The High Post A Publication of Greater Latrobe Senior High School
March 2014
highpostonline.com
Volume 91; Issue 10
Naked: A New Breakfast Drink A Sneak Peek Into Spring Sports
Third Annual Polar Palooza Successful Tips on how to ask someone to Prom GLSD Annual Blood Drive Friday March 28 Pay it Forward: Give to a Friend in Need
Clothes, Personal Hygiene, Household Items
2• News
The High Post
Artists Donate Projects to End Local Hunger
The High Post
Greater Latrobe Senior High School 131 High School Road Latrobe PA 15650
March 2014 Volume 91, Issue 10 Editors-in-Chief
Katie Stallings Maria Yokopenic Editorial Board Connor Belak, Julianne Rosa, Jake Stallings, Anna Ayers Staff Vincent Bonar, Emily Daily, Lain Fisher, Erika Kellerman, Matt Kalning, Anja Lenhart, Abbey Machesney, Olivia Marcanio, Ryan Mattioli, Kayla Murphy, Frances Piper, Johnny Saunders, Korben Repko, Brett Vallorani, Sarah Weise Advisors Mrs. Renee Stallings Ms. Emily Rosatti Administration Mr. LoCascio Mr. Ingle Mr. Shivetts
Printed by the Latrobe Bulletin Editorial Policy The staff of The High Post is committed to serving the student body of Greater Latrobe Senior High School. The opinions articles contain the ideas and views of individuals and do not represent the views of the staff, the advisors, or administration in its entirety. The High Post is a public forum for student expression; therefore, any student who wishes to create dialogue concerning an issue may do so by submitting articles or letters to editors in C109. In order to uphold the integrity of the publication, The High Post reserves the right to edit the submissions for grammar, style, and available space. Submissions should not exceed 300 words.
Kelci Showalter, Junior, gives a thumbs up to the delicious fruit smoothie drink “Naked.”
Healthy Drink Added To Breakfast Options
Frances Piper, Reporter The cafeteria began a quirky new trend by selling a fresh, healthy, nutritious, fruit smoothie drink called “Naked”. The district introduced the drink out of no where and put it on the shelves during breakfast, taking the student body by surprise. “I like to drink it, because I can say ‘I got naked’,” said senior Emily Porter. Actually “Naked” is an allnatural fruit smoothie made with mother nature’s finest ingredients. In just one bottle, the fruit serving is proportinate to the body’s needs. Now, it won’t necessarily make you look better naked by drinking the beverage, but it helps fill you up in the morning and energize you for the day. This fruit drink is a good substitute for a morning cup of coffee too. Drinkers have admitted to feeling more alert in the morning after drinking Naked. “It’s different. It refreshes you more than just water or even Propel,” said junior Mackenzie Powell. Miss Meloy, the Food Service Director, said it was something different for the district. “We only put it on the shelves because it was something new, something different, and just another option to add to the drinks in the morning,” said Meloy. “I drink the blueberry flavor in the morning or before practice. I think it’s healthier than that Monster drink,” said junior Jenna Adams. Meloy thought that the students would recognize it by name, it’s healthy. Powell said, “It is a different consistency. It tastes like a smoothie, but not just a juice box.” Meloy said with a smile on her face that one reason the juice only available for breakfast is because the cafeteria only has one register open during breakfast and only one bin to display the drinks. Whereas at lunch, each register is open. They
would need enough bins for each register for lunch time. “It’s a newly hatched idea, so maybe if more interest arises in the smoothie, we will introduce it to lunch.” Meloy said. The flavors offered are Green Machine, Strawberry Banana, Berry Blast, and Mighty Mango. Strawberry Banana is the most favorable based on a lunch lady’s perspective as she rings out students every morning “I like the variety. You don’t have to get the same one every day,” said senior Adam Sarp. NakedJuice.com says the main ingredients are 2 ¾ of apples, ½ banana, ⅓ kiwi, ⅓ mango, and a hint of pineapple. The nutrition information on the side of the bottle lists broccoli, spinach, barley grass, wheat grass, parsley, and ginger root as other ingredients. Naked not only has apples in it, but plenty of other fruits that can contribute to fewer visits to the doctor. “I like the vegetables and fruits which are a healthier choice than pop,” said Adams. The puree is low in sodium and carbohydrates and contains potassium. The carbs are from the natural sugars inside the fruit drink. Naked boasts no added sugar or preservatives. Hence the name, Naked. The fruit is 100% naked, along with the bottles the drink comes in. Each bottle is made up with 100% of recycled plastic along with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED)-certified bottling facility to their 100% post recycled reNEWabottles®. Naked’s website claims that they know a healthy body doesn’t mean much without a healthy world to live in. All of the products make an impact that will enhance an individual’s life and the life of the planet. Naked juice is committed to the belief that wellness is about more than just personal health - it extends to the entire world.
Lain Fisher, Reporter Junior Danny Kissel said, For the past four years, Great- “It’s a good way to combine er Latrobe Senior High Ceramics utilizing a school program and students have participated in the raising money for a good cause. Empty Bowls Project hosted by It also helps that it’s both fun and the Westmoreland County Food creative.” Bank. “Empty Bowl is important Bowls which are made by to the students because it allows GLSH students are packaged them to donate their creativity up and sent to the event loand time to a good cause. It gives cated at St. Bruno’s Parish Hall the students a purpose for their in Greensburg. “We take for pots,” said Mrs. Balko, GLSH art granted the things that we have teacher. in life. It’s nice to see the bowl The project works with PotI hand created get sold and the ters within communities who money go to someone who truly create handcrafted bowls which needs what we all have: food,” are sold at said senior Kate Empty Bowls Bereit. Events. Profits The entire made by sellcommunity ing the bowls gets involved by get donated to either donating food banks. the handmade Art teacher Mrs. Balko created this For six bowls, soup, food, bowl for the Empty Bowl Project. years, the entertainment and Empty Bowl even works of art Project has done its part in servby local artisans. ing the community. With the Senior Sarah College said, “I help of local artists and students, think it’s a great opportunity to the event has been successful in serve your community in such a raising over $75,000 thousand fun and creative way. You defidollars for the Westmoreland nitely do your part by making County Food Bank. sure there are people out there Students in ceramics classes getting necessities.” are asked to make one wheelThis years Empty Bowl Event thrown bowl to be donated and was held on March 9 at St. sold at the event and are more Bruno’s Parish Hall in Greensthan willing to give to such a burg. Tickets were sold for fifteen worthy cause. “We spend a lot of dollars a person. Food and drinks time in this class making ceramic were included in price along projects for loved ones, but it’s with entertainment and a silent nice for a change to make a bowl auction. Each person received a for someone knowing that it goes bowl of soup representing how a towards a good cause,” said Britmeager meal can mean so much tany Bueche, senior. to one person.
Mrs. Stallings
Academic English III Multimedia Journalism I Multimedia Journalism II
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Accounting I, Accounting II, Entrepreneurship, Latrobean Layout II, Buisness essentials
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News • 3
High school talent Interact Club Holds Spirited share life skills Fundraiser: Swishes for Wishes
Kayla Murphy, Reporter Members of the National Art Honor Society volunteered an afternoon and some talent to teach art and music lessons to students with special needs at the elementary level. At the event the kids toured the extensive high school art collection, participated in an art lesson taught by senior high students, and listened to a music performance by select wind ensemble musicians. Students viewed Vincent van Gogh’s art piece, Starry Night, and got to draw a star using oil pastels, painting over them with water colors. “I would say that my favorite part was seeing all the smiling faces. When the children were done with their Starry Night projects, they showed their buddies and their teachers and it was just adorable and neat to see,” said junior NAHS student Abbey Machesney.
The art experience is one that the kids will surely never forget. The trip teaches the kids the meaning and the appreciation of art. The volunteers enjoy giving insight into art also. “The kids enjoy painting, and talking about art. They get to learn about the art culture, which is awesome to see,” said Mrs. Balko, senior high art teacher. Five drummers from the wind ensemble played “March Cumbia” for the kids. The complex percussion piece accented repetitive sounds. “At the end, we passed out triangles, maracas, and tambourines to the audience members. The kids expressively played a part in the medley,” said Bryan Materkowski. The novice artists had the opportunity to appreciate the art talents of the high school elite.
German Students Enjoy Unique Pen-Pal Experience
German students have been communicating with pen-pals for several months by over-seas communication. “I like writing back and forth with my pen pal. I have learned a lot about their culture and I hope she has learned something about me,” said junior Cassie Trumbetta. Students receive a letter in German and then write a reply in German. Students translate and write in different languages which improves the overall understanding of the language and gives first-hand cultural insight.
Connor Belak, Editor
Sophomore Vanessa Tavella goes head to head on the court against a Derry cheerleader at Derry High School in the reverse roles basketball game. The Latrobe Wildcats and Derry Trojans battled during Swishes for Wishes on Friday, March 14, 2014. Derry and Latrobe’s student serviceoriented Interact Clubs held the annual charity reverse roles basketball game. The cheerleaders took on the role of basketball players, while the boys acted as cheerleaders for this high-spirited night of hilarity. Admission was free but donations to the “Blood Brothers Organization” were greatly appreciated. donated by local businesses and school related Anna Ayers, Editor A night of spirited competition and hilarious role reversal entertained for all those who attended the “Swishes For Wishes” charity basketball game this year. This year’s game was held at Derry Area High School on March 14, 2014. While while admission was free, donations go to a good cause. This charity event was run by the Interact Clubs of both Greater Latrobe and Derry Area High School. Annually the Interact club activity raises money for a charity. Last year’s event, called Dunkin’ For the Dominican, raised around $4,000. This year’s chosen organization is “Blood Brothers” which helps orphaned children in India who are battling the HIV virus. The event featured a basketball game played by the cheerleaders from Greater Latrobe against those from Derry Area, while the boys basketball players from each school acted as a cheer squad representing the two rivals. The two school districts created a friendly competition to see who could collect the most money. Individuals and businesses donated prizes, baskets, or time to reach the combined fundraising goal of $5,000. A 50/50 raffle and a gift basket auction accented the game. Gift baskets were
organizations. Chick-fil-A worked in conjunction with the charity event as well. Visiting Chick-fil-A before or after the game to support Interact allowed a portion of that evening’s sale to be donated to the event! The fans formed a spirited crowd of blue and orange, cheering on an expert show of basketball skills and precision routines at halftime. While the Derry Trojan cheer team found victory on the hardwood, the Greater Latrobe boys’ basketball took home the crown for the best cheer and dance routine of the night. Junior Josh Verchuck and sophomore Jack Fenton were lifted in the air for a stunt. “We both got lifted up and ‘pulled each other in’ with the boys who acted as base,” said Verchuck. Sean Graytok, Patrick Lucchino, and Lane Loughner choreographed the movement of Verchuck, while PJ Self, Kevin Gibson, and Ryan Soisson timed Fenton’s moves. Gibson has his own moves. “Kevin had the funniest dance,” said Soisson. The event brought together two communities for a night of entertainment and the opportunity to help the “Blood Brothers” make the world a better place.
4 • Sports
The High Post
sports spring preview BASEBALL
2013 Record (Section): 8-10 (6-6) 2014 Head Coach: Matt Basciano (11th year) 2014 Home Game Site: High School (4:00pm) Quote: “I think we can compete for a section title. We have great team chemistry and we all have the same goal in mind.” -Senior pitcher/ third baseman, Jon Kolling Key Opponent(s) (dates): Hempfield (@ Hempfield 04/14, @ Latrobe 05/05) Penn Trafford (@ Latrobe 04/25, @ Penn Trafford 05/02)
SOFTBALL
2013 Record (Section): 15-5 (8-2) 2014 Head Coach: Alexa Bryson (first year) 2014 Home Game Site: Rotary Field (4:00pm) Quote: “To have a successful softball season, we’re going to have to work hard and stay focused. Everyone needs a positive attitude and be supportive. We’re a team, so we win and lose as one. If someone makes a mistake, we can’t let it get to us. We have to put it behind us, and try to improve it at practice.” -Senior infielder, Ashley Perillo Key Opponent(s) (dates): Hempfield (@ Latrobe 04/10, @ Hempfield 05/05)
BOYS TENNIS
2013 Record (Section): 11-4 (11-3) 2014 Head Coach: Michele Uvagus (first year) 2014 Home Game Site: High School & Legion Keener (4pm) Quote:“Leave everything you have on the court, play your hardest and have sportsmanship.” Senior, Kyle Mattioli Key Opponent(s) (dates): Franklin Regional (n/a), Penn Trafford (n/a)
GIRLS LACROSSE
2013 Record (Section): 10-6 (9-1) 2014 Head Coach: Kaytie Russo (fourth year) 2014 Home Game Site: High School (7:30pm) Quote: “Well we are coming back from winning sections for the first time in history so of course we want the repeat, we have a good chance this year we have a lot of returning starters that are young and some freshmen that have great potential, over all we have a set goal and we have the determination to succeed.” - Senior defensive wing midfielder, Alexa Stynchula Key Opponent(s) (dates): Ellis (@ Latrobe 04/08, @ Ellis 05/01)
2013 SECTON CHAMPIONS GIRLS LACROSSE
FIRST IN TEAM’S HISTORY
BOYS LACROSSE
2013 Record (Section): (n/a) 2014 Head Coach: David Leskell (sixth year) 2014 Home Game Site: High School (7:30pm) Quote: “No matter what happens think positive and try to pick up the win.” -Sophomore guard, Brady Smith Team’s Key Opponent(s) (dates): Canon McMillan (n/a), Gateway (n/a)
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
2013 Record (Section): 12-5 (6-4) 2014 Head Coach: Drew Vosefski (n/a) 2014 Home Game Site: High School Gym (7:00pm) Quote: “Never give up, battle till the end.” -Junior outside hitter, Jared Skoloda Key Opponent(s) (dates): Norwin (n/a), Penn Trafford (n/a)
SOFTBALL
NINTH IN TEAM’S HISTORY
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
2013 Record (Section): 2-5 (1-5) 2014 Head Coach: Andy Wnek (17th year) 2014 Home Game Site: Memorial Stadium (4:00pm) Quote: “We have to race like we’re on the top and practice like we’re on the bottom.” -Senior distance runner, Kevin Augustine Key Opponent(s) (dates): Hempfield (@ Greensburg Salem - 03/26), Norwin (@ Norwin - 04/16)
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
2013 Record (Section): 9-2 (5-1) 2014 Head Coach: Andy Wnek (17th year) 2014 Home Game Site: Memorial Stadium (4:00pm) Quote: “The best thing about track is seeing improvement in your times and jumps at meets. It’s rewarding when the hard work at practice pays off.” -Senior sprinter, Allison LaDuke Key Opponent(s) (dates): Hempfield (@ Greensburg Salem - 03/26), Norwin (@ Norwin - 04/16)
The High Post
Sports
Player Profile: Maddy Mueseler Q: What keeps you motivated to keep running every single day to get better even after running for so many years? A: I want to keep improving my times from last year.
A: I used that race to develop my speed and I think it worked as I definitely feel faster.
Q: Only being a junior you have a bright future, what are your number one goals in the near future? A: To improve my placing individually at the WPIAL and State level and to be part of a relay that will hopefully get back to states and on the medal stand.
Q: You were a major part of the relay team last year and this year, what’s the biggest difference between the two teams? A: My role on the relay has changed and we need to fill two Q: Out of all the races relay spots that are open because of seniors graduating. you have ran, what races have you learned Q: You ran with a lot of successful the most from? runners, who has inspired you the A: The 300 hurdles most? Why? because it is a difA: Francie Fazzini because we have ficult race as it insimilar personalities and she was volves speed, good technique and mental the person that kept the team calm and focused. toughness.
Maddy Mueseler Junior Events: 100 100 Hurdles 300 Hurdles 400 4x4
Q: You made it to states last year, with the goal of returning in mind how does your focus and preparation change throughout the season? A: I am more focused and my goals have changed. I want to do better at the state level. Q: You were 11th in the state in the 60, how did that feel and how does that change you as a runner?
5
Q: You’re also a soccer player to, how do you manage to balance the two sports? A: I have good time management skills and a strong work ethic. Q: What should we be looking for you to do during this season? A: I could be running sprinting events, hurdles, relays, and possibly even jump.
Q: Running indoor and outdoor, what is the biggest difference for you and between the two? Which do you prefer? A: The track in indoor is a smaller track so it can be difficult adjusting to the differences that causes. I prefer outdoor because my favorite race is the 300 hurdles and that race is not run during the indoor season because of the smaller track.
Q: With all your success over the years, do you have any superstitions that you’ve used? A: Yes, I always have to wear the same black socks to every meet. Mueseler finished her indoor Track and Field season in New York City. She raced in the Emerging Elite Division of the 60 meter dash. Mueseler placed 32nd place in the nation in her division. Brett Vallorani, Reporter
Girls Soccer Team Exudes Success “Indoors”
Johhny Saunders, Reporter
Following one of the most historic and successful season’s for Latrobe Girls Soccer in 20 years, all the players have done since then is win...still. After the fall soccer season ends, in the depth of winter, the soccer players’ “indoor season” begins. The girls venture through Western Pennsylvania to play tournaments at indoor facilities. For six years the girls have been playing indoor soccer together as a team. Some, such as junior Ava Petrosky, have played with current teammates for almost 10 years. “We’ve grown up around the sport together,” said Petrosky. “The team really turns into our family because we see each other so much every weekend.” With the “family” relationships have, success and chemistry comes naturally with the girls. This was apparent during the fall when the Greater Latrobe High School girls team made the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. Now they are winning indoor tournaments weekly. “The team chemistry between the girls is much stronger. Our most successful team has been together for most of the tournaments we’ve played, so we know where they’re going to be on the court and what runs they will make,” said senior Rae Reed. Reed has been helping her dad coach the indoor season, because she suffered an in-
jury that occurred at end of the fall season. The objective for indoor remains the same - score. But there are a few differences from the outside to the indoor game. Reed said the speed of play is the main difference. “In indoor it’s more fast paced. You have to be crafty getting around your defender in the space given, mostly a basketball court,” said Reed. “It’s a smaller space so foot skills are more important along with fast passes and keeping the ball moving,” said Petrosky. “In indoor everyone has to play every position and it doesn’t matter where you are put on either offense or defense. It’s much smaller so you have to do everything.” She said that’s what makes it more interesting as well as fun. The indoor competition is a little different than the regular season. Senior Emma Kate Womack said, “There is good competition, but normally we don’t play many teams that we do during the fall season.” The results and improvement the girls had during this fall come from winter, the offseason. Playing indoor helps the players improve their skills and strengthens their relationships with one another. Reed says that indoor helps the team become closer together as a whole and it keeps our skills in check. “It makes us better all around players. It’s better to
be good at all positions then good at just one position, which I believe helped us in the outdoor season. It keeps your skills fresh through the offseason helps us in season,” said Petrosky. “We face some decent competition, which is good because it helps us to keep improving,” said senior Allison LaDuke. It is essential for girls to continue to keep it up with Indoor. LaDuke said, “If we would take time off in the winter we would lose our touch. All of us that continue to play in the winter during the off season are more prepared for outdoor.” The indoor season takes a lot of dedication, every weekend is sacrificed along with one evening during the week the for practice. Their dedication has been apparent winning seven tournaments this winter. “We are a committed team,” Womack said, “We love to play and play together. We put forth the extra effort to be successful.”
ICE BREAKER TOURNAMENT March 8-9, 2014 hosted by Greater Latrobe Soccer
25 Competitive Teams from Region CHAMPIONS Girls & Boys, UNdefeated
The High Post
6• Features
Polar Palooza 2K14 FREEZE FRAMES
Junior Lane Laughner from the Young Bloods leaps for the hoop like it’s second nature to score for his team.
Junior Maddy Bucci, seniors, Stephanie Smith, Carly Lubic, Alex Jabbour, Jessica Yasher, and junior Heather Hartley of The Muses rocked out at karaoke as part of the night’s events. Seniors Anthony Guidera, Ben Smith, Nick Halula and Logan Carns, of Raisin Juice, prepare for the final dodgeball match. After the intense match Raisin Juice won the event
Senior Mac Clark of Hamlet and Friends never loses concentration while he competes in a game of Ping-Pong
Seniors, Lindsey Ferguson dribbles the ball down the court. Her teammates Hannah Kiesel and Lauren Takitch take on seniors Abbey Cunningham, Rachel Bauman and Suzanne Cope of Do You Wanna Build a Snowman in basketball. Senior Erin Wilt of The Green Team is let down by her spin on the prize wheel, nearing a possible zero points for her team.
For a full photo slideshow of the entire night, plus Miko Reyes’ full coverage, visit www.highpostonline.com
Senior, Zane Harshell, comfortable behind the serving line on the volleyball court, serves the ball to get the game started.
The High Post
Features • 7
A Few of Latrobe’s Cutest Couples LARISSA HAUSER & ALEX NICELY
WHEN DID YOU GUYS START DATING? April, two years ago. WHERE DID YOU GUYS FIRST MEET? His mom’s daycare. FIRST DATE? Johnstown Generals’ game. ADAM RIDILLA AND AMBER REEPING WHEN DID YOU GUYS START DATING? Early September of 2013. WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST DATE? Twin Lakes. FAVORITE THING ABOUT THEM? Amber: He’s caring, nice, talkative, and shy.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT HIM? His big brown eyes! LEAST FAVORITE THING? His bromance with my brother! WHAT IS ONE THING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT HIM? He can cook.
IDEAL DATE? Just being with Amber. (cue the awes from the peanut gallery a.k.a. amber) WHAT DID YOU DO FOR AMBER ON VALENTINE’S DAY? Every time I saw him he’d give me different kinds of candy. Then, after he gave me a puzzle piece keychain from Things Remembered. Also, cookies with I Love You in icing on top.
Three P’s of Prom 2.
Vince Bonar, Reporter Asking your date to a dance can be really tricky, whether they are your best friend or someone who is practically a stranger. People typically make a big deal about asking their date to prom and send them a “prom-posal.” For a little bit of inspiration for your own prom-posal, here are a few ways that Greater Latrobe students have already asked their dates to prom.
1.
Presents - Ray Levay and Morgan
Wano (Bestfriends) “Ray and I were studying math at the Coffee Bean I forgot my calculator, like always, and asked Ray if I could borrow his. He reached in his backpack and instead of pulling out the calculator that I asked for, pulled out a small white box with a little red bow and placed in in front of me. I couldn’t say anything but “what...” because I was so surprised.” Inside the box, depicted below, was a bracelet with “P-R-OM” on individual charms. They will love that they have something physical to represent how you feel about them. Morgan said yes. A surprise will go a long way, just make sure the time is right. Giving presents could land you the presence of your desired date at prom!
TARAH KIFER & NEVIN STAS
WHEN DID YOU GUYS START DATING? Two and a half years ago, September 17th. WHERE DID YOU GUYS FIRST MEET? In fourth grade. I was scared of him, but he had a crush on me. FIRST DATE? DYLAN HALL & HANNAH KIESEL WHEN DID YOU GUYS START DATING? February 13, 2013. WHERE DID YOU GUYS FIRST MEET? At school, but we’ve always known each other. CUTEST THING HE’S DONE FOR YOU: I brought Hannah food and flowers right after she had surgery for her arm.
Personal - Laurel Hergenroeder and
PJ Dumnich (Dating) On valentines day this year Laurel Hergenroeder walked into the room and saw loads of candy, flowers, and an enormous card. The card was full of meaningful words and 2 tickets to and Eisley concert (one of her favorite bands). Behind the display was a man-made paper flap. Laurel was instructed not to look under it until she had finished reading the card. Once she read it all, she revealed an invitation to prom! Laurel said yes, of course. Being sincere and honest with your words is
3.
Super Panda.
Public- Lain Fisher and Vince Bonar
Asking your date in public means that you are putting yourself out there and everyone will see exactly how you feel, and if they mean a lot to you, this is a risk you are willing to take. People sometimes ask in a creative and public way. Although the pressure can be intimidating, people can be very daring and original maybe by telling someone that they are absolutely beautiful and amazing. To ask someone to prom publicly you might do it like this and say, “You are genuine and oneof-a-kind, and I want to remember this year’s prom as a time that people could write a love song about. “ So... I have to ask the following question........
FAVORITE THING ABOUT THEM? Everything. LEAST FAVORITE THING? Absolutely nothing. WHAT IS ONE THING EVERYONE DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT HIM? He takes like half an hour long showers. WHAT IS ONE THING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT HER? She loves goats. WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU LIKED HER? When she started to show up to my baseball games frequently. HOW DO YOU GUYS GET OVER OBSTACLES? We get through the bad times by just talking through our problems and joking around to make each
other feel better.
Lain Fisher,
Will You Go To PROM With Me? Love, Vince
The High Post
8• Features
Darrell Creates Atmosphere said Darrell. Darrell commonly refers to students he knows with funny nicknames. You may think your name is Lucy or Jeremy, but to Darrell, your name is something like Gigi, Buffy, or Jimbob. Jacob Ballard, nicknamed Tad, said, “There are two defining time periods in Latrobe history, there is before Darrell, and there is after DarVince Bonar, Reporter rell.” The layers to Darrell’s life Darrell Hoffman walks are unpeeled if you stop and the halls of Greater Latrobe listen to his stories. For those spreading his smile, his interested in purchasing, laughter, and his driving, and even talkunique insight. ing about vehicles, “There He goes above Darrell has a ton of and beyond his knowledge on the are two duty to create and loves defining time subject a comfortto talk about it. able environ- periods in Latrobe Darrell owns ment for the three motorhistory, there is students. cycles of his Darrell, the before Darrell, and own. He rides building’s his “bikes“ to there is after daytime cuswork. So if you todian, is an see the Yamaha Darrell.” influential part in the lot, you -Jacob Ballord know Darrell is in of the overall scene of the High his house. Maybe School. His resomeday you’ll see sponsibilities include him driving his dream opening the building, closing car a DeLorean, a rare car from the building, cleaning the the 1980s. Darrell said, “I like building, but he is more than motorcycles, but I love cars somebody who facilitates the even more.” building. He facilitates the When Erica Fazzini was student body, also. Through- mopping at her job at Subway out the day Darrell is circuit- in walmart, Darrell saw her. ing the hallways, but also She said, “He saw me mopping makes time to befriend the poorly, so he helped me out and students. taught me that mopping is done Having friendly people in right in a figure eight motion. the building creates a welSince then, my new employer coming vibe to the school as reaps the benefits of my mopa whole. Darrell is quite an ping.” Darrell is just that great interesting person. Offering a kind of guy. welcoming, witty sense of huAs you can see, Darrell devimor, he is almost always down ates from the norm of custodito have a chat. Interacting with ans. Everyone could use some the students in the halls is not of his witty humor and friendlialways typical of a staff member, ness. So when you get a chance and having someone like Daror just need to smile, talk to rell in the building accentuates the cool custodian Darrell for a the atmosphere. good joke and a fun conversa“My favorite part of the job tion. is joking around with the kids,”
Baby, Baby, Baby, NO!
All of us know and some of us love the young, Canadian, singer-songwriter, Justin Bieber as he sang hits from his very first album My World in 2009. The pop sensation, only 15 at the time, had as many fans screaming his name as Mick Jagger did. The innocent popstar we knew five years ago isn’t so innocent anymore. Bieber is acting out in more than just a few ways. His career may still be booming, but the media and his illegal actions are sure to ruin it. Like many other stars that start young (stars such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and Syd Barrett who eventually met their own downfall.) he sold his soul to the industry. The fame and fortune slowly started getting to his head. Most who take the music industry by storm usually end up with so much money, that they just don’t know what else to do with it besides buying drugs, partying, and performing illegal actions? He may still be talented in the music industry, but I’m sure Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes are still talented actresses, and look at where they are now. For a while we never heard anything negative about the Bieber; we only heard the great accomplishments he made. During his career he has been nominated for 150 awards and won 135. As the years go by he’s still being nominated for awards, selling out shows, and having girls scream his name. Justin is only acting out because he can. We all heard the breaking news about him getting arrested on January 23 in Miami, Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving with an expired license, supposedly drag racing, and refusing arrest. Not even 24 hours later, stories swarmed the news and the internet, along with a mugshot of Justin cheesing away. The pop-star believes his money will buy him out of anything, because his money got him anything and everything else he needed since he was discovered. His bond was an easy $2,500, any popstar could pull that money out of their pocket no problem. For the average 20-year-old, coming up with $2,500 dollars is a challenge. Bieber failed a drug test for pot and xanax, he still gets to argue with pleas that prosecutors are offering. This plea that first time DUI offenders often receive includes community service, an alcohol education course, and drug testing at random. Even though it’s not that difficult to do what the court is asking, he didn’t pick up what the pros-
ecutors were putting down. He refused to be put under the judge’s thumb. If he were to manage to foul up, the judge can get him into trouble whether it be for failing a drug test or even violating his court orders. The singer already lacks self-discipline as it is, but since he is famous he won’t ever get the same kind of treatment an average Joe would get. This leniency leads to more of a lack of self-discipline and if a person lacks this it can lead them to the more dangerous consequences. TMZ.com said the star has problems with marijuana and sizzurp, also known as lean. With Bieber’s constant accounts of partying, his mild drug use could change for the worst. In the last year a picture of JB holding a joint flooded the social networks of the world. This issue was what rose Justin to such infamy. Before, we never heard about him experimenting with drugs and when we did, fans were disappointed. Media is a huge factor when it comes to people hearing wacky things about stars. I guess you could say that the media harasses Justin in a way, but it’s not the media’s fault that they cover the outrageous stories about him If you Google search Justin, 619,000,000 results appear in a matter of a few seconds. Justin has been teh topic of the hour having the second most followers on twitter, 50,086,277. With much attention given to the young lad, Michelle Obama gave some motherly advice. Obama said, “I would be very present in his life right now, I would probably be with him a good chunk of the time, just there to talk, to figure out what’s going on in his head, to figure out who’s in his life and who’s not, you know.” Many are speaking out and about the troubled singer. A current petition aimed to deport him. 254,847 individuals have signed the petition but that goal was only 100,000 by February 22. More than doubled the number signed the petition. Justin Bieber is going to meet his downfall whether it be because he ruined himself due to drugs, partying, and rebellious ways or whether it be because the United States wants him out or because the social media has broadcasted his life. JB is going to be his own destruction if he doesn’t knock off his risky actions, if the media doesn’t stop harassing him, and if he doesn’t get the help he needs. Soon enough, Justin is just gonna be another washed up popstar.
The popular app store game “Flappy Bird,” lived just about as briefly as your bird probably did in the game. The game was quite simple. All the player had to do was tap the screen “flapping” the bird upward. By flapping, you had to make your way through a series of pipes. Seems easy, huh? Well that’s absolutely false, it was known to be one of the hardest app store games ever. Althoughhard, people couldn’t seem to get enough of this addicting game. For what was only months, the bird ruled the app stores. Dong Nguyen, a lone game developer in Hanoi, Vietnam, decided to take the game off of the internet. This game flew to the #1 free app in both the apple app store and Google
Play, bringing in $50,000 a day in advertisement revenue, yet Nguyen decided to kill the bird in the pipe. In the game’s short lived life it was an internet sensation. “Memes” or funny pictures with captions of flappy bird were flying all over the internet. The game cannot be downloaded any longer, but to those who already have it can still annoy themselves with the difficulty of the game. Emily Porter, a flappy bird high scorer with a score of 230 flaps said, “ My only goal was to beat the high scoring leader, I succeeded. I no longer play flappy bird.” The ill-fated Flappy Bird is destined to die off from the hype, only to be carried on by its spin-off games. RIP Flappy Bird. ~Vince Bonar, Report-
Frankie Piper, Reporter
Flappy Bird Flaps To the End
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9• Features
Act on: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Erika Kellerman, Reporter
about and because it [cancer] has affected so many people in As a first world society, I his life.” believe that we have a conscienPosey’s gorgeous design has tious responsibility to take care a series of parrots in red and of those who are less fortunate. blue on a tropical background. “We live in a world in which Each design goes on the pocket we need to share responsibility. of a shirt for between $26-34 or It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, backpack for $59. 15% of every not my community, not my purchase is donated to LLS. world, not my problem.’ Then ((Leukemia and Lymphoma there are those who see the need are two cancers that affect the and respond. I consider those blood. People of all ages are afpeople my heroes.” Fred Rogfected and unfortunately, many ers reflects this die from very point that these diswe need to band eases. Each together and help year, LLS ineach other. There vest millions are a lot of people of dollars who don’t know for cancer how to give help research and or even know treatment. where to start. Volunteers Our world is big, and celebriyes, but the hearts ties alike of those who raise money volunteer and adfor LLS in vocate are much, hopes of much bigger. finding a Tri-M sponsored the annual Latrobe recure.)) Pasta for Pennies drive to cently adopted the raise awareness and donaSixcharity, Pennies tions for Luekemia and Lym- year-old for Pasta. This Hannah phoma Society. The school raises money for wide drive annually donates Kalp was the Leukemia and diagnosed Lymphoma Society (LLS) by with leukemia when she was collecting money in tubs and 3 years old. She fought courathen turned into homerooms geously and overcame her battle during a three week period. The with the help of chemotherapy. homeroom that raises the most According to Taralee Haines, money will receive a free and Greater Latrobe senior and a catered Olive Garden lunch on cousin of Hannah, said “She is a date to be determined. This doing well. Hannah’s mom and year, GLSHS raised a total of family participates in Pitts$517.35 for the LLS. burgh’s Light the Night Walk.” Tyler Posey, a star on Teen The walk raises funds for LLS, Wolf, is also an advocate for much like Walk for Wellness, LLS. He recently collaborated and Relay for Life. Tyler Posey with serengetee.com, a website also participates in Los Angeles’ that is dedicated to raising mon- Light the Night Walk! ey for causes through colorful On serengetee.com, other designs on shirts and backpacks. designs are equally benefiting Posey produced a design in sup- charities. Get involved with a port of LLS research. According charity, it could be as simple as to Clare Carroll, a representative donating to a cause, buying a tfor serengetee, Posey carefully shirt, or walking to raise funds. chose LLS to be his cause for Even the littlest of help makes his design. She said, “LLS is a an impact. So, do your part, cause that Tyler is passionate stick to it, and most important-
DIVERGENT , A REVIEW Emily Daily, Reporter Imagine a world where one choice can transform your whole life. One choice can destroy everything you know and define who you are. This world exists in Veronica Roth’s best selling trilogy, Divergent. The series kicked off in 2011 with Divergent and then Insurgent was released a year later. It came to a dramatic, well-anticipated end with Allegiant in late 2013. Over ten million copies of the novels have been sold. The story takes place in a Dystopian society during post-apocalyptic America where cities are separated into factions. The factions, Abnegation, Amity, Erudite, Candor, and Dauntless, are separate societies within the city, each represents a virtue: selflessness, kindness, intelligence, honesty, and bravery respectively. When citizens reach the age of sixteen, they are eligible to take an aptitude test to determine which faction they will call home for the remainder of their lives. After the test, eligible people attend a ceremony to pick their faction. Although each person usually only has one true faction, occasionally others are compatible with more than one faction. These individuals are Divergent, which is dangerous to the faction system. If the government finds out about a divergent he or she will be killed. Beatrice Prior shatters the alternate reality that appears in her aptitude test. She is aware that the reality wasn’t real, when most others believe what’s going on is really happening. If that wasn’t odd enough, she was recognized as compatible with Abnegation, her home faction, Erudite, and Dauntless. Beatris is Divergent and she is in danger of others knowing. Beatrice changes her name to Tris when she chooses Dauntless. Her brother, Caleb, chose Erudite and both have to leave their family behind. Now on her own, Tris must pass the Dauntless initiation or die trying. If she fails she will become part of the factionless and live on her own, homeless for the rest of her days. Once she survived initiation, her troubles were not over. Tris then had to go through elimina-
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tions to see if she had what it takes to be Dauntless. On her journey to her new faction, Tris meets a mysterious boy named Four. She seems to get close, and connect with him quickly. She has no idea how much they have in common. Shes not sure if Four is truly a stranger or just a forgotten face from her past. She makes a few enemies along the way who cause her great misfortunes. As if the stress from eliminations weren’t enough, the factions begin to turn on each other. An all-out war begins for control of the city. The offensive side uses betrayal, manipulation, and a personal secret weapon. If they win, it will mean the end of all Divergents. Tris and Four must join together and find out who their friends are before it’s too late. The books are full of action and surprise, along with that awkward romance that everyone loves. However, this series isn’t for the faint of heart. Roth will cause you to fall in love with the characters only to then kill some of them off. But even with death, Roth finds a way to continue with a beautiful and bittersweet style. I recommend these books to people who loved The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. Readers tear through the entire series in such short time, due to being so engrossed in each page. The Divergent fandom is not-so-patiently waiting for the Divergent movie to be released in March of 2014.
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“How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?” Has the world ever found an exact answer? Tootsie Roll Pops have been around since the early 1930s. We know and love them as a part of our childhood. The tantalizing candy shell that has a surprise tootsie roll in the center made them my go-to candy when I was little. You get the best of both worlds by having sweet, never ending, fruit flavored shell that ends with a chocolatey and chewy center piece. Only had a few flavors were available growing up in the 90s: cherry, orange, raspberry, chocolate, and grape. My sweet tooth was always satisfied and the lollipop never really seemed to lose the excitement of the little chocolate surprise you received in the middle. I distinctly remember watching television as a kid in the 90s and loving the commercial for my favorite candy. “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?” said the boy to the cow, fox, and owl. The end offered me a challenge. “The world may never know”. But I needed to know. I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and find out first hand how many licks it takes. This was the greatest mystery of my life, I mean for the past twelve years the same question always haunted me, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?” I bought my favorite raspberry flavored Tootsie Roll lollipop and began the experiment. One lick at a time, I was two hours into the experiment and the lollipop seemed to be endless. As my tongue turned the strange magenta color of the pop, I doubted the decision I had made by starting such a difficult task. I had to take a break and re-evaluate my tactics: every hundred licks I would stop and give my tongue a break by gulping down lots of water to quench it back
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to health. The experiment ended up being four hours long. It was harder than what it seems, I mean your tongue cramps up and refuses to do any more work but you push right through it because in the end, solving curiosity is greater. I was past the 500 mark and still no signs of the lollipop starting to wear down. I Went clear past the 700th lick, and even made it past 1000: I could finally see a tiny dent in what I was working at for the past three hours. Finally my tongue touched the chocolatey texture of the center: a tootsie pop. I finally made it, sweet victory. 2425 licks later, I finally check another item off of my bucket list. It has always been something I have been wanted to do because I like challenges. I like taking what seems impossible and accomplishing it, not for anyone else but for me. It probably was the most challenging thing on my bucket list I have done this far, but it was well worth the mystery to finally answer the question, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?”. The world may never know, but I sure do.
1. Send a letter to a random address 2.Do an open mic 3.Go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 4.Be a film extra 5.Go Geocaching
Revolution: Generation Gap
“You listen to people so that you can imagine them. And you hear all the terrible and wonderful things people do to themselves and to one another. But in the end, listening exposes you From car insurance to homework, juggling everything in between can feel like a crusade. Friends, work, even more than it exposes the people you are trying to listen to.” -John Green, Paper Towns One day my pappy will be gone. He is 72-years-old and still so full of life, charisma, and school, sports, extra curricular activities, family, it feels like a merry go ‘round. While our parents tell us who still loves to do the same things he did when he was young. they were and what they did with a constant comparison to the 1980s, there’s more to it than they think. I lost track of how many times I’ve heard “When I was your age…” It seems like their “fast times” are so difOne day there will be no stories to connect his teenager years to mine. I won’t hear of the ferent than ours. trouble he got into and the places he went. One day there will be no more of his pep-talks to Parents are always saying how the “high school days” were such a blast. It seems as though they had so tell me I can do something when I think that I cannot. One day there will be no more intellecmuch fun and so few cares. But the times have changed, and high school doesn’t seem to be at all what tual lecture on how my future is the most important thing that I possess. One day all of those they’d described. things will be gone along with the importance of our generation gap. While plenty of factors that play into any teenager growing up at anytime, “Times they are a changin’,” In When I’m with my pappy, I listen more than anything to his voice; the way he can tell the 2010 the divorce rate was about 3.5 times more than in 1960, according to the U.S. Census. Not to mention that the marriage rate has decreased over 7 million in the last 50 years, according to Social Indicators of simplest of stories and still have you completely enveloped in any word, syllable, and sound. Marital Health and Well Being. The number of divorced and unmarried couples have greatly increased since I pay attention to the way his hands move when he’s explaining something people don’t understand, and the way his eyes light up when he really believes in something so passionately. Mom and Dad were kids. As a child of divorced parents, the stress of going back and forth with my already busy schedule can be He has a way of making the stories he tells seem like they will never end, which is the most a challenge. Even the simplest things are a struggle, like forgetting my homework at Moms and my work wonderful feeling in the world. The stories make him immortal, so much that even when he’s clothes at Dads, it feels like there’s no way to keep it all in check. gone I will get to pass them on and it still feel like he is right there with me. Mom’s home cooked meals become a luxury when dad is all about that takeout life, and oil changes are a As teenagers of the twenty-first century we think we live in a completely different world bit difficult with Mom. Everything is all over the place, and I always feel like I’m living out of a duffle bagthan our parents and grandparents. But that isn’t necessarily true. and I know I’m not alone. If you think about the core of existance and push all the cellphones, expensive cars, and Split families are difficult, and only a few families from our parents’ childhood could understand that, in social media influence aside, you’ll find that the root of both our generations is memories and contrast to the 40% of children who have divorced parents now, and that doesn’t even include parents who us making them: the nights we stay out late with friends instead of our brothers and sisters and never married. Emotional, social, and developmental problems can occur as a result of a divorce, or lack of the nights we spend talking to our boyfriends and girlfriends instead of studying. It is the small marriage in the first place, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This puts so much more weight on kids. conversations and moments we share with others that make memories we will remember when When my parents were growing up in the 1970’s, Grandma stayed home-simple as that. Because of the we’re older. financial need and gender equality, plenty of moms began working, but not nearly as many as today. LaunThe stories that our grandparents tell are the memories they have made when they were dry and rides to practice seemed so much easier when Mom didn’t have a full time job, and getting locked young, wild, and free, just like us. They are the stories that were told by their elders and the out….I don’t think so. Bedtime stories and science projects are a luxury when Mom is home with you. She’s stories they expect us to pass on to our future families. No tangible generation gap really exists. always got a plan B and PB&J in the car when you most need it. Having Mom home all the time just makes The generation gap is this imaginary line we draw between us and the people we think “just everything easier, because she has the time to do all the things you don’t. With both parents working in some families, a new latchkey generation has emerged, and more respon- don’t get us”. It’s all in our heads. I can tell you one thing, we can learn more about ourselves and our futures by listening to the things our grandparents have to tell us. We are dead wrong sibilities lie on teenagers. We have to be more self sufficient at a younger age, with responsibilities all our if we think for a second we won’t miss hearing these stories over and over when we are older. own. Making dinner for the smaller ones, or being self motivated to get done what we need to. Everything seemed so simple until there wasn’t anyone there to tell us it had to be done. All of our material things, the cell phones, the ipods, the laptops, these things can all wait AP classes, sports, extracurriculars, college, work, sleep, friends, family. How do we cram all of these for when we are alone with no one around us. We need to focus more on the present tense mothings into one? Or more importantly, how do we get it all done and continue to with an everlasting smile ments we are sharing with the people who aren’t going to be around forever. We need to focus on our faces? It seems that when my parents were kids it was so easy, they did whatever they wanted with less on this self-indulgent side we’ve dipped into. The conversations we have with our grandso much free time in high school. They went out to movies all the time, and were always somewhere with parents are going to be the only things left to memory we have of them. somebody, and school work wasn’t even a subconscious thought. Pep rallies and simple relationships along The stories about how my grandfather still having his friends from the Marine Corps, how with everything within walking distance, it seemed like such a breeze. It seems as though we do so much he built his house by hand to give my grandmother everything she wanted, and even how he more with never ending homework, and our constant rushing around. The pressure is everywhere with openjoyed every minute of my childhood watching me dance in a cowboy hat to country music. portunity pushing at “Every breath we take.” We catch a contagious smile on our own faces simply by listening. These are the things that But the main aspect of high school that I think is most different, is that it’s recognized differently here and now. Most of my high school career, I viewed school as a poisonous environment. It seems like my matter. These are the things that expose our truths.These are the things that connect us from parents’ generation saw it through a much more positive lense. But it’s not exactly seen as the place and time one generation to the next. where we have the “Time of our lives” -more like stress. The seemingly inevitable parts of high school now, I see a lot of him inside of me, because his stories exposed me.I can guarantee that if we seem absent in 1960, or less significant. Bullying, keeping up with the Joneses, technology, and relationships take the time to enjoy these stories while they’re still being told by the most important source, are all so different than what they were when Mom and Dad were in high school. But it seems like school we would all see we aren’t so far from each other. Their stories expose the truth in all of us and was a tad more of a popular subject when my parents were in it. It seems like so many people view school more importantly they expose that the generation gap is an excuse for all of us to think we are like it’s torment, and I think it really can be. part of something more important than what we actually are. Their stories expose the picture So maybe my Dad was remembered for a Mathlete or a football player, and my Mom a dancer, or a French Club President. From white bell bottoms and disco balls to Vans and beanies, what high school is to nobody can even scratch the surface of: an unfinished masterpiece, life. Lain Fisher, Reporter them is definitely not the same as it is to us. Color fades as the years go on, and my Marc, is different than yours.
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Features •11
Paw Prints
Greater Latrobe High School
emily zoldosh
mrs shannon
Childhood Hero: My Mama
Childhood Hero: My Dad
Celebrity Crush: Johnny Depp
Celebrity Crush: Leonardo DiCaprio
Pick One:
Pick One:
A.) Hotel Loyal B.)Giannilli’s C.) Scotty G’s D.) Foxes
A.) Hotel Loyal B.)Giannilli’s C.) Scotty G’s D.) Foxes
teacher
Junior
Spencer papuga
SOPHOMORE
Childhood Hero: Bam Margera
Celebrity Crush: Jennifer Aniston Pick One: A.) Hotel Loyal B.)Giannilli’s C.) Scotty G’s D.) Foxes One super power you wish you had: Super Strength. One thing you want to do before you die: Meet all of my favorite bands. If you could trade places with anyone, who would it be: Nobody I can think of at the moment. If someone wrote a biography on you, what do you suppose the title would be? New Aged Order How would you describe yourself in three words? Peaceful, loving, equal.
One super power you wish you had: Ability to read minds, that’d be pretty awesome. One thing you want to do before you die: I want to travel the country and see everything I read in books. If you could trade places with anyone, who would it be? I wouldn’t trade places with anyone. I love my life and every obstacle I’ve triumphed. If someone wrote a biography on you, what do you suppose the title would be? The Life of Emily? How would you describe yourself in three words? Free, passionate, and loud
jake bentley
Never been to either three and I’ve only ever ordered for delivery from Gino’s, never been there !
Childhood Hero: Michael J. Fox
One thing you want to do before you die: Sky Dive
Senior
Celebrity Crush: Jennifer Lawrence Pick One: A.) Hotel Loyal B.)Giannilli’s C.) Scotty G’s D.) Foxes One super power you wish you had: To Time Travel One thing you want to do before you die: Drive a DeLorean with Christopher Lloyd If you could trade places with anyone, who would it be? Batman If someone wrote a biography on you, what do you suppose the title would be? What Would Jake Do? How would you describe yourself in three words? Outgoing, Funny, Hardworking.
One super power you wish you had: The ability to stretch like Mrs. Incredible.
If you could trade places with anyone, who would it be? Jennifer Lawrence If someone wrote a biography on you, what do you suppose the title would be? Looking at Life from the Right Angle How would you describe yourself in three words? Patient, Easy-Going, and Sporty
“Everything you can imgine is real.”-Pablo Picasso