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NH-S Dream Team earns blue ribbon at home

June 7, 2013 By

by Sienna Lee (Class of 2015) and Kieran Tebben (Class of 2013), NH-S High School

On Thursday, April 4th, New Hope-Solebury High School’s Reading Olympics team won a blue ribbon. The competition took place at the high school with an award ceremony in the Stephen J. Buck Theater.

This is the fifth year that NH-S has held the senior competition. All high schools in the Bucks County area had teams in attendance and a total of 32 teams competed.

Several hundred students came to New Hope for this occasion. The name of the NH-S team was the Dream Team and there were students on the team from all grades.

Members included Jessica Bouloutian, Mackenzie Cavanagh, Kristina Degiovanni, Larissa Depamphilis, Katie Dick, Jessica Du, Erik Gould, Jackie Ignatowitz, Bradley Neumann, Isabella Panzica, Jillian Roberts, Emma Singer and Julia Stein.

Each team member read as many books as he or she could out of 45 books. The books cover a wide range of genres, ensuring there is a book that interests everyone on the team.

Books are selected by a committee of librarians from surrounding counties, including Chester, Montgomery, Delaware and Bucks counties. During the competition, students were asked questions about the books. There were three rounds of questions and a team needed to score 50 points to earn a blue ribbon.

The Dream Team scored a total of 56 points.

While this is the highest honor in the competition, Reading Olympics is not just about the competition. The event is about the celebration of reading and books and the friendly competition is just a fun way to show off knowledge of the selected books.

Ms. Lisa Naldzin, one of the high school librarians, accompanied the team at the competition as a chaperone and said that she was very proud of their achievements this year. English teacher Ms. June Gomez accompanied the team as a scorekeeper.

Each team in the competition is required to bring a moderator or a scorekeeper, so the Dream Team is grateful to Ms. Gomez for agreeing to help them.

Mr. Michael Finley, another high school teacher, contributed greatly, helping set up the classrooms around the school for the completion. NH-S High School Reading Specialist, Dr. Emi Lengyel, showed her support for the competition by doing announcements over the PA system between rounds.

Many students also helped make this event a success. The Mask and Zany Theater Club sold pretzels and water as refreshments for the participants. Seniors Laurine Verwiel and Matt Wenz showed visiting students to their rooms and handed out medals at the award ceremony. Ms. Naldzin’s daughter, Emma, also helped, along with a few others.

This year’s competition was the 20th annual competition and next year’s will be held on the first Thursday in April. The book list for next year can be found on the school’s library website for anyone who is interested in joining the competition next year or just looking for some great books to read!

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Neshaminy students’ burning passion to volunteer

June 3, 2013 By

by Solomiya Syvyk, sophomore, Neshaminy High School

The halls of Neshaminy High School are filled each day with talented students who partake in unbelievable activities and hobbies, one of which includes volunteer firefighting. These students have a pager on them at all times and, when it sounds, they work their hardest to arrive at the destination that they have been called to.

“My Pop Pop was the chief in Langhorne in the ’70’s and later on, my dad and all of my uncles; they inspired me to join the Langhorne-Middletown and Trevose stations at the age of 16,” said senior Peter Stanford. “Not only do firefighters save lives every day, but they also help out the community.”

Most fire stations begin accepting volunteers at the age of 14; once admitted to the nearest firehouse, the adventure begins. Although privileges change throughout the years due to child labor laws, anyone from the age of 14 to 17 is considered a junior and can participate in emergency situations.

However, what they can do is limited and the volunteers have to stay outside and near the fire truck while others put out the fires. As soon as the volunteer turns 18-years-old, they are no longer considered a junior, and with this change comes a black hat, which leads to more in-depth training, higher privileges and interior burning.

The initial step in becoming a volunteer firefighter is the preparation.

“Basic Firefighting training needs to be completed first, which is 196 hours; however this is only the beginning for most firefighters,” said president of the Lower Southampton Fire Department, Daniel Walsh.

Juniors begin learning different techniques that are required in the fire service, such as how to work with the specific tools, connect hoses to the hydrants to allow water flow, search and rescue, instant management and defensive firefighting.

“There are drills held every week, but each station differs from one another on when they are carried out,” said senior and exterior photographer of the Feasterville Fire station, Kalyn McKeon. These drills are scheduled to help the firefighters keep up, accelerate in speed and receive hands on experience from older members.

The current volunteers joined the firehouses for numerous different reasons such as following in the footsteps of family members, looking into a career as a firefighter, wanting to help or simply because it seemed intriguing.

“I joined because it looked interesting and fun, but it turned out to be the most rewarding experience and I love it,” said sophomore Alex Dixon.

This type of volunteering is unlike others; it is, to a point, dangerous, and results of the hard work are seen immediately. “Most people run out of buildings on fire; we run in,” said sophomore Tim Walter.

According to www.VolunteerFirefighter.com, “volunteer emergency responders make up 73% of the fire service throughout the United States. Although many community members don’t even realize they are supported by a volunteer department, it is more than likely that it’s a volunteer responding to an emergency, day or night, rain or shine.”

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The view from Messiah College

May 28, 2013 By

by Jessica Martin, Messiah College/ Morrisville High School

You walk down the long pathway receiving smiles, hearing laughter, and seeing nothing but a couple of buildings all around. It is quite obvious that this is not high school anymore.

One thing is for sure though; this campus has something different about it, and it isn’t just the religious affiliation.

I knew that starting my freshman year at Messiah College, a Christian college in Harrisburg, would be filled with memories and experiences that lasted a lifetime. As we finished our welcome ceremony and my parents said their goodbyes, the nerves crept in.

I thought that being two hours away from little Morrisville would not be too overwhelming, but unfortunately, I was wrong. As I walked into Frey Hall on the first day of classes, I was nervous but determined to start this next chapter in my life that would ultimately prepare me for my bright future.

Currently I am striving to be the best that I can be. Not only am I a full-time student, but I also work on campus 10 hours a week in the local cafeteria. This job may not have the luxuries that all students hope for, but it has taught me that hard work pays off.

Also, I have taken on a tutoring job on Mondays and Tuesdays, in which I tutor a fifth grader and two second graders in order to get experience in teaching and relating to students.

It is mind-blowing to think that almost a year ago, I was getting ready to graduate from Morrisville High School. Looking back on my high school experience, I know that Morrisville helped shaped me into the type of person and student that I am today. If it were not for the teachers who challenged me, I probably would be struggling a whole lot in my first year of college.

Mrs. Assunta Deliman, an English teacher at MHS, helped me to become the writer that I am today. I know that my college professor was impressed with how well I could write. Not only does Mrs. Deliman teach, but she truly cares about every student that steps into her room.

Mrs. Deliman taught me how to write, but she also was one of the first teachers to fully believe in me and the goals that I had set for my future. Without being in her class, I don’t think I would have the skills and the determination that I have brought with me to Messiah.

Mrs. Gloria Bramble was another teacher at Morrisville that had a huge impact on preparing me for college. She was not only my Humanities teacher, but she was a mentor to me, as well.

Learning about Plato and Aristotle prepared me for what I had to learn in my first semester philosophy class. She also taught us how to prepare for the real world and helped me to learn the type of person I truly wanted to be in life.

Mr. Dennis Rodgers also helped me to grow as a student while at Morrisville. I am now a college Mathematics major and without the guidance and knowledge that I received from his Calculus class, I don’t think I would be able to continue through my math courses.

All in all, I would not give up my education at MHS for anything. I am proud to be an alumni of the school.

I know that if the teachers continue to care for the students that they teach, there will be many more successful alumni to come.

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From Spanish classes to a basketball team: A lesson not in the curriculum

May 24, 2013 By

by Chelsea Portner, junior, Central Bucks High School East

As the school year is quickly drawing to a close, Señorita Jaime Marcucci has asked her three junior Spanish classes at Central Bucks High School East to take part in a final project that means more to her then a test grade or pop quiz.

Ms. Marcucci, an avid traveler, spent most of the past summer in Nicaragua, exploring the country and meeting new people. During her travels she met DeWitt Foster, an American who moved down to Central America and helped establish a small-scale organization to help improve the quality of life in the developing nations there.

The HighPlace Foundation is a Nicaraguan, non-government organization, whose goal according to their Facebook page is “…to help communities invest in themselves in all aspects of their lives. The HighPlace Foundation believes in sustainable building of the Human Spirit while using human resources.”

Nicaragua is one of the most underdeveloped nations in Central America; therefore, it is also one of the poorest nations. This leaves many of the children in the country at-risk with poor quality educations and little to no extracurricular opportunities, such as organized sports.

However, out of The HighPlace Foundation a basketball team dubbed Las Poderosas was created. Las Poderosas is an all-girls intramural sports league that is meant to create a positive community and create a feeling of female empowerment in the girls.

A quote from Foster sums up the program’s goals. “We are empowering young Nicaraguan girls to take control of their own lives, minds, bodies and dreams by becoming immersed in activities such as sports, community service, mentoring and leadership building.”

The program is only about a year old, but has run basketball clinics, held an auction, and received financial backing from the non-profit organization, Common Threadz. Though the program is becoming larger and more successful each day, there are still a lot of basics required to keep the program moving at this speed.

Ms. Marcucci’s classes are coming together to help Las Poderosas, and make their experience even better.

The girls have the basics, including a court, a team, and a basketball right now, but in order to give them a more professional, organized, and fun look, the students of CB East are currently planning a way to gather supplies needed for the team. It is difficult for many of the CB East students to even imagine what their lives would be like without their sports teams.

Many students are talking to parents, companies, and friends to obtain resources to help find these girls enough pinnies, socks, and sweatbands to outfit the entire team. The students plan on contributing as much as they can, as the project remains small at this point, but will hopefully be able to expand and start fundraisers to help purchase the necessities for the team.

The students are enthusiastic about getting started.

Says student Eileen McCole, “It is going to be so rewarding helping the Las Poderosas because we’ll be able to hopefully see the results, and create a stronger bond between our classes and these girls who live halfway across the globe.”

Ms. Marcucci and her classes may be starting out small, but like the Las Poderosas, they have big goals and even bigger ideas on how to reach them and will surely make a lasting imprint on the global community.

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New Hope hits all the notes in South Pacific’s familiar places

May 13, 2013 By

by Kieran Tebben, senior, New Hope-Solebury High School

Last month Mask & Zany, the New Hope-Solebury High School theater club, put on a spectacular performance of the Rogers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific.” Lead roles were played by seniors McKenzie Cloutier and Jess Bauer, sophomore Nick Cassidy and juniors Daniel Furst and Ben Natan, and they were accompanied by an expansive cast and crew from all grades.

The play takes place on a Polynesian island in the South Pacific where American Naval soldiers and miscellaneous sailors were stationed. Amidst love stories and such drama, questionable military practices ensue, killing senior Dalton Corr’s character, Lt. Joseph Cable, in the process.

Cloutier, starring as the main female lead, played southern nurse Nellie Forbush, who falls in love with the male lead, French plantation owner Emile De Becque, played by Natan. The two had their share of touching love songs (some that state they are in love many more times than needed,) but also faced serious issues that threatened to split the happy couple.

When Nellie found out about Emile’s biracial children from a previous marriage, she decides to “Wash that man right out of her hair,” singing a jazzy song perfect for Cloutier’s voice.

Bauer’s character Bloody Mary, serves as comic relief from the more serious love story or military operations. Selling grass skirts and other trinkets to soldiers stationed on the island, she shamelessly flirts with any “damn saxy” soldiers that come her way.

Bauer also introduces Bally High, a magical, mysterious island that beckons soldiers, with a slow, dreamy song that Bauer completely nailed. Her song was the best of the show, featuring her incredible vocal range and well-faked Polynesian accent.

Though the ending is a relatively happy one, as the two lovers predictably end up together, there are deaths and traumas along the way.

Corr’s character dies while on a military operation, leaving behind lovers in Philadelphia and Polynesia. His death causes viewers to question why he was cheating on his Philadelphia girlfriend with Laura Reinhart’s character, Liat, but the question is suspended as Kristina DeGiovanni, the Philadelphia girlfriend, mourns him in jazz standard “I’ll be seeing you (in all the old familiar places).”

As usual, the entire Mask & Zany cast and crew did an amazing job putting together the show. With fantastic accompaniment and acting, the show was a hit and possibly the best since “Fame” in 2011.

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Students chime in on morning music

May 10, 2013 By

by Rachel H. Freeman, sophomore, Council Rock High School North 

Some people in Newtown start their days with a hot cup of coffee or an early morning jog. But at Council Rock High School North, students start their days with music. 

Most teens aren’t thrilled even to be awake at 8:00am, let alone making their way to second period. But the Independent TV Broadcasting elective strives to make mornings more bearable through music. 

Each week, the class selects a new student “director” who is in charge of choosing a theme for the morning announcements. Along with a theme, he or she must choose music to be played during the announcements and in the hallway. 

Changing the directors helps to diversify the announcement themes, according to Megan Korb, a student in Independent TV Broadcasting this year.

When it was her week to direct, Megan chose “All Time Low” day, a theme dedicated to her favorite band, explaining, “I was really happy that I got to add my own personality to the announcements and share my musical taste with the rest of the school.

The elective allows students like Megan to have a week of control. This also means a week of expression and sharing music.

The director benefits from sharing his or her taste with others and expressing him or herself. The students are exposed to new music and the teachers get a hint of what their students enjoy, according to Megan.

“I see people singing and dancing in the hall, enjoying the music,” said Megan. “I think that most people enjoy the announcements.”

About two-thirds of the students at North agree with Megan, according to an Indianite staff survey of 100 CRHS-N students.

“[The music] gets everyone going in the morning, and even if I don’t personally like the song, it’s a nice way to start the day,” said Mike Piora, a musician in the school marching band.

Other students agreed with Mike, saying that they didn’t always like the song choices, but they loved the music in general. 

However, the other third of students do not particularly enjoy the music in the mornings.

“I wish weirder genres were played,” said Libby Tofig, an active member of the theater club at North. “I wish they played show tunes or alternative music to switch it up.”

Many students who said they dislike the music claim that the reason is the sound quality. Fixing problems like the sound quality and musical genres could help more students enjoy their mornings. 

The majority of students seem to understand that with better mornings come better moods, and with better moods come more willing attitudes to learn and succeed in the classroom.

Independent TV Broadcasting has the power to impact the entire school positively, the majority of students commented during the survey. 

Overwhelmingly though, most of the students agreed that the elective already does a great job helping directors express themselves and allowing the students to enjoy the start to their days, and with a little bit of work, Independent TV Broadcasting can wake up Council Rock North, the right way.

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‘It’s That Time of Year Again’

May 6, 2013 By

by Breanna Forgione, junior, Pennsbury High School

On Friday, March 22nd and Saturday, March 23rd, the gymnasium of Charles Boehm Middle School was filled to its maximum with eager Pennsbury students, teachers, and parents to watch the Black and Orange teams compete in dances, skits, and athletic events at Pennsbury’s annual Sports Nite.

This year’s theme was “It’s That Time of Year Again,” and highlighted certain dates and holidays, both good and bad, throughout the entire year. Dance themes such as Tax Season, March Madness, and Flu Season were included in this year’s highlights.

From the second Pennsbury students ran out onto the gym floor, the amount of confidence both teams showed was phenomenal. Spectators were decked out in their most colorful Pennsbury attire, cheering on their friends and classmates from the stands. Unfortunately, only one team could be declared as winner by the end of the night.

After the hard-work, yelling, screaming, and sweating, this year, the Black team outscored Orange with a score of 24-19, its second consecutive win.

This year was Pennsbury’s 65th Annual Sports Nite, with the Overall Captains of the Orange team being Sara Sargent and Bryan Goelz, while for the Black team, Overall Captains were Taylor Johnson and Chris Harrah. Pennnsbury students voted for Sara Vrancik to be this year’s 2013 Sports Nite Queen.

By the end of the night, it could clearly be seen that both teams worked extremely hard to create this memorable event that most students will remember for the rest of their high school careers. Between the decorations, murals, and cheers, this year’s Sports Nite was memorable for all students who came together to battle it out in some friendly competition.

Be sure to check out next year’s Sports Nite at Charles Boehm Middle School. Who knows what events Pennsbury will have in store for spectators next year?

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The view from Cairn University

May 3, 2013 By

MT TEEN by Cassidy Shemelia, Morrisville High School/Cairn University

Just a semester ago, the word “college” could be described as a terrifying new location with new faces and more homework than is humanly impossible to handle. It is, in fact, just that.

Leaving Morrisville High School to become a student at Cairn University, a biblical university in Langhrone, was more terrifying than anything I have yet to encounter. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but high school prepared me in more ways than one.

MHS taught me that taking an active role within the student body and community is as important as the courses I am taking. It afforded me the opportunity to be involved in many school and community areas during my four years spent there.

The lessons I learned varied from teamwork, to event planning in Student Senate, to reaching the community through the 21st Century Tutor & Community Service Programs. I have learned to stay connected and be involved.

I moved into Cairn University early in August, and I became a member of the Cross Country team. This was overwhelming to me with the load of 17 credits on my schedule. While already experiencing the never-ending schedule at MHS, I was prepared for this.

I had the opportunity to apply for a position on the Chi Beta Sigma cabinet. Chi Beta Sigma is a group dedicated to planning beneficial events on campus. We recently planned relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy.

I was scared to see how challenging the academics were going to be in college. I have written more papers in one semester than I have a whole year in high school; it’s never-ending.

I have to thank a few of my high school teachers for their efforts in preparing me for college: Mrs. Deliman for preparing me with the ability and skills to write a research paper; Mr. Teefy for teaching me great study skills; Mrs. Hasness for helping me understand mathematical concepts; and Mr. Martino, who taught me to defend my faith within Chemistry and Biology classes.

All my high school classes in one way or another prepared me for what was a successful first semester in college.

College life is great! It’s challenging, but fun! The Cairn community is wonderful!

When finals week came, also known as “hell week,” not to be cliché, but as Zach Efron, the main actor in “High School Musical,” says, “we were all in it together.” With no electricity to write papers, 300 students in dorm room Heritage Hall gathered together and created fun races around the lounges, board games, and musical concerts.

As the first semester came to an end, I can definitely say that my time in Morrisville High School benefited me in many ways. My first semester courses were difficult, but Morrisville taught me to never give up. It was a place that gave me opportunity and taught me how to succeed.

It is up to the individual to make the decision to strive for their goals. I have never disregarded my passion for people and the world. I will become a social worker. I will work in Africa, and I will do what it takes to make these things come true.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

PHOTO CAP: Cassidy Shemelia

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Challenge Day at NHS

April 29, 2013 By

by Gillian McGoldrick, sophomore, Neshaminy High School

Ever walk into a room with everyone cheering for you, celebrating you for being you? This is how Challenge Day on February 21st began at Neshaminy High School.

Many knew that their day ahead would be life-changing. It began uncomfortably with silly games that involved strangers dancing with each other, or telling a random person who your hero was.

Leaders Jen Wilson and Schan Baker kept repeating the phrase, “You can’t get through the day without at least three hugs.” So as you could assume, there was also a ton of hugging – especially many hugs with strangers.

Many students had misconceptions going into Challenge Day.

Sophomore and first-time participant, Tori Cancel, explains her different expectations for the emotional day she had: “Going into Challenge Day, I thought I wasn’t going to open up to anybody. I didn’t think I would react how I did,” Cancel said. “By the end of the day, I felt so much closer to every single person in the room even if I hadn’t talked to them. I felt like we all had a connection in some way.”

Students were put into groups of six. Everyone was close (with a box of tissues in the middle of course) and began to tell the people in our group that, “If you really knew me, you would know…”

Students shared their stories and made me thankful for those around me and the support I have. They not only made me appreciate how my life is, but also opened my eyes that every person I see is also setting up a front of so-called “happiness.”

All students were put on one side of the gym and when Wilson read a sentence, if it were true to them and their family, they were to cross the line and face the other participants. With many people crossing under categories I would never have expected, I was shocked.

I also shocked myself on how many things I actually did cross for, not even realizing some of them were such big problems. Many other participants noticed this, too.

After other activities Wilson and Baker began empowering us to “Be The Change.” They spoke of the three steps to actually changing something “Notice, Choose, Act.” These steps are run internationally with the Challenge Day program, helping schools make big changes that were once ignored.

Now that it has been over a full month since Challenge Day, where does Neshaminy stand? We definitely see the new connections in Neshaminy and get a lot of feedback from students.

Many students come back the very next day and sign right up for next year to be a leader.

For Neshaminy to be able to really change and bring the Challenge Day values to everyone, more students need to be involved. More students should get the opportunity before they graduate to participate in something as empowering as Challenge Day.

For more information about Challenge Day, visit http://challengeday.org/.

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CB East’s Budokon Club

April 26, 2013 By

by Amanda Borth, junior, Central Bucks East High School

The Budokon Club, a new club that began March 14th at Central Bucks East High School, meets on Thursdays after school.

Many people have never heard of this form of yoga conditioning activity for martial arts. It primarily focuses on the flow and transitions of fighting technique, as well as “learning how to properly control your body and move with intention while fighting,” as explained by Katie Howarth, a senior at East, who will co-run the club with Rachel Harding, a junior at East.

Katie further revealed the ideology behind Budokon: “When you are fighting it is not just the punching and the kicking, but it is also being able to move and stabilize your body in the middle so that people can’t catch you off guard.”

Both Katie and Rachel are very enthusiastic to be running this new club. They have both taken Budokon classes together for several years. Earning their red belt, which is second out of six levels, and becoming certified teachers of Budokon, are two major achievements that they have accomplished in their Budokon careers.

“We are really excited because this is our first real teaching experience,” says Katie.

Both Katie and Rachel have devoted a large part of their lives to this form of martial arts, reaping immense physical and emotional benefits.

“I’m excited to start the club just because I want to spread what I’ve learned to people I love and care about. Budokon has literally changed my life, between being more conscious with my decisions and thoughts and of course increasing my physical endurance, flexibility, strength and that stuff. Pretty much, I wanted other people to be happy just like how I am! And Budokon has opened my eyes to make me realize these little things and I’ve become happy myself. I guess I’m just excited to help other people and see how this art will change other people,” explained Rachel.

Katie expressed similar feelings towards Budokon when she stated, “Budokon isn’t just about the movement, it is about the thoughts and feelings and relationships that we involve ourselves in. It is about conscious living and knowing how to treat our environment and ourselves (nutrition). It is more than just a class; it is a self-awareness teaching that I bring to every aspect and moment of my life.”

These are just some aspects that Katie and Rachel wish to share and spread to people in our school. While the discussion on those already in Budokon is important and insightful, students may wonder what benefits a Budokon club can do for them at a more basic level.

Monica Harris, a senior at East, explained why this club would be great for her.

“I tried Budokon several times before at the ‘Y’ and found that I had no time in my schedule to fit it into my weekly routine. Now that Katie and Rachel are creating a Budokon Club, I can easily fit it into my schedule without having to request off from work or inhibit my studying schedule.”

This new club will provide new opportunities for the students of CB East.

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