Patriot Pride September/October 2015

Sept. / Oct. 2015, Issue 1, Vol. XLVIII

RED SEA RISING Red Land’s student fans support Little League champs

by Ryan Norfleet

‘16 was asked to remark on the student’s

In a spectacular story of sucshowcasing of Patriot Pride throughout cess that swept first across our nation the entire World Series adventure, to and then into view of the entire world, which she responded, “Watching the people everywhere watched the Red world enjoy the players and our stuLand Little League team, a baseball dents was just awe-inspiring. I’m not team of 13 boys aged 11 to 13 from sure I could put into words what it was Red Land’s own backyard. The team like to watch an entire town, state, and became the undefeated U.S. Little country fall in love with our students.”

League Champions, making it to the Ms. Wolfe was also commented World Championship game for an evenon what makes Red Land students the tual, but well-fought loss against the best fans around, and her reply was mighty all-star team from Tokyo, Japan. just as genuine: “Our fans are the best

The Little League World in the world because they’re so loyal.

Series is an annual event that takes Our kids don’t care if we’re up by 20 place in late August in Williamsport, or down by 10… They’re cheering.

PA. Teams from all over the country Red Land has this special attribute… compete in a tournament style system, heart. I’d take a Red Land kid over eventually leading to a U.S. Champion. any other fan, they’ll never give up,

The Red Land team, they’ll always have your back, and coached by Tom Peifer, our school’s they always believe in each other!” nurse, fended off tough teams from

The Red Land High School student-fan section, fondly known as “The Red Sea,” descended upon the Little Continued on Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in support of their hometown team. The now-famous Red Sea page 2 to make it to the final round. The U.S. even received airtime on ESPN, showcasing some of their signature cheers and chants. champ takes on the winner of the inthe stands, and of course the sheer fanatical The roar of the Red Sea was ever ternational tournament (in this case, Japan). spirit of Red Land’s very own Red Sea student present at every game of the World Series. The Little league star Adam

The incredible journey of the boys is section, thousands of members of Red Land’s Red Sea, Red Land’s zealous student section, Cramer screams in celnow nearly mythical around the community, but community poured their hearts and souls into has always been famous for their resounding ebration after his domithe momentum behind the team is also deserv- the faithful observance of 13 hometown heroes cheers wherever the tide takes them, and the nant 13 strikeout perforagainst Texas ing of its own legendary praise. From the tire- who earned their spots as the United States journey of the little league team was no exception. mance back in August > > > > less devotion of the parents, volunteers, and Little League Baseball Champions from Lew- Ms. Wolfe, a Red Land teacher equally renowned coaches behind the team, to the dedication isberry, Pennsylvania, every step of the way. for her own endlessly passionate school spirit, of the team siblings constantly cheering from

Student government in capable hands of President

by Ryan Norfleet

‘16

A student well known throughout the building and beyond, Matthew Walter is the posterchild for student presence, playing an active role planning some of Red Land’s biggest events. Matthew has exclusive insight on the comings-up for Red Land High School through his position as Senior Class president. He oversees or else directly impacts almost all of the planning behind the numerous special affairs that Red Land students partake in and enjoy every year. If there’s any student out there who has the greatest, most impactful role in the workings of Red Land and all of its trademark events, it’s Matthew Walter.

In this interview, Walter was more than happy to divulge tons of insider information concerning his own communications and experiences with working behind the scenes to make

the most of his time at Red Land.

Question: What are some big changes the student body can expect to see implemented at Red Land this year? Is the school planning anything spectacular for the coming year?

Answer: We’ve got a lot of good ideas to run through the school this year, but my personal favorite, and the most probable, is the new seating we will be installing for lunch outside of the cafeteria, on the large concrete patio. Students will be allowed to choose to sit outside for lunch, weather permitting, in accordance to an honor system, that will either be based on good behavior or good grades. A pass will be given out to students who meet the criteria of the honor system that allows for them and two friends to eat lunch outside. There has been talk of opening up this privilege ex-

clusively for seniors, but we have not figured out the specifics of that yet.

Q: What kinds of new schoolwide events is Red Land planning to host this year? What does the line up as far as dances, pep rallies, or other school spirit events look like so far?

A: Well, a new addition to the typical school dance roster of homecoming and prom is the winter dance we are currently planning. Although we don’t know which month it will take place in, or if the dance itself will be a formal affair or a more casual event, you can expect to hear about it come the colder months! We’re also planning on hosting a pre-prom school pep rally, and that will most likely go the way they always do here, with lots of fun games and loud music.

For myself, I would like to try and get Red Land to host another

game night. I attended one my freshman year, and we played all sorts of awesome games in the gyms, and I think students would really enjoy seeing another one of these nights available again. They had always been productive in the past and I think that most of the students that attended had a great time.

It can often be difficult to plan events for the entire school because there is already so many other things going on. Red Land students are often very busy, but More Red Land Little League! that won’t stop student

...page 2-3 council from attempting to plan even more Freshmen you should know! events thist school year.

...page 4 Continued on West Shore band as “one” page 2

...page 4

Inside the Pride!

Behind the Pride!

Red Land Student Council President, Matthew Walter (far left), addresses members of the District’s administration team and School Board.

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This issue was, for the most part, produced by Senior editors Sarah Smithmyer and Ryan Norfleet, along with faculty adviser Mr. Washburn. Interviewing and photography assistance was provided

by Journalism I students Amber Kelly, Meghan Cunningham, Katie Benson, and Aly Thompson.

Some photos provided by Nancy Zimmerman (Sentinel News)

Red Land Life Although the little league team had siblings aside, much of the passion and drive of no shortage of raving fans, whether it was this team of champions came from the coaches from the stadium seats or the crimson mass and trainers. Two important coaches are Red of the Red Sea, some of the loudest and most Land’s very own Mr. Wagner and Mr. Piefer, the emotional supporters of the boys were un- latter being the head coach for the team. Both doubtedly the players’ older siblings, many of men have a long history with Red Land basewhich are Red Land students. When asked ball, having both played for Red Land’s 1990 about the impact the team’s State Championship team. standout success has had on “It was amazing...the Now their sons and nephews herself, her family and most siblings got so close; it play ball in the community. importantly, her brother: 11th was like we were one When asked about his grader Lindsay Cramer says, thoughts on the overwhelming big family.”

“The team’s success had a community support received ~ Lindsay Cramer positive impact on my life by the team, Mr. Piefer said, “It because I was at every game supporting was an unbelievable experience for the boys to my brother and his team. It brought my fam- see the huge amount of support they received ily all together for my brother (Adam Cramer).” from the entire Red Land High School student She went on, saying “it was amazing; we have body and faculty! I think many of the boys have gone to tons of different places because of the seen the Red Sea’s enthusiasm throughout team’s success. After every game, I ran up the years at various events, but to know they to each and every boy and gave them a hug, were in attendance to support them was aweJust seeing all their smiling faces was the best some and a huge energy boost for the team!!!” part of this whole thing, and the siblings got Mr. Wagner, the co-owner of Go-Wags so close; it was like we were one big family.” baseball facility, was a pivotal trainer of the Palmer Rodenhaber (grade 11), team. He commented on what he will remembrother of little league all-star Dylan Roden- ber most from the experience, stating, “I guess haber, commented that his favorite part of the the biggest thing that I’m proud of is that all that entire World Series journey was “watching the team accomplished just brought the whole a group of 13 backyard boys who play base- community together with all of the support we ball from the town of “Red Land,” and watch- got, we captured the hearts ing the way they handled themselves as they of PA, and then the hearts played their games.” Palmer reflected on the of the country. That’s what support the team received from the Red Land you remember the most, student fans and the community as a whole: “It that the team of 13 boys can was overwhelming in a good way; sometimes do so much and come back you had to sit down and think about it, it would to be loved by so many.” bring tears to my eyes. I wasn’t surprised at For all those involved, the amount of support at all; the high school it has been an experifans are proud to be patriots, and so am I.” ence the community will Loud cheers of the Red Sea and proud value for a long, long time.

“Red Land has this special attribute: heart. I’d take a Red Land kid over any other fan, they’ll never give up, they’ll always have your back, and they always believe in each other!” ~ Ms. Wolfe, on what makes Red Sea members so special

Interview with Senior Class President (cont. from front) Q: Personally, what are some ideas for Red Land that you yourself would like to see jumpstarted? Do you have any new ideas for things Red Land can host?

A: One of my favorite ideas to present would be a school wide cookout. I remember having at least one or two in middle school, and I think that they’re a fun, relaxing and easy activity that the school can come together with and have lots of fun. The outside seating idea is a cool one, too, and I think that if we expand upon that a little more it could really work, and I would be really excited to see it work. Game night is an excellent idea too, I think, that’s something I remember having a lot of fun with in my early high school years. We’ll be talking more about some potential schoolwide activities at my upcoming PATE meeting; it’s where we discuss a lot of those ideas.

Q: Tell me a little bit about your position.

How does Senior Class President exactly operate? What kinds of things can you do, change, or say? What all does being “President” entail?

A: As class president, I actually see to a large amount of responsibility! I oversee meetings within the various student body committees, like student council, and I play an impor-

tant role in the SAC (student advisory council) committee as well. I address the administrators of WSSD at board meetings, [serving] as Red Land’s “representative,” and I meet with Mrs. Sayre to discuss pretty much all of these things.

The student council meetings are where we plan out assemblies, like picking the music, the games, and the students who participate in them. PATE meetings are where we discuss the real important stuff, like concerns over student parking, the state of student council, and the organization of school dances.

Through student council, as the president, I organize a lot of the aspects of school dances, and I oversee at least a little bit of everything that goes into homecoming and prom.

Homecoming Spirit Week October 5 - 9, 2015 ~~~ Monday - Red White & Blue Day* Tuesday - Farmer Day Wednesday - Team Jersey Day Thursday - Throwback Thursday Friday - Pajama Day * = Pep Assembly on Monday

Local college fairs!

Tis the season for college planning! With many schools (both local and abroad) moving their admission due dates earlier and earlier, it is defintiely the right time to check out what some schools have to offer. SO, if you are serious about pursuing college after you graduate high school, please plan to attend some college fairs this Fall.

These fairs are ideal for Juniors who may be just beginning to explore college as a possible future for themselves, but anyone can attend. Below is some info on two upcoming college fairs, including one hosted by our own district which will feature over 80 schools:

Please visit the guidance office for all 1) West Shore School District College Fair info on college visitations, SAT / ACT WHEN: Thursday, October 1, 2015 - 5 to 7pm testing, and college applications!

WHERE: Cedar Cliff High School (gyms and lobby) 2) Trinity High School College Fair WHEN: Monday, October 5, 2015 6 to 7:30pm WHERE: Trinity High School, in the cafeteria 3) York County Regional College Fair WHEN: Monday, October 19, 2015 - 6 to 8pm WHERE: York College

11th grader Palmer Ryan Rodenhaber, big brother of little leaguer Dylan Rodenhaber, celebrates the team’s success at the pep rally.

Members of the team received preferential seating at the first Red Land football game of the season, interacting with the entire Red Sea, learning some of the cheers, and forming new friendships.

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Celebration “I guess the biggest thing that I’m proud of is that all that the team accomplished just brought the whole community together; with all of the support we got, we captured the hearts of PA, and then the hearts of the country. That’s what you remember the most, that a team of 13 boys can do so much and come back to be loved by so many.” ~ Mr. Kyle Wagner

11th grader Santos DeLaCruz showed off his Red Land Patriot Pride, loud and proud, at the Pep Rally. ESPN and some local news outlets were on hand to capture the celebration on camera.

Red Land students crammed into the gymnasium for a special pep rally to promote and cheer on the Little Leage team’s championship run. Members of the student body shouted cheers for the Little League players via a Skype call (from Williamsport) to show the Red Sea was behind them in full support!

ABOVE: The Red Sea’s unwavering leader, Zach Wagner (grade 12), pumps up the student crowd at the pep rally help to celebrate the little league team’s success. The entire student body and faculty were in attendance, along with the players’ parents. The team even appeared via video call.

BELOW: Player siblings and superfans attended the Little League games in Williamsport to show their support.

Pictured left to right is Morgan Wagner, Lainey Meanor, Bayleigh Ebbert, Hollis Kolmansberger, Molly Walters, Shyanne Phillips, and Lindsay Cramer.

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ABOVE: RLHS teacher, Ms. Wolfe, seen here with her son at the community celebration at Newberry Commons, is a supporter of the team and the Red Sea. She says, “Here’s the truth… I love our kids. They’re what I work for, and to watch all these people love them was incredible.”

BELOW: Little league superstar, Cole Wagner, signs autographs for eager fans who formed a long line at the community celebration on September 5, 2015 at Newberry Commons.

Red Land Life

All bets in for homecoming Red Land’s secret garden

On the evening of Saturday, October 10th, Red Land will be hosting its annual homecoming dance. With the “Casino Royale” theme, the dance organizers are hoping all attendees will feel like they’ve won big. The dance starts at 7pm in the high school gymnasium.

Tickets for this year’s dance are shaped as commemorative poker chips and will go on sale beginning Monday, October 5th during all three lunches.

Ticket sales will continue throughout the entire week, with daily themed Spirit Week activities,

leading up to homecoming. Tickets cost $15 each. Proceeds go toward covering the cost of drinks and light refreshments served at the dance.

Red Land administration wants to remind students who plan to attend that if your date is not a current Red Land student, proper permission paperwork to invite a visitor needs to be completed and filed with the office by October 8th at the latest.

So, don’t delay!

Get your poker chip and place all bets on RED for the big school dance on October 10th.

The Fall of 2015 marks the inaugural season for the West Shore Marching Band, the newly formed combination of the Cedar Cliff and Red Land High School competitive bands. Last school year, the District administrators and School Board voted to combine the competition bands as a cost saving measure, and as a way to ensure the marching band activity was available to both Red Land and Cedar Cliff students. To commemorate this previously unthinkable combination, the band has designed a competitive show based on the concept of unity and oneness.

The band’s show, aptly titled “One,” features examples of oneness through various tricks in the show, such as a one-handed percussion feature, color guard members doing one-handed spins, and a featured soloist. The band hopes the show will personify their attempt to turn what was once a rivalry into solidarity.

This year’s competitive band, di-

rected by Red Land’s own Mr. Robert Starrett, is lead by drum majors Leah Munn (12th grade, CCHS) and Caitlyn Gilmore (10th grade, RLHS). The band hosted a show at West Shore Stadium on September 19th where they were able to perform their show for the public outside the typical football game crowd. They were adjudicated alongside local competition bands from Mechanicsburg Area Senior High and Cumberland Valley High School.

Mechanicsburg’s band won the competition, but the West Shore band performed well, and was able to receive a score tying them with Cumberland Valley. Band member and Red Land junior Greg Falvo considered the debut competitive performance as a positive step forward for this newly created band. Be sure to keep track of the band as they continue their competitive season through October and November, and remember that the show can be seen at all home football games this season.

by Sarah Smithmyer

‘16

other in this teamwork-driven venture.

After harvest, the students practice washing and cutting the vegetables and faculty members take the surplus goods home.

While their primary produce is tomatoes, they also tend to peppers, zucchinis, herbs, and flowers in the vertical gardens.

You can get a clear birds-eye view of this cultured jungle from the library and a face-level peek from some of the science classrooms (rooms 114-117), but the new wing windows are unfortunately blinded to a point of almost total obscuration.

While Mrs. Snyder’s classes had help from senior project students last year, they are currently in need of peer assistance. If you are interested in assisting the students in Mrs. Snyder’s class, you can contact her in room 224 or join the Friendship Club, run by Mrs. Resto in guidance.

West Shore bands unite as one for public debut

In the courtyard smushed between the library and the new wing, there lives a sort of Secret Garden. Bursting cylinders of green create a produce runway. You can hear the chirps of at least seven different grass-shrouded insects during your visit. It isn’t a magical realm, however. It is a garden run by many of Red Land’s own students.

The students grow vegetables and flowers in white plastic barrels with soil-filled terraces cut into the sides; it’s a space-effective, cost-effective, and time-effective solution that bypasses the usual back-mangling effects of traditional, horizontal farming.

The program’s in its third year. Funding came from devoted funds and the support of the Cumberland Perry Vocational Technical school.

The students who tend the garden enjoy watering the plants, being outside, and spending time with one an-

Fresh faces at Red Land

New app allows yearbook content uploaded by you

by Katie Benson

by Meghan Cunningham‘17 by Amber Kelly ‘18 by Aly Thompson ‘17

Introducing freshman Richie Sykes, Welcome to Red Land, freshmen Kyle Teran aspiring athlete who plays for both the foot- ry. Kyle’s favorite class is materials processing, ball and basketball teams. Richie said that taught by Mr. Snelbaker. He says that so far his goal for sophomore year is to play for the his freshman year has been “good and easy.” varsity football team. He thinks that the Red Kyle plans to enter the Vo-tech program to Sea seems “very fun and exciting.” Richie learn diesel mechanics in his sophomore year. said that his freshman year has been fine, so Outside of school, Kyle is a far, and that his first Red participant in the Young MaLand pep rally had a very rines, likes to ride dirt bikes, energetic atmosphere. and enjoys sitting with the Richard’s favorite class Red Sea at football games, is social studies, and in which he says makes him his spare time enjoys feel “happy and proud.” hanging out with friends.

Say hello to freshmen Megan El Featured this issue is freshman liot. Megan, an active gymnast, has to balAlea Keller, who is an active soccer player ance gymnastics with lots of homework during and cheerleader for Red Land. Alea’s favor- her freshman year; she said that her favorite ite school subject is English, and her favorite teachers are Mrs. Hartman and Mr. Ford. In teacher so far has been Mrs. Gonce. Alea has her spare time, Megan loves watching old epithree sisters, two of which sodes of Friends on Netflix are in middle school and and listening to songs by an older sister, Allyssa, One Direction, 5 Seconds a Red Land sophomore. of Summer, and Little Mix. For the coming year, Megan spent her Summer Alea is very excited to swimming, and took trips experience Homecomto Hersheypark and the ing, but is not so excited for end-of-the- beach. Looking ahead, Megan said she year tests, like the Keystone exams. wants to be a nurse or x-ray technician.

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Balfour, the company that publishes Red Land’s yearbook, has created an app that allows students, parents, and faculty (really, anyone connected to the school) the chance to upload photos that COULD BE used by the yearbook staff in this year’s publication. The app is called Image Share.

The app is available on both IOS Apple devises and Android devices. It can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or Google Play by searching “Balfour Image Share.” Once downloaded, students will need to enter the project number 672619 to link up with Red Land’s yearbook project.

This app could greatly assist the

yearbook staff, whose photographers obviously cannot be everywhere at once. Think about it, you’re at a school event and you have your smartphone handy. You get a great photo of the winning touchdown pass of the big game, or the cheerleaders pulling off a stellar stunt, or your classmates having a great time in the stands… you can simply upload the photo to the app and it will allow the yearbook staff the opportunity to consider your photo for use in their publication.

Please see Mrs. Epler in room 245 or ask anyone on yearbook staff for more information on this helpful app that allows you to contribute to the yearbook’s content.

The Red Land chapter of FBLA will be travelling to Ski Roundtop on October 21st to participate in the FBLA Regional Leadership Workshop. Club members will gain leadership, management and other skills as they work cooperatively to tackle the ropes course.

It looks to be a great team building activity.

At another planned event, on October 25th and 26th, FBLA faculty adviser Mrs. Klinger along with student representatives Erica McBride, Emily Fruth and Drew Payne will travel to State College to participate in the FBLA State Leadership Workshop. There, the members will

learn valuable leadership skills and hone their competitive edge to help our chapter perform better at both the Regional and State competitions.

FBLA, which stands for Future Business Leaders of a America, is a club at Red Land that focuses on providing students with skills desired by business-minded students who might pursue careers in business, management, or the coorporate world.

The club meets frequently throughout the school year and is involved in a number of activities. Please see business education teacher Mrs. Klinger for more information.

FBLA to workshop at Ski Roundtop, State College

Congrats to the Golf Team on wrapping up another successful season!

The Red Land golf team finished its regular season during the last full week of September, but several team members moved on to the Mid Penn Championships. For the second year in a row, the Red Land girls team will be represented in the playoffs. Seniors Delaney McCracken and Cassidy Moyer along with sophomores Jessica Lamarca and Bayleigh Ebbert qualified. For the boys, senior Morgon Keiser and freshman Jared Payne made postseason play.

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Red Land Student Bank Remember, the NCFCU student bank is open on Wednesdays and Fridays during all lunch/flex periods. Stop by and open a savings account!