is worth all of the effort. The score is based on a stunting score out of ten, plus execution and appearance scores that add up to a final total of 100 possible points. “Points are taken off if a stunt is dropped or if you bobble or drop your leg while you’re in a stunt. If you have bracelets or jewelry on, that gets you points,” Logan says. If the competition lasts two days, then the scores of both days are added together. After the competitions are over, the cheerleaders have time to celebrate with fans. “People come up and ask to take pictures with me, and at the international competition, people ask for autographs. It’s almost like being a celebrity,” says Logan.

Photograph provided by Logan Yartz

BY EMILY TOLAN

March 14, 201112

BOT BY BOT

BY KATIE MULLEN

KINEMATICS

Clashing metal

shielded behind

Plexiglas with

animated students

rallied for

destruction is just

another day in the

ambitious world of

BattleBots.

TOP: M

att William

s (12) uses

the lathe to turn a metal piece

for his robot.

MID

DLE LEFT: Sophom

ore

Brandon Kester cuts metal on

the mill in the tech education

room.

MID

DLE RIG

HT: Matt

Leberfinger assemblies his robot

a few days before his team’s first

competition.

BOTTO

M LEFT: O

ne of

Bloomsburg’s robots throws

another one into the air during a

BattleBots competition.

BOTTO

M RIG

HT: Senior team

mem

ber Rachel Boy activates her

robot in preparation for battle.

Kinematic

s: the b

ranch of m

echanics

concerned with motion

without refere

nce to force

or mass

.

March 14, 2011 13

How to

bu

ild pi

xie

TOP LEFT: At a 2009

competition, two Bloomsburg

students ready their remote

control before a robot battle..

TOP RIGHT: Three BHS

robot designers take a break

before a competition.

BOTTOM: A robot

competitor carried a damaged

robot back to pit for repairs.

BY TALIA SAINCLAIR

Pixie was designed by

Brandon Kester and built with

teammate Matt Williams, two

students in Kirk Marshall’s

robotics class. “The robots

can be made out of anything

really. Whatever you can

afford, have, or know how to

use,” says Marshall. Pixie is

an 11 ½ by 11 inch aluminum

remote controlled robot

which features a 7 inch wide,

6 lb drum as its weapon. The

drum rotates at 1400 rpm

(rotations per minute) and has

“beater bars” which have steel

knockers on them. “When

these things hit another robot

at the speed they rotate, it’ll

send the other robot flying,”

says Marshall. Pixie has a

run time of 3 minutes and a

maximum speed of 12 miles

per hour. Each robot that is

made starts out as a drawing

designed by the students, then

becomes a wooden model

before being built into the real

deal ready to battle.

The em

inence of Bloomsburg’s

robotics tea

m precedes t

hem

at match

es although they a

re

unacknowledged

in the school. “W

e

have gone to

national c

ompetitions fo

ur times

out of six yea

rs,” say

s Robotics

adviser K

irk Marshall.

“Everybody is

trying to

beat Bloomsburg.”

Walking onto the sc

ene with a B

loomsburg title

alone

puts these

students on a d

ifferent lev

el. “Other t

eams w

alk

around and tak

e photographs of th

e inside of our ro

bot,

trying to

get that c

ompetitive

advantage

,” explain

s Marsh

all.

“It’s nice

to have a r

eputation, but w

e want to

make the

reputati

on for ourselves

not just b

ecause i

t is give

n since w

e

are from Bloomsburg.”

And building that r

eputation sta

rts

after sc

hool.

BUILDING A BOT

After these

students are a

ssigned into a s

mall team

, they

sketch plans fo

r their

robot, desig

n it in a c

omputer program

called PTC and then debate

and decide th

ree or fo

ur robots

to fabrica

te. “We en

d up assembling an

d dissembling th

e

robot 20 times,

which takes f

orever to

take al

l the sc

rews out,

wire it a

nd fit all th

e motors,”

says K

ester.

During th

is process

, Marsh

all overs

ees each

combative ro

bot

from start to

finish. “He le

ts us gi

ve a lot of tim

e, and he

definitely ch

allenges

us to build that b

est robots th

at we ca

n,”

says sen

ior Rach

el Boy.

As a team

, they w

ork together t

o progress over

the bumps

and roadblocks and antici

pate the en

d results.

“It’s definitel

y

reward

ing to see

the final product a

nd the first tim

e it spins

up,” says K

ester.

BREAKING DOWN THE COMPETITIO

N

Despite

their winning st

atus, th

e team is o

ften nervo

us. “You

go in expecti

ng to get

owned at some point, b

ut when you

know that your ro

bot worked bette

r, it’s a

good feeling of

validatio

n like ‘M

an, I am good a b

uilding robots.’”

But the m

ost recen

t competit

ion did not pan out exactl

y

as planned; th

eir robot Exec

utor took first,

Pixie third and

Axiom fifth. “We co

uld have done bette

r, we w

ere on tra

ck to

go 1, 2, 3, but we go

t an unlucky se

ries of ev

ents,” say

s Keste

r.

Howeve

r, the te

am fixed their

robot Pixie. “I

t threw

the

other robot 5-6’ in

the air; w

e were

completely d

estroyin

g the

other robot,” s

ays Keste

r.

Although robotics undergo

beatings,

it’s frie

ndly

competition. “Y

ou would think people would get

mad after y

ou destroy th

eir robot, b

ut it’s not lik

e

that at al

l, they j

ust laugh and congrat

ulate

you,” says K

ester.

Although the team rem

ains humble

about their

regular

victories

, teams

are alw

ays intim

idated when the

Bloomsburg Robotics

team

walks into the battl

e room.

“They l

ook at our kids

as superh

uman,” says

Marshall.

March 14, 201114

TOP HONORS

After graduating in 1980, Dr. Richard Robbins went on to receive a Ph.D in Social Psychology from the University of Nevada in 1993 and has since been appointed to Director of Engineering Advising at Cornell University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Academic Advising Association. His degree has landed him as a lecturer in Psychology at Ithaca College as well. Dr. Robbins also reviews manuscripts for the Journal of College Student Retention, and regularly acts as a professional critic for textbooks in psychology. His knowledge of student retention has flourished from his involvement with institution-wide committees on various topics including student retention, academic advising and outcome assessments. He is presently the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Bucknell University. Dr. Robbins specializes in a number of areas of psychology, one of which is parapsychology; the study of the evidence for psychological phenomena, or the paranormal. His interest for this unusual area of study stemmed from his childhood here in Bloomsburg where he lived in a house across from the town cemetery. The house, which was the subject of a dark history, often had Dr. Robbins and his family witnessing unexplained occurrences, such as cupboards opening and closing on their own and seeing ghostly figures.

Dr. David McCormick graduated from Bloomsburg High School in 1984. Excelling in the upper echelons of business, government and academics, Dr. McCormick truly set an example for any student. As a former Army veteran officer of the first Gulf War, he has earned both a mechanical engineering degree from the U.S. Military Academy and a Ph.D from Princeton University. In addition to his academic career, Dr. McCormick became CEO and President of software and service companies FreeMarkets and Ariba, and worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company within his business career. And perhaps most impressively, he oversaw policies involving global financial markets among other international affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department as Under Secretary for International Affairs from 2007 to 2009. Prior to this, Dr. McCormick monitored the President for International Economic Affairs as Deputy National Security Advisor, and oversaw policies affecting over $200 billion in annual technology exports as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, as well as for the Export Administration. Dr. McCormick acted as the President’s personal representative for the Group of Eight (G8) of industrialized nations. Currently, he is a senior leader and member of the Management Committee at Bridgewater Associates, a global investment management company.

The late Maurice “Morry” Stein, a 1954 Bloomsburg graduate, was known not for his PhD from a eminent college or lengthy resume, but for his love of children and truly generous nature. Stein worked several years in the business world after acquiring a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, but later decided to purchase Camp Echo Lake in 1964, a youth summer camp for underprivileged children. He won numerous awards for it alongside his wife Amy Medine. After operating the camp for thirty years, Stein died in a tragic plane crash in 1994. Following his death, Stein was inducted into the Brandeis University Athletic Hall of Fame, which honored his accomplishments and revealed his unique capacity to inspire others. In addition, Stein was the chairperson of the American Camping Foundation, which has raised over $1 million to send underprivileged children to camp. Supplementing his already altruistic efforts, Stein worked closely with Midnight Run, a group that distributes food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless on the streets of New York. As a memorial of Stein’s contributions, a non-profit youth development organization called Project Morry has started in his honor to educate underprivileged children and is still in effect today. Camp Echo Lake, located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, continues under the stewardship of Stein’s son, Tony.

NEWEST DISTINGUISHED GRADUATESFor ten years, the Graduates of Distinction program has been honoring the alumni of Bloomsburg High School, enlightening students of their impressive accomplishments and providing us with accomplished role models. According to Graduates of Distinction committee member Doyle Dodsen, “What we want is for a high school student to look at these people and say, ‘I’d like to pattern my life after this person.’”

This year, Dr. David McCormick, Dr. Rich Robbins and Maurice Stein will be receiving the prestigious honor. Dr. McCormick, Dr. Robbins and a family member of the late Stein will speak at an assembly on April 29, after which they will attend an induction ceremony where a photo of each will be posted on a special Wall of Fame reserved for the recipients of this distinguished honor.

DR. RICHARD ROBBINSBUCKNELL DEAN OF STUDENTS

BY BILLIE MICHAEL

DR. DAVID McCORMICKBRIDGEWATER SENIOR LEADER

MORRY STEINPHILANTHROPIST

March 14, 2011 15

BY MARIA POLANCO

CREATEStudents

are eligible to take Algebra I classes as eighth graders; unlike

most, Torres began attending advanced art classes during that time, but her knack to move a thought from

mind to paper began as a four-year-old. “When I watched cartoons as a little kid, I was fascinated with how things were

moving in two dimensional ways and how perfect the cartoon talks and moves,” says Torres.

Alicia’s sister Elizabeth, who is an artist herself, recalls her younger sibling’s passion. “She has always loved to draw. I remember when she was in first grade she got in trouble by the teacher because she was too busy drawing in class,” says Elizabeth. But now, Torres works in a class where drawing ties into the curriculum.

DRAWING IN THE LINES “She has a natural sense of composition,” says art teacher Dr.. Mark Jones. Most of Torres’ drawings consist of people, animals and landscapes in different medias of

art, and her wide variety of techniques brought her various opportunities. “Last year, a teacher bought one of my art pieces. I was also asked to design a T-shirt logo for a

friend’s scuba club in Minnesota, and in fifth and sixth grade I had some of my art work presented in the Young Artist’s Show in Rockford, Illinois,” says Alicia.

Elizabeth believes her sister is always moving forward. “I think that she is someone who is constantly working to progress her work,” says

Elizabeth. “Her techniques are getting better when it comes to working on pencil, as well as the artwork she does on the computer.” The continuous urge that Torres has to do better comes

from the ease she has doing it. “I can’t really explain how I do it or where to start. It’s just something

that comes naturally without thinking,” she explains.

When Alicia has a piece of paper and pencil in front of her,

instincts take over. “The ideas in my head just come out

from my pencil and onto the paper,” says Alicia, who begins one or two

sketches every day.

ALL IN THE DETAILS As her artwork adds up, she now has approximately 15,000 drawings. “Most of my drawings are in sketch books that I had when I was a kid. Some of them were kept or thrown away due to moving, but the

ones I kept are in a big folder,” says Alicia.

“If I keep on working hard on improving my art today, I will eventually become a professional artist in the future, something that I stride for every day,” says Torres, and she is

well on her way, already further than most.

Blooming from an artistic family and continuing to evolve in style as she grows older, sophomore Alicia Torres dipped her brush into the high school’s creative arts a year before she truly entered the building.

YOUNG NEW ARTIST

(Top Left) Gold Fish, acrylic paint (Middle Left) Roses, acrylic paint(Bottom Left) Seasons, water color(Center) Fury, pencil(Far Right) Giraffe, color pencils

March 14, 201116

BE AVOLUNTEER

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TECH &GADGETSFACEBOOK

THE BEST

MOVIES

When Apple created the iPad, they had a instant tech winner and now with iPad2, with a built-in camera and quicker speeds, it’s a better way to play games, listen to music and connect with friends on social networks.

The Motorola Droid is a smartphone powered by Android OS, which comes in a variety of phones including Droid, Droid Incredible, and the Droid X. Surfing the web is even faster with Verizon’s 3G network.

For the first time there are styluses that actually feel like a real writing utensil. This new cap made from stainless steel is designed to fit over a Sharpie, Bic or Pilot Finliner that you may already own. This will be perfect for any touch screen device such as the iPad.

Nintendo is releasing the Super Mario Brother games from past to present on a single disc. This game, coming out for the Wii console, will feature Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario Brothers: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Brothers 2 and Super Mario Brothers 3.

PAGES TO LIKE

Ever wonder what it’s like to be the perfect version of yourself? Eddie Mora, an aspiring author played by Bradley Cooper, gets the opportunity to experience that for himself in the movie Limitless. When a friend suggests a pill called NZT to Mora in order to help his writer’s block, he has no idea what’s in store for him. After taking the pill, Mora is able to remember everything that he has ever seen or experienced in his entire life. Mora can solve complex math problems and learn languages in one day, making him a super human. With his new abilities, Mora heads to Wall Street where he turns a small investment into big money and gets noticed by mogul Carl Van Loon, played by Robert De Niro. However, all good things come to end, and Mora discovers that even perfection has its problems. When bad people want to get their hands on the drug, Mora must outwit the police, a gangster and some stalkers. This is sure to be a great thriller which comes out in theaters on March 18.

IMAGINE YOURSELF AS PERFECT

Misa Kitara DigitalGuitar – $850This guitar mixes traditional with the future bringing with it the next wave of instruments. In place of the bridge, there is an eight-inch touch screen so the musician can play using a number of different techniques. Where the fret board used to be, buttons exist for producing all kinds of unique sounds.

A Children’s Museum volunteer shares a special animal with a visitor outside the facility.

MUSEUM NEEDS HELP Interested in helping out with fun activities? The Children’s Museum is where you can do just that. Located on 2 West 7th Street in Bloomsburg, their wide range of programs can use assistance for project preparation for craft and science, house cleaning or volunteering to be a Tour guide and Exhibit presenter. The museum focused on teaching children by learning with interactive activities or stations. Do you have a creative side? You can help by creating an exhibit for the museum. To volunteer, the requirements ask that you be a student in grades 5 through 12. The opportunities are on weekends, after school, a one time offering or a day long. If this interests you, contact Sue Ann Williams at 389-9206 or at chmuseum@ptd.net. Also you may look them up online at: www.the-childrens-museum.org for more information about how to help.

WHAT’S HOT ON THE MARKET: NEWEST AND COOLEST STUFF

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