2012 April

Volume 45 Issue 7

April 2012 45

Years

Freedom High School - 3149 Chester Avenue - Bethlehem, PA 18020 - www.fhsforum.com

Officer Anderson Warns About $110 Fines in the Bus Channel

Photo illustration by Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

Freedom resource officer, Mr. Jeremy Anderson, has been warning parents about driving down the bus lane during inappropriate times. Driving down the bus lane or the loop near the athletic office during prohibited times could result in fines adding up to $110 after various fees. Officer Anderson has been giving tickets more and more as of late, and he strongly suggests that parents drop their kids off in the main parking lot for safety reasons in addition to legal reasons. Anderson says that stopping and obstructing traffic anywhere else is a major safety hazard to students and other drivers before and after school.

FHS Band Goes to the Bahamas

By Thomas Nguyen

Inside this Issue

For those of us here at Freedom High School, we managed to catch a short glimpse of summer in the recent weeks with the warm weather, blue skies, and blazing sun. Unfortunately for us, it was short lived as temperatures dropped and clouds g r a y e d .

Luckily for the kids in the Freedom High School band, they got to soak up a few more rays as they head down South for their band trip.

For an entire week, members of the band, orchestra, wind

ensemble, string orchestra, and jazz band were on a cruise in celebration of another successful year. Their trip took them to Florida to visit the Kennedy Space center, then to lovely Nassau, and finally to Cococay in the Bahamas.

Stephen Yale, senior, expresses his excitement on going on the cruise.

He says, “I'm looking forward to getting tan, relaxing at the beach, and getting a break from the normal hectic routine of high school.”

It wasn’t all fun and games though. While on the trip, the

Elective Profile: Ceramics (p. 4)

Amanda Molinaro / Pates’ Post Editor

band performed for the passengers on board for valuable experience. Even better, they will be adjudicated by professionals

who gave them valuable insight and comments on their performa n c e s .

Everyone performed magnifi-

How Safe is Spring Musical Freedom Really?

Review (p. 7)

(p. 9)

cently. The band, jazz band, and wind ensemble acquiring a rating of superior and the orchestra getting a rating of excellent.

Track & Field Preview

April Fools to Liberty?

(p. 11)

(p. 12)

2 News The Freedom Forum A Publication of Freedom High School Bethlehem Area School District 3149 Chester Avenue Bethlehem PA, 18020 (610) 867-5843 www.fhsforum.com

Editor-in-Chief Tyler Alicea News Editor Luisa Marin Editorial Editor Julie Boylan Features Editor Ashley Eichlin Entertainment Editor Courtney Barrow Sports Editor Mike McGinty Pates’ Post Editor Amanda Molinaro Centerspread Editor Zach Ward Layout Editor Haroon Ahmad Web Editor Krystal Domin Assistant Editors Anna Thomas Faarah Ameerally Ryan Shaikh Adam Duser

Adviser Mrs. Karla Erdman Principal Mr. Michael LaPorta Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy For our editorial statement and corrections policy, please go to www.fhsforum.com/about.html Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

http://fb.fhsforum.com @fhsforum, #fhsforum fhsforum@gmail.com

Sponsors Ron and Patty Williams Gold Level

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Kim and Rick Giamportone Steel Level Interested in sponsoring The Freedom Forum? Stop by room 210 for a form or email our adviser at kerdman@bethsd.org.

The Bell Count

11 to 11 For a list of remaining bell count matches, visit www.fhsforum.com

The Forum

April 2012

iPad 3: Too Hot To Handle

By Luisa Marin, News Editor The release of the iPad 3 was highly anticipated by Apple users all over the world.

But problems with heat are causing consumers to think that Apple was a little too hasty when releasing the device.

Of course the iPad comes with new features that delight the technology-loving crowd. It has a retina display, quad core graphics, and a 5 mega-pixel iSight camera. All the features build on the success of the previous model.

However Apple has not been able to reach perfection with its latest creation.

The new iPad users have a few complaints. The first problem has to do with overheating. Consumer Reports said that the new iPad can reach a temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit unplugged and 116 degrees Fahrenheit when plugged in. The hot

temperature is not found throughout the whole device; the heat is concentrated in a corner.

In general, the iPad 3 is around

12 to 13 degrees hotter than the iPad 2.

Another problem is the charging of the iPad 3. Apple claims

the battery lasts 10 hours, which is efficient for a powerful device. One of the problems that it has is that it takes six hours to

tional hour after the display says it is 100% charged. It may be a problem with the screen indicator and sensor, which can turn off.

For consumers who were expecting a stronger device, the iPad does not meet the requirement. It is reported to be frailer than its predecessor; a drop starting anywhere from the shoulders to the waist is more likely to end up with a shattered screen.

Some Apple users were also a little disappointed with the lack of “Siri” in the new iPad. The assistant is still only available for the iPhone 4S users.

New features may bryangateb / Flickr.com create a unique tabfully charge, and it barely let, however these complaints charges if it’s in use while may prevent the iPad 3 from plugged in. Also, the new iPad reaching it’s maximum popularcontinues to charge for an addi- ity.

What NASA Has Been Up To

By Sabrina Castaneda NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has been up to some pretty cool stuff recently.

The program began in 1958 when Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which established NASA as the space program it is today.

NASA has two types of missions that it carries out: manned and unmanned.

The manned missions are the ones that generally garner more attention. These include well-known missions to the moon. However, when NASA finally landed on the moon, their activity reduced.

Now, NASA is branching out into other aspects of our universe. NASA has decided to conquer the final frontier. It is taking part in one of the biggest things in the history of our world. This thing has led to the destruction of buildings and the deaths of pigs everywhere, in the popular game, Angry Birds.

The Angry Birds team and NASA worked together to make

the newest Angry Birds games, Angry Birds Space, as realistic as possible. This means that the developers of the game worked with NASA employees to make

sure that the physics aspect of the game is correct. The gravity of planets in the game will affect where the bird goes.

However, NASA does more than play video games and sends people to the moon. NASA has sent out satellites that let us know just what is going on out there in the galaxy. Also, NASA

is currently training astronauts to be able to perform complicated surgeries and other medical procedures in space, and is becoming successful in that mission.

launch of its ATREX rockets, which were going to give more information on jet streams.

Looking towards the future, scientists at NASA are also looking into colonizing on other celestial bodies, namely the Moon and Mars. Current suggested methods involve warming Mars up with greenhouse gases to the point that it becomes fertile. From there, Mars would be shaped to Earth’s likeness. Attempts at colonizing those places will take decades of preparation and there is a chance that it may not even Screenshot by Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief be attempted.

Despite seeming to be headed Until then, when you play Anby super geniuses, NASA has gry Birds Space and your bird also experienced its share of goes careening sideways and failures. Perhaps the most infa- smashes into a planet, rememmous is the Columbia mission of ber: It’s all NASA’s fault.

2003 in which the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated. More recently, NASA has failed to launch the satellite Glory and has also had to push back the

Art Show April 24 6:30pm to 8pm Freedom High School

News 3

The Forum

April 2012

No Bootin’ Putin

By Greg Adams He has done it again. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister since 2008 and the president of Russia from 2000 to 2008, has won the presidency.

Putin will begin his third term as president of Russia on May 7, 2012. Putin managed to obtain enough votes to secure the presidency, despite heavy opposition and protest by anti-Putin groups in the capital, Moscow, where protesters appeared in the thous a n d s .

Protesters used social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to orchestrate demonstrations in Moscow as well as in Putin’s own hometown. The protests continued even after Putin won the election, but recent arrests of protest leaders and others have caused the movement to lose the majority o f i t s s t e a m .

Although 64% of the votes were cast in favor of Vladimir Putin, the president-to-be has come under heavy criticism for how he won the election.

Much of the media in Russia is under state control and although the Russian government has claimed that each

World Economic Forum / Flickr.com

candidate received equal airtime, the media networks in Russia still appeared to have a clear sway towards Putin.

“carousel voting”, or voting more than once. The Russian region of Chechnya reported a voter turnout of an impossible 107%, 98.82% in favor of Putin. Other tactics allegedly used by Putin and his supporters included votebuying and intimidation.

After his election was confirmed, Putin delivered a teary-e yed accep tance speech to his supporters in Moscow, saying: “we have won an open and honest battle”.

The Russian constitution of 1993 states that a president can only hold the office for two consecutive terms, it does not state how many total terms one can hold the title of Russian president.

Although Vladimir Putin will begin his third term as president this spring, this election and the protests associated with it prove that Russians are beginning to feel comfortable opposing Putin in public. This might not bode well for Putin, and it could mean that massive change is on the way for the Russian government.

It was also reported that multiple pieces of photographic and video evidence have shown pro-Putin voters

Santorum No Moreum

By Anna Thomas, Asst. News Editor Senator Rick Santorum has abandoned his bid for the Republican nomination for president. In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on April 10, Santorum made the official announcement to his supporters. The Santorum campaign, known for its “against all odds” mantra, left on a note united with the rest of the Republican party, with Santorum saying that the GOP will continue to fight together against President Barack Obama for the presid e n c y .

Santorum received the last and longest surge in support against current frontrunner Mitt Romney in a tide that had form e r l y raised support for Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, and Governor Rick Perry, before they

dropped out of the race or saw their base dissolve.

Senior Michael Romanelli is one Freedom student who opposed Rick Santorum’s campaign. “Thank God, the last thing the GOP needed was another crazy. Ron Paul for life!” says Romanelli.

Over the course of his campaign, Santorum was consistently outspent by Romney in margins of four-to-one or higher. Romney's campaign and the independent political action committee that supported it are estimated to have

spent more than $30 million.

Sophomore Evan Anthony speculates that Santorum never had a true shot at the nomination for this reason. “[His campaign] was doomed to begin with. Santorum lacks Romney’s monetary resources and could never financially compete with him,” says Ant h o n y .

Mr. Jay Kolb views the remaining Republican candidates as lacking any true Republican ideology. “Santorum was a true conservative; he was the only one who carried

the Republican ideology.

With him out of the race, now the Republican party can go back to spending like the Dem o c r a t s d o . ” From here, it is predicted that Santorum could either be offered a place in the Romney cabinet, or go on to run again in the 2016 presidential election. Until then, Santorum plans to take this opportunity to spend more time with his three year old daughter Bella, who suffers from a rare genetic condition called Edwards Syndrome.

In Case You Missed It Throughout March Trayvon Martin died in Feb due to being shot by a crime watch volunteer. Originally, the police did not file charges against the volunteer, but the news got out and protests grew. The shooting took place is Sanford, Florida. The protesters said that the case was mishandled and demanded investigations. The police chief has temporarily stepped down and there is now a federal investigation. The shooter claims he acted in self-defense after Martin attacked him and was protected by the “Stand Your Ground” legislation. Congressmen from the area have promised to repeal the law and pursue an investigation. President Obama addressed the subject personally, commenting that if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon Martin. A candlelight vigil was held for Martin in Allentown.

Campaign 2012 Mitt Romney still has the lead in the primaries for the Republican candidacy, but Rick Santorum is close behind. Santorum is only 6 states behind Romney in the primaries. The Wisconsin primary could keep Santorum afloat in the bid for the Republican nomination. However, the Republican Party wants Santorum to end his campaign and allow Romney to be the nominee. The GOP views the main concern to be campaigning against President Obama, and believes Santorum is spending funds that could possibly be spent in the major race.

March 19-23 Dieruff Athletic Director Tim Geiger goes on an administrative leave after being charged with drug possession.

The circumstances of the arrest were not made clear and the type of drug was not released. Geiger has been the Athletic Director of Dieruff since 2001.

March 26 The New York Times and CBS conduct a poll, which finds that 69% of the people surveyed believe that US troops should not be at war with Afghanistan. Just four months ago 53% of the people surveyed believed the same thing. The support of the Afghanistan war is apparently decreasing rapidly. This is reportedly due to the series of violence and setbacks in Afghanistan.

In the Future April 24 & 25 The Art Show will be held on April 24 at Freedom High School. Fellow peers' art works will be displayed.

French Club is planning a presentation on Apr 25 for those who are interested in the French language and culture.

Gage Skidmore / Flickr.com

4 Features

Sculpting for a Future

By Erin Ogozaly In this age of standardized testing, math, reading, writing, and science seem to be the only subjects that truly matter.

Classes other than math, English, and science classes all seem to be worthless in the “real world,” where people are supposedly judged only on their abilities in these areas.

Cutting ourselves short in other subjects to conform to this new wave of standardization, however, cannot be the answer to standardized testing. Students need to be well rounded individuals with a diverse education; of course they need to be proficient in math, reading, writing, and science, but these are certainly not the only subjects that matter.

Ceramics, according to senior Kyle Propsner, “is basically a class where you do all kinds of things with clay.”

Senior Tiffany Pujols said, “Ceramics is a great chance to use and enhance skills you may already have by making/sculpting objects through your own hands. For me, I looked forward to ceramics class for the past three years…You pretty much can create anything; there’s no limit. Pots, realistic sculptures, abstract, functional, non-functional, and so on. However, not everything that’s fun is easy.”

“When I [first] took Ceramics, I got a C in the class. But I enjoyed creating things out of nothing, so I took it again,” senior Emily Prowant says. “Ceramics is the only reason I come to school and the only class I look forward to.”

Ceramics, as many people would attest to, is an excellent class. But there is still a concern that it isn’t applicable and has nothing to offer that would be useful in everyday life.

This is an understandable concern, but it has no real grounding.

In fact, ceramics teaches problemsolving techniques for those complex pieces that do not beautifully solve themselves; this class requires work.

It teaches students to do the impossible. For example, a really cool building with interesting architecture can become a relief sculpture in just a short amount of time.

Ceramics does indeed teach valuable skills, even everyday ones.

Sophomore Kelley Rosete said, “Just because you’re not learning what an equation adds up to doesn’t mean that it’s not productive.”

If you are interested in taking Ceramics (or any other art class) next year, you can visit Mrs. Ackermann in Room 202 or talk to your guidance counselor.

The Forum

April 2012

Rise of Temperatures Equals Fall in Motivation

By Ashley Eichlin, Features Editor With the rise in temperatures, it appears that the motivation decreases in high school students.

Rather than curling up in a warm house to fend off the cold, more people have found the opportunity to stay outside and take advantage of the nice w e a t h e r .

Early to mid-March brought summer-like temperatures, reaching up to 80 degrees.

Students were able to bask in heat and get a head start on their summer rituals which

included wearing shorts and flip-flops, and even tanning.

Although the weather was a great way to get out of the winter months, it left most students with a lack of motivation to do anything besides being out in the sun.

Senior John Depadua said, “Since the weather started feeling nicer, I began to feel happier; I think it's because all of the sunshine and longer days remind me of summer.

Unfortunately, it increased my already bad case of senioritis.

I look out my windows, and I don't feel like doing any homework. It's quite bad.”

Fortunately, some students are taking the nice weather and trying to use it as an opportunity to work harder.

Junior Brooke Munion said, “In a way, [the weather] is positive because I'm working harder to get good grades because it's closer to summer, but it is also negative because I can't concentrate. I just want to go enjoy the warmth.”

With spring sports rolling into season, many outdoor teams have been outside multiple weeks earlier than expected. Most years, the months of March and April left rain and/or snow on the

ground for weeks, leaving teams such as the baseball and softball teams to practice in the cramped gyms rather than the field.

This warm weather provides some advantages to our spring sports, and they are given a head start to prepare for their upcoming seasons.

While the weather continues to rise and school is on its last few marking periods, students are going to want to spend less time in the classrooms and more time outside.

Overbooked Students

By Sabrina Castaneda There is always that one type of student who seems to be everywhere – in AP classes, various clubs, and even sports.

This type of student seems to be quite common among the junior and senior classes.

Students seem to jam everything they can into their last two years of high school.

This could be due to the fact that the student is now quite comfortable with the school, and they have met quite a few people and know where their interests lie.

However, the big question is why do these students stress themselves out to the point of staying up well past their bedtime to fit in their activities?

Senior John DePadua, who is involved in various clubs and also has quite a few AP classes, says, “I do it to make myself better. It’s more of a personal thing.”

That explanation is sound, and it may very well be the reason that we often see students staying after school for multiple clubs.

However, there are other explanations still. Many students may be looking for

things to pad their college applications with. Clubs and sports are a common way to do this. Unfortunately, the problem occurs when it gets out of control.

Staying up past one to study for a big test the next day becomes common, and so does staying after school every day for various clubs.

This may seem like a good thing, but in reality it just stresses people out.

DePadua says, “It’s nature vs. nurture,” and he may very well be right. Many students do not want to be so swamped with work, but they choose to

be because of society.

It’s not very easy to balance everything out. The positive outcome is one where the student manages to juggle everything while maintaining their sanity, but the negative outcome is that the student begins to let some things slip through the cracks. Frankly, it can fall either way.

Getting involved in clubs, sports, and AP classes is great. However, all students should make sure that they do not bite off more than they can chew.

Preventing Injury One Band-Aid at a Time

By Krystal Domin, Web Editor Athletic training has become one of the key elements in sports.

Adam Glose and Melissa Kocher, the athletic trainers at Freedom, are hired through Coordinated Health and are available after school, before and during games to all athletes in order to help them when injured.

Graduate of West Chester University, Glose wanted to become an athletic trainer

based on his experiences in high school.

“When I was in high school, I was a basketball player and fractured my foot.

I put a lot of work with my athletic trainer at Liberty. I enjoyed the time in the athletic training room and wanted to help future athletes to recover from injuries,” said G l o s e .

Glose worked in Pleasant Valley for a month and a half then came to Freedom in the fall of 2008.

Glose’s right hand woman, Kocher started at Freedom in Jan. 2012. Before starting in

2012, Kocher was the head athletic trainer in North Carolina for two years and the year before that, she was an assistant athletic trainer in South C a r o l i n a .

Kocher graduated from Penn State University in 2006, where she attended Penn State Berks then transferring to Penn State University Main Campus a year later.

“I grew up in a household full of nurses so I always wanted to go into the medical field. I played sports and I thought athletic training would be a good mix of sports and [medicine], which I love,” said Kocher.

Before the season, the athletic trainers ho ld “sport meetings to educate the coaches on proper hydration, conditioning, technique, which is a huge prevention for injures,” said Kocher.

Throughout the season the athletic play a key role in sports to Krystal Domin / Web Editor prevent and

r e h a b i n j u r ie s .

“In the season, it is a lot of [prevention] and rehabilitation. We are the middle man between the athletes and doctors [;] we decide if the athletes need TLC or to see a doctor,” said both Glose and K o c h e r .

Both Glose and Kocher “are the first ones to see the injury [if someone gets hurt],” said Glose, “We are the unique ones because we can rehabilitate the injury and tape and brace it once [the athletes] are ready to return to play.”

The six domains of athletic training that both Glose and Kocher follow include, “injury/illness prevention and wellness protection, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment and rehabilation, organizational and profession health wellbeing,” says Glose.

Glose and Kocher provide a lot of support to the athletes, which make it possible for the athletes to overcome their injuries and to return better than before.

Features 5

The Forum

April 2012

Getting a Head Start on That Golden Tan

By Faarah Ameerally, Asst. Entertainment Editor With prom right around the corner, it is now the season for premature tans to make a debut.

A tanning bed may just be a device that is very popular among people who want to get that enviable golden tan that would make heads turn as they walk by.

These contraptions are faster and more convenient than getting tanned while sitting under the sun. However, there are some tanning beds pros and

cons that need a consideration before one goes for that stunning sun-kissed complexion.

Tanning beds are quick and convenient. Just a short visit to the local tanning salon is all that is required to have a beautiful tan.

It works faster than the sun's rays and it is possible to get various types of tans ranging from golden to orange.

However, tanning can cause skin damage if done too often or for too long of time periods.

Because tanning sessions in a salon are rarely more than 15

minutes, people are more likely to overdo it.

Too much tanning can lead to premature wrinkling, loss of skin elasticity, discoloration and even skin cancer. While it's true that tanning helps with production of vitamin D, the amount of sunlight required to get enough nutrients does not justify the use of tanning beds.

Tanning is not for everyone, as it can be damaging, time consuming, and uncomfortable; however, there are other options to choose from.

The safest option of getting an out-of-sun glow for prom is to go with the self-tanner.

Many cosmetic companies have perfected the art of selftanners as a replacement for the damaging effects of sun tanning or tanning beds. These new selftanners are more natural looking and are far better than baking in the sun. Additionally, there are now lotions on the market that gradually tan skin more with each application for the most natural look.

Soaking up the sun’s rays and letting nature put melanin cells

to work. Before resorting to the tanning beds, try the less harmful options such as various tanning lotions.

On the brighter side, a higher SPF will tan your skin more evenly with less burning. It will take longer, but your tan will be deeper and last longer. So before purchasing the premium deluxe prom package at the nearest salon, review all options, and think about the best way to receive a bronze glow.

Man of the Month—The Leads

By Nainjot Singh Every month, the Freedom Forum recognizes at least one Freedom High School student for performing excellence here at Freedom. For the month of April, we give this honor to two active members of the Freedom High School Theatre Company (FHSTC).

Sophomore, Hannah Arnold, and sophomore, Daniel Youngelman co-starred as main characters in the most recent FHSTC production, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Having acted for six years now, Danny Youngelman has had much experience on stage.

Youngelman says, “Acting really helps me express myself in my own creative way.” He also feels that you should be yourself when you act, even if you are stepping into another character’s life.

The lead actor in Thoroughly Modern Millie felt that the “Millie Experience” was truly magical. He could not be more proud of the whole cast, crew, and everyone who helped make Thoroughly Modern Millie a successful production.

In addition to FHSTC, Danny Youngelman is also in Les Chanteurs, an elite choir group

the Freedom vs. Liberty football game earlier this year. He says, “That day was amazing. I was

further into his future. You never, the next big thing in Hollywood might be a Freedom

Willem Ystma

h e r e a t Fr ee d o m H i g h School. Other students may recognize Youngelman from having sung “God Bless America” during the halftime show at

so honored to be chosen to sing.”

Youngelman wants to continue acting and choir throughout high school and maybe even

High School graduate.

Youngelman’s co-star, Hannah Arnold is known by some as Millie. “Millie Dillmount” was

Hannah Arnold’s character in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Arnold says acting makes her feel as if she is living someone else’s life while also being herself. She says Millie Dillmount was her favorite character yet throughout all of the plays she has been a part of.

As for her director, Ms. Wescoe, Hannah could not have chosen a better director herself.

“She’s fun, and has so much knowledge about acting. We all love her.” says Arnold.

Along with FHSTC, Arnold has also performed with the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre (PYT) and she has starred in East Hills Middle School Musical Productions as well.

When asked to describe acting in one word, Hannah chose, “Amazing”. That is how Arnold’s whole acting career has been, an amazing experience. She knows that she wants to continue acting, and she also wants to keep supporting Freedom High School’s incredibly successful theatre company.

6 Entertainment

The Forum

April 2012

One Direction Takes “Boy Band” One Way

By Shaleen Oza, Special to The Freedom Forum Although lyrics like, “Baby, you light up my world like nobody else!” may not be genius, they are definitely catchy and can make almost any girl swoon. One Direction, a boy band from the U.K., is taking the world by storm.

Members Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson auditioned for the X-Factor just last year. Although they were rejected as solo artists, they breezed through the competition as a group and made their way into the finals. The band finished in third place and still got a record deal, soon after releasing its first single, “What Makes You Beautiful.” This track is the current single in the United

States as it climbs the charts, easily making it onto the Billboard Top 100. The band’s album Up All Night also did well, debuting at number one on iTunes’ most downloaded albums in the U.S. Soon to be featured on Nickelodeon’s hit show, iCarly, One Direction received a lot of publicity from the kids’ television network, which in turn caused their North American tour to sell out in less than a day.

They have also been touring with Big Time Rush as the two groups co-headline their current t o u r .

One Direction doesn’t only have the talent, however; it also has the looks. Each with his own style, each boy is admired by hoards of fans. So whether they are liked for their catchy songs or cute faces, Justin Bieber better watch out. There is a new act in town and its members have British accents.

British One Direction / Flickr.com

The Scene Aesthetic Takes it Another

By Courtney Barrow, Entertainment Editor As boy bands seem to deafen our ears over the radio, it seems there is little hope of relief.

However, there is an alternative, such as alternative music.

Indie bands are undiscovered diamonds in the rough with songs that you won’t hear every time you are in a public place and make you want to stuff your ears with cotton. One such treasure is The Scene Aesthetic, a duo composed of Andrew de Torres and Eric Bowley. The two come from Seattle, live in LA, and made their namewhere else- on the Internet.

The band has a soft, acoustic sound, relying mostly on guitar and vocals. Its first hit, “Beauty in the Breakdown,” was released in 2005 on its MySpace page and has grown a following ever since. The boys have re-

leased three albums, Building Homes from “What We’ve Known” (2006), “The Scene Aesthetic” (2007) and “Brother” (2010), with a recent EP entitled “The Days Ahead” (2011). Notable tracks include “If You’re a Bird,” (which is a reference to the legendary romantic film The Notebook), “Love Through Postcards,” and “So Peter, You’ve Become a Pirate,” in which the duo shows off its rock e d g e .

The Scene Aesthetic has toured with bands like Never Shout Never, The Ready Set, Owl City, and Danger Radio, a band de Torres also fronts for. The band has never been signed by a major label and relies on the web for its success. However, the far from mainstream name is nothing to sneeze at; The Scene Aesthetic is currently one of the indie bands competing in Bill-

board’s Battle of the B a n d s , which is based upon votes online from fans.

Based upon the large u n d e r ground fan base, the band has a d e c e n t chance of moving far within the competit i o n .

Of course, the Bowley’s and de Torres’ good looks cannot hurt, either.

Regardless, for anyone looking for a fresh sound that lacks all the autotuned nonsense and

Conor Keller / Flickr.com

sq ue ak y, u nd erd eve lo p ed voices, The Scene Aesthetic is good alternative for some alternative.

And KPop Takes It in a Complete Other

By Julie Boylan, Editorial Editor The South Koreans have a word for the infectious spread of their booming entertainment industry: The Hallyu (Korean) Wave. I was one such victim of the Wave, particularly the portion known as KPop. In the past few years, KPop, or Korean pop music, has been on the rise in America. The music videos are getting millions and millions of hits on Youtube, KPop groups are touring in the United States, and I even recently heard a KPop song on the radio.

When I was introduced to KPop four years ago from a friend who lives in California, the epicenter of Asian-American culture, I was just as turned off from the music as many of the Americans who hear KPop for the first time are.

One of the biggest reasons that KPop is different than American music, and one of the reasons many Americans don’t like KPop, is how unromantic it is. KPop is composed of boy groups and girl groups that have been put together by mega music corporations such as SM or YG entertainment, which is a huge contradiction to the romantic image of struggling musicians that America cherishes. Plus, musical talent isn’t always the number one factor in the creation of such groups. Members are often chosen for their dancing abilities or looks, not on how well they can play the guitar.

Because I am American and I have the idealist image of musicians, this was off putting to me.

But as I started to explore more

and more songs and artists in the KPop world, I became strangely attached. The beauty of KPop is

that it’s so unashamedly pop music and it’s undoubtedly meant to entertain.

The beats are super catchy, every song has a dance (some of which are really freaking good), and the music videos and performances are often times borderline ridiculous, all of which are very entertaining. There is also the added benefit of not being able to understand almost any of the lyrics.

One of the reasons I do not like a lot of American pop is

that even if the beat is catchy, I am often distracted by the stupid words. In KPop, I do not have to worry about dumb lyrics, because I cannot understand anything beyond the snippets of English here and there. If I have a burning need to understand the premise of the song, I’ll watch the video.

KPop is not for everyone. If you want soul-shaking, meaningful music, look elsewhere.

But if you want a catchy beat and a cool dance, you may want to explore KPop if you haven’t already. On the boy band side of the genre, some big names are Big Bang, B2ST, 2PM, Shinee and Epik High. Prominent girl groups include 2NE1, Girl’s Generation, Miss A, and the Wonder Girls.

The Forum

April 2012

Entertainment 7

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” Jazzes Up the Stage

By Courtney Barrow, Entertainment Editor Freedom High School’s Theater Company brought a taste of the jazz age to the student body in its production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, a story of a Kansas girl making her way to New York City to be “modern” in the 1920s.

The musical, directed by Ms. Jennifer Wescoe, starred sophomore Hannah Arnold as Millie alongside sophomore Danny Youngelman as her man-abouttown Jimmy Smith.

Millie is a different type of musical for FHSTC, it was a farce, a difficult style of comedy that is meant to be obvious and over the top. The choreography relied heavily on dance, especially tap, while still highlighting the vocal talents of many of the actors. ( Q U O T E S )

The show also included junior Emily Anderson as Millie’s best friend, Miss Dorothy Brown, and junior Greg Adams as her boss Trevor Graydon. Kate Dawson, a junior as

well, played the role of Mrs. Meers, the fake Asian manager of Millie and Dorothy’s hotel who runs a white slave business on the side.

“On opening night when you feel the audience’s energy for the first time, you really feel like the show’s been brought to life,” said Anderson. Regarding her character Doro-

thy, “She was so much fun to play because she was so over the top and dramatic.”

Ann Marie Liadis, a junior who portrayed one of the other girls in the hotel and

was a member of the chorus, enjoyed her part in the show as well. “It was a lot of work, but it all came together,” she said. “Everything turned out g r e a t . ” “[The show] was beyond fantastic,” Wescoe said. “I am extremely proud of all the students involved- the cast, the crew, the orchestra...

throughout the process everyone helped each other.”

Also unique to the show were the two Chinese characters Bun Foo and Ching Ho, Mrs. Meers henchmen who spoke a mix of Mandarin and Cantonese that was translated on a projection screen above the stage. Bun Foo and Ching Ho were played perfectly by seniors Steph Perez and Joe Rivera, res p e c t f u l l y .

Considering the cast began rehearsals in midDecember with almost no time off, the show was a success and brought joy to audience members night after night as the cast hit all the right notes with every p e r f o r m a n c e . “[Mille] was a complete team effort from start to finish,” Wescoe said.

“Everyone’s hard work truly paid off.”

“The Fault in Our Stars” Brings Tears to Our Eyes

By Luisa Marin, News Editor Seldom can you find an emotional book that appeals to both guys and girls. “The Fault In Our Stars” by John Green is one of those novels that cannot be labeled a “ g i r l y ” b o o k .

While the main character is a girl and the reader follows the story from her point of view, Hazel Grace Lancaster is far from the normal female narrator. She expresses herself differently from the typical emotionally distraught teenagers everyone is used to. Truly, her story is quite depressing and she feels chained to the word “terminal,” but the author

John Green transforms the story into something more powerful and less depressi n g .

Although having cancer limits her (she constantly has an oxygen mask and hospital checkups), she still manages to go to school at a community college and occasionally spend time with Kaitlyn, her only friend from “normal” s c h o o l .

Much to her displeasure, Hazel’s parents force her to go to a cancer support group.

The group sits in the heart of Jesus in a church basement and shares stories, struggles, and victories. At one of these meetings, Hazel Grace’s life changes forever when she

meets cancer survivor Augustus Waters and falls in love in spite of herself. One might think the story is really depressing, but the book actually has a comical and pragmatic p e r s p e c t i v e .

The rest of the novel is simply brilliant. It tackles the questions of life, death, and love through the view of a sixteen year old that must face these things sooner than most students her age. The plot will keep the reader with glued to every word; it in a near impossible read to put down.

“Fault” is the perfect combination of honesty, laughter, romance, reality, and tragedy.

John Green does a great job of writing this novel in a way

that is relatable to a very broad audience. It is ambitious and philosophical, leaving the reader hanging on for more.

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

Some Sitcoms Stand the Test of Time

By Kirat Randhawa When there is nothing to do, what is everyone up to? There is no one that does not love a good sitcom, so there is no wonder why they have always been so popular, and will continue to do so.

The question is, what exactly is it about sitcoms that make them so popular and highly addictive? Is it the dry sense of humor or the outrageous, rude jokes? Or could it possibly be the fact that they take your mind off everything else for a little while and let you enjoy the mom e n t s ?

There is much to love about sitcoms, and it is guaranteed that there is something out there for everyone.

Whether it is Saved By The Bell, Seinfeld or California Dreams, that i s u p t o y o u !

Olivia Kolis, a student at Freedom High School says, “I love Full House because it is adorable and growing up, it taught me life lessons.”

Started off in 1996 and still continuing to film today, Everybody Loves Raymond is one of the most favorable sitcoms in America.

A few sitcoms that are popular amongst society today that everyone has heard of are Family Guy, The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire, Full House, Friends, and I Love Lucy.

Nico Matos, another student at Freedom High School says, “That 70’s Show is my favorite because it makes me laugh and I can easily relate to everything that’s happeni n g . ” Sitcoms are usually based off many different kinds of stereotypes who have a way of making the protagonist seem superior to all the other c h a r a c t e r s .

So when you have nothing to do, or even just need a good laugh, you can always count on an old fashioned sitcom to turn your frown upside down!

“The Hunger Games” Leave Millions Begging for More

By Luisa Marin, News Editor The 74th Hunger Games made their debut on the big screen, and they caused quite a riot. By grossing 155 million dollars over opening weekend, it broke records for being a non-sequel.

The first movie based on the Hunger Games trilogy is third on the list of opening weekend best sellers. It follows “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two” and “The Dark Night.”

However, just because it had a large audience, can the adaptation be considered a good movie? That answer may depend on personal preference, but for the most part, audiences are hungry for more.

While the film was not ex-

actly like the book, the modifications were, for the most part, well done. Part of the smooth transition might have been due to Suzanne Collins' involvement with the screen play.

The casting was spot on in every role. The characters fit the characterization in the books minus a few details here and there. Sophomore Evan Anthony said the best cast role was Katniss Everdeen; Jennifer Lawrence looked like he had envisioned Katniss to look.

For those who have not read the books or seen the movie and plan to do so, it may be best to stop reading here. With that said, there were a couple of major changes from the book. The first major character that is missing is Madge,

the mayor’s daughter who provides Katniss with the Mockingjay pin. Katniss instead gets the pin from The Hob and gives it to Prim. The change might have been done for a more emotional appeal, but it is still different and means changes for “Catching Fire.” Also, Peeta is supposed to have sustained a severe injury that causes him to lose his leg. Anthony agrees that he wanted that to be included in the movie since it creates a story flaw for the future.

In addition, there is no scene that shows the separation of Katniss and Peeta after they are removed from the arena or the intense conversation they have on the train ride home.

Maybe that adds more suspense for “Catching Fire?”

Regardless, the end of the

movie does reveal the Katniss-Gale-Peeta tension forming.

Overall, the movie was true to the book and nothing was so extreme that fans would be majorly upset. The violence is, however, toned down to make the movie more PG-13 appropriate. All Lionsgate needs to do is start the production of the next movie.

Imdb.com

8 Editorials

The Forum

April 2012

My Path into Vegetarianism

By Julia Fox, Special to The Freedom Forum I am not under the impression that I can single-handedly save all the pigs and cows of the world by giving up bacon and cheese burgers, but nevertheless I have made the decision to go vegetarian, and so far my meatfree diet is proving worthwhile.

I have never been particularly carnivorous, only eating red meat on rare occasions, and I have always told myself I would be a vegetarian by the time I leave for college. Now, Susquehanna University is a mere five months away, and I wanted to accomplish what I promised myself I would do -- it has been

three months since I last ate any meat.

That being said, I would like to point out that I am not a vegan; I still consume foods that contain animal byproducts such as eggs, milk, etc. I do not eat any fish, beef, chicken, pork, or anything else that had a face before it ended up on a dinner plate.

Surprisingly, the transition was not as difficult as one may think. My body adjusted quickly, and I feel better physically with mostly fresh fruits and veggies in my system.

In addition to fresh produce, I have also become a connoisseur of Boca and Morning Star meatless products, plus I know

which restaurants have the best salad bars and other vegetarian options.

menting your diet with a multivitamin. Without taking a daily supplement containing a day’s worth of iron, I feel listless and fatigued, making it especially difficult to stay awake during class, so make sure your diet is balanced. Regrettably, you cannot glean enough protein on a diet of peanut butter sandwiches.

The other side of my decision reflects on the meat industry as a whole. Even quick Internet research will show that it is disgusting. I feel better knowing I am not biting into a hamburger that came Elysia in Wonderland / Flickr.com from a cow fed artificial However, I would not recom- growth hormones and pumped mend just jumping into a vege- with steroids. tarian lifestyle without supple-

No, the effects of my vegetarianism won’t be felt by the gods of the meat industry, and I know the difference is not one with any major impact, but it helps me sleep at night knowing that, at the very least, I am not contributing to the problem.

To summarize, I am content with my choice to give up meat, and I would recommend it to people who think they can discipline themselves enough to do it. You might have to sacrifice wing night, forego pepperoni on your pizza, and say no to chicken nuggets, but in my opinion it’s all worth it, especially knowing my life is a little healthier, and I myself am even a little happier.

Rising Students Have Lessons to Learn

By Courtney Barrow, Entertainment Editor As a senior making her final farewells to her second home in Freedom High School, I am ready to move on with my life and make the final leap into adulthood.

However, after four years within these hallowed halls, I have picked up a piece of wisdom here and there. I learned which are the best water fountains and where are the best doors to slip out unnoticed; I have uncovered which teachers are the best to have- whether for the experience or the gradesand when is the ideal time to ma k e a b a t h r o o m r u n .

Unfortunately, at this point in time, all this information is no longer of use to me. Graduation is in a couple short months, and all of my experiences serve little

purpose but nostalgia. Thus, I will attempt to share some of my knowledge with the up and coming students at Freedom in the hopes that they will find it accurate and useful.

Juniors who are about to become seniors will find their motivation slowly begin to deplete.

They will hastily fill out college and scholarship applications, try not to ruin their grades, and make the most of their senior year. I have faith that the incoming class will keep the spirit of Freedom Family alive and continue the tradition of earth shattering noise that emanates from the Riot Squad.

The sophomores transitioning into upperclassmen have the real academic jobs to take on. They are in for their most difficult year, preparing for the SATs and attempting to convince universities how smart and dedi-

cated they are based on their transcripts. I encourage them not to become overwhelmed with a long list of commitments and an intense study schedule. There is such a thing as too many AP courses!

The same rule applies to extra curricular activities; stretching oneself too thin is a lesson I learned the hard way. I learned the best way to get the ideal schedule is to make an appointment with a guidance counselor before school starts; a simple email is all it takes.

Regarding standardized tests, practice test after practice test is the best recommendation.

Learning from mistakes and the understanding how the test works are a student’s best defenses. A prep course as an elective is not a bad idea, either.

However, if I have learned anything in my four years, fun is

extremely important. The greatest times to be had are not in solitary activities, but being part of an enormous crowd at a basketball game, or as a member of a team of master debaters. Memories mean little if they cannot be shared.

This school year may be characterized by the widespread feeling of pride and unity in the Patriots, whether that be academically, athletically, or artistically. Last year, as an age-confused junior I convinced myself I was supposed to graduate in 2011, but I am grateful to have been here for this year. There is one final job left to all Freedom students- keep the school pride alive, and have a fantastic time doing it.

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

“Out of the Loop”—Dealing with Standardized Tests

By Matthew Cimera In the aftermath of the recent season of PSSA testing, most of us are glad it’s done. However we must consider what was it like last year? Most students feel annoyed that they have to take these monstrosities.

Without the attempts at stimulating motivation by the school as in the previous year, we simply are not as motivated to do these tests to the best of our ability. How many students even know why we take the PSSAs or their effects? I’d say that the PSSA tactics were not effective because of the widespread ignorance towards the actual effect of the PSSAs, as well as the motivational strategy, both of which paled in comparison to last year’s attention to the PSSAs. Considering last year, with its extreme motivators of free PSSA tee-shirts , the staff’s attempt to motivate students , the

cafeteria providi n g breakfast, and the princ i p a l taking the time to meet w i t h ever y junior in order to encourage them and explain the PSSA, it makes us current juniors feel marginal in the face of such treatment.

Sure, this year there was coffee and breakfast available, but

Courtney Barrow / Entertainment Editor

not only were there no tee-shirts for us, but most of us still think of the school’s principal as that

faceless name off in the farthest recesses of our mind. There is no personal connection with this

class. The attitude is “take the test to graduate”.

In the face of such impersonal approaches employed this school year, we feel neglected and unmotivated. We lack the most important element of motivation by no one convincing us of the most important question in taking the PSSAs: “Why?” Without a clear reason of what’s at stake, why should one push oneself for advanced? Why not simply go for the minimum of proficient? What is there at stake besides graduating with less hassle? Why should a person care about motivating their friends if they can just do the bare minimum?

What incentive is there to go the full distance? The reasons these questions even exist suggest a borderline apathy in comparison to last year’s class. It’s the inconsistency of this tactic of motivation that causes it to back fire.

April 2012

Editorials 9

The Forum

How Safe is Freedom Really?

By Tyler Alicea, Editor-in-Chief To be quite honest, there has only been one time in my fouryear tenure as a student at Freedom High School where I have felt genuinely unsafe at school.

Not surprisingly, such a scare was the result of social media and students on Twitter and Facebook spreading rumors and creating tensions within the school. However, as of late, it seems as though these fake panics created by worrisome and gossip craving teenagers is being to be replaced with genuine safety concerns.

Earlier this month, a student was found with a realistic pellet gun and drugs nearly a week after another student was subdued with a stun gun by Officer Anderson in the cafeteria.

Every time the safety of students is brought up, I feel it is necessary to bring up the results of the school improvement survey from last year. At this point, I may as well be beating a dead horse, but according to the survey, only 47 percent of student feel safe at school. Of course, there is probably some amount of under-coverage and response bias with this, but this statistic continues to bring up a good

point. Are students’ fears suddenly becoming a reality? How safe are we really?

Many people often point fingers when it comes to issues like this. Some say the administrators are not doing their jobs, while others say they are only four people in a school of thousands and can not prevent everything. Others say that teachers need to step up, while others think it is the students’ responsibility to act.

How serious people take this issue is also a problem. Students may find that another student being subdued with a Taser as being funny; however, this is no

laughing matter. How long will it take for something like this to escalate?

After the Columbine tragedy in the 90’s, security all across high schools and universities was increased by tenfold. Yet today, it seems that security is not taken as seriously within the halls of Freedom when in practice. Nearly anyone can walk into the school (especially before school when all of the doors are unlocked) and students are no longer required to display IDs at all times like they were just a few years ago.

While everyone talks about safety, talking without action

does not prevent conflicts. I genuinely hope that everyone— and I mean everyone: parents, teachers, students, administrators, school board members, legislators of the area—begins to take safety more seriously before something absolutely horrific happens.

Why wait until something happens when you can prevent it? Is that not the point of restorative practices anyway? Obviously, not everything can be prevented, but I believe we need to be more proactive and work as a community in order to ensure our own safety.

The Legend of Prom

By TJ Singh Before its even spring, it’s prom season at Freedom High School.

Colorful cupcakes spelling out “p-r-o-m-?” begin popping up in classes, and sometimes more adventurous attempts at asking occur - such as in front of the entire student section during a pep rally. Sneaky cell phones slip out of pockets so that everyone can see the most perfect dress, heels, and makeup. And whatever room you walk into, someone is whispering about what party they will be attending afterwards.

The anxiety sinks in two days

after tickets go on sale. Is he going to ask me? Should I ask him first? They’ll be on sale for another month, but no one has the patience to possibly wait that long.

Although some people are naïve to the huge teenage milestone of prom, the majority of teenagers have heard about it years before high school.

You may ask: Why is prom so important? Isn’t it just an excuse for companies to force you to buy a prom dress you’ll never wear again? To make you rent a tux and limo just so you look nice in front of your peers for a single night?

There is no simple answer to

how prom impacts the junior and senior population, but the main reason it remains such a big deal in high schools is because it gives everybody the chance to be noticed. In reality, the main reason prom is so important is because people want their Cinderella moment.

Hollywood has built an empire around the teen comedy.

Everyone knows the many stories of the ugly/invisible/ unpopular girl who longs for the boy who is supposedly way out of her league, and if only she can clean up well enough for prom, there will be a happy ending.

As ridiculous as it sounds, this

is the idea that appeals the most to us. That anyone from athletes to nerds can clean off their differences and join ceremoniously together for a night of unforgettable memories.

Isn’t that what everybody wants? To have an unforgettable night with pictures and dances and dates? If this day has been designated for us to have the time of our lives, then who are we to question such a gift?

Courtney Barrow / Entertainment Editor

So go ahead and buy the most expensive and extravagant dress and rent the shiniest and longest limo. If this is going to only happen once, you might as well make it your best.

Dealing with Video Game Addictions

By Justin Alicea Have you ever stayed up all night playing video games, and shouted absurd things at the television out of tiredness. If you have then you might be a video game addict.

Today our society is blessed with many forms of technology such as high definition T.Vs, cell phones with 4G, and video games. Video games are one of the fastest growing industries

right now, and with all the different systems now available, it is easy to see why. With all of these games, there is sure to be a ton of players, and where there is a ton of players there are video game addicts.

Someone with a video game addiction is classified as anyone who is on their computer or plays video games for an excessive amount of time, to the point where they cannot balance their daily lives. According to the

AMA (American Medical Association), as of 2007, up to 90 percent of American kids play videogames, and as many of 15 percent of them may be addicted. Many of the big gaming companies are to thank for that.

The spreading of this addiction is helped caused by big name video games such as Call of Duty, the Halo series, and big MMOs (Massive Multiplayer Online Games) like World of Warcraft (W.o.W.). Call of Duty

and Halo rely on the storyline and multiplayer experience to help sell the copies, and to get people to play. Extra content that costs more money increases the play time of these games.

World of Warcraft on the other hand, relies strictly on online play. As of 2010, Blizzard announced that W.o.W. has over 12 million players who play. That is a huge number and is a big contributor to the people who could be considered ad-

dicts.

As an avid gamer myself, I can understand why some Americans have become addicted to video games. Today, video games tend to have very unique storylines, along with some great online play. I believe as great as video games can be, they are very time consuming and lead to a huge amounts of procrastination. As with all great things today, video games are best enjoyed in moderation.

What Really Makes the Christmas City Special

By Flannery Johnston Most teens seem to rant on their hometowns. They are never “cool enough, fun enough, big enough, hot enough,”- basically the whole nine yards.

But Bethlehem really does have a lot to offer, be it the music, the history, the food, or even all the great people just next door. Overall, Bethlehem is a great place to spend one’s high school years, whether or not it’s r e a l i z e d .

First of all, everyone loves going to Musikfest; it is the highlight of most locals’ summers. People living in other towns do not have a giant music festival with favorite artists performing every night. The food at

Musikfest, such as Aww Shucks Corn, deep fried Oreos, or the countless new creations coming into being each year, help top off the experience. From the little concerts on Main Street to making new friends, Musikfest is such a unique event we are given the chance to explore every year.

Another plus is Bethlehem’s weather. Some people like hot weather, some people like the cold, and Bethlehem offers both (even if this year’s winter wasn’t all that cold). The summers are an ideal temperature; the heat is not deadly, unlike places such as Arizona or

Florida. Bethlehem pleases everyone during at least one season,

and it’s hard to argue with that.

Bethlehem also has lots of pretty sights for picnics, walks, or even for a background in a profile picture. Historic Bethlehem, for example, is a quaint place to stroll through and if you get tired, you can sit by the river or the rose garden.

Later that night, you can get dinner at Apollo and it is an instant A+ date.

Living in certain towns doesn’t allow for this, it only provides pollution, danger, and a real place to rant about.

Think about all the great times you have had with your best

friend, your boyfriend, a neighbor, or anyone you see on a daily basis. Imagine never meeting them because you didn’t live in Bethlehem. If you lived somewhere else, sure, you’d have friends, but the people you treasure the most would not be a part of your life. By saying you do not like Bethlehem, you are essentially saying you don’t like the people who are a part of it, and that’s a bit more than likely a lie.

So much great stuff is offered in Bethlehem. No, it is not Hollywood, but it is still a very good place to spend your youth before jumping out into the world, when you realize how much you miss your hometown.

10 Editorials

Ask Fabio!

Advice Column It may not resemble the obvious portrayals you see in television shows. It probably is not the shoving into lockers, the books getting knocked out of the hands, or the “kick me” signs pasted on the backs of students; but it is in fact there.

Whether you know it or not, you most likely take part in it on a daily basis. Bullying: the gift that keeps on giving. I’m not going to attempt to preach that we can stop it in its tracks, but if we all take notice, and take small, building block steps, we have a great chance of greatly reducing its affects.

Keep in mind that bullying is much more minute than the obscene gestures we may believe it to be. It is the prejudicial jokes, the gossip on the latest break up, and the smack talk behind someone’s back that we all must admit to doing.

In the current day, pressure continues to grow on the average teen, as they attempt to keep up with the tremendous academic expectations, and physical image that people and advertisements alike try to portray the finer class being like. So when it comes to mocking, scoffing at, or teasing those who fall short of this insurmountable perfection, what else are they going to feel besides embarrassment and desperation?

We need to keep in mind that everyone on this planet has their fair share of shortcomings. Instead of chastising those whose shortcomings are a tad more obvious, recognize them for their hidden talents, and charter them so that they can grow in confidence and one day “fit in.”

By constantly battering kids verbally you just push them closer and closer towards the breaking point.

Suicide is not the blood that you want on your hands. You never want to have to live with the eternal sorrows that ensue from taking part in the mockery that lead to someone’s unbelievable pain, which serves as the impetus behind their eventual demise.

Our school has taken great strides by having the Rachel’s Challenge foundation come to speak to us in hopes that we could understand the tremendous repercussions of taunting those who are not what we deem normal. Yet as the year has worn on, you and I have both seen how the bullying has persisted and continually intensified to its old levels. So as the year draws to a close, and we focus on our summer plans, I hope that we can all come together as the united Freedom Family that we are and to topple this challenge.

Heed the words of the film “Pay it Forward.” If you manage to assist someone in some way, and then they repay the favor to someone else, it will be an ever continuing flow, or a “chain reaction.” I see our school as being the prime location to spark this reaction if we can all put our differences aside and focus on the greater good.

Remember the golden rule of our childhoods, “treat others as you wish to be treated,” and if you abide by this regularly, the world will surely follow.

The Forum

April 2012

Against Kony 2012

By John Bennett Many know of the recent Kony 2012 campaign led by an activist named Jason Russell. The campaign is an admirable display of activism and solidarity aimed at bringing awareness to a dire issue in U g a n d a .

Since the video was uploaded to YouTube, it has received upwards of eighty million views. The video urges people to action to stop Kony, a Ugandan insurrectionist who uses child soldiers to create chaos, by spreading awareness of the issue, which will hopefully lead to increased pressure on Congress to keep our advisors in Uganda to train their military to more effectively capture Kony. This video has caused quite a stir, but not all opinions have been positive.

The people involved evince a courageous and dynamic humanitarian attitude, unwilling to let anyone, not just Kony, get away with heinous atrocities that violate basic human rights. They say that Kony’s capture and conviction would benefit not just Ugandans, but the world, proving that the world is a good place where “Konys” will not be allowed to run free. And they would

most certainly be correct.

However, the Kony 2012 campaign completely misrepresents the problem, and it especially misrepresents Uganda. In fact, the misinformation and manipulation contained within the video, the crux of the campaign, is so great that the prime minister of Uganda himself, Amama Mbabazi, felt the need to correct the impressions given by t h e v i d e o .

The video gives the impression that Uganda is a war-torn country desperate for Western aid, but according to Mbabazi, it definitely is not. He says in his response, “Uganda is a modern, developing country,” and he even invites the same celebrities who endorsed the Kony 2012 campaign to come see the country for thems e l v e s .

Lonely Planet, a reputable tourist information disseminator, even ranked Uganda as the number-one tourist destination of 2012. Clearly, Uganda’s image has been manipulated by the Kony 2012 campaign to the point of i n a c c u r a c y .

The sentiment expressed by Prime Minister Mbabazi is perhaps a more docile response by a Ugandan. Many Ugandans were enraged upon viewing the video, when the

news organization Al-Jazeera showed it to them. In fact, this same news organization showed Ugandans protesting by yelling and throwing rocks at the screen. One would think a humanitarian campaign such as Kony 2012, aimed at helping Ugandans, would respond graciously, but the campaign’s response, verbatim, was, “Al Jazeera’s reporting was flawed at best and unprofessional at worst. It lacked context and cohesion, and it was clear that they didn’t do their jobs the way they’re supposed to.” Ironically, these same Ugandans are the context to the “Kony problem”; it is the viewers of the Kony 2012 video who lack context.

Yet, the greatest irony of all is that Kony is not even in Uganda. In fact, according to Prime Minister Mbabazi, Kony is all but defeated. He says, “…with the help and coordination of the African Union to…apprehend Kony and his [Lord’s Resistance Army] LRA. The LRA were forced out of Uganda by our police defense and security services six years ago.” He then goes on to say Kony was driven from Uganda in 2006 and his troops have been whittled down to between two hundred and two hundred fifty troops, which, in turn, exist in

bands of fifty to a hundred, a far cry from the thirty thousand the Kony 2012 video would have its supporters believe are in Kony’s army.

Further, the Norwegian nongovernmental organization, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, has noted that the areas affected by Kony are returning to normalcy due to the long era of peace the Ugandans have maintained. Essentially, there is no “Kony problem” except for that fact that he has not been arrested, a task that is out of the hands of the Ugandans anyway.

Basically, the Kony 2012 campaign, though innocent and benevolent in its intent and motivation, is entirely misguided, and ultimately has misled thousands, if not millions, of people, causing people to donate time and money to a cause that is simply unfounded in reality. Joseph Kony is not in Uganda.

Uganda is not desperate for the condescending aid of the West. It is, in reality, an attractive tourist destination, and, Joseph Kony has actually been defeated several years ago, making the whole situation a non-issue.

AP Does Not Stand for Any Person do have the capacity to take

By Shaleen Oza, Special to The Freedom Forum AP courses, just not the time.

Not being able to keep up It is no surprise to anyone with class work then affects that Freedom High School is not known for its stellar academics, but instead its athletics. So, what is the district doing to supposedly rectify this? Pushing more students into AP c l a s s e s .

This is problematic because students who are unprepared for AP classes, or don’t have the time, ability or appropriate work ethic needed in these classes are going to start slowing down the curriculum.

AP curriculums are designed to be fastpaced, and have much more independent compared to regular high school classes.

Pushing a student who would rather take honors or academic courses into AP courses affects not only other students students negatively, lowering in the class, but also the stu- their grades, GPA, and in gend e n t h i m s e l f . eral adding more stress to Students pushed into taking t h e i r l i v e s .

AP courses wind up falling The amount a student would behind, getting lower grades, learn would actually be and not learning as much. greater in a classroom with a Sometimes, students (such as pace more suited to him. athletes or students with jobs) Think about it, if a student felt

like he was rushing through material, he would probably just skim over it just to pass the tests. With honors, aca-

ing more AP’s. Instead of two or three tests, students will start taking upwards of five, six, or even seven exams.

AP students will have to give up the “AP” element in their classes, honors kids will be bored in academic classes or stressed in AP courses, and academic students will be forced into work environments they are not comfortable in.

It is a gamble, giving up a variety of course levels and a healthy learning environment for a little extra state support, but hey, the The Freedom Forum Photo Archive school board demic, and applied classes, does not mind. Why bother students can work at a pace spending money on more leveled with their ability. courses with fewer students On top of this, AP tests are when you can just buy new costly for students. This year lavatory passes every year? at eighty-seven dollars per test, the amount students would have to pay would increase because they’d be tak-

Sports 11

The Forum

April 2012

“Linsanity” Takes Over New York

By Kristen Dalton Jeremy Lin’s popularity has shaken the people of New York and caused a nation-wide obsession with his talent called “Linsanity.”

Jeremy Lin, the AsianAmerican point guard for the Knicks whose outstanding talent has risen and made him one of most well-known players in the NBA. It seems that Lin became popular almost out-of-nowhere.

Lin was a star player at his local High School, but was never offered an athletic scholarship.

Lin attended Harvard where he played basketball all four years and graduated in 2010.

Lin played as a free agent in the NBA’s developmental league but with sparingly opportunities

to play. After years of going unnoticed, the New York Knicks finally claimed him.

Jeremy Lin spent most of his time warming the benches until his teammates’ unfortunate and numerous injuries put him in the line-up. Lin used this opportunity as his time to shine and lead the Knicks to a winning streak in his first seven games.

He scored 171 points and dished out 64 assists in that run. His success included 38 points scored in a win against superstar Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans were astounded by his ability to pass the ball, obtain so many assists, and the ability to attack the defense, and get a high percentage shot.

However, his weaknesses and lack of experience caused new coach Mike Woodson to recon-

sider Lin starting for the Knicks.

Freedom High School V.I.P. basketball player, Joe Lococo said the reason for Lin’s popularity is the massive impact Lin made as soon as he started to play against some of the best players in the world.

“Ultimately it’s the coach’s decision and Lin still has a lot to learn” was Lococo’s response to Jeremy Lin not starting.

Overall, Lin’s strength, fight against the defense, and high percentage shots will overcome his inexperienced turnovers and “Linsanity” is expected to reside with Jeremy Lin until the next spontaneous and remarkable talent rises from the benches of the NBA.

Running into Spring

By Krystal Domin, Web Editor During the offseason, the members of the track team were running and training, throughout winter, in order to make the 2012 Track and Field season an unforgettable one.

For those track illiterates, “track is basically the same for guys and girls, except the girls' hurdles are slightly lower [at] 300 and 100 hurdles, while the guys have the 300 and 110 hurdles. In the field, the girls' throwing implements (shot, javelin, discus) are all slightly lighter than the boys’,” said senior Nathaniel Palmer.

Many of the members of the track team were members of the Cross Country team, but the track team also consists of members who were apart of other sports at Freedom. This year there are a lot of returning members, but there are also new

members who will be running by as well.

The Track and Field Team is coached by Mr. Artie Owens, former NFL wide receiver, and long distance coach Mr. Jose Dos Santos.

Leading the team in stretches, the respective groups, and sprints are Palmer and Laura Scheirer who are both seniors.

The has been preparing for their future meets by “working on some overall conditioning and then breaking down into smaller groups focuses around our events in order to improve in our area of expertise,” said Palmer.

The team meets after school and runs together for their daily practice. They usually run in the area around Freedom by doing various runs like the Church Run. Additionally, from the amount of hard work that was put in the

winter, the team is expected to go far this season.

Returning member senior Shana Peterson is a long distance runner and a positive contributor to the team said, “I expect a lot out of my fellow distance runners this track season, especially [junior] Caterina Atiyeh who deserves recognition for coming as far as she's come in such a short period of time.”

“As for all of the other track athletes, they all seem to be working hard at practices as well,” said Peterson.

All the training that the athletes have endured will show throw at the upcoming meets and most importantly, the Freedom vs. Liberty meet in May. In addition to training, the team has created a support system by creating bonds within the track family.

Peterson said, “I plan to provide motivation and encourage my teammates as much as I can

this season because we all deserve to be rewarded for the miles we've put in. It's my last season so I want to have a lot of fun and win with the people I've been working hard with since August.”

Palmer plans to “do [his] best to lead the team during practice and during competition[s].”

The track team has a solid team, so all of you, students, watch out for the track team as they run by you on a way to victory.

“Tebowtime” Moves to Eastern Standard Time

By Greg Adams As of March 21, Tim Tebow is no longer a member of the Denver Broncos. Peyton Manning is in, Tim Tebow is out, and the former 25th pick in the 2010 NFL draft will be going to the New York Jets.

Following the initial trade announcement was information that the Broncos and Jets had not addressed the “recapture” stipulation in Tebow’s contract.

Simply, the Jets were liable to pay the Broncos 5 million dollars due to the language of Tim Tebow’s current contract.

This presented the possibility that the Jets would not end up following through with the trade after all. Other teams in the hunt for Tebow included the St. Louis Rams and the Jackson-

ville Jaguars, but it was later reported that the Rams were not serious contenders to make the trade.

Jaguars owner Shahid Kahn said before the Super Bowl in a radio interview that he would have drafted Tebow and indicated he would consider bringing in Tebow if he became available.

Tim Tebow indicated to Broncos vice president and former quarterback John Elway that he would prefer to be traded to Jacksonville if at all possible because of his history with the area. Tim Tebow played high school football at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla., just minutes away from Jacksonville. Elway said he would try but would inevitably do what was best for the Broncos as a franchise.

But at the end of the day, Tebow has become a Jet after all.

The Broncos and Jets decided to split the difference and each pay 50% of the 5 million-dollar “recapture” fee.

The Broncos received a 4th and 6th round pick and traded away a 7th round pick in this year’s draft along with Tebow, who will prove useful in helping the Jets’ stagnant running game and red-zone offense.

Tebow played football at the University of Florida for 4 years and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy every year, winning the award in his sophomore year. Tim Tebow has been on two BCS Championship football teams with the Gators and at the conclusion of his college career he held the Southeastern Conference records in both career

passing efficiency and total rushing touchdowns.

Last year the quarterback made a splash with the Broncos, leading multiple fourth quarter comebacks and beating the Steelers in the playoffs. Tim Tebow is known for his religious devotion and citizenship on and off the football field.

If the biggest story of this NFL offseason is Peyton Manning taking the position of Broncos quarterback, the second biggest is arguably about the man Peyton has replaced, and where he will play next season.

Fans in Colorado will have to set their clocks two hours ahead in order to experience Tebowtime next season.

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April 1, 2012

Riot Squad takes over Liberty

by Moses staff writer

Ron Paul Nominated as 2012 Republican Candidate

4-5 opinion

Why This Year has Been Great

6-7 entertainment

Last week, Freedom’s Riot Squad finally took its rightful surrendered the building, the grounds, and the stadium, place as rulers of Liberty High School, making it the most admitting that they were no longer fit to oversee any of powerful body within the Bethlehem Area School District. their former property.

The Riot Squad, which made a name for itself as the While Liberty was aware that the take over was coming, greatest they were student still ill section prepared. within the Some stuLehigh dents, Valley freshmen region, is to seniors, known for ran and its roller hid; few coaster others imperseemed sonations, ready to parting the stand and Red Sea, fight. and just However, being once the loud, spirRiot ited, and Squad, a unified in massive general. power of The several Squad hundred proved to students, Liberty its arrived on superiority scene, all during not opponents illustration by Pablo Picaso dropped their heads and stepped aside as they only the football game in November, but also during the two basketball games during the knew they had been beaten. winter season as Freedom was cheered on to victory both Freedom students have since taken over the interworktimes. ing's of Liberty High School. They inhabit the principal’s After proving the much greater strength of the “Freedom office, teach classes, and secure the hallways, all to ensure Family” over anything from its crosstown rival, the Riot that all Liberty students know the power and greatness of Squad banded together, marched down Linden Street, and the Freedom Family. took over Liberty at approximately noon on a sunny Next week, a ceremony will be held as the Liberty Bell is March afternoon. The entire school’s staff and students removed from its location in LHS’s office and taken to its

Seniors graduate Why The Marriage Ref

Should Come Back

12 sports

BREAKING: Liberty Loses to Freedom Again

by Anita Knapp managing editor of nap time and snack time

Liberty will have the privilege of graduating the night after Freedom High rocks the Stabler Arena.

Following a tradition started with the class of 1923, Liberty students will be walking on stage to receive their diplomas. Special guests will include Dr. Roy the superintendent, Dr. Silva the assistant superintendent, and Principal Durante.

The students at Liberty seem very excited to move on to the next chapter of their lives. They are eager to be the part of new classes in different parts of the country. Many athletes are officially committed to different schools.

Maybe they are just eager get out of the school. Ever since the Riot Squad decided to take over, Liberty has completely changed. It has been a tough

year for Liberty students because Freedom proved to be smarter, faster, and more spirited according to anonymous sources from 3149 Chester Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18020, USA, North America, Earth.

Their complacency with athletics led to their lack of “greatness” possibly causing their downfall. The rivalry between the schools surfaced to a whole new level. It is war and Freedom has this war in the palm of their hand.

Since becoming overcome by the Freedom Family, graduating is the only light at the end of the tunnel for the Liberty students. Most underclassmen are scared about the future of the school.

The Hurricanes have dwindled from having great power to being a tropical storm, and now barely a drizzle. Seniors cling on to the hope that the grass is greener on the other side of the stage.

The 6,000 people at Stabler will witness a great graduation full of enthusiasm. It might even be what Liberty needs to lift their spirits a little bit.

April Fools Liberty!

Note from the Editor: Our back page is a parody of the Liberty Life newspaper, the school newspaper of Liberty High School. We are merely only trying to poke fun at our rival school. We appreciate the work of all student journalists, no mater what school they attend.