October 2017

THE STINGER October 2017 Volume 43

Issue 2

Cressida Cowell visits EHS

“How to Train Your Dragon” author speaks to students, community Makayla Frazier Isabella Wegner Online Editors On uninhabited hills of the British Isles, an eight-yearold Cressida Cowell sought to uncover the magic the island held, never thinking she would grow up to write bestselling novels that would capture a worldwide audience.

Now 51, Cowell inspires young readers to create their own stories, no matter their skill set.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, in the Emmaus High School auditorium, Cowell, the author of “How to Train Your Dragon,” discussed writing as a craft and promoted her newest book, “The Wizards of Once.” She told stories of her past, spoke of the inspiration behind her books, and offered tips to young writers, many of whom are fans of her popular Dragon series.

“My first bit of advice would be to read masses and read as many different genres that you possibly can,” Cowell said. “Even [write] genres that you aren’t particularly thinking you’re going to write. Fantasy, crime, and all the different ways a story can be told.”

Cowell stopped in the area as part of her national book tour. Little Brown, Cowell’s publishing company, had contacted Kristen Hess, owner of Let’s Play Books in Emmaus, about overseeing the author’s visit for the Philadelphia region.

In order to hold the event at EHS, Hess contacted Diane DiDona, chair of the English Department, asking for the club she advises, Collage magazine, to serve as host.

The visit included a private interview session for EHS’s publications, followed by Cowell’s presentation and a book signing.

Hess witnessed the book’s effect on students first hand, as the fantasy novel -- the first installment of the London author’s new series about magic set in Ancient Britain -was used in a special program that Let’s Play Books runs. “[The Wizards of Once] was actually part of our Advanced Reading Copy Club, so we read this book ahead of time, before it was published,” Hess said. “We had six kids in fifth and sixth grade [read the book], and they loved it. They all gave it five out of five stars.”

Sophomore Dominic Santoro, a longtime fan of the “How to Train Your Dragon” books, has personally experienced Cowell’s influence on young writers.

“I actually started reading her books very early on; I was four or five maybe. I was there for the first “How to Train Your Dragon” book,” Santoro said. “She is actually one of the reasons why I am taking creative writing

4

Red Cross Club helps with hurricane relief

classes.”

Santoro was not the only member of the EHS community to attend the event. English teacher Justine Frantzen brought her two children, Chase, 8, and Leah, 5, to meet Cowell, as well as have their books signed. Chase loves the dragons as well as the interesting stories in the series.

He is in the process of reading the fifth book.

“I loved that [Chase] would sit and draw for hours after reading [How to Train Your Dragon],” Frantzen said. “We would talk a lot about how he wants a dragon of his own. They’re just a part of our family almost… he studies [Cowell’s dragons’ language], ‘dragonese,’ in his spare time.”

Dragonese is part of Cowell’s trademark, establishing her niche as a fantasy writer. Her reputation made some like junior Collage co-editors Otávio Santos de Albuquerque and Billy Weiss nervously excited about working with Cowell. “[Meeting her] was really cool because you always see those people through screens and on your phone, and you watch videos of them talking,” de Albuquerque said.

“Then when they’re here, you’re like ‘oh, she’s an actual person.’”

As Weiss noted: “I think it was kind of inspiring to some of the younger children to see that they could be like her one day.”

Artwork is an important aspect in Cowell’s design technique.

“In the How to Train Your Dragon books, a lot of the illustration is very energetic and wild and really quite childlike,” Cowell said. “It’s deliberately done like that so it feels like it might be something that you could do.

“One thing I try to do is to get [readers] to read with the same excitement and pleasure as I read when I was a kid,” she said. “Which is why I make my books look like sweets, not brussel sprouts.”

Continued on Page 2

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Top: “How to Train Your Dragon” author Cressida Cowell spoke to the community on Oct. 7 as part of her national tour. Photo by Emma Brashear. Top right: Cowell demonstrated how to draw Toothless, a dragon from her book series. Bottom: Cowell presented to students from Collage magazine, as well. Photos by Arianna Werner.

Students share meaning behind their tattoos

17

Student section shows spirit

News 2

THE STINGER

OCTOBER 2017

EHS celebrates homecoming week USDA changes make waves at EHS

Katie Taranto News Editor Last spring, the Trump administration’s Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, made minor changes to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) national school lunch guidelines.

The goal of these changes is to increase flexibility for schools that struggled to keep up with various nutrition acts, such as the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, during the Obama era. Not only did these acts increase school costs, but they increased the amount of food thrown in the garbage--up to 56 percent more, according to a University of Vermont study completed in 2012.

The specific edits focused on three regions: whole grains, sodium intake and dairy. The USDA will now grant more flexibility to schools that struggle to meet whole grain requirements. The acceptable intake levels for sodium, known as ‘Sodium Targets,’ have been loosened. Additionally, the USDA is encouraging schools to provide more options of milk, specifically one percent.

“There were some changes that were done as far as the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which is part of the school lunch program. The sodium was relaxed, so we didn’t have to adhere to the new guidelines as far as that,” East Penn School District Food Service Director Paul Vlasics said.

As far as other changes, calorie restrictions have “been lowered a little bit.” The new guidelines state that snacks offered must be under 200 calories.

The USDA also updated the concept of Smart Snacks, or snacks that must meet specific nutrition requirements. They were originally introduced to the National School Lunch program in the 2014-15 school year.

Some new snacks and beverages, such as Mountain Dew Kickstarters and Funyuns have made their way to the EHS cafeteria this year as a part of the Smart Snack program.

“It’s taken this long for companies to catch up to start producing Smart Snacks.

These were some new items that were able to be under the Smart Snack program.

That’s why we just started getting them in,” Vlasics said.

Feedback from EHS students is positive for the most part. Students like the idea of having more choices in the lunch line.

“I think it’s great--they’re expanding their options,” senior Julitza Blanco said.

However, some students believe that the health regulations make the snacks taste worse than their original forms.

“Eating healthy is a good idea, but once you take [regulations] to a certain extent, it ruins the purpose of having snacks,” sophomore Hersh Budhwar said.

No matter what student’s opinions are, there is no doubt that bringing new options to the lunch line will increase the school’s profit, East Penn School District Food Service Director Molly Snyder explains. Popular brands and new options will inevitably increase student interest.

“The school cafeteria is managed by Nutrition Group, so they had some new items they wanted to promote at the high school level. [A benefit of the new items] is that they will increase our sales,” Snyder said.

Vlasics and Snyder have high hopes for the USDA changes.

“I think it’s going well. Most kids seem to like it, so we’re going to keep it up,” Snyder said.

Emmaus and Liberty fight for the win at the homecoming game. Emmaus came out on top with a score of 28-13.

Photos by Emma Brashear, Arianna Werner.

Students cheer at the Emmaus pep rally.

Photo by Arianna Werner.

Teachers and students go head-to-head in a dance off.

Photo by Arianna Werner.

The Powder Puff football teams face off.

Photo by Emma Brashear.

The homecoming court gathers on the football field (left). Homecoming queen, Madie Suida, and king, Gavin Glogowski, pose together (right).

Photos by Rylan Basset, Emma Brashear.

Seniors recognized for National Merit

Seven EHS seniors were designated as semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Pictured to the right: Cindy He and Sandhya Sriram. Photo by Arianna Werner.

Katie Taranto News Editor This fall, seven Emmaus High School seniors were recognized as semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for impressive performances on the PSAT, which they took last year.

Lily Day, Cindy He, Bradley Klemick, Luke Maake, Aman Malik, Sandhya Sriram, and Miles Zakos became semifinalists, with their test scores residing in the top one-third of national high scores.

The goal of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is to reward students who exhibit persistent academic stamina and ambition to succeed. On average, 50,000 students across the nation are distinguished annually for high scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. About 16,000 of these students become semifinalists.

On Monday, Oct. 23, East Penn school directors will honor the semifinalists at the board meeting.

Cowell cont. from page 1 Even drawings that do not make it into the final copy of her books are important to Cowell. She tends to create a map of how she envisions the world she is writing in, as a way to connect each event.

“Lots of stories start with a map,” said Cowell, who noted other authors have used this technique, such as Robert Louis Stevenson with “Treasure Island.” “Drawing a map of an imaginary place is a fantastic way to start a story... So I always tell kids, ‘draw a map of your imaginary place and write a story about it.’”

In the end, Cowell is just happy to make as much of a differ-

ence in children’s lives as she can.

“When I was a kid, I really wanted to be magic,” Cowell said. “Who doesn’t want to be magic? I think it’s partly because children feel very powerless. You get bossed around a lot as a child by parents, by teachers, so the idea that you have a secret magical power is quite powerful.”

With persistence, writers can improve their craft.

“I’ve been writing the dragon books for 15 years, this wasn’t instant,” she said. “You know sometimes things happen and you have instant success, and sometimes things fail. You have to be a warrior and a wizard.”

NEWS

THE STINGER

OCTOBER 2017

3

EHS weighs in on kneeling for the pledge, national anthem Makayla Frazier Online Editor Some time during his junior year, Mekhi Flannigan realized that the Pledge of Allegiance no longer represented claims of “justice for all,” and that’s when he made a decision.

Flannigan would no longer stand with his peers in homeroom when the National Anthem queued on the speaker.

“I believe the pledge and National Anthem represents pride and unity of our country. Saying the pledge means that you stand for what is said in the pledge,” Flannigan said. “I don’t want to stand to represent what the pledge means because at the end, it says ‘... and justice to all,’ but that simply isn’t the case in 2017.”

Flannigan is part of a growing movement of Americans, which includes former NFL 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who feel that requiring people to Illustration by Kaylee Ruiz. recite or stand for the pledge as well as the still lingers, the ruling grants students like National Anthem is unconstitutional.

Flannigan the right to express their views In the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick through silent protest. showed his support for the Black Lives “I do not think most people understand Matter movement by remaining seated what the significance [of the Pledge of during the pre-game National Anthem. As Allegiance] is. Most people just stand up the movement gained publicity, President and they say it because it is what they’re Donald Trump struck back against protest- accustomed to,” Flannigan said. “But if ers both through social media and public people really take the time to sit down and appearances. This led not only to a league- really listen to what is being said, they wide protest among NFL players but would have a change of heart.” protests against the pledge and National German teacher Meghan Pribicko Anthem at Emmaus. believes that people currently are choosing Nearly 75 years ago, the Supreme Court not to stand because they believe America ruled in West Virginia State Board of is “not perfect” and the social and political Education v. Barnette that students cannot environment is not what they want it to be. be forced to say the pledge or recite the “I think people who decide not to stand National Anthem. While the controversy for the pledge and National Anthem are

spect.”

Though some students may find the act of not standing to be unacceptable, the school board adopted a policy that follows the federally protected constitutional rights for those students who wish to sit whether it be due to religious convictions or moral conflicts.

Dr. Kate Kieres, principal of EHS, believes that students should feel safe to sit during the pledge, as she aims to protect students’ rights within the school.

“It is certainly my responsibility to make sure all students’ constitutional rights are protected and recognize that students have a right to salute the flag and do that in a way that is constitutional with their convictions and beliefs,” Kieres said.

“And because students all have a constitutionally protected right to refrain from [participating] it is also my responsivery brave, and it’s admirable. However, if bility to make sure their rights are proyou sit for the National Anthem, you need tected,” she said.

As the topic becomes more prevalent to stand for something,” Pribicko said. “... in the news and social media, Flannigan if you’re sitting because of homework, or you’re too lazy or too tired to stand, I don’t hopes that not only the media coverage but also his own actions will inspire others to think that’s a good enough reason.” take a seat and reflect on the meaning of Senior Christian-Joseph Negrete the country’s salute and pledge to the flag. perceives the act of remaining seated as “Before I came to the high school I disrespectful towards those like himself, didn’t know why I was standing and saya future servicemen of the United States ing the pledge. And as I got older I started Army. to realize what the words meant and what “I can understand [not standing] for I was standing for,” Flannigan said. “I feel religious reasons. If you’re a Quaker like a lot of people are timid. They don’t or Jehovah’s Witness, I can understand that,” Negrete said. “But if you live in this know what would happen if they sat for the pledge, but when they see me, they country and you don’t have any of those religious backgrounds and you’re jumping might have the courage to do it themselves.” on the bandwagon, that’s a sign of disre-

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THE STINGER

OCTOBER 2017

NEWS

Red Cross Club donates to hurricane relief Chloe Gerhard Features Editor Victoria Rivera News Contributor Emmaus High School’s Red Cross Club decided to contribute to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, donating supplies including erasers, loose leaf paper, pencils and pens.

Hurricane Harvey hit coastal towns in Texas on Aug. 25 to Sept. 3, causing an estimated $75 billion in damages and leaving 30,000 people searching for temporary shelter.

Among the recently displaced victims are children who, before the tragic event, would have started school only a few days later. In order to assist these struggling students, Adopt-a-Classroom, a nonprofit organization, is asking people to donate supplies to the schools affected by the hurricane.

Senior and club president Grace Lewis stated that the club wanted to help those affected by the hurricane beyond monetary donations.

“We decided to take on the project because we wanted to do something more than just give money,” Lewis said. “These kids had lost their homes, and we couldn’t imagine them going through that experience on top of not having the materials to go to school.”

Spanish teacher Claudia Murray, the club’s adviser, felt extremely grateful for the number of Emmaus students willing to take time out of their busy schedules to help the students in need. Students involved in the Red Cross Club were not the only ones to participate in

this project; students throughout the school also lended a hand. All in all, around 200 EHS students contributed to this cause. “[We were] able to supply over 350 students in Houston who either lost their homes or classrooms or both,” Murray said. “The generosity of the kids in this building was incredible, the Red Cross specifically and my own students brought in so much stuff.”

The Red Cross Club also collected monetary donations and sold ribbons, which were sold for $1 each to teachers in exchange for a casual Friday and to parents of EHS students during ParentTeacher night. Between sales and donations, the Red Cross Club raised over $1,100.

The Red Cross Club will use the money they Red Cross Club members pack boxes of supplies to support raised to ship the boxes of supplies to Houston. schools affected by Hurricane Harvey. Photo by Emma Brashear.

The club filled 20 boxes, each containing 25 pounds worth of supplies. In total, they collected teachers affected by the hurricane along with the boxes over 1,000 items. The supplies will provide students of supplies. from six different classrooms in Houston with the items Lewis reflects on her experience with this project in a they need to begin the school year. positive light.

From Oct. 2-7, the Red Cross Club held a fundraiser “Throughout the whole process, from buying the supat the Chick-Fil-A in Trexlertown. The restaurant will plies to packing them, I felt proud and privileged,” Lewis donate a portion of the proceeds from meals sold to the said. “Privileged in the sense that we were fortunate local American Red Cross chapter to aid relief efforts in enough to have the opportunity to help these people. It’s Puerto Rico. nice to know that you are doing something...good for “My friend that works [at Chick-Fil-A] said that a lot someone else... To be given the chance to help that many of people went with the flier, so we are anxious to find people really makes you feel empowered to continue doout how much we raised,” Lewis said. ing the right thing in any situation, and I think that that is The Red Cross Club also sent cards to the students and a very important feeling to experience.”

EHS hosts annual blood drive Destiny Swan News Contributor On Oct. 17 the Red Cross Club hosted their annual blood drive, which typically takes weeks to a month to set in stone.

In order for the blood drive to run, Red Cross members must reserve the gym, coordinate with the Red Cross representative to make sure staff is available, and order chairs and physical review materials.

With an event as serious as a blood drive, there are some requirements.

“To be eligible for this drive you have to be 16, can’t be sick or on antibiotics, and have to meet a certain height and weight requirement,” Red Cross Club adviser Claudia Murray says. “There are also travel and tattoo restrictions that you have to follow.”

In order to donate, participants must follow these guidelines: drink orange juice every day for a week before to keep iron up--iron levels are important to replenish lost blood cells--and eat green leafy vegetables. Overall, a person must stay healthy if they wish to donate.

Murray had hoped for a great outcome with a goal of collecting at least 50 units of blood for the Lehigh Valley Hospital.

That goal had been met, as over 70 people showed up last Tuesday to donate.

Over 25 volunteers and more than 70 donors made this year’s blood drive possible.

Photo by Arianna Werner.

A few hours goes into setting up the equipment before the event. Time and effort is required to ensure that the Red Cross blood drive runs smoothly.

Senior Karmen Macchiagodena, an officer of the Red Cross club, explains her role in the event.

“As vice president I work a lot with the other officers,” she says. “I help organize

the blood drive, bring food, and I’m in charge of the intake or exit table.”

Senior Diego Ruiz, a Red Cross Club member, always feels stress leading up to and during the event.

“During, it’s pretty calm and hectic [at the same time]. Some moments you need to get supplies, [other moments] you’re fully prepared,” he says.

However, after participating in two blood drives, Ruiz believes he can remain level-headed.

“My first blood drive was very hectic, but my second one was more calm than the first, I got used to it,” Ruiz says.

Despite having a lot of success with blood drives over the years, the Red Cross members are having trouble with sign ups.

“The hardest task would be persuading people to sign up, they just don’t have the patience for it,” freshman Greenlee Porcelli says.

This year, for the first time ever, all EHS Red Cross members will officially be registered members of the American Red Cross.

“It does not mean they’re trained, they’re just in the system,” Murray says.

“Out of college they can pursue disaster relief because they’re officially in the system.”

Participating in the blood drive or becoming a Red Cross Club member is “definitely a bonding experience,” Porcelli says. “You build a group of friends that you wouldn’t expect.”

Freshman Ishvah Shah believes that Red Cross Club “comes with good intentions. It feels good to give back and it’s a learning experience for all.”

Spanish teacher Montepeque visits Guatemala Jackson Peterson News Contributor While most Emmaus High School students were sleeping in late, playing video games, or doing other summer activities, Spanish teacher William Montepeque spent 17 days in his home country of Guatemala.

And it was quite a memorable trip.

First on Montepeque’s itinerary was to hike up -- and sleep on -- one of Guatemala’s active volcanoes. Acatenango Fuego has a 13,045-foot hike to the summit. It took Montepeque and his guide an entire day to hike to the campsite, which sat 1,300 feet below the mouth of the volcano. Even though it was summer, Montepeque recalls the temperature getting very cold, very quickly.

“At one point, I remember it being super pleasant, around 60 degrees, but then it dropped to about 30 in just seconds,” he said. “So that night, my guide and I did not sleep very well. I could hear a lot of the sounds that were coming from

the volcano as well. It was a super cool experience, though.”

While sleeping on a volcano is a unique experience, it’s not quite a night at a fivestar hotel.

“I was soaking by the time we arrived at the site,” he said. “I changed my shirt, and 10 minutes later, I was drenched. My guide informed me that since our altitude was so high, we were at the height in the atmosphere where condensation sits.”

In the morning, they descended the volcano. Montepeque would miss the experience, but he knew he would be back soon.

While on his trip, Montepeque also gave back to the Guatemalan community.

He visited three villages over his span of 17 days: Santa Catarina, San Antonio Palopo, and San Juan La Laguna. At these villages, Montepeque and a group of volunteers supplied residents with water filters and taught local people how to clean and use them. Clean and filtered water is an easily attainable resource for residents

in the United States, but for the people in those villages it is like finding gold, he said.

Montepeque recalls the gratitude of these people.

“The people were speechless. All they could do was hug us,” he said. “They were so thankful.”

Montepeque also noted how the languages of the villages have changed over time.

“The native languages to the villages are beginning Macaws in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of William to be used less and less,” he said. “Spanish is beginning to Montepeque. become the more predominant three boys were living in a very small language. Most of the schools are beginone-room house.” ning to become bilingual with the native Still, returning to Guatemala was a language as well as Spanish.” fulfilling trip for the teacher.

He also witnessed a lot of poverty.

“It was wonderful. It made me so “There was one boy whose bed was happy,” he said. “It is my country, so of just a couple blankets on the ground, and course I want to give back. I want to keep another only had a pair of sandals,” he doing it as much as possible because it said. “Another family of a mom, dad and was such an amazing experience.”

THE STINGER

OCTOBER 2017

5

Opinion THE STINGER

Emmaus High School 500 Macungie Ave. Emmaus, PA 18049 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrea Klick ASSOCIATE EDITOR Marley Wait MANAGING NEWS EDITOR Lily Day ASSISTANT NEWS EDITORS Tabitha Nowak, Katie Taranto MANAGING OPINION EDITOR Erica Love ASSISTANT OPINION EDITORS Luke Maake, Kaylee Ruiz MANAGING FEATURES EDITOR Bibi Correa ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITORS Chloe Gerhard, Emma-Lin Moyer MANAGING CULTURE EDITOR Joe Eckstein ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITORS Rylan Bassett, Renee Martin MANAGING SPORTS EDITOR James Marler ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITORS Caroline Bond, Adrianna Tomasello BUSINESS MANAGER Abby Perkins PHOTO EDITORS Emma Brashear, Arianna Werner MANAGING ONLINE EDITOR Izzy Wegner ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR Makayla Frazier CONVERGENCE EDITOR Bradley Klemick

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.

Business For advertising, contact business manager Abby Perkins.

Lunch regulations fail to impact student choices

Editorial Board The nation has undergone a multitude of changes with the advent of the Trump administration, many of which have generated passionate debate throughout the country. One change that has perhaps flown under the radar, however, is the effort to cut back on Obama-era school lunch reforms.

While it may seem trivial compared to other pressing issues that the U.S. faces, the topic of school lunch generates controversy whenever adjustments are proposed to the system, and changes occur more frequently than one might think. For the past eight years, we saw former First Lady Michelle Obama making children’s nutrition and health a priority, which included working with the U.S. Department of AgriIllustration by Kaylee Ruiz. culture to promote healthier the problem doesn’t lie with children nutrition school lunches.

- we can all agree that getting children to eat Reforms Mrs. Obama championed included cutting back on the amount of sugar and sodium healthier meals is a goal to work towards - but with government regulation and just how far it that government-subsidized lunches could should go. include, as well as increasing the amount of Many complained that Mrs. Obama’s reforms fruits and vegetables served to students. One of were inflexible and difficult for schools to the more controversial reforms was the emphaadhere to. Not only did the emphasis on healthy sis on schools serving whole grain rich foods. food drive up costs for food programs, but Not only is whole grain more expensive, but it’s simply not suited towards making certain foods, students in various districts across the country noticed a difference in the quality of the food which is why schools can apply for specific and responded negatively. exceptions.

For example, after the Healthy, Hunger-Free However, this past July, the new Secretary Kids Act was passed in 2010, researchers from of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced at the the University of Vermont made 21 visits to two School Nutrition Association’s annual conferVermont elementary schools and found that the ence that his department would be loosening amount of food thrown away increased by 35 some of Mrs. Obama’s rules. Namely, more percent. So while students may have been seflexibility would be allowed with the whole lecting more fruits and vegetables, they weren’t grain requirement, schools would now be allowed to serve flavored milk with one percent necessarily eating them.

Proponents of the former First Lady’s movefat, and changes would be made to what were ment, however, argued that she was taking steps seen as restrictive sodium limits. in the right direction bymaking America’s youth Perdue’s changes, while not extreme by any healthier. The cutbacks on sodium, sugar and means, drew both criticism and praise, leaving fat levels in foods and beverages, for example, one to wonder just how school lunches can conformed more closely to standards set by be so contentious. As with many other issues,

PSSA revisions ease stress of students, teachers alike

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nutritionists.

From a student’s perspective, we see little to none of the internal debate that rages between the two sides - we just see the food we’re served and sometimes notice that it changes slightly. When examining the policy that governs school lunches, it can seem confusing that certain items are deemed OK to serve while others are not simply because they don’t meet some whole grain quota.

In our very own high school, a student can purchase Mountain Dew’s new drink, Kickstart, which contains 68 milligrams of caffeine per 16-ounce can. While not technically an energy drink, it seems counterproductive and confusing to try to force students to eat healthier while also marketing a beverage with relatively high amounts of caffeine. What’s the point of giving us whole grain pasta when we can snag a caffeinated drink and two bags of Funyuns on our way to the checkout line?

What it comes down to is that high school students are going to eat what high school students want to eat, regardless of what we’re served in school, and the fact that we’re being sold a semi-energy drink demonstrates that the school knows what students want. Even in the context of elementary schools, shouldn’t the parents be the ones dictating what their children eat? If individual districts or communities want to try to make healthier menus, then good for them - but rigid government regulation of school lunches is a decidedly unhealthy way to go about making positive change.

Ronnie Rohlsen Opinion Contributor Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced that the state is taking a step in the right direction by cutting back on PSSA testing.

In his announcement, Wolf stated that plans are in motion to cut back on PSSA testing by approximately 20 percent, giving teachers more time to teach and, consequently, students more time to learn.

The previously eight-hour long test is being cut by about 115 minutes, dropping about 48 minutes in math, 45 in reading, and 22 in science. While

the window to benefit directly from these changes has already closed on high school students, the very fact that cuts are being made to standardized testing is cause for celebration.

Everyone is familiar with the arguments against standardized testing. Not only is a single test a criminally insufficient amount of evidence to judge a teacher or class by, but these tests detract from the true purpose of school by shifting teachers’ attentions from preparing students for their futures to preparing them for a single exam -- one that dictates whether or not a teacher should keep his or her job. While standardized tests may be administered with good intentions, their existence is an embodiment of the oversimplification of the educational system that has become increasingly common since former President George

Bush’s infamous “No Child Left Behind Act” of 2001.

The very idea of using a standardized test as a “benchmark” for students is inherently flawed.

An entire class contains a wide variety of students, from those who are proficient, to those who struggle, to those who lie in the middle. Since

such tests are aimed at those in the middle of the bell curve, teachers have to choose whether their best decision is to spend time on students who could possibly succeed with an extra push, or focusing on the middle group that is almost certain to pass.

Because standardized testing results in such choices being made, students at the top of their class who are almost cer-

tain to pass, as well as students who will take more work to pass, are ignored in favor of the safe middle group. One cannot help but empathize with a teacher whose success rating is based on how many students earn a proficient on their PSSA; it is simply the safest option to focus on the middle group in order to pass as many kids as possible.

It appears as though the endless list of problems caused by these standardized tests is finally making its way to the desks of congressmen.

While the Keystones were left untouched by the new changes, one can only hope that a shift away from standardized tests will lead to developments in that department as well. These cutbacks are a good omen of things to come, as a focus is being put less on setting unrealistic quotas of students passing a certain test, and moreso on giving teachers time to do their jobs and educate the future leaders of the country.

6

Beyond the plastics Andrea Klick Editor-in-Chief When you embark on college visits or receive those 20-page coffee table-style magazines in the mail, even the four-year institutions you’ve never heard of can make themselves look like something worth emptying your bank account for.

They try to make you fall in love with a school by shoving blown-up photos of smiley, hardworking students in your face and slapping buzzwords like “collaborative” and “sustainable” across the pages of their brochures.

I’d laugh at those cheesy slogans and expensive ad campaigns with my parents, questioning why anyone would apply to a school just because it sent them a million postcards or a glossy catalog.

But then it happened to me.

I opened letters and emails from a school I only knew because of its name and reputation for losing in most major sports. Each time I read one of their advertisements, I forgot about any homework or other task I was focused on and engrossed myself in researching this school. I couldn't go a week without envisioning myself as one of those overly excited students on the banner of every email, and I watched several hours worth of "How I Got In" videos on YouTube.

When I received an invitation to apply for their journalism summer program, I had to find a way to attend.

Maybe every other high school student who was remotely interested in journalism received this brochure, but I was certain it was a sign.

Fast forward to June. I arrived on campus, dragging a suitcase that was half my weight, ready to start this five-week journey. It didn't take me long to realize why the idea of jetting off to a college (or college camp) thousands of miles away from the Lehigh Valley seemed so alluring to me.

I wanted a fresh start because, when you've lived in the same neighborhood since kindergarten, people have a concrete opinion of you, and your role on the social ladder was established long ago.

At a camp designed for journalism nerds, I thought everyone else would enjoy talking to strangers on controversial topics or writing until 2 a.m. to make a deadline, and I would make 81 friends from around the world in just a few weeks. Instead, I arrived to find people who were nothing like me.

I walked into my floor's common room to find about 10 girls already complaining about the camp. One said she barely ate anything for dinner because the food tasted horrible compared to her usual private school cuisine, and almost everyone agreed to eat out or order takeout to spare their tastebuds. (Personally, I devoured two bowls of pasta and a burger on the first night without a problem.)

After two days of eating out at various restaurants, I knew I had to stop. When my parents paid for this camp, meals were included in the cost, so why would I add to that already oversized bill for the sake of fitting in with a few rich kids?

For another week, I trekked to the cafeteria on my own and ate with different groups who had an open chair, but most of them discussed the same topics. They hated how salty the fries were. The schedule should’ve had more free time built in. There was too much free time on certain days. One girl felt so bothered by the lack of a full-length mirror in her dorm room that she bought one from Pottery Barn and shipped it to the school.

I called home to ask my friends and family why I couldn’t find friends at a camp designed for “people like me.” I felt like the program directors had lied to me. The photos and quotes from years past made it seem every high schooler who came through this program met her “best friends for life” upon entering campus, but I was alone watching “Bachelorette” clips in my dorm while my classmates chowed down at an overpriced Chinese restaurant.

By the third week, I had found my people: nine girls who lived on cafeteria food and agreed it was ridiculous to order a full-length mirror when there were two in each bathroom already. We walked to classes together, shared large bowls of fries in the cafeteria, and watched Disney masterpieces like the “High School Musical” trilogy or “The Hannah Montana Movie.” They agreed the first few weeks were difficult because they expected the picture perfect experience advertised in the brochure, which made everyone feel more isolated in their struggle to find friends.

No experience can be as amazing as it seems in catalogs or emails, so rather than daydream about life after graduation, I think I’ll just enjoy my last year in high school.

THE STINGER

OCTOBER 2017

OPINION

Politics don’t end with the president Erica Love Opinion Editor The 2018 midterm elections could bring about staggering changes to Pennsylvania’s political climate. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s seat is up for reelection as well as each of the 18 congressional seats in the state, and the passion on both sides of the political spectrum to win back government offices heightens constantly.

With the increased amount of pressure placed on next year’s midterms, tensions and speculations are running rampant. Rep. Charlie Dent, who in early September stated he would not seek reelection, continues to be a hot topic of local and national discussion that exemplifies the significance of 2018’s elections.

Though this decision sparked ample conversation on Dent’s own motive and future plans, its real importance lies within the likelihood that his seat in the diverse and populous 15th Congressional District could be taken by a Democrat or more conservative Republican in the midterms.

Dent, who is serving his seventh term as congressman, has come out multiple times in recent months as a critic of President Trump. `Memorably, he stood against Trump’s travel ban, which had direct consequences for Allentown, where a sizeable portion of Syrian refugees and other Middle Eastern immigrants live.

The congressman also kept moderate positions on controversial GOP initiatives such as the new healthcare proposals, which Dent also believed would greatly harm his constituents and America at large.

Lehigh County will be lucky if it elects someone who is even close to Dent’s level of centrism.

The 15th District has great vulnerability, as it is a swing district. It’s highly contested in every election, and to put this into perspective, it was won by both Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump within the past decade.

With that being said, there really is no surefire way to predict who the next representative will be.

The only thing certain about the elections is that if Democratic Party wants to be heard, they will need to turn up the heat.

In the Lehigh Valley, political action (largely as a result of the 2016 general election) has increased tenfold.

Progressive groups such as the East Penn Democratic Club, Lehigh Valley for All and POWER Northeast serve

as hubs for community organization and the local political scene as a whole. With these types of opportunities to get involved, it is imperative that they are used advantageously to promote civic responsibilities such as participating in local politics and voting.

No matter what political party you identify with, it is crucial to take part in and pay attention to more than just the presidential election every four years. Even if you aren’t old enough to vote, volunteering, spreading information or just having a conversation with your mom could make a difference in the political sphere.

With that, it is important to think about the 2018 midterm elections and what type of candidates will be running. So many people wonder “what happened” when they think about how politicians can rise to such prominent ranks as cabinet members or party leaders, but usually it is a simple matter of climbing up the ranks through local and state elections.

So really, the answer to the question “what happened” is what you as a constituent, Pennsylvanian, and American citizen did or didn’t do in your political sphere, and that makes all the difference.

Survey says...

Photo courtesy of Charlie Dent.

5%

of 61 students could correctly identify Rep. Dent

Photo courtesy of Tom Wolf.

20%

of 61 students could correctly identify Gov. Wolf

Leadership can’t measure value in college applications Luke Maake Opinion Editor October has arrived, and Halloween is soon to kickstart the train of festivities to close out the year. However, clowns and monsters aren’t the scariest thing that high school seniors will have to face this fall. An entirely different beast keeps us up at night: college applications.

There’s no “best of times” about it - college applications are stressful, a lot of work and apt to make parents and students alike go somewhat crazy. Not only are we as students being judged based on our academic achievement during our time in high school, but we’re also evaluated based on our activities, our maturity, our personalities - everything that makes us, us. Essentially, we try to make it sound like we’re angels sent by God himself to grace a certain college with our presence.

That may sound extreme, but it’s the truth when one is aspiring to get into a reach or dream school.

Colleges want students to be active members of the community and leaders in what they do. Being a sports captain or a club president may reflect positively upon a student - but what if we’re not all naturally inclined to be leaders? Is one’s level of leadership truly indicative of their value as a student or person?

In my experience, the emphasis that colleges place on leadership

creates artificial competition between students to run clubs they may not even want to be officers for. Case in point, I’m the current treasurer of the National Honor Society. This is not the culmination of months of hard work and motivation - this is the result of me idly thinking, “Hey, maybe this would make me look good,” and running against other students of a similar mindset. Will I do my job now that I have it? Yes. Do I know what, exactly, my job even is? No. The simple truth of the matter is not everyone can be a leader and not everyone should be a leader. I don’t mean to detract from the value of leadership - being able to effectively

organize and direct other people is a valuable asset to have, and arguably one in short supply. I simply don’t believe that students should be expected to be leaders, and automatically become less appealing candidates if they don’t meet that expectation.

There’s something to be said for wanting to get your hands dirty and do the work as opposed to coordinating others. They’re simply different skill sets, and one is not inherently more valuable than the other.

At this point in the application process, I’m already stressing about every single mediocre grade I’ve ever recieved, and I don’t appreciate the added burden of having to worry about not being a leader. If I don’t get

into college, I don’t get into college.

But I would prefer to get denied because of that one C in journalism rather than not being historian of math club.

If I take a look back at my time in some of Emmaus High School’s various clubs, it’s somewhat disheartening to realize that colleges can’t truly see the role I’ve played and the impact I’ve made in them despite the fact that I haven’t been a leader.

In my mind, I’ve made more of a difference and performed to a fuller potential as someone who just wanted to participate rather than lead.

Now, I don’t mean to imply that college applications are the only area where you’ll come across this shallow emphasis on leadership.

Hell, I applied to work at Red Robin over the summer, and they seemed awfully interested in my ability to lead. (If the CEO of Red Robin happens to be reading this, please tell me why a dishwasher needs to be a leader - also please reconsider my application.)

At the same time, no college is such a defining and transformative epoch in the lives of so many students that it seems absurd to use leadership as a metric by which a student’s value can be judged. College is a place of tremendous diversity in terms of opinion, ideology, political stance, you name it; it should follow, then, that diversity in skillsets is valued as well.

What it boils down to is that there’s no issue with leadership reflecting positively on a student’s application but a lack of leadership should not be doing the opposite.

OPINION

THE STINGER

OCTOBER 2017

7

DACA’s far-reaching impacts hit close to home Dima Khalil Opinion Contributor On Sept.

5, President Trump announced that his administration would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an immigration initiative that impacts the lives of nearly 800,000 young adults.

While some people may not recognize the importance of DACA, its significance is great to the lives of students who have sought permanent residency in the United States.

DACA-eligible immigrants were brought here very young, and were unable to have a say in where they lived.

President Obama established DACA in 2012 as a way to protect these children, giving them a chance to build a life here.

Under the new administration’s choice to terminate it, the game has changed for several people who are “American in all but paperwork.”

As a kid, my parents loved to remind me of how fortunate we were to be living in the United States, and how many opportunities were waiting for me at every corner. They also reminded me of how proud I should be of my Middle Eastern heritage, keeping the Arabic language and culture alive within our household. They

never, however, mentioned just how in limbo we really were regarding our status in this country.

I moved here in 2003 from Jordan, after my family escaped the precarious situation under Saddam Hussein in our native country, Iraq. My parents came here legally under H-4 Worker’s Visas-- my mother being an obstetrician/gynecologist and my father also a doctor who looked to specialize in cardiology. I was only three and didn’t have status.

Having arrived as Iraqis in Louisiana so soon before the war with Iraq began, my family faced quite a bit of criticism.

Several people questioned whose side we were really on. Being so new here, my family struggled with these questions, and the first few years were rough.

As the work visas’ time was running out, my parents sought asylum in order to become actual citizens of the country we had grown to love. This certainly was not a quick and easy task. I remember countless visits to immigration offices, getting my fingerprints taken thousands of times, and seeing my parents grow discouraged by the sluggish process. I remember feeling somewhat jealous of my two little brothers who were born here, as they avoided the whole process altogether.

Unfortunately, the immigration court refused to have a hearing for my family for reasons undisclosed. My father thinks it was simply because of our background and the timing since there was no reason to delay citizenship. Regardless, the delay left us with the status of “Withholding

NFL protests shed light on complex racial issues Noël Greenwood Opinion Contributor The American flag. Bald eagles.

The Fourth of July. These are all things that we associate with patriotism in the United States. Not sporting red, white and blue on Independence Day is practically a sin. As Americans, we pride ourselves on our love for our country, and we should. We invented the internet, were the first to put a man on the moon, and created a document that said “all men are created equal.” But are all men really equal?

When the Founding Fathers created the Constitution they neglected to mention women. They didn’t mention slaves. Out of the 55 delegates sent to the Constitutional Convention, 49 percent were slaveholders. The United States was one of the last countries to abolish slavery, and even after abolition, black people were forced into a repeated cycle of abuse with the Jim Crow laws. The wounds that were inflicted on black people still bleed today; the anger over the oppression that lasted 400 years will never go away. It should not go away.

Time and time again black people have been oppressed and told to be grateful for what they have. Anytime black people start to defend themselves against police brutality, discrimination and prejudices, hate groups spring up and take the opposite stance.

On Aug. 14, 2016, Colin Kaepernick, the former 49ers quarterback, sat for the

duration of the national anthem. He sat again at a football game the following week. It was not until Aug. 26 that the media took notice of Kaepernick’s actions. Many were quick to criticize him, but what they failed to notice was what Kaepernick was sitting for.

Many Americans love their country, but not everyone is equal. By sitting for the national anthem, Kaepernick was standing up for the Black Lives Matter movement and promoting awareness of inequality in America. He did nothing wrong, and brought awareness to a situation many Americans were unaware of.

On Sept. 7, President Trump made inappropriate comments about Kaepernick at a campaign rally for Republican senate candidate Luther Strange in Alabama. The following Sunday, players on 27 football teams either sat, kneeled or linked arms to protest the president’s comments and to bring awareness to Black Lives Matter. Many fans were, and still are, upset by the actions of the football teams. Several burned their merchandise from the teams they support. Others simply stopped watching the games. They failed to see the purpose of Kaepernick and other players’ protests.

Kneeling during the national anthem is a peaceful way of starting a conversation on a touchy subject that many Americans do not feel comfortable talking about.

Kaepernick and all the other players protesting are exercising their First Amendment right, and in turn setting a patriotic example for their young fans and America as a whole.

Student Twitter poll: Do you support the right to protest during the Pledge of Allegiance and/or the national anthem?

of Removal” for 10 years. When DACA became an option in 2012, and it seemed as if our road to citizenship was going nowhere, my parents considered applying me for it. They decided to wait, since tensions between the U.S. and Iraq had eased up.

Almost miraculously in November 2012, my mother received a letter in the mail from the immigration office in Philadelphia asking her to go and receive her citizenship. In a surreal turn of events, she became a citizen, then my father in December, and finally myself in January 2013. I remember being asked to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance line by line after the judge, and I laughed.

The idea of repeating after him was funny to me, as I had been saying the pledge by myself every morning in school since kindergarten. He gave me a tiny American flag and congratulated me on my citizenship, and I felt so content. I finally had that sense of belonging that I had missed out on. Although I was a citizen of Iraq, I had no memories of it. I had traveled to the Middle East during a few summers, but always felt that home was right here.

There are so many people with stories like mine, children who were integrated into America and who deserve to be American. Although DACA doesn’t give immigrants a way to become citizens, it allows them to be lawfully present and establish a normal life for themselves while they remain in that limbo phase. DACA’s removal caused thousands of young

people to question the stability of their futures in a way that many of us don’t.

The fact of the matter is, we all bring something to the table. Those children

Khalil holds her certificate and an American flag after passing her citizenship test in 2013. Photo courtesy of Dima Khalil who came here under their parents and who know this country as home are part of what makes us great. They are justified in their quest for normalcy and success in the United States.

National anthem demonstrations distract from their purpose Colby Kocon Opinion Contributor The debate over whether or not professional athletes should be required to stand during the national anthem has spread across the media and remains a topic of great contention. I personally do not agree with this protest. Although the athletes are entitled to freedom of speech and expression under the First Amendment, some forms of protest offend others. While these methods try to convey a point, they often shed a negative light on the issues to which they’re attempting to bring awareness. Many Americans have condemned the protest as disrespectful, and this is not without reason. Some veterans and active service members disagree with the protest or are offended with the choice NFL players have made to kneel during the national anthem.

I believe that if these actions are seen as disrespectful by such a large percentage of service members, this should be considered by the protesters. It has been American tradition that one stand during the national anthem in order to pay respect to those who sacrificed their lives for our nation. Additionally, this serves to acknowledge those who continue to serve and protect the freedoms which our country represents. I believe that it is disrespectful for people to protest by sitting and kneeling during the national anthem-but I am in no means denying that these people have the right to protest.

Although the demonstrations are

successful in drawing attention from the media, the majority of the press they’re receiving is negative. Forty-nine percent of Americans still disagree with the protest, as opposed to the 43 percent that approve, according to the Washington Examiner.

The situation was further escalated when players from the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers remained in their locker rooms during the national anthem. Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva, a former Army ranger, was left to stand alone during the anthem. When the rest of the team stayed in their locker room, they faced noteworthy condemnation, and rightfully so.

After this event, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 58 percent of Americans believe that athletes should be required to stand for the national anthem before a game. The players stated that they were kneeling in protest of police brutality and racial inequality. While these are causes worthy of awareness, a less controversial form of protest would further draw public support. Several players have made financial contributions to benefit community organizations, and many would agree that actions of charity such as this are far less controversial and would have notable benefits.

I believe that in order to work towards a resolution of issues such as those being protested, the nation must stand together in common agreement regarding the issue, rather than standing divided. In order to do this, people must respect the values represented by the national anthem-- values of freedom of speech and expression to protest.

8

THE STINGER

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Features

THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

9

Navigating the College process

Part One: Students share their application stories

Andrea Klick Editor-in-Chief Standardized tests. Supplemental essays. Stress.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, estimated college enrollment has increased from about 15.3 million in 2000 to an estimated 20.4 million in 2017.

But every college bound senior experiences a different application process.

Some know exactly what path they want to take, while others won’t know the university they attend until they pay their deposit fee on May 1, National Decision Day. ΔΔΔ When it comes to the college process, senior Cindy He says she feels lost.

He says she worries that applying undecided could hurt her chances of admission, so instead she’s checking off nursing as her intended major. She also has until Nov. 1 to apply to a school early decision but is having trouble choosing between several universities-- Penn, Johns Hopkins and Carnegie Mellon.

So, He is working on supplemental essays for all three schools and waiting to decide where she wants to submit an application. But she says the pressure of the November deadline is quickly mounting. Now, she has to spend most of her time on weekends working on applications and editing essays with her parents.

“I would say I should have done more things by now than I have already,” He said. “I haven’t gone outside of my house on the weekends in a very long time. I feel like a hermit.”

Applying early decision to a college is similar to signing a business contract. The applicant agrees to only apply early to one school, and, if accepted and awarded an adequate financial package, they must attend the university and withdraw any regular decision applications. Also, the applicant could be rejected or deferred, meaning their materials will be reconsidered during the regular decision process.

The approximately 200 colleges in the U.S. that offer early decision admission typically advertise it as a way for students to demonstrate interest and show that the school is their first choice. But because a number of top-tier schools boast higher acceptance rates for early decision applicants, students like He see it as a strategic move to boost their chances of getting in. For instance, while about 7 percent of regular decision applicants were admitted to Penn last year, 22 percent of early decision applicants made the cut, according to Top Tier Admissions.

Another perk for early decision candidates like He is the faster decision date. While many regular decision schools send their acceptances and rejections out in late March or early April, early decision candidates typically learn their fate in mid-December. If He does get rejected or de-

Cindy He poses in front of Cornell University during a college visit. Photo courtesy of He.

ferred by her early decision school, she says she’ll need to work on regular decision applications during winter break and send them out before the typical January deadline.

He says the idea of going to college was always in the back of her mind. At a piano lesson when she was five-yearsold, she remembers her mother telling her that, if she practiced enough, she could earn a scholarship one day.

In freshman year, He joined her family on various college tours for her brother, Zooey, who is now a sophomore at Johns Hopkins. Starting in junior year, she visited at least 12 Photo illustration by Arianna Werner. schools that she was interested in applying to like Penn, Club in Philadelphia, a club team focused on helping Yale, Swarthmore and Cornell. But after these tours, He students be recruited by colleges. Rather than practicing says she never fell in love with a particular school. to win games, the team travels to tournaments in hopes of “Some people get that feeling where they’re like ‘this being noticed by college coaches in the stands. school really speaks to me,’ but I’ve never really gotten The coaches at Dukes helped Krauss contact recruiters that feeling,” He says. “I’ve also never gotten the feeling from colleges who were interested in him. Once he started of ‘oh I hate this school.’ So I feel like I would be okay receiving offers from schools, they also helped him negotianywhere, but I guess no one really knows until you go.” ate scholarship offers with various universities. He says his Right now, He says she is most worried about finishing coaches encouraged him to ask for more financial support various essays for her applications. She has thrown around if he had an interest in attending and affording the school. a number of topics from her passion for music to her com“If I wanted to go to that school or get a certain amount mitment to the girls’ tennis team, but she says she’s had of money from that school I had to do that,” Krauss says. trouble crafting an essay both she and her parents believe is “It felt awkward, but it happens a lot, so it’s not like the good enough. Because the essay is the one part of her apcoaches look down upon you for doing that stuff.” plication she can still fix, He says she feels more pressure Once Krauss verbally committed to Hartford, he says to make it perfect. he was able to relax. And, when he submits his application “What your grades were in sophomore or junior year, and signs his National Letter of Intent next month, he’ll you can’t really change that anymore,” He says. “But the officially be done with the college process. essay is what you still can control, and it’s the last thing “It was a huge weight off my shoulders just because it you can do to get the best application you can.” was a long process,” Krauss says. “The first two years of ΔΔΔ high school were pretty stressful. But it was definitely less Senior Hunter Krauss had to plan his future much earlier stressful for these past two years, when a lot of kids are than He. stressing to figure out what they want to do and stuff like In ninth grade, Krauss started his college search when that.”

Dartmouth contacted him about playing Division 1 lacrosse at their school. After that, he was approached by schools like Lafayette, High Point University and the University of Hartford, where he verbally committed last August.

Krauss says his visit to Hartford stood out from the other schools, where he met with the coach, went on a tour and then had a discussion with the coach about possible offers. At Hartford, he says being able to eat dinner and stay with some of the players helped him feel more comfortable with the campus and team. After the visit, the coaches made him an offer and within a few weeks, Krauss accepted.

“I feel like they really welcomed me in with open arms,” Krauss says. “I always heard coming up, my coaches were saying ‘once you walk on campus you’ll know.’ I hadn’t really gotten that feeling yet, and I wasn’t sure if I necessarily believed that. But when I was at Hartford, I just felt comfortable, and I knew ‘hey this is the place I want to go’ within the first 20 minutes I was there.”

Before looking at schools, Krauss had to decide his future major and career as a freshman.

Krauss chose to major in either biology or go into a pre-dental program to eventually become an orthodontist, and if a school didn’t offer these programs, he crossed them off his list.

“It was hard to think about like ‘what do I want to do when I get to college and outside of college’ as a freshman in high school,” Krauss says. “I had to really think about all the different programs, what classes I did like freshman year, and what I wanted to pursue and talk to my parents about what they thought would be To read the full stories and follow up best.” during the rest of the college process go Krauss has an older brother who attends Notre Dame on an academic scholarship, but his family had never been to stingerehs.com through the college recruiting process before. Outside of the high school team, Krauss plays for The Dukes Lacrosse

EHS students describe their

Bibi Correa Features Editor Hours of doing research and watching documentaries opened senior Paige Thomas to a new lifestyle: veganism.

About two and a half years ago, Thomas watched her first feature film, “Forks Over Knives,” which details the benefits of a raw vegan diet. It focuses on the claim that most of the degenerative diseases, such as heart disease, obesity and cancer, can be controlled or reduced by limiting or ultimately stopping the consumption of animal-based and processed foods. The film highlights animal agriculture and its effect on the environment.

After watching the film, the idea hit Thomas that she was eating something that used to be alive.

“We put labels on meat products and say it’s steak, but no, it’s a cow.” Thomas said. “We don’t like to call it what it is. Most people wouldn’t go out to kill their own food, and I couldn’t do that. So why should I be eating it if I wouldn’t want to be the one to kill the animal?”

From then on, she started her plant-based journey.

Initially the transition was difficult. Since Thomas’s parents weren’t vegan themselves, they didn’t believe the diet was sustainable. During her freshman year, Thomas lost a lot of weight, and her family believed it was due to an eating disorder.

While she didn’t believe she had one, Thomas also wasn’t eating, so she became confused as to what was going on with her body.

Being vegan, she never had a problem with not wanting to eat, although she had some difficulties in the beginning.

“There was a time where I wasn’t the healthiest with it,” she said. “It wasn’t because I was vegan; it was because I wasn’t getting enough calories in.”

As she continued, Thomas found a balance with eating enough and the right kind of food. Now, her diet mostly consists of raw food with some occasional junk food.

Since no one else in her family is vegan, Thomas does her own grocery shopping and cooking. Being involved in two sports, soccer and track, Thomas leads a busy life. To keep herself on track, she prepares ingredients that she knows she’ll use for meals in advance.

“I always have rice, beans, frozen vegetables and potatoes on hand because I don’t have enough time during the week.” Thomas said. “Especially when I was going vegan, if I don’t have food that’s prepped I would usually grab something that’s not.”

As of 2017, six percent of the American population identifies themselves as vegan, an increase from the previous one percent in 2014, according to Vegan Bits.

In June the feature film, “What the Health,” was released on Netflix, exploring the serious health concerns relating to meat and dairy. Rise of the Vegan attributes the film to the increased consumer awareness pertaining to the health effects of animal products.

After watching the film, senior Alison McQuiston realized she needed to make a change in her diet and became vegan.

“I didn’t know how bad the stuff was that I was eating.

Once I learned that, that’s what kind of pushed me to be vegan.” McQuiston said. “It is nice that I’m not killing animals and participating in that because the documentary does also talk about how awful the animals are treated. “ For me, it was mostly health, but I’ve

always cared about the animals,” McQuiston said. “I’ve just never really thought being vegan helped anything.

But if I can help myself, that to me is worth doing it.”

Senior Grace Harnett, who has been a vegetarian for almost two years, noticed that the amount of people refraining from eating meat increased because of newfound awareness. “‘What the Health’ was huge and that convinced a lot of people,” Harnett said. “ People are more aware of what the meat industry is about and how it affects us and the environment.”

Many benefits result from changing to a plant-based diet: weight loss, more energy, and healthy skin. McQuiston has experienced these benefits for herself, and although she has been vegan for a short time, she forgets how she used to feel.

“Now I feel really good after I eat, I never feel rundown or heavy or bloated or anything like that.” McQuiston said. “It can be hard to go out and eat, but I like the satisfaction of making my own meal and knowing what’s in it.”

About two years ago, Junior Otavio Santos de Albuquerque started researching health and how food relates to illness. He first became vegetarian, but then he decided to remove animal products from his diet altogether.

“My diet before was not working for me, so when I went vegan I lost a lot of weight without trying. I started to have more energy to do daily tasks and exercising,” Santos de Albuquerque said.

Likewise, Thomas noticed that she had more energy.

Before becoming a vegan, she worked hard during the week, and on the weekends she crashed and slept for long periods of times. After the switch, she noticed that during sporting events, she felt just as energized.

“I have just as much energy as everyone out there, if not more,” Thomas said. “Some days I never get that sort of lag in a season that some people do. It’s easier for me to workout because I can feel a lot more energy.”

She said she also lost a considerable amount of fat while maintaining the same weight.

“There were times where I wasn’t in season, and I wasn’t working out, and I don’t gain that weight back,” she said. “I may not be as toned, but my weight doesn’t fluctuate. It’s so nice, and it used to fluctuate all the time, and it was a big insecurity of mine.”

Generally, she has noticed a boost in her self confidence.

“Over the past two years, it’s been a happy time in my life,” she said. “I’m proud of the people who support the idea that being vegan is an identity changer because I’m someone who does not contribute to the slaughter of animals, and it makes me feel good. It makes you feel proud that it’s something you’re able to do.”

One main criticism of a vegan diet is that it doesn’t have enough protein, since it’s main source is from animal products. According to Mind Body Green, many foods including vegetables, non dairy milk, nut butter, quinoa and lentils have plant-based proteins. One cup of lentils has 18 grams of protein, which is equivalent to three large eggs.

McQuiston doesn’t worry about protein because she trusts that she is getting it from the right source.

“The way they spoke about it in the documentary was that the only way animals have protein in them is because they eat grass and all the amino acids in the grass turn to protein in their bodies.” McQuiston said. “So the way I think about it is if I eat enough vegetables, then I’m fine.

I make sure that I eat beans and nuts, I pay attention to it, and I make sure that I’m getting it, but it isn’t something I’m crazy about it.”

The benefits of a plant-based diet are not at all new, in fact the Daniel Diet has become a popular way of eating among U.S. Protestant churches to encourage healthy eating. ABC News detailed that the diet is based on the Biblical prophet Daniel who fasted twice. During his first fast, Daniel only ate vegetables and water. For a second fast, he stopped eating meat, wine and other rich foods.

Junior Sislandy Rodriguez learned about the diet

through the Seventh-day Ad part of a club called Pathfind wanted them to participate i in West Virginia, where they churches.

Rodriguez at first found it from a mostly meat-based d However, since she is a part director told her to pray abo chat where they each send m concentrate on why they sho Although she has only been immediately noticed a chang “My skin is better, before broke out a lot but that was the toxins and now I’m back “I’ve lost some weight, I wa don’t feel gross after I eat.”

While a plant-based diet a impacts the environment.

I Love Vegan explains tha feeding animals for food is a resources. Animals raised fo over half of the the world’s grows, there’s a need for mo 60 percent of worldwide def being used as agricultural la grazing cattle. Reducing me the need for agricultural spa Santos de Albuquerque be ly environmentalists, should affects the environment.

“I think people have to kn where it’s coming from.” Sa see people that care about th about that part of the equatio “I see that the deforestatio 80 percent of that is dedicate trees so less oxygen and mo ane.” He said. ‘It’s as terribl it’s getting released into the 100 times more than carbon While many can be critica believes that “it’s important that maybe others don’t agre Thomas has experienced the beginning it frustrated h “In the beginning it kind o because I was so, and still am when people would tease m ignorant place it used to mak said.

“I didn’t have the frame o let them do that, and be confi because it’s working for you Thomas said. “You want to to work. Nobody is ever goi jamming it down everyone’s The most helpful piece of is to be informed.

“Educate yourself, make about what you’re getting yo “I do highly recommend it a you know what it’s doing fo doing it the right way. There people have to look out for.”

Thomas believes it’s impo of vegans and nonvegans ali “Find someone who is ve who is OK listening to you a going in especially if you ar Thomas said. “And it’s ok to

r vegan diets

dventist Church, where she is a ders. The director of the club in the diet for a camping trip y would compete with other

t extremely hard to change diet to a plant one over night. t of a church organization, the out it. The club has a group messages to help one another ould do continue the diet. n doing it for a short time, she ge. e I started it was fine, but I just my body getting rid of k to normal.” Rodriguez said. ake up more energized, and I

affects health, it similarly

at breeding, raising and an inefficient use of natural or food production are fed crops. As the population ore agricultural space. Almost forestation results from land and, much of which is used for eat lowers deforestation and ace. elieves more people, especiald be aware of how veganism

now what they’re eating and antos de Albuquerque said. “I he environment that don’t care on. on of the Amazon [rainforest], ed to raising cattle, we get less ore cows that produce methle as CO2 or worse because as air, it can absorb heat up to n.” al, Santos de Albuquerque t to be certain of something ee with.” this criticism first hand and in her. of hurt my feelings a little bit m, so passionate about it and me about it and come from an ke me really sad,” Thomas

of mind to be like that’s them, fident in what you’re doing u and making you happy.” get angry, but it’s never going ing to listen to you if you’re s throat.” f advice McQuiston suggests

sure you know everything ourself into,” McQuiston said. and encourage it but make sure or your body, and that you’re e are certain things certain ” ortant to find a support system, ike, who are willing to listen. egan or vegetarian or someone and have a support system re transitioning over time.” o slip up. It’s human nature.”

One culture editor’s experience

Joe Eckstein For the first time in my life, I decided to take a week off from eating meat by becoming a vegan.

Being vegan has become a mainstream trend for many, and it boasts many health benefits to go along with it, but that doesn’t change the fact that it seems like you can’t eat anything (or at least anything good).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for trying new things and in all honesty, I was actually looking forward to doing this. Then I started the diet. Well, veganism isn’t a diet. It’s a lifestyle that requires dedication and love for cruelty-free meals.

Hands down, the hardest part of switching to a vegan diet was changing how I drank my coffee. Most people would probably assume that taking away the meat would be tough, but as someone who loves a strong cup of coffee with light cream from Wawa, I found it extremely tough switching to non-dairy French vanilla. And of course it’s awful when your friend Michael, a Wawa employee, tells you that, despite the label, the creamer still contains trace amounts of dairy products. (Thanks, Michael.)

The day before I started, I decided I would have one of my favorite meals, a cheeseburger from Five Guys. I looked at it as my very own “Last Supper.” I jumped from one extreme to another the next night.

I started on a Monday night when my family--who joined me in being vegan-- made veggie burgers. I’m not saying they were bad, in fact, they were actually pretty good. But there’s a big difference between Five Guys and veggie burgers. Truthfully, they shouldn’t even be called burgers. All in all, I initially thought that this diet -- umm, lifestyle -- was going to be a walk in the park.

That thought immediately changed the next day at school when I got my first vegan lunch of the week. And it technically wasn’t vegan. With the few options I had, I went with the only salad that didn’t have any meat on it. The only problem was

it was loaded with cheese that forced me to take every lettuce leaf and brush off all traces of dairy. A true vegan would have scoffed at this, but believe me, I’m far from being considered that. Twenty minutes go by, and I burned more calories than I ate. (Okay, that might be a little extreme, but you get the point).

The next day for lunch, I decided to avoid the whole salad fiasco and played it safe by packing lunch: banana, Belvita breakfast biscuits and a bottle of water. This would become my go-to meal for the week. I would have really enjoyed the appetizing Kind Bar that my mom had packed me, but one of my friends saw that the bar contained honey. I completely forgot: honey isn’t vegan, so it was a hard no on the bar.

Dinner consisted of rice and bean bowls. Every day. Wawa and Chipotle were the best options. They were quick, easy and best of all, vegan. After eating a bowl almost every night, I’ll admit they became boring toward the end of the week, but I had no problem with that.

So that was the whole diet. Looking back, the only issue I came across was the cafeteria salad at lunch. Other than that, it was smooth sailing through the whole week.

Despite eating less than usual, I had more energy than when I ate more calories with meat and dairy. I felt happier and rested throughout the day and didn’t experience the dreaded afternoon crash.

This diet has actually made me apply some changes to my lifestyle. I try to incorporate at least one day of vegan eating throughout the week, preferably on days where I have hockey practice.

The result? Going vegan was a great experience. Not only did I learn valuable information, but I also discovered that there are good vegan food options, and I can find more energy by changing what I’m eating. I would stay on the diet longer, but ChickFil-A is too good to pass up.

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THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

ink

Behind the

F E AT U R E S

Students reveal the meaning of their tattoos Makenzie Christman Features Contributor In eighth grade, Arlie Hoffman walked into Kline Family Ink and stepped into the chair.

Hoffman wasn’t the typical client. But hers wasn’t the typical story.

At first, the staff told her she was too young, but then a tattoo artist asked how large the tattoo would be.

“I told him how big, and that it was a really meaningful tattoo,” Hoffman says. “We told him the story, and he was like ‘You know what, we can do that for you, it’s really not that bad,’ and it was really cool.”

Nearly three years earlier, Hoffman explained, her father took his own life. This tragedy would turn the young girl’s world upside down.

After her dad’s passing, Hoffman began to face bullying at school over her appearance and family situation, causing her to contemplate taking her own life. At one point, she attempted suicide and was hospitalized for three days.

Following her release, Hoffman realized that she didn’t want to follow in her dad’s footsteps.

“My dad had always been in and out of the hospital. I didn’t want to be like him, so my mom said I should get a tattoo,” the Emmaus High School sophomore says. “And in some way, it spoke to me because I didn’t want to give up on myself like my father did.”

After her father’s death, her mother and stepfather got a tattoo to honor him. And after seeing their ink, Hoffman knew she wanted a tattoo with significant meaning that would honor someone she loved.

That’s what led her to walk into the tattoo parlor on Chestnut Street that day and offer her story -- and her left arm. When she shared her experiences at the studio, the Emmaus tattoo artist knew he would have to honor her request.

The phrase “I won’t give up” is now etched across her wrist.

But her journey doesn’t end right there.

In her freshman year at Emmaus, Hoffman found her anxiety building. Knowing her past, she admitted herself into the hospital again, and received the counseling she needed to become “officially good” -- mentally and physically. She says seeing the tattoo each day reminds her of the importance of her life.

“My dad committed suicide,” Hoffman says. “So looking at the tattoo, it shows me that I don’t ever wanna give up, and that I have a life to live for a reason.”

Sibling Ties “What I tell most people is that I got it for my brother because he passed away when I was in fifth grade,” junior Hannah Albro says. “The deeper meaning of it is that it’s an infinity sign, so it’s like love for infinity because he’s gone, and I still love him.”

In 2012 Albro’s brother, Ben, passed away in a car accident in Upper Milford Township.

Albro recalls her late brother as a bright person with a lot of friends at Emmaus. The outgoing teen was known at school for his fun-loving nature and involvement in a number of clubs and teams-- he played hockey, competed on the rifle team and performed in orchestra.

Ben Albro had a presence in school, as well as within his large friend group, coining something known as Tie Day Friday.

“It started as just a big joke between him and his

friends. They called it ‘Tie Day Friday,’ and they were just being stupid teenagers,” Hannah says. “It was his thing.”

After Ben’s death, students and faculty at Emmaus celebrated his life and achievements in different ways.

Some students continued to wear skinny ties like Ben’s every Friday.

“When he was alive, it was just a thing between him and his friends; but once he passed, it became a thing that represented him,” Albro says.

Along with Tie Day Friday, the school created an orchestra scholarship in Ben’s name, as well as two awards.

A bench stands in the courtyard honoring his memory.

But beyond school, the Albro family sought to honor Ben with a personal tribute of a tattoo. First, the eldest Albro sibling, Brandon, got his tattoo. Then their parents got theirs. Two weeks later, after she turned 15, it was Hannah’s turn.

Albro’s tribute is on her wrist, an infinity sign with her brother’s name “Ben” inscribed.

A Grandson’s Memory “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” reads on senior football player Mike Reeves’s left arm inside a large cross.

Reeves’s tattoo mainly serves for himself, but it also reminds him of his late grandmother. Reeves’s tattoo holds a religious significance which is personally important to him, as it represents his beliefs.

“This one is just kinda for myself. Whether I’m down in the classroom or on the field it’s something I can always go to and calm down,” he says.

In addition to the cross, a tattoo of the cave painting of Simba from “The Lion King” lies on his left calf.

The Lion King tattoo as well as the one on his bicep are in memory of his grandmother. Both his grandmother and mother have led him to his beliefs today, resulting in the second tattoo.

“Me and my grandmother used to watch ‘The Lion King’ all the time and that was her favorite part of the movie,” Reeves says.

While Reeves explains that he received a minimal amount of criticism for getting a tattoo, he likes to remain positive and ignore the negativity.

“I feel like no matter how old you are, you’re still gonna have people who just don’t like tattoos, and that’s their opinion,” Reeves says.

Society’s Judgment Unlike Reeves, Hoffman felt people were negative towards her decision to get a tattoo. She says that after people learned about her tattoo, she and her parents received a great deal of criticism for it.

Both Hoffman and her parents were flooded with comments

Hannah Albro commemorating her brother with her tattoo and tie.

Photos by Emma Brashear.

Arlie Hoffman holds a picture of her and her father, the inspiration behind her tattoo. Photos by Emma Brashear. from people on Facebook who questioned her age and whether it was appropriate that her parents allowed her to go through with it.

“It was hard because I didn’t really understand what it was... like, it’s just a tattoo. But to other people, it was a really big deal,” Hoffman says. “ But I knew that, so I dealt with it.”

Like Hoffman, Albro received negative comments for her decision to get a tattoo. She attempted to keep to herself about it to prevent any unwanted criticism, yet she still received plenty.

At a tattoo convention in hopes of finding an artist, Albro and her mother asked around to see who was able to do it. One man in particular told her that she would “ruin her life” and that she would be “ruining her skin.”

In addition to her unusual experience at the convention, she gained an undesirable amount of comments from friends and family.

Despite all the negative reactions, Albro never let them dampen her happiness and love towards the tattoo, still showing pride for it today.

“I know infinity tattoos are really popular, but I actually thought of this on my own and researched it and figured out that it was really popular,” Albro said.

Hoffman also plans on getting two more tattoos, another one for her dad and one for herself. One being the exact same rose her father previously had on his back and the other one as “purpose” written on her forearm.

“I have a purpose in life and I have to live it,” Hoffman says, “so that’s what I’m going to do.”

THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

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Culture

THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

Student releases original music on SoundCloud Rylan Bassett Culture Editor Shivering with nerves, a 14-year-old girl offered a glimpse into her heart in the form of an original song to a crowd of spectators, all the while worried that they wouldn’t like what was inside.

Now a junior, Lauren Garcia has followed her musical ambition and become known as “the girl on SoundCloud.” She has released four albums of completely original music since 2015.

Despite her age, Garcia already has performed at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, The Coffee House in Emmaus and EHS “Not Just Broadway Nights” under her belt. Her first public debut was at a “Not Just Broadway Night” during her freshman year. Her next big venue will be the Gin Mill in Northampton on Nov. 30. When she first started singing outside the comfort of her bedroom, she would shake with anxiety and struggle to walk in heels, but she has come a long way.

“I’m comfortable playing my own stuff in public because no one knows how [the songs] go so if I mess up, it’s okay,” Garcia says.

She released her first album on Aug. 19, 2015 and has put out a new one on her birthday each year as a present to herself. Garcia’s songs are built solely on ukulele instrumentals because that is all she currently plays, but she is currently learning to play piano to add more variety to her sound. In recognition of her seeming lack of technical know-how, she will be releasing a new song titled “I Can’t Play Guitar” later this month.

Garcia was inspired to post her creations online by the work of Dorothy “Dodie” Clark, an English singer-songwriter. Clark began her career online and has acquired millions of followers and toured in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. She has produced two albums, both of which ranked in the top forty albums in the UK. Her music is often driven by acoustic melodies and strong vocals and influence of this style is clearly discernible in Garcia’s work.

Garcia’s music is emotionally charged and focuses on themes of bullying, rejection, and intrapersonal reflection.

Exposing her emotions in such a public form is bound to bring about mixed reactions from fellow students, but Garcia chooses to focus on the positive.

“I’ve been actually bullied because people think my music sucks, but it’s okay, because it’s what I do,” Garcia says.

Not all reactions are negative. Students often have kind words for Garcia, and teachers play her music in their classrooms.

Junior Tommy Murgitroyde, a friend and fan of Garcia, has nothing but praise for her music.

“It’s really creative and different. It has really good meaning behind it,” Murgitroyde says.

Garcia chooses to use demeaning comments from her peers to feed her creativity. A refrain in “Younger” came from students telling her to “write a song about it” when she was upset. A similar situation sparked “Diss Track,” a song from her 2016 album.

“This kid in my class freshman year got mad and told me to write a diss track, so I did. But it was about bullying,” Garcia says.

A constant theme in her music is taking the more trivial aspects of teenage life and using them to paint a bigger picture.

Since her first experiments with compositions, Garcia believes she has developed as a musician.

“When I first started writing, my music didn’t have any structure. I put more focus and energy into it,” Garcia says.

Garcia hopes to continue her writing “forever.”

“I want to reach a point where I’m making money off my music,” Garcia says. “That’d be exciting.”

Garcia hopes to take her music career as far as possible, but even if it does not become profitable, she plans on writing music for pleasure well into adulthood.

Top: Cover of Lauren Garcia’s 2016 album. Bottom: Garcia during an Instagram photoshoot at the Allentown Rose Gardens. Photos courtesy of Lauren Garcia.

Band and color guard have high hopes for the season

Kaylee Ruiz Opinion Editor On Saturday Sept. 30, the Emmaus High School color guard and marching band attended the first Tournament of Bands competition in Schuylkill County and received first place, scoring an impressive 81.35.

During the previous season, the school’s musical and auxiliary performers ranked first in all three competitions and fourth in the state division. The Tournament of Bands competition is held throughout nine regions across America, and although the regional tournament events are still only beginning, students in the program have already dedicated a significant amount of time to their routines and rehearsals.

“We are committed to inspire participants to achieve higher and higher standards,” the Tournament of Bands website objective states. “PerforColor guard following their field performance, donning their “Gods of Olympus” cosmance opportunities must promote and tumes. Photo by Rylan Bassett assist in the educational development lots of visuals and things to make our ring this year between the new color guard of its students to achieve their greatest show more interesting.” coach, Carl Kreft, and the large number potential.”

Starting Aug. 14, students began reof incoming freshman. In order to fill the According to the Tournament of Bands hearsing their music, routines, and visuals large shoes of the previous year’s team, rulebook, the Emmaus performers are at the annual band camp, held at the Lowthe new performers will have to acclimate categorized in group three out of four er Macungie Middle School athletics field. quickly to the team’s rigorous routines. possible categories, meaning a band with In past years the camp was held at Quarry Emma Walker, a senior who has been 51 to 75 musicians and a maximum of 75 Park, and many students were grateful on the school’s Color Guard team for the auxiliary performers. Members have been for the change in location for restroom past four years, commended the incoming training for several weeks to prepare for proximity. students on their enthusiasm. games and competitions.

During the school year, members of the “The freshman are adapting incredibly Brooke Seislove, a sophomore in the Marching Band hold two-hour practices well” Walker says. “It takes a lot of hand flute section, has participated in marching after school three times a week in the field eye coordination, but they’re mastering it band for two years. behind the EHS cafeteria. Color Guard much faster than I did my freshmen year.”

“The band has made a lot of progress attends the same practices on Monday and Unlike past seasons, members of the this year,” Seislove says. “We’ve been Thursday with the band, but they do not Color Guard and Marching Band will be practicing and giving our best effort. I rehearse on Wednesdays. able to attend the homecoming dance due think that this year’s show might be even There are a number of changes occurto the altered game schedule. The homebetter than last year’s, as we are adding

coming game will took place on Friday, Oct. 13 at Emmaus, allowing members to attend the dance the following night.

Although not all of the music and visual additions have been memorized, the new students have performed successfully at several football games already, and will continue to improve as the season progresses.

Alec Liu, a sophomore in the saxophone section, was also impressed with the progress that new performers were making.

“I believe the new band students are adapting very well despite the high expectations of our drill writer and instructor, Rob” Liu says. “I’m very proud of the new students, and I believe they can and have really helped to bring our marching band to the next level.”

The performance is much more complex than flag waving and marching.

This year’s show is called “Gods Of Olympus” and features musical selections representing four gods from Greek mythology, Hermes, Dionysus, Aphrodite and Zeus. Alongside the musicians, members of the color guard are similarly themed with costumes designed to look like Greek Goddesses. Their decorative gold hairpieces are similar to the gold olive branch crowns, and their white dresses represent ancient Greek chitons with gold embroidery on the neckline and hem.

The color guard and marching band are sure to exceed the expectations of past years this season.

CULTURE

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THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

The Growing Vinyl Trend

Why LPs are making a comeback with today’s young adults

Joe Eckstein Culture Editor Dylan Michael knows this about vinyls: there’s a unique quality about music when it flows from an album.

Call him an audiophile, a record-loving junkie. But the Emmaus High School sophomore is part of growing fanbase that’s embracing the revival of 33s and 45s in this modern era of downloading and streaming music.

In a time of advancing technology when millions of songs are available at the touch of a button, vinyl records -- which once died out with chain record stores and their diverse deep catalogs -- are becoming popular amongst millennials. Trends that were believed to be dead are slowly resurging and becoming a part of their lifestyle.

According to MusicWatch, half of vinyl record buyers are under the age of 25, and men are more likely to buy vinyl than women. More than 21 percent of the buyers are ages 13 to 17.

In 2016 vinyl album sales topped 13 million, according to a Nielsen Year-End Report. That figure marked the highest in LP sales in the previous 25 years, Nielsen reported. Meanwhile, Forbes projects that 40 million LPs will be sold in 2017, with sales approaching $1 billion.

Michael believes that vinyls are becoming popular because of the physical aspect of collecting.

“I think physical media is making a resurgence,” says Michael. “Everything is going in waves, so maybe in 10 years, CDs will become a thing, and also cassette tapes are also becoming more popular.”

A store that is complying with the record trend for the youth is Urban Outfitters. The store features a department dedicated to physical music and media, which includes vinyls, as well as cassettes for current and classic music. Consumers can find a range of music of different genres and eras. If you want to pick up Migos’

newest album “CulI sold nothing but unture,” but also want derground stuff, it was the classic Michael all kids, sometimes I Jackson “Thriller,” was the oldest person in Urban Outfitters has the store being 23, and it. The store also now there’s time where sells record and I’m the youngest person cassette players for here, but we still get lots those who want to of college kids, high start a collection or school kids, people all upgrade their old the way into their 80s. equipment.

It’s a mix.”

However, Urban In the 21 years it’s Outfitters is not been open, Double ubiquitous around Decker Records has Products available at Double Decker been experiencing a the Lehigh Valley, Records. Photos by Rylan Bassett. but there are many “steady upswing, espelocal record stores that are beginning to cially in the last five years,” according to gain popularity. One of which is Double Holmes.

Decker Records in Allentown, which Buyers can also order LPs online opened in 1996 and has more than 25,000 through subscription stores such as Vinyl LPs in stock.

Me, Please, which delivers a special ediMichael says Double Decker is an tion album to your house each month. excellent option for anyone interested in Michael also gave some of the positives starting a collection. that go along with collecting.

“The 50 cent store at Double Decker is “I don’t want to be stereotypical, but a good place to start,” said Michael. it’s a cool hobby,” says Michael. “Sound Double Decker Records owner Jaime quality is better.”

Holmes sees that there is a good mix of Another collector at Emmaus is social ages at his store. studies teacher Michael Flynn.

“It’s all over the place anymore,” says Flynn feels that vinyls are becoming Holmes. “It used to be when I opened up, popular because of the connection it cre-

ates with listeners.

“People enjoy the connection with music,” says Flynn. “And when you can see the album cover and know how the music comes out, basically, when these songs came out they were intended to be played on vinyl and the album itself. The side of an album told a whole story, as opposed to a single song out of that album.”

One of the best examples with Flynn’s case is Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” Originally released in 1979, the album tells the tale of a musical artist named Pink, and his struggles through life. While some of the band’s most popular hits come off of this album, such as “Comfortably Numb” or the protest anthem “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2,” each song helps keep the story going about Pink.

While Pink Floyd was one of the most prolific powerbands, many young people may not have heard anything from them, or other classic groups.

Flynn believes that this trend will educate people of past acts.

“I play records in class all the time and I know a lot of students will leaf through the albums and be interested in that,” says Flynn. “And they get to touch a little bit of history here in front of them, rather than just hearing about it.”

Michael also believes this, thanks to what some of his relatives have given him.

“Me, I’ve been gifted a lot of records from my grandparents, so that kind of turns you on to other things,” says Michael.

While there are many positives to starting up your very own collection, there are some negatives that go along with it.

Michael listed a few negatives that he has experienced while collecting.

“It’s really expensive, super expensive,” says Michael. “And it’s heavy. I recently moved, it’s a big pain to ship everywhere.

It’s easily damaged too. You have to keep really good care of them.”

Dress to flex: Are you keeping up with trends?

Noah Speight Culture Contributor In the world of fashion, every day introduces new styles and trends that have a major influence on the public.

With constant change, it seems that each decade ushers in trends that define an era, shape style and label classes.

Often, what celebrities wear can greatly influence the public’s taste in clothing. Take the ‘90s. That decade saw Will Smith wearing jumpsuits, baggy jeans with a fluorescent oversized sweater combo, and even overalls.

Smith’s wardrobes translated to society as people began dressing like the Fresh Prince.

Nowadays, many celebs take to wearing ripped jeans, and people follow suit. Teenagers can spend their whole paycheck to wear a pair of ripped up jeans and shirts with pre-made holes in them, thanks to the racks filled with such trendy clothes at chain stores.

In case you don’t consider yourself a fashionista, some of the more “popular” retail stores you find in today’s malls include American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, Forever 21, Hollister, and Aeropostale.

High school students love flexing their outfits, but where exactly are they getting their swag from?

Senior Zack Peterson believes that trends influence his fashion sense.

“My sense of fashion has definitely been dominated primarily by trends and my own personal taste,” said Peterson.

“I’ve always enjoyed being one of those people with what’s considered ‘hot,’ and if that means I’m a hypebeast, then I’m a hypebeast, but I refuse certain trends if I just do not like them.”

While simply keeping up with trends is the most common answer, a lot of students’ senses of fashion are coming from different influences.

Junior Mark Swedberg’s inspiration comes from popular figures in sports.

“Kanye inspired me first,” said Swedberg. “Then it led to looking into more

things such as windbreakers and joggers because I watch a lot of basketball and ball players like Michael Porter Jr. always wear that kind of gear.”

Swedberg’s sense of style seems to derive more from an athletic stance, while junior Tyler Stuber claims that music has been his personal influence.

“I see a lot of guys whose music I like listening to wear a certain style and I pick up on it,” said Stuber. “Rappers like Lil Uzi and Travis Scott are always wearing new, expensive stuff.”

Big time athletes and rappers seem to be the biggest trendsetters. Though, one could only be curious as to just how much money an individual is putting into their clothes.

“Whatever the amount is I’ll pay, as long as I can afford it. I gotta be fresh and unique,” says Swedberg. “The most I spent was on any article of clothing was a pair of Yeezys for $800, though normally I don’t spend that much at one time. I just had to get those.”

While that may seem like an absurd amount, certain students are spending anything between $100 to $500 to

get clothes they like.

“I’ve gone on sprees over $400, but for a specific item I’ve never spent more than about $250,” said Peterson.

“If they work or are financially responsible for this sort of thing then costs shouldn’t matter too much to people”.

Stuber has spent around the same amount of money as well.

“The most I spent on clothes at one time was $450,” said Stuber.

If you want it bad enough, money must not be an issue.

Big name brands often charge heftier prices for no other reason than being considered a “big name brand.” Nike appears to be the the most popular brand by far, regardless of the buyer being athletic or not.

“I buy Nike a lot. My favorite outfit is my Nike joggers with Nike windbreaker and Nike Prestos,” said Swegberg. “However I also do buy a lot of Adidas, Vans, and Steve Madden too.”

In the world of fashion and style, the skateboarding brand known as Thrasher is a brand worth mentioning.

Thrasher has been a controversial topic ever since it’s getting more and more popular.

Some claim that if you don’t skate you have no business wearing it while others believe oppositely.

“No, you do not have to be a skater,” said Peterson. “One appears less like a ‘poser’ if they at least know about skate culture, but at the end of the day companies target these goods for this whole age group, not just skaters.”

In a world of ever changing fads, fashion will be a huge interest of all people regardless of age or gender. Are you keeping up?

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CULTURE

THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

Barre3 offers a three-in-one exercise Adrianna Tomasello Sports Editor Some may think moving up an inch and down an inch takes minimal effort, but take a Barre3 class and you’ll understand how truly difficult it is.

Multiple students enjoy the pilates, yoga and ballet infused workout since the chain began in 2008. Their three-step process to achieve desired results is hold, move small and then move big. Holding until your muscles shake or moving only an inch at a time embraces this method and encourages clients to regain lost posture and balance. The closest studios around Emmaus are located in Allentown and Bethlehem.

Senior Claire Boty works in the Play Lounge at the Allentown studio, where she watches kids for mothers who are in classes. She sees that taking your first class may be intimidating because of its uniqueness.

“It’s not like going to a gym,” Boty says. “You’re following a class, so you’re probably kind of nervous, but when you show up, [instructors] do a really good job of explaining that you can make it your own, you can go at your own pace; do what you can do.”

After attending a few Barre3 classes, junior Katharine Downey felt the difference between her normal running exercise

and Barre3. She recommends it to any runners looking to switch up their routine.

“When I go run I’m breathing heavily, my legs are aching, everything is constantly hurting,” Downey says. “When you take that class, you’re not breaking a sweat necessarily as easily like while you’re running, but I think you workout more muscles because you can feel how tense they are. It just makes you feel more loose. When I’m cooling down from running, that’s how I would compare it to Barre.”

The movements incorporated into each exercise are low-impact, so less stress gets put on the body. Boty continually reiterated that it is not geared towards one body type or person but it encompasses everyone. “[Barre3] makes it easier so more people can participate so you don’t need a background of dance,” Boty says. “It’s a lot of going to a position and then holding it for so long then tiny movements. It’s very isolated and that’s what makes it really hard.”

Before becoming the owner of the studio in Allentown, Brittany Morse pursued a career as a dancer. From client to studio owner, Morse recognizes that being a newcomer can be difficult. However, the community bonds formed by the studio enables the atmosphere and workout to be

more enjoyable and personable.

“There’s no judgement,” Morse says.

“You come in, you work hard, you sweat.

We’ve got your back, we will take care of you.”

After clients complete a session, Barre3 still posts weekly workouts online and maintain an online magazine with guides and recipes for a healthy lifestyle at home.

“We truly honor your body,” Morse says. “It’s very results-driven, and you always have the opportunity to make it your own. It’s whole body health, not just in the studio but how you take care of your body outside of the studio.”

On Sep. 24, Barre3 hosted their annual Barre3 in the Park at the Allentown Rose Gardens for an hour class. Juniors Willow Goff and Catelyn Fitzgerald, and seniors Maggie Gallagher and Angie Galiardo all participated in the workout for the first time.

Top: Seniors Claire Boty, Angie Galiardo and Maggie Gallagher attended the event. Bottom: Barre3 in the Park was hosted on Sept. 24 at the Allentown Rose Gardens.

Blade Runner 2049 lasted longer than needed Rylan Bassett Culture Editor A reboot of a science-fiction cult classic starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford with modern special effects sounds like a fantastic idea. However, taking said reboot and stretching it to a nearly three hour run-time by jumping down a rabbit hole in pursuit of plot points that are ultimately left underdeveloped sounds like a terrible idea.

“Blade Runner 2049” had a budget of over $155 million and made only $13 million when it was released on Oct. 6.

In its first 3 days in theaters, it crawled its way to about $32 million. This could mean that history is repeating itself after the original “Blade Runner” (1982) made only $27 million on a $28 million budget.

Director Denis Villeneuve provides stunning cinematography for much of the film, masterfully contrasting the landscapes of a futuristic Los Angeles against barren deserts with long aerial shots.

One motif that is rather commendable is Officer K (Ryan Gosling) holding his hand up and feeling the rain as a way of mentally cementing himself in reality. At the end of the movie, K catches snow in

his hand. Whether or not it was intentional for solid water to symbolize his newly solidified understanding of himself, the poetry in the moment is beautiful.

The plot of “Blade Runner 2049” is entirely dependent on that of the original, so jumping right to the sequel because you want to see Ryan Gosling as a hunky terminator-esque character will serve only to confuse you.

The story follows Officer K, who works as a blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department in 2049. His job is to kill replicants, human-like artificial beings produced for slave labor on other worlds, that reside illegally on Earth.

From this stem themes of self reflection and what it means to be human.

Officer K spends a large portion of the film with a blank expression. He has no visible reaction when his flying car is thrown to the ground with him inside by an electromagnetic pulse. This leaves a blank canvas on which the character could be developed as the story progressed. There is extraordinary room for character development with K, but he remains a stone-faced android for most of the film, perhaps making Gosling’s job a

bit easier.

Harrison Ford’s character, Rick Deckard, from the original film did not appear until well into the second hour. Most of his growth took place during the first movie, so he is static throughout his time in the sequel. Deckard has qualities similar to those of Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” acting as a mysterious figure set apart from society.

While the primary antagonist is K’s struggle with his identity, the evil in the story is personified by Niander Wallace (Jared Leto). Wallace was responsible for the reboot of replicant manufacturing in the time between the films after it was outlawed. The audience is not told much of his history or personal motivations, but Leto does offer a couple spine-chilling monologues that indirectly give the character some depth.

“Blade Runner 2049” is part poetic reflection on the nature of humanity and part action science-fiction movie. But mostly, it is an exorbitantly long reboot of a cult classic that had no need to be brought back.

Photo courtesy of Empire

Battle of the Sexes driven by solid performances

Eddie Coleman Copy Editor Released Sept. 29, “Battle of the Sexes,” directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris, tells the classic story of the very public tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) is a women’s tennis player who is outraged by the fact that men have a larger monetary prize than women do in the championship for the Association of Tennis Professionals. So, being disgruntled by this, she left the Association and founded the Women’s Tennis Association.

Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) is a 50-year-old tennis player who has a gambling addiction. Riggs tries to show off his tennis skills by having multiple objects and distractions on his side of the court. At one point he holds a leash to two sheep while playing and winning. He acts as a comical character, which plays perfectly to Carell’s strengths.

As the Women’s Tennis Association begins to get more and more popular, Riggs decides to have a tennis match with the number one female tennis player to finally decide who is better on the court. Riggs’ closeted sexism is a large part of his character especially towards the end of the film.

With that in mind, the plot seemed a little disorganized at some points to try to fit details in randomly to have the

Photo courtesy of TheFanCarpet tennis match make more sense as to why it is so important to both characters. For most of the film, I thought that Bobby Riggs was just a guy who loved to play tennis and showoff. But, his opinion isn’t revealed for awhile, which is a major part of the movie, considering it is all about feminism and how females should have as many rights as men do.

The other part that disappointed me was how slow the movie was in the very beginning. The first quarter of the movie seemed as if it would be one of those movies that I’d stop in the middle of and never finish.

Eventually, the film picked up and I started to really like the last three-quarters of it. It showed both of King’s

and Riggs’ struggles on and off of the court. It gave you a deeper connection to both of the characters. But, in the end, I was still confused on the reason why Riggs didn’t think that women should play tennis, a fact that I think should’ve been addressed.

One of the film’s best attributes is the cinematography. The filmmakers even gave a nod to the classic Fox Searchlight Pictures logo that was used in 1973.

At the conclusion of the film some pictures of the real Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King were shown, which made you realize how fantastic the casting choices were.

Steve Carell looked so much like the real Bobby Riggs I thought it was a picture of him at first. He played the role so well it may have been one of his best performances.

Emma Stone was also very convincing in her character’s role. She makes the audience want to cheer for Billie Jean King despite having both of the characters’ backstories and understanding where both Riggs and King are coming from in their views on sexism.

“Battle of the Sexes” is a heartwarming, true story about the challenges that sexism brought on the American society in the 1970s and provides some of the best performances that Steve Carell and Emma Stone have given in their careers. Besides a slow beginning, the film picked up its pace and turned out to be an entertaining fit to the September box office.

Sports

17

THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

Student section shows school pride Caroline Bond Sports Editor The sun’s going down, the lights are coming on, and hundreds of Emmaus students rush to the bleachers dressed in the designated theme of the night to fight for a front row seat in one of the most highly anticipated events among students--Friday night football games. A fall event where students come decked out in clothing anywhere from tye-dye to a gold out.

Ask any high school football player and they will tell you there’s nothing like stepping onto that field with the band blaring and the students screaming so loud, their voices are on the brink of extinction. That’s the Emmaus student section for you.

Friday night match-ups mean different things to different students, but junior Megan Archer says, to her, games mean, “dressing up in crazy outfits to match the theme and just having a fun time with the other students while cheering on the guys.”

Emmaus games are something that bring our community together. Talk to fans who have been loyal to the Emmaus football program for 20 years, or senior student section leaders who have realized their time at the high school is dwindling, and have decided to cherish every moment they have left...they will tell you it’s not all about what they do for football, but what football does

for them.

The football program at Emmaus has a rich history, with traditions that one would not dare break. For example, the leaders of the Hornet’s Nest, a student run hype squad that keeps fans updated on all sports teams as well as upcoming themes, is repeatedly headed by a men’s lacrosse player. This year, seniors Jake Miller and Shane Miller, who have no relation, were passed down the torch and have full command of the student section at football games alongside other Hornet’s Nest members.

Being a competitive athlete himself, Jake recognizes the importance of supporting the hornets at home games.

“I know how motivating it is when people come to watch your game,” Miller said, “so it’s nice to help out all the sports, especially at rivalry games.”

With a school nearing 3,000 students, not even a fraction of those kids come out to the game. However, many believe there is something for everyone at the game, whether it’s being rowdy in the middle of the student section, residing at the top of the bleachers providing a bird’s-eye view, or simply walking around the field enjoying the company of friends.

Jake emphasizes how the student section is something you need to be a part of before your short amount of time at Emmaus runs out.

“As a person in the student section it’s just a fun time and high school will fly by so you want to make the most of your time by getting involved in things like being in the student section, where you can just have fun and meet new people.”

Senior Kaitlyn McGinley reminisces on her time at Emmaus and vocalizes how being a part of the student section is something she will miss most when she graduates.

Emmaus students participating in the tie-dye out and Hawaiian out throughout the 2017 football season. Photos courtesy Arianna Werner (far left) and Caley McLaughlin (far right).

“I’m going to miss hanging out with my friends and cheering on the hornets,” McGinley said. “It’s helped me make memories with my friends that will last a lifetime.”

So what is so great about dressing up in silly outfits and cheering on a sport you don’t even know the rules for?

It’s teetering back and forth on the old bleachers, struggling for your balance during the uncontrollable weight shift of a touchdown. It’s screaming the “I believe” chant at halftime so loud you start believing it’s true.

Lastly, it’s being in the moment and not worrying about the hard week you just had because it’s Friday night, and you’re at a football game, and quite frankly, Monday is a ways away.

Emmaus golf continues storied legacy of success James Marler Caverly’s favorite moment was one of the team’s closSports Editor est matches.

The Emmaus golf team, following its remarkable 2016 “[My favorite] was definitely when we beat Liberty,” season, has tallied another EPC crown and incredible Caverly noted. “They’re a really good team and we didn’t record to 2017. play particularly well but we snuck out a nice win.”

After losing notable seniors Eric Cihocki and Sam Cox recalled a moment from the team’s final conferFritzinger, expectations were not very high for the regular ence match. season conference champions. Nevertheless, the Hornets “My favorite moment was walking up to the last hole put together an almost undefeated season, losing a heartat Shawnee against Stroudsburg,” Cox says. “We needed breaker against Parkland by one stroke. the victory to win the conference, and I was playing realCoach Mo Bryan, in her second season, remarked on ly well, and I heard my teammates were as well.” her key to this year’s success.

Several newcomers and returnees proved to be key “I think the best thing they did was play as a team pieces to the team, such as Junior Luke Lanzone and which is difficult in golf. It is such an individual sport Freshmen Dylan Keopraseut and Sean Jaeger. but we are all one team,” Bryan said. “They were always At the Oct. 2 District XI qualifiers, four members of checking on each other throughout each match and if the Emmaus team qualified for the district championsomeone wasn’t playing well the other players were ship: Lanzone, Wambold, always there for moral support.”

Caverly, and Jaeger. Cox, Senior Jake Caverly spoke about the team’s expectawinning the women’s title, tions and defying the odds. was exempt of the qualifier “I’m pleasantly surprised with how well we’ve done,” and competed alongside Caverly said. “We weren’t very hyped up in the preseaher teammates at Olde son but we defied the odds and won the regular season Homestead. [title].”

On Oct. 11, they Freshman Michelle Cox, EPC women’s individual returned for District XI champion, shared Caverly’s opinion on this season’s Championships, where the success. team placed 4th overall “All positive,” Cox said. “I feel we had a really good and Cox finished tied for season that got us a league win and will hopefully get us second, qualifying her for another at districts.” the Regional Tournament Emmaus has proven to be a threat, with a dominant at Golden Oaks regular season. They’ve beaten multiple opponents by Country Club in 30 strokes, including a 100+ stroke victory over Pocono Fleetwood, where Mountain West. she missed the state “I am very happy with how this season went for our tournament by a team. We had a successful season but it wasn’t just one single stroke. person that consistently was the medalist in every match.

This season In each match it seemed that we had a different player boosts Coach Brywith the lowest round.” Bryan Luke Lanzone (left) and Michelle Cox (right) said. “We are very lucky that we have such a deep team and both proved to be key members of Emmaus golf this season. (bottom) The team poses with the if one player wasn’t playing EPC regular season trophy. Courtesy Robert well another player would step Thompson and the Eastern Pennsylvania Conferup.” ence.

an’s overall record to 31-3, over the last two seasons, as she enters her third year with the team.

“Connor Wambold and Jake Caverly have been a part of the Emmaus golf team for four years. They have been awesome seniors and team leaders this season and I am very lucky to have them on the team this year,” Bryan said. “Tristan Keopraseut, Matt Hudak and Nick Brusko are also seniors and will be greatly missed next year.

They were all such a strong part of our team and our success.”

With several upcoming underclassmen, the Emmaus golf team is primed for more success in the coming years.

18

Four Bauer has high hopes for boys’ soccer

Fast Facts Height: 5’9” Favortite Candy: Twix Food: Chicken Wings Favorite Teacher: Madame Pisarra

Caroline Bond Sports Editor Senior midfielder Dakota Bauer plans to lead the Emmaus boys’ soccer team to a 16th District XI title during the Hornets’ 2017 season.

With an impressive 12 years of experience on his resume, Bauer knows the amount of hard work it takes to get to the top, one being good chemistry and work ethic.

“The best thing about soccer for me is probably coming together with your teammates and forming a bond where you all work towards the same goal,” Bauer said.

The Hornets enter the postseason with a 14-3-1 record overall, with impressive wins including a 3-2 victory over Cumberland Valley and a decisive 2-0 performance against Central Catholic. As of Oct. 16, Bauer has tallied seven goals coupled with four assists throughout the season.

Bauer plans to take every game one at a time, while not neglecting the team’s ultimate goal of the season--winning a District XI Title.

In his 13th season as head coach of the boys’ team, John Cari emphasizes the importance of Bauer’s presence on the field.

“Dakota has grown as a player as well as a person these past four years,” Cari said. “He was willing to take in and learn his freshman year and has now taken on the role of leader and mentor to our guys.”

When playing for a team like Emmaus, it’s hard to ignore the rich history the program has, with a total of 15 District XI titles and many impressive showings in the state tournament. Bauer said his ambitions for the season are to have a solid performance in the EPC tournament, but more importantly to win districts and make a run into the later round of states.

Bauer gains praise for being an impeccable teammate and leader by fellow senior Max Hirschhorn, who has been playing alongside Bauer since they were five-years-old.

“Dakota demonstrates his leadership every day whether it’s practice or a game,” Hirschhorn said. “He’s willing to

Bauer strikes the ball in a game against Liberty. Photo courtesy of Robert Thompson. put the team on his back and expects the best of the best out of his teammates.”

After graduation, Bauer plans to attend a school where he can pursue a degree in physical therapy, while also continuing to play soccer most likely at the Division III level.

Knowing how rigorous the competition will be for the remainder of the regular season, Bauer has his mind set on one thing: victory.

Zhang leads girls’ tennis with skill and commitment

Fast Facts Height: 5’5’’ Favorite Candy: Twix Favorite Movie: Mulan FavoriteTeacher: Mr. Ohl

Izzy Wegner Online Editor Tina Zhang, captain of the Emmaus girls’ tennis team, has had a passion for the sport ever since she was in second grade.

Last year, Zhang went to Districts for doubles. This year, she made it for both doubles and singles. Zhang advanced past the first round of Districts, but fell short in the second.

She strives to constantly learn more about tennis, in order to be the best she can be.

“It’s a game where your talent and quick thinking really come into play,” Zhang said. “I’ve played tennis now for maybe a decade, and it’s a sport that you never really stop improving in.”

Not only does Zhang love playing tennis, but she also enjoys the bonds she makes with her team as she helps them improve. “[The team spends] so much time together,” she said. “We become really close. It’s a great way to meet and talk to people and talk to people you normally wouldn’t get to.”

While she wants to have fun with her teammates, Zhang also strives to help them improve.

“I wanted to teach the correct technique for them to build on for the years to come

and keep their emotions and mental game in check on the court,” Zhang said.

Building a strong team, however, is about more than technique. Zhang believes that liking the game should be important as well, which she strove to make a reality as co-captain.

“I honestly had quite a few [goals as co-captain],” she said. “But at the top would be building a team that plays with good technique and actually enjoys playing. There wasn’t a point [to] being on the team if you didn’t enjoy tennis.”

Junior Sonya Boukengolts has been on the tennis team with Zhang for three years and admires both her leadership and playing skills.

“I definitely see her as a determined leader with a strong personality,” Boukengolts said. “She is very motivating and she helps the team every day. She is kind of the backbone of the team.”

Boukengolts also appreciates Zhang’s constructive criticism.

“She spends a lot of time showing us the correct techniques,” Boukengolts said. “[She] even comments on what each individual could do to improve their form and style.”

Sophomore Ivory Gao also appreciates Zhang’s commitment to the team and its players.

“She was a major component of the

Ntoh rushes towards the end zone

Photo Courtesy of Sone Ntoh

Adrianna Tomasello Sports Editor Junior running back Sone Ntoh has stepped up to keep the Hornets’ offense alive after the team’s other top RB Lubens Myers sustained an injury.

As of Oct. 16 Ntoh has scored 14 of the football team’s touchdowns this season. He leads the team in rushing yards with 962 in 119 attempts. At the end of last season, Ntoh accumulated 17 touchdowns and about 900 yards rushing. He wants to hit a goal of 1,000 rushing and 1,500 all-purpose yards. As the season comes to its midpoint, Ntoh wants to become more prevalent on the

team,” Gao said. “As the team captain, she sacrificed her time to help others in the team who didn’t have much experience with tennis by offering lessons and extra practice sessions to get everyone ready for the season.”

To Zhang’s teammates, her commitment lies far beyond just improving their playing. She strives to make sure that the team works well together during matches.

“I wanted to keep their spirits up during the match and to remember that their attitude is just as important as the physical aspect of tennis,” Zhang said.

“It was important for them to know that, yeah, it sucks when you lose, but as long as you played well,” she said, “and you know what to improve on for the next game, it’s okay.”

Zhang returning a ball during a match.

Photo courtesy of Caroline Sampson.

DYNAMIC

sidelines, as well.

“I am working to be a better leader on the team,” Ntoh said. “I am one of the main role players on the team, and I am working on speaking up when things go wrong. Instead of keeping my mouth shut, sometimes I have to be vocal.”

Junior safety Nick Roselli sees Ntoh as a reliable player on the team more so now that he was the main offensive contributor after Myers hurt his ankle in the Whitehall game on Sept. 1. Myers returned to the team before the Nazareth game on Oct. 6.

“He’s a big playmaker, and he can take a beating,” Roselli said. “He’s pretty

over-the-top

solid with anything he does like he’s a reliable person. You can throw him in any situation, and he’ll usually do well. He’s still producing the same amount he would if Lubens was still in.”

Going into this season Ntoh’s main focus was to become faster, and he feels like he did just that. As a versatile player, continually improving skills is important to Ntoh.

“He’s very naturally gifted,” Roselli said. “Whatever he wanted to do, I’m sure he could do it.”

In the off-season Ntoh also received an offer to play for the United States Military Academy..

19

FACES Rivera-Woolard focuses on a successful year James Marler Sports Editor After an incredible junior season, varsity volleyball player Adelina Rivera-Woolard looks to cap off her senior year with a successful conclusion.

Rivera-Woolard started playing in eighth grade, and ever since she has cemented herself as an elite player. She scored honors in the All-EPC 2nd team and Class 4A state team for the 2016 season, and is looking to capture even more this year. Starting at LMMS, Rivera-Woolard has become a key piece of the Emmaus squad this season.

She finds her role model in her club team’s assistant coach, Amy Pauly, as she helped Rivera-Woolard grow at East Coast Power volleyball.

“She’s fearless and pushes us to work as a team,” Rivera-Woolard said. “She also has pushed me to my best ability and has made me grow as a player.”

Pauly expanded on what she feels Rivera-Woolard does best.

“I think Addie’s best skill is dealing with adversity. She has been through a lot

as a young adult and it was remarkable to watch her grow and accept those challenges through what many of us coaches would consider, the hardest year in club volleyball - her 17 and under year,” Pauly said. “She always came to practice with a smile on her face and was able to setaside whatever was happening off the court in order to learn and compete on the court.”

Over her high school tenure, Rivera-Woolard has racked up over 730 kills in over 300 sets throughout her four years.

Additionally, she has been a fierce defensive presence, totalling 240 blocks up to this point, per MaxPreps. She’s off to a hot start this season, compiling over 240 kills in only 77 sets played, as well as 73 blocks to accompany her offensive stats. “[What I love about volleyball] is getting kills and blocks,” Rivera-Woolard said. “All the girls are amazing, and the coaches and players always build a great team atmosphere that I love.”

Pauly noted that the senior’s best trait comes through her perseverence.

“She has not had the perfect upbring-

ing, but instead of getting upset, she accepts what comes to her, works through it, and then is so appreciate of everyone and everything that has helped her.” Pauly said.

Her athletic excellence has led her to commit to the University of Delaware to play Division I volleyball under head coach Sara Matthews.

“I believe Addie has a bright future ahead of her and I look forward to following her through her career at Delaware,” Pauly said.

Rivera-Woolard credits her team and the school community for being supportive throughout her time on the team.

“The girls there are great; it’s a great community as well.” Rivera-Woolard said. “There are some good people there, along with a great program and the school funds the volleyball program very well.”

As playoffs come around, Rivera-Woolard will continue to provide for Emmaus in their search of a district crown, and then go on to find her role on the Delaware women’s volleyball team in the fall.

Norelli leads by example on cross country Eve Walters Sports Contributor Charlie Norelli began running competitively at the age of nine, following in his father’s footsteps, and he has found success on Emmaus’ cross country team.

Starting in two- to three-mile races through elementary and middle school, Norelli got enough experience to earn a place on the Emmaus varsity cross country team. He received inspiration to run from his dad and half brother, Alex, who also ran track when he was younger. Once he graduates, Norelli hopes to run for a Division I or II college.

Norelli first began cross country during his freshman year and started out as the only freshman on the varsity team that year. This year, he continually ranks in the

Brown and Norelli sprint.

Photo courtesy of cross country

DUO

top three on the boys team.

“I’d probably say that most of what got me to where I am is not based on how I started out,” Norelli says. “It’s more of how I’ve learned over time from running so many miles, running as hard as I could.

That’s really what got me to where I am, not so much my original disposition as a runner.”

Norelli appreciates his team, and the support they give him.

“I feel like my team overall are like my fans in a way,” Norelli says. “I’ve met a lot of good friends on the team. It’s led me to become more open with people and more vocal than I was.”

Junior teammate Jacob Brown and head coach Dan Wessner see the persistence and effort he puts into the sport.

“I remember [in my] freshman year he forgot to bring his clothes,” Brown says.

“Most people would’ve just gone home, but he ran in jeans.”

Wessner acknowledges that Norelli adds a lot to the team. “[He’s] one of my top three runners... he’s one of my point scorers, one of those that’s constantly at the front of the pack,” Wessner says. “He’s also one of our team leaders...keeping everybody going in the right direction, getting them to do the work.”

Originally, Norelli was on both the swim team and cross country team, but he decided to focus more on running and

underclassmen

Cassidy Klingman Sports Contributor Emmaus junior Edna Creelman has been a skilled member of the cross country team since last year.

Through practices, workouts and races, her favorite thing about cross country is the sense of community among her teammates and coaches that holds them together throughout the season.

“I really like hanging out with friends,” Creelman says, “and being with people that all have something in common.”

At Paul Short, an invitational event at Lehigh University on Sept. 29 for some of the varsity and junior varsity people, Creelman achieved her new best time of

trained with the cross country team this summer.

Wessner appreciates his fun-loving nature and humor along with his hard work. “[He has a] nice wry, dry sense of humor; really, he’s fun to be around,” Wessner says. “[He is] certainly an asset to the team and just a nice kid.”

If there is one thing Norelli’s teammates and coach can agree on it is that he keeps the atmosphere light and happy, even on rough days.

“He’s one of our best guys for sure; he’s very internally motivated, which is something you need to be a good cross [country] runner,” Brown says. “But him especially, he’s always pushing himself to the limit.”

Senior Amber Ziegler applauds Norelli on how he supports the team and helps them in simple ways.

“I was injured the beginning of the season, and it was pretty much like my first time being back and running a whole lot,” Ziegler says. “I went on a quick run with him and he just kinda kept with me, even though I was going slower than he usually does and I ended up running really fast cause I was with him.”

Wessner sees that Norelli will continually improve and have a promising career in college.

“He’s always gonna be present and hard working,” Wessner says.

Fast Facts Height: 6’0” Favorite TV Show: The Flash Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Singer: Lil Uzi Vert

Fast Facts Height: 6’0” Favorite Animal: Narwhal Favorite Subject: English Favorite TV Show: My Hero Academia

Creelman sets a quick pace

20:59.

“I just broke 21, which was really exciting,” she says.

Creelman is one of the top runners on the cross country team this year.

“In Paul Short I was number four, but it’s always changing,” she says, “I had a good race, but next week someone else could have a good race too.”

They practice five or six days each week until around 4:45 to 5 pm with an optional practice on Saturdays.

Creelman says that coaches and assistant coaches are always supportive of the team members and help them to improve and succeed.

“Coach Wessner has been doing a great job with varying our workouts,” she says,

“which is hard to do because there are so many people.”

Coach Daniel Wessner feels that Creelman has made a lot of improvement this year and has really become a team leader. She had also beaten her best time by almost two minutes.

“She’s one of my top five runners at this point in the season,” Wessner says.

Creelman also feels that she has improved individually this year because in the summer she ran upwards of 30 miles at the parkway..

She hopes to continue cross country in high school, but not in college. Overall, being involved in cross country has been a positive experience for her, and she hopes to have another successful year.

“Hopefully it’s a good season,” she says, “I’m really excited. There’s lots of good girls and good guys this year.”

Creelman races during a recent 5k.

Photo courtesy cross country

20

SPORTS

THE STINGER | OCTOBER 2017

5 MEMORABLE MOMENTS

IN EHS FIELD HOCKEY Andrea Klick Bibi Correa Editors With 32 district titles, 12 state championship wins and the title of national winningest high school field hockey coach on her resume, it could be assumed that Sue Butz-Stavin always wanted field hockey to be in her life.

Butz-Stavin played varsity field hockey for two years at William Allen High School when it first started its program. At West Chester State College, she played on the freshman team but realized she lacked experience compared to the other girls.

Even though Butz-Stavin stopped playing field hockey, she remained heavily involved in the sport. For two years in college, she officiated games to help pay for her college fees. And in her senior year of college, she coached the sixth grade team at Nether Providence Middle School while student teaching there.

After graduation, Butz-Stavin started teaching at a school in Australia. She says her true passion was coaching basketball, but at this school she was required to coach more than one sport. Yet again, she found herself working with a field hockey team. When she returned to the Lehigh Valley, Butz-Stavin applied for various teaching jobs, and Emmaus High School offered her a position as its head field hockey coach. At first, she declined the offer but after “constant nagging” from the athletic director, she took the position and has continued to coach EHS field hockey for 42 years.

“You get attached to the program, moreso you get attached to the girls. That’s probably why I’ve stayed.” Butz-Stavin said.

She has had a heavy focus on team bonding with different activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking, typically chosen by the senior class. Butz-Stavin believes that everyone should be on board so that the team can be successful.

“Team unity is a key part of being successful,” Butz-Stavin said. “You have to know your teammates. You need to know their personalities, their likes or dislikes. What gets them motivated, what gets them upset. If you have one broken spoke on the bicycle wheel, you can’t ride a bike.”

Sophomore Kaitlyn Csensits agrees with Butz-Stavin and recognizes that bonding helps the team overall.

“It brings us closer together, we know each other and how we think and how we work,” Csensits said “In games we know what the other persons doing and how to react.”

Through the hard games and the tough practices, Csensits noticed that the girls are the ones who make the team and that she doesn’t think she’d “want to play field hockey on a different team.”

Senior Alison Johnston recognizes Butz-Stavin’s unique coaching style and believes that she puts the team’s success first.

“Once you get to know her she’s a great coach,” Johnston said. “She wants to push you and she wants you to be better. She had pushed me to be better and tougher.”

Overall the team is 19-0 and are currently competing for the EPC title, and then will seek another district championship.

The team had a playoff for the conference championship beating Phillipsburg in a double shootout.

1979

1991

The 1979 team photo. Photo courtesy of Butz-Stavin.

During this game, the field hockey team was able to compete in the state championship game for the first time.

The team won in a double shootout overtop of West Chester East.

The 1991 team holds their state championship trophy.

Photo courtesy of Butz-Stavin.

2015

In a 15-0 shutout against Dieruff, Butz-Stavin got her 840th win at EHS, making her the winningest high school field coach in the nation.

“When coach won [her] 840th win it was insane to be a part of the team when she was coaching it,” Johnston says.

“It was really humbling to be a player under her, and it felt like I helped.

Butz holding the plaque given by athletic director Dennis Ramella, which contained game balls from her 600th, 700th and 800th wins. Photo by Nicholas Hofke.

2016

Last year, the field hockey team closed out its season with its second straight state championship, beating Palmyra 5-1.

The team holding the state championship trophy after two back-to-back wins. Photo courtesy of EHS field hockey.

2017 After tying a 1-1 game against Parkland, Senior Leah Zellner scored the game-winning goal.

“When we won it was a big relief off of all of our chests,” Csensits says. “We were just sitting there cheering on teammates, when Leah [Zellner] scored we were really happy because that was coaches 900th win.”

Butz-Stavin and the team after her 900th win.

Photos courtesy of EHS field hockey.