Sarah Choflet News Editor
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Freedom school board decided to begin the process of hiring an architect to possibly close an elementary school, accepted two letters of resignation from coaches, discussed the cost of cyber and charter schools for students within the district, and heard concerns from members of the public about problems that are currently present in the community. The district approved the search to find a new architect because with the declining number of students enrolled in Freedom and future budget cuts, there is concern about meeting financial needs. One of the solutions to this complex problem includes closing an elementary school building; Big Knob Elementary or Conway Elementary may no
longer be used in the future. As for Freedom’s coaches, Brittany Morrow, head varsity volleyball coach, and Dirk Hartman, varsity golf coach, submitted letters of resignation. Members of the board also discussed the cost of sending students within the district to cyber and charter schools. For each student who chooses to attend cyber or charter school, Freedom must pay the students’ tuition to that school. Freedom currently pays more than $320,000 per year for its 41 students who attend cyber or charter school. The board meeting also involved two community members, Mr. Rod Hill and Mr. Michael Szatkiewicz, presenting their concerns to the district and its board members. Mr. Hill spoke on improving the conduct of players, coaches and fans at Freedom after an inappropriate basketball game dispute, while Mr. Szatkiewicz presented concerns about the absence of a speed limit sign on school grounds for the safety of students and community mem-
Photos by Zac Wilson, Contributing Writer
Above: Dr. Sofo spoke to the school board about the demand on the district for higher test scores, despite the reduced budget. Right: Head administration from schools within the district actively participate in the board meeting, both by listening and presenting issues or topics for discussion.
school’s property, and the $50 fee paid at the beginning lieves that the recent student-created public service anof the year was fundamentally just the student paying nouncements have been a good way to do just that. Her Editor-In-Chief to rent the laptop for the year, she said. reasoning is that the message to the student body from What the administration is most concerned about a fellow peer is a better way to get their attention and A few noticeable changes are being made through- is uncopyrighted material on the laptops; initiate a culture change. “It’s just a reout the high school, and Assistant Principal Mrs. Dar- movies or music downloaded by issue with me,” she said. “I need to do spect lene Corris is behind all the alterations to disciplinary Limewire, Frostwire, or any other illegal Mrs. Corris has spoken with the Pep something policy. torrent program is a violation of the conClub and plans on working with them to tract signed by each student when they develop a running theme for the school: that’s going to first received their laptop. If those unRESPECT. There is a possibility of TLaptop Checks What most students do not know is that laptops copyrighted materials caused a lawget everybody’s shirts to be made and given out to stuwere regularly and randomly being checked even besuit, the school would be to blame, and dents who exemplify this motto, and who attention,” fore they were being pulled out of classrooms. In the that could result in a lot of money lost. help to promote positive attitudes in the past the only laptops checked were the ones in for rehigh school. ~Mrs. Corris Mrs. Corris said that on some days she pairs with Mr. Hickey, but recently the pool has exProfanity Issues panded out. “We’ve got to get every grade level as The current FHS policy for swearspends over 10 hours a day in this buildwell,” Mrs. Corris said. ing is that a student is to receive in-school for the day, ing, and that hearing disrespectful phrases thrown “I have to prove we’re doing the right thing with but Mrs. Corris has decided to get a little more creative around in a place she calls home will not be tolerated. [the laptops],” Mrs. Corris said. Although it may not with the discipline. “I need to do something that’s go- “This is where I live,” she said, “I’m not putting up seem like it to students, the laptops are entirely the ing to get everybody’s attention,” she said. She bewith this in my own living room.”
Emily Francis
2
FHS Press
to dish out a few dollars worth of pledges. Some kids received a per-hour Copy Editor donation, while others got a flat rate just Freedom’s Drama Club is good at a for showing up. lot of things: singing, acting and putting Either way, the students did everyon yearly performances. thing they could to get money, raising a But it costs money to put on a solid little over $3,000. production, and luckily the Drama Club The dance-a-thon, as it was coined, is able to put their skills to work in order ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to raise it. At the beginning, the students parOn Friday, Feb. 2, theses students ticipated in a hardcore hour of Zumba, got together and danced their hearts out which is a fast-paced workout that incorfor four hours in a way that only kids porates modern dance moves and some with a passion for theatre know how. serious exercise routines. Hot music and “It was intense,” Sophomore Zoe fun moves made this hour fly by. Sayre said. “I could hardly even tell I was In the month prior, they stalked the working out until I felt the sweat on my town of Freedom and surrounding areas forehead!” Freshman Jennifer Wallis in search of those generous souls willing said. After Zumba hour, the students were treated to pizza and drinks and were able to chill out a bit, getting time to relax after their workout. For the rest of the night, the kids jammed out to a sweet selection of music chosen by DJs, Juniors Anthony Lang and Mason Fischer. Overall, it was a successful fundraiser, for more reasons than one. Ashlynd Robb said, “My favorite part was being able to just hang out with the musical kids. It definitely brought the whole club together.”
25 February, 2011
Jordan Kusich
Sarah Choflet
News Editor How many high school students honestly are fully prepared for their future as an adult? Things like federal taxes, student loans and house payments are phrases that can intimidate many students, those here at FHS included. These very concerns will be addressed in a new graduation requirement, beginning with the class of 2012. Senior Seminar, a class collaboratively created by several teachers throughout the building, will focus on dealing with problems that occur outside of high school. Things like college readiness, financial literacy, life skills, and even civility will be addressed in order
Photos by Sarah Choflet, News Editor
Above: The Zumba instructor, Brittany Wood, showed the group the steps with verve throughout the portion of the Dance-a-thon. Left: Drama Club members—including cast, stage crew and orchestra— dance to raise money for the club. Members of the club try to catch on to the fast-paced steps, either following Zumba instruction or free-style dancing with friends.
to “provide [students] with information to help them be more successful wherever they go,” said Gifted Coordinator Ms. Rita Kaplin. Other things still relating to high school will be covered as well, such as the senior project and the career ePortfolio. Senior Seminar includes not only valuable information about students’ futures, but also all of the smaller tidbits that are often passed by in the high school curriculum, Ms. Kaplin said. These types of things include knowledge that isn’t found within a core subject, but is still important for students to learn before embarking on the world, such as managing a checkbook and understanding local and federal taxes. Another recent graduation requirement in addition to Senior Seminar is another technology course. This means that two tech courses are required; one being
Practical Applications and the other is the students’ choice. As of next year, each student will need 28 credits to graduate as opposed to the previous 26. This change has occurred in order to keep seniors busy. “We had a lot of students leaving early; we wanted to curtail that a little bit,” said Mr. Bennett. Increasing the credit requirement to graduate is a way to keep seniors in involved. Because of the increase in credits, each student must take at least seven classes every year in order to meet this new standard. The trend of increasing credits has been prevalent for four or five years, Mr. Bennett said. Back then, students only needed 24 credits to graduate. The trend of increasing credits derived from the necessity to continue challenging students.
25 February, 2011
3
FHS Press
New Social Studies student teacher makes a trek to teach Emily Francis Editor-In-Chief
On Jan. 17, an in-service day, Mr. Dan Guerra made the first trip from his home in Pine-Richland to what would be his job for the next two months: student teaching at FHS. His 1996 Plymouth Voyager, with no heat or radio, makes it “a long 45 minutes,” he said, but that hasn’t kept him from enjoying teaching two of Mr. Hernandez’s history classes. Mr. Guerra is in his senior year at Slippery Rock University and is getting his teaching certification in secondary education, specifically in social studies. While his peers in some similar teacher certification programs are required to rigidly follow a pre -designed plan for what to teach
students, Mr. Guerra enjoys the fact that he is able to work with Mr. Hernandez to develop his own unique plans. “It gives me the chance to be a real teacher,” he said. Mr. Guerra teaches two of Mr. Hernandez’s American History classes, one 9th grade and one 11th grade. His favorite aspect of social studies is learning and teaching about World War II and after, because that time period really shaped the world and society we live in today, he said. So far, Mr. Guerra said he has only had positive experiences at FHS, specifically being a member of the Social Studies department. “I would have wanted to be a student under this department,” Mr. Guerra said.
Approximately 84 percent of Freedom’s students attend a two or 4-year college after graduating high school; however, furthering one’s education often proves to be an expensive venture. Scholarships are a form of aid that can defray this pricey endeavor. Listed below are a few scholarships, followed by internet links that can provide more information, that are fast-approaching in the spring months. Best Buy Scholarship Program – must have volunteer or job experience www.bestbuy.com/scholarship
Rosalyn Nye, Contributing Writer Mr. Guerra Another aspect he particularly likes is the block scheduling, noting that it is easier on both teachers and students, especially in preparing students for having days off in between classes in college.
First Commonwealth Athletic Scholarship – Must have participated on an athletic team or club www.FCBanking.com Mechanical Contractors Association – Must be pursuing a career in plumbing, HVAC, Engineering, or Construction www.mcanwpa.com Mike Nash Memorial Scholarship Fund – Must be the family member of a deceased Vietnam Veteran and be accepted to a tech school or university. http://www.vva.org/scholarship.html
www.fhs-press.com Same pictures. Same stories. Fewer dead trees.
STAFF EDITORIAL:
Febru-boring We are now into the third nine weeks of the school year, and things are starting to come to a stand-still. These next few months are the awkward months where our student body becomes bored with school. September through December, there are tons of things for students to do. From football games every Friday night to dances to school spirit activities, there is always something going on. Going back to school in January, everyone is winding down from the holidays and getting back into the swing of things. Then we get to February. There is only one fun holiday, Valentine’s Day, and that is only if you have someone special in your life. For people that don’t, Valentine’s Day is one of the reasons they hate February even more. The weather is dreary, and there is plenty of homework. Yes, these are the February blues.
your body. There just aren’t enough layers of clothes to protect you from the cold and wind, and lotion should always be kept on hand. The winter winds can cause severe dry skin on hands, feet, arms, lips, and face. Rubbing vats of lotion on doesn’t always do the trick. But, who cares if you have flaky skin because there’s nothing to do in February anyway. Except for school, where can you go in February? Additionally, the third nine weeks are thought to be the hardest marking period of them all. Senior projects are soon due, and yearbook deadlines loom; the pressure can be crushing. Getting out of bed just to go to school serves a challenge. Pressing the snooze button one more time every single day has become a habit for many who do not want to wake up for another monotonous February day. But don’t rule fun out of your life In February, you walk outside and completely, yet! With spring on the hoyou are greeted by snow, rain, and a rizon, spring sports will be starting lackluster sky. The snow on the ground soon. That’ll give some excuse to get isn’t usually the pretty kind either. Dirt back in shape, and have some remnants and tire tracks usually break fun. Soon, the days will be getting the surface of the beautiful white canlonger. Thoughts of the spring musivas. Then you always have the deadly cal, prom, and eventually summer are ice. Sometimes that ice is sneaky and just around the corner. Just hang on hides under the snow, just waiting to through February, because soon beautimake you slip. ful blossoms will cover the yard replacNot only does February bring ing the snow, and we’ll all be in a better down your spirits, but it puts strain on mood.
FHS Press — Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Managing Editor News Editor: Features Editor: Sports Editor: Copy Editor: Photo & Design: Web Editor: Faculty Adviser:
Emily Francis Jake Cruise Sarah Choflet Emily Bittner Taylar McCoy Jordan Kusich Melanie Socash Amanda Hryckowian Mr. David Hartman
Contributing Writers: Liz Brunner, Rosalyn Nye, Brianna Haglan, Zac Wilson Editorial Policies: FHS Press is the official student newspaper serving Freedom Area High School, in Freedom, Pennsylvania. The views presented herein are not representative of the school, faculty, or administration; they are solely the views of individual student writers. The newspaper accepts and strives to publish signed letters to the editor under 250 words. To submit comments, press releases, or letters to the editor, or to purchase advertising space in the paper, e-mail newspaper@freedomarea.org, or contact Mr. Hartman in Room 114.
You kids and your...
relationships
If there is one thing I hate about my generation, it is most definitely the relationships that they seem to get themselves Emily Bittner into; if you can even call it a Features Editor relationship. No one is ever dating, they are just “talking.” That term is supposed to be used when two people are not exclusive and not an established couple, but are in some sort of relationship. Although, it seems to me that people of the teenage population set other boundaries with this in-between status. The duo decides that they don’t want to necessarily be dating, but they don’t want the other person to see anyone else. How is it even possible for two people to declare exclusivity and to not be dating? I think for this reason in order to avoid confusion, we need to make a
new term for what is wrongly labeled “talking.” My proposal for the name of this new word is: DATING. Another term that has always profoundly bothered me is the word: “whipped.” Please believe that just because I am a girl, I am in no way biased against this. Honestly, there are many times when I myself have thought that about someone. The only thing that I wish more people would realize is that there is a fine line between someone being whipped and someone respecting their girlfriend. I don’t think the problem is the existence of the word; it is just way too over-used. A guy willingly waiting at their girlfriend’s locker is far different from them being dragged along by the hair against their will. Guys are extremely too quick to insult their friends with this and believe me it is an insult. Lingo like this isn’t always a problem and in some cases it is used out of necessity, but it needs to at least be used correctly.
25 February, 2011
5
FHS Press
Crossword Challenge
Across 1. __________ club is in charge of paper recycling. 4. The month that the next SATs given at Freedom will occur in. 6. Most boring month out of the year. 8. The most popular game site visited by Freedom students. 11. A flower’s prime. 12. Last team the Boy's Basketball team versed.
Down 2. Another name for Vo-Tech. 3. Alphabetically, the third learning outcome. 5. Brand of tea offered by the cafeteria. 7. In this class, you spend time memorizing many nomenclatures for osteo-matter. 9. The default font of Microsoft Word circa 2007. 10. Company that provides the school bathrooms with soap dispensers.
Letter to the Editor
Completed the crossword? Be the first to bring it to Mr. Hartman (Room 114) and win a $5 Starbucks gift card!
Fact of the Month Being high schoolers, we probably all feel like we’ve been locked up in school forever. But how much of our lives have Managing Editor we actually spent in school? Surprisingly, if a student were to come to school for 24 hours a day, every single day for grades 1-12, they would only spend one year, eight months and 12 days in school. Statistically speaking we spend 12 long, consecutive years in school; however, we have every weekend off, as well as holidays and summers. In fact, since we only go to school 180 days a year, we’re only in school for 2,160 days out of 4,380 days in total. Keep in mind that those “days” are only the seven hours we spend here each day. It takes 12 years to complete less than two years of non-stop schooling. It may seem like a lot of wasted time, but remember, this total doesn’t include the number of hours doing homework and after school activities.
When Freshman Seminar comes up in a conversation, the things said are usually not positive. Many kids consider the course a waste of time. I went into the class thinking that it was going to focus on career exploration. I thought it was going to teach us study skills and information that would be helpful for high school and college. Unfortunately, this class is not effective as it could be. At the beginning of the year, Freshman Seminar was held in AB2. When it was located in this room, things seemed to be under control and students cooperated well with the teachers. It was a place where the teachers didn’t have to spend time raising their voices in order to keep the class calm and focused. But, when class is in the library it leads to excessive talking
amongst the students and many interruptions from upperclassmen entering and exiting the library during the period. The library is very chaotic and only leads to more yelling from the teachers and less cooperation from the students. I think that in order for our freshman seminar to be efficient it needs to be moved from the library back to AB2. I also think that this class would be more beneficial to us if we did more career preparation at different times throughout the year. Every few weeks we could research a new career. This would give us a better idea of what classes to take in high school and what goals to work towards. With a few changes, Freshman Seminar could be a class that students think of with a positive attitude.
Jake Cruise
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions with us in a Letter to the Editor. Just email your 250character letter to: newspaper@freedomarea.org
Niki Vargo
You could see your writing in a future issue!
Rosalyn Nye
Photos by: Amanda Hryckowian, Web Editor
Top: Deedee Adams runs a long distance race at an indoor track meet at Robert Morris University Lower: Senior Nick Turner and junior Kaylin Vickinovac pole vaulting
Pole vaulting to victory Track isn’t always all about running Amanda Hryckowian Web Editor One of the main pieces of advice that has been told to us again and again is to not run with anything clutched in our hands due to the possibility of it becoming an unintentional self-infliction weapon. Well, what happens when sprinting with a giant pole is what you chose to devote all of your after-school time to, including meets on early Saturday mornings? Turns out that pole-vaulters are the exception to the rule. You may be wondering where these exceptional athletes practice at because of the snow and ice that is covering the polevaulting station at the track. Turns out that Freedom’s resident pole-vaulters hop on a bus after school to hone their skills at Geneva College to get ready for the upcoming meets that are
usually against a multitude of schools. Pole-vaulting may look easy and quite amazing, but an athlethe’s technique has to be just right, or everything can go wrong - most of the time these can make great stories and a great lesson on what not to do. “My freshman year I was going to take off and I slipped and fell and coach dove under me like he said that he would,” said Senior Breanne Prinkey. Junior Kaylin Vickinovac said that it is easy to mess up footwork, which can ruin the whole pole-vaulting experience, and that you need to keep steps and speed in mine while pole-vaulting. Along with learning from mistakes, Vickinovac said that what she loves most about pole-vaulting is, “that you never stop learning.”
Contributing Writer The night before a match Zeke Stroupe has trouble sleeping because of the anticipation. He has spent hours training to perfect his wrestling moves and countless other hours running to build up his endurance so he can last through physically exhausting two-minute periods. Not to mention the self-control he employs to maintain a strict diet. When Stroupe wakes up the next day he tries to ease the nervousness. At lunch he jumps rope and later he runs. “I run a mile before every match – even if I’m on weight – to get my blood flowing,” he said. Making weight so that they can wrestle in the lowest possible weight class is a struggle every wrestler faces. Their dedication takes them to great lengths – from spitting into bottles to restricting their diets or even running around the school in three layers of coats. At the beginning of the season the nurse administers a hydration test to make sure that none of the wrestlers dehydrated themselves to make a low weight. Wrestlers are allowed to lose a set percentage of their original weight per week – usually about a pound – but sometimes have to lose several pounds in a day because of weight fluctuations. “The most weight I ever had to lose within 24
hours was seven pounds,” Junior Heath Nye said. Before rules prevented it, wrestlers would work out, sleep, and go to school wearing a garbage bag under their clothes to help them sweat and therefore lose weight quickly. On the day of the match against Ambridge, Senior Scott Merkel could be seen around school carrying a water bottle. But it wasn’t filled with water. Merkel, like many other wrestlers, was spitting into the container periodically to lose excess water weight. To build each other up and to help make it through an exhausting day of dieting on the day of a match, they repeatedly tell each other, “tonight is a CiCi night.” After a match, win or lose, the team and several fans head to CiCi’s Pizza in Cranberry to fill up on pizza after days of restricting what they eat. “At one point this season we had 27 seats taken up by the wrestlers and fans, and keep in mind only 12 wrestlers are on the team,” Stroupe said. With a record of 5-6, their perseverance proves that victory is attainable. “Wrestling is the hardest sport I play, and as a season it takes up the most of my time. But when I look back at the end of the season I realize I’m in 100 times better shape than I am during any other sports season,” Stroupe said.
Melanie Socash, Photo & Design Editor
Sophomore Boe Bonzo pinning an opponent in a match.
25 February, 2011
Taylar McCoy Sports Editor The softball team started practicing six days a week on fundamentals which will help them in the long run. There have been conditioning practices on Sundays, but mandatory practices started on Valentine's Day. The twelve hours of practice per week is bound to help them break the mold this year and win a few more games. The team has an optimistic outlook on how they think the season will turn out. “I think we will work together as a team better than we ever have, and we hope to have our record show how good
7
FHS Press
we are this season,” said Junior Kelsie Ralston. The new coaches, married couple Mike and Deb Braddock, are known for winning and previously coached for the Monaca School District. They took many teams to the playoffs, and will be trying to take Freedom there as well. They have new techniques that are applied during practice, and they are improving the girls’ skills drastically. The coaches have different, unique drills that focus on different aspects of the sport. Though the team started practices late, they are already better than they were at this time last year.
The team only has four seniors for the 2011 season. “We’re a young team, but we’re made up of smart, natural athletes,” Senior Kellie Mercier said. Mercier, Kristi Tibolet, Ashlie Elmer, and Alex Ward plan to lead the team to victory this year. The seniors keep the team pumped up at practice and always give encouragement that makes the team better. “They don’t give up, and they always persevere. They keep the team in line,” said Sophomore Zoe Sayre. The four seniors have a huge impact on the team’s attitude, and they try to get their teammates to become posi-
tive thinkers. “They are great role models; they want us to become something different than the same old Freedom [softball team],” said Ralston. Last year, the girls only won a few non-section games and not one section game. Despite this, the coaches are setting a high goal of playoffs this year. With the new coaches techniques and the new attitudes, the team has a shot of achieving it. The team’s first game is fast approaching and coming up in midMarch, and they plan to be ready to bring some competition to their opponents.
The season closer The basketball teams end their seasons on positive notes
The girls’ basketball team ended with a record of 2-19, and the boys’ basketball team ended with a record of 5-17. Both teams improved their records from last year and provided FHS students with entertainment and provoked school spirit during these long winter months.
Amanda Hryckowian, Web Editor
Left: Carly Arbes passes the ball to Kristi Tibolet Right: Franzee Barlamas attempts a free throw
Amanda Hryckowian, Web Editor
8
FHS Press
Amanda Hryckowian Web Editor When attending a Freedom swim meet, or any swim meet for that matter, most know the basic rundown of how the meet will happen. The swimmers get into the pool, swim their events against the other school’s swimmers and their teammates cheer them on from the side– that’s all, right? Well, you’d be surprised by all that goes on before, after and during the meet. Before the meet begins the team comes together and stretches so that everyone is ready to swim their fastest times without any major muscles being pulled. Once the stretching is brought to an end they do what any other team sport does: get pumped up. To become riled up before a meet seniors give encouraging pep talks and go over the line up. Now that the meet has begun and the swimmers are
in the water, the main challenge is to keep the competitor motivated, especially to get them through long races like the 500 yard freestyle – that’s 20 laps. Sportsmanship is always a problem among sports teams, but there is never a lack of it on the pool deck. When an opponent of the opposite school’s team is still in the water finishing their event, the FHS team cheers them on and encourages them to finish their race. Dedicated sophomore Alexis Potts has been swimming for five years. She enjoys being on the team because it allows her to do something she is good at and likes and she can meet new people as well. The team’s last meet was a loss against Quaker Valley, but with a first season under his belt Head Coach Bill Layton already has his standards set high for next year.
Above: Cole Leonberg swimming 100 butterfly, just one of the events he will swim at WPIALs on March 3. Right: Senior Deb Fanning and Sophomore Avery Creegan
All photos courtesy of Jennifer Kruman
The swim team had their senior night and last meet Feb. 17 against Quaker Valley. There were hugs, tears, and smashed cake-faces for all.
25 February, 2011