The Stinger December Issue

THE STINGER Volume 42

@stingerehs @stingerehs

Issue 3

Photo by Rachel Reed.

December 2016

stingerehs.com

The Spirit of Giving

EHS students and faculty help out during holiday season.

Cathryn Seibert Online Editor When envisioning the holiday season, images of drinking cocoa, hanging decorations, and exchanging gifts often come to mind. While traditions like these make up a large part of that time from late November to the New Year, a spirit of giving also permeates the holidays. Charity and generosity, to some extent, take the forefront, not only through gift-giving to family and friends, but also through volunteer work and donations.

The Huffington Post and other news outlets, local and national, often compile opportunities for communities to give back to those in need throughout the season, and many service organizations, including www.volunteermatch.org and www.volunteernewyork.org designate sections of their operation solely to helping people find holiday volunteer work.

According to a 2012 GuideStar survey, 50.5 percent of the non-profit organizations surveyed reported receiving the bulk of their donations between October and December.

While these phenomena reflect the changed attitude of a greater population, some East Penn community members make giving back a priority all year round, in and out of the school setting.

The Stinger interviewed 10 of these people -- students and teachers from around East Penn -who embody the spirit of giving. Read our full stories at stingerehs.com.

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Student-created comedy series

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LV winter activites

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Kiyae White

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Rachel-ly Diverse

THE STINGER December 2016 Editor-in-chief Rachel McQuiston @rachelmcqq

Associate Editor Andrea Klick @aklick2000

News Editor Lily Day @lilyyyy_d

Assistant News Editor Chloe Gerhard

Opinion Editor Angie Stein

Features Editor Izzy Wegner @wegnerisabella

Assistant Opinion Editor Anuj Arora @Anuj_Arora_

Assistant Features Editor Bibi Correa @_bibi_correaa

Assistant Opinion Editor Ronnie Rohlsen

Assistant Features Editor Marley Wait @Marleywait

#TruthBehindThisShot

With New York Fashion Week and the Victoria’s Secret Paris Fashion Show both in winter months, it’s easily a time of insecurities and self-doubt for even the most confident women. Even if you don’t tune in to the fashion shows, social media outlets like Instagram and Twitter make it hard to miss how flawless Adriana Lima and Elsa Hosk looked the night before.

Actually, social media makes it nearly impossible not to envy the beauty and confidence of any model or celebrity. With people like Kylie Jenner and Alexis Ren always posting, it’s easy to take one look at your Instagram feed and feel the need to frantically do as many sit-ups as your core can handle. Whether it’s a gorgeous selfie or a flawless bikini picture, these Instagram-famous celebs always seem to be on their A-game.

Turns out, that’s not really the case.

Recently, a London-based model named Jazz Egger proved this. She admitted her faults to her 15.8 thousand Instagram followers, and went viral for doing so.

In a quick glance at Egger’s profile, she seems like any other beautiful model who paints unrealistic hopes for young teens. However, recently, Egger has gone back and recaptioned some of her most flawless pictures with the hashtag #TruthBehindThisShot. With this hashtag, she explains to her followers what actually happened while these photos were being taken or while she was posting them.

One of her most recent photos is her posing in lingerie in front of a photoshopped background. In the #TruthBehindThisShot portion of her caption, she reveals something that no one would know by just looking at the photo. The caption reads “...My agency told me on that day that my hips were way too wide and that I needed to lose weight in order to have a chance at London Fashion Week. I already was underweight so I decided to not lose any weight. I still got confirmed for LFW.” The picture is then followed by dozens of comments commending Egger for her honesty and complimenting her natural beauty.

Slightly farther down on her profile is a picture of her sitting on a bed in a small top and shorts -- her legs extending outwards. At first glance, the photo looks effortlessly perfect, however, her #TruthBehindThisShot tells her followers otherwise. Egger confesses that “...

This took me like 15min to take and I was close to falling off my bed bc [because] I had to make my legs look slim.”

Other posts include a confession of how fashion week makeup artists covered up the blemishes she tried endlessly to get rid of and how she debated on posting a picture because the way her nose looked made her feel “uncomfortable.”

After reading all of Egger’s captions, I immediately related to her insecurities on seemingly irrelevant matters like my legs and nose. I, as well as her thousands of followers, found her sincerity refreshing and different from the everyday Kylie Jenner posts.

However, Egger isn’t the only Instagram famous star to bring light to the truth.

Instagram Fitness Star Anna Victoria, who is known for having a perfect body, used her social media acclaim to show her followers that everyone has good and bad angles. The day before her wedding, Victoria posted to her snapchat story a mirror picture of her flawless figure.

Soon after, she followed that photo up with one that was a bit different from her usual posts. This one was a sideangle of her stomach rolls while she was sitting down, captioned “Sitting, relaxed -- not every angle is your best angle and that’s ok :).”

Victoria later posted the photos side-by-side to her Instagram, and urged everyone to pay as much attention to their good angles as they do their bad ones. Even though Victoria looks beautiful in all of her pictures, she has her bad angles -- just like the rest of us. Since I’ve seen this post, I’ve kept that in mind every time I look in the mirror.

Although it’s easy to compare your physical appearance to that of a social media star, Egger and Victoria remind us that everyone has their own flaws. Next time you find yourself scrolling through Alexis Ren’s never ending feed of bikini pictures, acknowledge her beauty, but never forget your own.

Culture Editor William Newbegin @Free_willy98

Sports Editor Kyle Carraher

Assistant Culture Editor Brian Mantone @Brianatone

Assistant Sports Editor James Marler

Online Editor Cathryn Seibert @athryncay

Head Copy Editor Eddie Coleman

Photo Editor Rachel Reed @Rachel_Reed19

Convergence Editor Bradley Klemick

2016 Pennsylvania Press Club First Place News Story First Place Cartooning Second Place Layout Third Place Sports Story Honorable Mention Features Honorable Mention Sports 2015 Keystone Press Awards Second Place General News Second Place Public Service Package First Place Sports Story First, Second Place Column Honorable Mention Review Second Place Graphic Illustration Second Place Layout and Design NSPA 2015 Second Place Editorial Cartoon Eighth Place Feature Writing 2014 NSPA Third Place News Story of the Year Superior Ratings in Newswriting Superior Ratings in Cartooning

Adviser Denise Reaman Editorial Policy The Stinger is a student-run newspaper published six times per year. Its content, which is the responsibility of the student staff, is not subject to direct administrative approval. The newspaper, which is designed as an open forum, serves to inform and entertain its readers as well as students interested in print media studies.

2014 Keystone Press Awards Second Place Ongoing News Coverage Honorable Mention News Story First, Second, Honorable Mention Public Service Package First Place Feature Story First, Second Place Personality Profile Honorable Mention Column Writing Second Place Review Writing First Place Photo Story Honorable Mention Website

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Make it Klick

Holiday Thoughts It’s that time of year again. A time when people start stringing lights and carefully placing ornaments on their oversized evergreens. A time when families join together to brag about their children and pretend to enjoy each other’s company. A time to bundle up in a thick blanket, warm a cup of hot chocolate, and turn on whatever heartwarming winter flick ABC Family (or as they now like to be called, “Freeform”) happens to be showing.

Yes, the holidays are a joyous time for the optimistic soul who can stomach overly cooked vegetables and honey-glazed ham, while her family members fight over how to cook the mashed potatoes. But I’m much too cynical for that garbage.

My eyes burn at the sight of table-sized highlightercolored trees, and I always feel the urge to take a needle to those giant blow-up Santas that bop around in people’s front yards.

Beyond the atrocious, over-the-top décor, there’s the idea of how people need to act during Christmas. For one month of the year you must suddenly transform into the most chivalrous and charitable teddy bear anyone has ever met. Everyone sees this personality change as positive, but does it really matter if the day after you receive your plethora of presents you morph back into a stone cold witch?

To me, this period of giving and goodness is the worst part of the holiday season because of how abrupt it is. For a few months, people feel compelled to hold doors for others, give money to charities and volunteer at their local soup kitchen. Then the season ends, and everyone returns to her daily routine. In doing so, they quickly forget about all of the people they helped. They forget that the next day, hungry people return to the soup kitchens and children in hospitals still need donations.

During the holiday season, people seem convinced that placing others before themselves for one day of the year changes them into humanitarians worthy of everyone’s praise. These pseudo-do-gooders are easy to spot because they revel in the opportunity to discuss their single day of service with anyone willing to listen.

They seem thrilled that the holiday season finally allowed them the time to give back to their communities.

But a volunteer who truly cares about her cause finds an empty point in her schedule to assist no matter how busy her daily life already is.

I realized this quality of true humanitarians in the summer following my freshman year, when I first volunteered at a summer camp for Camp Camelot in Allentown, a non-profit that provides a community for chronically ill and mentally and physically disabled children in the Valley. Most weekdays that summer, I spent eight hours at Camelot with the kids playing games, making crafts, watching movies, and sharing laughs. The days seemed jammed with constant activities, and oftentimes I nodded off during the 30-minute drive home. My fellow volunteers felt just as exhausted as I did, but we returned to camp each day because we understood how much our presence meant to the campers.

As tired as I felt at the end of each day, there was always some part of me waiting in anticipation for the next one to come. Watching the kids step out of their comfort zones by trying new games or talking to different people always brought a smile to my face. The fun and excitement I felt that first summer led me to return to Camelot every year since for summer camps and themed parties during the school year.

Recently, I attended a Thanksgiving celebration at Camelot, where we ate dinner, made crafts, and shared what we’re thankful for. I expected everyone to give the usual examples (friends, family, and good food), but instead some of the kids and volunteers started to cry as they told everyone that they were blessed to be a part of such a tight-knit community.

That’s the beauty of volunteering; it creates bonds between people who otherwise would never cross paths.

These friendships keep volunteers coming back to help for years and years, rather than assisting for a day and never showing their faces again.

So, this holiday season, I hope you do your part by volunteering somewhere. But, more importantly, I hope you find a cause that you’re passionate about and people who you love to help.

Sincerely, Your Friendly Neighborhood Grinch

IN-DEPTH REPORTING ON TOPICS THAT MATTER TO YOU

Lost in translation

CHLOE GERHARD

Chloe’s Conundrums

People use the phrase “they can’t even spell their own name right,” as a way to say that someone might not be the smartest person around.

Well, guess who couldn’t spell their name right?

My little mistake wouldn’t have been so bad if I had messed up my name on a worksheet that no one else would see. But no, of course I had to mess it up on a chemistry test.

First, let me rephrase a little. So I didn’t necessarily spell my name wrong, but “Chloe” definitely isn’t what I wrote. I wrote “Verónica.” No, Verónica is not my real name, it’s not my middle name that all my friends call me by, and I did not legally change my name to Verónica recently.

Verónica is the fake name I chose for my Spanish class in middle school and that I have been too lazy to change.

Unfortunately for me, I have Spanish first period this year. Also unfortunately for me, I happen to be a useless wreck of a human being first thing in the morning. And I’m not talking about “Oh oopsie, almost left my phone on the table before I left the house, silly me,” levels of uselessness. I’m “tried to put the juice in the cup cabinet, cereal in the fridge, and milk in cupboard all while trying to remember my cat’s name, failing, and settling on ‘kitty’,” mess of a human being. And yes, I have actually done all of those things.

Fast forward to third period, and I’m still not fully awake. My chemistry teacher hands out a quiz, no big deal. I know what is on it and I don’t think too much of it. In fact, I’m not thinking much at all. I jot down the information I’m expected to know, show all of my work so I’ll receive full credit, and stare at the blank for the date for three minutes before I can remember what day of the month it is. I shuffle up to my teacher’s desk, hand in my quiz, and flop back into my chair to enjoy the few moments of peace before I have to prod my groggy brain back into action to take notes. It was a normal day in chemistry that passed without any event.

The event came a week or so later when we got some of our work back.

My teacher began calling out the names on the quizzes and homework assignments and passing them down the rows. I got a homework assignment back and saw the familiar format of a quiz pass down the rows, so I waited patiently for mine to be passed back.

As the stack in her hand began to get smaller and smaller, I began to get worried. I asked myself if I had missed the quiz--I hadn’t been absent that week so I couldn’t have. I wondered if mine was passed back to the wrong person, it happened a few times before, but I hadn’t heard my name called. Maybe she just lost mine, unlikely but not impossible. I sat in my seat going over every possibility as to what became of my quiz. Well, every possibility minus one.

“This one has a name on it, but I’m not sure who it is,” she said. “Maybe it’s someone’s real name instead of their nickname.”

My eyes widened and I sat up straighter in my chair, realizing what had happened before she even said the name. I suddenly realized that I was a whole lot stupider first thing in the morning than I originally thought.

“Verónica?”

I sheepishly raised my hand, avoiding eye contact as she handed the paper back to me.

“Is that your real name or something?” she asked.

I responded with the explanation that it was my name for my Spanish class. Needless to say, the whole class, including myself, had a laugh at my mistake, but I was still quite embarrassed about my mixup.

I wish I could say that I only made that mistake once, but alas, once a mess, always a mess. I have started to write out “Verónica” on tests and handouts since then, but thankfully I have always caught myself before turning them in. I guess from now on I’ll have to check more than just my work before I turn in my assignments.

News

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MANAGING EDITOR LILY DAY ASSISTANT EDITOR CHLOE GERHARD

Board approves new courses Charlie Norelli News Contributor For junior Ricky Mathesz, computers are everything.

“The virtual world has infinite potential,” Mathesz said. “You can do literally anything with programming.”

There are two new courses, AP Computer Science Programming 1 and 2, that will be added to Emmaus’s curriculum next school year that might elicit the attention of a certain self-proclaimed computer-nerd.

“I’ve taken Programming Foundations, Web Design, Graphics Design, and AP Computer Science,” Mathesz said. “I’m planning on taking as many computer courses as I can, even if it means taking three at once [next school year]. It’s going to be hard, but why not?”

But these aren’t the only classes being added to EHS. On Nov. 7, the East Penn School Board passed nine class proposals for Emmaus’ 2017-2018 school year.

These courses include AP Language and Composition, AP Communications 3 and 4, AP Computer Science Programming 1 and 2, and AP Computer Science Principles. The remainder of them--Civil Engineering and Architecture, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Electronics--are Project Lead The Way courses. Project Lead the Way is a nonprofit organization aimed at spreading more hands-on learning opportunities in STEM to schools around the nation.

East Penn supervisor of secondary curriculum and instruction, Laura Witman, helped propose these classes to the East Penn School Board.

“The courses were added to create relevant and authentic opportunities for students,” Witman said.

While none of these proposals faced opposition in being passed, Emmaus is one of the last schools in the Lehigh Valley to introduce AP Language and Composition, she said.

“Many area high schools have had AP Language and Composition for years,” Witman said. “It was introduced by the College Board in 1980. AP Computer Science Principles is the only relatively new course introduced by the school board.”

English teacher Aaron Gavin will teach AP Language and Composition along with Bridget Doklan.

“We’re both very excited about teaching this class,” Gavin said. “Like all AP classes, it’s meant for college-bound kids and will prepare students for the transition between high school and college. It’s not quite a step up [from taking Honors English] because it’s already pretty rigorous, but it has a different focus.

“One of the main goals of this course is [learning] how to construct and consume arguments,” Gavin said. “We’ll create units that students find an interest in, such as readings on education, gender, sports, pop-culture and the environment. The hope is that students become interested

on their own about the different subjects discussed in class and openly seek further rhetoric about them.”

Sophomore Jordan O’Donnell doesn’t appear to be one of those students.

“AP is a little scary,” O’Donnell said.

“I kinda just want to stick with [English] honors. I don’t wanna focus on just analyzing arguments. It’d probably be good for writing papers.”

Though opposed to taking AP Language and Composition, O’Donnell does see the merit in adding more classes that focus on hands-on learning.

“I think it’s a great idea,” O’Donnell said. “When you take tests, you aren’t really learning [the information], you’re just memorizing it.”

Math teacher Jason Geist is eagerly awaiting his chance to teach a more hands-on course: Civil Engineering and Architecture.

“I took some engineering classes in college and I’m looking forward to being able to both teach and work on engineering concepts that will benefit students pursuing engineering,” Geist said. “It will provide an opportunity for students to apply what they learn in their math and science classes.”

Geist advocates for more hands-on learning opportunities for students.

“It gets the students more involved in the process,” Geist said. “For someone pursuing engineering, it gives an advantage over what we consider traditional learning.”

Environmental projects raise awareness Chloe Gerhard News Editor Students taking environmental science at Emmaus High School recently put a spin on the typical classroom project in order to make an impact on both the school and the ecosystem.

Through their projects, students aimed to educate others about the environment and how humans affect it. Students came up with ideas for how to draw attention to issues involving the environment and then created projects to bring awareness to these problems. The assignment arose as a response to a video shown in class about marine debris and from the students’ beliefs that everyone should be aware of this issue.

Environmental science teacher Kristen Susens believes that this debris has a negative impact on the planet, and hopes that people learn from the projects.

“I think the main overall goal of the project was to educate people that their waste impacts all kinds of other things from marine birds to fish,” Susens said.

“And even though we can’t see it here, [waste] does have an impact on the world.”

The students’ passion to inform others about issues involving the environment drove the assignment, while teachers provided guidance throughout the process.

“It wasn’t anything that I sat down and planned out,” Susens said. “It was very much based on what the students wanted to do and what they identified as a problem in the school.”

Students created a variety of projects including talking to elementary and middle schoolers, drawing attention to the recycling areas in the cafeteria, and some, like junior Hailey O’Donnell, chose to hang flyers around the school.

“I and [my partner] are putting up posters around the school with facts about water bottles,” O’Donnell said. “All the facts are negative [because] we wanted it to be eye opening so that students will reduce their consumption of water bottles.”

O’Donnell hung her posters in high traffic areas around the school and over

Facts about the environment and pollution hang around the school.

O’Donnell believes that this project places like water fountains where people might fill up their water bottles. After the will be a successful one because of her posters have been up for a little while, she classmates’ passion for the environment.

“If my project specifically won’t plans to create a survey to see if her posthave an impact then it will as a whole,” ers made an impact on the student body.

Junior Sam Workman and senior Aidan O’Donnell said. “And I’m really happy with my classmates’ response to the Huzar took pictures of trash in EHS and project, like everyone was on board with the surrounding community. They then compiled their pictures into a presentation it and even like three weeks in, everyone is still excited, they haven’t lost their and plan to show it in different classes while playing live music. Afterwards they enthusiasm.”

Susens agrees. plan to upload the slideshow with music “[The kids seem] to feel that it’s imthat they recorded to multiple social media platforms. They hope to show students portant enough to do something,” Susens said. “I feel they have enough momentum how they can make an impact on the environment, even if it is just in their own to really carry it through.”

Workman feels passionately about the communities.

Earth.

“Kids see stuff going on... and they “I took the class because I feel like think ‘oh I can’t do anything about that, I can give something back from all that what is like one person like me gonna do?’,” Huzar said. “So we wanted to show we take from the Earth,” Workman said. local pollution so that it’s something that “I don’t want to admit it, but the Earth is it could’ve been that person’s water bottle dying and it’s our fault.”

Susens feels very proud of her students. that they left there that we took a picture “I’m... proud of them [because] it’s of. We wanted to do local pictures that easy to feel helpless about things,” Susens everyone could relate to.”

Environmental science students already said. “It’s a lot harder to take action to effect change, so it makes me proud that made an impact in their own classroom. they’re willing to take action to try to “The kids decided, and I encouraged make a change.” this, we’re going to ban plastic water Susens also believes that this project bottles from our class,” Susens said. “This is kinda like why I do this, kids were like could be the start of something big.

“If more people took these small ac‘my family stopped buying water bottles, tions to try to make change,” Susens said, I got my sister to use a refillable water “we could see, we could have a revolu[bottle], my mom got a reusable water bottle and we just don’t buy water bottles tion.” anymore’ so like to me that’s a win.”

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THE STINGER

DECEMBER 2016

NEWS

Weight room renovations are complete chines, and three incline bench stations.

Various sports team at EHS use this equipment, as do students in gym class during weight training units. Sophomore football player Sone Ntoh is looking forward to using the renovated facility with his teammates during off-season training.

“I think the renovations were necessary, in the previous weight room some of the equipment was getting old and wasn’t being used,” Ntoh said.

Junior Noah Breidinger, who plays football with Ntoh, is also eager to use the renovated weight room.

“I think the new improvements give the weight room a new look and the new equipment is nice,” Breidinger said.

According to math teacher and assistant football coach Jake Hildebrand, students who use the weight room “can expect to see a whole new look.”

“There is a new floor printed with Emmaus logos and a turf strip down the middle,” Hildebrand said. “There are many updates due to the ever-changing improvements to strength and conditioning, such

as tires for flipping and weight sleds that tunities that the improved weight room will directly relate to the playing field.” provide for football players and other EHS Hildebrand believes that the improveathletes, Hildebrand foresees its benefits ments will allow the weight room to better for the student body in general. accommodate the 70 to 80 students who “Students in gym classes can now be use the facility for off-season football exposed to new, updated equipment that training. can be used to develop fitness goals,” “The weight room was previously outHildebrand said. dated and cluttered,” Hildebrand said. “The improvements will help meet the demands of our many sports programs who use the facility.

Our athletes can now train with the best equipment out there to keep up with our EPC competitors.”

Beyond the Student uses weight room equipment during gym class. enhanced oppor-

Photo by Cathryn Seibert.

Lily Day News Editor Renovations to the weight room at Emmaus High School are complete, giving students and athletes the opportunity to train on new and improved equipment.

According to Athletic Director Dennis Ramella, about half of the equipment was replaced with modern machines that “are more in tune to the needs of the athletic teams.” Prior to the renovations, some machines in the weight room were around 18 years old.

“A lot of the machines, although we constantly were repairing them, should be replaced,” Ramella said.

Discussions about the renovations began in the spring, and the process began in mid-October with the removal of old pieces of equipment. The new weight room was completed in about three weeks.

The equipment in the weight room now includes 10 power racks, a wide range of dumbbells, tires, weight sleds, glute-ham benches, boxes, a cable crossover, a neck machine, two leg presses, four back ma-

Faculty Advisory Board returns to EHS Lily Day News Editor For the first time in several years, Emmaus High School faculty and administration are coming together through the Faculty Advisory Board to collaborate and open lines of communication.

According to Principal David Piperato, several teachers asked for a reboot of the Faculty Advisory Board (FAB), which was in place when he first became principal of EHS but eventually dissolved. Although the administration promotes an “open door policy” in which teachers are encouraged to come to administrators if they have a concern, in past years some issues were not being brought to their attention.

“Like any professional environment, there are going to be times when employees may not feel comfortable voicing their concerns to their supervisors,” Piperato said. “And so this forum provides them an opportunity to share their concerns anonymously with members of FAB, and then those members can represent their concerns, and the employees, which in this case would be the faculty, don’t have to feel as if they’re creating a difficult situation for the administration.”

Piperato reached out to the faculty at the beginning of the school year to ask for volunteers to be faculty representatives at FAB meetings, and 25 teachers agreed to serve on the board. After discussing various issues at FAB meetings, teacher representatives disseminate the information to the whole faculty during faculty meetings.

“Really, it’s an opportunity for the faculty and the administration to get together to discuss issues that are occurring in the school, whether they be problems that need to be solved or good news that we’d like to share with each other, but really a forum for communica-

tion between the faculty and administration,” Piperato said. “In a school this size where you have almost 170 teachers and six administrators, oftentimes it’s difficult to maintain constant and clear communication. We wanted to establish a method or a vehicle for at least on a monthly basis having those communications.”

Colleen Kingsbury, an FCS teacher, decided to become a part of FAB because she appreciates the support of her department and other faculty members. She believes that “everyone needs to feel like they are accepted and they belong to something, from the students, to the staff and to the administration.

“The purpose of creating the faculty advisory board was to provide faculty and administrators the opportunity to have meaningful conversations, problem solve and collaborate on issues, and to encourage a more positive and productive learning environment,” Kingsbury said.

“Essentially, FAB wants to create a supportive, empathetic community for faculty, staff, students and administration team.”

Spanish teacher and FAB member Claudia Murray also sees the merit of having this committee. She believes that in previous years, there was “a lot of frustration” pertaining to certain issues that were not being sufficiently addressed with the administration and other faculty members.

“I decided to volunteer because I wanted to make sure that [the faculty] had adequate representation,” Murray said. “It’s very good for the morale of the faculty to know that our concerns are being heard and that the administration is interested in hearing us and creating a positive space where we can safely voice our concerns and have them taken seriously.”

On the agenda for the first meeting was the purpose of

Grants awarded to EHS art teachers

Makayla Frazier News Contributor The East Penn School District Education Foundation announced eight winners of their STEAM Innovator Mini-Grant program in October, and Emmaus High School art teacher Katie Pfenninger--who submitted proposals in hopes of receiving grant money--won two grants for her project ideas.

The EPSD Education Foundation is a non-profit that focuses on enhancing STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) through the funding of various projects.

“There was an application process and through the application process you had to explain what you wanted the grant for. I had requested the 3-D printer,” Pfenninger said. “You then had to explain how your lesson plan would connect to STEAM. So 3-D printing connects a lot to STEAM since you really are engineering a project on the computer and then printing it.”

According to Heather Slatoff, the vice president and chair of the EPSD Education Foundation, the primary purpose of the grants is to provide more opportunities to students and teachers.

“The foundation felt it was important

to start the school year by supporting the teachers of our district by supporting STEAM programs in their classroom,” Slatoff said. “Each Innovator Grant provided $300 for STEAM programming.”

Grants must meet, or exceed, the foundation’s mission “to enrich, extend and deepen the educational experiences of East Penn School District students with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics,” which Pfenninger’s proposal achieved.

“Katie Pfenninger submitted two exceptional proposals. One proposal for 3-D Printed Jewelry, and a co-proposal with Alexis Soboleski for Digital Textile Design and 3-D Product Design,” Slatoff said. “Both proposals met and exceeded the expectations of the four evaluation criteria: innovation, STEAM focus, potential impact on students and lasting impact of the project.”

Recipients of the other six grants were teachers from elementary and middle schools in the district. The grants totalled $2,400.

Through the grants, students and teachers alike are given the opportunity to be immersed in new technology and provided with supplies that allow them to have a deeper understanding in the areas Photos by Cathryn Seibert.

Left: Pfenninger poses with the new 3-D printer for her art classes. Right: Object produced by the 3-D printer.

FAB and building communication between the faculty and the administration.

“We wanted to be able to collaborate and to support each other, because we really feel it’s about relationships first in the building,” Piperato said. “We said ‘we are charged with nurturing the relationships across the building’ ... that will take different forms along the way.”

So far, FAB members have discussed a range of topics, including student behavior in study halls, new technology and laptops for teachers, fire drill logistics, the roles of assistant principals and making sure everyone was being treated with respect following the presidential election.

“The biggest [issue], the one that’s come up every time so far is safety of parent drop-off,” Murray said. “Parents aren’t following the rules set forth by the school personnel and just kind of dropping off wherever they want, which creates a safety concern for kids who are walking, for teachers who are driving. That’s important because there is a reason that we have the lot where the parents are supposed to drop off, and that reason is safety.”

While Piperato sees some issues as being “kind of mundane” in nature, he believes that other issues that are raised at FAB meetings are “deep-seated in terms of the climate and culture of the building.”

Regardless of the issue on the table, the goal is to encourage dialogue and collaboration between the faculty and administration.

“I just think [FAB] is a very positive concept and I think it’s to Mr. Piperato’s credit that he decided to organize this, because it’s a very important part of how the building is run,” Murray said. “We need the administrators and the faculty to be on the same page, and this is what enables that to happen.”

of STEAM. The grants will help broaden students’ horizons in STEAM programs in ways that would not be possible without the funds made available by the grants.

As technology is enhanced, Pfenninger believes that her classroom will improve as well.

“The 3-D printer that we are receiving will definitely help out through design, creating models, crafts,” Pfenninger said.

“In my class we are going to be creating rings, something we would not have been able to do before, because the process for creating different rings requires soldering or casting, which we did not have the ability to do before. But with the 3-D printer we can easily do that and it throws in that element of technology.”

Soboleski, also an art teacher at EHS, as well as the co-applicant to the the grant for Digital Textile Designs and 3-D Product Design, is convinced that the art program will continue to enrich their curriculum through the foundation and the grant process.

“I think given the opportunity, we are going to continuously ask for new things for the classroom,” Soboleski said. “It’s nice to be in a department with four collaborators; we can really bounce ideas off of each other and continue to grow the department in fun ways.”

NEWS

THE STINGER

Cathryn Seibert Online Editor Around this time of year, things like holiday break, school concerts, and close-approaching midterms swirl around the heads of high schoolers, but for some seniors, college applications have taken the forefront. Although the applications themselves come with their own set of stressors, the reality that follows the “getting in” part can serve as an even greater challenge: once a student is admitted, they have to pay, and higher education comes at a lofty price.

Kevin Williams, an Emmaus senior who plans to apply to 15 four-year colleges, recognized the obstacles the cost of college can pose.

“Obviously, it’s a really expensive undertaking to go to college, and you want to get as much help to do that as possible, because it’s not like you just want to pay the entire thing out of pocket,” Williams said. “Of course it’s stressful trying to figure out how to get as much financial aid as possible in order to make college as cheap as possible.”

According to the College Board, the average cost to attend college at a private institution falls at $32,410 per year, and that average ranges from $3,440 to $23,890 for public higher ed, depending on the college type and in-state or out-ofstate enrollment.

Furthermore, a study conducted by The Delta Cost Project found that from 1980 to 2010, the median family income increased by 22 percent, while public four-year tuition rates rose by 200 percent.

To take into account the high price of their service, most colleges offer financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This tool allows students and their parents to input their financial information, and then colleges analyze the form to decide how much aid families need based on a variety of factors. Some factors include the family’s annual household income, savings, and the marital status of a student’s par-

2014

ents, among others.

While Williams feels that the financial aspect of education shouldn’t be overlooked, financial aid won’t “make or break” a school for him, as he doesn’t think his family qualifies for much aid due to their current monetary standing.

“If it comes down to it, with all other things equal, then I might take [financial aid] into account,” Williams said. “It’s not like that’s the main concern.”

Senior Tara Wu, who classifies herself as middle class, also plans to apply to a variety of four-year colleges. Although she finds the cost of college “burdensome,” she highly regards education, a value instilled in her by her parents.

“My parents are not stressed out about [paying for college], because as

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to just pay for everything that I need, and the student loans are gonna be my own problem...”

Williams feels that high schoolers “don’t really get what [paying for college] is.”

“I definitely think that, talking to people in college, it’s more of a concern for them, but like for seniors, I haven’t really seen it as much,” Williams said. “I think that it’s not really very concrete that they’re gonna go into debt because of college, because, if you think about it, you’ve never really bought anything for yourself of that magnitude before, so it’s not like you’ve ever actually taken on debt.”

At this point in their college application process, both students said they are more concerned about getting into college than

My parents are not stressed out about [paying for college], because as immigrants, they’re more concerned for my future opportunity, and less about things like money.” immigrants, they’re more concerned for my future opportunity, and less about things like money,” Wu said.“They want the best for me, and they want to see me succeed, which is why they don’t want to limit my opportunities by saying ‘Oh this is too expensive, you can’t go there.’

They’re willing to put forth everything, so I’m really thankful for that.”

She said that, despite the cost not being a main concern for her, she knows that the price will affect her. As a student, she feels she may not recognize the full impact that paying for college will have on her life.

“I feel privileged, because, as a young person, we still don’t have to worry about our own financial matters, that’s all in our parents’ hands,” she said. “But I know it’s definitely gonna be very real later, because I can’t always expect my parents

2014 - 2015

- Senior Tara Wu paying for it.

“I’ll probably think about [paying] more after I actually know what schools I got into, then I’ll start crunching some numbers and seeing what’s the most feasible,” Williams said.

For some of those currently enrolled in college, money plays a noticeable role in their day-to-day life.

Kevin Lang, a 2016 EHS graduate, started at Penn State this fall. The mechanical engineer major said that “finance did not play heavily into [his] decision for college,” but he feels that paying for college has affected his lifestyle.

“I definitely look at the expenses for college way differently,” Lang said. “Even in just buying food you see your meal plan dollars going down and internally being like ‘Can I afford to not eat dollar soup

tonight?’”

Lang also noted a change in his family’s habits after he and his siblings decided to go to college.

“It’s made the kids work hard, and although it’s made my parents proud they have had some side [effects],” he said.

“My mom had to go back to work, we really cut back on any extras in life, trips, more expensive food, snacks...”

Margaret Moyer, a financial aid counselor at DeSales University, understands the impact the price of college can have on families. She feels that in order to pay for college, families should be better informed and prepared.

“A lot of the struggle is those families think that [the FAFSA does not] accurately [portray] their abilities to contribute to education,” Moyer said. “So a lot of times, they appeal to the schools to take into consideration whatever their circumstances are for additional aid, and a lot of times, it’s just they hadn’t adequately prepared for the cost of college. They didn’t save enough, they just weren’t prepared.”

According to Moyer, various colleges, including DeSales, have created teams that travel to different schools around the area to educate families on paying for college and the responsibilities that it entails.

“We try to instill upon them the burden that they’re going to be taking on financially when going to attend college, and try to keep their options open and consider all avenues before making that decision to go to a school that costs $50,000 a year to go to,” she said.

She said students not only have the option to go to a four-year college, but they could also choose to attend a community college, complete the basic courses, then transfer to a different school later on. The latter route, she believes, allows students to complete their degree “with a lot less student loans or other financial burdens.”

“They don’t know what a service they’re doing to themselves by going the community college route first, saving that money, and then coming in after two years,” she said.

Moyer also emphasizes “the bigger picture.”

“Of course we want you to come to attend DeSales, but is this going to be the right fit for you in the long run?” Moyer said. “Are you going to be okay coming out of college with this amount of debt?

Do you think that the major that you’re going to study is going to provide you with an income to satisfy the debt you’re going to have? It’s all about educating students prior to them making the decision to come.”

2016 Infograph statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, collegeboard.org, and studentloanhero.com. Graphics by Cathryn Seibert.

THE STINGER

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OPINION Y O U R T H O U G H T S , O U R S . . . I N O N E B I T E - S I Z E PA C K A G E

MANAGING EDITOR ANGIE STEIN A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R A N U J A R O R A A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R R O N A L D R O H L S E N

The year 2000: why the aughts are still hot Angie Stein Opinion Editor Low-cut jeans, halter tops, Von Dutch hats, and velour Juicy Couture tracksuits. Ed Hardy shirts, fake Louis Vuitton handbags, and neckties as necklaces. Flare pants, chunky highlights, rhinestones, and Baby Phat phone cases.

Welcome to the year 2000.

I bet many of you readers just got flashbacks. I also bet many of you cringed and/or gasped in horror at said flashbacks.

It’s not an uncommon reaction. Our own Andrea Klick summed it up when I told her my idea for this piece: “2000s style is disgusting!”

Indeed, most people would love to forget the aesthetic of this particular decade.

The transition from the oft-lauded 90s to the big, fat, futuristic Y2K created a culture dominated by Myspace, MTV, and Paris Hilton, with Kim Kardashian following her like a spray-tanned, bag-toting lapdog. Call the decade too recent or call it too horrible; either way, a 2000s style revival is an idea oft-dismissed. We’ve kept the early aughts frozen in time, never to be thawed and let their Victoria’s Secret body spray-scented charms flow back into the mainstream.

Until now.

The first inklings of the 2000s revival popped up in 2015, most notably an online article from Vogue titled “The Year in Fashion: Are You Ready for the Second Coming of Early-Aughts Style?”. From there came more articles, Tumblr blogs, Instagram accounts, and, of course, a million near-identical “2000s kids” Buzzfeed posts. While not everyone is walking around in barely-there sequins tops and dresses-over-jeans just yet, this surge of attention to the aughts to nothing to wave off. What do I think about it? Well, being Her Majesty the Queen of Opinion, my stance spans quite a few long, convoluted paragraphs.

So, as Avril Lavigne used to whine from iPods everywhere, “Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated?”

If you’re a student, you probably remember the early 2000s as a feverdream whirlwind of Webkinz and Disney Channel original movies. I remember those years the same way, but rather than nostalgia, I only feel confusion. Indeed, that’s how I can sum up the first decade of my life: pure confusion. Confusion over my parents’ divorce. Confusion over going to new school after new school after new school. Confusion over what other kids whispered to each other when they

looked at me, an awkward, fidgety girl who had never watched an episode of Lizzie McGuire in her life.

To say I was out-of-touch with pop culture in the 2000s is the understatement of, well, the decade. Being raised by a single Chinese mother blessed me with a unique experience and worldview.

Unfortunately, during my childhood, not many people saw that as a blessing. Not even me. Was my mother’s parenting inadequate? I would never even insinuate such a thing. Was it different, for better or for worse? Absolutely. I can’t speak for my mom, but I know the typical suburban American existence, with its science fairs and birthday parties, bake sales and dance recitals, perplexed and even terrified me.

I stumbled through my early years, even more clueless and bumbling than a typical elementary schooler.

It’s not like I didn’t try. While other girls my age read Tiger Beat and copied the styles of the featured starlets, I tried my best to maintain a facade even remotely similar to them. Of course, I

failed quite often and quite hard. I still remember the gasps and horrified stares of my classmates when I uttered the blasphemous phrase, “Who’s Fergie?” My ventures into trend-setting never passed in the eyes of my peers. Even my father, usually extremely considerate and loving towards his little girl, once told me, “Angie, if you don’t want people to make fun of you, and you go around wearing that stuff... well…” Cue deep, lips-pressed-together dad-sigh.

Eventually, it occurred to me that no matter how many tank tops I layered, how many Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana CDs I bought, or how much Juicy Tubes lipgloss I glopped on, I would never be like the other girls. And that, my friends, would go down in the family album as baby’s first rebellion. I won’t detail every nuance of my angry rejection of popular culture, but I will admit to committing near-unspeakable atrocities to many an innocent Limited Too catalogue. I felt as if the whole world, down to every last speck of body glitter clinging to the

Joel Shimer Opinion Contributor As many of my friends know, I am a complete nerd when it comes to technology -- especially anything released by Apple.

Every year when the newest iPhone or iPad comes out, I constantly tell myself that I am not going to spend the money, that I need to save my earnings, that I can’t afford to purchase the device, that the device I have now works perfectly fine…

Well, nine times out of 10, I end up getting it anyway. Recently, I splurged on

the iPhone 7 Plus -- after two weeks of telling myself “no,” I might add. Then one week after my splurge, I found myself at the Apple store again, this time trying on an Apple Watch. Of course, I’m wearing it right now. Needless to say, the only Apple product that I don’t currently own is the Apple TV. Maybe Santa will bring me one for Christmas, if I’m a good boy.

Then a month or so ago, I saw an ad for this “Mac Store”-scented candle. Now, if any of you love Apple products as much as I do, you know that wonderful feeling of peeling back the layer of plastic that wraps snugly over your new device. In fact, you can detect the scent when you stroll into any Mac store.

It’s the iconic aroma of technological joy.

But what exactly is the smell? Soy? Lavender? Plastic? My paychecks on automatic deposit to Steve Jobs’ heirs?

Well, the folks at Twelve South, a technology accessory company, have somehow transformed that smell into candle form. How unreal is that?

So after seeing the promotion on Rolling Stone, I knew what I had to do. With little thought, I immediately clicked on it and discovered the website, which boasts that experts at MacStadium gave the candle a smell test. And their opinion? It’s a 9 out 10 when it comes to matching the aroma.

The only downside? The burning time is only 45 to 50 hours -- and the candle is $24. But you know me: Apple is Apple.

Out came my credit card.

Wake up and smell the iMacs

gyrating hips of that week’s teen pop star, hated me, so I hated it right back. And you thought you started your emo phase early.

I remained in my own little counterculture against all things aughts for a good part of my life. Even when liking things “ironically” became cool, the idea of embracing the years of my youth repulsed me. While others had laughs over the ridiculousness of the 2000s, all I remembered was that horrible sense of otherness that colored my childhood. I couldn’t enjoy the 2000s then, and I couldn’t enjoy them now. That was that, or so it seemed.

With time, even the most stubborn little punk realizes that constant, violent rejection can get a bit tiresome, especially concerning things that have long passed. I hate to sound like one of those weird, overly optimistic therapists who recommend meditation for everything, but sometimes it’s better to embrace the subject of your pain rather than shunning it time and time again. And that is why I ended up poring over all the aforementioned 2000s-revival articles. That is why I watched Mean Girls all the way through for the first time in my life. That is why I started listening to Britney Spears, reading Harry Potter, making mix CDs, and pinning puka shell necklaces, belly rings, and Fiorucci shirts to my inspiration boards.

And yes, I even took a few Myspace-angle duckface pictures of myself. I missed out the first time, okay?

I’m generally skeptical towards the concept of “empowerment.” Maybe I’m justified, maybe I just haven’t experienced it enough yet. However, I do know this: as silly as it may sound, immersing myself in 2000s culture - all the celeb drama, teen trends, and fashion staples in their unabashedly tacky, tawdry glory - empowers me like nothing else. Instead of cringing at the mere mention of the decade, I can now smile and say “Oh my gosh, Justin and Britney’s all-denim red carpet look?

Iconic.” Take that, Regina Georges of my elementary school.

The aughts revival makes some squeal with glee and others shake their heads.

For me, it goes a whole lot deeper. I never thought I’d view the 2000s as anything more than a difficult, embarrassing time best forgotten. But I took things into my own hands. I took the culture that confused and alienated me and created my own experience. Maybe I can’t relate to that hashtag-throwback feeling others get - so what? I’ve carved out a space for myself and made the 2000s something I can enjoy right here, right now.

As Paris Hilton would say: “That’s hot.”

Illustration by Angie Stein

Twelve South boasts that the candle is their interpretation of what a Macbook, iPhone, or iMac first smells like when it comes out of the packaging. The South Carolina company says their workers hand-pour their candles with a blend of mint, peach, basil, lavender, mandarin, and sage to create the Mac candle.

Of course, I encountered a backorder and had to wait nearly four weeks for my candle to arrive in the mail.

But when I first lit it, I was home -- a complete tech nerd knowing that whenever I need to reminisce about the early days with each of my Mac products, all I have to do is light a candle and be whisked away to Apple heaven.

OPINION

THE STINGER

Political polarization: the best or worst of times?

On Nov. 8, the chaos and confusion of the 2016 presidential election culminated in the victory of Donald Trump, leaving many open-mouthed and outraged.

Trump’s victory was, to Lucas Maake say the least, Opinion Contributor unexpected; this is one thing that both Trump and Clinton supporters can agree on. In the days prior to the election, a single glance at the polls would convince the average person that Clinton was destined for the presidency. The night of the election, however, told a vastly different story.

Not only did Trump win key swing states, such as Florida, North Carolina and Ohio, but he also won states that were part of Clinton’s “blue firewall” - states that were supposed to be solidly Democratic, such as Michigan, Wisconsin and our very own Pennsylvania.

Thus, despite the fact that Clinton won the popular vote, Trump will be occupying the most powerful position in the country starting at noon on Jan. 20.

Reactions to the election of Trump have ranged from exuberance to despair, from optimism to “I’m moving to Canada!” It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… and yet, even if this chapter of history does turn out to be the “worst of times,” it’s still an important opportunity for us to take a closer look at the current state of politics in America.

This election was perhaps the most divisive and heated one in recent history, with both Trump and Clinton hurling insults and accusations at each other, and their respective political parties emulating this behavior.

In all of its mud-slinging, controversial glory, this election thus served as a manifestation of the recent trend of acute political polarization. Animosity between Republicans and Democrats has reached a boiling point, with an intense mutual distrust between the two parties.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted over the spring, 55 percent of Democrats say that the Republican party makes them afraid, and 49 percent of Republicans share the same sentiment towards Democrats. Additionally, 44 percent of both parties claim they “almost never” agree with the opposing party’s viewpoints.

This data suggests that politics are becoming more personal, and less about actual policy. With both parties holding very negative views of each other, policies and facts tend to get shoved

to the side, and compromise over any issue seems unlikely. Excessive partisanship is rearing its ugly head - but why?

Two major reasons for the recent increase in political polarization are digital media and biased news outlets, which voters across the nation have easy access to.

With such a diverse assortment of news channels, it’s simple for people to choose stations that reflect their own views and tell them what they want to hear. For example, a 2012 Pew Research Center study found that 69 percent of the viewers of the O’Reilly Factor on Fox News were

conservative, whereas 57 percent of The Rachel Maddow Show’s audience was liberal. When people limit themselves to their own point of view, their opinions and beliefs get validated endlessly, and they give no regard to any other way of thinking.

Even beyond biased information, however, the Internet allows for the rapid promulgation of flat-out incorrect information. Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook serve as unintentional hubs of widespread misinformation and misleading news, where users share or retweet certain “facts” without bothering to fact-check them. According to a 2015 American Press Institute study, 64 percent of Twitter news users said they had read something on Twitter which they later discovered was false.

President Barack Obama voiced his discontent with the mistruths and inaccuracies surrounding the election during a press conference in Peru last weekend.

“If, generally, we’ve got elections that aren’t focused on issues and are full of fake news and false information and distractions… the issue is going to be what we are doing for ourselves from the inside,” Obama said.

Obama isn’t wrong.

When voting for President, or any important office in government, it’s incredibly important to sift through the lies and bias to uncover the bare facts. Decisions should not be made based off of biased articles bashing one candidate or the other for trivialities; instead, it is a voter’s duty to be informed about the policies and values of each candidate and decide accordingly.

When people value facts over party loyalty or emotional appeal, and ignore lies and bias, America may truly have a government that reflects the ideology of the majority. Until then, however, the extreme, the incompetent, and the inept will continue to find their way into office.

The problem with pseudo-democracy

Ronald Rohlsen Assistant Opinion Editor On Nov. 8, 2016, for the fourth time in American history, the presidential candidate who earned the most amount of votes lost.

I, of course, am referring to the fact that Donald Trump, the next president of the United States of America, won the electoral vote, but lost the popular vote.

As of now, Trump is expected to win over 300 electoral votes, well beyond the required 270. However, Hillary Clinton, his main opponent, garnered 2,000,000 more votes than he did. Any reader who has an understanding of democracy should be thinking, “What? How does it make sense that the candidate who earned more votes lost the election?” And I would respond, “Because the system we use to elect the president is broken and outdated.”

Now, I already know which criticisms I am going to receive. “Oh, if Hillary won the electoral vote and Trump won the popular vote, you would be praising the Electoral College,” To that I say, “Wrong.” While yes, it is true that I would have preferred if Hillary won the election; those are two separate issues, and I would be just as angry at our American system if Trump won the popular vote but not the presidency. Ask my APUSH class, I’ve hated the Electoral College since day one.

I have many issues with the Electoral College, such as only about 12 swing states deciding the presidency, or causing states like California, New York and Texas to go almost unvisited by presidential candidates despite being the most populous states in the country. But my largest problem with the college is the fact that it silences the voices of many political minorities. Because of the winner-takes-all system, any vote in a state that wasn’t cast for the winner of that state is essentially meaningless.

Take a look at California, the most populated state in America. California is inhabited by mostly Democrats, and the margin is not even close. Of the 55 million people living in the Golden State, only 5 million are Republicans. These 5 million Republicans might as well not even vote for president, because their votes will go entirely unheard. Furthermore, Texas is home to 3 million Democrats, who face a similar issue as the Californian Republicans, as Texas is guaranteed to go red.

As a result, millions of people essentially wasted their time, as their voices will have no representation in the Electoral College.

Another big problem with the Electoral College is its impact on the democratic process. Of the past four elections, two of them saw the candidate with fewer votes win. That’s right. In 50 percent of the last four elections, the candidate whom more people wanted to be president lost. This number increases to four (technically five, but one of them is more complicated) when you examine all past presidential elections, meaning that 8.8 percent of

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elections resulted in a winner losing.

While this may not seem like a large number, imagine a sport where 8.8 percent of the time the loser was declared the winner.

Would such a sport seem fair?

Some radicals (including myself, who would change much more about the voting system than just the Electoral College) propose that we abolish the Electoral College completely. This will ensure that every president who gets elected will have earned most of the votes. While I do support this idea, I also acknowledge that it is not entirely necessary. Some argue that the electoral college forces candidates to remember smaller states, whose votes are worth more due to the distribution of electorates. In order to protect these states, it is possible to award electoral votes proportionally to the amount of votes each candidate received in each state.

Such a system already exists in Nebraska and Maine, so it would be completely possible for the entire country to adopt this strategy as well. If each electorate was assigned based on proportion of votes and not a broken winner-takes-all system, elections would be much more representative, while forcing candidates to pay attention to the entire country due to the weakening of swing states, and smaller states will still maintain their representation.

This is all necessary in order to avoid another election in which the winner loses, which is, in my opinion, indefensible.

A new kind of family dinner Andrea Klick Associate Editor

Laughter, excitement, and the occasional kick under the table from my brother if I dared to interrupt his story; that’s how I recall family dinners. Each of us shared the events of our day and listened intently to whoever was talking. Sometimes we fought or complained about the food, but nevertheless we spoke to each other the whole time.

Now, of course, this was in the prehistoric era (aka about 5 years ago).

You know, when people actually lived without Wi-Fi, smartphones, Netflix, and any other portable electronic entertainment.

When I go to restaurants now, I notice families who don’t pay any attention to each other because they’re simply engrossed in their own screens. Each person is in his own world and doesn’t interact with anyone else at the table. Usually, Mom is on Instagram or some other social media while Dad checks his e-mail and the kids play some newer, cooler version of Angry Birds or Flappy Bird.

I’ve pointed out to my own parents on numerous occasions in restaurants that these are all things that can certainly wait until the family returns home. Basically anytime I see this same situation ensue, I nudge both of them in the side and rant about how technology has ruined the minds of today’s youth. Then they remind me that, although I act like an 80 year-old sometimes, I am one of today’s youth.

So, I’d like to propose a New Year’s resolution to my fellow teens: turn off your phone and pay attention to the people around you. I understand that it can be easy to fill time scrolling through social media and texting people, but when you look back on these years you’ll regret spending so much time doing absolutely nothing.

Great memories and stories can’t come from a screen. Invite some friends to hang out instead of texting them. You don’t have to go to a thrilling party or spend money, just sit around and talk face-to-face.

If your friends have prior obligations, don’t just mope around your house checking the Twitter feed.

Talk to your parents or grandparents, maybe you could play a board game or watch a movie together.

I know, it sounds awful. What teenager wants to spend time with her family, right? Yet, for the last month, whenever I had free time I played checkers, Scrabble, or other board games with my grandmother. I can honestly say it passes time much faster than watching television. We laughed and talked for several hours every day, and I now look forward to our almost daily games.

Obviously there will be occassions when you’re alone with seemingly nothing to do. Yes, it’s alright to spend a few of these days watching hours of pointless YouTube videos, but don’t waste every day. There are so many amazing activities you can try like drawing, writing, or just going outside.

If you still aren’t convinced that you can have fun without your phone, I implore you to turn it off for one hour so you can enjoy a family dinner. Maybe the joy of having a real conversation will surprise you and turning off all those devices won’t be as daunting of a task.

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THE STINGER

The dangers of media bias Andres Weller Opinion Contributor When was the last time you read an article that did not complain about someone? When was the last time you read or watched the news without attacks on an individual simply because they don’t agree with it?

These days, when we watch the the news, it’s almost like we just get opinions instead of information. You watch the news to get informed, and instead, you get opinions. It’s almost like they no longer care about integrity, but about making certain individuals look bad, especially an individual who’s named Donald Trump.

If you want an honest look at any story nowadays, you need to do your own research. People are lazy and prone to just reading headlines because it’s fast and easy. This goes against the biggest rule concerning rumors: there are always two sides of the story. Modern news likes to show only one side or the other.

For example, take the election. I’m sorry, but it’s the easiest model to show the flat-out stupidity behind modern news networks. Bernie Sanders had no chance of winning the Democratic ticket because of news networks supporting Hillary Clinton. If Sanders was covered as equally as Hillary, he likely would have had a higher chance of winning the Democratic ticket to compete against Trump. Sanders held massive rallies twice as big as Clinton’s, but he was ignored. The media wouldn’t give him a fair shot because they were focused on one candidate: Hillary Clinton.

During the Democratic debates hosted by CNN, Clinton spoke for 31 minutes and Sanders for 26 minutes. Martin O’Malley and Jim Webb’s speaking times combined went under Clinton’s total speaking time.

Moderators also asked Clinton more questions and interrupted her the least.

Meanwhile, Sanders got the most interruptions. CNN covered Clinton’s rallies twice as often as they covered Trump’s and Sanders’ rallies.

When it came to controversy, news outlets presented Trump in a more negative

light than Hillary.

This is because CNN is owned by Time Warner, and Time Warner was in the top 10 biggest donors to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. CNN isn’t going to bash a candidate that they donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to. It’s funny when people think they make independent political choices and listen to CNN at the same time. It’s like asking a die-hard Clinton supporter who you should vote for. CNN is paying too much money into Hillary’s campaign to shine her in a negative light.

NBC, CBS and the New York Times have also donated to the Democratic party, more specifically Clinton’s campaign. The owners of these outlets hire more liberalleaning producers that dictate which stories air and which don’t. In 1986, political scientists Robert Lichter, Stanley Rothman and Linda Lichter surveyed journalists that work for the aforementioned networks. They found out that the majority not only vote Democrat, but have far-left personal views. Journalists are not independent; they take sides.

OPINION

DECEMBER 2016

“...there are always two sides of the story. Modern news likes to show only one side or the other.”

Then there are newspapers that flat-out endorse candidates. The New York Times, the Washington Post and others endorsed Hillary before she was even nominated for the Democratic ticket. A 2005 study by political scientists Tim Groseclose of UCLA and Jeff Milyo of the University of Missouri at Columbia attempted to quantify bias among news outlets, and they found a liberal bias. The study concluded that the news anchors used had the same beliefs as an average Democratic congressman. News needs to stay out of opinion and stick to the facts and remain fair to everyone. Most of America agrees with me. A Gallup survey concluded that only 32 percent of Americans have trust in newspapers and news networks. The Huffington Post conducted a more recent survey and found that the percentage dropped to six percent. The Washington Examiner conducted another survey that found 70% of Americans feel the news was biased against both Donald Trump

and Bernie Sanders. If the media wants our trust, they need to give us honest and unbiased news.

The liberal news is also hypocritical. When asked if he would accept his potential loss, Trump said “I would have to look into it.” CNN and NBC had a field day criticizing him. Now that Hillary has lost, her campaign is calling for a recount and not accepting the results of the election, when they had previously criticized Trump for doing the same.

I do respect news sources that will allow others to express their opinions, so I’m pleased and respect the fact that the Stinger has given me this opportunity to express my frustration with media bias.

I’m fully aware that people have strong opinions, but they divide our nation now more than ever. We need to come together as one nation and respect all views.

The news doesn’t inform anymore, but criticizes and creates divides. By being biased, the news fuels anger and causes people to go against others’ beliefs. If news networks reported fairly, people would trust them, and then we could all work on bringing people together. All the news needs to do is stop spreading drama. The news needs to stop endorsing candidates and talking negatively about others, and instead show equal the strengths and weaknesses in all of them.

The news needs to give us the news, not drama. Give us the information and let the American people think for themselves.

Photo courtesy of CNN

An open letter to Trump: I’m not mad, just disappointed Izzy Wegner Opinion Contributor Dear Mr. Future President, Well, you did it.

You got what you wanted. Now what?

After months upon months of endless campaigning, you finally achieved your goal. What are you going to do next? Do you know enough about your job to do something? Anything?

I don’t think so.

I bet you are proud right now, Mr. Future President. You seem to be, based on your tweets. How are you going to do when you have to use more than 140 characters to communicate your “thoughts” and “ideas?”

Throughout this election, everyone told me that you would change if you won. That this was all just an act to gain votes. I really hope that is true. That you said those terrible things just for media coverage. I genuinely hope that you are a liar, instead of the many other adjectives I could use to describe you.

I also hope that you learn to watch what you say. As a reality show host, you’re (sorta) great. Entertaining, at least. But now, you need to step up your game. This country works best when run on love, not hate.

Mr. Future President, I hope that you will stop making your derogatory comments. I have grown used to them. It’s not something that I should need to be used to, but it is. However, there are so many young girls who don’t understand that

your words and judgements do not define who they are as people. My little sister needs to know that she does not need to look perfect to get respect. She needs to know that she is not an object.

I sincerely hope that you will not make my sister feel unsafe because of her race, or worthless because of her gender.

Mr. Future President, I hope you know that if you hurt the people of America, we will not stand for it. I will not stand for it.

It is one thing to fight with someone of a similar standing as you, Mr. Future President. However, did you ever consider that your words affect a younger generation? Did you ever even consider the fact that there is a slew of people under 18 who you may be harming, but who don’t have a say?

Mr. Future President, I want you to do me a favor. I know this may be hard for you, but just try. Put yourself into the shoes of a 12 year-old Muslim girl. She has a face covered in acne, feels uncomfortable in her body, and is awkward in every sense of the word. Pretend you are her. Now, imagine having a figure you are meant to look up to tell you that you are worthless because you are not beautiful by his standards.

Mr. Future President, imagine being able to ignore this man’s opinions at first.

But then, they slowly eat away at your insides. Eventually, people all over the country begin to target you for your religion. Imagine dealing with the hate and racist comments spewing from the mouths of ignorant people. Imagine living in fear of being deported, or entering a registry.

Mr. Future President, being a preteen girl is hard enough without you joining in.

I hope that you understand that this is not just a hypothetical situation. This girl I asked you to become for a few brief moments is the combination of many people I have spoken to. This is not some obscure future, Mr. Future President. No, this is the present in which you have created. It is not dramatic, but true. And incredibly sad.

Mr. Future President, I am very sad that you attack many different groups of people by making sweeping generalizations. I am sad about your hypocrisy and inability to listen. I am so sad, I have become angry.

Can I ask you a question? Or is that not allowed because I am a journalist?

Answered or not, this question must be asked. Why do you attack the media so much?

If you continue to attack large groups of people like this, who will be left on your side? You have already ostracized many races and religions, so why not add a profession to the list, right?

Mr. Future President, why do you always say that journalists do not do their jobs, when you can not even handle the simple task of telling the truth?

Whenever I look at your Twitter, I become enraged. Why do you call specific people by name that you fear have wronged you, when all they have done is simply report the truth?

Mr. Future President, I am going to give you a lesson on ethics. It is not biased to report your wrongdoings. On the contrary, it would be biased to ignore the problems.

Whenever I look at the replies to your hateful tweets, I become scared. These people are genuinely filled with hate

towards something I love to do.

But Mr. Future President, I hope you know that the journalists will not stop fighting. News will spread, and justice will be served.

I hope that you are happy with yourself. I hope you are proud that you made people fear for their lives and feel ashamed of themselves. However, in light of all this hate, people have found more love than ever.

Mr. Future President, I know it was not your intention for love and unity of different groups to come out of this election, but it did. Because Mr. Future President, no matter what you try to do to stop it, love will always trump hate.

OPINION

THE STINGER

9

DECEMBER 2016

Of Christmas and capitalism: where is the true spirit?

Anuj Arora Assistant Opinion Editor

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. In fact, I absolutely adore it.

But today’s corporate world has made many Americans lose sight of why we celebrate such a sacred holiday.

Religiously, Christians celebrate this winter holiday to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. However, many people with different beliefs also celebrate on Dec. 25.

For me, Christmas is about spending time with family and giving to others in need.

But thanks to commercialism, the focus has shifted for many people. Instead, the corporate world has capitalized on the business side of a sacred holiday, prompting many consumers to become hyperfocused on gifting than anything else.

In fact, national retailer Sam’s Club set up aisles of Christmas decoration displays right next to Halloween costumes as early as Sept. 14. And in 2015, a whole three months and 20 days before Christmas, Kmart released a holiday layaway commercial on Sept. 5. While some people find this exploitation of a secular observance to be horrifying, many others buy into the idea.

This is simply wrong.

Businesses selling yuletide treats, ornaments, decorative lights, and artificial

Christmas trees so early has taken a toll on America. People of all different backgrounds, and a vast range of different ages, now only place importance on exchanging presents. The result? They wind up forgetting about the true Christmas spirit.

Christmas spirit is what makes people friendly, selfless, and accepting.

You can buy your grandfather a bowtie, your grandmother a new dress, or your uncle a Dunkin Donuts gift card at literally any time of the year. Having Christmas spirit isn’t about how thoughtful or expensive your gifts are, but about how you sacrificed your own time to better the lives of others.

Families in need aren’t just found in Third-World nations, but in our very own country as well. Non-profit organizations, such as Feeding America, always try to make families in need feel good about their Christmas season.

Even celebrities know what Christmas spirit is. Chris Brown, famous rapper and actor, works with Kids Wish Network, a non-profit that makes the wish of a child with a lifer-altering illness come true.

If Brown, as well as many other famous celebrities such as Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, can share their holiday spirit, then why can’t regular people like you and me? Christmas is more than the peak selling season for retailers at the end of the year. It’s time we rethink the true purpose.

Work, then work harder: the key to success Erica Love Opinion Contributor

Hey everyone: stop telling me I shouldn’t worry about school.

Almost every Friday when I get home, I immediately situate myself with my weekend workload. But I’m not complaining - other people are.

I actually look forward to going to school, working, and learning something new. Crazy, right? The catch however, is that on my productive routine weekends, I am always bombarded with the goodold concerned parent or family member saying something along the lines of “be a kid” or “live a little” (and stop spending the majority of your free time working.)

Well guess what? It’s okay to like to learn, finish school responsibilities, and in doing so help better your future. And I’ll admit that the part about bettering my future is where I draw most of my ambitions.

At some point in my life, I want to be able to have a satisfying, exhilarating, and comfortable wage-earning job. To achieve this in our current job climate, we gener-

ally must have a very high level of college education (and in turn pay astronomical prices) to even be considered competitors in the current and future workforce.

Of course, it’s beyond easy for parents and older family members to tell students like myself to lay off the studying, but as

we know, academic standards have risen since their educations in 1980’s. The other stabbing thorn in my side is that levels of college education have been depreciated in value, meaning the people of our generation must spend more time and money in college to equate to the levels that they were decades ago. This leads to higher college acceptance standards, and that of course is a high school student’s central problem.

Knowing these things, I definitely fall into the “I am always tired because I’m constantly working my butt off to do well” club. Still, I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing, because I couldn’t possibly be doing anything better for myself in terms of preparing for the future.

It could be that checking Home Access Center three or more times a day is over the top, and harshly criticizing myself for grades lower than 92 percent is beyond unreasonable. But the truth is as a high schooler, there is not much else you can really do to have a respectable purpose. If you spend the majority of your time at school, why not make the best of it?

Saying all of this may make me sound like a super-nerd, but if your whole life is supposed to lead up to having a good job, maybe a family, and then a fruitful retirement, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t jump on your opportunities straight away.

Personally, I’ve heard stories from my

peers and other teens across the country about how the pressure the American education system puts on students is completely unrealistic. For me though, the real issue lies in finding the perceived balance of school and other daily activities.

Now, I myself would much rather be typing an essay on President Grant than be going out to whatever the hip destinations in the Lehigh Valley are at the given time. Being the happy, free American that I am, I do spend my time doing the former, but the damper that unmeaningly falls onto my fun happens to be people telling me to knock it off!

Hearing this doesn’t actually make a difference in my habits, but it does bring up the issue of receiving mixed messages on how to lead my education-oriented life.

If I slack off, it’s lazy, and if I’m conquering six hours of homework every weekend, I’m crazy. Please just let me lead the crazy life.

So when some of my family members are guilty of telling me that I should just take a break sometimes and relax from the stress of school work, I will usually just nod and smile. On the inside, I know I’ll be guilting them about helping out with my college tuition in the future.

editorial with what can be considered little more than a pointless page filler. I implore her to find any person who would consider a three-quarters of a paragraph ode to the word “literally” to be anything else. In the next paragraph, I am presented with one of my primary objections to this article: its use of personal attack against its addressee, or ad hominem, to supplement for actual arguments. Throughout the course of the column, Stein goes on to call anybody who uses the word “triggered” as a joke a “greasy 13-year-old boy,” “iamacompletenincompoop.com”, and, my absolute favorite, “asshat of the highest degree and stature, the King of All Asshats, even.” By calling the people she addresses these immature insults, she is in no way engaging in their argument. Instead, she’s merely promoting negativity and childishness through “journalistic integrity.”

Slogging through more blatant filler content and ad hominem, the main

components of this piece, I came upon a realization: she simply doesn’t know what she is talking about. I don’t wish to come across as rude, as she seems to be a well-respected journalist, but it’s hard to avoid what is written. You claim that people who utilize the word “triggered” use it with the intention to poke fun at the people who have suffered through “the death of a loved one, a terrorist attack, or even . . . rape” and their triggers. However, this could not be less true. When people use the word “triggered” as a joke, they are poking fun at the people who have not suffered through any trauma whatsoever, yet still insist on the use of a trigger warning around them. As she is a journalist, I would hope that she had done a little more simple research. She seems to know where people tend to joke about triggers such as Reddit and 4chan, but it looks to me that she refused to do less than 10 more minutes of reading to see how people even utilize the phrase. To

me, it appears that ignorance and a lack of research has perpetuated close-minded ideals.

-Bruce Wu, sophomore

Letter to the editor

To The Editor: To make the unavoidable joke, I am simply “triggered” by the October opinion piece, “Triggered: If you laughed at that, read this” by Angie Stein. To clear any confusion, I have no problem with the writing of this article. What I do take issue to is how Stein went about arguing and voicing her opinion. I find it hard to believe that someone who touts the qualities of open mindedness and positivity would be promoting such uninformed and negative messages under the guise of defending the marginalized, yet I stand here today with this article and a document titled “Letter to the Editor” in front of me.

When picking up The Stinger, I read articles in hopeful search for thoughtful commentary and insightful information, but in simply reading this first paragraph, I am already disappointed. Stein starts the

Illustration by Kaylee Ruiz

Editorial Policy The Stinger is a student-run newspaper published six times per year. Its content, which is the responsibility of the student staff, is not subject to direct administrative approval. The newspaper, which is designed as an open forum, serves to inform and entertain its readers as well as enrich students interested in print media studies.

Have an opinion & want to be heard?

Submit an editorial to stingerehs@gmail.com 2.5 page maximum, double-spaced Letters to the Editor also welcome 250-word limit

10

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DECEMBER 2016

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DECEMBER 2016

11

MANAGING EDITOR IZZY WEGNER A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R B I B I C O R R E A A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R M A R L E Y WA I T

Comedy Central

Gaydos pioneers a series of student-run shows Izzy Wegner Features Editor Although many students participate in the Emmaus High School Drama Department, the program cannot always offer enough roles in the play for everyone.

Senior Leah Gaydos recognized that there was a problem and decided to solve it by creating a student-run comedy series, titled Room and Board, after drama teacher Jill Kuebler told her that she created one in college.

“Because of the small cast size this year in the play, we still had so many good actors who didn’t really have any opportunities to do anything,” Gaydos said.

“So [Mrs. Kuebler] decided to bring [a comedy show] here.”

Gaydos produces the show and wishes to become a professional producer and hopes this series will help her in achieving her goal.

EHS students write, produce, direct, manage and perform in the show with little to no help from Kuebler.

In order to come up with the topic of the show, a group of writers, who volunteered to help with the script, discussed possible ideas, until they came up with Room and Board.

“It’s kind of like a ‘Friends’ meets ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia’ type of thing,” Gaydos said. “It’s about these five students who all end up in the same boarding school and end up in the same dorm building.”

The show features additional characters, but the main cast includes Autumn Clark, played by junior Gracie Flood; Blake Cooper, played by sophomore Ryan Murphy; Courtney Winters, played by sophomore Emma Rotman; Dereck Liam Garrets, played by sophomore Dariel Martinez; and Skylar Quinn, played by senior Rileigh O’Brien.

The writers began with a general idea for the show and elaborated on the specifics as they went.

They wanted the show to be relatable for high schoolers, but with a few differences from EHS. “We knew we wanted that core group of characters who were kind of like friends to represent just a little bit of the student body all together,” Gaydos said.

“We wanted to take away the aspect of

the restrictiveness of parents, and just guidance in general. It’s kind of like real life, but they are still high school students.

So we came up with a boarding school because you’re not living with your parents, you’re not living with your family; you’re on your own, but you are still in high school.”

Senior Carmen Chan led the group as

One such actor, O’Brien, finds the opportunity to be part of the show and working with others to be welcoming.

“It was something to do, something to still get out there and do what I like to do, which is act,” O’Brien said. “I just really like all of the people that we get to work with.”

She also likes the experience of making

Leah Gaydos and the actors work together to create their show. the script supervisor and was the head writer of the first episode. She will also perform as an extra or supporting character in some episodes.

Chan enjoys the cooperation that comes along with working in a group to write.

“It’s a ton of fun collaborating with others and let’s us stretch our creative muscles,” Chan said. “As a team, it’s great.

Everyone is very open to each other’s ideas, and we only build on each other.

There’s a lot of diverse minds working together, and we all enjoy it immensely.”

Chan has written film scripts in the past, but she enjoys the challenge of a new project.

“With each script, something new always presents itself as a roadblock for the writer,” she said. “For me writing the first episode, the biggest challenge was trying to introduce all of the main characters and balancing the amount of screen time they got… It’s a great new experience, and I’m excited to see the direction it goes.”

Once the group solidified the main topic of the first episode, and eventually the script, the actors joined in to read through it, and eventually began rehearsing.

scenes to make the show run smoothly.

Sophomore Addison Biello also has a big job in running the show by being the stage manager. Her main jobs include preparing the set and doing the lighting.

Her favorite part of her job is watching the show comes together as she does the lighting for the final performance.

“It’s so great and rewarding to see everything come together smoothly and see how the audience reacts to it all,” Biello said. “When I’m doing lighting, I get to watch it all happen.”

After many practices, the group performs the episode for the Drama Department. Gaydos later uploads a recording of their final dress rehearsal to her personal YouTube channel.

Once the group finishes and posts one episode, the process starts over again.

Sophomore Josh Sanville wrote the script for the second episode. He has experience writing a couple of one act plays, however this episode will be his first produced work.

“I have always enjoyed writing,” Sanville said. “I find that it’s a good way to get my thoughts and feelings out on paper, and it’s a great medium for my imagination.”

Leader wishes to continue the show next year.

“I hope to continue it next year and bring people into the show that will continue it after I graduate as well,” Leader said.

To view the show, go to the YouTube channel Lmg Productions. The performance of episode two is at 4 p.m. Dec. 22.

something of her own with friends.

“It’s just fun to make something that’s your own,” she said. “It’s a new experience that a lot of high schools don’t get to do.”

Rotman, who learned of the show at a Drama Department meeting, also savors spending time with everyone involved.

“I love performing, and it’s awesome to be able to do that through the comedy series,” Rotman said. “Everyone involved is so nice, and it creates a really great atmosphere.”

Because producing the show is so time consuming, sophomore Lauren Leader aids Gaydos by assistant directing. Her job includes helping with blocking during the rehearsals, as well as doing administrative and organizational work for the show.

Of her many jobs, Leader most enjoys her role during rehearsals.

“Taking notes and blocking during rehearsals is probably my favorite part in what I do,” Leader said. “I get to work Leah Gaydos, assisted by Carmen Chan, directly with the actors and everyone in directs and gives notes to the actors. Photos the show.”

by Rachel Reed.

Other students also assist behind the

Broadway, Here Comes Emmaus EHS students take on theater outside of school

Cassidy Klingman Features Contributor Imagine performing in a show that’s overseen by a Grammy award-winning musician when you’re still a teen.

That’s the opportunity that Emmaus High School junior Sarah Flanders had four years ago when well-known crooner Harry Connick Jr. assisted with the twoweek run of a holiday musical adapted from his song, “The Happy Elf.” Flanders says the chance to work with the notable actor and musician, who helped out at the Pennsylvania Youth Theater’s (PYT) musical, is just one perk of being in groups outside of school.

While many EHS drama students join in the school productions, several take the stage and help behind the scenes at community theaters in the Lehigh Valley.

PYT, located in Bethlehem, is a nonprofit performing arts organization with various theater-related classes, which several EHS students participate in to continue improving upon their skills.

Flanders, who has participated in PYT

since she was six, enjoys being a part of been a part of Civic for 10 years and also the program. participates in the Drama Department in “We get to be creative,” Flanders said.

EHS. “When we get a part, we get to make it “I was really shy when I was like five our own.” years old, and my parents thought it’d be a Students at PYT normally attend good idea to get me to open up and talk to classes a few days a week, and during the people,” Perose said. show season they rehearse nearly every Perose also assists with teaching theater day after school, in addition to weekends. classes. This gives students the opportuPutting in a lot of time and hard work nity to teach and organize activities after definitely pays being in class off. Students are for so long, given opportuniand pass on ties to be a part of everything fun experiences they’ve with each show. learned to Another popuyoung actors. lar location, Civic “We do imTheater, is a nonprov games, profit Allentown acting without organization, with a script, pracover 80 years of tice monohistory within the logues and Lehigh Valley. [do] other Sophomore scene work,” Sarah Flanders poses with other cast members in Julia Perose has “The Happy Elf.” Photo courtesy of Sarah Flanders. she said.

Sophomore Sebastian Mora enjoys the theater process as well as working with others. Mora takes part in many programs both inside and outside of the school community.

He works extensively with programs at DeSales University, especially over the summer.

“It’s really good to come out and help out, and see how people grow,” Mora said.

“That’s what’s most important to me.”

He also works within the theater department of Lower Macungie Middle School, helping young actors with their performances.

“One of the most fun parts is seeing the show process from the start to the final production,” Mora said.

According to Perose, the only downfall to performing is becoming attached to characters or being fond of a particular show.

“It’s always hard, after you’ve worked on a production for a long time, to leave it,” Perose said.

12

THE STINGER

DECEMBER 2016

F E AT U R E S

EATING DISORDERS:

One student’s journey to self-love Rachel McQuiston Editor-in-Chief “Everything that had made me happy before, I didn’t have the energy to do,” Hailey, an Emmaus junior, said.

And that wasn’t because Hailey was tired, stressed, or even just lazy. Hailey, now 16 years old, has spent the early years of her childhood fighting a battle of self-image, insecurity and disappointment -- against herself.

Hailey, who chose not to share her last name, currently lives a life of content and is proud to be in control of her own body. However, it was not always that easy.

At a very young age, Hailey was robbed of many childhood experiences when an eating disorder took over her life. Self-doubt and insecurities took the place of some of her earliest memories, including hanging out with family and endless trips to Dorney Park. Before the disorder, she was a happy and easy-going girl who wasn’t afraid of failure and laughed off her insecurities.

As she grew older, Hailey began to notice changes.

Girls at school were meaner. Popularity and rank became more important than action figures and dress-up. And her body began to change.

At 10 years old, a daily necessity took on a whole new meaning. An object meant for comfort became her worst enemy.

At 10 years old, Hailey was robbed of her amusement park outings and days spent laughing with family members. Her innocence, drive and confidence stolen right from her grip -- as if they had never belonged to her at all.

At 10 years old, Hailey developed an eating disorder.

Unfortunately, developing body concerns at such a young age is not uncommon. According to Healthy Teen Project, “40-60% of elementary school girls (ages 6-12) are concerned about their weight or about becoming overweight.”

on hold as her disorder began to control her life.

“I pushed everyone away: family and friends,” Hailey said. “So I was actually just alone, I didn’t talk to anyone.”

Even Hailey’s school performance was compromised during the height of her disorder, causing her to receive grades that did not reflect her abilities.

“I’m like almost about to make the honor roll [right now], but back then, my grades were awful. I was failing,” Hailey said.

Luckily, Hailey was able to confront her problem and initiated a change at the end of her freshman year.

“I was like ‘I’m a mess. I need to chill and be happy.

I need to talk to someone,’” Hailey said.

Since then, Hailey has been seeing a psychiatrist -- one that she has known since she was young. She now has developed more friendships, maintains better grades and has formed a closer bond with her mother.

However, the effects of a long-term eating disorder linger on. She admits that the simple task of eating food remains a constant battle. “[Sometimes] I [still] eat emotionally, and then I feel bad afterwards,” Hailey said.

“But I’ll try to push it out of my mind.”

For those struggling with an eating disorder, Diacogiannis recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced, a transdiagnostic treatment that she believes to have “the most evidence-based research.”

“It can treat anorexia specifically, it can treat bulimia specifically, it can treat binge-eating specifically, or somebody coming in with a variety of different types of symptoms -- that’s why it’s called transdiagnostic,” Diacogiannis said.

“That’s the most effective treatment.”

From someone Joanne Diacogiannis, board-certified cognitive who has lived and struggled with behavioral psychologist the hardships and Joanne Diacogiannis, a board-certified cognitive behavburdens of an eating disorder, Hailey wants ioral psychologist, has “seen some [children with] eating everyone to know that the harshest critic is concerns even around the age of five or six.” The reasons oneself. young children, specifically girls, develop these body im“The only one who notices one pound is age issues can be attributed to numerous things. you,” Hailey said. “Nobody is going to see that “[Body image concerns are] modeled sometimes in pound anywhere. It’s not a physical thing.” [children’s] home environments,” Diacogiannis said.

Now a high school junior, Hailey has found “Sometimes in their cultural environment, sometimes at the strength to live a life free of self-doubt and school, and a lot of importance is given to body image, insecurities, and a daily necessity has reweight, [and] things like that.” mained just that.

Associate Professor of the Department of Psychol“It’s okay, it’s food. I’m allowed to eat ogy at Kutztown University Avidan Milevsky agrees that it,” Hailey said. eating disorders are caused by a combination of factors, including family, life and cultural influences. “[A main cause is] peer pressure and emphasizing looks and highlighting the importance of looking good and looking like models; being influenced by television movies and magazines,” Milevsky said.

Hailey attributes the main cause of her disorder to a

childhood full of comparisons to the young girls she attended school with.

“All of the girls were really pretty, and I wanted to be like them,” Hailey said. “But I didn’t realize [at the time] that that’s not possible.”

After making distinctions between herself and other girls her age, it was Hailey’s life that felt the effects. All of her favorite activities, hobbies and interests were put

Sketch by Angie Stein.

[Anorexia is] the most impairing disease. It’s the most dangerous.

F E AT U R E S

THE STINGER

Harkness and Larkin team up for NPFH Joseph Tufano Features Contributor No one can deny the interesting personalities of chemistry teacher Brian Harkness and English teacher Stephanie Larkin.

It goes without saying, especially to those who see Harkness in his characteristic suits. In fact, their uniqueness may be why they work together as well as they do - and why the No Place For Hate coadvisors decided to run a homeroom together.

“I needed Mr. Harkness’s charismatic energy to reinvigorate the club,” said Larkin, who ran No Place For Hate on her own for several years. “I’m good at the organizational, get-it-done aspect, but don’t have enough energy for the fun.”

Harkness, donning a black business suit, showed modesty.

“I was sort of talked into it,” he said., “I

think we both have a good demeanor and rapport for dealing with people.”

Harkness, a graduate of Wilkes University, certainly exudes the attributed characteristics. Though he co-advises for No Place For Hate, most students know Harkness for one reason: his eccentric dressing habits. A dedicated opposuits.com shopper, Harkness owns ten different suits -- one for each major holiday, including his favorite: a blue suit featuring reindeer and snowflakes, for Christmas.

As anyone familiar with him knows, Harkness’s attire stands out in a sea of polos and dress shirts.

As entertaining as the suits may be, Harkness does not wear them simply for kicks.

Harkness feels that students may perceive teachers as being uptight, and definitely not fun. For him, wearing the suits helps to subvert that idea, as well as have some fun.

While in his 24th year of teaching at EHS, Harkness himself attended Troy Senior High School.

Larkin, on the other hand, attended Emmaus before teaching here for 10 of her 11 years as an educator.

“It’s gotten a lot bigger, which has changed the feel of it,” Larkin said.

While the building has increased in size, Larkin feels that students and teachers are still held to the same standards as when she attended.

Larkin also recalls her sophomore English class

LARKIN: We’re both really passionate about helping students with difficult challenges they face, and keeping an environment of peace and respect.

STINGER: What is the best part about teaching?

HARKNESS: It may sound stupid, but being able to hang out with students and find out who they are, in the moment.

LARKIN: Being with the students and interacting with them.

It’s always fun, there’s never a dull moment.

STINGER: What would surprise your students about you?

HARKNESS: There’s a perception that I’m not mechanical, but I am. People might not expect that I know how to work on an engine, probably due to stereotypes.

LARKIN: Probably that I have a degree in religion.

STINGER: What would you do if you weren’t a teacher?

HARKNESS: I’d like to find myself in a cabana in a tropical island, selling snorkeling gear or something like that.

LARKIN: I’d probably be involved in something nutritional, or cooking. I already do catering work on the side.

STINGER: If you could witness any historical event, which one would you choose?

HARKNESS: The day that World War II ended. It sort of allowed the world to move on from such a horrendous situation.

LARKIN: That’s tough. I think I’d want to hear the Buddha preach one of his sutras.

STINGER: If you didn’t live in the Lehigh Valley, where would you reside - cost not being a factor?

HARKNESS: Sitges, Spain. It had a Mediterranean climate, and it’s a very open society that accepts all kinds of people.

LARKIN: Jamaica. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and the people there are amazing.

STINGER: What are some of the best things about Emmaus? Why? HARKNESS: I think we have a relatively open-minded, intellectual populace considering the area around us.

There’s also a lot of pride in the way it looks - it’s very clean. I do think that there’s a lot of work to do with kids who feel disenfranchised connecting with the greater whole, though.

An occasional feature on faculty friendships

with Joseph Pirro, the class in which she realized that she liked to read.

The Kutztown graduate also owns seven heritage chickens and grows her own organic food.

A health-minded individual, Larkin calls herself “committed to the organic movement.”

“I probably haven’t purchased a store-bought tomato in four years,” Larkin said.

While the educators themselves may be interesting their philosophies do not differ greatly,. Above all, they place an emphasis on their students, not on themselves -- a respectable attitude for any teacher to have.

STINGER: What do you have in common?

HARKNESS: I think we both have a passion for helping others, being respectful of each other, and helping students see other viewpoints.

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DECEMBER 2016

LARKIN: We really do strive for excellence, both teachers and students, in plays, sports, academics - we really do work hard.

Photos by Rachel Reed.

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THE STINGER

DECEMBER 2016

F E AT U R E S

The Most Wonderful Times of The Year Emmaus students celebrate the holidays in different ways

Izzy’s Ideology Optimism

Izzy Wegner Last month, I was having a bad day. I had too many tests, was up too late the night before, and just wanted to go to bed after spending an hour and a half fussing over parts of a robot and an engineering notebook in the robotics club while getting nothing done.

Before my mom picked me up, I walked down the science hall to go to the bathroom. I stepped into the second stall, and was shocked about what I saw around me. Sharpie writing covering all sides.

I am going to choose to ignore the more profane, R-rated writing I saw, and instead focus on the ones that struck me -- the words of love and inspiration.

Sure, it may technically be vandalism.

But that is another fact I am choosing to ignore, because the intent is good.

After my encounter with the writing on the stall, I began to notice something.

I began finding joy and goodness in the smallest things, even in my darkest days. I realized that I can find inspiration anywhere.

For example, the day after the election was rough. But then, I remembered something; the drumline had been storing stuffed animals in our back room, which we won from the East Penn Diner. Just going to see the animals, happily sitting on top of our cubbies, restored my joy.

Over the next few days, I would make a point to hug a stuffed animal.

Sometimes, the smallest things can make the biggest difference.

I used to take the little messages written in the bathroom stalls for granted. But when I truly noticed them, I instantly became more observant, at least when it comes to finding positive things.

I began to appreciate every small smile from a stranger, and every person stopping to hold a door for me. Each person who uses good manners, and those who try to make others laugh.

Recently, I was struggling finding the light, between personal problems, current events, and a surplus of homework.

However, it is easier to be happy than I thought. Especially when you look at the little things.

Sometime, life in our angsty teenaged world sucks. I am not going to deny that.

However, it is not as bad as we think.

My biggest problem with finding the positivity in everything is that anger clouds my judgement. Sometimes, the bigotry becomes overwhelming. However, I take a step back, and zero in on the good within people.

When on a walk, I will find a different sort of ‘writing on the stall.’ Sometimes, there are actual words written on the statues I explore behind the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Other times, however, it is there more figuratively. I begin to cheer up as I watch birds fly together, or feel the crush of leaves and snow below my feet.

Now, as I walk down the hall, I notice the girls cheering about the good grade on their group project, or the boy who stops to help pick up a book someone dropped.

There is good everywhere, you just need to stop, look, and listen.

Eve Walters Features Contributor Throughout the Lehigh Valley, most families celebrate classic Christmas traditions.

Lesser known to those who celebrate Christmas, some families honor different traditions throughout the month of December.

Several Emmaus students celebrate Hanukkah, which goes from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1. Others observe holidays such as Dίa De Los Tres Reyes, commonly known as Three Kings Day, on Jan. 6. Some students mark traditions like Novenas, running through the month of December.

Hanukkah, meaning dedication in Hebrew, lasts eight days and starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev.

It celebrates rededication after defeating the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) that ruled them, and taking back their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They went to light the menorah with the last of the untainted olive oil, but the one-day supply kept the menorah lit for eight days until they could prepare more.

Senior Declan Schoen is one of the students who annually recognizes Hanukkah.

“We light candles, one for each night plus the shamash or ‘helper’ candle in the middle, “ Schoen said. “And each night we give and receive one gift.”

Instead of the traditional candles, Schoen’s family uses a homemade lawn menorah which uses light bulb to put their own spin on Christmas decorations.

Along with lighting the candle, they also play popular games.

“We play dreidel, which is a game played during Hanukkah with a four-sided top and chocolate coins,” Schoen said.

El Día de Los Tres Reyes, also known as Three Kings Day celebrates the three kings or Wise Men (Magi Balthasar, Caspar and Melchior) that went to see Jesus when he was born and brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.

To celebrate, children put grass or hay and a cup of water under their beds to feed the camels the kings rode. Then their parents place a present under A table in the front of the EHS Library displays their bed for them to a menorah. open when they wake up the next morning. brief scripture or passage, a daily novenaJunior Julitza Blanco-Rivera lived in specific prayer, a response prayer and Puerto Rico and now continues the tradioften a hymn. tion in the U.S. At her old house, junior Sarah Urrea, “We cook food and have a few drinks, lived with many family members and and kids play outside and show off what celebrated the novenas together. the reyes got us,” Blanco-Rivera said.

“After praying, we sing songs, eat Novenas take place from Dec. 16 to chocolate and candy, and drink the hot Dec. 24, and include meetings to prepare chocolate my mom makes,” Urrea said. for the birth of Jesus. The term comes from the Latin word for nine (novem) which refers to the nine days novena lasts.

As a Catholic tradition, they start with a

A Shrek towel a day

keeps the bad grades away Destiny Swan through a Twitter page, @LeyvasTowel.

Features Contributor As for sharing the towel, the question “who gets it next” Want to know the success to passing every test in school? pops up.

Study? Maybe.

Well, for Thomas and Garrett it’s more of a free-for-all.

Rewrite your notes? Nah. “It kind of just goes around, so whoever has a test that day How about wear a towel displaying the face of everyone’s gets it,” Thomas said. favorite green ogre every time you have a major exam? Seems Garrett believes that “anyone in need of a towel gets a good unlikely. luck towel, that’s how it works.”

For five Emmaus students, however, this odd ritual is the In fact, he “once used it for football, but didn’t want to oversecret. use its powers.”

For them, this Shrek towel holds magic.

One could consider the towel as a safe bet in a time of need.

How much magic? Enough to guarantee you an A on that After all, to Garrett and Thomas the Skrek towel “is magical.”

Geometry test.

You may say “a towel couldn’t possibly save my grade.” For freshman Liam Garrett, however, it does.

“It works well with me,” Garrett said. “I brought the towel into math class and got a 100 on a unit test. Yeah, it’s magical.”

It’s as easy as that. Pass a test by just laying a Shrek towel over your shoulders.

Something as magical and lucky as this cannot be selfishly stored away. Instead, the only fair thing to do is to share it among. If you’re going to get a freebie on a test, you might as well spread the luck.

Having a lucky charm is not too unusual.

In fact many athletes appear to have ones that they use.

Competitive swimmer Mallory Weggemann, treats herself to a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin before every race. For this freestyle gold medalist, an Egg McMuffin is the key to success.

Weggemann isn’t the only superstitious person out there. Serena Williams can’t take on a match without having her shower sandals on the court with her.

Bronze medalist in gymnastics, Danell Leyva, has a towel of his own for good luck.

Freshman Liam Garrett preparing for a test with his lucky charm.

According to Leyva, the towel never left Photo by Denise Reaman. his side since 2007 and also promotes itself

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

15

Love crêpes?

Love to choose?

Bring this coupon and your EHS ID and we will give you either

a buy one/get one crêpe

or

a free French press coffee with the purchase of a crêpe

187 Rue Principale 187 Main Street Emmaus 8AM-3PM Sunday and Monday

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CULTURE

CULTURE

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

CULTURE EDITOR WILLIAM NEWBEGIN ASSISTANT EDITOR BRIAN MANTONE

Grain engrains itself as a savory mainstay Bibi Correa Features Editor Imagine strolling down Allentown on a sunny (albeit slightly windy) fall day. To your right, you notice a restaurant with only five letters to its name: Grain.

Grain finds itself located in a renovated building at 536 Hamilton St, Allentown. Inside, it showcases its interior as an appreciation of a historic building blended with modern infrastructure.

Brick walls line the parameters.

Fixed light from the center illuminates the front of the restaurant, yet leaves those farther away in need of more.

When walking in, I first noted the staircase bringing guests from the somewhat crowded happyhour bar upstairs to an elegant arrangement of tables, perfect for any occasion.

With no reservation needed, my mother and I sat down upstairs and overheard the soft-spoken words of “Let It Be” by the Beatles playing in the background. Our seemingly-happy waitress came to our drink orders, and at this point, everything was perfectly fine.

I then asked about the vegan options. If you’ve ever had to speak these words, you might know the stress that occurs when the waitress says “I don't know.” Your pulse begins to race. You feel bad

because everyone is starving, and it would seriously be a pain to leave after already getting the drinks.

Luckily, someone must have been looking out for me that day, for our waitress informed us that they did have one. I found myself beyond excited with the vegan menu,

Photo courtesy of Bibi Correa

for it provided a variety of suitable options that the regular menu did not.

The regular menu constantly changes, therefore, some options became unavailable. A tad shocked but still determined, I found something that wasn't a salad.

I got a vegan version of the eggplant sandwich.

While not eggplant’s biggest fan, I decided to just go for it. My mom and I mutually decided to get the eggplant hummus. We waited about 15 minutes, which, for a Sunday morning, seemed very short.

First, the hummus arrived.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never achieved pure happiness,

but this hummus brought me pretty close. The smooth, creamy texture tasted nothing like the store-bought kind.

It came garnished with chili oil and chickpea purée which perfected the experience even further. Instead of the typical traditional naan bread that comes with the dish, we got the cutest carrots on planet earth.

Though a little weak, they still complemented the hummus with a hint of crunch and amazing flavor.

Pleased with the restaurant after only the appetizer, we couldn’t prepare for what came next.

The smell hit me like a bus. The aroma of pure bliss and satisfaction filled my nostrils. I first took a bite of the sandwich. Did God directly send down a heavenly creation or did I just eat a sandwich? Honestly, I couldn’t say. The perfect blend of crispy bread with crunchy pickles and smooth eggplant pleased my taste buds. Oil, which I usually stay away from, topped off this delectable sandwich.

The lettuce tasted like lettuce one might buy at Sam’s Club for a confidence boost. But, instead of the usual dirt taste, Grain completely changed it. It tasted fresh, like it was hand-picked from your

Uncuffed: the joys of winter singularity Renee Martin Culture Contributor It's okay to be single.

No, really, it is. Don't let romantic Christmas propoganda get you down.

No matter how many sappy holiday commercials or cute couples in matching sweaters you see, don't look for a new winter fling just yet.

Cuffing season is upon us, and the cold weather and holiday season can make people more likely to want to be in a serious relationship.

Yet despite the pressures of “cuffing,” junior Kate Mercado finds that relationships require a lot of attention and energy that can be used elsewhere, such as in academics and activities.

“I'm happy being single because I am young, and everyday I learn something new that allows me to grow into a strong, independent woman,” Mercado says. “I use this time now to improve myself and be a better person than I was yesterday. I laugh and share experiences with friends in my free time and my family.”

Mercado believes that being alone only affects her during the holiday season because of the societal expectation that holidays are a time to celebrate with your partner.

“Unless you still believe in Santa Claus, it's hard to find something interesting about the holidays other than spending time with your family,” Mercado says.

Some people who aren't wrapped up

in cuffing season take this down time from dating to find out who they are as individuals. Content with being single, junior Michael Lopez finds that his time is best spent focusing on productive projects rather than feeling down.

“Being single is great because it allows oneself to find out who they truly are,” Lopez says. “During this holiday season, I’ll probably be doing what everyone else is doing by enjoying the little things in life.

My plans usually don't change that much when I am dating.

I never feel bad when I see another couple; it makes me happy to know that two people are in love with each other and happy.”

Junior Ninfa Mannino feels that when it comes to relationships, the hassles outweigh the happiness.

“There are many pros and cons to being in a relationship,” Mannino says. “But a negative relationship can ruin one's self esteem and confidence. I am happy being single because I make sure to take care of myself first before anyone else.

“Unfortunately, our generation is a hookup generation. Our generation

grandmother’s garden.

Then came the fries.

While some fries came hollow, almost inedible blocks of cardboard, the majority contained the perfect crunch and the right amount of salt. When it comes to fries, Red Robin has nothing on Grain.

My mom ate the beet salad, which could easily be made vegan if necessary. She described it as spectacular with everything being perfectly placed. A juicy salad with an equally amazing presentation perfected the dish.

A roasted apple and sweet potato soup accompanied the salad, with a pleasurable sweet and savory combination.

With that, my stomach could not hold on any longer.

When mentions of dessert came, I was conflicted.

My heart knew it would taste good, but my stomach thought otherwise. Thankfully none of them were vegan, so I didn’t need to make room for anything else.

Our meals and appetizer cost around $35, deterring me from returning frequently because your girl doesn't have that kind of money. Money aside, the restaurant proved a more-than pleasurable experience. With perfectly sized portions and a friendly staff, Grain encompasses everything a restaurant should be. While its vegan options remain quite limited in this day in age, it's heartening to know a restaurant can provide options for carnivores and herbivores alike.

forgot what the true meaning of love is,” Mannino says. “Sometimes I feel a bit hurt, but it's not my time right now to date. I am worrying about my future right now because you only get one shot at life and I don't need any distractions.”

The winter months are typically packed with activities with family and friends, not to mention last-minute cramming of school work by teachers. In general, the extra time can be nice to finally catch up on neglected work or read the book everyone's been raving about.

Sophomore Ben Lewis sees the good and the bad in dating during cuffing season.

“It can cause a lot of unnecessary drama that may take away from learning at school,” Lewis says. “I personally am not happy being single because I like connecting with people, and it would be fun to connect with a person on a deeper level. It doesn't affect me that much, ’cause I have my family but I feel like it would be fun to spend the holidays with someone.”

“The idea of cuffing season makes sense to me,” Lewis says, “because, in general, high school relationships don't last long.”

Regular Ramblings

Part Three: Grammy Gripes

By Will Newbegin Culture Editor The 2017 Grammys are here, and with the nominee list released, I look forward to yet another year of musical letdown.

I remember watching the 2016 Grammys come down to their last and most revered award, the holiest of holies, the oh-so coveted “Album of the Year” award. The tension grow as the screen split into five different camera points, with the five nominated artists -- Alabama Shakes, Chris Stapleton, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and the Weeknd -- eagerly awaiting the results. Having listened to all five of their respective records, I felt that all of them could have been suitable choices, with justifiable reasons for each potential selection.

That is, except, for the actual winner.

Now, I have nothing against Ms. Taylor Swift or her music. In fact, I consider her above-average, as far as earwormy radio-pop goes. Having a distinct personality gets you places in the music industry, and the Berks County-native certainly doesn’t lack that.

Moreover, her nominated album, “1989,” has sold over six million copies since its 2014 release. As far as commercial success goes, “1989” has proved its worth and more.

But here’s the thing. Popularity does not inherently denote music.

Thus, when I saw Miss Swift walk up to collect her award, I was a little confused.

Didn’t such publications as Pitchfork and Rolling Stone call Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” a “dense thinkpiece;” a “fiery masterpiece?” It seemed distinct in its universal sonic appeal despite such a passionate conveyance of black pain, and consequently, stuck out in the minds of both music critics and casual listeners alike. Even Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller,” a record full of personal anguish, or Alabama Shakes “Sound & Color,” a soulful blues-rock experience, felt more deserving of such a distinguished award. As it stood, there was little that “1989” presented that I hadn’t heard in some capacity before. So why didn’t fresher, more creative soundscapes win the award instead?

It seems like such a straightforward robbery, when I present it this way. But here’s the thing: the Grammys don’t really always like to listen to critics. Sometimes, numbers speak louder than words, and six million album sales means something.

And that’s the unfortunate part. 2015 saw the rise of some the best underground -- or at least independently released -- music in recent memory. From Julia Holter’s “Have You in My Wilderness” to Joanna Newsom’s “Divers,” plenty of accessible music, rife with pop sensibility, found itself ignored by the Grammys for the sake of songs like “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth -- a regular dose of auditory NyQuil, in my opinion.

Similarly, this year’s nomination list has excluded such breakthrough (albeit lesserknown) talents as Chicago MC and vocalist Noname, whose eclectic blend of soul and hip-hop would likely translate well to a mainstream audience. Such attention would likely garner her a substantial amount of deserved commercial success, and ultimately, be a winwin scenario for the music community as a whole.

But I digress. My opinion will do little to impeach the five-album selection ready to receive music’s highest distinction on Feb. 12, 2017. Come hell or high water, nothing will remove Drake’s grandiose snoozefest “Views” from the top five. Or Justin Bieber’s “Purpose.”

I’m complaining here. I should be happy with the fact that Beyonce’s “Lemonade” is a likely shoo-in for “Album of the Year.” And even if the 2017 Grammy’s go achingly awry, I’m sure Kanye West will figure out some way to shake things up again this year.

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

CULTURE

Old meets new in Tribe’s final venture Joe Eckstein Culture Contributor After the death of Phife Dawg in March, it seemed like the world would never be given one final album from A Tribe Called Quest.

However, before Phife passed away due to complications with diabetes, the group got together and began recording what looks to be their final album, “We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service.”

A Tribe Called Quest is a rap group based straight out of New York, birthplace of such hip-hop acts as Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Yet instead of following the trend of gritty and gangster rap embraced by those acts, Tribe was all about smooth jazz samples and witty wordplay. The best attribute of Tribe was how well they worked off of each other and created impressive chemistry. The group is lead by Q-Tip, the smooth-flowing rapper and producer who started the group, Phife Dawg, the rapid, high-pitched MC, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, the famous DJ and producer behind many of their classic songs, and Jarobi, who was with the group until 1991 and decided to leave. With an impressive collection of rap classics under their belt, including “The Low End Theory” and “Midnight Marauders,” would go on to cement Tribe as one of New York’s most memorable groups. Now, they have returned back on the scene with their latest release, “We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service.”

A big concern I had before this album came out was whether Tribe would step away from their classical style and attempt a more modern take on their new LP. Instead, they took their original style and combined it with new-school to make one of the best albums of the year, regardless of genre.

From a feature standpoint, Tribe didn’t hold back, and they brought in some impressive talent on their new record.

Fan-favorite Busta Rhymes, whose career launched into the mainstream after his feature on one of Tribe’s best songs, “Scenario,” made an appearance. He is joined by other MCs like Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000 of OutKast, and Kanye West.

The album kicks off with “The Space Program,” an amazing track that had the

usual characteristics of a Tribe song. It includes a head-nodding beat, clever lyrics, and a distinctly smooth flow to which fans have become accustomed. As soon as Phife came in, I smiled ear to ear and felt proud to be a Tribe fan. Q-Tip impressed as always, and Jarobi even came back and provided a solid verse. The album started out great and only got better. The next song, “We The People...,” caught me off guard with its aggressive lyrics about race, sexuality, and economic status. The chorus seemed to be a dig at Donald Trump and his views of certain races with, “All you Black folks you must go/ All you Mexicans you must go/Muslims and Gays, boy we hate your ways.”

Following this, comes other solid songs, like, the groovy track “Whateva Will Be,” or “Solid Wall of Sound.” The latter includes a sample of Elton John’s, “Bennie and the Jets,” and provides an element of softness to make an impressive song.“Dis Generation” (featuring Busta Rhymes), reminded me of something that belonged on Tribe’s debut album, “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm,” with its prominent use of a jazzbased instrumental. It also gave a shout out to artists of the new era, like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Earl Sweatshirt, and Joey Bada$$, who Tribe claims to be keeping the genre alive.

“Kids…,” which features OutKast’s Andre 3000, showed off how well QTip can work together with artists. The chemistry Andre and Tip displayed was impeccable and together they created a well-structured song. Songs like “Melatonin” and “Enough!!!” bring back the style of “Midnight Marauders” with an out-of-the-ordinary instrumental. In fact, “Enough!!!,” reminded me of my favorite Tribe song, “Electric Relaxation.”

A big standout track on the album is “Black Spasmodic,” which features Consequence. As mentioned before, Tip and Phife’s ability to work so well with each other makes this a solid track.

Following this dynamic track is “The Killing Season,” featuring Talib Kweli, Consequence, and Kanye West. West states that he has been influenced by Tribe, so it seems only fitting for him to

feature on their final album. However, he really didn’t impress me. He performs the chorus, and granted, one can only do so much with a refrain, but his contribution failed to wow me. He merely repeats “They sold ya, sold ya, sold ya” to exhaustion. I expected so much more when I saw his name with this track.

Kweli and Jarobi provide little to the track as well, but Consequence stole the show

Photo courtesy of Stereogum.com

and made up for it. I was impressed with his verse and felt he brought some life to a somewhat boring track. His flow went so well with the beat of the track and had me nodding my head back and forth. Was it a terrible song? No. Was it one that left me wanting more? Also no.

One of the most important tracks on this LP is “Lost Somebody,” featuring Cat. Tribe is more than a group of friends; they are like family to each other, and when a family loses a member, they grieve and reminisce. Thus, Tribe dedicates this piece to the late-great Phife Dawg. I won’t lie, I felt emotional when hearing this knowing that the genre of rap lost one of its best performers. The track also included a stellar guitar solo performed by The White Stripes’ very own, Jack White, demonstrating a distinct electicism. With a only a few songs left on the album, two stood

Gaga goes personal and heartfelt for “Joanne” Michael Moyzan Culture Contributor Ask anyone who had their car radio tuned to Hits 1 in 2008, and you can bet they’ll remember Lady Gaga’s all-too-catchy “Paparazzi” and “Poker Face” featured on the radio waves. Since then, the electropop phenomenon has released quite a bit of material, such as 2011’s “Born This Way” and 2013’s “Artpop.”

Though Gaga’s been on the move and busy in the studio, she seemed (save for her wild wardrobe) out of the public’s eye. Or at least, the 30-year-old fashionista may have been absent from your favorite playlist. Still, her latest release may just have you searching for her distinct sound once again.

The newest installment in Gaga’s discography, “Joanne” (named after her late aunt), took off running and became Gaga’s fourth album to earn the top spot on Billboard 200 this past October. The record’s low price of only $3.99 lead fans to speculate that producers didn’t foresee the hype “Joanne” would create. As a whole, “Joanne” places a major emphasis on family and is definitely Gaga’s most personal and heartfelt album to date. A beautiful blend of soft rock, dance-pop, and even a pinch of country provides an assortment of tastes that many will enjoy.

Kicking off the record is a mix of true-blue American rock and Lady Gaga’s distinct voice that come together to make “Diamond Heart.” This song sets the standard for the strong vocals you’ll hear throughout “Joanne.”

The album’s two singles “Perfect Illusion” and “Million Reasons” are arguably the most recognizable tracks.

With both receiving plenty of radio play, you don’t have to do your Gaga homework to identify these two.

“Perfect Illusion” contains an infectiously catchy refrain that’ll stick in your mind like fluffy snow on cold asphalt. Conveniently, it’s just as hard to get rid of too.

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out more than the rest. The first is “Conrad Tokyo,” (featuring Kendrick Lamar).

Many people -- myself included -- will argue that Kendrick Lamar has already made himself one of the greatest to ever touch a microphone. He and Phife on a track was a dream come true. Combined with an intriguing beat in the background, this track proved to be one of the major highlights of this album. The album’s final track is “The Donald” (featuring Katia Cadet and Busta Rhymes). At first I thought I was about to listen to a verbal assault toward Donald Trump.

Instead I got to hear one final dedication to Phife Dawg.

The final two words of the album were “Phife Dawg,” and to some that may seem like nothing, but to me, this was the biggest takeaway from the whole album. It made me proud to be a Tribe fan and hearing his name as the ending to their final album was only fitting.

After listening to this album, I was blown away. I expected nothing less from Tribe and they brought their best to the table. I came across little to no errors while listening to this LP, however it was hard to listen to this album for the soul fact that there never will be another A Tribe Called Quest album. It was so consistent all the way through and proves to music fans that Tribe is not only one of the greatest rap groups of all time, but one of music’s greatest acts. “We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” is an album that I think everyone should listen to. It is on the level of that of Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” with qualities that will fulfil any listeners’ desires. High level lyrics, creative production, and an overlying symbolic message pertaining toward Phife Dawg. My final verdict for “We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” is that is nothing short of a masterpiece.

It is leaps and bounds ahead of any other album I have listened to so far this year and it is something that everyone should listen to at least once in their life.

The soft intro of “Million Reasons” takes you by Gaga style and voice are what gives “Come to Mama” the hand and guides you effortlessly into Gaga’s strong away as a modern tune. vocals not even a minute into the song. With a steady “Sinner’s Prayer” joins the party as another hearttambourine keeping the beat, it makes it easy to truly breaker. While it doesn’t feel as personal as “Joanne,” it focus on Gaga’s vocal capability. It’s a difficult task to does show Gaga’s point of view on relationships. not tap your foot or nod your head to the rhythm of this Lady Gaga seems to paint a picture in your mind single. with the line, “shots were fired Say you sat down and on the street, by the church watched a movie aimed where we used to meet,” in “Anat teenaged girls from gel Down.” The main premise 2010 and saw only the of the song asking why we as intro where the popular people don’t take charge and try girl in school struts down and change things for the better. the hallway with her Gaga is joined by Florence clique. “A-YO” could not Welch, lead singer of Florfit more perfectly in any ence and the Machine, in “Hey other scenario.

Girl.” Keeping to Lady Gaga’s The pinch of country belief that more than one female makes its way into the celebrity can share the spotlight, mix through “Grigio “Hey Girl” is about support Girls,” and if you’re for one another. Inspiration for looking for a song to jam this song can be linked to her to while cruising down constant comparison by many to the highway, then look Beyonce. no further than “John Closing up shop is “Just Wayne.”

Another Day.” Like the title “Joanne” tugs at the implies, it sounds like just an avheart strings and shows how much Gaga Photo courtesy of Billboard.com erage day. When a simple beat and a Gaga respects and looks up to her aunt. After discarding your sound native to “Joanne” combines with a beat to set the pile of tissues, you’ll feel ripped back to 2008 with pace and an electric guitar and trumpet tie together each “Dancin’ in Circles.” It certainly feels as though “The verse, you get an above-average song.

Fame” had a lot of influence on the creation of this song.

“Joanne” does a fantastic job providing a new perTaking you even further back is “Come to Mama.” spective for fans and a plethora of foot-tapping songs The instrumental feels plucked from an older time and to spice up any road trip no matter the length. Whether the message of “spread love, not hate” gives a near “per- you’re a Gaga veteran or new to the party, there’s somefect illusion” of a song from the 70’s. That familiar Lady thing here for everyone to enjoy.

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CULTURE

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

Lehigh Valley holiday hotspots Marley Wait Features Editor The holiday season seems to always bring a sense of cheer and excitement among people of all ages. The Lehigh Valley bares no exception, and as winter approaches, decorations go up and festivities commence.

For many, excitement for the holidays begins the moment it becomes acceptable - the day after Halloween. Many teenagers obsess over the thought of having a long break from school, seeing family once again, and decorating

Photo courtesy of LVZoo.org

for the holidays. Slowly, the very first decorations come out and the classic holiday songs return to the radio. The winter clothing is broken out yet again, and the countdowns begin. The annual 25 Days of Christmas Countdown returns to Freeform, along with the countless other holiday movies that rerun every year during December.

Not only do friends and families stay in to watch holiday movies, but they also join in on the events taking place all over the Lehigh Valley to raise the holiday spirit. If you find yourself looking for a new tradition this holiday season or to get into the winter spirit, try one of these

several holiday-centered activities beautiful downtown this December: Bethlehem to ring Lights in the Parkway in the holiday spirit.

This light display is a tradition for The carriages fit up many families in the Lehigh Valley, to four people. and is definitely a favorite among Bethlehem Bypeople. You can enjoy it from the Night Bus Tour comfort of your car, as the dazNot only can you zling display stretches for more explore Bethlehem than a mile in Allentown’s Lehigh in a horse-drawn Parkway. This attraction is carriage, but you open through December can also discover 30. the Christmas City Winter Lights by bus. The tour Photo courtesy of MCall.org Spectacular includes a stop at the Similar to Lights in the Parkway, but more famous star, which sits on top of South Mountain, and interactive, the Lehigh Valley Zoo is transinformation about the history of North and South Bethleformed into a light display for people of all hem. ages to enjoy. This event features state-of-theMacungie Holiday Celebration art musical light shows, themed display areas, This event includes music, displays, special events, and holiday movies, cozy fire pits, and seasonal different activities through the Borough of Macungie. treats. The Winter Lights Spectacular is anThere will be an Artisans show, two performances of other family favorite for the holiday season.

“Nutcracker Highlights,” holiday craft shows, horseChristmas City Stroll drawn surrey rides through Macungie Memorial Park, Visit the “Christmas City” on a walking tour farmers market vendors, gingerbread displays, and much through America’s National Historic Landmore. This local event is a great way to bring the holiday mark Districts with certified guides showing spirit close to home. you decades of Bethlehem’s history. Learn A Christmas Carol at Civic Theatre about the story of Bethlehem’s beginning Located in Allentown, the Civic Theatre is putting on in 1741, the Bethlehem Star, and the stories its 27th annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” the of a candle in every window. A few historic classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, originally written by features include Bethlehem’s exquisite Victorian Charles Dickens. The show will run from Dec. 2 through and colonial architecture, which include two National Dec. 17.

Historic Landmarks, the 1741 Gemeinhaus and the BethPEEPSFEST lehem Waterworks.

This annual two-day New Year festival takes place at Christkindlmarkt SteelStacks in Bethlehem in honor of the PEEPS Brand.

Christkindlmarkt is also located in Bethlehem and has Enjoy crafts, live music, a PEEPS scavenger hunt and hosted over one million guests and 125 vendors in the many other fun activities at the festival. Perhaps the most past years, drawing people from near and far. It runs for exciting activity that will be taking place is a 4.5-foot five weeks and is a great place to shop for unique gifts. tall, 85-pound lit PEEPS Chick that will be descending in Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides celebration of the New Year.

This is a tradition for many in the Lehigh Valley. Enjoy a cozy and calm horse-drawn carriage ride through the

Contouring highlights makeup trend Makenzie Christman Culture Contributor Since 2012, one beauty trend has repeatedly appeared all across social media as well as in everyday life.

Contouring -- a blend of varying shades of powders and mattes -- gives shape to the face and enhances the features through different types of makeup and techniques.

Many people know of the woman who popularized it.

Contouring became widely known thanks to celebrity and makeup queen Kim Kardashian. The technique emerged nearly five years ago when Kardashian posted a selfie showing different colored makeup lines streaked across her face, then posting a resulting picture after.

Sophomore Nadia Skibinski first discovered contouring from social media and incorporates it into her daily routine.

“I would say [I began contouring] before freshman year because I always like being up to date with the beauty trends,” Skibinski said. “[I learned from] all the famous A-list celebrities, like Kim Kardashian.”

The idea of a slimmer-looking face thrilled makeup addicts, including Emmaus freshman Joyce Williams.

“It was a big trend when I saw it, and it was cool because it was different from a lot of other trends,” Williams said. “At that point, I had just [joined] social media, and I was like ‘woah this is cool’ and a lot of my friends did it.”

The majority of makeup lovers who contour discovered it through social media of all sorts, much like senior Belle Keopraseut.

“I discovered contouring when it was first becoming popular,” Keopraseut said. “I saw a couple Youtubers doing tutorials on them.”

Like Keopraseut, senior Maddie Zukowski also discovered contouring through watching videos of makeup artists.

“I’ve watched every single makeup tutorial, and I think contouring popped up like this foreign makeup that I wanted to try,” Zukowski said.

When contouring comes to mind, some may think of simply highlighting and a series of light and brown lines on a person’s face. Yet contouring comes in many dif-

ferent forms, besides what celebrities and makeup artists popularly do.

Contouring has brought the makeup world a variety of new inspirations and looks. A new technique, called “nontouring,” branched off of contouring. However, this process results in a more dewy and glowy type look by lightly strobing facial features. Strobing, another technique, subtly highlights one’s face to create a lightened look on the skin, rather than using darker shades like contouring. This new look has been sported by a number of prominent beauty and fashion role models, such as Jennifer Lopez.

Another makeup technique came out of contouring back in 2015, called “baking.” Those experienced with makeup know what setting spray does. Once makeup is fully applied and finished, makeup artists advise to apply setting spray to set the makeup on opposed to having it wear off throughout the day. After concealing or contouring, professional makeup artists take translucent powder and apply it to the designated area. As a result, that specific area heats up on the face, baking or setting the makeup.

The face then heats up, and the person applying should wipe it off, which reveals a creaseless face.

Contouring has taken over the world of beauty, especially as it takes on new forms of makeup application as well. Constantly expanding, contouring no longer strictly involves facial features and cheekbones. Now, such things as lip contouring, neck and collarbone contouring, ear contouring and chest contouring all exist.

As exciting as it sounds, contouring typically costs a lot and requires time and effort. Even a contouring expert couldn’t perfect the art in a matter of five minutes. While this may sound discouraging, many students at Emmaus have incorporated contouring into their daily routine easily, and without flaw.

“I don’t mind it, but it’s still pretty lengthy, like it takes me generally 15 minutes,” Williams said. “I can just say that I really like doing it because I want to pursue the makeup career, I think it’s a must if you’d like to do

that.”

Taking over all types of people’s daily beauty routines since its first appearance, contouring appears as the new normal for those who chose it. Scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest feeds, contouring will undoubtedly pop up somewhere at least once.

Contouring appeals to a large majority of people who do makeup, male or female, passionately or just as daily routine. As it stands, it seems as if this new beauty trend may never die off.

However, some could possibly fear that contouring may signify the start to a new beauty standard, realistic or not. The practice truly is not necessarily cheap, especially for an everyday look. Even generic makeup kits, such as those available at CVS, can seem a steep price.

Many makeup aficionados at Emmaus who contour typically prefer the Anastasia contouring kit for the best look over many other beauty kits. Once again, contouring requires more money than usual makeup, as the Anastasia kit prices at $40 with an additional $40 or so for highlighters.

“I think Anastasia has really good ones [contouring kits] and stuff from Smashbox,” says Keopraseut.

Skibinski and Williams both agree that contouring kits typically cost more than average, everyday makeup.

Although it isn’t hard to find some necessary products for contouring in drugstores, many people prefer going to higher-end stores for more expensive products.

While contouring kits come at high prices, Zukowski always tries to look for a deal.

“My favorite contour pallet is the Kat Von D, I also like TooFaced, but that’s more for tanner skin tones,” says Zukowski. “Honestly, I’m all for drugstore makeup that works, but that’s pretty rare so I generally try to be cheap, but I still spend around $30 to $40.”

Yet despite the high costs, contouring should be on any makeup lover’s bucket list to try out at least once.

With a technique like this that effortlessly expands into new methods of applying makeup, contouring comes off as a good thing in the makeup community.

“I think it really gives people a chance to be creative because I think makeup is all about creativity,” says Skibinski. “I also think it’s really cool just to play around with and enhance features that you already have.”

Photo courtesy of Will Newbegin

CULTURE 19

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

CULTURE

The

Brian’s Bottle Flipping

challenge of the

water bottle

Flipping social media upside-down

Kristina Streit and Brian Mantone Culture Contributor and Culture Editor If you use social media, you would know that Twitter trends tend to arise every couple of months and eventually die down as new ones are born.

Some of these trends, including the Harlem Shake, “Juju On the Beat” and the Mannequin Challenge, circle all over the internet in a mere amount of days. For the last couple of months, bottle flipping -- yes, when someone flips a bottle attempting to rotate it a perfect 360 degrees backwards and have it land standing up -- has trended on Twitter almost constantly.

Senior Joe Capri believes that the challenge serves a great purpose.

“It’s so fun, and not overdone at all,” Capri said. “If you’ve never tried it, you’re missing out.”

What is it?

People all over the globe have begun to take videos of themselves attempting to flip bottles, and in some ways it has even become a strategy game. People try to make the bottle land in difficult places and sometimes even on obstacles in an attempt to be more creative. Some even try to flip multiple bottles at a time. These viral videos created the so-called bottle-flipping frenzy. But what’s the point? Various responses could be appropriate for that daunting question, but junior Emily Ingalls believes that she has an answer.

“I think it’s popular because it’s kind of addictive,” Ingalls said.“People are always trying to beat their top scores.”

The Power of the Trend

Trends and challenges like this ultimately take over social media feeds, so much to the point where people feel the need to try the art out themselves - simply because it’s the new popular thing and we want to see if we can do it just as well as we see the people do it in the videos.

Senior Jared O’Neill agrees.

“I think that our current generation is so drawn to the next fad,” O’Neill said. “This one happens to be water bottle flipping.”

Vine was one of the most long-lasting trends yet, until recently when the developer discontinued the popular app, again proving all good trends must come to an end. Not only did Vine prove to be a very famous fad, but it revealed how creative people can be in just six seconds. Another app, Musically, a lip-syncing and music video app, particularly sparked a trend madness in the younger generation. If people see something that generates their interest, they will continually want to see more of it, which makes a trend continue.

Senior Carson Landis, believes that people with a fiery passion for bottle flipping will have that love burn out shortly.

“It will probably only last for a month longer,” Landis said.

How Did It Start?

Millions of active social media users see videos of the challenge almost every day, but most people are unaware of how it actually came to be. According to the The Wall Street Journal, it all started with one high school boy and one talent show. Last spring, Michael Senatore, former senior at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, S.C., wanted to do something completely unordinary for his school

talent show. His 30-second performance began with him walking to a table in the middle of the stage with a water bottle in his hand, the dramatic song, “300 Violin Orchestra” by Jorge Quintero playing in the background. When the music hit its peak emotion, he flipped the bottle and the crowd went absolutely wild. The second the bottle hit the table, the bottle-flipping challenge took over Twitter feeds.

The video, which now has over 7 million views on Youtube, ultimately proves that it really does not take much to become famous over the internet.

Tips & Tricks Courtesy of your culture editor.

#1

Always flip on a flat surface.

There is Even an App!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the developer known as Aaron Feliciano created the app called, wait for it, “Water Bottle Flip Challenge.” The goal of this game is pretty self-explanatory; the user taps on each platform to flip the bottle.

The challenge: timing your jump. So, if you don’t have a water bottle with you, or you’re just lazy, all you have to do is go on your phone and open up the app. How convenient.

Bans

There also happens to be a downside to the challenge. Schools across the nation ban their students from participating in the bottle flip revolution. The Wall Street Journal reported that Fulston Manor School banned water bottles all together. Suspensions and detentions get handed out for many students all over America who commit bottle flipping.

Essentially, a riot among students and their parents broke out due to the fact that these kids really weren’t doing much damage, or any for that matter, and it did not put any other students in danger...unless you aim the bottle off target.

Junior Hunter Krauss is an avid bottle flipper, and luckily he hasn’t gotten into any trouble for participating in the challenge.

“I have seen people get in trouble for it,” Krauss said.“I don’t agree with that though because it really isn’t causing any harm to others.”

On the other hand, it can get really annoying to teachers and administration. Between the competitions during class and the sloshing sound of the water after someone tosses it, it can be considered a distraction to classmates and teachers who are trying to get through a lesson. If you’re really unlucky, the cap could come loose and spill water everywhere, which not only creates a mess, but a very unhappy teacher as well.

Assistant Principal Josh Miller understands that bottle flipping is entertaining for kids, but he also wants to keep a controlled school environment.

“I understand the point of it for entertainment’s sake.

I understand the point of it for something kids can do as a challenge towards each other. I don’t think it’s appropriate for a school setting,” Miller said. “It can create a mess and issues and just things we don’t need to deal with in school.”

However, the trend seems to stick to the cafeterias and out of the classrooms, for the most part. Mike Flynn, a world studies and sociology teacher, has never encountered an issue with the bottle flipping nuisance in the middle of a lesson.

“The only time I’ve allowed it was before or after class,” Flynn said. “If it happens during class I would stop it, but that hasn’t happened yet, so because of that, I don’t know if it’s really distracting or not.”

Page design by Rachel McQuiston.

Make sure the bottle is one fourth full of water

#2

#3

The bottle should leave your hand and come down in one fluid motion.

It’s all about finesse.

#5

#4

Finish with a crisp flick of the wrist.

20

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

SPORTS

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

Kyle Carraher Sports Editor Sometimes, the little things in life end up having a tremendous impact on the lives of others -- and they often happen without us realizing. In fact, it seems that my own experiences demonstrate this time and time again.

It could be as simple as waiting an extra 30 seconds to hold a door for someone, a small step that could brighten his or her day. Or even asking someone how their day is going. Small gestures can make a world of difference in someone’s life, whether we realize it or not.

And my lunches with Adam make me realize this even more.

It began in early October when coach Harold Fairclough approached the football team with an idea, a priority for the players. After a great afternoon of hosting the Special Olympics at Emmaus High School, Fairclough looked for something more that the team could do with students who have special needs.

A few days after Special Olympics, coach called the senior members of the team together for a meeting.

That’s when he ran the idea of a “Lunch Buddies” program by us. Members of the football team would buddy up with special needs students every Friday and spend lunch together. Eagerly, the seniors willingly accepted the proposal and planned to implement it by the end of the week. The team paired up with the special education department, which assigned every participating member of the team a “buddy.”

At first, I wasn’t sure how the whole arrangement would go. Then, I received a letter from my “buddy” Adam, a junior at Emmaus. Adam wrote about the excitement he had, knowing he was going to finally meet me. He wrote about how he couldn’t wait to talk about football and such.

After reading this with a huge smile, I instantly realized that I had a doctor’s appointment during lunch the next day. Disappointment flooded me, thinking about Adam’s face when he’d figure out there will be no meeting.

A week later, I explained to Adam what happened.

But instead being upset, Adam smiled. He completely understood. That first meeting with Adam was straight out of a movie.

I witnessed pure joy when the other members the football team walked in. It was something that I wouldn’t trade for anything -- and since then, it’s been the same feeling every week.

In almost anything Adam does, he is happy. Seemingly, nothing brings down his spirit. He talks -- alot -mostly about football, his sister and life. He often asks to play touch football in the courtyard, although that hasn’t happened quite yet.

Lunches with Adam remind me of simpler times, the days of a carefree environment of childhood.

Whenever I’m frustrated or just not having the best day, he always says something that makes me smile. Finding joy in the small things in life is imperative to happiness.

Adam teaches me that things are usually not as bad as I think they are.

Even after losing a big homecoming game to Nazareth that I didn’t really want to talk about, Adam managed to make me laugh by the end of the conversation.

Adam’s teachers tell me all about how much he appreciates our weekly meetings.

They say he never

21 Managing Editor Kyle Carraher Assistant Editor James Marler

Fridays with Adam: A Change in Perspective

EHS alum rallies community

James Marler out meeting with businesses in the East Sports Editor Penn School District about partnering with Fans of Emmaus High School sports our website,” Johnston said. “I have them know that if they need an immediate to thank as well I mean, there are a lot of source for game updates, they can quickly businesses that are on our site that have turn to one person: Scott Johnston. really helped me greatly.”

Johnston, a 1985 Emmaus graduate, Local businesses have played a big created a website -- emmaussports.com -part in the success of the website, includmore than five years ago to focus on school ing Fillman & Sons, OAA, Potts’, and athletes who dedicate hundreds of hours Carlo’s Pizza. These sponsors have helped to their teams. A self-described avid fan Johnston extend his reach, and his websince he was a boy, Johnson played several site is a popular source for parents and sports as a Hornet -- and his love for sports other community members. However, one still continues. obstacle that Johnston faces is his work“Anyone who knows me load, because he is knows I have a passion for currently the only sports, especially high school writer for the site. sports, so that was another “It’s just me, reason I started up the site as I do have some well.” freelance phoJohnston studied journalism tographers that in community college, but he work for me, that didn’t go straight into writing.

I appreciate very “I used to be in the print much, they do a industry, I worked for the East lot of work from Penn Press, I was an adverfall sports, winter tising sales rep but I still did to spring sports.” sports writing on the side.”

Johnston said. said Johnston. “Prior to that, I The commuworked for The Morning Call nity is something for about seven years as an ad that Johnston holds rep.” very dear to his Photo courtesy Tim Patterson.

“I also worked for an adheart. Every day vertising agency that produced displays in he seeks to unite the Emmaus community airports. So it was a lot of traveling with around high school sports. Along with the that job, and I just got tired of traveling in website, Johnston holds a very important and out of airports and hotels,” says Johnpart-time job, which is very important to ston. “I needed a change, and my heart told him and the community that follows. me to take a leap and make this website.

“I have a part-time job as well, I take I really thought I could make it work, as care of an autistic child...,” Johnston says. long as I had the support of sponsors in the “I’ve known his mother for years, and she area, to make this all come together.” was looking for someone to take care of So, in September of 2011, Johnston him because she works a full time job.” built and founded emmaussports.com, to Johnston regularly takes the boy, Craig put his passion for sports journalism onto Martin, along with him to sporting events, print. Ever since, the website has flourand he has become a regular face at Emished, becoming the number one place to maus. However, Martin is more than just a get updates on Emmaus athletics. Johnston friendly face for Johnston and his mission. has also found unbelievable support from “He loves coming to the games, and the community, especially local businesses, he has been an inspiration to me. A lot of who were eager to support the cause. people in the area know who he is,” John“[A big] part of the website are sponston says. “He loves sports and I just enjoy sors and advertisers. During the day, I’m being around him.”

Photo by Rachel Reed.

stops talking about our lunches from when it ends until the next meeting. One day, Adam had a field trip to the zoo on a Friday, when we normally meet. Instead, he wanted to give up the whole trip in order to have our 42-minute lunch in the cafeteria.

Our lunches speak volumes to everyday life, those times when you don’t realize how something that seems so small can affect someone so greatly. We all experience this when a seemingly menial interaction with someone we care about deeply either makes or breaks your day.

Most likely, without even realizing how much this meant to you.

My time with Adam has helped positively influence my interactions with others by sometimes going out of my way to start a conversation with someone I don’t know that well. Sometimes just a simple flash of a smile or text can get you -- or someone else -- through the day. And thanks to my lunches with Adam, I realize this even more.

Ice hockey shoots for success as new season starts Chris Solley Sports Contributor Emmaus is seeking redemption after a rather lackluster season last year, and they seem to be doing just that after getting off to a great start.

As the seasons come and go, sports always seem to stay. Winter is upon us, and with that comes the hard hitting, bone breaking sport of ice hockey.

Emmaus’ ice hockey consistently works to be the best team on the ice.

Having won the last three of their first five games, they look to be in solid shape for the upcoming season ahead of them. Varsity goalie Toshan Doodnauth believes that this team has a shot to win it all this year.

“I think we will do well this season,” Doodnauth said,“ I think we can make it to the finals this year if we put our best foot forward.”

Fellow player Kyle Lawrence, a sophomore who plays for varsity, agrees with Doodnauth.

“I believe the team has a very good chance to win the playoffs this season,” Lawrence said, “We just have to take it one game at a time.”

Alternate captain Noah Brown feels like the team can be a powerhouse in the division.

“I feel like we can be one of the better teams if we just put our minds to it,” Brown said.

The Emmaus Hornets are looking good for the rest of the season to come.

However, like any team, they have an achilles heel.

“I think that we have a lot of goal scoring as a strength but I feel like we really have no weakness but if I had to choose it would be speed,” Doodnauth said.

The Hornets have managed to put up an impressive 28 goals over the past five games. But with any team, there is

always more than one weak spot. Lawrence believe that the team is relatively strong on the ice but the issue lays outside of the rink.

“This year’s team is very capable of winning,” Lawrence said. “We have many experienced players and coaches and that makes a huge difference. The team does, however, lack support. Many Emmaus students are unaware that the ice hockey team exists. And it’s not as thrilling to hear a group of parents as opposed to a cheering student section.

Emmaus has been putting up good numbers pretty consistently and a lot of players believe it all traces back to their coaching staff. Coach Jamie Reider has been getting praise by almost all angles of jv and varsity for his hard work ethic and ability to inspire and motivate his players.

Sophomore varsity player Alec Tomins has some things to say regarding coach Reider.

“He’s chill but when we do terrible he gets mad which motivates us to play better,” Tomins said.

Doodnauth is also fond of coach Reider. “ I think he’s a great coach honestly,” Doodnauth said.

As many of his other teammates have said before Lawrence believes that Reider is leading them in the right direction.

“Coach Reider is a very honest and knowledgeable man,” Lawrence said.“He knows exactly how to interact with players.”

Brown believes the team can go as far as they want as long as they put their minds to it.

“Our team can go as far as we want nothing is going to stop us except for us,” Brown said.

22

Ethan Carr

Fast Facts Height: 6’ Favorite Musician: Mac Miller Favorite Movie: Pulp Fiction Photo by Kyle Carraher.

Konnor Haldeman Sports Contributor Ethan Carr’s talent brought him to the Emmaus High School swim team, and his persistence and hard work have allowed him to compete in states for the past two seasons.

All of the practice and training EHS swimmers endure has paid off for Carr.

Waking up early before school to practice at 6 a.m. and staying after until 5 p.m. only makes Carr love the sport even more. Most students in high school are fast asleep while Carr and the team enter the pool.

“I would say I am in the water 15 hours a week, before and after school,” Carr said.

During the regular season for the school, Carr competes in practically all of the events. But once the team gets to districts and states, Carr sticks with his strongest competitions, which are the 100 meter backstroke and the 300 meter individual medley.

“I definitely can beat last year’s times,” Carr said.

Junior Jess Hurlburt is a diver for Emmaus who practices with Carr and watches him compete regularly.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen Ethan win districts and compete in the state championships every year. His time always

Four

improves no matter who he’s competing against,” Hurlburt said.

His strong leadership qualities stand out at practices and meets, according to Hurlburt.

“Ethan is a good leader for the team.

He always has a positive attitude and encourages his teammates to do their best,” Hurlburt said.

Carr placed 24th in the state championships his sophomore season in the 100 meter backstroke. He also placed 27th in the 300 meter IM. Carr followed up his great 2015 season with an even better 2016 season, placing 11th in the 100 meter backstroke and 10th in 300 meter IM. With the 2017 season quickly approaching, Carr realizes this year is his last.

No more chances at a state title. No more district titles.

No more high school swim team. But it could be a start of a new beginning for Carr.

“Knowing this is my senior year, it’s a kind of bittersweet feeling, but I’m excited to go a different direction next year,” Carr said.

Senior and former swimmer Sean Kujas swam two seasons with

Carr and appreciates his dedication.

“Ethan was very eccentric, it’s a tough sport to be a part of but Ethan does well and seems to always want to be in the water,” Kujas said.

Carr hopes to beat his previous times in states and other events, while also trying to get a scholarship for a college swim team. No matter what happens this year, Carr has had an outstanding career at Emmaus and will be remembered for his accomplishments.

Photo courtesy of Ethan Carr.

Jacinda Arzuaga

Fast Facts Height: 5’2” Favorite T.V. Show: Vampire Diaries Favorite food: Quesidilla Photo Courtesy of Wesley Works.

Aleezeh Saeed Sports Contributor Senior varsity cheerleader Jacinda Arzuaga is quite the team player who heavily credits a string of coaches for her success.

Arzuaga started cheerleading when she was 10 years old, holding the position of the flyer ever since.

“I used to cheer at Parkland actually,” Arzuaga says. “It’s been my entire life ever since, and I wouldn’t change my sport.”

Arzuaga prefers cheering for the weekly Friday night football games over cheering for basketball. She loves the energy of cheering in the stadium and enjoys the sport, as well.

Arzuaga cheers at least five to six days a week. The flyer loves the atmosphere of the team practices, which last for at least three to five hours.

“I think just going to practices and spending time with everyone,” she says. “I like seeing everyone improve personally.

There’s such a strong bond with everyone on the team.”

Arzuaga has been injured twice, both times with concussions.

“I fell at competition practice one time and my head hit the tip of someone’s shoe, then the other time I smacked my head off

the ground,” Arzuaga says.

However, these severe injuries didn’t hold the skilled, driven cheerleader back at all. It just made her come back even stronger.

Arzuaga gives recognition to her coaches, who have played a large role in her cheerleading experience.

“I think each coach I’ve had, I’ve had a really strong bond with,” Arzuaga says.

“I can talk to them about my personal life, each of them is like a mother to me.

They’ve influenced me wanting to be a leader because of how much of a leader they’ve been to me.”

Arzuaga expects to continue cheerleading in college.

“I plan to continue cheerleading and I will try to be a role model for younger cheerleaders who want to continue their cheering careers,” she says. “I really don’t have much to personally improve on.”

Junior Destiny Swan looks up to Arzuaga.

“She’s a really good leader. She definitely does go out of her way to help,” Swan says.

Coach Lisa Gabric considers Arzuaga to be a valuable asset to the Emmaus Varsity Cheerleading team.

“As with all of my seniors, Jacinda is or-

ganized and positive,” Gabric says. “She’s been a member of the high school program for all four years and she understands the expectations and does what she can at practices and games to make sure our goals as a team are achieved.”

Photo courtesy of Jacinda Arzuaga.

Zach Sabol Anuj Arora Opinion Editor Sophomore Zach Sabol wants nothing but success and hard work from himself and his teammates this season.

As a 6-foot-7 center, Sabol is described as having a great work ethic by his fellow teammates and coaches.

He started playing at three years old and gives credit to his father for helping him strive.

“My dad pushed me every day and he is the reason I am where I am today,” Sabol said.

Sabol, who has played basketball for 13 years, developed a liking for the game and his extraordinary height added to his confidence and persistence in being the best he could be.

Since freshman year, Sabol has been a closely watched player by various teams and coaches in the state. Unfortunately, Sabol broke his leg at the beginning of last season.

DYNAMIC Boys Basketball over-the-top Despite this setback, Sabol persevered and worked through tough times to get back to his prime.

“After my injury I did my leg exercises every morning and watched film every day,” Sabol said. “I worked a lot on upper body and just kept on working till I reached my goal.”

Head Coach Steve Yoder admires Sabol’s persistence.

“I think Zach has a great work ethic. You know the poor fella had some tough breaks last year, literally.

He broke his leg at the beginning of the season,” Yoder said.

“I know he was really excited about maybe playing varsity as a freshman and he was in a very large cast for a very long time,” he said.

Last week, basketball opened the season by beating No. 3-ranked Pocono Mountain West 75-86 in an early season showdown.

Photo Courtesy of East Penn Press.

Faces

23

Jessica Licker Adrianna Tomasello Sports Contributor Over the course of Jessica Licker’s four years at Emmaus, she has continued to prove to be a dominant member of the rifle team.

Due to her father’s influence, Licker and her brother learned how to fire and be safe around handguns at 11 years old “so we weren’t interested in it [shooting] afterwards.” As a young adult, her father had taught himself about handgun safety, and he did not want them to get hurt when learning on their own.

Later, she joined the Guthsville Junior Shooter Rifle team, a feeder team for Emmaus High School.

Licker became the first sophomore in school history to achieve a perfect 100 score, which came at her first varsity match. An EHS graduate, Seth Freeman, trained for the experience himself when in high school.

“One of the people that taught me, his [Freeman’s] goal all year was to shoot a perfect score… and he never did, and I felt a little mean for getting it before him, but I was also really excited,” Licker said.

During the season, practices occur every day for two hours. Towards the end of the season, matches take place twice a week with 14 to 15 total matches, not including states.

“I think it will go pretty well,” Licker

said. “We have a whole bunch of new, lovely people and the seniors and juniors who have been there for a while know what they’re doing.”

As the head coach of the rifle team, Peter Chromiak continues to see Licker grow.

“Jess has learned leadership qualities while enjoying the mutual respect of her fellow teammates,” Chromiak said. “Jess has grown from a shy and quiet person to someone who is a part of a team that works together for a successful season. She has established herself as an accomplished athlete and maintains a good, competitive spirit.”

Through these qualities, Chromiak sees that Licker heavily contributes to the rifle team.

“Jess helps the newer shooters with their equipment fitting, questions about the sport and makes a good friend to her teammates,” Chromiak said. “Jess sets a good example to the other students with her study habits at practice. If she isn’t studying, she makes use of her free time with her art hobby. She often helps other students with their work.”

Sophomore Sydney Jones shot on the junior varsity team last year and appreciates Licker’s supportive attitude.

“I think she definitely has a positive influence on the team and like she is really easy to talk to and inviting to new shooters that

Reed Custer Caroline Bond Sports Contributor Senior wrestler Reed Custer looks forward to leading the Hornets’ 2016-17 wrestling team to reach its full potential.

After wrestling for 12 years and working through the ranks of Emmaus Youth Wrestling, Custer is nearing the end of his high school career. With a 12-4 finish in the 152 weight class last year, Custer is excited about where the team is headed for this season.

Assistant Coach Frank Shubzda, who has coached Custer for several years, is proud of the improvement he has seen in him over the years.

“When he was in seventh grade, I didn’t like him,” Shubzda said. “But he’s matured over the years and he’s become a big part of the team.”

Wrestling is known to be a physically grueling sport. It requires athletes to be in top physical shape. However, many wrestlers would argue it is just as mentally intense.

“Wrestling is all mental,” Custer said. “I can’t let them intimidate me and I have to just do my thing.”

Despite being an accomplished wrestler, Custer still sees parts of his game that need improvement.

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“I’ve been working on my mental toughness,” Custer said. “I don’t have anyone else to rely on out there [on the mat], all the pressure is on me.”

Freshman teammate Caden Wright has a lot of respect for Reed and wants to see him do well this season.

“I’ve known Reed since youth wrestling,” Wright said. “Being on the same team as him is fun because he is really entertaining.”

Being an older wrestler and someone the guys look up to, Custer is always there to give advice to his younger teammates.

Sophomore Bryce Ebinger, who has known Reed for two years, believes Custer is an instrumental help to the team.

“He is a great leader to our wrestling team,” Ebinger said.

“Wrestling with him is a big help because he is willing to help me perfect things in the sport.”

After a devastating knee injury Custer suffered at a tournament in Nevada last year, he has worked hard in rehab in order to make a comeback in time for his senior year. His coaches and team admire his perseverance and positive attitude during his recovery.

Called “funny” and “deter-

we get,” Jones said. “...I didn’t really know anybody and she was one of the first people that I would talk to and get to know.”

From the atmosphere of the team and from interacting with different people, rifle sways her political and personal outlooks. “...I’m kind of moderate because I see things from the far right and far left because I know people from the far right and the far left because of rifle and art,” Licker said. “It lets me do a whole bunch of stuff cause if I’m not pigeon holeing myself into one little section of school then I can do all of the things I come across.”

Besides rifle, Licker takes part in Mud Club, Astronomy Club, Art Club and kung fu. She hopes to be involved in rifle after high school even though colleges do not have teams.

“I’d like to go nearby enough so I can either help coach the private team and I’d like to become a teacher hopefully, math teacher,” Licker said. “If I end up doing that I’d want to help coach or help promote it [a rifle team at a school].”

Fast Facts Height: 5’2” Favorite Movie:Captain America: the First Avenger Favorite Animal: Arctic Seal

Photo Courtesy of Wesley Works

mined” by his coaches and teammates, everyone in his corner is rooting for him to have his best season yet.

During his senior year, Custer hopes “to win a district medal,” a feat that both his coaches and teammates find feasible for the young athlete.

Although undecided on where he wants to attend college, Custer wants to major in Astronomy and continue his wrestling career, possibly at Kutztown University or Campbell University (NC).

Moving up to the 170 weight class for his senior year, Custer is excited about putting in the hard work to achieve goals he knows are possible for himself and the team.

Fast Facts Height: 6’ Favorite Movie: Zootopia Favorite Candy: Cherry Twizzlers

Photo Courtesy of Reed Custer

Photo Courtesy of Wesley Works

Gravereaux Underclassmen Chelsea Swimming

Noah Speight and Nick Martellucci Sports Contributors With the swim season beginning, Emmaus High School swimmers prepare for yet another year with high expectations.

Sophomore Chelsea Gravereaux, who competed last year at states in the 200 free, 100 free, 200 free relay and 400 free relay, anticipates a strong year again.

“I am really looking forward to this season,” Gravereaux said. “I know that the team will work hard and swim fast at meets. This year, I hope to medal at states again.”

However, even someone as talented as Gravereaux still has to put in a lot of offseason work to further train herself for the upcoming swim season.

“I am preparing myself for the season by working hard in the pool and at the gym,” Gravereaux said. “I am also focusing on eating healthier. Also, my hand speed was

too slow last year. This year I want to work on having a faster hand speed but still keeping my stroke long and smooth.”

Head coach Tim O’Connor plans to push Gravereaux to work harder and improve her abilities.

“I am going to challenge her [Gravereaux] this year to be a better version of herself from last season, which is what I look forward to doing with all of my athletes,” O’Connor said. “I think if she improves, everyone will improve and vice versa. My athletes are good kids and I can’t wait to start.”

Gravereaux’s teammates all appreciate her versatility, especially senior swimmer Kaitlin Hur, who sees Gravereaux as a hard-worker and a great teammate.

“Chelsea can swim every stroke really well and we can depend on her to do great in any event our coach puts her in,” Hur said. “She always works hard in practice

“She is happy, driven, and humble,”Hur said. “Even if we are at morning practice at 5:30, she’s still happy and chipper and talking to everyone. In meets, she is always focused and determined to do her best and never rests on her laurels. My favorite memory with her is wearing our onesie pajamas at the Bucknell New Year’s Meet last year.”

and pushes everyone else to get better too.”

As well as being a competitor, Gravereaux is also a very good teammate.

Photo Courtesy of Kaitlin Hur.

24

SPORTS

THE STINGER | DECEMBER 2016

White shoots for 1,000 points, districts Senior earns full ride to play for Auburn

Photo by Mark Lineberger.

Andrea Klick perform well in school and on the court.

Associate Editor “I keep good grades, influence the younger ones,” When it comes to basketball, senior Kiyae White rarely White said. “[Seeing] how much they look up to you, it gives herself a day off. really is inspiring. It keeps me going.”

Most nights, she practices on her own for about two Senior teammate Zoe Stein, who started playing bashours, performing 30 to 45 minutes of weight room ketball with White in 10th grade, notes her consistraining followed by an hour and a half of basketball tent leadership presence. technique. On other nights she heads home to shoot 50 to “Kiyae has been a great vocal leader all 100 foul shots and lift weights before her scheduled team throughout her high school career,” Stein said. practices.

“It gets the team motivated for big games. She White believes this commitment to the sport has made leads the team huddles and always has something posiher dominant on the girls’ basketball team and landed tive to say about how we play.” her a scholarship to play Division I basketball at Auburn The 6-foot-2 power forward capped off her freshman University. and sophomore seasons scoring 211 field goals and 129 “Hard work and dedication gets you far,” White said. free throws for a total of 551 points, according to Penn “I thought [basketball] was just an activity for me to do Live. However, her road to success didn’t come without and working hard got me a scholarship, a full ride, so it’s bumps. In 10th grade, White suffered an ACL tear that definitely a blessing.” kept her sidelined Head coach Carl for the entirety of Scheitrum also recogher junior season. nizes her consistent efAfter learning about fort and desire to better the injury, White herself. thought her basket“But the one thing ball career “was all that stands out with over” because “I Kiyae always in my had one year left to mind was that she was prove myself. never, ever satisfied “I didn’t know with wherever she was,” how long it would Scheitrum said. “She take to come back,” kept working hard. She White said. “I didn’t did everything she could know where I’d go, to improve. She clearly where I’d be, what had other coaches beI’d do.”

White with her teammates at senior night last year. sides myself, but no matAlthough she ter which coach it didn’t views the injury as “a matter to her. She just kept doing the things she needed to low point in my life,” White continued to persevere with do to become a better basketball player.” the help of family, friends and coaches.

Despite her current love for the sport, White began “[The injury] was hard for me, but a lot of people playing basketball at a late age compared to her peers. In were there for me, so it wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d seventh grade, when she expressed an interest in basketbe,” White said. “Everyone motivated me, talked to me, ball to her parents, they shot the idea down, believing the helped me out, helped me train and get me where I am sport was too “dangerous.” Eventually, White convinced today. So I definitely appreciate that most.” her mother to fill out the try-out forms by telling her she Scheitrum points out that the injury “never really signed up to be the basketball manager. slowed her down.” Although she couldn’t use her legs, “I ended up trying out and calling my parents afterWhite continued weight training to improve her upper wards and told them that I made the team,” White said. body strength, and when doctors cleared her to run, “My mom thought I was lying. She thought I didn’t make “you just couldn’t stop her from running,” according the team. She was like ‘oh, it’s okay honey if you didn’t to Scheitrum. make it.’ And I said ‘no, I did,’ and they were happy for “All last year, when she was sidelined on the me. They were proud of me, so that was pretty funny.” bench because of the ACL tear, she always had a Unbasketball in her hands, and she was allike ways dribbling between her legs, around many her back,” Scheitrum said. “She never of her stopped trying to get better.” teamEven though White couldn’t play mates, alongside her teammates last season, White she often attended games to support had no them. experi“And so she became not only a ence great teammate but truly a great cheerwith leader for the girls all of last season,” doing Scheitrum said. “She never stepped “[layaway, she just said ‘I’m going to ups], work hard but I’m going to cheer my jump team on right now.’” shots, With her final season at Emmaus anyapproaching, White holds high thing. I expectations for herself and her was just team. really “[I want] our team to compete bad, but in good games, not only stay with White sits with basketball offers from a number of I dedicatgood teams but get the wins, make Division I schools. ed myself districts,” White said. “I want to enough to work hard enough to get to where I am today.” get my one thousandth point this year...since Her hard work paid off in eighth grade when I missed last season.”

Scheitrum, who served as the freshman coach at the Junior teammate Ciara Wippel enjoys time, pulled White up to play with his ninth graders. On playing with White and knows the team White’s second day of practice, Scheitrum noticed that will miss her next season. she possessed a different quality than many of the eighth “It’s always fun to play basketball graders he pulled up before; she was a natural leader. with Kiyae,” Wippel said. “As a team“Now, most people when they come into the freshman mate, she’s always positive on and off team as an eighth grader tend to be a little bit shy and not the court. Next year without her will be sure of their role,” Scheitrum said. “Kiyae comes in, she’s difficult because we don’t lose just a singing and she’s dancing and she’s telling these ninth really good player, we lose an awesome graders ‘come on girls, this is what we’re going to do.’” teammate.”

Over the years, White has grown into a leader for Stein says the end of the season will be “bittersweet” everyone on the team. She knows the younger players see for her because “me and Kiyae have grown together on her as a role model and uses this to motivate herself to and off the court,” but she looks forward to “watching

[White] grow at Auburn.”

As for after graduation, White’s goals include “doing well in college academically and on the court, being known as a hardworking athlete [and] good person on and off the court, just continuing the leadership role.

“Making it to the league is what I want to do,” White said. “After college I want to play overseas if I can or [for the] WNBA here.”

Scheitrum has spoken with White about her future plans and thinks her work ethic will help her accomplish any goal she sets.

“I see great things for Kiyae only because Kiyae sees them, as well,” Scheitrum said. “And she’s just starting her senior season, she already has a sense of what she’s going to be when she is out of high school and in the college.

And I believe everything she says because she has the drive and energy to get there.”

After watching her brother, Kevin, progress from a football player at Emmaus to a starter for the Chicago Bears, White feels she can also succeed as a professional athlete.

“I’ve seen people who couldn’t do it, who didn’t believe in themselves like my brother,” White said. “He didn’t believe in himself, he didn’t think he could do it, and he came out and did it. So, if he can do it, I can do it.”

Photo courtesy of Kiyae White.

Contributing reporting by Joe Eckstein.

Photo courtesy of Carl Scheitrum.