For Marching Band,
Roll for Initiative: alumni foray into board games
See page 4.
HALF-TIME IS GAME-TIME
See page 7.
THE
DEMOCRATIC SWEEP
Conestoga High School, Berwyn PA
Volume 68 No. 2
November 14, 2017
Spoke.news
Democrats gain seats locally, nationally
By Betty Ben Dor, Jordan Liu & Avery Maslowsky Co-Editor-in-Chief, Co-Web Editor & Sports Editor
F
ollowing President Donald Trump’s win in the 2016 presidential election, the Democratic party was left disappointed, as all three branches of the national government came into Republican control. In the ensuing months, men and women from across the globe came together and marched in support of issues such as gender equality, climate change awareness and less restrictive immigration policies. After months of campaigning, the Democratic efforts were rewarded on Nov. 7, with the party gaining serious footholds on both the local level and across the country.
In fact, the Nov. 7 elections had three Democratic Conestoga alumni winning their respective political races. Class of 2005 alumnus Chris Hurst won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the state’s 12th district. Class of 2006 alumnus Kyle Boyer and Class of 2013 alumna Heather Ward were elected to the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District (TESD) School Board for Regions 2 and 3 respectively. With much of the campaign rhetoric focusing on Trump’s national agenda and its potential local implications, many Republicans are convinced that the Democratic victory was primarily
caused by a backlash against the current administration. “I think the frustration and the anger that a lot of Democratic voters have felt since the President was elected last year is still there. There’s no doubt that they were motivated to come out in our off-year election because how they felt about President Trump,” said Chester County Republicans Senior Adviser Shannon Royer. “They then expressed that in this year’s local election, so there’s no doubt in my mind that this was driven by Washington D.C—the frustration that they have with the President.” Chester County Democrats Treasur-
er Patricia Maisano, however, disagrees, saying that the Democratic sweep came solely from having a strong set of candidates. Maisano herself was elected Treasurer for Chester County on Nov. 7. “Do I think that people came out and voted for Democrats to spite Trump in some way? No. I think we have much more educated voters than that,” Maisano said. “I think (the voters) looked at the candidates and made a conscious decision that they were going to support people that they felt were really well-qualified and would do a very good job for them.” continued on page 3
Sophomore class to get special viewing of ‘The Crucible’ Maddie Lamonica Business Manager
Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE
End of negotiations: District representative Jeffrey Sultanik announces the tentative agreement reached by both parties at the Nov. 8 special school board meeting. The board voted 9-0 in favor of the agreement.
District and union agree on contract Eric Xue
Co-Editor-in-Chief
The Tredyffrin-Easttown School District (TESD) and the Tredyffrin-Easttown Education Association (TEEA) reached an agreement on a three-year contract for teachers on Nov. 8 after 10 months of negotiation. The agreement adopted the fact finding report with clarifications. The contract increases teacher salaries on average 2.92 percent in 2017-18, 3.68 percent in 2018-19 and 3.07 percent in 2019-20. It also adds two additional healthcare plans but at higher costs to the teachers.
Board member Virginia Lastner believes the agreement will prove beneficial for both sides. “What we have before us is a very good outcome for the district and the community, following months of good faith negotiations on both sides. I think everyone had their heart in the right place and tonight we’re looking at a contract which I believe is sustainable. I am very pleased with the outcome and congratulate both sides for a job well done,” Lastner said. The TESD began collective bargaining with the TEEA in January 2017. On Sept. 19, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board appointed a fact finder who conducted a evidentiary
hearing on Oct. 18 and issued a report on Oct. 30. The TESD and the TEEA both rejected the report but offered clarifications to it, which ultimately resulted in the agreement reached last Wednesday. TEEA President Bob Desipio has an optimistic outlook for the future. “I’m very happy that we have a contract with the district. The teachers are looking forward to getting back in the classroom and being focused solely on that and not have to be distracted with negotiations. I think it’s a fair contract. I think the Board feels it’s a fair contract, and that’s the best way to end negotiations,” Desipio said.
Just before the curtain is pulled on ’Stoga’s rendition of “The Crucible,” the sophomore class will get a unique opportunity to incorporate the arts into their study of American Literature—with a special viewing, courtesy of the English department. “Plays were written to be performed. It’s one thing to read it in class, even to read it aloud in class or stage a couple scenes, but to see the whole play staged is a tremendously exciting opportunity,” English Department chair Trevor Drake said. “I think it will give them a new understanding of the play.” Upon hearing this year’s selection for the fall drama, Drake instantly knew he wanted to organize some sort of viewing for the sophomore class. “It seemed to me like an irresistible opportunity to marry curriculum with art and to have the students see their classmates portraying the characters that they have studied in class,” Drake said. “The Crucible,” written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a historical play based on events of the Salem witch trials, At Conestoga, every student taking American Literature reads “The Crucible” as part of their course of study. Drake, who has been teaching the play for over 30 years, believes it remains an
Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE
Witch hunt: Students rehearse for “The Crucible.” English Department chair Trevor Drake organized a pre-paid viewing for the sophomore class. important text for students to read today. “The Crucible” “presents a view of pure New England that is key to our understanding of our country and its founding,” Drake said. “It raises important issues about the legal system, about the misuse of religion for political and personal purposes, and about mass hysteria.” Sophomore and a student of Drake, Kelli Ruth, is excited about seeing a play that she has studied extensively in class. “I have really enjoyed reading ‘The Crucible’ and I think it’s awesome that we get to see a live version of it during school,” Ruth said. Teacher and the play’s stage crew adviser, Michael Starner, thinks “The Crucible” is especially relevant to the student body.
“I think it’s really great that we are producing a play that is also a part of the curriculum,” Starner said. “Having the tenth grade students come and see the play will allow them to read Miller’s text and see our interpretation of it.” All sophomores will attend a dress rehearsal on Nov. 14 during 2nd, 3rd and 4th periods. “When you see something in real time and space with the added advantage of wonderful sets, lighting and special effects, it can change how you view a play. Our director here at Conestoga is really good and she is doing a wonderful job with the show,” Drake said. “I think (this experience) will give them an understanding they would not normally get by just reading it.”