December 2010

DECEMBER 16, 2010

FREEDOM AREA HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

FREEDOM, PA

VOL. III, ISSUE 4

Melanie Socash, Photo & Design Editor

Saturday, Dec. 11, Santa Claus actually came to town; the freshmen class, with the help of sponsor Mrs. Kristen Milanovich, hosted an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in his name.

Though the fundraiser was a smaller turnout than last year, there was never a shortage of activities. It was a morning filled with pancakes, manicures, various arts and crafts, Christmas lists, and some children crying because they were afraid of Santa.

Above: Junior Nate Neely takes a picture of Senior Nick Turner as he finally gets his turn with Santa, played by none other than Mr. Scott McGee. Right: Nicole Cummins helps at one of the craft tables by coloring with a little girl. ~Emily Francis, Editor-in-Chief Submitted by Mrs. Milanovich

Rumors of random drug testing prove to be false ticipate in anything school related - including sports, extra-curriculars, and even parking the in the student Editor-in-Chief parking lot- could be subjected to the randomized drug tests.

Rumors have been flying through the halls of If you‟ve ever cared to look, you would know the FHS that the administration may begin to randomly FHS Student Handbook devotes a whopping nine pages drug test students. Is this even a high school policy? to their Drug and Alcohol Policy. In those nine pages, Will lockers be searched, cars checked, and will the there are several potential situations that the adminidogs be sent in? No, to all of the above. stration felt should be evaluated.

As FHS policy currently stands, there will not be The handbook says a student would be violating any randomized drug tests administered. Despite ruthe drug policy terms and conditions by demonstrating mors of these random tests, there was never any talk of behavior of using drugs or alcohol, getting caught posadministering them, Mrs. Corris said. sessing them on school property, or distributing them She believes that these types of things spread from to peers. one or two incidents that are blown out of proportion Students in violation of these conditions may be just by the circumstance of a typical rumor. subject to a locker or car search, any the police may be In contrast, Ambridge Senior High School‟s hand- notified. They might also be referred to the Student book basically says that any student who wants to par- Assistance Program (SAP).

Emily Francis

The SAP Team is a group of teachers, nurses, counselors and specialists who the school has put through an intense, 4-day program that trained them to deal with students who are confronted with illegal substances. All Pennsylvania public schools have this team available to their students.

If those sound serious, the punishments that will really affect you include being placed on probation for up to 90 days, exclusion from any and all extracurricular activities - that includes sports, dances, and clubs - meeting with a prevention specialist numerous times a week, and even temporary or permanent expulsion.

The Freedom Board of Education has the final say on any school and all school related policy additions or changes, and for the high school to turn to drug policies like Ambridge‟s all that would be required is a majority decision from the board of education.

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cally asks is, “will we have to make these days up later in the year?” Well, Photo & Design Editor these instances could be considered As the winter season has quickly „state of emergency‟ situations. Each crept upon us, students have become ea- district is required to attend 180 days of ger for possible school delays and canschool, but the Department of Education cellations. Surprisingly, though, school is willing to pardon a maximum of three has been cancelled twice already but not emergency days per school year without because of snow, but rather a lack of the need to make them up. power.

Freedom Superintendent Dr. Ron Freedom has had two power outSofo, while staying within the departages in recent months; the first occurred ment‟s guidelines, is in charge of making Oct. 27 when an electrical transformer in school cancellation decisions when conthe school was damaged as a result of a ditions become dangerous or pose a severe storm. The second, on Nov. 19, threat to the safety of students. Yes, he was due to an automobile accident that makes a phone call the day-of, but he took out a telephone pole and electrical does not get the final say about whether lines. the day must be made up.

The question everyone automatiAfterward, Dr. Sofo must write a

Melanie Socash

petition letter describing Freedom‟s situation in hopes that the department will make an exception to the 180-day rule.

It may not seem absolutely necessary to call off school when there is a power outage, but when you think about it, so much of the average school day depends on or requires electricity. Without the typical lighting, the hallways would be dim. Elevators would fail to work. Meals for students could not be prepared in the kitchen, and laptops would become essentially useless.

School could simply not function properly without electricity. The overall safety of students is the biggest factor in the decision.

“We cannot conduct school

safety without power,” said Dr. Sofo. “[The decision to cancel school] is always made purely on safety reasons.”

Yes, there is a potential for the school to lose money when days are called off; however, the welfare of students, in Dr. Sofo‟s eyes, is more vital.

“Whether we lose money or not is not the main concern,” Dr. Sofo said.

So what does this mean for students in terms of possible upcoming snow days or delays? Well, the state doesn‟t give the district the same exceptions when it comes to inclement weather, since slick roads and typical icy conditions are not considered emergency situations.

An excessive amount of snow days will call for make-up days, but two-hour delays do not count against the students.

Missing class, saving lives:

Blood Drive Brianna Haglan Contributing Writer

Jake Cruise, Managing Editor Above: A phlebotomist locates a vein in Keith Braun‟s arm. Left: Senior Caitlynn Milligan waits as she fills her one-pint bag.

Every year, the Health Careers Club helps host an annual Blood Drive, along with the American Red Cross. This year‟s drive was held on Dec. 14, and roughly 20 students donated blood, which yields a total of 20 pints of blood. The outcome was hurt by the two-hour delay, but any amount of donations is still considered a success.

There were no casualties this year, but several students did lose the free doughnuts and water provided. “The Blood Drive had its ups and downs; kids threw up, kids fell down,” Mrs. Hastings said. Then again, each pint of blood saves roughly three lives. So good job, FHS; we just saved 60 lives.

- Jake Cruise, Managing Editor Amanda Hryckowian, Web Editor

Get a date: check. Find a dress: check. Get a tie: check.

Buy the tickets: check. Planning for the upcoming Christmas dance is no easy task: the list can be miles long!

This year the dance is being held Dec. 18 at Center Stage, which is a change from previous years when it was held at The Fez. The dance goes from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., giving students four and a half hours to dance, socialize, and have a great time.

The cost for a single ticket is $35. There will be door prizes, food and drinks, a DJ, pictures, and favors.

According to Mrs. Hill, one of the door prizes is winning free pictures that would otherwise need to be purchased; any person could get a prize just for showing up.

However, not everyone is sold on attending the dance yet.

The price of the ticket alone scares some students, let alone getting all the necessities needed for the dance. Some students, like Sophomore Austin Wall and Freshman Christian Edder, do not feel like “wasting” the money.

“I don‟t have $35; well, technically 70, because I wouldn‟t go without a date,” Freshman

Ryan Whipple said.

Dance coordinator Mrs. Hill said the reason behind changing the location of the dance was “because [The Fez] wasn‟t big enough and the floor was coming up.”The dance was almost cancelled due to low ticket sales, but Mrs. Hill ended up selling 224 tickets as of Tuesday.

According to Center Stage‟s Web site, “Center Stage offers the biggest dance floor and the best food in Beaver County.

With over 30 years of experience, Center Stage is perfect for all occasions.”

Senior Justin Baumiller is looking forward to going to the dance “with the most beautiful girl in the world: Shannon Schimmer.” Not to be outdone, Senior Emily Winterbottom is looking forward to attending the dance “with the most beautiful boy in the world: Derek Lehockey.”

Not everyone has found the perfect date yet, and the search has been a daunting task for some students.

“I tend to procrastinate when getting dates,” Junior Alex Hawk said.

However, when all the preparations are done and students make their list (and check it twice), they will be ready to rock the night away during the most wonderful time of the year: the 2010 Christmas dance.

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STAFF EDITORIAL:

So you‟re watching the football game on Sunday afternoon with your friends. Big Ben totally botches the play, and a chorus of “Oh, come on! Anyone could have made that pass!” pours from the mouths of you and your fellow spectators.

If you‟re really being honest with yourself, though, you probably aren‟t anywhere near as good as the guy who warms the bench for any professional team.

This seems to be a recurring theme: one is unhappy with current products or performances, is often judgmental and quick to offer criticism, but in actuality, can only produce or perform to what is usually a lesser extent.

This doesn‟t just happen on a professional sports scale, either; think of things like our own football team, DTV, the musical, or even the yearbook.

For example, let‟s say DTV is on, and the wrong image appears on the screen and doesn‟t match the anchor‟s words at all.

Before you think, “Wow, this is so lame,” think to yourself: “Do I know how to use advanced computer programs, and can I produce a product daily that will be judged and critiqued by the student body?”

The answer for many of us is no.

Remember that three-minute video that took you four weeks to make? Yeah, DTV does that every day.

For those of you who can do those things, why not get involved? Think of how much could be accomplished if rather than criticizing the productions of the student body, students contributed their talents and skills for the good of everyone.

For those students who aren‟t an exceptional physical specimen, tech wizard or on-stage prodigy, no worries. Just being supportive and positive can make a world of difference. Rather than being judgmental, keep in mind the effort that goes into all of these productions.

The next time you‟re feeling judgmental of the musical or your favorite sports team, try to keep in mind how much effort actually goes into the product that you‟re seeing. Besides, many students would have trouble doing much better.

FHS Press — Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Managing Editor News Editor: Features Editor: Sports Editor: Copy Editor: Photo & Design: Web Editor: Faculty Adviser:

Emily Francis Jake Cruise Sarah Choflet Emily Bittner Taylar McCoy Jordan Kusich Melanie Socash Amanda Hryckowian Mr. David Hartman

Assistant Editors: Karla Knauff, Aubrey Sprecker Contributing Writers: Liz Brunner, Rosalyn Nye, Brianna Haglan, Zac Wilson Editorial Policies: FHS Press is the official student newspaper serving Freedom Area High School, in Freedom, Pennsylvania. The views presented herein are not representative of the school, faculty, or administration; they are solely the views of individual student writers. The newspaper accepts and strives to publish signed letters to the editor under 250 words. To submit comments, press releases, or letters to the editor, or to purchase advertising space in the paper, e-mail newspaper@freedomarea.org, or contact Mr. Hartman in Room 114.

It’s a school, not a singles bar Ask yourself, “how many times much skin you show. If you are dressdo I see low-cut shirts and extremely ing like that to impress the boys anyshort shorts in school?” The answer to way, most guys don‟t like girls who your wonderful question is, “too ofare thought of as provocative. And ten.” how is dressing provocatively going to The way you dress says a lot help you and the others around you, about you. I can almost guarantee that learn any more? School is a place for every time you meet education; it isn‟t a singles someone new, you judge bar or a nightclub. So just them in some degree by wear a nice pair of jeans the way they are dressed. and a nice t-shirt, sweater, You want people to think or hoodie. good things of you on a Now guys, I want first impression, right? you to think about this: So don‟t show too much who really cares about the of yourself. And guys, color of your underwear? don‟t think you‟re off the Are you having some trouZac Wilson hook, because this apble thinking about who Contributing plies to you too. After that may be? The answer all, we are in school, not in most cases is nobody.

Writer on a French beach.

Others, including myself, Ladies, seeing eight different don‟t like to see your boxers. Pants guys looking at you as you‟re walking come in different sizes, so just wear a down the hallway isn‟t always a good size that fits and if it does sink a little, thing. You don‟t want them looking at wear a belt. you because of your provocative atI‟ll admit that I am no fashion tire. expert, but I think following my tips Next time you pick out your can benefit everybody. So tomorrow clothes for the day, pick a nice shirt when you get dressed, think about that doesn‟t expose your upper half. your appearance to others. After all, if Also, don‟t wear the shortest shorts or you don‟t respect yourself, you can‟t the shortest skirt to school. Trust me; expect to get respect from anyone your peers will judge you on how else.

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FHS Press

Christmas movie round up

Surviving the holidays, movie by movie I knew Christmas was close when my aunt made me devote an entire day to her while she awfully Emily Bittner acted out Features Editor cheesy Hallmark channel movies. I‟m not a huge fan of every Christmas film, and I‟m the type of person who really only wants to watch the same movie one time; but, there are a few that I do enjoy.

One of my all-time favorites is “A Year Without a Santa Claus.” I remember making my mom put this into the VHS player every single day for the entire month of December – and even more often – for my little brother and I to watch. The Heat Miser and Snow Miser are definitely the most memorable parts of the movie. I can‟t help but sing along when I hear the trombone start their little theme songs, no matter how bad or lame I sound. This is probably one of the only movies that I can watch every year.

Another great movie is “Elf.” The

first time I saw it, I laughed so many times. It‟s still even moderately comical to me now. However, the reason I think I like it isn‟t just that it‟s funny, “Elf” is pretty original and not just another typical Christmas movie about Santa and the North Pole. The end is still fairly predictable, but not in a bad way at least.

The list of Christmas movies that I hate is far longer than the ones I like.

I‟m not sure what it is, but seeing holidays portrayed in a movie or on TV really annoys me. Why is it that Christmas in a movie is so dreadfully stereotypical? Families are always gathered around a perfect fireplace, describing the night to be magical, with everyone constantly happy. Maybe it‟s just my family, but my parents rarely look forward to the season. They spend the whole month complaining about the list of things I asked for, instead of baking cookies for Santa like the other moms and dads are doing on TV. “It‟s a Wonderful Life” is more than guilty of this dramatization of supposed Christmas cheer, minus the whole emotional breakdown of George Bailey‟s. I have tried so hard to like this movie, but something about it makes me hate the 1940s. My mom watches it every year when she decorates our 16

He‟s good at sports, so he must be as dumb as a bag of bricks. They‟re in band, so they must be geeks. She‟s a cheerleader, so she must be a snob. You‟re a ginger, so you must have a horrible temper. We‟re young, so we must be naïve. Stereotypes one of the biggest probTaylar McCoy are lems in American high Sports Editor schools today. It doesn‟t show much here in Freedom, but we all know it‟s lurking in the dark corners.

Stereotyping people is hypocritical, since you‟d fit into at least one of the groups, believe it or not. Not only that, but it‟s a complete overgeneralization.

Personally, I don‟t even know what people think I am, nor do I care. I play sports like a jock, my hair is purple like a scene kid, I was in band for three years, I listen to “screamo” and indie music, I get good grades, and I study like a nerd.

Where would I go? Exactly, I would fit into a ton of groups; stereotyping is idiotic.

I see one particular stereotype a nauseating amount in the hallways. Come on, we all tell blonde jokes and we all laugh at them.

feet tall tree by herself – which is mostly her fault due to the fact that she puts that movie on in the first place.

Clarence‟s truly astounding advice rings throughout our entire house until “remember George, no man is a failure who has friends” pierces through my closed bed room door and forces me to put on headphones. I will admit though, it has its moments and definitely is not the worst movie ever made.

That title rightfully belongs to “The Polar Express.”

I saw it once and regret every second of the 1 hour 40 minute run time. There were special effects that were far from special and the characters seemed more like inanimate objects then the humans they were supposed to be.

The story was boring and the movie generated too much hype for it to deliver like it did.

Even though I‟m not a fan of all Christmas movies, I really do enjoy a few. I can‟t imagine a Christmas without spending a few nights watching whatever version of “The Christmas Carol” they have come up with this year.

Some of the smartest students in our entire school have blonde hair, but for some reason, people still associate blondes with being stupid. When Albert Einstein was young, he had blonde hair, yet he isn‟t the butt of any of our jokes. Do you know what the E=mc2 formula means? Yeah, I didn‟t think you would… unless you took Physics.

Do you know what I hate? I hate when people judge someone else before they even get to know them.

Don‟t ignore the girl in the back of the room that dyed her hair black because she is “emo” and you think she hates the world. Most likely she doesn‟t. She probably just likes the color black; get over it. Don‟t make fun of her because she isn‟t exactly like you and your friends.

For the stereotypes I do see, it‟s ridiculous. Even though you are joking, the stupid antics are getting old. Leave the people who like to read, the people who wear black, the people who sit alone, and even the school‟s gingers alone- get a life, people.

I like to think that all people are friends, and that life is about rainbows, happy bunnies, and kindness, but it‟s really not. I assume you‟ve all seen “Mean Girls.” Well, most schools are a lot like that. They usually have tons of cliques, but not us.

We are an open school, I guess you could say (with a few exceptions).

People that are in band are friends

with people on the football team, and the academic scholars are friends with the cheerleaders. We don‟t really group people together, and that‟s amazing for kids our age. We need to get rid of the stereotypes all together, though.

Maybe it‟s because we are such a small school, and everyone pretty much has to know everyone else, or maybe our parents just raised us correctly. One thing is for certain though, most of Freedom has class, and not just because it‟s a school.

Prior to 1942, the FHS year book was called the Swastika.

Many symbols throughout time have changed their meaning; from the pentagram symbol that went from being a symbol of Christianity to a symbol of Satanism, to the Swastika that went from being an Indian symbol of peace, life and joy, to the corrupted symbol of hatred, death, and destruction bestowed upon it by Adolf Hitler.

But did you know that our very own yearbook used to be called the very same thing we now know stands for hatred and discrimination? That‟s right, the Shawnee Yearbook, prior to the year 1942, was called The Swastika.

The school continued to defend the use of the symbol even after the Nazi regime besmirched it, that is until it became too widespread and the name was officially changed to The Shawnee.

-Jake Cruise, Managing Editor

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FHS Press

A cheapskate’s survival guide:

16 December, 2010

Christmas break for less

Christmas break is one of the things that most of us look forward to all December, if not the whole year. The weeklong vacation- excluding weekends- from school is pretty awesome and usually much needed. However, the week following Christmas almost always Emily Bittner results in either extreme Features Editor boredom or spending all the money that is received during the holiday in record time.

That‟s why this year I‟m hoping to avoid both of those problems by creating a guide to help keep you thoroughly entertained for the entirety of Christmas break, without spending every last penny Grandma just gave you. That way, when January rolls along, we aren‟t all completely broke again.

ning. During the day, watch all of your favorite Christmas movies that are playing on TV.

Dec 25 – Surely you have plans for today too. Enjoy your family‟s company and have fun.

Dec 30 Call up a Dec 26 – Christmas is over, but don‟t fret, you still friend or significant have New Year‟s to look forward to. Today is one other and go ice skating of the best days to take advantage of stores‟ sales, at PPG. You probably haven‟t been ice skating so if you didn‟t get everything on your wish list, get since middle school and for $10 per person, includit now while it‟s relatively cheap but don‟t buy eve- ing skate rental, it‟s a few dollars well-spent. If you‟d rather not go out to Pittsburgh two days in rything in sight. one week then there are a couple local ice rinks that Dec 27 – Go to a museum or an art gallery. There can be just as fun. are a ton of museums around the Pittsburgh area.

One of my favorites is the Andy Warhol museum.

Dec 31 – While you anxiously await the New It‟s only $8 for people under 18 and even if you‟ve Year‟s Eve party you‟ll be attending tonight, entertain yourself at home. Create a collage out of magabeen there before, they always have new exhibits. zine clippings. Send some letters to your favorite Dec 28 – Since today is Tuesday, every movie is celebrities - check out www.fanmail.biz. Look only $5 at Cinemark in Monaca. There are always through old photo albums or get some digital photos new movies out around holidays, so check the show printed and make a new one.

Dec 23 – Sleep in! It‟s Thursday, you don‟t have times and go see one for a fraction of the regular school, and Christmas Eve is tomorrow. You‟ll Jan 1 – Happy New Year! Celebrate by going out to price. probably spend the day getting ready for whatever dinner with a big group of friends and share your festivities you have going on, but in between help- Dec 29 – In case of snow, today would be a great New Year‟s Resolutions. ing your parents, I recommend you get most of your day to go sledding. There are a couple of good homework done today. It‟s easier said than done, places to go around here if you don‟t have any hills Jan 2 – Christmas Break is just about over and but it will pay off when you have an entire week of nearby. If you can get access to them, parks are you‟ve probably already begun counting down the awesome places to sled.

Economy Park has some days until June 9. Since school starts again tomorhomework free days ahead of you. big hills, and Green Valley would be the perfect row it might be a good idea to get started on that Dec 24 – It‟s Christmas Eve and you probably alplace to build a massive snowman. Best of all, snow homework that you were supposed to do two Thursready have plans of your own for later in the eveis completely free. days ago.

Taylar McCoy Sports Editor

Top: Kristi Tibolet and Lexie Challis pass the ball to each other in an attempt to make it down the court without dropping it. Bottom: Carly Arbes plays defense as Maddi Lewis shoots the ball.

Photos by Taylar McCoy, Sports Editor

Girls basketball

Keeping Focused Jordan Kusich Copy Editor This winter may be bringing the cold, but things have been heating up on the courts as the girls‟ basketball team is training to be better than ever. With practice five days a week, these girls are pushing everything they have in order to make for a winning season. Their primary goal during these practices is to “keep up the intensity and remain focused,” said senior player Kristi Tibolet.

From the way the girls played together at the first scrimmage against Union on Nov. 27, Tibolet said, “we can tell that our team is going to be a lot better than previous years.” She

explained that each one of these girls are willing to give the team everything they‟ve got.

In past years, the girls basketball team may have not been at the top, but this year will be different. There is a mixture of new talent, with five new freshman girls that are psyched to play, and new attitudes, as the entire team is pushing themselves harder than ever in order to find success.

Their first game was Dec. 11, as they were a part of the New Brighton Tip-Off Tournament. The girls played hard and strong, doing the best they could.

That game alone is only a simple starting point for what will eventually evolve into a solid season.

“I think we‟re going to have success,” said Tibolet.

For some boys at Freedom, weight really matters.

It isn‟t just about looking aesthetically pleasing; though that is a plus. The team is lacking a few key weight classes such as 103, 189 and 285 pounds. They expect to have a very high win percentage, but since they are missing some key weights some matches could be potential forfeits causing them to start the match down by 18 team points.

Even with this, they expect a good season with a fair chance of making it to playoffs for the first time in quite awhile.

The boys practice hard every day to stay in shape. “[Coach Covert] is pushing us harder and harder every day; we are getting up early for practices, but we all know that when it comes time for us to compete, we will be ready,” Senior Lenny Radzicki said Even though they went to their first scrimmage already, it didn‟t seem like it. “Keep in mind; it‟s not a scrimmage like other sports.

We basically had one big practice,” said Sophomore Kurt Kitzman. “We did what we would do at any normal practice, but we only wrestled people from other schools, plus a little stretching and conditioning.”

“Entering the scrimmage we were pretty confident; however, a lot of our team didn‟t show up, but [the players] there ended up successful. As long as that carries out, I think we are destined for success,” Radzicki said.

The team will have their first official match of the year on Dec. 15, so come out and watch them win.

“All of the kids this year are keeping a winning mindset, which is „no complaining, just do it,‟” said Stroupe. “ Slacking doesn‟t figure in on that. We are doing less running this year, but our focus has shifted more to mat time. That consists of drilling, technique, and live wrestling, which most would consider harder than running.”

The wrestling team doesn‟t only work, but they also know how to have fun. One of the things that matters a lot in every teenager‟s life, music, is an important factor for the team. “Every year we have a stereo that we mess around with before practice. For match night warm-ups, it‟s always a big argument about who gets to pick the music, but the last match of the year, the seniors get to pick it without any say from any other member of the team,” Stroupe said.

If you‟re one of the people that don‟t know the wrestling scoring, this will break it down for you. Two players begin facing each other, and, at the referee's call, they begin circling, anxiously awaiting an opening to strike.

As soon as the opportunity arises, one opponent will take the other to the ground, and when they gain control of them, receive two points.

When someone is on top of you, and they have control, but you stand up away from them, then you get one point. When you are on the bottom and you switch them, and get control, then the pinner receives two points.

Finally, when you get them on their back and get close to pinning them but you don‟t get the pin, there are two options. When they are on their back for five seconds or more, you receive three points, but if it‟s three seconds you get two points.

Photos by Taylar McCoy, Sports Editor

Left: Zeke Stroupe and Scott Merckel get up close and personal on the mats.

Right: Boe Bonzo and Heath Nye went up against each other and battled it out.

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Falls on Dec. 9 was a very close competition, but the team pulled through.

Contributing Writer Coach Layton was ill with the flu, and the team‟s seniors coached them Beginning the season strong is to the win. one thing every sports team strives The team‟s first official meet is for. That‟s exactly how Freedom‟s Dec. 16 against Seneca Valley, at the swim team is starting out the 2010home pool.

2011 season.

The swim team has been workThe swim team had their first ing hard preparing for this season. A scrimmage Nov. 30 against Cornell. typical practice consists of 122 laps, The scrimmage “went absolutely which is the equivalent of swimming great,” said Coach Bill Layton. “I two miles. was very pleased with the perform“Practices have been absolutely ance and sportsmanship.” awesome,” Coach Layton said, who “It went really, really well. A lot is pleased with the team‟s effort so of the first-time swimmers were nerv- far. ous, but as the season proceeds, the “I was ecstatically proud of them new swimmers will grow [to be] bet- [at the scrimmage],” Coach Layton ter than ever,” Sophomore Avery said.

Creegan said.

It‟s not too late to join the swim While Coach Layton was imteam, and any interested students pressed with the large parent turnout, should contact the coach or a swim he hopes to see more of the student team member to swim. body at future meets.

“We are in the process of build“It was a lot of fun; they were a ing a championship team,” Coach competitive team. For a first meet, it Layton said. Even if you‟re not interwas a good start,” Senior Cole Leon- ested in swimming, come out and berg said. support the next Freedom success The scrimmage against Beaver story.

Taylar McCoy

Brianna Haglan

Sports Editor “Wet naps” and “cookies” are only some of the odd words that are said on the court. The boys‟ basketball team uses these words when things like baskets and steals happen.

The team works hard at their practices, and they make the best of what they‟ve got.

Since the team received a new coach, John Lapic, they have also faced new challenges. One of the toughest challenges that they face is learning the new plays.

The team isn‟t used to Coach Lapic‟s new tactics on the court yet.

“Our biggest strength is having everyone back and ready to compete, but our biggest weakness is starting over with a new coach and all of the changes,” said Senior Franzee Barlamas.

The team believes they can make it to play-offs this year. The last section title the team brought to Freedom was in 1985, but they think they can change that. “[The team] is pretty close to it.

We just have to work hard and get

used to our coach. I think it‟s possible; anything is,” said Senior Matt Willis.

Learning plays is hard, but getting used to a whole different type of game play takes a lot longer to master. “[Coach Lapic] seems to like to play a slow-paced game, which is different for us. We like to play fast break,” said Barlamas, describing a fast break as sprinting up and down the court instead of walking, so that you can make a quick play.

Everyone believes that the taller players in basketball have it easier, but that really isn‟t the case.

Short players have just as much of an advantage as tall people. “[It is] a little bit easier, but the shorter players are quick and hard to defend,” said Willis, one of the tallest players on the team at 6 feet 3 inches. Coach Lapic wants to improve the communication on the court so that the boys‟ basketball team can break the mold and go to play-offs.

Though there is a lot of work to be done to make it, they are off to a good start.

Dedication and perspiration will be able to get them through the staff change, and they will come out stronger.

Left: Avery Creegan does breast stoke during swimming practice while warming up with his team.

Right: Senior Derek Lehockey tries to get past Sophomore Nick Schwab on the court to shoot the ball.

Brianna Haglan, Contributing Writer

Amanda Hryckowian Web Editor Pull on your socks and tie your shoes because indoor track is here.

With less than a month until the first meet, indoor track has been hard at work getting ready to face their opponents.

Like outdoor track, the indoor team has similar events that the teammates can compete in, only there is a

roof over their heads.

Like outdoor track, athletes can partake in different jumping, throwing, sprinting and long distance and relay events.

What is a team without coaches to make sure the athletes can become their best? The coaches who are responsible for guiding the students in the right direction are Ryan Smith, Stephen Tinker, and Ed Shephard. In addition, sports teams need seniors who have been through a few seasons

Taylar McCoy, Sports Editor

to lead the team to victory and be there for everyone. Unlike most sports indoor track does not have any official captains.

Because there are so many events in indoor track, practices are different depending on an athlete‟s event. For distance, the runners work on speed and run numerous miles to keep their times.

The sprinters, hurdlers and throwers all work on form to perfect their technique.

Taylar McCoy, Sports Editor

Sophomore Nick Jackman and Coach Shep are dedicated enough to run in the snow.