Oct. 2008 Smoke Signals Issue 1
- 1. Smoke Signals October 21, 2008 • volume 40 • issue 01 • Peters Township High School News Obama or McCain? Why it matters, and why YOU should vote New Facebook Layout: A Big Turn Off Monica Paterra Staff Writer Page 3 Facebook has recently overtaken Myspace as top dog in the social networking arena. With over 100 million users, it has been quite the craze for teenagers clamoring to connect with friends. The history of Facebook dates back to 2004, when then Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg, was searching for a way to communicate with friends through the internet. Recently, a new layout was introduced that the company believed would become a welcomed change. The hope was to gain new members as well as include advertisements from various websites. This new design has disappointed many, causing quite an uproar. “It is too difficult to figure out,” said senior Julie Staaf. One of the most obvious changes is the way that user profiles are arranged. Previously, all information including photos, applications, and “The Wall” (comment section), were all displayed on one long page. The new set up requires clicking on each Features “Beyond the Bubble” spotlights volunteer and commuity service oppertunities Page 4 Opinion The Twilight Series: sucking the life out of you Page 8 separate tab to view different parts of the profile. This is more timeconsuming for the user, and makes for a bigger hassle to deal with. Soon after the new look premiered, complaints and protest groups such as ‘1,000,000 Against the New Facebook,’ ‘PetitionAgainst the New Facebook,’ and ‘People Against the New Facebook Layout,’ were popping up everywhere. A majority of the groups already total more than 2 million members. It has become apparent that this new Facebook format is not very user friendly. “ I just do not think that it was necessary to make a whole new layout, because the original was fine,” explained Kayla Henry, a senior. Many people argue that the switchover was simply not needed. Only time will tell whether Facebook will take suggestions into consideration. Hopefully, some time soon when a user logs on, he will be greeted with the way it used to be. Photo by Andrea Briggs Classic Comedy Opens Theatrical Season Sports Undefeated Field Hockey team prepairs to face the playoffs “Don’t freak out!” Page 10 Photo by Rachel Sunday How Much is Too Much? Barry Wood Bethany Suchy Guest Contributor Staff Writer The classic 1939 American comedy “The Man Who Came to Dinner” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman will open the Thespian’s 38th theatrical season. Under the direction of Barry N. Wood, this family comedy tells the story of a famous radio celebrity who is forced to move into someone’s home after he falls on a patch of ice on their sidewalk, and proceeds to make life miserable for all concerned with his comic hijinks. This comedy features a large talented cast consisting of Drew Caliguiri, Linsey VanNewkirk, Kelsey Boze, Darby Kern, Harrison Buzzatto, Taylor Laster, Hannah Hobbs, Kyle Gramling, Julia Devine, Marco Femiani, Olivia Bayer, Amy Richards, Chelsey Sweeney, James Northrop, Tom Norton, Lauren Hobbs, Billy Kohne, Tyler Deiley, Mike Jasek, David Bayani, Wesley Groll, John McGovern, Lindsay Bayer, Skyllar Sciple, Lauren Spinabelli, Rebecca Burns, Kaleigh Fitzgerald, Breann Keebler, Kaitlin Wiegman, Lynnsey Garlick, Ryanne Konno, Katie Schultz and a black lab dog named “Murphy.” Assisting Mr. Wood will be Mr. Dave Walsh, Technical Photo by Ben West Drew Caliguiri and Lauren Hobbs rehearse their lines at one of the many play practices held throughout the months preceeding the show. Director, with Ben West serving as the show’s Assistant Director and Chelsey Sweeney serving as the Stage Manager. This classic comedy will be staged at the high school on Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 PM and Friday and Saturday, October 31-Nov. 1, at 7:30 PM. Tickets will be available at the door for all performances. Excruciating stress, piles of paper and books scattered across my desk, struggling to keep my eyelids from closing while studying until the early hours of the morning, all in order to receive a passing grade- sound familiar? This is a typical weeknight for me during the school year, and I know that I am not alone in my suffering. As another academic year begins, all of our schedules seem to suddenly fill, leaving no free time for anything, especially not extra homework. Between sports, extra-curricular activities, and a seven-hour school day, we have to decide between completing homework and getting the proper amount of sleep. Every year the workload forced upon us exponentially increases to the point where homework is detrimental. So the question can be raised: how much is too much? (Continued on page 8)
- 2. reference October 21, 2008 Sunday October 2008 Monday 19 20 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 21 22 23 27 2 28 29 End of First Report Period 4 Daylight Savings Ends 9 25 30 31 Premiere of Fall Play 7:00 Halloween 1 Fall Play 7:30 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 Election Day 10 No School 11 Veterans Day Parent Conference Day 1973 Nick Lachey’s Birthday 16 17 23 24 America Recycles Day 18 1928 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 ”Steamboat Willie” Premieres No School No School Saturday Football Game @ Canon Mac November 2008 3 Friday 24 1973 Sydney Opera House Opens 26 Smoke Signals Smoke Signals Smoke Signals is produced eight times during a school year by the students of Media II, III, IV Journalism and extracurricular staff at Peters Towship High School, 264 E. McMurray Road, McMurray PA 15317. Telephone: 724-941-6250 x.5379. E-mail: sitlern@pt-sd.org. Commentaries, reviews, and opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of Smoke Signals, its advisor or the Peters Township School District. Member of the Pennsylvania School Press Association. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Renée Wunderlich ASSISTANT EDITOR Andrea Briggs LAYOUT EDITOR Emily Correal MANAGING EDITOR Katie Ellis No School Thanksgiving No School 30 No School NEWS EDITOR Stephanie Cotugno FEATURES EDITORS Dana Hoelle Bridget Stasenko OPINION EDITOR Emily Estep SPORTS EDITOR Taylor Relich MARKETING EDITORS Shelby Miller Paige Burris STAFF WRITERS Gabrielle Brinsky, Amy Burzotta, Averi Clements, Conor Jackson, Ian Jackson, Colleen Lugar, Monica Paterra, Kaitlyn Richert, Matt Schilling, Matt Sikora, Bethany Suchy LAYOUT TEAM Shelby Miller, Paige Burris, Taylor Miller ADVISOR Mrs. Sitler Announcements the Barnes Fair on OHelp support the High8School Library by going toPM. Mentionand Noble Book Peters Saturday, November from 10:00 AM until 9:00 that you’re with Township and the library will receive a portion of your sale, which will then be used to purchase more things for the library. books lately? What about books you didn’t like The ORead any goodwill be accepting reviews on any and every bookso much?read High School Library that you through- out the year. Each review should summarize the book in 100 to 200 words and should express whether or not you enjoyed the book. Please do not include any spoilers and adhere to the school handbook. Submissions may be turned in to a box in the library. See Mrs. Morriston for details. Halloween Fun Facts Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the Fall Harvest, and black is associated with darkness and death. There really are vampire bats, but they’re not from Transylvania. They live in Central and South America, and feed on the blood of cattle, horses and birds. The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human. Pumpkins also come in white, blue and green. Great for unique monster carvings!
- 3. news October 21, 2008 Why YOUth Should Vote Stephanie Cotugno News Editor The United States has a democratic government, which means that Americans have the right to vote for who runs the country, and on how the country is run. Americans have the opportunity to make a difference by using their voice. People say youth do not care. Prove them wrong and get rid of the stereotype. One voice may sound like a whisper, but when one vote is combined with the votes of others, the whisper becomes a shout. Americans, together, can make one voice be heard. A government by the people, for the people, cannot work without the people. It’s your democracy. Make it work. Register and Vote. Top 10 Reasons To Vote: 10. To keep college tuitions from rising. Politicians represent the people who are registered to vote, and they want to be reelected. They have the power to fund higher education and financial aid programs, but college students must be registered. 9. To counter another vote. If a voter does not agree with another candidate, he or she has the power to cancel out a vote that may support that candidate. 8. To help the community. Communities with a higher number of registered voters get more attention from politicians. 7. To become a part of a network. When a person registers to vote, he or she becomes a part of a network that shares his or her concerns and interests. 6. To promote diversity. 13% of Congress members are of color, 14% are women, and the remaining are white males. Voting can bring more members of color and more women to Congress. 5. For NOW. The biggest election issues directly affect the youth. The War in Iraq (young soldiers are dying), education (funding for both public and postsecondary schools), and employment/job training programs. 4. For the future. Think about the concerns involving the environment, fossil fuel consumption, as well as farming and livestock funding, which will all affect teenagers in a few years. 3. For federal money. Federal money helps promote youth programs, the environment, and HIV/AIDS and breast cancer research. 2. It is a right. Young people, women, and underrepresented groups all fought hard for the right to vote. Even today, some countries do not have this right. For example, Saudia Arabia had their first local election in 2005, and women were not given the right to vote. 1. Every vote counts. Remember the 2000 election? The difference between the popular votes was .5%, determining the next President of the United States. What In The World...? Smoke Signals Apple iPods: The Beat Goes On Kaitlyn Richer Staff Writer Regardless of the colossal profits and praise the company has received since the first-generation Nano was released, Apple knows it must continue improving technology. This is why the new version of iTunes continues to impress customers around the world. Since 2005, Apple has remained on top when the first iPod Nanos emerged. “Over 300 billion songs have been sold, and 600 million copies of iTunes have been downloaded, making iTunes the number one music store in all twenty-one countries we operate in,” stated Steve Jobs, the co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. at an iPod special event this year (engadget.com). “Speed and usability is better than ever with the new iPod.” The new iPod Nano requires users to download iTunes 8.0, but before you run off to add the new nano to your wish list, consider that this iPod is not capable of substituting any other media player for it besides iTunes. According to cnet.com, iTunes 8.0 is a mandatory installation for the fourthgeneration Nano. On the contrary, a download of the new version of iTunes also includes software that has come to be known as Genius. This feature is designed to find other tracks in the person’s iTunes library that correspond to songs that a person already has, and then creates a Genius playlist. It’s like having your own highly intellectual, personal DJ. Soon to be the most popular feature with iTunes 8.0, Genius is just one of the many new extras that come with this iTunes download. Speed and usability is better than ever with the new iPod. However, the sound quality and battery life haven’t improved. The overall performance of the fourth-generation Nano has changed little since the third-generation Nano was released. The remaining extras on the fourth generation Nano still receive high ratings. The ability to watch movies and search through photos remains, along with new game applications that can be purchased. The games respond to the way you move, making them addictive and a blast. A new option to tilt the iPod sideways to view cover art has also been developed. Finally, it includes an exciting, convenient feature that allows users to shake the iPod to shuffle the songs. With these impressive extras, the new generation seems tempting as ever. Ultimately, with another recent update from Apple, their high quality company remains on top, and the beat goes on. Pleasant Valley Takes on Haunted Hallways Gabrielle Brinsky Staff Writer Every Halloween season, the Students Against Drugs (SAD) and National Honor Society (NHS) members put together what is called “Haunted Hallways,” held at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The students in the two organizations decorate a dark hallway with a Halloween theme. They also have tables in the cafeteria full of games and crafts interesting to children. The October event is supervised and planned by two of the high school’s chemistry teachers, Mrs. Gearhart and Mrs. Kendrick. This year will be the eleventh year of the event. “The students strive to create a safe and fun Halloween activity for the kids to participate in,” Mrs. Gearhart stated. All money made at this event benefits Washington City Mission. With the three-dollar admission fee, Peters Township is able to pay for a Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of people. “The eleventh annual Haunted Hallways is an amazing event that unites two high school groups, SAD and NHS for one important cause. The purpose of Haunted Hallways is to provide a safe, fun place for younger children in our community to celebrate Halloween. In addition we are able to raise enough money for Washington City Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner. I think it is a wonderful event for our community,” said Mrs. Kendrick. National Honor Society puts together the hallways; they ask the children what degree of scary they want the hall to be. Meaning if they want it super scary or not very scary they have the right to speak up and say so. SAD is in charge of the crafts, games, and food. They give the children many options, including painting pumpkins and decorating cookies. “Haunted Hallways is a fun way to celebrate Halloween with little kids but takes a lot of planning and preparation,” commented sophomore SAD member Kierstin Ference. Children in kindergarten to third grade are encouraged to attend. Each year, four to six hundred kids enjoy this event. “Haunted Hallways is great, I would love to participate in it again and one day possibly bring my own kids,” noted a senior Nick Ceccarelli. Many of the students that put the event together enjoy it just as much as the attending children. Compiled by Katie Ellis Forty-two-year-old David Huckvale of Earlshilton, Leicestershire lost his leg in his teens after a benign tumor was removed from his knee. For the past ten years, he had been saving up for a bionic leg, available only in America for a cost of nearly $58,000, but he managed to raise only $4300. He stopped into a pub for a pint and was tapped on the shoulder by Alistair Gibson, one of only ten doctors in the world that can fit the computer-controlled limb, who then offered him a spare limb – for free. Now that’s what we call “paying it forward.” “What would you do for a Klondike Bar”… or rather, what would you do for $100 worth of gasoline? David Partin of Orlando, Florida, became the winner of WHTQ’s radio Unusual Trade Contest when he offered the rights to name his son in exchange for the $100 worth of gasoline. His unborn son’s name? Dixon and Willoughby Partin, after the station’s hosts. Just as Harry Potter had “I must not tell lies” engraved into his hand, twenty-seven-year-old Daniel Cleland of Kalamazoo, Michigan, will have his son’s advice “taped or written on his hand” for the next seven months. The advice, “Daddy, stop stealing,” is in place of a seven-month jail sentence for theft and heroine possession. At least it’s not written in blood… Many teenagers and adults log onto Facebook every day, but grandmothers? 102-year-old Ivy Bean became the oldest person to sign up for a Facebook after hearing from the site from the staff at the nursing home where she lives. She has a blast on the site, saying, “I love being online and it beats writing with a pen.” As of now, she only has nine online friends, but she hopes to have more soon.
- 4. features October 21, 2008 Speak OUT DO you like the new facebook Layout? “ No, the new Facebook is way too confusing, and its starting to get obnoxious.” Jake Barney Senior “ No, it’s too elaborate and I don’t really like all the new pop-up menus .” Max Mazel Junior Smoke Signals Beyond the Bubble: Leukemia Lymphoma Society Renée Wunderlich Editor-In-Chief Welcome to “Beyond the Bubble”, a section unlike any other in Smoke Signals. With school, work, family, and friends, life as a student can get pretty hectic, and many of us get so caught up in our own lives that we forget about the outside world. While schedule stuffing is understandable, it is not an excuse. Everyone is capable of helping others – it’s just a matter of knowing where and how to get involved, which is exactly what this column can do for you. Each issue, I’ll give you the best the volunteering world has to offer, including interviews of organization directors and staff, feature points on different forms of involvement, and contact information. I’m not talking about picking up trash along the highway or trying to fluff up your resume. This is hard-core, hands-on action you can take to really make a difference in your life and the lives of others. If you’re someone who cares about reaching a greater good, check out this corner to get involved with charity groups, relief efforts, nonprofit organizations and other volunteer opportunities in the city of Pittsburgh, the state, the nation, and even the world. Our first look into the world of volunteerism will focus on the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) – an international, non-profit organization that has been striving to find a cure for blood cancers through public education and awareness for the past 60 years. Leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow and blood, is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells. There are two major types of leukemia: myelogenous or lymphocytic. Both can be either acute (bad) or chronic (REALLY bad). The two types of lymphoma, another form of blood cancer, originating in the lymph nodes - are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Myeloma is the third main blood cancer that deals with the plasma and white blood cells of the body’s immune system. In 2007, it was estimated that every ten minutes, a life was lost to either leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Mr. Dan Brailer, a prominent member on the board of the Society’s Pittsburgh branch, spoke to me about the specifics of LLS, and what can be done to combat these deadly diseases. How did you become interested in the Society? “About 5 or 6 years ago, I had some close friends on the executive board of LLS. They encouraged me to serve. I realized how influential this organization really was; we are a non-profit agency that actually funds a substantial amount of research that will hopefully lead to a cure.” What do you think makes LLS different from other charity organizations? “The events, and the people who participate. There is a seemingly endless list of events that we do: On Thursday, November 13, we’ll have Vegas on the Mon. It’s a casino-themed fundraiser (with play money) featuring games and a silent auction – all proceeds go straight to the society for research development. We’re honoring Mr. Mark Mason of Oxford Development Co. for his 25 years of involvement. It should be a really fun evening with 350-400 people expected to attend. There are also so many resources available that the Society provides from patients to professionals. Information and Services for families and others interested in learning more are readily available.” How can high school students get involved? “There is so much out there, it really depends on how much time someone would want to contribute. The two big events that teenagers may be interested in are Light the Night and Team Training. Light the Night is an evening walk around Pittsburgh. Teams of about 10 people recruit sponsors for different distances (so much money per mile), which is where the fundraising comes in. Each walker carries either a white or red balloon – white for those who have been diagnosed, and red for supporting family and friends. The other event, which is a bit more involved, is Team Training. It’s the world’s largest sports endurance training program, involving everydayathletes and professional trainers, who make up the team. You can either participate in a marathon, half marathon, triathlon or century (100-mile) bike ride in locations across the country. It’s a big commitment, but those who have been through it always say it was a lifetime milestone. But the best way to get involved is to check out the website – it has all you need from donation information to event registration. Everything helps.” Log on to: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/ hm_lls Similar groups working to find the cure for life-threatening diseases: http://www.thecancersupport.org/ volunteers.htm http://www.diabetes.org/ Food Review: Healthy Fast Food “ No, I think the old one was better and less confusing. Why did they get a new one anyway?” Nika Simonson Sophomore “ No, because the old one was better, and the new way is too confusing.” Sarah Grippi Freshman Bridget Stasenko Red Meat Features Co-Editor Eating right is the key to a healthy life style, and with all teenagers’ hectic schedules, eating on the go is a regular habit. Popular places to get a quick meal include Arby’s, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s. Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich, McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, and Wendy’s Single are the most commonly ordered red meat items. Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich turns out to be the healthiest, coming in at 320 calories, 14g of fat, and 124 calories from fat. Far behind it is McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with 410 calories, a fat content of 14g, and 170 calories from fat. Wendy’s Single has 430 calories, 20g of fat and 190 calories from fat. Clearly, Arby’s is the healthiest of the three products. When I tasted all the sandwiches, Arby’s was the most delicious and satisfying. It was filling because it had a lot of meat on it. However, it was plain; it didn’t have lettuce or cheese. Arby’s was also grease free, unlike the sandwiches at Wendy’s and McDonald’s. I felt unhealthy just eating the sandwiches at Wendy’s and McDonalds. Sandwiches at Wendy’s and McDonald’s had a little more flavor because their sandwiches came with ketchup, onions and mustard, Being healthy is not cheap; Arby’s was the most expensive place to eat. Arby’s regular roast beef sandwich cost $4.19, while McDonalds and Wendy’s cost $3.50. If it were up to me, I would pay the extra few cents to be healthy. A meal on the go can be healthy. It is just a matter of picking the right food to eat when one goes to a fast food restaurant. Dana Hoelle Chicken Features Co-Editor “Mmm, this tastes like chicken.” You won’t hear this too often at most fast food restaurants, but you will at Arby’s, McDonalds, and Wendy’s. Most people think fast food is unhealthy, but guess again. The nutritious trend has made its way towards fast food, and I went to investigate which chicken sandwich is truly the healthiest. Arby’s Grilled Bacon and Swiss sandwich was the best tasting of the bunch, but not necessarily the healthiest or the cheapest. It has 442 calories, 151 calories from fat, and 18 grams of total fat. That is almost ¼ of the calories you will consume all day, and it costs $4.19. Even though the sandwich is delicious, consider taking off the bacon and cheese. McDonalds Grilled Premium Classic chicken sandwich is the second healthiest of the three, coming in at 420 calories, 90 calories from fat, and 10 grams of total fat. Not only was it healthy, but it was also cheaper than Arbys, costing $4.10. I was surprised that it wasn’t the healthiest because it contains vegetables and is served on a wheat bun. Wendy’s Ultimate Chicken Grill sandwich is the healthiest, containing 320 calories, 60 calories from fat, and 7 grams of total fat. The sandwich has lettuce and tomato on it, making it a healthy choice. Nutritional quality is not only the good thing about it, but it is also the cheapest, costing $3.79. To make a healthy choice, pick Wendy’s, but if you’re looking for taste and you want to pay for it later by exercising, go for Arby’s.
- 5. October 21, 2008 features Dangerous Gaming: World of Warcraft Addiction Smoke Signals Fall Fashions Andrea Briggs Colleen Lugar Syntax/Assistant Editor Staff Writer takes away from jobs and friends, as well as basic necessities such as eating and bathing in extreme cases. Playing Warcraft becomes your new job, and if unemployed, it can turn into a full-time position. “I’ve definitely arrived late to work and called in sick because I needed to finish fighting a top-level boss,” admits Khaliyeh, a level 58 Rogue. At $15 a month, the subscription fees begin to add up, especially if you’re not earning as much at work by calling in sick to play. Another concern for those addicted is their social life – or rather, lack of a social life. Real life relationships deteriorate as the user spends all of his time in front of a computer screen, interacting only with virtual people. Notes Khaliyeh, “It’s nice for a common bond, but you never actually meet the people outside of the game. They’re just characters.” Addicted users find that it is not only their friendships that wither and die, but several accounts of child neglect have been observed and reported where the parent is addicted to Warcraft. FAshion With the newest World of Warcraft expansion pack about to be released, the danger of addiction to the game is becoming a more prominent threat to players than ever. World of Warcraft is a popular fantasy video game in which users control characters to fight monsters, complete quests, and compete with other players. Because it is based online, you can interact with users from all over the world as you navigate the landscape and enhance your character. The pursuit of making your character the best it can be (and maybe achieving a little glory on the way) quickly becomes addicting, resulting in hours devoted to the task. “You definitely spend most of your free time on the game, and even when you’re not logged on, you’re thinking about it constantly,” said Bilal*, a level 70 Paladin. Due to the nature of the game, there is no definitive goal to be reached – no single moment when the game ends. The storyline goes on indefinitely, and newer, better armor and weapons are constantly being released, rendering the previous items obsolete. The time commitment involved with playing the game can quickly become all-consuming, and *Character names have been used to protect the identity of the addicted. F I S H T A N K The transition from summer to fall has come full circle. This means fall and winter fashions are officially here. Unfortunately, for most people, this means we have to put our Daisy Dukes to rest until next year. There is so much to look forward to in the world of fashion awaiting us. Its important to have your own style and “keep it real,” but it is always nice to have a few essentials that you can build off of, putting your own personal spin on it. The fall essentials can be broken down into three simple pieces. The first necessity without a doubt is a reliable boot to suit your walking needs. You could choose the classic leather boot, or go for the crocheted textured kind. Most people will be happy to know that it does not have to have a heel on it to be fashionable. A tighter-fitting heeled boot would be more appropriate to dress up your outfit, or you could go the casual route and wear the Ugg-like boots that reflect the comfort level of slippers. Second, I would suggest an oversized leather tote that would have a little more storage space than just your average purse. It does not need to be ridiculously huge, but it has to have enough space to fit in all your belongings and then some. If it fits a few books, that is all you need. Finally, if you are looking for something besides your old worn-out hoodie to keep you warm, try a knitted wrap sweater in a neutral color. This immediately takes your outfit from casual to dressy. It’s a step up for comfort. The warmth and coziness is still all there, and it could transform your outfit to a different level. As far as color goes, the most popular ones included in this season, deep colors including purple and greens. With that, neutrals are the perfect balance to an outfit. Shades of grey go great with the darker colors. Metallic accessories can be used as the perfect accent. So if you have those three select pieces added with your own personal touch, you are golden. Find what suits you, and always remember anything can be pulled off with a little confidence. Myth Or Fact Juniors can drive to school. Students spent up to 100 dollars on their senior servants at the P-rade auction. Fries can be bought separatley from lunches. The Boys Golf Team has the opportunity to qualify for states for the first time.
- 7. y Ever After” *All photos submitted
- 8. opinion October 21, 2008 Carrie McGraw Smoke Signals Lunch Prices Through the Roof Authors or Screenwriters? Matthew Sikora Staff Writer Guest Writer Books have been replaced. No, not just books – literature in general. Screenwriters have replaced authors, books have been replaced by movies, and moviegoers are replacing readers. On paper, it’s a frightening prospect. Frightening, but true. It is a simple fact, proven by thousands of statistics found on hundreds of websites. These statistics prove what is already observed. The cinema, mostly movies based on books, is destroying modern literature, because people would rather see a movie than read a book. Why bother staring at the boring, old, musty pages of Pride and Prejudice when you can simply watch Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyan play Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy? This is the mindset of millions in the world today. According to the Washington Post, 27% of adults have read no books in the past year, while Nielsen. com tells us that 70% of people went to the movies at least once last year. This data is taken from an adult population, but I know from experience that the members of society that are most susceptible to this disease are the youth of the world. And our schools are doing nothing to help. Yes, they give us reading assignments, and they give us tests on those assignments, but does that mean the assignments will ever be read? If all one wanted to do was pass the class, then it would be possible to just watch the movie and get the basic idea of the plot instead of actually reading the book. Our schools ever encourage this sort of behavior by letting students watch the movie of the book during class. What hope does an author have of being noticed unless her book becomes a movie? This is why an author who actually wants to make a name for herself must write a book that is made into a movie. Authors are no longer writing books; they are writing screenplays. Stepenie Meyer, author of the popular Twilight series, also fell victim to this stereotype. She wrote a book with which the world fell in love and Hollywood wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to make money. As soon as this began, her writing changed, still wonderful, but it was clear that she was now writing books for the purpose of making movies, instead of just writing good books. As for the movie, drastic changes had to be made to the book to make it compatible with the silver screen, so it is hardly recognizable. Books are meant to be read. In order to make a movie from a book, entire plots are often redone so that the original message is lost, and then it is no longer the author’s work. Pride and Prejudice has been popular since the 1800’s. Of course there have been many movies made with the same title, many of which I have seen and enjoyed. These movies, however, have all but replaced the original work. Because it was written so long ago, the movie was adapted to be easier to understand. This means that part of the effect of the story is lost. This is also true in the case of The Da Vinci Code. Those of us who actually went to see the The Da Vinci Code because they had read and loved the book were sadly disappointed. The movie was almost entirely unrecognizable from the book. Characters were erased, as were large and important sections of the story. This made it difficult to understand and disappointed many fans. As a avid fan of reading, and also a fan of the movies, I know how fun and interesting it can be to see one’s favorite book on the screen. I also know how much is lost in translation from book to cinema. It is this lost information that is causing the collapse of modern literature. Books are being replaced. Literature is being replaced. Reading is being replaced. How Much is Too Much? Continued At the turn of the century, homework was outlawed in several states, considering it to be a form of child labor. Today our mindset is drastically different; if one was to call homework “child labor” now, it would unfortunately be considered a joke. Homework, like communism, does more damage than success. Both are good ideological thoughts, but are unsuccessful when put into action. Homework is used to reinforce class lessons, but according to npr.org, it leads to stress among families and can cause students to fall further behind. It is essential to receive a top-level education with the state of the world we are living in. We are a global economy with international competition, but giving hours of homework every evening is not the solution to staying on top of our game. A 1994 study (physorg.com) found that the amount of schoolwork assigned in a nation correlated with the level of academic achievement within the nation. Many countries with the highest scoring students, such as Japan, the Czech Republic, and Denmark, have teachers He Said Deciding which lunch to have is a hard choice. There is the regular lunch, which varies everyday, the premium lunch, which is pizza or a chicken burger, and the panini. The price of the regular lunch is $1.85 - that’s reasonable. But this year the price of a slice of pizza went from $1.85 to $2.50, and the panini went from $3.00 to $3.25. Snacks? Forget about it; the price of a hot pretzel and a Gatorade are more than the regular lunch. “The overall price of food has gone up because of the stock market status and global warming,” says senior Ian Jackson. “Without those two things we would probably be getting free lunches, but you need to protect the ozone layer.” I agree with Jackson that two of the factors which lead to the increased price in lunches, and food overall are the stock market and the price of gas. Besides, if someone wants lunch and they are hungry, then they will pay whatever the set price is. Let’s get practical and look at the prices. The regular lunch ($1.85) includes an entrée, a side dish, salad or mixed fruit, and milk. The premium lunch ($2.50) consists of pizza or chicken burger, a side dish, a salad or mixed fruit, and milk. The panini ($3.25) includes the panini of the day, a side dish, a salad or mixed fruit, and choice of milk. Let’s apply these prices to the real world. The best value would be the regular lunch. This lunch offers a well-balanced meal that includes the nutrients to keep you going for the day. At a fast food restaurant, $1.85 would enable someone to purchase a hamburger and fries from the dollar menu. The best tasting and the most filling lunch would be the panini. The sandwiches are toasted on a griddle and made fresh everyday. In terms of satisfaction, this would be the winner. In comparison to size, this would relate to a Subway six-inch sandwich. The regular lunch, would amount to 9.25 a week, or $37 a month. The premium lunch, would amount to 12.50 a week, or $50 a month, and the panini lunch, if purchased daily, would amount to 16.25 a week, or $65 a month. Although the lunch prices are ridiculous, they are lower than any restaurant. that give little extra work. Countries with lower scores, including Thailand, Greece, and Iran, have teachers who assign large amounts of homework. This proves that homework is not the key to success. Teachers must realize that homework is not necessary in order for their pupils to excel in their classes. They need to recognize students have multiple classes in which they all want to perform well. “I am sick of getting crossword puzzles and word searches for homework on top of having to study for three tests all in one night,” stated Freshman Gabriella Santa Lucia, “It is really overwhelming as a ninth grader to receive so much work, and we’re only in the first quarter of school.” There is nothing wrong with receiving homework, but it must be assigned within reason. Out of school work can reinforce lessons learned throughout the school day. “It’s not that I have a problem with doing homework,” commented junior Christine Aaron, “It’s just that I don’t have the time to do it all.” She Said Ian Jackson Amy burzotta How long does it take you to get ready for a date? How long does it take you to get ready for a date? 15-20 minutes 30 minutes How much money do you bring? How much money do you bring? Put it on my card None... Where would you go? Red carpet mini golf. Where would you go? Dinner and a movie Who are your two dream celebrity dates and why? Who are your two dream celebrity dates and why? Penelope Cruz or Carmen Electra, because they seem like really nice, good looking, talented women who I respect a lot. Plus, Penelope is kind of exotic. James Lafferty or Chase Crawford, because they are from my favorite TV shows... and for other obvious reasons.
- 9. opinion October 21, 2008 Wanna Be On Top?: America’s Next Top Model Amy Burzotta Smoke Signals Movie Reviews Staff Writer I can remember when I was six or seven; I would wear the most elegant outfits, the fanciest shoes, and extraordinary makeup. Then, I would strut the runway with the flashes from the cameras blinding my eyes. By this, I mean I wore my mom’s old dress clothes, her three inch heels that were five times too big, so much make up I looked like a clown, put down an extra piece of carpet and hobble on it as if it were a runway. Little girls dream of being a supermodel someday, and the women on the inspirational show America’s Next Top Model are actually able to make that dream a reality. Tyra Banks is one of the most successful supermodels to ever walk the runway. She began with Elite Model Management, later moved to Victoria’s Secret, and is currently on her tenth cycle as the host of America’s Next Top Model. This show promotes a positive message for girls’ body images, but it hasn’t always been that way. America’s Next Top Model has developed immensely over time. There used to be only one requirement to be on the show in the earlier cycles: be skinny. They would have the one token plus size model that would immediately be sent home. Seasons 10 and11 of the show have changed that negative outlook. Whitney Thompson is a size 10 and could not be prouder, according to abcnews.go.com. She was the winner of cycle 9, and is now a model for the popular make-up brand Covergirl. Whitney has inspired girls who aren’t necessarily a size zero to be proud of the way the look and work with what they have. She helps them deal with the pressures they feel to be thin, and she shows them it’s acceptable to be different. “I thought it was great to see someone who was comfortable in her own skin who wasn’t a stick. She’s a good role model,” states junior Bethany Suchy. Many people are happy with the outcome of Cycle 9. Season 11 has caused uproar because there is a transgender, named Isis, on the show. Many people ask, “Isn’t America’s Next Top Model for girls, not guys?” I think this controversy promotes a great body image. Isis has been motivational to the transgender and gay community, telling them to get out there and be who they are. “I love that she’s on the show. It makes it interesting,” said senior Colin Mullett. Tyra, Whitney, and Isis are all encouraging people who are different, but still beautiful not live their life in fear because they may not be the “ideal” pretty. America’s Next Top Model may be viewed as a superficial show, but it is actually much more than that. Edward Cullen Andrea Briggs and Emily Estep Syntax Editor, Opinion Editor Now that we have your attention… the popular book series Twilight is the biggest literary phenomenon since Harry Potter. The obsession amongst young girls is truly unparalleled, and some readers are concerned as to what effect this obsession may be having on the general population. Here is a compiled list of the reasons why you should maybe put down your copy of Breaking Dawn, and go outside into the sunlight, glitter-free. EDWARD CULLEN IS NOT REAL Let me say it again… Edward Cullen is Not Real. Edward is a depiction of the perfect man. However, his actions set such high standards for today’s girls that they don’t realize real boys could never live up to them. BELLA IS A POOR ROLE MODEL Bella Swan, the protagonist, is severely lacking in self-esteem and consistently makes poor decisions. As the book is written in the first person, you “hear” all of her thoughts… in which she never misses an opportunity to put herself down. Girls are looking at Bella and seeing themselves through her self-deprecating eyes, destroying their positive body image in the process. After the disaster with Edward in New Moon, she purposely puts herself in life-threatening situations and goes so far as to jump off a cliff, simply because her relationship failed. INSTANT LOVE- JUST ADD WATER “Love at first sight” has long been used in romances to move things along; however, Bella and Edward have set a speedy new world record. The two have known each other for – what, ten pages? – and suddenly Bella is ready to give up everything for him and vice versa. It doesn’t work that way in real life, and again the Twilight series is setting readers up for unrealistic expectations of love. MESSAGE OF THE SERIES The Twilight series sends the message that “It’s okay to give up your values, future, and free-will… as long as you have your man.” That teenage girls are reading these books and getting this message is really disturbing, especially because they’re at the age when romantic relationships start happening. WHO NEEDS MORALS AND ETHICS, ANYWAY? Bella’s decision to become a vampire doesn’t warrant much discussion in the books. She doesn’t seriously consider the fact that she will potentially become a serial killer, all for the love of one boy. Throughout the series, Bella makes poor choices that contradict basic values, such as respect for human life, and more importantly, respect for herself. WHAT HAPPENED TO “MISS INDEPENDENT?” Ah, Bella, the quintessential Damsel In Distress. She seems incapable of doing anything for herself. When she does, it only ends up causing more trouble for her, and she again needs to be rescued. Her complete lack of coordination, while cute and serving as an effective plot device, makes her totally dependent on those around her to come to her aid. Quarantine In this remake of the Japanese film REC, a reporter follows a team of fire fighters into an apartment complex and they are consequently shut in with the residents and a mysterious zombie-esque rabies disease. Perhaps the highlight of the movie is the Cloverfieldlike feel of viewing the whole movie through a video camera, giving it a far more realistic feel. With an idea that is fresh to American audiences, a gore factor that isn’t over the top, and a feeling of ‘what would I do?’, Quarantine promises not to disappoint horror fans as one of the first good films of the scary movie season. Body of Lies Body of Lies has impressive enough credentials, with a cast and crew consisting of Leonardo DiCaprio, Russel Crowe, and hotshot director Ridley Scott. Unfortunately, this may not have been enough to save this complex, drawn out war flick. DiCaprio plays a CIA operative working in the Middle East, and Crowe plays a snarky CIA veteran, contacting Leo via cell-phone from the United States. Body of Lies would have been dramatically improved if it were twenty minutes shorter, and had less Leo and more Russel. American audiences haven’t been treating war movies well in the recent past, and perhaps for good reason. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist Everyone’s favorite awkward teen Michael Cera and relative newcomer Kat Dennings star as Nick and Norah in this novel adaptation. Stuffed with too-cool music and nonconformity, it’s pretty cliché, but hey, it’s still cute and has a funny scene or two. Nick and Norah perfectly captures the thrill of an action-packed night, when you don’t know what will happen next, and the city setting only intensifies that feeling. If you’re looking for a light movie that is fun and won’t make you think (at all), this might be the movie for you. is not a particularly healthy one. Edward reigns over Bella with an iron fist, going to such extremes as holding her hostage against her will, blackmailing her into an unwanted marriage, and intentionally lying to her. What is truly troubling is Bella’s reaction to this behavior – acting flattered and falling even more in love with him. Had Edward done these things in real life, he may have well been thrown in jail. THOSE CRAZY FANGIRLS The level of seriousness and obsession to which this series has been taken is probably the most disturbing thing of all. Readers are taking all of what the books have to say to heart, and treating it as a sort of manual to life and love. If the Twilight series had been accepted and loved as merely fiction, perhaps a generation of teenage girls could have been spared the heartache and angst they invited in by taking these books so seriously. “DEAR DIARY, MY TEEN ANGST HAS A BODY COUNT” New Moon, the second book in the series, is written with such a bleak tone and mood, that one reader felt “caged, moody and irritable for several days” after reading it. If the book had this generally levelheaded reader feeling so down, imagine what it does to those who read the series constantly. Combine that with Bella’s image problems, and the series is a Please feel free to send a response* to the Editor to tell us your opinion of or reaction to this article for possible breeding ground for unstable teen girls. publication in next month’s newspaper. Turn in all responses to room A114 DYSFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 101 The relationship between Bella and Edward *A representation of all the responses will be published. Responses may be edited for length and content.
- 10. 10 sports October 21, 2008 Smoke Signals Par for the Course Taylor Relich Sports Co-Editor Jessy Parham, a junior member of the girls’ golf well as competition with the team. team, is finally getting a chance to exert her leadership. “Jessy has always been a key element Parham has always been one of the best golfers on the to the success of our team,” said senior captain team, but this year she is the unquestioned leader both Ellie Stanchak. Stanchak also mentioned what on and off the course. From the moment she came onto a spectacular influence Parham has been on the team as a freshman, she contributed in one of the top the underclassmen girls new to the team. With spots. This year in individual play, her performance as she qualified for the Girls’ WPIAL an individual and as a Finals, which was held on October teammate, she will surely 6th at Valleybrook Country Club, be on the short lists of her home course. Parham placed many top college teams sixth overall with a score of 81. come next season. This performance has catapulted The Lady Indians her to an appearance in the PIAA as a team are also racking State Individual tournament. This is up the accolades. Peters the first time Parham has qualified Township’s girls’ golf for the state tournament, and will program has always be competing at the highest level been one of the best in girls’ high school competition. Photo by Bill Parham in the WPIAL, but this Parham is looking forward to her year especially has Jessy Parham helps teamate Sadie Martinez line continued individual success, as up her putt during a match at Rolling Hills been a banner year for the program. The Lady Indians are undefeated through their regular season schedule, and the girls are looking forward to contending in the WPIAL team championships on October 13th and 16th at Cedarbrook Golf Club. The girls’ team has knocked out section opponents all season, such as Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Seton La Salle, and Elizabeth Forward. Unfortunately, the Lady Indians were runner-ups in the WPIAL playoffs last season to their section rivals, the Lady Blue Devils of Mt. Lebanon. The girls’ team has already beaten the Lady Blue Devils twice earlier this season, making them the favorites in their section. “I think the girls will really come together this postseason, because they now know how to play together more effectively,” said second-year coach Pat Chastel. With Jessy Parham leading the way and the team’s unparalleled motivation and drive to win, the Lady Indians are more than up to par. Girls Field Hockey Shoots For Success Fantasy Hots and Nots Matt Schilling Matt Schilling Staff Writer Staff Writer “We practice every weekday unless we have a game instead,” said junior Carly Ellis. “We get just enough practices to perform at the level that we do. It feels great to be undefeated; I really believe we can make it to the Championship this year.” Theirs is the only undefeated team in their conference, and have a few games left before the WPIALs. “I think we have a good shot to make it to the Championship as well,” remarked junior Brianna Kilberg, another member of the team. “We’re undefeated so far, and we’ve played every team. We just have to beat them again, and we already know that we can.” Many people feel that going undefeated is nearly impossible, so pressure is on the team. These girls have shown they can manage that challenge and show the opposition that they will win at the end of the day. “We are taking one game at a time and pretending that it’s the first game of the season,” said Kilberg. “That helps us focus on the game and not worry about losing.” The girls’ attitude towards their undefeated season shows promise that they will bring home the trophy Photo by Alex Phillips for Peters Township this year, Laura Maydak, Carly Ellis, and Stephanie Cotugno work together against and even do it undefeated. Woodland Hills leading to a 12-0 win After a disappointing season last year, the girls’ field hockey team is ready to bounce back and show opposing teams what they can do. The girls’ field hockey team was 11-5-2 last year, going five to overtimes. “One word to describe our season was ‘overtime,’” senior Emily Trier said last year. They lost their first game in the WPIALs but knew it wasn’t the end. “The future looks promising for this team,” stated Alexa Walnoha, a senior on last year’s team. The girls’ field hockey team is having a surprising year. They are 11-0 and on their way to going undefeated. One reason that they’re so well prepared is because of their grueling schedule. UnderReview Hello, fantasy football fans. Choosing which players to start and bench during any given week can be very difficult, as many aspects of the game have to be considered. The Smoke Signals Staff has come together to give you advice on which players are hot and which players are not. Let’s focus on two key players that are owned in every league right now: Willis McGahee and Chad Johnson. Willis McGahee, mix of a power and speed, and the Baltimore Ravens are off to a great start; the Ravens are ranked first in the running game and have an amazing offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron. Cameron is famous for steering running backs to their prime. He was the offensive coordinator in San Diego when LaDainian Tomlinson was setting records. Cameron was also the head coach of the Miami Dolphins when Ronnie Brown was leading the league in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage. Cameron is now the offensive coordinator of the Ravens. With an amazing running back in McGahee and the skill of Cameron; McGahee is definitely a hot choice. Chad Johnson, known for being one of the league greats, is having a terrible season thus far. Most of his atrocious playing can be attributed to the horrible offensive attack run by the Bengals. Although he has the caliber to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, the Bengals don’t show any promise in sparking their offense. Johnson won’t be getting many fantasy points, and is only as good as a third-string wide receiver right now. Who is the best football team in the NCAA? When I think of the best team in college football right now, I think of the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions have one of the most potent offenses in the nation. Quarterback Daryll Clark, who has thrown for 896 yards with a rating of 168.3, anchors this offense. The Lions are stacked at all the skill positions with their three senior wide receivers, Williams, Butler, and Norwood, in addition to running back Evan Royster, who is averaging over seven yards per carry. They will be a force to be reckoned with if they can successfully get through their difficult Big Ten schedule this season. The best team in college football is without a doubt the Pitt Panthers. Since the Bowling Green loss, the Panthers have rattled off four straight wins. They include victories over Iowa and the #10-ranked South Florida Bulls. The Panthers are led by the best running back in the country, Shady McCoy, and the best linebacker in the country, Scott McKillop. They have climbed back to #24, with a 4-1 record since though, and I expect them to be in the top five by season’s end. They will win out the Big East and go to a BCS bowl, at the least. The Panthers are the team to beat in the Big East, and will be the team to beat in the NCAA. The best team in college football this year is definitely Oklahoma. Quarterback Sam Bradford is putting up record numbers this year. Demarco Murray and Chris Brown also provide a double threat at running back; both average about 5.0 yards per carry. Between the pass and run game, the Sooners seem to be an unstoppable powerhouse on offense, scoring nearly 200 points in only four games. Current BCS #1 Oklahoma has a solid chance to remain on top if they can continue to expose the defenses of their opposition. Taylor Relich, ‘09 Ian Jackson, ‘09 Taylor Miller, ‘09
- 11. sports October 21, 2008 Connor Jackson Indians’ Time of Essence Ian Jackson Football (2-5-0) Senior Brady Ashe and Brian Hays hope to lead the way to a playoff birth for Peters Township this season Cross Country Girls (8-1) Boys (5-3) Bridget Stasenko hopes to lead the 81 girls’ cross-country team to victory on October 23 in the WPIAL finals. Photo by Zack Malanos The offensive coordinator, “Coach Mo,” motivates the starting offense with an enthralling speach before the game winning drive against Kiski. the big dogs we are 0-0 week in and week out,” said Coach Milchovich. The positive motivation going into the locker room is that if the Indians go out and practice hard every day, they will become bigger and better. The team has confidence that they will be able to come together as a solid football team to win the games that really count –back when the team was conditioning, senior defensive Alex Smith ended the practice by saying “1, 2, and 3, playoffs!” Gone In a Flash Sports Co-Editor The Pittsburgh Pirates 2008 season didn’t go as planned, to say the least. The team struggled early, attempted to battle back to respectablility, and then traded away the top stars on the team for prospects, causing the rest of the season to be a total disaster. As always, there were a few bright spots to give us a little false hope for 2009. Paul Maholm established himself as a quality starting pitcher, Nate McClouth emerged as a top outfielder, and the dominant hitting of Ryan Doumit. Adam Laroche also did a nice job, and Freddy Sanchez bounced back from his slow start. The signing of Pedro Alvarez is a huge sigh of relief for Pirates fans after a month long circus with celebrity agent, Scott Boras. Even with the losses piling up and a sixteenth straight losing season, there is still one thing that has been even more disappointing, the treatment of shortstop, Jack Wilson. Jack Wilson played his first full season with the Pirates in 2001. He instantly became a hit with the fans with his strong defensive plays. He was named the captain in 2003 and has carried that title with him ever since. He had a two hundred hit season in 2004 and made the MLB All-Star game that season, he also led the league in doubles in 2004. He has been runner-up for the Gold Glove Award six times. He has been awarded the Roberto Clemente Award the past five seasons as the athlete that does the most charity work in Pittsburgh. The city has 11 Sports Briefs Staff Writer Recently, the Peters Township High School football team hasn’t been successful, but secondyear head coach Nick Milchovich has been preparing his team to become a strong and noticeable force. The young varsity squad, including sophomore quarterback Austin Hancock and junior wide receiver Brandon Hoffman is proof. “We are very young, but it has been long enough that we start playing like a notable football team,” said senior wide receiver Jace Cavanaugh. Despite suffering some disappointing losses, the team has been a contender. The Indians lost a couple of key games that could have been won. They lost their first game to Ringgold 21-10 due to some metal mistakes and letting up big plays. They won their second game at home to Kiski 17-13by the defense holding the Kiski offense at key points. Then the Indians went on a cold streak, losing to Knoch 207 and Indiana 41-28 due to some unfortunate defensive struggles and offensive turnovers. They went on to lose their Homecoming game to Bethel Park, bringing the team record to 2-4 “ We let some games go, but being in the conference with Smoke Signals truly embraced Wilson and he has embraced the city right back. Even with all these accolades, Wilson has still had to endure trade rumors the past three seasons. “It’s hard on my family and myself. I want to be a Pittsburgh Pirate. I’m proud to be a Pirate, but it’s up to the management if they want me to be a piece of the future,” Wilson said earlier this season (www.pirates.com). “I remain committed to the organization and the fans. They’ve been great to me, and if it was up to me, I’d spend the rest of my career here.” – Jack Wilson One would think the Pirates would be ecstatic by Wilson saying these things, but no. The Pirates can’t accept the fact that a player loves the team and the fans love the player. Jack Wilson is the Pittsburgh Pirates, but after this season, the team has a big choice to make. Wilson is getting paid a team high $6.25 million dollars this season, and is set to make $7.55 million next year. That is, if the Pirates choose to give him that. They can either pay him what he is owed or trade Wilson to a contender that needs a quality shortstop. It should be a nobrainer, but it is well established that Wilson has played his last game in a Pirates jersey. From September 2 through September 20, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” didn’t get a single at-bat in the Pirates lineup. They explored new options and gave at-bats to young shortstops during that time period. “This is where I want to be. I was brought here to win and I haven’t gotten the chance to do that. I remain committed to the organization and the fans. They’ve been great to me, and if it was up to me, I’d spend the rest of my career here,” Wilson stated emotionally (www.pittsburghpostgazette.com). On Sunday, September 21, as Wilson came up to the plate to pinch hit for Ross Ohlendorf, his walkup song (Jumpin’ Jack Flash, by the Rolling Stones) blared, and the crowd stood and roared for the player they’ve enjoyed watching over the past eight years. Wilson dug in, and ripped a run scoring single on the first pitch he saw. The crowd, still standing, again roared in appreciation. The next batter made the third out and as Wilson walked toward the Pirates dugout, he quietly bent over and scooped up some dirt off the PNC Park infield and placed it into his back pocket. With that move, Wilson silently acknowledged that it would be his last appearance with the Pirates. There will be no drama with him. Wilson jogged off the field, with the crowd still standing, gave a wave to the fans and casually disappeared into the Bucco’s dugout. It was a fitting exit for a classy player who deserved that more than anyone. Girls Soccer (15-1-2) The girls’ soccer team hopes to win their first playoff game against the winner of the South Moreland-Franklin Regional winner on October 21 at 8:00pm, here at Peters Township. Boys Soccer (13-5-0) Nick Wilcox and the boys’ soccer team hope to win their first playoff game against Central Catholic at 8:00pm on October 21, here at Peters Township. Girls Golf (14-1) Jessy Parham is leading the team with records like placing 6th out of 27 with a score of 80. They placed 6th out of nine in the WPIAL team championships but didn’t qualify to move on to the state championships. Boys Golf (16-2) The Boys team won the WPIAL Division I championship with a score of 401. Volleyball (12-7-1) The girls finished their regular season game on October 16 and hope to further themselves in the playoffs. Field Hockey (15-0-1) With seniors Stephanie Cotugno and Laura Maydak, they haven’t lost a game yet. The first round of playoffs will be held on October 22 at Peters Township.
- 12. Voices Hall in the IF you could Trick-Or-Treat at any celebrity’s house, whose would it be? Freshman Molly Doehring “Ryan Sheckler” Sophomore Dylan Small “Dane Cook” Junior Angela Ranalli “Adam Sandler” Senior Nate Croft “P-Diddy” What’s your ideal Halloween costume? Freshman Carly Beck “Mr. Bastos” Sophomore Liz Egan “A Flapper” Junior Kevin Higgins “The glasses and mustache combo” Senior Brahim Shettima “A Glass Box” What do the Teachers think? Mrs. Seckley “Brad Pitt” Mr. Burns “Toga” Ms. Cardamone “Jim Carrey” The PT Minute Senior Julie Staaf Best Halloween Costume? Tinker Bell Favorite candy while Trick-Or-Treating? MM’s or Skittles Favorite Halloween memory? Going to fright night with my friends Which teacher had the best halloween costumes? Señora Clark as an ear of corn Favorite scary movie? “Disturbia” Senior Ross Lugar Favorite Halloween costume? My Amish costume Favorite Candy while Trick-Or-Treating? Nestle Crunch Bars or pretzels Favorite Halloween memory? When I danced outside the middle school in my Amish costume while changing the marquee Which teacher had the best halloween costumes? None -- they are all equally scary to me. What is your favorite scary movie? Any “Saw” movie. Mr. Demascal “Elmer Fudd” Teac her Min With MR. CERVANEK ute Best costume? Sumo Wrestler Favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Favorite memory? Bobbing for apples in sixth grade Favorite scary movie? “Friday the Thirteenth” Which teacher has the best costumes? Mrs. Boni