Spotlight - January 2023 Print Issue

GUN VIOLENCE TRACK & FIELD

New stadium begins construction at SLHS

by Kelcie Wagner and Morgan Downing

After much anticipation, the Southern Lehigh football stadium and track, located on the middle school campus, is finally under renovation. Construction was slated to begin in late November of this year, but plans were pushed back to December. The primary contractor for the project, Athletic Fields of America, expects the new stadium to be completed by August 2023.

“The track itself was well past its expected life and had to be replaced given [its] heavy use,” Southern Lehigh School District superintendent Dr. Michael Mahon said.

The new track will provide a safer environment and better opportunities for all of the sports teams, specifically track and field, football, soccer, cheerleading, color guard, and band.

“The runway for long jump was getting torn up and the board that you stepped on had patches missing as well,” said sophomore Ella Kimmel. “A new stadium will help those problems and would look more neat and professional to other teams that come to our school for spring track meets.”

It will instill pride in all of the programs at Southern Lehigh and hopefully improve the student section experience.

“The new stadium will be of great benefit to

our winter and spring track and field program,” SLHS track and field coach Mr. Cotie Strong said. “[It] will provide an upgrade to our ability to train safely and effectively throughout the two seasons.”

During the renovation, the construction crew will make lots of improvements on the stadium, such as converting the natural grass to synthetic turf and replacing the bleachers on the home side. The new stadium will combine the handicapped and main bleachers, allowing for easier access for disabled viewers. The lighting will also be replaced, and a digital scoreboard will be installed.

“We also hope to train students to operate the scoreboard, which is from the same company as scoreboards used by the Iron Pigs and many other major college and professional stadiums,” Dr. Mahon said.

A brand new bocce court, available to students and community members, will also be unveiled.

“Bocce is a sport that can be accessed by a very broad range of students, so we hope to expand the number of students who can use the facility,” Dr. Mahon said.

The Southern Lehigh administration, faculty, and students are very eager to see the new stadium in the fall of 2023.

The stadium is expected to be built by August 2023. Photo Credit: Kelcie Wagner

Football players practice on the field before renovation. Photo Credit: The Solehian

New Announcements

Southern Lehigh’s Yearbooks are now available!

You can go to room 127 at SLHS with a payable cash or a check of $75.00. Another opinion is to purchse your yearbook at buytheyearbook.com for the same price. Email toccil@slsd.org with any questions.

Spring Musical!

Sidhu

Robinson

Massini

Wang

Verna

Lockley

Baker

Reigle

Free SLHS Support Groups

The Caron Foundation is collaborating with Southern Lehigh offering a free 6-8 week program. There is a weekly 45 minute session for each group. There is a wide varitey of groups from stress to anger managment. For more information or questions, please email your guidance counselor.

Southern Lehigh welcomes new SRO, Officer Frederick

by Sarah Lockley

Officer Ryan Frederick started as Southern Lehigh High School’s new School Resource Officer (SRO) on September 7th, 2022. He spent two months training under former SRO Brian McLaughlin before Officer McLaughlin moved into a new position with the police department.

In 2016, Frederick graduated from Penn State with a communications degree in advertising. He moved out to Connecticut to pursue being a salesman, as many people in his family had done before him; however, Frederick couldn’t help but feel as though there was something missing from his life.

One year later, as he was driving down a Connecticut highway, Frederick spotted an accident on the side of the road. A trooper was attending to the scene, standing out in the cold and drenched in rain.

“I thought to myself, ‘this guy is probably miserable, but at the very least, he’s helping somebody,’” Officer Frederick said. “That’s when I made the decision that I was going into the academy.”

Ryan Frederick craved a career that brought purpose to his life, and that was simply something that being a salesman could not bring to him. He wanted to make a real difference in people’s lives, so he made the decision to become a School Resource Officer.

“It makes me feel good that I’m able to make changes with you kids, because you guys really are great,” Officer Frederick said.

An SRO’s official job is to handle the legal actions required for situations within a school, but Officer Frederick isn’t just here to uphold the law. He’s here to look after the welfare of all SLHS students. As such, he offers for students to come talk to him about any emotional prob-

lems they may be experiencing.

“A lot of kids think that strength is handling it all on your own, but strength is the ability to go find somebody to talk to and be okay with making improvements to your mental health,” Officer Frederick said.

Although change can be scary, it happens to better the school for both students and teachers. This is why Southern Lehigh is honored to welcome Officer Frederick, a man who

is willing to do whatever it takes to create a safe and nurturing environment for the students of this school.

“I know I’m going to give everything that I can for any of you kids,” Officer Frederick said. “I think that will keep everybody safe in this building, because I know the lengths that I’m willing to go for you kids— and that’s to the end of the earth.”

Xander Romendio bursts onto Southern Lehigh music scene

by Nolan Sargent

2021. He followed this with his extended play (EP)“The Sea” later that month, and has since released two more singles, “The Habit” and “Twin Suns.” Romendio plans to release his first long play (LP) in the coming months.

Across these releases, Romendio has maintained a consistent style inspired by indie and alternative artists such as Death Cab for Cutie and Elliot Smith. While the style and themes of his work haven’t changed, Romendio says he has continuously gained experience and confidence.

“I’m more comfortable with the process at this point. I don’t think [the LP is] artistically different,” Romendio said. “If it’s different in any way, I’d say it’s more mature than the EP was; I have a better handle on songwriting this time around.”

usually take more time to develop.

“Lyrics are hard for me, but once I get them, I really get them,” he said. “I have to really feel what I’m trying to write and understand my own personal relationship with it.”

His lyrics tend to be very personal and emotional, often touching on themes of love, desire, regret, and discontent. Despite his professed difficulties with writing, Romendio has managed to craft many impactful lines. “Your Machine,” from the EP, features some of his most vulnerable lyrics.

“I don’t know why I can’t forget / the face you made when I left / I’m sorry my love / I’m sorry I wasn’t enough,” he said.

Southern Lehigh has its fair share of musical talent, hosting multiple “Battle of the Bands” events over the past several years. While acts such as The Bassments and Hot Fuzz are well known and popular among Solehi students, there is a quieter, more sensitive presence in the SL music scene as well: The Tired Poets, spearheaded by senior Xander Romendio.

While technically a band, The Tired Poets consists of just one member. Romendio writes and records all of the band’s music alone in his bedroom.

He released his first single as The Tired Poets, “I’ll Find You By the Sea,” in August of

Romendio seems to have a clear vision for his work. The details, however, can be difficult to iron out.

“[Writer’s block] comes in different ways. Sometimes it’s just writing melodies for the guitar, chords, different ways to combine that stuff,” he said. “Trying not to do the same thing twice is also something that I deal with on occasion.”

The technical aspects of music production can pose challenges as well. Recording and mixing are less glamorous than writing, but they are essential to a quality end product.

“I don’t despise [mixing],” he said. “It’s just very difficult and time consuming.”

Romendio’s writing process typically begins with guitar chords or a vocal melody. The lyrics

Subjecting one’s work to the scrutiny of others is always hard, and music with such personal subject matter is especially difficult to release to the public. For Romendio, however, the art takes precedence over such fears.

“I’m definitely anxious,” he said, “but also it’s my art, it’s my expression, so I’m comfortable expressing myself that way.”

That self-expression goes beyond the music and includes the name of the band itself. Romendio named his band The Tired Poets as a tongue-in-cheek rebellion against accusations of pompousness, and partially because he liked the image it evoked.

“I always had this image of a tired and broken down man who sees the beauty in the world and is just tired of trying to capture it,” he said. Romendio is clearly someone who sees the beauty in the world, but it does not seem as if he will tire of trying to capture it any time soon.

Officer Frederick is excited to help students in his position as Student Resource Officer. Photo Credit: Sarah Lockley

Xander Romendio writes and plays music for his oneman band The TIred Poets.

Photo Credit: Xander Romendio

‘The Crown’ returns with new cast for fifth season

by Evelyn Wang

of fiction, but no episodes in the new season included such a disclaimer.

However much it dramatizes and sensationalizes the lives of the royal family, “The Crown” still delivers a compelling narrative. The fifth season focuses on events from 1991 to 1997, most notably the deterioration of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage. It also depicts Queen Elizabeth as an aging monarch and the growing sentiment that the monarchy itself has become obsolete. Although this seems like a lot for the show to juggle, it links many of the events together in a cohesive way, showing how, no matter what they do, everyone in and around the royal family is connected.

“The Crown,” known for its wholesale recastings every two seasons, featured a completely new cast for Season 5. While the cast would obviously look and act different than previous seasons to signify the changes in demeanor and appearance their real-life counterparts experienced at that time, the transition between actors isn’t as seamless as in the last recast.

Peter Morgan’s critically acclaimed television series “The Crown” returned in November for a fifth season following previous backlash. The Netflix series was criticized for taking creative liberties while fictionalizing historical events during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Critic and viewer concerns ring even louder with the release of the latest season, which depicts the lives of royals during the highly publicized mid-1990s. Netflix had been met with calls to add a disclaimer to the show in order to emphasize that it was a work

Imelda Staunton, starring as Queen Elizabeth II, acts as a matriarch of the Windsor family who is aware of her age and possesses a kindly exterior, as well as a more steely personality when dealing with the scandals rocking her family. This portrayal doesn’t match up to that of Olivia Colman, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth in seasons three and four, nor did it always evoke the real-life Elizabeth during the 1990s that the audience may remember from TV appearances. Similarly, it’s

hard to see comparisons between Jonathan Pryce’s portrayal of Prince Philip in Season 5 with that of Tobias Menzies and Matt Smith in the previous seasons of the show.

The Queen and Prince Philip, despite having been at the forefront of the previous seasons, also take a step back in the storylines of this season as well. Instead, the show prioritizes Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationships, both with each other and other people. The engrossing drama of this storyline is greatly enhanced by the performances of Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, as well as the inclusion of many other crucial people at the time such as Camilla Parker Bowles and BBC journalist Martin Bashir, who conducted a controversial interview with Diana.

Although West, again, does not act like a natural progression of Josh O’Connor’s Prince Charles, he still depicts a convincing Prince Charles who wanted to enforce major reforms to modernize the monarchy and also boost his own public image. Elizabeth Debicki portrays a complex Princess Diana, showing the kindness and sensitivity of the “People’s Princess,” but also the maturity and determination of a woman who wants to be able to live her life on her own terms.

Although the recent season somewhat lacks the subtlety and characterization of previous seasons, it still delivers through some gripping performances and substantive symbolism. “The Crown” continues what it excels at, which is portraying the lives of the royal family in dramatic detail.

Louis Tomlinson explores punk-rock sound with ‘Faith in the Future’

by Sophia Massini

Former One Direction band member Louis Tomlinson is already topping the charts following the release of his second solo studio album, “Faith in the Future.”

The record, released on November 11th, is a sweeping success, reaching number two on Billboard Top Album Sales after its debut. Although not as successful as his previous album, it’s still proven extremely popular. Despite the album’s success, the opening track, “The Greatest” was mediocre at best due to what I believe is a lack of feeling and a lack of theme. Tomlinson’s choice for the opener could have been improved, possibly with a different song to better represent the aesthetics of the album.

With a mix of punk-rock, indie, acoustic ballads, and pop, Tomlinson’s confidence shone through in the creation of this album. The new record differs dramatically from his past endeavors in One Direction. While certain One Direction songs incorporate a punkrock feel, Tomlinson took that to the next level in his solo albums. Songs like “Holding On To Heartache,” “Angels Fly,” and “Chicago” supply the listener with an up close view

of his newfound assurance in writing music. He shows vulnerability and puts it on display for listeners.

The eighth track of the new album, “Out of My System,” reveals a more punk rock version of Tomlinson, prevalent in his previous album, ‘Walls’ and differentiating from his typical alt-pop style. While I do enjoy the rock music in his albums, I think his style fits better with pop. However, I do think he should continue with punk since it gives him the opportunity to be himself and branch out after being in a band for five years.

The eleventh track, ‘Silver Tongues,’ illustrates the experience of not wanting to leave someone who you’ve made so many memories with. The lyrics: “You smile at me and say ‘It’s time to go’/But I don’t feel like goin’ home” and “You know, when I’m with you/I’m so much happier.”

As much as I enjoyed this album, I think Tomlinson’s previous album, while less confident, had more songs that were relatable and easy to understand. I enjoyed both albums and look forward to his future releases.

“The Crown”’s fifth season explores the life of the British royal family in the 90s and the scandals that follow them today.

Photo Credits: Netflix

“Faith in the Future” reached the number two position on the Billboard Top Albums chart.

Photo Credits: @louist91 on Instagram

Arctic Monkeys embrace genre shift in ‘The Car’

by Nolan Sargent

U.K. band Arctic Monkeys are known for their frenetic, riff-driven rock. However, their new album “The Car” continues their sonic experimentation, which began with 2018’s loungy, retro-futuristic concept album “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.”

Like “Tranquility Base,” this new album may be off-putting to fans of the raucous hits with which the band made their name. While it may take some adjustment, listeners who give “The Car” a chance will find a set of ten beautiful, atmospheric, and meticulously-crafted tracks tinged with melancholy and nostalgia.

Sonically, “The Car” embraces stunning strings and synths with occasional funk inflections and a healthy dose of ‘70s throwback. As in “Tranquility Base,” this album places far more emphasis on the piano than previous Arctic Monkeys albums. Much of what makes this album such a treat to listen to, however, comes not from the instrumentation, but from frontman Alex Turner’s crooning vocals. The sublime opening track, “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball,” showcases these vocals in show-stopping fashion.

The album’s sound is quite consistent throughout, with a few variations such as the funky “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am”

and “Sculptures of Anything Goes,” which sounds somewhat like a mellowed-out Nine Inch Nails song. This consistency makes “The Car” feel cohesive, but that becomes a double-edged sword as the album goes on. It fails to evolve over time, making its already weaker second half more disappointing. This second half still has its moments, such as al -

bum closer “Perfect Sense,” but it never quite reaches the heights of “Mirrorball” or “Body Paint.”

“The Car” retains the obscure lyrical style of “Tranquility Base,” and the absence of a unifying core concept makes this album’s lyrics even more difficult to decipher. This may be frustrating for some, but holds promise for those who enjoy analyzing lyrics and coming up with their own interpretations. “Sculptures of Anything Goes,” for example, contains many such inscrutable lines.

“The simulation cartridge for City Life ‘09 / Is pretty tricky to come by.”

What is clear from the lyrics is a pervasive tone of melancholy and regret. Throughout, Turner sings of longing and partings as he contemplates what could have been. Discontent is nothing new for this band, but “The Car” takes a more sober, pensive approach to the topic. While earlier albums such as “AM” energetically expressed urgent frustration, “The Car” presents a quiet, understated despondency.

Arctic Monkeys took a risk in doubling down on their stylistic shift, but that risk has paid off with this fantastic addition to their discography.

‘SMITHEREENS’ fails to replicate Joji’s previous success

by Natalie Perrelli

another regularity in Joji’s works.

At 24 minutes, “SMITHEREENS” is a sharp contrast to his previous three albums which were much longer. Two singles, the gloomy “Glimpse of Us,” and a more frenetic track titled ‘YUKON (INTERLUDE)’ were released prior to the album’s release as sneak peeks.

The first track on the album, “Glimpse of Us,” features Joji’s continuous negative comparison between his current and previous relationships. This song sets the tone of the entire album, establishing the main themes behind the tracks: moving on after heartbreak and picking up the pieces after a lost love.

among listeners.

In the tracks that follow, we see similar themes of relationships ending, being without each other, and moving on from these grievances.

George Kusanoki Miller, known professionally as “Joji,” is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and rapper that just released his fourth studio album on November 4, 2022, titled “SMITHEREENS.”

Joji incorporates an extensive blend of genres in his music, but his sound is mostly centered around R&B and alt-pop elements. “SMITHEREENS” is no exception, ranging from up-tempo songs to harrowing ballads,

The eloquent opener is backed up well by the second and third tracks, “Feeling Like the End,” and “Die For You.” The second track sees Joji reminisce on things he and a lover have done together in a relationship, realizing that their time together is coming to an end. It is backed by sanguine instrumentals but ends relatively abruptly.

The third is more lyrically intense, detailing Joji’s willingness to give everything he has to someone, even his life, long after they’ve parted ways. In this song, Joji finds himself struggling to move on from this individual. The instrumental creates a sullen mood, backed with sorrowful lyrics, and is a personal favorite track

The album closes off with ‘1AM FREESTYLE,’ where a complementary dissonant piano backs Joji’s vocals as he sings about not believing that his partner can survive by themselves when they part, trying to convince them that they will be alone without him. The instrumental pause within creates a tender moment, showing Joji’s advanced musical ability before ending off the album in a somber moment of transparency, completely turning around the meaning of the song.

“SMITHEREENS” started strong with Joji’s well-received ‘Glimpse of Us,’ a melancholic track that made it to No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100 songs chart with the help of fans. The album in its entirety reached No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart. Despite its commercial success, the album is underwhelming in comparison to his previous works. More content within would make this album much better. While the atmospheric aspect of each song is good, the album’s total play time is too short.

The latest album from the Arctic Monkeys, “The Car” features hit songs such as “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball”.

Photo Credit: Domino Recording Studio

Joji examines heartbreak in his latest studio album.

Photo Credit: @sushitrash on Twitter

“I want to be in sports medicine. But, don’t break your foot, because I won’t be able to help you.”

“A lot of my life experiences, I’ve poured so much effort in, or other people have poured so much effort in, and it just didn’t work out. That doesn’t mean it will never work out, just that sometimes it won’t. You have to learn to let go.”

Humans of Southern Lehigh

“When I get old, I want my son or daughter to find a bear and give me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then, I want to fight the bear over the sandwich. I want to die and be remembered as: ‘Grandpa, the one who fought a bear over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.’”

“I don’t care about how I’m remembered by people who were not important to me. I only hope that the people I care about remember the memories I shared with them”

Ella Kimmel, Sophomore

Marissa Werkheiser, Senior

Lauren McCormick, Senior

Kasey Snyder, Sophomore

“I felt good about doing work at the Miracle League in Easton. We held a baseball game for people with disabilities. I was playing a sport I loved and helped others have a good time.”

Matilda Snyder, Freshman

“My goals motivate me since I really want to do the most to reach them. I want to go to music school and do something with that in the future and my dream school is Eastman School of Music.”

Humans of Southern Lehigh

Mr. Dougherty, Teacher

“There’s nothing that feels better in my mouth than applesauce.”

“I am probably most proud of running the Cross Country course at Hershey because , even though I am not the fastest runner on the team, the course is really difficult. I pushed through the hills and I finished with a time that I was really happy with. [Then] I got to celebrate with my team afterwards.”

Brandon Clausnitzer, Junior

Tessa Ingraham, Sophomore

Parent-led Facebook groups deeply impact district

by Spotlight Editors

meaning that nearly half of all students in the district have at least one parent in the group. This is a considerable percentage, suggesting that the platform has a rather broad range of influence.

According to the group’s description, SLM aims to “connect local Southern Lehigh moms” and provide a home for “[t]ips, advice, questions, events,” and more. As such, discussions in SLM often center around topics beyond the actual school district.

Many members advertise events or organizations they support, such as local summer camps, upcoming yard sales, or small businesses. Also common are posts asking for recommendations, which can address anything from parenting tips to where to find a reliable psychic medium. Overall, these interactions seem to bring the Southern Lehigh community closer together.

popular opinion to advocate for change.

Unfortunately, some discussions do not lead to positive closure. To acknowledge the fact that SLM is a private group, this article will not provide names in relation to specific posts quoted. An April 26, 2022 post shared a link to a WFMZ article detailing teacher cuts in the Southern Lehigh district. Many respondents simply agreed that the loss of educators would be a blow to the schools, yet some turned their displeasure towards the administration.

“This is [District Superintendent] Mahon’s MO,” one commenter said. “Ask anyone from his previous school district where they chased him out.” Others thought that teacher cuts should be left to the parents to decide.

One oft-overlooked aspect of Southern Lehigh culture is the influence of its parent-led social media groups. Specifically, the Southern Lehigh Moms (SLM) Facebook group. Its impact is both positive and negative; it can be beneficial by connecting community members in a shared demographic. But the platform becomes detrimental as some of its users express divisive opinions, vilifying staff members and undermining school spirit.

SLM is a private group, meaning members must request to join and be accepted by one of the group’s two administrators. Once admitted, parents typically use the platform to discuss district operations, policies, schedules, and more. Created in 2013, the group has amassed a following of 1,331 members,

Some posts are more closely related to the school, such as questions about the daily schedule and educational programs. The latter are very helpful, since they answer important questions regarding how students may benefit from services like Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Driver’s Ed, and so on. Tips from the group can also help parents navigate school platforms such as Sapphire, Google Classroom, Class Dojo, and Canvas.

Occasionally, contentious subjects arise on the group, such as a May 25, 2022 post which addressed school safety following the events in Uvalde, Texas. In line with the group’s rule to “try to keep comments constructive and positive,” one user wrote that she was “not looking to start a policy debate here” but only wondering about safety measures currently in place. This resulted in a civil debate in which many parents agreed that Southern Lehigh should increase security. In fact, some posted that hearing others’ support encouraged them to email the school board, suggesting that SLM helped rally

“Maybe they should let the parents decide which teachers need to be cut and should have been cut years ago,” another commenter said. “I have a particular person in mind. I would love to know where all the district money is going. Maybe Ms. Evison [the previous Superintendent] could tell us.”

Maligning employees of the schools in such a way is particularly shameful. The use of specific names directs anger towards staff members, many of whom aren’t actually on the Facebook group to defend themselves. This type of comment feeds into disunity in the district and generally harms community morale by allowing the spread of hateful speech.

In defense of the group as a whole, though, these respondents were breaking the SLM’s first listed rule. A rule that all social media users should keep in mind. “Let’s treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.”

Sincerely,

The Spotlight Editorial Staff

School Word Search

The Southern Lehigh Moms private facebook group has over 1300 members. Photo Credit: Alexis Behrens

Lehigh Valley gun violence affects Southern Lehigh

by Gianna Cusumano

As 2022 came to a close, it wrapped with the highest number of school shootings in one year. In response to this record high, protests for and against gun control broke out across the country this summer, attracting congressional attention.

According to data from Education Week, last year’s 51 shootings was the largest number of incidents they currently have on record. In addition to the physical harm caused by this issue, statistics support that student mental health is at risk. According to a study from Pew Research Center in 2018, 57% of teens ages 13-17 admit that they are worried about a possible shooting occuring at their school.

Following the outcries of injustice and negative social trends, the House of Representatives proposed a bill titled the “Protecting Our Kids Act.” The bill intends to curb instances of gun violence by making firearm trafficking a federal crime, keeping individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing weapons of war, and promoting the proper care of household firearms. The bill has yet to pass in the Senate.

The ramifications of this national issue were recently felt in the Lehigh Valley as similar protests erupted in Bethlehem. A March for Our Lives protest was held over the summer in response to local school shootings. The protestors at the rally advocated for stricter

gun control laws and were met with counter protestors that stood in support of gun ownership rights.

A memorial for victims of gun violence was also put up in the Lehigh Valley in the month of November 2022. The memorial featured the names of gun violence victims written on t-shirts and posted on crosses at the Iglesia Catedral de Navidad. The church worked with the organization Heeding Gods’ Call to End Gun Violence, to bring awareness to the American Catholic community about gun violence.

As a response to the mass school shootings in the last decade, American schools have implemented A.L.I.C.E. training. A.L.I.C.E. is a school safety procedure that shows students and staff methods to respond to active threats. Students at Southern Lehigh High School currently practice these drills annually to prepare for threats and build confidence about their ability to respond to dangerous situations.

“Back in middle school when I wasn’t really used to it. There was a lot of anxiety surrounding [the active shooter drills],” sophomore Wyatt Hartenstine said, “But then it became more of a common thing and each drill I got more used to it. And that shouldn’t be something that I get used to. That shouldn’t be something that we consider nor -

mal, a shooter drill. A shooter drill shouldn’t even exist in the first place.”

Despite students’ frustration to the normalcy of active shooter drills, they have become a routine part of American school children’s lives. Data from Everytown explains that 95% of public school districts practice active shooter drills.

Students of Southern Lehigh promote the need for change in both our school communities and on a national level in order to rectify this issue. Not only does gun control come to mind, but so does mental health services.

“I think that getting rid of guns is the solution to ending gun violence, but I think there should be more pressure on mental health resources also, especially at the middle school,” senior Ellie Corvino said. “I don’t know if it’s something that individual teachers need to sit down with people like in their classrooms to have more of an intimate setting rather than just a bigger setting.”

Southern Lehigh School District currently uses a system called S.A.P. or the Student Assistance Program, mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. S.A.P. was put in place to help students who are struggling in schools for a multitude of reasons, including mental health, and allows them to send anonymous messages to staff. Corvino, however, believes SLHS could reach out to students in more effective ways and should allocate funds for researching the best way to communicate with adolescents.

Another outlet for students is health class where anxiety and stress are discussed, but some students believe that the curriculum does not make mental health a priority or teach it in enough depth.

“Society deems that it [mental health] is not something that needs to be taken seriously when in reality it is. And people who struggle are told that it’s okay to struggle. But they’re not shown that it’s okay to struggle,” Hartenstine said, “It’s crucial that mental health is talked about more in health class and how to deal with your mental health like healthy coping mechanisms.”

Although some students believe we have a long way to go, administration reflects on the immense progress we have made, since schools have numerous mental health resources they never had before.

“I do think the only way we’ll ever really solve this issue is through providing more mental health opportunities like being able to address things and having the resources to help the people that need help,” Assistant Principal Mr. Ben McConnell said. “I think there’s more mental health services available than ever before. So we’re doing more than I think we’ve ever done before, but it’s a matter of just being able to constantly evaluate that and see what the needs are and what we can do better and what we can do more of.”

The Iglesia Catedral de Navidad of Bethlehem set up a memorial featuring the names of gun violence victims posted on crosses.

Photo Credit: Gianna Cusumano

FAA declares first national ground stop since 9/11

by Mackenzie Morgan

January 11, 2023, marked a significant event for vacationers, business personnel and aerial shipments. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pushed a national ground stop beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending almost two hours later. The FAA stated that they noticed issues with the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system. NOTAM serves to inform pilots about airport conditions, hazards, air safety, and procedures. By 3:28 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, NOTAM stopped functioning at proper capacity. Since the issue was not resolved by the time East Coast flights began departure on Wednesday morning, the FAA decided to put a “pause” on all of these flights.

Why is this important to us? Well, the last national ground stop in the United States was on September 11, 2001, as a safety measure to prevent further acts of terrorism. Therefore, this event is something that doesn’t happen frequently, and is a sign that there is something deeply wrong in the process. Nevertheless, the ground stop and the events of 9/11, while both uncommon, are not one and the same.

On 9/11, all planes in flight and on the ground ready for departure were ordered to stop completely and wait for further notice. On January 11, there was a temporary pause while the NOTAM was being rebooted. So, September 11, as many would recall, was a much more dire situation.

White House Press Secretary Karine JeanPierre tweeted that “There is no evidence of a cyberattack at this point, but the President directed DOT to conduct a full investigation into the causes. The FAA will provide regular updates.”

From my perspective, waiting to board a plane destined for Cancún, Mexico, the atmosphere in the Philadelphia airport was weirdly calm. Well, it was calm for the staff of the airport, but not necessarily for the patrons in the terminals. The staff throughout the two hours we were there were berated and argued with by the passengers. Unfortunately, the staff was working with as much information we had, so calming the angry travelers seemed difficult at times.

One of the staff sitting nearby explained to my family that, while this doesn’t happen often, is an event many are trained for. Usually these things get cleared up within a couple of hours. This was relieving to hear for many people around us; as he’d promised, almost two hours later, we could board and take off again.

Once the ground stop was lifted, we arrived in Mexico. Usually, the customs had a prompt flow to it, and employees knew what was going on. On this day, it was different: all aircrafts landed at a similar time, leaving the small airport in Cancún to struggle with the masses. In line, some waited 45 minutes, others up to an hour; your wait time was com -

pletely dependent on when your plane got to its terminal.

A small yet interesting detail, it seemed not all the staff at the airport in Mexico were made aware of the delay in America. After talking to customs staff, those who were manning the lines, they had hardly a clue why so many people came at once. This was surprising to many, due to the nature of the situation. It would be important to inform the external airports. Without forewarning, extra staffing was needed and some employees were pulled from lunch breaks early.

Despite this lack of communication, the Cancún airport adapted well and through quick collaboration they worked out the situation.

Current Events

March 12th - the 95th Oscars will air live on ABC.

May 6th - King Charles III will be crowned King of Britain at Westminster Abbey.

May 19th - the Japanese city Hiroshima (first city to be attacked by a nuclear bomb) will welcome the 2023 G7 summit for global leaders to discuss nuclear disarmament

A plane is halted on the tarmac during the January 11th ground stop. Photo Credit: Mackenzie Morgan

Damar Hamlin injury raises sports safety awareness

by Haley Hendricks

NFL player Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed due to cardiac arrest during a Monday, January 2nd game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fans and players at the game were shocked and scared when they saw Hamlin collapse. They wished him a speedy recovery in the weeks to come.

Hamlin, age 24, grew up in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, just twelve minutes outside of Pittsburgh. He ended up playing football at the University of Pittsburgh, and was later selected by the Bills during the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

While tackling the Bengals’ receiver, Tee Higgins, Hamlin got hit in the chest by Higgins’ shoulder. Hamlin grabbed Higgins’ shoulders and head in an attempt to drag him down, but seconds after standing up, he collapsed backwards. Medical personnel rushed to the field to administer CPR and attempt to restart his heart. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center within 30 minutes of the tackle.

Specialists say it’s too soon to know the exact reason for Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, but a possible reason is a rare type of trauma called commotio cordis, a condition in which blunt trauma to the chest causes sudden cardiac arrest. With prompt treatment, victims of Commotio Cordis have a survival average of around 59%. Damar Hamlin, despite the odds, made substantial progress to recovery. A lot of this was because he received immediate attention from medical personnel, which drastically increased his rates of recovery and survival.

To avoid instances like this, Southern Lehigh mandates impact testing for students interested in pursuing sports. Impact testing is a computer based assessment tool that is used for concussion management. It provides a baseline of prior injuries for athletes to avoid concussions by checking their neurocognitive state.

Healthcare providers use impact testing to soundly return athletes into activity following a concussion. Impact testing has been vital in stopping brain damage, neurological problems, and even death among athletes.

Hamlin had his breathing tube removed a few weeks ago, and was released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center before being transferred to the Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular institute. He was discharged from the hospital on January 10th, and is now back with family and friends. Just days later, he was seen visiting the Bills’ practice facility.

The Buffalo Bills players all wished Hamlin support during his recovery period. In the official instagram for the Bills, many posts circulated around Hamlin.

“Damar Hamlin is the most selfless teammate. #ForDamar #LoveForDamar,” one caption read.

Tee Higgins contacted Hamlin’s mother, Nina, in the aftermath of the incident. They spoke about Hamlin’s previous medical state, and Nina offered prayers and support to Higgins.

Hamlin hasn’t made any public statements on when he will be seen back on the field, but it has been stated that he will take

Damar Hamlin thanks his supporting fans while hospitalized. Photo Credit: d.ham3 Instagram account

Assistant Coach Moncman joins SLHS Swim Team

by Sophia Lycette

With the swim season getting underway, the Southern Lehigh Spartans look forward to meeting their new assistant coach, Mrs. Kim Moncman, with high hopes that she will be a new spark of guidance for their team.

“This is my third year of being part of the swim team, and I am really excited to meet our new assistant coach because I have only heard good things about her,” junior Genevieve Fry said.

Coach Moncman, who is also a Southern Lehigh parent, believed coaching swim was a part of her past; however, when the Southern Lehigh administration contacted her about the position, she realized it might be the perfect opportunity.

“I have been coaching on and off since 1992,” Coach Moncman said. “Since I will be

empty nesting next year and need something to occupy my time… I am excited to be back on deck with the kids.”

As the swimmers begin to gear up for the season, students claim that the new coach could help propel the team in more ways than one.

“I am very thrilled to be a part of this team,” junior Elizabeth Vezenov said. “I think with a new assistant coach coming, it will be a great additional tool to help unlock our team’s full potential.”

Practices for the swim team have begun, and the team is already learning a lot about Coach Moncman. For her, it has been a special opportunity to work with her new students and rekindle her relationships with previous ones.

“It was sort of a homecoming since I had coached almost half the team at SOLECO in

the summers,” Coach Moncman said. “Some of these kids were eight and under when I started working with them…now to see them all grown up…it is so rewarding.”

The new coach takes pride and shows that she cares about the progress and well-being of her students. The positive attitude she propels to her team, only inspires her students to have even bigger ambitions.

“Our goal, I believe, as coaches is the hope that we can get as many kids to the state competition as possible,” Coach Moncman said, “and they reach their best times by the end of the season.”

As the new coach slid right into the well-bonded team, she knew “this seemed like the perfect fit.”

Winter track team seeks to continue prior success

by Brandon Verna

Following the success of the 2021-2022 spring track season, the Southern Lehigh High School winter track team is looking to sustain that intensity.

“Our goals for the indoor season are to have fun as a team and build a strong foundation for the outdoor track season,” senior Will Kane said. “We also are able to gain racing experience from going to indoor meets.”

As the season progresses, many track athletes not only have their eyes on winning medals during the winter season, but also in the spring season.

“Another goal we have is to develop team chemistry because the majority of our athletes from the winter season continue into our spring season,” Coach Cotie Strong said.

Despite some major losses in last year’s graduating class, there are still high hopes for this season’s success.

“We definitely had some major personnel changes. We lost some great runners and leaders: Aiden Tobin, Chase Hensinger, Dominick Lisicky, and Alex Kane,” said Will Kane. “We lost more great athletes, but those are the ones that stick out as not only great people, but leaders [as well].”

Southern Lehigh’s track program has been very successful in recent years. Last year, seven graduates continued to compete at the collegiate level, at both the Division III and Division I levels.

The team’s upperclassmen are strong, and the future remains as bright as ever for the Spartan track team.

“Our team just continues to grow,” senior Lizzie Maund said, “and I’m amazed at how good some of these underclassmen are and how some of them have improved so much.” Even though these track athletes compete

individually, there is still a strong sense of teamwork and community within the group. The meets during the winter season are often long and tolling, but the team’s sense of togetherness and close connection with the coaching staff, headed by Coach Strong, aids them in trying times.

“The coaches help us succeed by pushing us during practice and encouraging us at meets,” Maund said. “Especially with how long some of the winter meets can be, it’s nice when coaches are always there to help and make sure we are okay after every race.”

No matter the results this winter season, the track team is likely to grow and develop.

“The team has a strong desire to do their best and is willing to make the sacrifices to improve themselves and the team,” Coach Strong said.

Coaches Katie Steele and Kim Moncman work to inspire and motivate the members of the swim team.. Photo Credit: Grace Hoyer

The class of 2022 track alumni visit this year’s team. From left to right: Coach Cotie Strong, Aiden Tobin, Chase Hensinger, Dominik Lisicky, Emma Mckee, Madison Trout, Autumn Garges, Alex Kane Photo Credit: @SoLehighTF on Twitter

Ice hockey team looks to follow up championship season

by Mackenzie Morgan

The stands were packed, the players were giving everything they had, and the seniors (now alumni) were reaching for their championship dreams. With the buzzer’s sound, the Southern Lehigh hockey team had broken their championship drought of 17 years. Players flew off the bench, and the goalie, senior Blake Benner, leapt out of the goalie crease.

Now, after seniors have graduated and freshmen have signed up, there is a new goal for the team: defend their hard-earned trophy. “I do think we can hold the title. We lost a lot of key players but still have a solid senior core. I don’t think any team besides Northampton has a chance to beat us in the championship.” senior and assistant captain Anthony Greco said. Coming into the season, the team gained three freshmen: Eric Kloss, Ethan Myrick, and

Daniel Mosgrave. So far, Kloss has scored seven points total. Myrick has compiled two points, coming in the form of one goal and one assist. Mosgrave has taken three points of his own, all assists. The confidence in the team flows throughout, even down to the freshmen. “[There are] no downsides. We work hard and move the puck well. [The team] has a lot of goal scorers,” Kloss said.

The bench this year, though, is shortstaffed. With only 13 players, two-and-a-half full lines of offense and one-and-a-half of defense, the team often works till their legs give out.

“We certainly have talent, experience, and spirit to compete with any team in our league… But, our small roster leaves us disadvantaged relative to the larger schools, who will typically dress 15-18 players. Late in games, it is a big

challenge for our players to match the energy of our opponents who are fresher from having more [people]. Every player is important to our success this season; if we can all stay in the game, I believe we have a real chance to win the championship again,” Coach John Greco said.

Earlier this year, varsity hockey faced a serious threat to their season. With the Whitehall Ice Rink’s closing, all the division teams had to scramble to help the administration find ice slots for the games their schedule lost. Luckily, the Bethlehem Municipal Rink stepped up to the plate for the coaches, players, and fans.

“I am happy we are able to play our full varsity game schedule at Bethlehem [Municipal Rink] this year… the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League suddenly lost access to over 100 ice slots that they had reserved for the 2022/2023 season. For a while, it appeared scholastic hockey league season would need to be significantly pared down or canceled entirely. I am thankful the city of Bethlehem valued the preservation of the LVSHL so highly and gave our teams the opportunity to compete again this season,” Coach Greco said.

Southern Lehigh Hockey has been preserved through ice scares and small team numbers. Currently, they have a 6-2-1 record; 6 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss. The players and coaches have complete faith in each other and their cause, and they believe they can secure yet another championship win in their division. Their games happen every Monday and stay tuned for the playoffs dates. To double check dates, go to lvshl.com to see the team’s stats, game times, and final scores.

“Nothing is guaranteed. The fact is that we will come into every game as a team and outwork our opponents. Everyone contributes to the team one way or another; we win, lose, and tie as a team; no one is excluded [from that].” senior Boris Litvak.

School Club Word Search

Spartans fight on the ice to gain possesion. Photo Credit: Lilly Fell

Fantasy Mad Libs

“Who goes there?”

The creature shouted from the depths. It was a ___________ (Adjective) thing, a being known as a Shadow Gremlin. With ___________ (Adjective) claws and glinting ___________ (Plural Noun), it emerged to meet the visitor. Though humans rarely visited Gremlins, it wasn’t unheard of. And this human was as ___________ (Adjective) as they could get, unwinged and on two feet.

“I am ___________ (Proper Noun),” She said, her voice quiet. “I am merely here as a messenger. If you shall hear my message, that is, my Lord.” A thousand other beady ___________ (Plural Noun) began to show themselves, glinting in the blackness. And yet, her gaze did not waver. The King Goblin hesitated, then dipped his head, ___________ (Adjective). Up here in the mountains, the wind ___________ (Verb). Shivering, the woman pressed on:

“The Queen of the Plains invites you to her daughters’ birth celebration, as she invites everyone in this kingdom,” she spoke solemnly, respectfully staring at the ground at the King’s feet. “She asks only that you bring one gift for her beloved children and–”

“Well, well, well,” the King cut her off, examining his talons. His ears twitched, and he licked his fangs hungrily. “Queen ___________ (Proper Noun) wants us to come, huh? With ____ (Plural Noun)?”

The woman ___________. “Yes.”

“Well,” the King said again, turning to his followers. Excitement flowed off of him in waves. ___________ (Number) of them emerged, all grinning. “Then ___________ (Plural Noun) we shall bring!”

School Day Mad Libs

It is a (Adjective) morning at Southern Lehigh High School. You check your phone as you approach the door. It’s 7:32! You’re going to be late to class! You walk as (Adverb) as you can through the front doors.

On your way in, you pass Principal Miller. He shouts, “Hey, you! Take off that ! (Noun)” You quickly take it off, and say, “I’m (Adjective), Mr. Miller. It won’t happen again.” You put it back on as you round the corner. Mr. Fisher appears in the hallway beside you, playing his (musical instrument) and marching (Adverb). “Good morning,” he says. “Have I ever told you that you’re my favorite student?”

“Thanks!” you reply. “I’ve always considered you the most (Adjective) teacher at Southern Lehigh!”

You continue down the hallway until you reach Mr. Hershey standing outside his room. “Hurry up, you’re going to be late,” he says (Adverb).

“Sorry, my lateness was caused by a (Noun) on 378,” you respond (Adverb).

“Hey! No passive voice!” He says (Adverb).

You quickly run past— and directly into Mr. Castagna! “Hey there, student. Do you have any (Adjective) opinions?”

“Zeitoun is the most (Adjective) book of all time,” you reply. “It has (Noun) and (Noun) without being too (Adjective).”

He nods in approval and ushers you on with your day. You continue down the hallway, and pass by Mrs. Spritzer’s room. You hear a student inside shout, “Make sure you read the January edition of “The Spotlight!” It has some really (Adjective) articles!”

You nod, because you do plan to read the new edition. Plus, you read some very (Adjective) articles in the December edition and hope to read more of the contributions from “The Spotlight.”

Winter Word Scramble

What courses should you take?

by Alaina Patel

A. “Multicultural foods. I haven’t taken it yet but it seems like a really cool class and I want to. A lot of people have recommended it to me.”

- John Schwartz, junior

A. “Multicultural foods because it is a fun way to destress during your day. Also AP Biology because it builds character.”

- Lily Schaller, senior

A. “AP psychology. It teaches you about other people and facts about yourself you might retain for a long time. It teaches you how to maintain your brain.”

- Grace Nguyen, senior

A. “Orchestra, because you get to learn music and play it with a group.”

- Hansen Fan, junior

Word Scramble:

Crossword: